FLAKIER

FRASIER
1993-2004 NBC

FLAKIER
MAD #329, July 1994
w:Dick DeBartolo
a: Paul Coker

Spinoff from Cheers that lasted just as long. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) was originally a guest star as one of Diane's boyfriends and became a regular character that got married, with his wife becoming a regular as well. On this show he has relocated from Boston to Seattle and is a call-in radio psychiatrist with a family and a maid.

Niles (David Hyde-Pierce) is his brother who is also a psychiatrist and intellectual. It is true that he has played similar roles in almost everything else. Martin (John Mahoney) is the blue-collar father who lives with Frasier. Daphne (Jane Leeves) has been hired for the upkeep of the house and to take care of Martin, despite his thinking he doesn't need to be taken care of. Roz Boyle (Peri Gilpin) works at the radio station producing his show and screening calls. Eddie is the dog filling the role in the time-honored sitcom tradition of pets who are just as smart as the rest of the cast. Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) fills the role in the time-honored sitcom tradition of former cast members from previous programs who show up sporadically in their spinoffs.

Niles, despite the time-honored sitcom tradition of unrequited and one-sided love for Daphne, has a wife Maris, who fills the role in the time-honored sitcom tradition of recurring characters you never see. Norm and Cliff, regulars from Cheers, also had invisible wives.

FROZEN
Cracked #297, March 1995
w: Greg Grabianski
a: Walter Brogan

   -Kurt Cobain committed suicide two years earlier.
   -"I'm Listening" was how Frasier always greeted callers on his radio show.

Kelsey Grammer is well-known for being a conservative.

Wilson on Home Improvement is another recurring character that's never seen.