Frasier Vs. Cheers
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modica — 9 years ago(January 31, 2017 08:10 AM)
I don't get the aged better thing, but OK. Anyhow, I think that the first two or three seasons of Cheers and right before Diane left the show are better than any of the Frasier episodes. Lots of Cheers and Frasier episodes are not consistently good, but Cheers was consistently good for the first 3 seasons, while Frasier was always hit and miss.
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ClayGorgon — 9 years ago(January 31, 2017 12:08 PM)
I think the first seven seasons of
Frasier
are classic, and there is a very good number of quality episodes after that. Aside from the weakest episodes, even the supposedly bad , goofy ones are not really bad, because they're decently acted.
Of course, if we nitpick individual episodes, some are better than others. But that's true of any show. No series produces eleven seasons of classics.
It's only when we get familiar with the show, that we start compartmentalizing quality.
Similarly, some people think there are only 3 good seasons of the Simpsons before it started with the zany antics in Season 4. Others think there are 28 good seasons. Go figure.
Frasier
has emotionally grounded characters. My favorite thing about the show is the family dynamic, and the fraternal relationship. It's a far more intimate show than Cheers.
Also, this sitcom is not part of the very popular snark culture.It's a comedy of manners for most of its run. so even at its silliest, it's not offensive or abrasive.
For instance,
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
is , in its 12th season, and it's apparently hilarious( not that I've noticed) but I think it's easier to write a sitcom around characters who are just horrible to everyone under the sun, as with every season they become more and more unhinged and deplorable.
Frasier, the character has also gotten more over-the top with the seasons, but he's kept at check by the more sensible Niles and Martin.
Without Niles, Martin and Frasier there would be no show, of course.
Actually, I don't think there would be a good show without Niles- in many ways, he's the core, in my opinion.
I agree that the female characters are pretty weak, but the rapport between Mahoney, Pierce and Grammer is so good that they can elevate even a mediocre script into good comedy. -
