by Michael Lyons
Just as they did this time last year - worlds are about to collide, as The Super Bowl and Valentine's Day will happen just days apart.
While these two extremely popular and special days couldn't be more different, there are ways to celebrate both, with none other than the noted psychiatrist Frasier Crane. Two separate episodes of the hit, long-running sitcom Frasier have centered on the big Super Bowl game, and he day of love, Valentine's Day, along with the love and neurosis that comes with both.
"Our Parents, Ourselves," Originally aired: January 21, 1999
A very poignant episode in which Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Roz (Peri Gilpin) attempt to play matchmaker between Frasier's Dad, Martin (John Mahoney), and Roz's mom Joanna (Eva Marie Saint).
It all falls apart, as Martin isn't interested, and Joanna is. To make matters worse, Frasier secretly invites Roz and Joanna over to Martin's Super Bowl party, not knowing that Martin has invited another date, Bonnie (Alice Playten).
There lots of good jokes sprinkled throughout, centering on Frasier and Niles knowing nothing about football. This includes a great opening in which Roz has to mime different plays so that Frasier can converse about football with one of the callers on his radio show.
"Our Parents, Ourselves" ends on a very touching note. After their matchmaking has gone awry, Frasier and Roz have a very frank discussion around the fact that they did it because they not only hate seeing their parents alone, but they're also afraid of being alone someday.
A feeling that's as universally shared as the Super Bowl itself.
"Three Valentines," Originally aired: February 11, 1999
This Valentine's Day episode centers on three stories.
In one that opens the show, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) is preparing for a Valentine's Day date, for which Frasier has loaned out his apartment. What follows is brilliant physical comedy from Hyde Pierce, in a sequence almost devoid of dialogue, where one hysterical mishap after another happens and snowballs out of control. What starts with Niles looking to iron a wrinkle out of his trousers ends with him setting fire to Frasier's couch, all while Eddie the dog watches on.
The second story is about Frasier, who has been invited out on a Valentine's Day date with the station's new marketing manager (Virginia Madsen), or has he? Frasier can't quite get a "read" on whether or not Cassandra is interested in him, made funnier by sharp dialogue, where Frasier's hopes are high one second and dashed the next.
Then, in the third story, Martin and Daphne (Jane Leeves) go out to dinner, as they have no plans for Valentine's Day. As they try to cheer each other up, they wind up inadvertently (and humorously) insulting each other.
One of the best Frasier episodes, "Three Valentines," is crafted like a great Hollywood screwball, romantic comedy.
So, Frasier can help you gear up for the Super Bowl or get ready for Valentine's Day. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate both, to quote this wonderful sitcom's main character, "This is Dr. Frasier Crane. I'm listening."
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