Seriously though, the '90s had some of the greatest television shows of all time, especially when it came to sitcoms. With the airwaves filled with "Seinfeld," "Friends," and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," the decade offered audiences lots of laughs.
However, in recent years, a certain show has been overshadowed.
And I need to fix that.
"Frasier" is a masterpiece of television, and though shows like "Friends" have recently regained popularity, I’m here to remind you that "Frasier" is seriously awesome.
So join me on a nostalgia-filled journey into a very pompous and rainy world, and I’ll explain the reasons why I love this comedic gem -- and you should too.
It’s Got an Interesting Setup
"Frasier" is a show that probably wouldn’t be made today; a radio psychiatrist moves back to his hometown of Seattle where his ex-cop father moves into his fancy new apartment. Throw in an equally snotty younger brother and a English physical therapist (who’s a wee bit psychic), and you’ve got a mix for a great television show that’s just a little offbeat and a whole lot of fun.
It’s Long-Running
This baby has 11 seasons, all of which are perfect for wasting time and having a laugh. Bonus: "Frasier" is the spin-off of another great show, "Cheers," which also lasted 11 seasons. Just imagine all the studying you can put off with 22 seasons of quality television.
It’s Pretentious for Days
Full of Jung, Freud, opera, and French dining, "Frasier" keeps the pretension in full gear. The upper-crust characters live in fancy Seattle social circles and are only brought down to earth occasionally. Really, watch this when you’re feeling a little full of yourself, and you’ll be reminded of how much more pretentious you could be.
It’s Hilarious
No joke, this show is so funny you’ll have abs by the time you finish that final, 264th, episode. The back-and-forth between the characters is pure comedic gold, and the wordplay and puns are top-notch. Even the title cards -- an old-fashioned technique which deserves a comeback -- are hilarious.
It’s a Time Capsule
Because the series spans from 1993 to 2004, the clothing styles change dramatically over the course of the show, and watching the transition can be fascinating for the fashion-inclined. Also, "Frasier" takes you back to a drastically different technological age, where the internet was new and a bit scary, and the cell phones were brick-ish and antenna-ed.
Its Romantic Subplots Are Fire
Forget Ross and Rachel, the six-season-long romantic slow burn between Niles and Daphne is where it’s at. Plus, the titular character’s romantic entanglements are hilarious and complicated as he navigates the '90s dating world of phone calls, answering machines, and no Facebook stalking.
It’s Full of Life Lessons
"Frasier" often teaches lessons of familial loyalty, love, friendship, and working past social differences, and every lesson is taught with humor and warmth.
So maybe after all those reasons, I hope that the next time you see "Frasier" in your Netflix queue, you give it a watch.
