Frasier (TV Series) Reindeer Games (2023) User Reviews

Party Time

[jameswyattranks · 9/10 · 8 December 2023]

What a lovely way to end the season. A completely ridiculous, far-fetched party in typical Frasier fashion. Every element was a laugh. The character pairings in this episode were perfect and brought hilarious moments. Above all, an excellent cameo and story that is so sweet and so emotional. I loved it.

The season as a whole has impressed me and exceeded my rather low expectations. The new characters in both Frasier and Freddy's circles all work well, even characters I've had my doubts with have managed to fit well within certain scenarios. Really hope we get a second season because every moment with Frasier Crane is something to treasure!

Enjoyable finale to an enjoyable season.

[jwmaglio · 9/10 · 9 December 2023]

The first season of Frasier 2023 comes to an end with with an enjoyable Christmas episode and Peri Gilpin's return as Roz. The episode centers around a Christmas party that Frasier throws to cheer himself up when he is feeling sad about Martin's death. The Christmas party plot manages to incorporate of the regular characters and to keep up the Frasier tradition of everything going wrong at his fancy parties.

I felt that the first episode had some trouble switching between serious and comedic material, but this type of transition was much smoother in this episode.

My one complaint is that Peri Gilpin didn't have a very big role as Roz in the episode. She is brought into the episodes in a sweet way and she was very good in the scenes she was in, but it was too bad she wasn't able to do more.

Overall, Frasier 2023 was very enjoyable despite getting off to a somewhat shakey start. It doesn't recapture every aspect of Frasier 1993, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much of the feel they were able to recapture. I hope this series is renewed for more seasons and that we can see more of these characters interacting and hopefully more characters from Cheers and Frasier 1993 in these future seasons.

Cordially Sipping Champagne.....

[jeffschultz-46476 · 9/10 · 8 December 2023]

This episode was particularly well done. I had been frustrated with the hurried yet tried and true mechanics of the last few episodes. The writing and production of the Frasier Drama has always been brilliant even if strategic or routine in its portrayal of comedy. It has always gone deep in witty and insightful, even moving ways. The reboot has struggled only in its pace, its hurriedness, to get back to the core of brilliant material. I wish Kelsey Grammer or the producers would just let Frasier relax in his character. It is already established, it is well known. The loyal audience is already consociated with the character and its closest confidantes, we don't need a frantic recapitulation. We long to see more of the quintessential Fraiser relaxed in his deepest doubts and struggles, and highest comedic follies, all alongside his closest loved ones and truest friends, as the dynamics with Roz so brilliantly brought to this episode. The last 10 minutes, in particular, of this episode were heartwarming and charming and I once again saw past the mechanics, the frenetic pace of the reboot and into the deep world of Frasier.

Episode 10

[bobcobb301 · 27 December 2023]

Long-term fans of Frasier got their reunion with the titular character and Roz, and some short-term fans of the new adaptation got a good wrap-up to the first year.

This was a little bit extreme for Frasier and their universe, it almost got Three's Company esque with the double entrendres and the misheard quotes, but it was still relatively funny.

The show has been good overall and is the kind of laugh-track comedy that we need more of. I don't know if it will drive people to put down money for Paramount+ if they were not already, but always good to have this kind of show still on TV because this genre truly is timeless.

Peri Gilpin

[colemanjt-12778 · 10/10 · 11 January 2024]

Peri needs to be a regular on this show. The more it can connect to the first show, the better. I realize that not everyone is interested in getting back together, but a few of the old cast, plus the new characters would be great. I always wanted Roz and Fraser to get together. Could be an opportunity. Roz could move to Boston and work at a local radio show or be the station manager. This would give Fraser the opportunity to date her as an off and on relationship. Could be a humerus link to the fire department friends of Freddie.

Maybe even Dan Butler and the Lilith character (Bebe Neuworth) could make cameo appearances from time to time. I already know that David Hyde Pierce was not interested and neither was Jane Leaves. It would, however be an interesting episode if they made cameos.

Still, I think the show is getting better with each episode. Looking forward to next season.

JTC72.

Bring back memories

[cateringintheuk · 10/10 · 13 March 2024]

I watched and re watched the whole new series, and what I love is even though the original cast are not there you are still taken right back to the original Fraiser.

I am sure there will be plenty of special guest appearances from cheers and the old fraiser in the future. The new cast will become better gelled together even though they are really good now, we will see many more episodes to come weaving the the old with the new perfectly.

By the time I had got to the last episode, I wanted more it really does get funnier with each episode.

This Christmas episode will take you back to the original Fraiser.

I'm listening.....lol.

Season One Review

[southdavid · 7/10 · 15 December 2023]

I was a big fan of the original series of "Frasier" though, truth be told, I wasn't overly struck on this reboot idea, particularly when the fact that the rest of the cast weren't returning came out. The first couple of episodes really played into those fears too, but later in the run I do think things improved.

Following the death of his father, Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar) heads to Boston to reconnect with his son, Freddie (Jack Cutmore-Scott). Having dropped out of Harvard, much to Frasier's chagrin, Freddie is a firefighter and lives with Eve (Jess Salgueiro), the girlfriend of one of Freddie's colleagues, who was killed in the line of duty. Having been to Harvard to see his old friend Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst), the chair Olivia Finch (Toks Olagundoye) offers Frasier a job.

So, the first two/three episodes are not good and can see why they might have shaken off the potential audience the show would have had. I haven't seen "Frasier" in a while, but I don't remember the performances being as broad as they are here, particularly from the new cast. I can't signal anyone out, as they're all doing "I'm in a sitcom" deliveries and its pretty horrible stuff. I'm not sure why I did, but, if you persevere through those first few, everybody does seem to settle down and there are some genuinely amusing moments in the rest of the run.

Nicholas Lyndhurst is in this series which is never not going to be odd for a British person, given how closely he's identified with the one iconic sitcom role. He too feels a bit 'one-note' in the opening couple of episodes, but the character widens out as the series runs on. There's also a few more moments of pathos as the series runs on.

It's tough to get over those first few, and I really wouldn't blame you if you couldn't manage it, but there were rewards to be had later on, so much so that I'd like to see this reboot continue.

Reindeer Games

[studioAT · 7/10 · 4 February 2024]

This is the last episode of the first series of the rebooted 'Fraiser', and it's another that feels like the good old days.

It's rich in farce, everyone gets their chance to shine, and despite the longer running time, zips along at pace.

It's good, funny stuff, and I think it really highlighted how the supporting cast are more than able to hold their own. Even David, which hasn't always been the case.

We do get a returning face from the old series, but they don't get in the way of it being all about the new characters, so unlike others I felt it was nicely done.

Overall, I think this first series has been good, and that there have been some very good episodes. It's finding its feet, but with time it will improve.

Roz deserved a way better episode!

[Laqshayaroraofficial · 4/10 · 7 December 2023]

I was really excited for this episode because of three things: it's a season finale, it's Christmas-themed, and most importantly, there is a guest appearance by Roz Doyle. Although the episode was fine, they really need to reduce the laughter track; there are far too many, and it's annoying when the scene is not funny. Also, there should be some good side characters and a funny recurring character. Now, the main cast looks better than it was in the beginning, and Alan is the best new addition to this Frasier universe. Anyways, talking about this episode, they really wasted Roz. She looked great, and her dialogue delivery was still super awesome, but she came almost at the end with very few dialogues. Those watching for Roz would be highly disappointed. Roz shouldn't have even been in this episode; she deserved way more respect and screen time. It was one of the worst guest appearances of a really good actor, and it wasn't her fault. I hope they still renew this show, bring in Niles and others, but give them some respect in their guest appearance role.

Merry Frasier.

[DoorsofDylan · 6/10 · 24 December 2023]

Getting home after sending off the last Christmas present, I decided it was time to watch a festive TV special. Having held back from viewing the episode after learning that it was set around Christmas, I got set to meet the good Dr. Crane.

View on the episode:

The last of four episodes he directed in the season, lead actor/ director Kelsey Grammer & cinematographer Gary Baum subtly express the sorrow Frasier is feeling from the empty space where his dad use to be, with elegant panning shots following Frasier having a quiet moment in the middle of a row of Christmas trees.

Gathering everyone round the table with amusing sight gags that include stuffing every corner of the room with Christmas trees, Grammer and Baum lay out a merry atmosphere of sparkling lights glittering in the background, which shine in slick mid-shots, closing in on Frasier and his son finding Christmas Cheers from being surrounded by friends.

Struggling over the season to make what appears to be a Chuck Lorre-inspired character to become a natural fit, the script by Janene Lin, Jenna Martin and Naima Pearce finally find a perfect match for David's quirky side, via his party games with Alan, (played by a wonderfully dry Nicholas Lyndhurst) who shares a delight in keeping their fellow guests out of the loop, as they partake in merriment.

Jumping for joy when Roz, (played with a sharp sarcastic edge by Peri Gilpin) walks backs into his life, Kelsey Grammer gives a very funny performance in the title role. Starting to increasingly accept the direction that his son Freddy is taking his life in, Grammer balances expressing Frasier becoming increasingly relaxed around a new circle of friends, whilst carry on his shoulders the awareness of the empty space where Martin would be, as Frasier spending Christmas morning, having tossed salad and scrambled eggs.

Disappointing

[hennesseypaul · 2/10 · 8 December 2023]

I had a few hopes for this episode, but like the rest of the season, it didn't hold a candle, to the original. Even on rare occasions that the quality of the original seeped through, during the 10 episodes and gave me hope, it quickly disappeared. The new characters, are boring, and feel like they come from, how I met your mother. And the constant laughter track every few minutes is jarring. I would love to know why the producers thought this type of humour was acceptable, considering the quality and effort put into the original. The only things that made this episode worthwhile was Roz and the tribute to Martin. All in all the whole reboot promised more than it delivered.

You got Peri Gilpin...

[TAEMO · 5/10 · 9 December 2023]

... plus ten extra minutes for this eoisode and this is all you can come up with. You have her come in for a third act cameo. What a waste of a great, still beautiful actress. Do they still have acts without commercial breaks? I never liked commercial breaks but since the writers structured episodes and scenes according to a given structure it all felt coherent. This did not feel coherent nor structured just scenes all over the place. Two telephone calls with Niles without David Hyde Pierce and you never get the impression that Niles is on the line. Sorry, you want to like it, it is not even that woke but it is just not well done.

10 episodes and still waiting for some comedy to appear.

[gareth-75442 · 2/10 · 27 January 2024]

The only entertainment this show gives is how laughable it got to 10 episodes.

It suffers from the same problem most dismal sitcoms suffer from, everyone is performing just for the camera, like they know they're being fimed, the best shows have the cast acting out a storyline Frasier 2023 is nothing more than unfunny unimaginative skits, it's akin to amateur night at a karaoke bar.

This entire 10 episode season can't hold a candle to 5 minutes from any episode from the original show, it is simply embarrassing how lacklustre it is.

The mistake the producers & Grammer made is that they believed Grammer was the reason for the success of the original show, that belief is simply ridiculous, the original show had a stellar cast of actors with incredible talent, each character with a unique personality and fantastic writers with outstanding imagination, Frasier without that superb cast would have been a failure and that is obvious in this new iteration of the "Frasier show".

If this shockingly bad attempt at a sitcom gets a second season then Grammer needs to fire the entire writing staff and hire writers with talent.

The original show had drama and comedy mixed into imaginative storylines with a talented cast, everything required for a hit show, Frasier 2023 lacks everything the original show had in spades which is why it's a dud.