Warning: This article discusses the topics of suicide and alcoholism.

Frasier Crane is one of the most notable characters in the best episodes of Cheers feature Dr. Crane at his best, and he continues to keep audiences entertained with his pompous attitude yet likable personality.

While Frasier initially starts off as just a love interest of Diane’s, he quickly becomes his own person. Throughout the show, Frasier grows and develops, marries Lilith, and even becomes a father. Although Frasier isn’t present for all 11 seasons of Cheers, he is definitely a standout character in the show, and the main focus of some amazing episodes.

10 "Rebound"

Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2

Although Frasier isn’t a character from the first episode of Cheers, he is still an integral member of the group, and his introduction in the season 3 two-parter “Rebound” establishes why he’s such a great figure. Frasier enters the show as Diane’s psychiatrist, but when Diane discovers Sam has relapsed, she brings Frasier along to analyze the bar owner. Frasier’s early moments set up exactly who he is as a character, and he quietly watches Sam from afar before getting to work.

This two-part episode sets up one of the greatest TV show love triangles of all time, too. While Sam still has lingering feelings for Diane, Cheers’ main character is initially unaware that something is ruminating between his ex and Frasier. Although it takes some time for Kelsey Grammer to truly command the screen in both parts of “Rebound,” he quietly but brilliantly provides intriguing layers to the character. Frasier forms a strange bond with Sam quite quickly, shows his strengths as a psychiatrist, and jokes with Diane.

9 "Diane’s Allergy"

Season 3, Episode 10

After moving in with Frasier, Diane develops an allergy that she believes is to her new partner’s dog, despite the psychiatrist knowing that the reaction is actually psychosomatic. What’s particularly strange about “Diane’s Allergy” is that Frasier even has a canine companion, considering that it’s later established he doesn’t like animals in a hilarious recurring gag in Frasier. However, in this episode, Frasier is more concerned that Diane’s excuses are to hide the fact she still loves Sam.

Diane overhearing Frasier’s tirade to Sam about how much he loves the dog, which she misinterprets as a conversation about her, highlights the interesting growth in their relationship, too.

Even though Frasier has had the dog for a while, he is patient with Diane’s response. Despite knowing deep down that her connection to Sam isn’t something that will disappear overnight, he gives her the benefit of the doubt. Diane overhearing Frasier’s tirade to Sam about how much he loves the dog, which she misinterprets as a conversation about her, highlights the interesting growth in their relationship, too. The funniest moment of this episode, though, is how abruptly Frasier and Sam patch things up and leave for a film festival together.

8 "Cheerio, Cheers"

Season 3, Episode 22

“Cheerio, Cheers” sees Frasier in the lead-up to his departure to Italy, but it is also the final appearance of Nicholas Coasanto’s Coach. The topic of Diane’s unresolved feelings for Sam rears its ugly head once again, and audiences see a rather vulnerable moment from Frasier, when he pours his heart out to Sam about whether Diane truly still cares about her ex. However, this does result in a rather comical moment in which both men simultaneously say “He’ll be fine” when Diane asks Frasier about Sam’s response to her departure.

For someone who deals with mental health on a daily basis, it’s unusual to witness Frasier open up about his own anxieties. There’s no doubt that Frasier is unbelievably patient with Diane, although understandably so, considering the context in which the pair meet. What’s truly sweet, however, is that no matter how worried Frasier is about Diane’s feelings for Sam, he still s the owner of Cheers’ titular bar with his alcoholism.

7 "The Triangle"

Season 4, Episode 15

“The Triangle” is an integral episode for Frasier. Despite the hardship he faces, like experiencing his own bout of sadness and desperation after Diane leaves him at the altar, Frasier still finds the strength to return to the bar. This episode once again re-cements just how much Frasier puts up with when it comes to Diane and Sam’s on-again-off-again TV show relationship, but eventually, he reaches his limit. It’s hard not to celebrate when Frasier refuses to continue subscribing to their ridiculousness, after he discovers Sam is feigning symptoms of depression as part of a plan he forms with Diane.

Honestly, it’s rather disappointing that the pair do this to Frasier, even if their intentions are good. Sam being with Diane is always in the back of Frasier’s head, but he perseveres and helps Sam because that is his role in life, so it’s a shame the pair lie like this. However, Frasier truly becomes his own character in “The Triangle” by using his common sense, stepping away from it all, and finding himself again. “The Triangle” is an episode of Cheers that really showcases the main character, and from this point, he grows and develops a huge amount.

6 "Abnormal Psychology"

Season 5, Episode 4

Although Frasier and Lilith are divorced in Frasier, the strange couple’s relationship has some good moments, like in “Abnormal Psychology.” The season 5 episode is often considered one of the funniest, because it sees the pair hilariously debate one another on television. Despite their strained first date, there’s no doubt that there’s a spark between Frasier and Lilith as the two throw sharp tongued names and witty retorts back and forth.

Frasier refuses to it he is enamored with Lilith, but after Diane gives her a makeover, it’s hard for him to stop his facial expression revealing his true feelings. The TV debate is hysterical to watch, from the game of the footsie to the double entendres, and even the customers and staff in the bar get riled up from the image. Frasier and Lilith are an odd pair, but one that definitely works, and “Abnormal Psychology” is a crucial episode to watch in order to understand their relationship.

5 "Dinner At Eight-Ish"

Season 5, Episode 20

“Dinner at Eight-ish” is another integral Cheers episode for Frasier and Lilith’s relationship. After the pair announce they are moving in together, they invite Sam and Diane over as their first dinner guests, but their need to psychoanalyze everything causes an argument. There are plenty of classic sitcom misunderstandings and reveals in this episode, like Lilith discovering Frasier used to be engaged to Diane, a fact she isn’t aware of until this point. It’s hilarious to watch the several fights pan out between the characters, with pretty much everyone storming off to the bathroom at one point or another.

In fact, in one hilarious moment, Frasier is so fed up with it all that he locks Lilith and Diane inside.

he dialogue in “Dinner at Eight-ish” is perfectly timed and delivered, especially Lilith’s shouting, which is a rare treat for Cheers viewers. The episode brilliantly highlights the little details in both Lilith and Frasier’s respective personalities, and the tenseness between them and their guests is hilarious. While The Office’s cringey “Dinner Party” is well-ed in the world of sitcoms, many fail to realize that “Dinner at Eight-ish” is the original awkward dinner party episode.

4 "Airport V"

Season 6, Episode 19

"Airport V" shows Frasier at his best, professionally, when he tries to help Carla get over her fear of flying. In an attempt to put her anxieties to rest, Frasier holds a workshop that ends with a real flight, just so Carla can visit Eddie in Seattle. It’s not often that these two characters spend much time together, but it’s brilliant to see the pair work to try to resolve Carla’s fears. While this plan works for Carla, Frasier unfortunately develops his own phobia that not only causes further chaos, but is just generally hilarious to watch.

Frasier going from cool and collected to completely losing it within a matter of seconds is one of the funniest moments in Frasier. However, his wild meltdown is what soothes Carla and helps her realize that it’s not worth being afraid of air travel. Interestingly, this episode teases that Frasier eventually overcomes his newly gained fear of flying, as the Cheers spin-off Frasier is set in Seattle, the character’s hometown.

3 "The Norm Who Came To Dinner"

Season 10, Episode 4

Season 10’s “The Norm Who Came to Dinner” sees Frasier accidentally injure Cheers’ beer lover Norm while he paints a room in his house, which leaves the psychiatrist and Lilith to look after him. Frasier and Norm arguing about the ladder is a hysterical scene, and it highlights the character’s incessant need to seem intelligent. Frasier’s ever-growing frustration toward Norm is very comical, although it’s disappointing that he lets Lilith take so much of the blame, especially when it’s him who can’t say no to his friends.

This episode gets funnier and funnier as more people show up at the Cranes' home, especially when Lilith points out that her living room isn’t the bar, only for Sam to immediately arrive with a keg. “The Norm Who Came to Dinner” is also a fantastic slice-of-life episode for Lilith and Frasier. It shows just how well Lilith knows her husband, most notably when she threatens to withhold her naked body from Frasier unless he throws everyone out.

2 "One Hugs, The Other Doesn't"

Season 10, Episode 16

“One Hugs, the Other Doesn't” provides audiences with context on Frasier and his ex-wife, Nanny G. It’s a little ridiculous that Frasier doesn’t recognize the children’s entertainer at first, although it adds to the comedic value when he finally realizes who she is after she very publicly approaches and kisses him. To make matters worse, this is another ex that Frasier didn’t tell Lilith about, although her anger is hilarious to watch. What’s even funnier, though, is Frasier trying to hold it together as his past and current wives face off against one another.

“One Hugs, The Other Doesn't” delves further into the Crane’s family dynamic, and while Frasier and Freddy’s relationship in Frasier has its difficulties.

Lilith’s jealousy is nothing short of comical, especially when she attacks Nanny G at Freddy’s birthday and causes Frasier to be injured trying to break their fight up. However, this allows Frasier to appreciate his marriage and how Lilith fights for him, which is a rather sweet moment. “One Hugs, The Other Doesn't” delves further into the Crane’s family dynamic, and while Frasier and Freddy’s relationship in Frasier has its difficulties, it’s interesting to look back and see how his parenting strategies differ in Cheers.

1 "The Girl In The Plastic Bubble"

Season 11, Episode 7

While "The Girl in the Plastic Bubble" features quite a dark storyline and is considered one of Cheers’ last season finale. Even though their relationship isn’t always the strongest, it’s still heartbreaking when Frasier learns about Lilith’s affair. While Lilith files for divorce, Frasier makes a last-ditch attempt to get her to stay and threatens suicide on a window ledge of the bar.

This episode is an essential watch for Frasier viewers, as the spin-off mentions his suicide attempt a few times. Despite it being a rather manipulative move, Lilith agrees to stay with Frasier if he comes down, and because he still loves her, he agrees. However, Frasier ultimately decides to let Lilith go as he realizes she sacrifices her happiness for him, which is an incredible moment of growth for the character. Although Frasier Crane is probably better known for his spin-off, Frasier, some of his most important character development is in Cheers.

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Release Date

1982 - 1993-00-00

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NBC

Showrunner

James Burrows, Glen Charles, Les Charles, Ken Estin, Sam Simon, David Angell, Peter Casey, David Lee, Bill Steinkellner, Cheri Steinkellner, Phoef Sutton, Tom Anderson, Dan O'Shannon

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  Ted Danson

  Uncredited
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  Shelley Long

  Rebecca Howe

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One of the most well-known American sitcoms of the 1980s and 90s, Cheers is primarily set in Boston at the Cheers bar, and features and ensemble cast that includes Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Pearlman, Kelsey Grammer, and George Wendt. Danson's Sam Malone acts as the bar's proprietor, and episodes depict the lives of Cheers' staff and patrons during the bar's operating hours. The series ran for 11 seasons and gave rise to popular spin-off shows such as Frasier. 

Directors

James Burrows, Andy Ackerman

Writers

James Burrows, Glen Charles, Les Charles

Seasons

11

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