Oh dear God! All episodes of classic Frasier are now streaming on Paramount+?! Yes, that’s right. All episodes, from all 11 seasons of the acclaimed 1993-2004 sitcom are a-callin’ you.
Ready to spend time with our favorite psychiatrist (played by Emmy® winner Kelsey Grammer), his snooty brother (Emmy® winner David Hyde Pierce), their blue-collar dad (John Mahoney), and the eccentric live-in aid (Jane Leeves), but don’t know where to start? Have we got a binge-watch guide for you …
Now, with 264 great options to choose from (264 is the total number of classic Frasier episodes, natch), it wasn’t easy to narrow down things for a quick read, but we did it. And we got to enjoy tons of great comedy along the way — so, really, a win-win for all involved.
Our classic Frasier binge guide gives you a look at 17 of the show’s most pivotal, memorable and wacky episodes. When you’re done scrolling through, you can stream all 17 episodes on Paramount+, then all of the other 200-plus episodes — and then all of the episodes of the Emmy®-nominated Paramount+ original comedy continuation, also titled Frasier (2023-2024). And then if you still want more Frasier Crane, you can watch more Frasier Crane. See, Kelsey Grammer originated the good doctor on Cheers — and, yup, all episodes of that beloved 1982-1993 comedy are also streaming. (And just so you know, Grammer — and Frasier! — debut in Cheers Season 3.) Oh dear God — that’s a lot of Frasier! So, let’s get to it!
1. “The Good Son” (Pilot) (Season 1, Episode 1)
In the series premiere, pompous, high-society psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) reluctantly agrees to take in Martin (John Mahoney), his retired father. They find it can only work if they hire a permanent housekeeper.
The pilot episode sets the tone and conflict for the hit series: the clash between the highfalutin psychiatrist brothers Frasier and Niles (David Hyde Pierce), and their gruff, blue-collar father. Add in Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) as a wildcard from Manchester, and you have a show that will make you laugh six times a minute for 11 seasons straight!
WATCH NOW: “The Good Son” (Pilot)
2. “Here’s Looking At You” (Season 1, Episode 5)
When Frasier buys Martin a telescope, the good doctor uses it, too, and begins flirting with a woman looking back at him. When he seems hesitant to meet her, Niles tries to set him up with his wife’s eccentric aunt.
Only five episodes in, and Frasier is already firing on all cylinders with clever sitcom writing, memorable guest stars (in this case, Kathleen Noone) and heartfelt turns. This episode breaks out Martin’s character and shows the father-son relationship on the show is going to be more than just snide comments.
WATCH NOW: “Here’s Looking At You”
3. “The Show Where Lilith Comes Back” (Season 1, Episode 16)
Frasier’s ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth, reprising her role from Cheers) returns – and that means there’s going to be trouble. In the episode, Lilith pays a visit to Seattle after finding a compassionate (but year-old) letter from Frasier that hinted towards reconciliation.
All the characters deal with the toxic energy Lilith seems to stir. It’s not the last time we’ll see Lilith in Frasier, and it’s not the last time she’ll make this list …
WATCH NOW: “The Show Where Lilith Comes Back”
4. “The Innkeepers” (Season 2, Episode 23)
When they see their favorite restaurant from childhood is in decline, Frasier and Niles buy it. But their neurotic operation practices cause the staff to walk out. The brothers are left to employ Martin, Roz (Peri Gilpin) and Daphne – to less than satisfactory results.
As soon as Frasier and Niles decide to buy the restaurant, fans know it’s going to go poorly. This remains one of the most memorable episodes because of how wrong it all goes. Despite its intellectual appeal, Frasier is never scared to go into wacky, slapstick humor – perhaps most successfully in this memorable episode.
WATCH NOW: “The Innkeepers”
5. “Moon Dance” (Season 3, Episode 13)
Daphne teaches Niles to dance so that he and his date can impress Maris’ friends at a country-club ball. When his date cancels, Niles jumps at the chance to go with Daphne.
The Daphne-Niles storyline catches absolute fire in this episode. Frasier fans remember “Moon Dance” for the climactic tango that sees Niles breaking completely out of his shell to hilarious results.
This episode also features a fun cameo with Jodie Foster as the requisite guest caller. Plus, it’s the first episode Kelsey Grammer directed!
WATCH NOW: “Moon Dance”
6. “The Show Where Diane Comes Back” (Season 3, Episode 14)
Diane Chambers (Shelley Long, reprising her Cheers role) visits Frasier, her ex-fiancé, while she has a play running in Seattle. Niles advises a distraught Frasier to tell Diane how leaving him at the altar made him feel. Things get complicated when the play, not-too thinly based on Diane’s life back in Boston, starts to fall apart.
The cast of Cheers takes turns showing up on Frasier, and Diane’s return is no doubt the most charged thanks to her and Frasier’s history.
WATCH NOW: “The Show Where Diane Comes Back”
7. “Head Game” (Season 4, Episode 5)
When Niles takes over for Frasier’s radio show, he somehow becomes a good-luck charm for the star NBA player of the old Seattle SuperSonics.
This episode only features Frasier in the opening scene, and although he is missed, Niles shines in an episode that’s crucial to his character development. John Mahoney is also great in this episode as an excited Sonics fan who gets to see his favorite team courtside.
This episode, first aired in 1996, also doubles as a sports time capsule: The Seattle franchise relocated to Oklahoma City after the 2007-2008 season. The team is now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
WATCH NOW: “Head Game”
8. “Ham Radio” (Season 4, Episode 18)
Frasier volunteers to produce an old-fashioned radio play for his station, KACL, but his obsessive directing turns the half-hour into a full disaster!
Hands down one of the funniest half hours of television ever produced, the plot of this episode is a perfect playground for Frasier to show off all of his flaws, and end up in a riled fit. Niles shines when put on the spot to play several characters. This is an episode that old and new fans alike will be quoting for years to come.
WATCH NOW: “Ham Radio”
9. “Halloween” (Season 5, Episode 3)
Niles hosts a costume party to benefit a library association. Guests are asked to dress as their favorite literary characters. Elsewhere, Roz spills the beans to Frasier that she might be pregnant, and the two inadvertently set off an avalanche of misunderstandings at the party.
Frasier may be about an intellectual, but it can get very, very silly. This episode features a misunderstanding that is heightened to absurd levels, all while your favorite characters are wearing ridiculous costumes. This episode is a must-stream.
WATCH NOW: “Halloween”
10. “The Ski Lodge” (Season 5, Episode 14)
Frasier, Niles, Martin, Daphne, her supermodel friend and a French ski instructor spend the winter holiday at a ski lodge. Everyone is drinking, and trying to get some alone time with the one they love.
This is another episode that is a masterclass in sitcom writing. Every character has a “want” that is cut short by a comedy of errors. The more hot toddies the characters drink, the more spectacularly they manage to embarrass themselves for the audience’s amusement.
WATCH NOW: “The Ski Lodge”
11. “Room Service” (Season 5, Episode 15)
Distraught over her second failed marriage, Lilith returns to Seattle. Frasier enlists Niles to save him when she attempts to seduce him. Things don’t go as planned.
One episode after the famous “Ski Lodge,” Lilith returns for an episode that is so shocking we can’t spoil it in this article. Suffice to say, almost all Lilith episodes are mandatory viewing for Frasier fans, and this one squeezes in every joke, awkward situation and outrageous performance possible in just 22 minutes.
WATCH NOW: “Room Service”
12. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz” (Season 6, Episode 10)
When Frasier’s new girlfriend tells her mother that Frasier is Jewish, the Crane men must act accordingly when dear old mom visits.
Frasier is such an expertly written show because it will lock you into a premise and an expectation, and still surprise you on the way to its conclusion. The ways in which Frasier, Niles and Martin tiptoe around, and hide their gentile Christmas ways are delightfully entertaining — and the climax of this episode makes it a Frasier classic.
WATCH NOW: “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz”
13. “Something Borrowed, Someone Blue” (Part 1) (Season 7, Episode 22)
14. “Something Borrowed, Someone Blue” (Part 2) (Season 7, Episode 23)
On the eve of Daphne’s wedding to Niles’ divorce lawyer, Daphne admits to Frasier that she has feelings for Niles. When Niles and his girlfriend, Mel (Jane Adams), elope, the situation gets even more intense.
The two-part, Season 7 finale is one of the most story-centric, and shocking installments of Frasier. After seven years of build up, Niles and Daphne finally collide. Plus, Daphne’s family dynamic provides plenty of laughs amidst the relationship drama.
WATCH NOW: “Something Borrowed, Someone Blue” (Part 1)
WATCH NOW: “Something Borrowed, Someone Blue” (Part 2)
15. “Taking Liberties” (Season 8, Episode 5)
Frasier hires a British butler to help him throw a party that aims to win Dr. Crane a seat on the opera board. Daphne and Niles fail to go out several times due to the latter’s attempt to keep up appearances with Mel, his now-wife.
This episode marks a crucial turning point for the character of Niles. After eight seasons, it is extremely satisfying to see Niles take control of his situation. Plus, Victor Garber does an excellent job guest-starring as Ferguson, the butler.
WATCH NOW: “Taking Liberties“
16. “Fathers and Sons” (Season 10, Episode 22)
Leland Barton (David Ogden Stiers), the old research partner of Hester Crane, the Crane family’s late matriarch, visits Seattle. When Martin notices how Frasier and Niles share more traits with Leland than with him, the ex-cop wonders if Leland is really his sons’ father.
This episode marks one of the best performances by Moose, the pooch who plays Martin’s dog, Eddie. Plus, this episode’s core premise allows Frasier and Niles to take their snobbery, pedantry and pontificating to new heights. At its heart is real drama and a real dilemma, and it showcases one of John Mahoney’s most earnest outings as Martin.
WATCH NOW: “Fathers and Sons”
17. “High Holidays” (Season 11, Episode 11)
Frederick (Trevor Einhorn) visits Frasier for Christmas, and the family is horrified to see the boy is in a goth phase. Feeling as though he never rebelled in his youth, Niles gets a pot brownie from Roz, but Martin eats the edible by mistake. Watching Niles think he is high, while Martin unknowingly is, is something that’s guaranteed to make you laugh. Also of note: This episode marks the last time we see Frederick Crane — until, that is, we’re reintroduced to him as a young man (played by Jack Cutmore-Scott), who goes by Freddy, on Frasier (2023).
WATCH NOW: “High Holidays”
So, there they are: 17 of the most memorable episodes of classic Frasier that you can stream right now on Paramount+. But who are we kidding? Every episode of classic Frasier is worth a watch. If you’re looking for a show that you can start with at the pilot, and laugh your way all the way through to the end, classic Frasier is that show. Happy streaming!
Frasier (1993)
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