Favourite Duos #8: Frasier and Martin Crane (Frasier)

Credit to Frasier Denied

My parents recently got me hooked on Frasier, and a few people online have said that anybody who is interested in writing comedy should watch it. There's certainly a defiance of the old saying "Like father, like son."

Dr Frasier Crane is a psychiatrist who hosts a radio talk show in Seattle. He has a high opinion of himself, and sees himself as an upper-class intellectual with fine tastes. In contrast, his father is a retired police officer from a working-class background who is more down-to-earth. He prefers sports and action films over theatre, and beer over wine.

While Martin does have his silly moments, he often serves as a "straight man" to Frasier's stubbornness, neuroses, and sense of superiority. That said, he is often amused by his son's misfortunes, but is still able to offer good advice and does genuinely care for him.

Frasier was a show built on irony, and the relationship between Frasier and Martin perfectly encapsulates this. While Frasier dispenses intellectual knowledge and refinement, Martin's advice tends to be more pragmatic, and he displays more common sense.

In a deeper example of irony, one of the recurring symbols in the series is Martin's favourite armchair, which he brings with him when he moves in with Frasier. The armchair in question is well-worn, and stands out among Frasier's well-furnished apartment (much to his consternation). In one episode, Frasier accidentally destroys the armchair, creating a rift between the two, but he later has it recreated. Which ended up making it the most expensive piece of furniture in the apartment.

I heard talk of Frasier being revived, but I'm not really in favour of it. Martin was one of the driving forces behind the series, and without John Mahoney, they'd never be able to recreate that dynamic.