The Sitcom Studies Podcast

Ep 14 - FRASIER Deep Dive XI: When a Man Loves Two Women & Visions of Daphne with SPECIAL GUESTS, The Frasier Department Hosts

The lovely Lucas and Leila from The Frasier Department podcast join us to discuss the penultimate pair of episodes of this season! Even with two additional contributors to this week's debates, we are still all on the same page re: the Faye vs. Cassandra question...
 
History Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagliacci
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Zeffirelli
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commedia_dell%27arte
 
Tune in to Lucas and Leila's podcast here - https://thefrasierdepartment.com/

FRASIER Deep Dive 10: IQ & Dr Nora

This week, we tackle a classic Crane brothers rivalry episode and a Frasier vs. his own ego storyline. And let’s not forget; Niles also grows a dashing mustache!
 
History Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Mallon

SIDE QUEST 1: Sitcom Dinner Parties Gone Wrong

We weren’t ready to move on from dinner parties quite yet - so please enjoy our first ever SIDE QUEST episode! We talk all things related to the dinner parties that feature in some of the most well-known and renowned episodes of our chosen series: the good, the bad, the awkward. Some darker themes are discussed as well, but we feel confident that good food and even better “company” will get us through. 
Marlessa’s Picks:
Cheers 5.20 Dinner at Eight-ish
Everybody Loves Raymond 8.4 Misery Loves Company
The Office 4.13 Dinner Party
Katie’s Picks
The Big Bang Theory 6.19 The Closet Reconfiguration
All in the Family 1.13 The First and Last Supper
Seinfeld 5.13 The Dinner Party
 

FRASIER Deep Dive 9: Dinner Party & Taps at the Montana

We're discussing not one but TWO dinner parties this week! Lots of questions to ask, especially when it is so important that these event goes well. When to have the party? Who to invite? What to do when the hors d'oeuvres might be tainted? In short, what could possibly go wrong?
Please read Marlessa's blog post on sitcom bottle episodes here: https://sitcomstudies.wordpress.com/tag/bottle-episodes/
History Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collyer_brothers

FRASIER Deep Dive 8: To Tell the Truth & Decoys

This week, we debate doing the “moral” thing vs the “right” thing; Frasier attempts hunting; Niles flushes out Maris’ family secret; and we have some classic Frasier farcical fun. Oh, and we meet Donny Douglas …
History Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Streetcar_Named_Desire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Streetcar_Named_Desire_(1951_film)
 

FRASIER Deep Dive 7: The Show Where Woody Shows Up & Three Valentines, with SPECIAL GUEST, Emmy-winning TV editor Mike Stivala

Marlessa's Dad joins us this week to offer his expert insights about these two iconic episodes! We discuss growing apart from old friends; connections with Cheers as Woody Harrelson enters the chat; and of course why over-preparing for a date might cause the whole evening to go up in flames (literally). Oh, and here's hoping ALL of your red flags go up if you need to call a friend during a date to find out if you are in fact on said date... 
 
History Highlights:
https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/who-was-st-valentine

FRASIER Deep Dive 6: Good Samaritan & Our Parents, Ourselves

Today we have not one but TWO episodes where Frasier's inclination to help others backfires. "So are [we] saying you shouldn't help people?" Join us to discuss whether no good deed does in fact go unpunished. We also dive into how to let someone down after a date that goes wrong; healthy levels of cynicism; and Super Bowl parties. 
History Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker

FRASIER Deep Dive 5: Roz, a Loan & Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz

Spring may be on the way but IT IS STILL CHRISTMAS in our hearts because we are on a high after watching this holiday classic. And oh yes, Roz is there too…
 
History Highlights:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/woman-iconic-v-j-photo-died-age-92-heres-her-story-180960435/
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jews-christmas/
 
 

FRASIER Deep Dive 4: How to Bury a Millionaire & The Seal Who Came to Dinner

Niles is entering his budgeting era by moving from The Montana to The Shangri-La, so you know we’ll have a lot to talk about—including a dead seal draped in a peignoir.
 
History Highlights: 
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/how-much-easier-was-it-for-baby-boomers-to-buy-a-home-in-seattle-lets-adjust-for-inflation/
https://antiquearchaeology.com/blogs/two-lanes-blog/the-history-of-supper-clubs-bringing-families-together-for-dinner

FRASIER Deep Dive 3: First Do No Harm & Secret Admirer

We know Frasier’s often looking for love in all the wrong places. So, what happens when he’s convinced a woman only likes him for his psychiatric expertise, or when he’s more focused on the idea of a mysterious “admirer” than the actual woman he’s dating? Let’s dive in…
 
Historical Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath
https://pulmonarychronicles.com/index.php/pulmonarychronicles/article/view/185/438
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6482690/#ref8
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6166910/
https://npsaday.org/success_story/expanding-physicians-oath-to-care-to-include-personal-well-being/
https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/the-hippocratic-oath-are-we-hurting-ourselves-and-each-other
https://academic.oup.com/jmp/article-abstract/30/1/107/893486