Top 10 Hilarious Frasier Running Gags
#10: Niles’ Rivalry with Freddie
It's not every day you see a child and a fully grown man compete for someone's affection, but Niles certainly saw his kid nephew as a threat. Harboring a crush on Daphne, Freddie always tries to impress her and is spoiled in return. This more than just annoys Niles, whose own feelings for Daphne leads him to be jealous of the attention Freddie receives from her. The two even end up competing for Daphne's affections, where Freddie usually has the upper hand, much to Niles's annoyance. Although he usually encourages his nephew in other pursuits that they both have an interest in, when it comes to Daphne, all bets are off.
#9: Niles & Frasier's Snootiness
In complete contrast to their down to Earth father, Frasier and Niles absolutely live for the high class lifestyle. Known for indulging in anything that gives them a privileged position in society, the brothers embody this in their mannerisms and general attitude. Oddly enough, they don't get along as well with people who behave exactly like them, proving they're not really aware of how eccentric they can be. This also lands them in some tight spots as Frasier and Niles look to cut corners to move up in their social circles, sometimes at the expense of their dignity. Then again, there's also something comfy about seeing the two brothers enjoy that customary sherry.
#8: Frasier's Mishaps at the Radio Station
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Frasier's job at the radio station has its fair share of trial and error, as the titular character has to contend with several wacky callers. This continues for the entire series, with the problems of these callers ranging from mildly annoying to completely over-the-top. Frasier himself contributes to his antics at KACL, getting romantically involved with his colleagues. At times when he's feeling rebellious or wants to make a point, Frasier ditches all pretense of integrity and steers the radio show toward more risque material. His insecurities at being replaced also lead to several disasters on-air, which somehow still doesn't damage his reputation permanently.
#7: Roz's Dating Life
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If there's one character in the series who's comfortable in their own skin, it would have to be Roz. Open about her preference to play the field, Roz's many dates frequently show up and get progressively crazier. Ironically, a flashback episode reveals Frasier's belief that Roz isn't very successful in the dating scene, which is anything but the truth. Keeping this so fresh in our minds are Niles's frequent jabs at her expense, with the two routinely trading insults. It reaches its most ridiculous peak when Roz hooks up with none other than Frasier himself, and even considers a misheard offer from Daphne and Niles that they never let her live down.
#6: Frasier & Niles' Sibling Rivalry
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Despite their obvious similarities, the two Crane brothers love to argue over who is superior. Taking after their mother, Frasier and Niles constantly butt heads over whose brand of psychiatry is better. The two are more than aware of their rivalry but that doesn't stop them from stooping to petty levels just to rub it in each other's face. On more than a few occasions, Frasier and Niles' ill-fated collaborations spiral into complete chaos, turning them back into a pair of bickering children. Ironically, pretty much everyone apart from Niles and Frasier consider them to be exactly the same, a fact that only adds fuel to the fire.
#5: Frasier's Annoyance with Eddie
There are plenty of things that can make Frasier fly off the handle, but none more so than Eddie the dog. Only begrudgingly keeping him for his father's sake, Frasier has little tolerance for Eddie, who seems to enjoy ticking him off even further. While Frasier's annoyance with Eddie has more to do with the dog's nature, he's not entirely wrong in thinking that Eddie keeps staring at him all the time. Adding to the gag is the fact that no one else in the family shares this annoyance, with Martin openly favoring his pet over his own son. From Eddie's point of view, Frasier seems to be an enigma that the dog just can't get enough of.
#4: Niles' Phobias
While Frasier has his own neurotic tendencies, he doesn't come close to his younger brother. Unlike his tough father, Niles is terrified about just about anything that could possibly do him harm. It doesn't end there, as Niles is also wracked with all kinds of allergies that show up at the worst times. His tendency to be overcome by his own panic doesn't do him any favors, with Niles landing himself in embarrassing moments when his paranoia and anxiety gets the better of him. More than anything, it's Niles's reactions to these situations that deliver the big laughs.
#3: Martin's Chair
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Frasier's snootiness just doesn't match well with Martin's most prized possession. The squabbles between father and son often reach epic levels, but the most intense ones are usually about Martin’s chair. Frasier's many attempts to replace it with one that matches his sense of style always end in disaster. Hilariously, while Martin remains steadfastly comfortable with his choice, Frasier never seems to be content with the interior decoration of his apartment, cycling through many changes. The chair carries significant sentimental value, making it a vital part of Martin's character.)
#2: Maris
For an unseen character, Maris certainly leaves a lasting impression. Niles, her devoted husband, spends half the series suffering under her thumb. Her traits are described in so many bizarre ways that it's easy to understand why she never actually appears on screen. The series uses clever ways to give us hints about what she’s like, which keep getting more bizarre through each reveal. Over time, Maris's ridiculous demands and lifestyle lead to hilarious revelations that even the rest of the characters find hard to believe. And it's definitely satisfying when Niles finally gets one-up over her.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Allusions to Bebe’s True Nature
Because Bebe Might Just Be the Devil Incarnate
The Crane Brothers’ Inability to Lie
Because These Siblings Can’t Fib to Save Their Lives
Martin’s Korean War References
Because These Turn Up When We Least Expect Them
Bulldog’s Over-the-Top Rants
Because This Guy Has No Filter
Daphne's Psychic Predictions
Because There’s No Denying That She Gets Results
#1: Niles' Unrequited Love for Daphne
The longest running storyline in the series, Niles' romantic feelings for Daphne remain unknown to her for years. During this time, Niles makes several unsuccessful attempts to both get over Daphne, and win her affections. The comedic aspect comes from how blatantly obvious Niles' feelings are, only for Daphne to be completely oblivious to it. This leads to many moments between the two where they act like a couple, but never come close to making things official. With Frasier well aware of Niles' feelings, his attempts to stop Niles from making a fool out of himself add to the hilarity. Of course, the jokes don't stop when they do get together, as the payoff to this running gag is every bit as explosive as one would expect.
