With 37 Emmy wins under its belt, the beloved sitcom Frasier isn't short of accolades. This Cheers spinoff surpassed its predecessor's success in both longevity and awards. It boasts a stellar cast and crew, the writing is second to none, and it even featured a huge array of celebrity guest stars including Sir Patrick Stewart, Bill Gates, Michael Keaton, Teri Hatcher, and Dr. Phil.
And, if that isn't enough to give Frasier bragging rights, it also enjoyed a stellar list of guest callers that includes some of Hollywood's heaviest hitters. Over its eleven seasons, Dr. Crane received some hilarious phone calls from familiar celebrity voices.
The late Bill Paxton gives viewers one of the best voice performances as Ernie in season 10's "Analyzed Kiss." Apparently, Ernie is angry at his pet dog. When Frasier asks him why he's mad at his dog, he dryly replies, "He keeps telling me to take off my foil helmet."
What makes this exchange so special is Paxton's ability to deliver the most ridiculous of statements with a deadpan voice. A clearly flummoxed Frasier adds to the hilarity as he tells Ernie to hold while they get someone on the line who is an expert in these situations.
When Jeff Daniels (Doug) calls into Dr. Crane's show with a legitimate concern about his mother's lack of motivation, it quickly turns into a war of words. The first season's "Here's Looking At You" opens up with Frasier lecturing Doug on his misuse of the word "literally." When Doug replies that his pet peeve is when "intellectual pinheads with superiority complexes nit-pick your grammar when they come to you for help. That's what I have a problem with," Frasier responds, "That is the thing with which I have a problem."
This celebrity call is noteworthy as it is a departure from Jeff Daniels' oftentimes laid-back demeanor, plus it showcases Dr. Crane's biggest character flaws - his pompousness and his propensity for correcting those around him. It also highlights his need to get in the last word.
Fans of Van Halen will likely remember Eddie Van Halen's voice role as Hank in the first season's "Call Me Irresponsible." When Hank calls in to Dr. Crane's radio show, he is more than just a little confused, repeatedly asking the good doctor, "Am I on?" Even after receiving instructions to turn down his radio and talk into the phone, he still replies, "Hello, can you hear me?" The frustrated psychiatrist hangs up.
What makes this special is that anyone who has ever listened to a radio call-in show has likely encountered a Hank - someone who just can't grasp caller protocols. The fact that this role is being played by the very capable legendary guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, makes it even more fun for viewers.
In the first season's "Fortysomething," Reba McEntire plays caller "Rachel" - a woman who is upset that her husband keeps his previous wife's urn full of ashes in their bedroom. When Frasier recommends they keep them in another room, viewers can hear a pot smashing. Rachel, then, states, "Gotta run, Dr. Crane. I've got some vacuuming to do."
In most cases, it takes a certain amount of skill to identify the celebrity behind the phone call. Due to McEntire's highly recognizable Southern drawl, however, this one is much easier to figure out.
Well-known movie actor, John Cusack lends his voice to the caller, Greg, in season 4's "Our Father Whose Art Ain't Heaven." Cusack's Greg begins listing the conditions he is experiencing including cyclothymic disorder, aphasia, and apraxia. Frasier correctly concludes that Greg is a first-year psychology student and that his symptoms will pass.
What makes this appearance stand out is Frasier's reaction. While viewers are likely concerned for Greg and his assorted ailments, Frasier appears inexplicably cool - even allowing the hint of a smile to cross his face while Greg is talking.
As a legendary comedic actor and screenwriter Carl Reiner starred in plenty of movies and TV shows. Show creators must have been overjoyed to have him join Frasier's legion of celebrity callers during season 1's "Selling Out." Reiner plays Roger, a man whose financial success has enabled him to buy a $3oo,000 boat. He wants to name it "The Intrepid," but his wife wants to name it "Lullubelle" for her mother.
Having Reiner appear on the show is a reason to celebrate in itself. But it is Frasier's witty reply that makes this appearance land a spot in the list of top celebrity callers. He tells Roger that if he could use Cornell University's tunneling electron microscope that enables users to see the most infinitesimally small building blocks of our universe, he still could not locate his interest in his problem.
For example, John Lithgow (who, interestingly, was Cheers' creators' first choice to play the role of Frasier Crane) makes a memorable celebrity telephone call in season 2's "Someone To Watch Over Me." As Madman Martinez, Lithgow calls in stating that he is depressed as his business is suffering. He, then, momentarily hijacks the radio show to get some free advertising time for his used-car business.
This call is momentous as Lithgow, a consummate actor with star powering matching many of Frasier's best guest stars, plays the part of the smarmy salesman perfectly. One can't help but admire his clever approach to getting free airtime.
The celebrated comedic actor and filmmaker, Mel Brooks, delivers a fantastic performance as guest caller Tom. In Frasier's season 1 holiday episode, "Miracle on Third or Fourth Street," he phones in following a number of extremely dismal calls. Tom, however, swiftly wins the title of most depressing call when he tells Frasier that he is traumatized by one particular childhood Christmas morning - the one that caused him to cry out, "Mommy! Mommy! The puppy Santa gave me won't wake up!"
Not only does Brooks deliver this heartbreaking admission with expert timing, but he renders Roz to tears. When Kramer announces that he wins for having the saddest Christmas story, Brooks simultaneously earns a spot as one of the most memorable guest callers.
A few short months before Henry Mancini's death, he did a standout guest caller performance in Frasier season 1's "Guess Who's Coming To Breakfast." Mancini beautifully plays the role of Al, the man with the most annoying speaking voice in the world. As Al repeatedly laments the sound of his own voice, Frasier and Roz aren't paying attention. As Al drones on, Roz can be seen using chopsticks to make herself into a walrus.
This call is remarkable for both Mancini's performance and the on-screen reactions to it. His monotone delivery and whiny affectation are sheer perfection. Couple this with Frasier and Roz's complete obliviousness and the audience is treated to comedy gold.
Dr. Crane has encountered many strange callers over the years, but Matthew Broderick's "Mark" is one of the most unusual. In the season 3 premiere, "She's The Boss," Mark explains that he works at an all-night mini-mart and that the "camera-me is doing things I don't approve of."
This call is not only hilarious, but it truly illustrates the types of calls that Frasier receives during his punishment on the graveyard shift. Matthew Broderick's excellent delivery, Frasier's dumbfounded response, and this clever writing earn Broderick's appearance the spot as the number one guest caller.
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