Frasier: Season 5 (1997 - 1998)

Season five of Frasier opens as the titular radio psychologist (Kelsey Grammer) spontaneously bids a brief adios to Seattle and flies off to Acapulco. Here he is smitten by voluptuous supermodel Kelly (Sela Ward) -- but of course it isn't all about sex, or so Frasier tells himself, since Kelly is also extremely intelligent, a Ph.D candidate in zoology. Back home, Frasier's brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), father Martin (John Mahoney), and Martin's live-in caregiver Daphne (Jane Leeves) become convinced that Kelly (whom they've never seen) is merely a product of Frasier's hyperactive imagination!

The 65th birthday of Martin Crane (John Mahoney) is rapidly approaching. This event also heralds a yearly ritual performed by Martin's sons, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce), to wit: virtually trampling over each another in their efforts to buy ever-increasingly expensive gifts for their dad. Without giving away any more of the plot, it can be said that the episode's biggest laugh is a horse laugh. Marsha Mason makes her first fifth-season appearance as Martin's lady friend Sherry Dempsey.

In the first episode of a two-part story, the Frasier gang gears up for an elaborate Halloween costume party. Inasmuch as his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) has declared that the theme will be "literary" characters, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) dons the nose and assumes the mantle (and much of flowery speechifying) of Cyrano de Bergerac. Ultimately, the party becomes one of the "surprise" variety when Frasier's producer Roz (Peri Gilpin) -- she with an extremely active sex life -- makes a shocking announcement.

In the conclusion of a two-party story, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is still having trouble digesting the news that his producer Roz (Peri Gilpin) is pregnant. Even more difficult to handle is the revelation of the man responsible for Roz' condition. Did we say "man"? Actually, the fellow in question is many, many years younger than Roz -- practically a baby himself! The hilarious ramifications of this situation are offset by a more serious dilemma: whether or not Roz should keep the baby.

Although listed in the syndication package as the 101st episode of Frasier, this entry was originally advertised as the 100th program. Be that as it many, the episode's plotline honors another milestone: The 1000th broadcast of Frasier Crane's call-in advice show on Seattle radio station KACL. Accordingly, the city, headed by mayor Norman Rice (playing himself), prepares for "Frasier Crane Day," with a gala public rally at the Seattle Space Needle (where portions of this episode were filmed). There's only one missing ingredient: Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), himself, who is nowhere to be found!

When Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is booked on a celebrity cruise, it naturally follows that Niles (David Hyde Pierce), Martin (John Mahoney), and Roz (Peri Gilpin) will go along for the ride. Niles in particular is looking forward to the tranquility of a sea voyage on a luxury liner (which truth to tell isn't so luxurious) so that he can expunge the memory of his estranged wife Maris. Imagine Niles' reaction when he spots Maris amongst the passengers -- and she's got some bad news for him.

Lindsay Frost makes her first series appearance as a high-profile, high-powered Seattle criminal defense attorney named Samantha. Upon seeing the gorgeous advocate, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is instantly smitten, and a romance soon develops. Unfortunately, Frasier is used to being the dominant party in his relationships -- but with "Sam," he is as submissive as a wounded puppy. Talk-show host Larry King briefly shows up as (who else?) himself.

In this follow up to the previous episode "My Fair Fraser," the romance between high-powered attorney Samantha (Lindsay Frost) and the uncharacteristically submissive Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is on the rocks. Ultimately the relationship breaks off, though Samantha assures Frasier that this setback is "all about her." This doesn't stop our hero from believing that the breakup was his fault -- and subsequently obsessing over the "fact." 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl makes a cameo appearance.

Leave it to the Frasier gang to take a perfectly enjoyable holiday like Christmas and cast a pall of misery over the proceedings. Specifically, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), Daphne (Jane Leeves), Niles (David Hyde Pierce), and Roz (Peri Gilpin) show up separately at the offices of their favorite masseur (Albert Macklin), relating horrible recent Yuletide memories as they receive their respective rubdowns. Particularly amusing (at least for the viewer) are Niles' traumatic misadventures in a stalled elevator.