Written by: Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano

Directed by: James Burrows

Original US airdate: 12th May 1994

Original UK airdate: 30th September 1994

• Spring Is In The Air

• Frasier Crane's Day Off

• I Go To Pieces

• Radio Daze

Fever Pitch, Aug 10, 2011

Reviewer: David Sim from Skelmersdale, Lancashire

Season 1 is erratic among Frasier's peak years. The high quality comedy of Seasons 2-5 drops in and out of Season 1. But that's certainly not apparent of the last four episodes of the season, where the production team maintain a consistent level of laughs and top notch writing.

And Season 1's penultimate episode is a splendid affair. Frasier Crane's Day Off is lively, spry inspired silliness. My favourite episode of the season.

We've already met KACL staff like Bulldog and Noel Shempsky, but the producers have saved the best til last. This episode debuts the wonderful Gil Chesterton, played with camp (or is it just British?) pomposity by Edward Hibbert.

Because this is Gil's first appearance, it means that some of his much loved character traits aren't too readily apparent. For instance, Gil's gayness isn't really an issue yet. I suspect that was added to the character when Joe Keenan joined the writing team in Season 2. Here, Frasier chalks up Gil's prissiness to a "phony British accent"!

Frasier's a little under the weather today. Something that has not gone unnoticed by Gil's wandering eye. Gil wishes him a speedy recovery, but Frasier isn't buying it. He knows that Gil has an eye on his time slot, and he won't give it up without a fight. Illness or no illness.

But the next day Frasier's worse and has to stay home, giving Gil the perfect chance to pounce on Frasier's airtime. When Roz hears a rumour that Gil is sweet-talking the station manager into letting him have the slot on a permanent basis, Frasier does some sweet-talking of his own and convinces Niles to fill in for him the next day.

After being a co-host in the last episode, Niles gets the mike to himself in this one. He convinces a married couple on the rocks that instead of packing up they're emotional baggage, they admit they're love for one another on the air. When they do, Frasier thinks Niles is after his time slot too. His fears give rise to paranoid dreams and insidious plots that everyone is out to take his show away. In an insane attempt to get back control of the mike, he mixes medications, goes down to KACL in high spirits and has the equivalent of an on-air meltdown.

Frasier Crane's Day Off is an early attempt at something this show would become renowned for. Watching simple events spiral further and further into madness. Its all plausible too if you stop to examine the episode. Frasier's fears are based on logic. Gil is a food critic, and he's interested in Frasier's slot because it ends just in time for dinner. And Niles has always been jealous of Frasier's celebrity status (something that came up in the last episode) and wants some of it for himself.

It isn't just some contrived behaviour designed to get an audience laughing. Frasier's actions may seem extreme to the casual viewer. But anyone who knows the show will see that it isn't. The episode's plot logic is carefully thought out, where every little action seems to fuel greater and greater mayhem. Something the show would get better and better at.

The inspired insanity at KACL brings the episode to a wonderfully funny close. Kelsey Grammer even looks genuinely wired. It all reminded me of the finale to The Germans, that Fawlty Towers classic. I half expected to see doctors with strait-jackets and butterfly nets chasing Frasier through the studio!

Frasier Crane's Day Off is filled with delightful throwaway gags. I like the way Niles puts his tissue to a different use when he covers his mouth with it, thinking Frasier's got some sort of plague. Or Daphne playing Nurse Nightingale to a whiny Frasier. I loved Martin overpowering Frasier by giving him a simple poke with his finger.

Its a bit odd to watch Gil without anyone making cracks about his sexuality, but even in his first appearance Edward Hibbert is as lovably pompous as ever. Its no wonder he became a mainstay, and the show's most enduring supporting character. Although David Lloyd is the one who would come to shape and define the Gil we all know, Chuck Ramberg and Anne Flett-Giordano do a more than capable job of endearing him, with Hibbert clearly relishing the role. Never again will Edward Hibbert find a part like Gil Chesterton.

A flawless penultimate episode that motors along in fine style, puts everyone to good use, and leaves us panting for the season finale.

Rating: 100%