Frasier: 10 Best Insults From Dr. Frasier Crane | Screen Rant
There are few sitcom characters with quite the rapier-sharp wit of Frasier Crane. Portrayed by the inimitable Kelsey Grammer, Frasier became known for his ability to deliver an insult or a scathing remark with a precision that was the envy of almost everyone else on the series. His true brilliance, however, was how he managed to be condescending without ever losing the peculiar charm that was (and is) key to the appeal of the character.
There are plenty of Frasier quotes that live in fans' heads rent-free, and many of them are sure to be Frasier's iconic insults. During Fraiser's many seasons, there weren't very many characters who weren’t on the receiving end of his many disparaging insults at one time or another.
Frasier and Niles are two of the best brothers in TV history, and their constant sparring with one another is a key element of the show’s humorous dynamic. With this insult, Frasier does an extraordinary job puncturing Niles’ belief that he is the center of the universe. And, given that this is Frasier, he can’t resist throwing in the name Copernicus, showing his brother, once again, why he considers himself the smarter of the two.
There were many extraordinary celebrity guest callers that Frasier dealt with during his time at the radio station, and while he was often very helpful, he could at times be scathing in his remarks to them. In this instance, he couples his insult with a very long-winded remark about a microscope. In doing so, he delivers it in a way that only Frasier Crane can, aiming to show his unfortunate listener that, sometimes, the good doctor just doesn’t have the patience he probably should.
Niles remains one of David Hyde Pierce’s best characters, and he captures the character’s neurotic nature with his own form of aplomb. In one notable instance, he remarks that he should “pack heat” in order to ensure his home’s security, but of course, Frasier isn’t about to let this pass without making one of his snide remarks.
His comment not only dismisses Niles’ ability to carry a gun but also makes it seem as if he’s little more than a child, which is typical of Frasier's relationship with his brother.
Time and again throughout the years, Frasier asserted his dominance over his younger brother. In particular, he seemed to really love pointing out how, in contrast to Frasier, Niles was a bit of a wimp. With remarks like this one, Frasier clearly wants to make sure that Niles never loses sight of the fact that he is, when all is said and done, not the bravest person. And, of course, since this is Frasier, he also can’t resist the urge to throw in a reference to Niles’ sartorial choice, as well.
There have been many funny off-screen characters in the history of television, but arguably one of the most iconic is Maris, Niles’ unseen wife. It’s very clear that Frasier does not like her in the least, and he takes every chance he can to hurl insults at her (even though she rarely hears them). In this instance, he takes aim at the fact that, clearly, Maris isn’t the type of woman that it is easy to get close to or to love (which may help explain why Niles eventually divorces her).
Frasier’s insults aren’t limited to people, because in one of the show’s funniest episodes he also takes aim at the city of Seattle itself. His jibe that the state flower might as well be mildew is a clear dig at the fact that the Pacific Northwest is notable for its high amount of rainfall.
As funny as it is, this particular insult doesn’t turn out too well for Frasier, since his snide remarks about his city ends up creating quite the public backlash against him.
Daphne is one of the most likable characters on Frasier, and with good reason. She’s both able to put up with the Crane men without killing them and is also able to deliver a few zingers of her own. She also sometimes ends up on the bad side of Frasier’s waspish tongue, as he makes clear with this remark about her cooking. However, given the bad reputation that the English have in terms of cuisine, it’s perhaps understandable that he would be so dismissive of her abilities.
Both Frasier and Niles have a rather strained relationship with their father (though there are plenty of times Martin Crane is a pretty good dad). In one particular instance, they take a dislike to his girlfriend and, while Frasier is able to tell the truth about how he feels, Niles backs out. Frasier, predictably, lashes out at his younger brother and once again calls his courage into question with a remark that serves to remind Niles that they are supposed to be talking to their father as a unit rather than separately.
Frasier's ex-wife Lilith is another fan-favorite character in the series, and though she is frosty toward Frasier they both clearly love their son. However, that doesn’t stop Frasier from being able and willing to shoot an insult in his son’s direction, particularly in his absence. As this remark makes clear, Frasier has some (probably well-earned) skepticism about his son’s ability to perform in any kind of sporting activity, especially football. And, what’s more, Frasier shows that he’s not as unlike his father as he might like to think.
Frasier has a rather strained relationship with many of the others at the radio station, including the very fussy Gil. Thus, when the opportunity presents itself to take a shot at his opponent, he does so (though notably in his absence). The brilliance of this particular insult lies in its ability to be so deft and yet so cutting at the same time. It’s one of those moments where Frasier demonstrates that insults don’t have to be vulgar or punchy to be devastatingly effective.
Source: Screenrant
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