Frasier (TV Series) Freddy's Birthday (2023) User Reviews

Alan is good!

[coflaky · 9/10 · 17 November 2023]

This is a good episode. I think Frasier and Lilith are brilliant together. And yes, we all missed her. But the best one here weren't them but Alan. Alan has been a nice addition so far but I really liked him in this episode. I wish the title of the episode was "The Man in White Suit". Because Lilith and Frasier are not expert on the life of Freddy but they have a detailed list of the men with white suit. I really enjoyed that trivia game better than the other trivia game.

One other thing.. Jess Salgueiro is not funny. She's a wrong fit so far, I'm sorry. Jack Cutmore-Scott is great, Anders Keith is underused but still good. Toks Olagundoye has great lines and jokes but Ms. Salgueiro is still untouched. I mean, in the show Frasier, it's like entering a brotherhood. You must be humiliated and humbled.. only then you gain the right to be pompous and obnoxious. She was protected so far and it's not good. We have to see her weak moments... Writers, please stop giving her guarded lines and parts, and throw her into the deep end.

A Peculiar Episode

[jmillerjr-00983 · 7/10 · 16 November 2023]

First of all, whoever that lovely young lady was, please bring her back. Freddy could use a long-standing love interest. Anyway, it's the first episode of the new series with Lilith. The good news was that there was some laugh out loud moments. That first part where Frasier says, "serpent" I think got the biggest laugh out of me of the entire series so far. I though the bit with Alan was also pretty funny, especially as we're supposed to believe that he and Frasier had been close friends for 40+ years and we're only now just hearing about him.

The challenge of the show is the relationship between Frasier and Lilith. It just seemed off. The two of them always had banter. I would expect that. But they always got it together for Frederick. Throughout the original Frasier series, you always got the impression that Frasier did his best to stay invested in Frederick's life. And Lilith didn't seem to have a problem with Frasier living in Seattle. Granted, we're 20 years removed from "Guns N' Neuroses", that night the two of them were set up on the blind date, but things ended there are pretty amiable terms. It actually resolved the relationship quite well. Now I realize that they needed to stir up something to create tension for a new plot line, but I would have though they'd have been a bit more clever. And of course, I would have liked at least one Cheers reference.

But seriously, bring back that girl.

Lilith is just great.

[TAEMO · 8/10 · 17 November 2023]

Bebe Neuwirth returns as Lilith and since I have always found the actress to be superb and the character great, this episode is a highlight.

Ms. Neuwirth looks a bit older, sure, but she is great as ever. The new aspects of her character also show she has learned over the years to be a more "normal" human being. She knows how to be friends with Freddy's friends, she knows about Freddy and what Freddy likes, she commands respect when around normal people, everybody treats her well and yet she is stilk Lilith. And the performance is great. I never understood why Ms. Neuwirth was not marketed differntly. Yes, Shelly Long looks sweeter, Kirstey Alley was very beautiful but Ms Neuwirth when styled properly is second to none, her acting abilities being far superior compared to all others. What a leading lady she would have been, had they decided to give her a permanent role on Frasier (1993) and a nice arc, from a stiff cold person to a caring mother and "normal" human. Alas, it was not meant to be. But we have her here with Kelsey Gramner, great combo and still the highlight. The Allen character is not funny, the Freddy character is a little flat and the rest of the regulars, I have to say, almost none existent. We have yet to see what David can do. The firefighters have potential as does the young lady Freddy picked up, looks wise, I mean.

To sum it all up, great episode and great chemistry between Grammer and Ms. Neuwirth.

Damn Near Perfect Return of Dr. Lilith Sternin

[jwmaglio · 10/10 · 18 November 2023]

Bebe Neuwirth played herself on an episode of Will and Grace right after Frasier ended. She said regarding Lilith Sternin, "I wanted to play that frosty bi*ch forever." 37 years after she first played the character, Neuwirth shows she can do it.

Frasier runs into Lilith having lunch with Freddy and their rekindled rivalry heats up immediately, as they try to outdo each other for Freddy's birthday party. The bulk of the episode takes place at the birthday party which takes place at a bowling alley. Here, not only are Frasier and Lilith hilarious, but the rest of the cast shines as well, most notably Nicholas Lyndhurst with his obsession with getting Lilith to remember him from their wedding.

In a well-timed bit of continuity, this episode was released two weeks after the 34th anniversary of the the airing of the Cheers episode that featured Freddy's birth, and in continuity with his appearance in final season of Frasier (1993), Freddy's Goth phase is mentioned.

I have been impressed with how well the cast and crew of Frasier (2023) have recaptured the feel of the original series. From the signature misunderstanding-based humor to the witty intertitles to characters' vitriolic chemistry, they have recreated the feel so much better than most other reboot/revivals. Neuwirth's performance does not disappoint. We are lucky that she got to play that "frosty bi*ch" again after all.

More Lilith!

[LDSjess · 10/10 · 18 November 2023]

This episode featured the return of Lilith. The insults and bantering between Fraser and Lilith was hilarious and I found myself rooting for more barbs and sarcastic comebacks from each of them. By the end of the episode, they both recognized their sexual attraction for one another and I found myself rooting for them to get back together. The fact that they can be just as compelling as arch-enemies as they are lovers, demonstrates the amazing chemistry between Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuworth. I don't know if I prefer Frasier and Lilith as bickering exes, or if I prefer them as a couple, but I am absolutely certain that I want to see more of Lilith in upcoming episodes. I would love for her to become a series regular, but at the very least, I hope she becomes a regular returning character.

Frasier's Back!

[rickybozarth · 10/10 · 16 November 2023]

When it first began, the new "Frasier" on Paramount + made me sad. The first two episodes were 'meh'. A sad drop off from the legendary series we all fondly remembered.

Yet, I persevered, doggedly refusing to abandon this show, hopeful for the potential of comedy gold, and a return to the greatness that once was, and could be again.

Episode 3 was 'pretty good. NOT quite there, but getting close.

And, then, the comedy gods smiled down on us, and our patience was rewarded.

Beginning with S1 E4 "Trivial Persuits", the series hit its stride. Each episode has been a home run at Fenwick Park. The characters are gelling, the situations are hysterical, and you're remembering why you love Frasier.

Kelsey Grammer is, of course, brilliant as Frasier Crane, the good doctor who continually thwarts his own plans. A new cast accompanies him, and they are excellent, including Togs Olagandoye as Olivia, Jack Cutmore Scott as (adult) Freddy, Jess Salguiero as Eve, and, making his American TV series debut, the legendary Britcom star, Nicholas Lyndhurst.

The latest episode continues the comedic momentum.

S1 E7 "Freddy's Birthday ".

One word: Lilith.

2 out of 5 stars for the first two episodes, 2.5 stars for the third, 4 stars for for Episodes 4 & 5, 4.5 for 6, and 5 out of 5 for "Freddy's Birthday ".

Frasier/Lilith Reunion

[doctordoctory · 7/10 · 18 November 2023]

As others have noted, the Lilith character is still funny and sharp and makes it seem like 20 years haven't really passed at all. However, as at least one other reviewer noted, the chemistry between Lilith and Frasier felt a bit strange in this episode. My analysis is that the animosity is a bit forced and heavy here - I think that there was always a degree of animosity balanced by a real love between the two characters, and at times, a raunchy comedic sexuality. In this episode we are very forcefully reminded of the animosity element of their relationship to the point where in every scene the two are trading barbs, some of which land and some which do not. I don't know, you'd think that at this point of their relationship they'd be a bit...softer towards one another, while every now and again slipping in a light sniping. I believe another review picked up on this as well.

Now, the other characters. I would only comment that a long series of jokes about Alan's clothing would work better if we had known the character for more than a handful of episodes. Some of those many jokes seemed a bit squeezed to the bone. Freddy is enjoyable when we are reminded that, for all intents and purposes, this was a weird kid who only appeared in Frasier's life extremely infrequently. Jess as the bartender wants to be Sam but leans more towards Penny from Big Bang. Let's hope it steers more towards Sam. I don't know what Vince Wilfork was doing here but I enjoyed it. Let's see him again please - Vince Wilfork as an occasional cameo character who pops in could be just the novel ingredient that a new Frasier show needs.

The ending, while acceptably predictable, did make me laugh out loud. One almost wished for it to be a longer scenario in which Frasier and Lilith hide in the closet, try to escape, etc. Etc., you already know how this goes. I suppose that would have been a bit too on the nose, though.

Freddy's Birthday

[studioAT · 6/10 · 28 January 2024]

First of all, it's great to see Bebe Neuwirth back as Lilith and to continue to show that this rebooted 'Frasier' is still very much in the same universe as the orignal and of course 'Cheers'.

It's nice to see her and Kelsey Grammer back working together, and she does add a certain zing to proceedings.

Nicholas Lyndhurst is on good form as Alan too, and what a revelation he has been across the series so far.

I wouldn't say it's the best episode though. The original 'Fraiser' ended with he and Lilith on not too bad terms, so to see them back sniping again seemed jarring, but I suppose there's no comedy in people being nice.

The story did flag a bit towards the end, but on the whole this was good fun.

Didn't Work For Me

[GB65 · 6/10 · 9 January 2024]

I have to say that whilst loving the original Lilith from 'Frasier' but particularly 'Cheers' I didn't really enjoy her return here. As someone has pointed out, the usual enmity towards each other seemed very forced and didn't spill easily out of either actors' mouths. Until the final scene which I thought was rather amusing. All of that said, I'd certainly like to see her return in more episodes because I feel she does add a caustic style of humour. The rest of the episode confirmed to me that the relatively mean character of Freddy isn't working especially well and I think they'll need to lighten him up just as little.

Episode 7

[bobcobb301 · 23 November 2023]

I get that a lot of old school fans were excited for Lilith to finally appear here, but it just did not work. The bickering of the exes is so played out and so annoying on shows like this. Maybe some of the lines got a chuckle out of me, but for the most part it felt like a dynamic beneath this show. Niles and Daphne had the ideal relationship from a comedic standpoint on the original Frasier, this wasn't working.

The premise was kind of weak though. Alan and his obsession with proving she knew who he was, only to forget that as soon as she did, was one of the lone highlights in an underwhelming episode.