[7.13] They're Playing Our Song
They're Playing Our Song Written by David Lloyd
Directed by David Lee
=====================================================================
Production Code: 7.13
Episode Number In Production Order: 157
Original Airdate on NBC: Jan. 13, 2000
Transcript written on June 9, 2004
N.B. This transcript was originally completed by Nick Hartley. During
revisions to the site, it was lost. I apologize to Nick for losing his
work, and Kelly has tried to reproduce it here as closely as possible.
I also apologize to fans who have noticed this gap in the site for some
weeks now.
However, I am extremely pleased to have Kelly, with his training in
musicology, add his own interpretation of the recording session. The
richness of his terminology helps convey just how far overboard Frasier
goes, in a screamingly funny way.
--Mike Lee
Transcript {Kelly Dean Hansen}
Skyline: A moon rises above the city.
ACT I
Scene 1 - KACL
Frasier is finishing a segment.
Frasier: And we'll be right back after this short news break.
Gil enters.
Gil: Frasier...I'm here to give you an advance tip.
Frasier: Really?
Roz enters from the booth.
Roz: Hey, Gil.
Gil: Roz! I'm about to review a divine new Italian trattoria
I've discovered called "Bella, Bella."
Frasier: Ah-ha.
Gil: I'm alerting you now because once I review it, reservations
will be impossible to come by.
Frasier: Well, thank you, Gil, it's always gratifying to be a few
minutes ahead of a trend.
Gil: They make an osso bucco that's so divine I call it the
"Veal Shank Redemption."
They give Gil a courtesy laugh. Kenny enters.
Kenny: Hey, guys.
Frasier: Hello, Kenny.
Kenny: Show's going great, Frasier, uh, only one thing missing, of
course...
Frasier: I know, I know, a new theme song. I'm sorry, I just haven't
gotten around to it yet.
Kenny: Well, Mrs. Delafield's been hounding me on this. She really
thinks each show having a theme song will help hook the
listeners. Gil's got his.
Gil: My first choice was "Food, Glorious Food" from the show Oliver!
Frasier: Ooh, that's a perfect match. Haute cuisine and a chorus of
starving orphans.
Gil: But then, a composer friend of mine came up with this little
ditty for me [He sings:]
Whether choosing a wine
Or the best place to dine--
It's all a matter of taste (Yes, sir!)
It's all a matter of taste!
Kenny: Great, huh?
Frasier politely nods. The tune is as lame as the lyrics.
Gil: And the nicest thing is, he didn't take a penny for it!
Frasier: Well, at least he has a conscience.
He chuckles. Gil leaves, somewhat miffed.
Frasier: You know, Kenny, I'm sorry for procrastinating this thing.
I-I tell you, I'll get one as soon as I possibly can.
Kenny: Well, you better come up with something here. I'm sorry to
be a hard-ass. It's the part of my job I hate the most, but
I need this thing on my desk by Monday...ish.
Kenny smiles and leaves.
Frasier: You know, Roz - hearing Gil's little ditty puts me in mind
that maybe we should just do - ah, an original song.
Roz: Well, my new boyfriend Leon is in a band. He could write one
for you.
Frasier: Well, actually, I was thinking of composing it myself. I am
not without musical ability, you know.
Roz: Could you at least hire Leon to accompany you?
Frasier: I take it he's desperate for work?
Roz: Hasn't had a gig in months. Music is all he knows. He's not
good at anything else - except in bed. It's what he does best.
Frasier: Yeah. How long did it take you to find that out?
Roz: [about the show] Ten seconds, Frasier.
Frasier: Oh, longer than usual.
She returns to her booth and he replaces his headphones.
FADE OUT
Scene 2 - Frasier's apartment
He opens the door to Niles.
Niles: Frasier.
Frasier: Oh, Niles. Oh, dear. We had dinner plans tonight, didn't we?
Niles: Yes. Don't tell me you're canceling.
Frasier: Well, I have to. I have a little project this evening.
Niles: Oh. Would this have anything to do with this new theme song
you promised your listeners?
Frasier: As a matter of fact, it does. I've got to have something by
Monday, and I thought I'd take advantage of a nice quiet
evening at home.
The loud sound of a vacuum is heard.
Frasier: Oh. Daphne - Daphne! Would you please turn off that vacuum
cleaner?
Daphne enters with a fancy steam cleaner.
Daphne: It's not a vacuum cleaner. It's the "Dirt Scourge 2000."
A total cleansing system.
Martin: [from his chair] Is it new?
Daphne: Yeah. I got it this afternoon. You see, this water traps
all of the dirt particles instead of recycling them back
into the air. I got all that [indicating] from Dr. Crane's
pillow.
Niles examines the dirt.
Martin: Ew.
Niles: I've been begging you to switch to a more abrasive loofah.
Daphne: Well, it would be the same for anyone. Dead skin, dust
mites... that's what we're all sleeping on, only we don't
know it.
Martin: We do now. Geez.
Martin rises and exits toward the kitchen.
Daphne: This is the chance I've been waiting for.
She turns on the machine and begins to apply it to Martin's chair.
The machine begins to audibly struggle, and the water in the tank
immediately turns black and brackish. Niles and Frasier watch
with concern. She has barely started when it suddenly shorts out,
sparks flying in an electrical explosion. When the smoke clears,
Daphne walks back to the main part of the cleaner.
Frasier: Well. Apparently the "Dirt Scourge 2000" is no match for
the "Dirt Pile 1957."
Daphne: Well, this is going back. On the commercial they clean all
the mud off a hippopotamus.
[She exits.]
Frasier: Well, at least now I can get down to work. You know, Niles,
I'm sorry again about dinner, but can I buy you a sherry?
Niles: Oh... thank you. About this theme song of yours... why don't
you just use a standard?
Frasier: Actually, I want to compose one myself. I've always had an
affinity for music, and I've often wondered what I might
achieve if I just rolled up my sleeves and gave it a try.
Martin: [re-entering] Didn't you write some kind of musical back in
prep school?
Frasier: Yes, I did, Dad. Niles was in it. You know, the whole
school came out humming my opening anthem.
Niles: They went in humming it. It was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
note for note.
Frasier: [over Niles] It was not.
Niles: It absolutely was.
Frasier: It was not at all.
Niles: [singing to the tune of the "Ode to Joy" theme from the finale
of Beethoven's Ninth:]
We are valiant men of honor
Wenching, brawling sons of...
Frasier: All right, all right, well, I suppose I may have borrowed a
Note or two as a launching pad.
Niles: [moving to the third, contrasting phrase of the Beethoven theme]
Prancing, leaping, laughing...
Frasier: All right, point taken.
Niles: Over hill and...
Frasier: Stop it!
Niles: I'm just teasing. Actually, it was a wonderful show. I was
very proud to be acting in it.
Frasier: You know, Niles, you were wonderful in it as well.
Niles: Well, thank you, I thought so.
Frasier: Mm-hmm.
Niles: I often thought if I'd kept at it, I could have been a
professional actor.
Frasier: Ah, you see, we all have a road not taken, some unfinished
business worth exploring.
Martin: Yeah, I always wanted to be a toe dancer, but a bullet ended
my dream.
Frasier and Niles shake off the sarcasm.
Niles: Well, Frasier, if you need any help with this, I'm right here.
Frasier: Thank you, Niles. You know, I'd rather handle the composing
chores myself, but I could use a sounding board.
Niles: Fair enough, let's put our heads together.
Frasier: All right.
Niles: Figuratively speaking, of course. I saw what came out of your
pillow.
They head back toward the piano.
FADE TO:
A BRIDGE TOO FAR
Scene 3 - Later that night
Niles plunks out some notes on the piano. Frasier is standing.
Niles: You know, I think this new bridge is the best thing you've
written.
Frasier: Really?
Niles: Oh, absolutely.
He sings to a jaunty tune, beginning with the notes he had plunked
and accompanying himself:
Niles: Claustrophobia
Nymphomania
He will probe ya
He'll explain t'ya
It's brilliant.
Frasier: You know, it does have a Cole Porter-y, Stephen Sondheim-y
flavor, doesn't it?
Niles: Oh, absolutely. Sondheim-y would have killed to have written
this.
Frasier: You know what? I'm a little nervous. It just may be a bit
too conventional. Perhaps instead of a regular bridge, I
could substitute it with a dramatic monologue spoken against
a musical background.
Niles: [after a beat] I like it.
Frasier: Of course, I would have to hire an actor.
Niles: Yes, I suppose you could squander a lot of money on some so-
Called professional... someone who doesn't know a thing about
psychiatry. [reaching] Who doesn't understand the whole
Gestalt.
Frasier: Or maybe you could do it.
Niles: I think so.
Frasier laughs and taps him on the shoulder.
Frasier: I will write you a speech that will challenge your entire
histrionic range! This is so exciting! Let's play the
chorus again.
Martin enters from his bedroom.
Martin: Hey, hey, Fras! I just got an idea for your little jingle.
It came to me while I was brushing my teeth. [He sings:]
What's new? I'm listenin'
Feelin' blue? I'm listenin'...
Cause, you know, that's what you say on your show.
Feelin' sad, feelin' mad, feelin' glad, feelin' bad
I'm listenin'!
Daphne: [who has been seated at the dining table] Bravo! That's
wonderful.
Martin: Thanks, you know, it's catchy. That's what counts in a jingle.
[N.B. Of interest: John Mahoney appeared on the Cheers episode “Do Not
Forsake Me, O My Postman” as Sy Flembeck, a hapless jingle composer.]
Frasier: [politely] Uh-huh, well, that's very, very nice, Dad, it's
just that, well, you know, I did promise my listeners that
I'd compose this myself. It's no fair cheating.
Martin: Oh, well, it's not cheating, technically...
Frasier: [cutting him off] Very good, Dad, very good, but thank you,
and off you go.
Martin: Okay, all right.
He exits.
Niles: Hey, um, Frasier, are you sure you want to modulate here?
That may just complicate things.
Frasier: Perhaps. You know, I'm just trying to make it interesting.
To my ear, there's still something lacking, some tiny
ingredient that's missing. I'm not sure what.
Scene 4 -
DISSOLVE to a rehearsal hall, where a full orchestra is tuning their
instruments. Frasier stands on the conductor's podium.
Frasier: [tapping his baton] All right, everyone. Let's try this
again. We still have a few minutes before the choir gets
here.
He raises his baton and prepares to cue the opening.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT I
ACT II
Scene 5 - The rehearsal hall
The choir has arrived.
Frasier: Well, finally, the choir has deigned to join us.
Director: Sorry, our bus broke down. We had to walk two miles to get
here.
Frasier: Ah, then I suppose we can dispense with the breathing
exercises I was going to recommend. Please, if you
would. [indicating the choir's risers behind the orchestra]
Off you go.
Niles, who has been sitting in front of the orchestra, rises.
Niles: Uh, Frasier... did you mean to cut paragraph five of my
monologue?
Frasier: Gosh, I might have, Niles. I've just been so busy. What was
the gist?
Niles: A lighthearted lampoon of mental health care abuse.
Frasier: Ah, yes, I did. I was afraid that some fussbudget might take
offense at my jape about lobotomies.
Niles: Well, I suppose it's best to play it safe, although I did
Like the way you indicated manic depression with a slide
whistle.
Frasier laughs. Niles looks back at the orchestra.
Niles: Do we really have to use so many musicians?
Frasier: For the sound I want, yes.
Niles: Whatever happened to the concept of "less is more"?
Frasier: Ah, but if less is more, just think of how much more "more"
will be.
Niles stares at him quizically.
Frasier: You may be seated.
Niles takes his seat.
Frasier: Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please,
I'd like to take a few minutes to explain my artistic
vision.
Timpanist: Take as long as you want, we're all on the clock.
Frasier: Point well taken, moving right along...
Roz enters quickly with her boyfriend Leon.
Roz: Frasier...I'm sorry we're late. We got stuck in traffic.
Some stupid bus broke down. This is Leon.
Leon looks like a starving folk-type musician, with long hair and a
scruffy beard.
Frasier: Ah, hello, Leon.
Leon: Hey, Dr. Crane.
Frasier: [shaking his hand] Lovely to meet you. Listen, why don't you
help yourself to the refreshment table there. I need to have
a few words with Roz.
Leon moves away.
Frasier: Roz, we've got a problem! In scoring this, I had to eliminate
the guitar part.
Roz: Well, put it back.
Frasier: Well, I can't. I'm afraid another instrument might make
Things sound cluttered... unless, of course, Leon can play
the bagpipe.
Roz: The bagpipe?
Frasier: Yes! Our show deals with a whole range of human emotion from
euphoria to despair, and nothing says despair so quickly as
the skirl of a bagpipe.
Roz: Nothing says "Turn off the radio" so quickly either. Isn't
there something else he can play?
Frasier: Well, uh... yes, yes! Actually, our triangle player called in
with a touch of tinnitus. Here we are.
Leon returns.
Frasier: Leon, I have some good news for you. I had to eliminate the
Guitar part, but I'm promoting you to first triangle.
He hands him the triangle and its beater.
Leon: Uh, I've never played one of these. It looks tricky.
Frasier stares agape at Roz.
Roz: I'll work with him.
Frasier: Yes, off you go.
They move to the percussion section.
Frasier: Well, then, now people, before we start, are there any
questions?
The principal violist raises her hand.
Frasier: Yes, viola.
Tiffany: My name is Tiffany.
Frasier: No, no no. I'm calling you by your instrument name, so as to
avoid confusion.
Tiffany: Oh, well I have a question about measure 34...
Frasier: Ah... I thought you might. Yes, you see, I've accelerated the
tempo there in order to depict the yearning of the superego.
Very perceptive of you to spot that.
Tiffany: No, I meant, are these eighth notes or what?
Frasier: [miffed] Yes... eighth notes. Anyone else?
The timpanist raises his hand.
Frasier: Yes, timpani?
Tiffany: You just answered my question.
Frasier: Not Tiffany, timpani.
Timpanist: What are we rehearsing this for? Are we going to record it?
Frasier: Yes, actually, we are waiting for the final go-ahead from my
station manager, and then we will be recording it, yes.
Anyone else?
Niles raises his hand.
Frasier: Yes... actor.
Niles: I'm just wondering how my monologue is going to be audible
over all these instruments.
Frasier: Oh, that's a good point, Niles. [beat] You may be seated.
[after Niles sits] It is imperative that everyone play
[pianissimo] during the spoken portions - very, very
softly. That applies particularly to brass and timpani.
Tiffany: Why me?
Frasier: [incredulous at her dimness] To the drums, Tiffany.
Martin and Daphne enter.
Frasier: Oh, Dad, Daphne, I'm so glad you came!
He embraces them.
Daphne: Oh, well, after all, it is the world premiere of your theme
song.
Frasier: Now, I don't have to search you two for any hidden recording
devices, do I? The last thing I need is some bootleg CD's
flooding the marketplace.
Martin: Boy, you really got everything here!
Frasier: Oh, it's not a time for stinting, Dad. I've got everything
from the African rain stick to the Javanese tam-tam.
Martin: [at the refreshment table] Are the tam-tams the long ones
with the cream in the middle?
Kenny enters.
Frasier: Oh, Kenny, Kenny! I'm so glad you made it. Listen, I think
you're in for a bit of a surprise.
Kenny: Well, I gotta tell you, I don't surprise easily. [seeing the
orchestra] Whoa!
Frasier: Our little ensemble. Heh-heh.
Kenny: So many musicians... all working on a weekend.
Kenny checks his watch.
Frasier: Now, listen, I realize that we are a bit over budget, and I
promise, I will pick up the difference myself.
Kenny sits.
Frasier: All right. The time has come to unveil my magnum opus. Just
Let me do a little fine-tuning on the opening fanfare.
He moves to the podium.
Frasier: Uh, brass, if you will please, in four, the first measure?
Frasier beats out a preparatory measure in 4/4. The trumpets play a
very conventional fanfare flawlessly.
Frasier: Well, you see, that's fine as far as it goes, but this time
I want you to do it with a bit more... grandeur. With some
majesty and a soupcon of awe.
The trumpets play the fanfare exactly as before. Frasier turns to
Kenny, Martin, Daphne, and Roz, who are seated behind him.
Frasier: There, you see. That's what good conducting can do.
Kenny gets a puzzled, concerned, incredulous look on his face.
Frasier: All right, everyone. The time we have been waiting for is at
hand. And with a simple bow of thanks to the muse Calliope,
let us begin. And...
The four audience members exchange a look of incredulity, not knowing
what to expect. The maestro raises his baton, and we hear his magnum
opus.
He conducts a preparatory measure again, and the trumpets play the
fanfare. This is followed by the strings, who settle into a
conventional broadway-style vamp that doesn't seem to "fit" the
preceding fanfare. After a harp glissando, the first chorus is then
presented by three soloists and the choir.
CHORUS 1
Soloist 1: (tenor) Who can you turn to for prompt diagnosis?
Soloist 2: (soprano) A fetish or fantasy
Soloist 3: (bass) Sex or psychosis
Soloist 1: No problem at all, let us handle your call
Choir: (unison) On our show! On our show!
Prominent drum beats accompany "On our show!" Martin exchanges a
glance with Daphne and Roz.
CHORUS 2
Soloist 2: Bring us your traumas, your latent neurosis
Soloist 1: Erectile disfunction (the "r" prominently rolled)
Soloist 3: Bed-wetting narcosis
Soloist 1: There's no need for shame, you can use a false name
Choir: (unison) On our show! On our show!
Frasier is delighted with the performance thus far. The orchestra now
settles down to a suspenseful and quietly sustained chord. The musical
material of the choruses is very clichéd Broadway/Disney-style fare, so
the suspenseful film-score background chords and the overly dramatic
delivery of Niles's following monologue is extremely incongruous:
Niles: [rising] Who dares enter the dark labyrinth of the human mind?
A percussion player draws a string bow across a metal object, producing
an unpleasant whining sound. The orchestra changes harmonies to a
higher chord. Frasier marks time with dramatic baton gestures as he
prepares to cue the harmonic changes.
Niles: What festering secrets are buried in the recesses of the
subconscious?
Another percussionist drags something across a gong, producing another
unpleasant sound.
Niles: Lurid images!
Another harmonic shift upward comes with Niles's words, which are
followed by the shaking of a circus-style rattle/whistle.
Niles: Lewd desires!
Yet another chord shift with Niles's line, followed by a slide whistle,
which presumably illustrates the "lewd desires."
Niles: Guilty pleasures!
A chord shift with Niles again, and a "grunting" sound from the
orchestra.
Niles: Strange compulsions!
One more harmonic shift with Niles, followed by a dissonant trombone
splat. Niles, startled, stares at the trombone player. The strings
then play a quick rising transitional passage, leading to a suspenseful
high note.
Niles: The whole catalogue of human behavior from the aberrant to the
monstrous lurks behind a locked door to which one man holds
the key!
A huge beat of the gong (tam-tam), which startles the others,
Particularly Martin... and then a harp glissando leads us back
seamlessly to the broadway-style chorus music. Niles sits,
grinning broadly.
CHORUS 3
Soloist 1: (tenor) So if you are stymied to find a prognosis
Soloist 2: (soprano)And ask yourself, just like Freud:
Soloist 3: (bass) "Himmel, was los ist?"
Frasier is particularly delighted with the German line.
Soloist 1: Stop scratching your head, let us cure it instead
Daphne and Roz chuckle.
Choir: (unison) On our show! On our show!
The little instrumental riff before "On our show!" is different in the
three choruses. The following coda sounds as if it has been directly
lifted from "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from “Mary Poppins.”
CODA
Choir: (single note)Now here is the man to explain
The tortured terrain of your brain
The man who feels everyone's pain...
Dr. Crane! Dr. Crane! Frasier Crane!!
The choir finally harmonizes on the last "Crane." Leon's triangle
has been featured prominently in the last shouts of "Dr. Crane."
The final chord is drawn out in another broadway cliché, and after
the cutoff, Leon provides a final triangle beat. Frasier lowers
his baton, extremely proud of his opus.
[N.B. The piece can be heard on the "Frasier" soundtrack CD.]
Roz: [the only person applauding] Way to go, Leon!
Daphne begins to applaud with hesitation. Martin is mystified.
Kenny has an indescribable look of amazement and sits motionless.
Frasier: Well, Kenny. What's your reaction?
Kenny's facial expression remains frozen and he is motionless.
Finally:
Kenny: [hushed] Wow.
Frasier: Takes your breath away, doesn't it?
Kenny: [again] Wow.
Frasier: I thought as much, and in anticipation of your approval, I had
the forethought to order in a little bubbly. Niles, if you
would help me, please?
Niles joins Frasier and they run toward a backstage room, delighted.
Frasier: [to Niles] Oh, you were wonderful!
Niles: Thank you, the trombone frightened me.
They exit.
Kenny: [again, the same] Wow.
Martin: Well that was sure something, wasn't it?
Daphne: I'll say. Sort of like Gilbert and Sullivan – only
frightening.
Kenny: A little jingle, that's all we wanted. Yeah, ten seconds to
start the show.
Roz: [trying to mediate] Well, maybe Frasier can cut this down...
Kenny: [cutting her off] He gives me harps and drums and... people
speaking German. All we wanted was a simple little jingle.
Martin rises and gets some refreshments.
Daphne: Probably more like the one you came up with. Tell him yours,
Mr. Crane.
Martin: No, no, no, it was nothing. I can't even remember how it
goes.
Daphne: Well, I do. [singing:]
How are you? I'm listen...
Martin: No, it doesn't go like that.
Kenny: Well, then you sing it, Mr. Crane.
Martin: Well, all right... but it's really nothing.
He moves in front of them and sings his jingle:
Martin: What's new? I'm listenin'
Feelin' blue? I'm listenin'...
Feelin' sad, feelin' mad, feelin' bad, feelin' glad
I'm listenin'!
Kenny: That's exactly the kind of thing we're looking for!
Frasier and Niles re-enter over Kenny's speech.
Kenny: You know, it sets the mood, it - it says it all. Did that
just pop into your head?
Frasier: [coming up behind him and handing him a glass] Hardly. It was
gut-wrenching, but you know, it's nice to know that I made it
look easy.
He continues to hand out glasses of champagne.
Kenny: No, no, no. I'm talking about your dad's little jingle.
Martin beams.
Frasier: [taken aback] Dad's?
Kenny: Yeah, he just sang it. It's exactly the type of thing we
need. You know, simple, catchy...you know, we ought to
just use that one.
Martin seems okay with this.
Frasier: No, no, Kenny, no. I mean, if simple is what you wanted,
you should have just said so.
Kenny: I thought I did.
Frasier: Well, obviously not. Now that I know what you want, well,
there's nothing easier. Of course I can write simple. I
promise you, it'll be something far more memorable than what
my dad came up with.
Kenny: Well, I don't know, I remember it...sings
What's new? I'm listenin'
Some of the choir members, including the soloists and director, take
up the jingle.
Choir: Feelin' blue? I'm listenin'...
Feelin' sad, feelin' mad, feelin' bad, feelin' glad
I'm listenin'!
Frasier: [indignant and humiliated] You're off the clock!
He exits in a huff.
FADE TO:
IT'S WHY GERSHWIN'S TEETH WERE IMMACULATE
Scene 6 - Frasier's apartment
He is seated at the piano playing some ornate classical-style
improvisation. He breaks it off and plunks out the last two lines
of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." He places his head in his hand in
frustration. Martin enters in his robe.
Martin: Hey, Fras. How's it goin'?
Frasier: "Merrily, merrily."
Martin: Well, you know, it's getting kind of late. Maybe you should
call it a night, huh?
Frasier: Dad, you heard Kenny. I have to come up with something as
simple as yours by Monday. By the way, thanks once again
for completely upstaging me today.
Martin: Oh, come on, I'm sorry I stole your thunder, but it's not like
I did it on purpose.
Frasier: I know. I know. I'm sorry. It's just... I don't know why
I'm having such a hard time with this.
Martin: Well... maybe you're just thinking too much. I mean, look
at me. I go to the bathroom, I'm flossing my teeth, and that
song pops into my head.
Martin sits at the dining table.
Frasier: Are you suggesting that I bring out a spool of floss?
Martin: Well, it might not be a bad idea, for a couple of reasons.
Frasier joins him at the table.
Martin: Frasier, why don't you just decide what you want to say and
Say it? Not a lot of big words and showing off. You know,
and the tune should be something simple - something you can
whistle. I tried whistling that thing you wrote today, and
I got lightheaded. Of course, it might have been that last
doughnut. I went back for one of those African rainsticks.
Ooh...
He gestures with mild disgust.
Frasier: The truth is, Dad, I've... I'm not sure I can do simple.
Martin: Well, I don't know if you can't or if you just don't want to.
And you know, some of the best things in the world are simple,
Fras. Just like that art gallery you took me to a couple of
months ago. Do you remember? You were oohing and ahhing at
this painting of a big red dot.
Frasier: Yeah, Dad, but there is a difference between simple and
deceptively simple.
Martin: Well, all I'm saying is that it's fine to be smart, but you
shouldn't have to be proving it all the time, that's all. You
know, just as an experiment, tell me what it is you're trying
to say stripped down to nuts and bolts.
Frasier: All right, um... in my first stanza, I want to represent
myself as the... ombudsman between the conscious and
subconscious minds of my listeners.
Martin: Ah. Well, there you are, that's the song right there. All we
need is a rhyme for "ombudsman" and we can go to bed.
Frasier: Well, I was playing around with "north woodsman."
Martin laughs gently.
Martin: Oh, Frasier. Look, I'm going to tell you what your show's
about: People have a problem, they're feeling low, they call
you, you make them feel better.
Frasier: Oh, for God's sake, Dad.
Martin: Well, that's it! That's it. Why don't you just write about
that?
Frasier: How would that sound exactly? [He recites:]
If you've got a problem
If you're feelin' low
Lookin' for some answers...
Oh, gosh, now I'm stuck. How will I ever find a rhyme for
"low"?
Martin: Okay, smart-aleck. I was just trying to help.
Frasier: Well, thanks, Dad. I'm sorry, you know, it's just not my
thing.
Martin: Okay, well, I'm going to bed. So, if you need any help
tomorrow, all you got to do is ask.
Frasier: Thanks, Dad.
Martin exits toward his bedroom. Frasier returns to the piano, waits
until he is gone, and sits. He begins to plunk out a catchy melody
and sings to it:
Frasier: If you've got a problem...
If you're feelin' low
Lookin' for some answers...
Martin: [completing the verse rhyme and tune from offstage:]
Things you need to know
Frasier looks up, mildly indignant. FADE immediately to...
Scene 7 - KACL
We hear a catchy introduction, and then then Frasier's tune, sung
in Andrews Sisters-style harmony by a group of female vocalists.
Kenny, Roz, and Frasier are leaning over the desk listening to the
recorded song.
Vocalists: If you've got a problem
If you're feelin' low
Lookin' for some answers
Things you need to know,
All you've got to do is ask
(tempo slows) All you've got to do is ask.
A triangle dings to end the song. Frasier, Kenny, and Roz have been
bouncing to the catchy jingle, and Frasier is proud of it, simple as
it is.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT II
Credits:
Frasier turns on his stereo and takes out his baton. He begins to
conduct. Eddie enters and sits on Martin's chair. Eddie begins to
"sing" and Frasier continues to conduct. Eddie seems to respond to
the baton. Frasier is delighted and continues to beat time.
Guest Appearances
Guest Starring
TOM McGOWAN as Kenny
Co-starring
CHRISTINE KLUDJIAN as Tiffany
DAVID THOMPSON as Leon
TOM BROOKS as Drummer (Timpanist)
TOM BEYER as Singer (Director)
and
EDWARD HIBBERT as Gil Chesterton
(The three vocal soloists are uncredited.)
Legal Stuff
This episode capsule is copyright 2004 by Kelly Dean Hansen. This episode
summary remains property of Frasier, Copyright of Paramount
Productions and NBC. Printed without permission.