For over a decade, from 1993 to 2024, Frasier reigned as one of television’s most acclaimed sitcoms in both the USA and the UK. A spin-off of Cheers, starring Kelsey Grammer, the series followed psychiatrist-turned-radio host Frasier Niles as he navigated life in Seattle. Even now, the series still has a dedicated audience, and there are plenty of fans who fondly remember its hilarious moments.
However, as the reruns continue to air, some episodes have come under scrutiny. One particular episode from season 2, revolving around Frasier’s youth, has drawn attention for its concerning implications. Although it was once viewed as humorous, if it were released today, the show would likely have been “canceled.”
The classic show, Frasier‘s one episode sparks trouble over controversial storyline
The episode from Frasier, titled Slow Tango in South Seattle, revolves around Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) discovering that a former acquaintance, Thomas Jay Fallow, from Boston, has written a best-selling novel based on a personal story he once shared. It includes the story of how Frasier, a teenager, had a romantic relationship with his much older piano teacher.
The show presents the event of his first s*xual experience as a humorous misadventure, something that today’s viewers find deeply unsettling. The main problem is the power imbalance. A teenager having a relationship with an adult teacher is now recognized as an abuse of authority, yet the episode fails to acknowledge this.
This also points to a double standard in media. Had the genders been reversed, with a teenage girl and an older male teacher, it likely would have been portrayed very differently, even in the ’90s. The fact that the show plays Fraiser’s “predatory” experience for laughs rather than addressing the uncomfortable reality highlights a cultural blind spot of the time.
Fans today have taken notice with many urging to skip the episode, almost cancelling the show. On social media and forums, younger viewers, in particular, have voiced their concerns, calling the storyline “disturbing” and “inappropriate.” What was once seen as an amusing story arc now feels problematic.
Frasier show writer and producer defended the show’s legacy
Joe Keenan, a former Frasier writer and executive producer, took time to reflect on the shoe in a Mirror UK interview. He was asked if he thought any episodes had aged poorly. He responded,
Nothing stands out to me. I’m sure if you go on a [forum], you’ll find people who find that moment didn’t age well… If there are, I don’t think it’s more than a couple of things that we might not have done if we’d been doing the show today.
He defended the show’s legacy, adding, “At the time, these storylines were widely accepted, and the intent was comedic rather than harmful.”
The discussion around Frasier is part of a larger conversation about revisiting classic television through a modern lens, reflecting a shift in societal awareness. While Frasier remains one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms, episodes like Slow Tango in South Seattle remind us that even the most well-regarded shows can have moments that deserve a second look.
Frasier is available to stream on Paramount+.
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