Frasier episode banned by Channel 4 from being shown in the mornings is revealed by fans
Classic US sitcom Frasier – which originally ran from 1993 to 2004 – has become a staple of Channel 4’s morning schedule, with episodes shown at around 9.30am Mondays to Fridays. However, while the show’s more than 250 episodes are regularly repeated in order, eagle eyed fans have noticed that one specific episode is never shown in the morning time slot and has effectively been ‘banned’ by the channel.
The series, which followed the romances and relationships of psychiatrist Frasier Crane, played by
, was originally a spin-off from the Boston-set sitcom Cheers, where Frasier was a regular resident of the Cheers bar. Frasier the series followed him to Seattle, as he took on a job as a radio psychiatrist, and reconnected with his father Martin (John Mahoney) and brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), and befriended radio producer Roz (Peri Gilpin) and Martin’s new physical therapist, Daphne (Jane Leeves).
The episode that Channel 4 isn’t repeating is one from the 11th season, entitled ‘High Holidays’. In the episode, Frasier’s brother Niles laments the fact that he never rebelled as a child, so he decides he is going to get high for the first time. Roz gives him some pot brownies made by her neighbour, and hands them to Martin when she has to dash out of Cafe Nervosa.
Unaware of what they are and feeling hungry, Martin eats one and then guiltily replaces it by buying a regular brownie. Niles, unaware of the switch, eats a brownie and is convinced he is high, but it is Martin who actually feels the effects, coming up with ‘great’ ideas while he is stoned including a dog army and a new invention he calls ‘fridge pants.’
Channel 4 have not shared a reason behind the episode being skipped on Channel 4’s morning repeats (it is available to stream on demand), but fans have speculated that it could be due to the drug depiction in the story.
One viewer commented: “They never show the pot brownies one. Not seen that one for a long time,” while another added: “Not sure why they don’t show it, the kids are at school by the time it’s on, and they are reviewing vibrators over on This Morning on ITV (well not every day but you get my drift).”
During its 11 year run, Frasier was one of the most successful sitcoms on TV, winning a total of 37 Emmy awards, including four each for Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce over the show’s run.
The series finished in 2004, with Frasier leaving Seattle to pursue a romance with Charlotte (Laura Linney) in Chicago. It was revived last year, with a new Paramount+ series that has Frasier returning to Boston following the death of his dad (actor John Mahoney, who played Martin, died in 2018).
It sees him take on a job at Harvard University to be near his grown-up son Freddie. Co-stars Peri Gilpin and Bebe Neuwirth (who played Frasier’s ex-wife Lilith) have both had recurring roles in the new series but other cast members from the original show don’t appear.
