I thought your father was in charge of Christmas decorations.
Oh, no, no, not this year. We're doing it my way.
That's why I'm ordering a tasteful tree here.
They'll even deliver it on Christmas Eve fully decorated.
-Gee, that'll be fun for Freddie. -Frederick won't be joining me.
He's spending his vacation on an archaeological tour with Lilith.
He's spending Christmas with dried-up old bones?
Ha-ha-ha. I thought I told you.
She's taking him on an archaeological tour.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Good Lord, look how late it's gotten.
Don't blame me.
You're the one who spent 20 minutes looking for that candleholder thing.
No, no. It's a menorah, Roz.
Thought I'd get one for Frederick for Hanukkah.
Oh, right. I completely forgot Frederick is half Jewish.
Yes, between the Crane boy genes and Lilith's contribution,
I'm not sure the NFL is holding its breath.
I need to go over to Notions and try to find something for Calvin,
-the security guard. -What are you getting him?
If I knew, I wouldn't be going to Notions.
Excuse me. I'd like to get a gift for that woman I was with.
-How about this sweater right here? -Excellent choice.
I'm not sure of the size. Could you find me this in a medium? Thank you.
-It's a madhouse in there. -Roz!
People pushing and shoving for nose-hair clippers.
Is there a nasal hair epidemic I don't know about?
-Here's your sweater. -Oh.
-Is he talking to you? -No, no, no, he's talking to…
-He's talking to me. It's for my niece. -Oh.
But I'm a bit worried about the size.
She's just about your height.
Do you mind my asking, would this fit you?
-Mm. That's a little big for me. -Uh-huh.
-What about the color? A little blah? -I like the blue.
-I agree. Thank you so much. -Oh.
[CHUCKLES]
I will take a smaller size in the blue, and please gift-wrap it.
-Coming right up. -It looks like Notions has thinned out.
Good. You think Calvin will like the nose-hair clippers?
I think we can be sure he doesn't own a pair.
Thank you so much for bailing me out that way.
My pleasure. Helen.
-Helen? Frasier. -Not Frasier Crane?
-From the radio show? -Yes.
Oh-ho-ho.
I listen to you every time I come to Seattle to visit my daughter Faye.
Well, that's very kind.
You really should know your wife's size.
-Oh, she's not my wife. -I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry.
-It's all right. -Girlfriend?
[CHUCKLES] No,
I don't have a girlfriend. I'm unattached.
Well, I've taken enough of your time.
Although, there is one small thing you could help me with.
I'm looking for something for my daughter.
Oh, what is it?
-No, I really shouldn't ask you. -No, no, please.
It's too much of an imposition.
The way you came to my rescue, I'd be delighted to help you.
What is it you're looking to get for your daughter?
A date with a nice unattached doctor.
Well, I certainly walked into that one, didn't I?
It wasn't my first time.
As soon as this woman gets here,
give me five minutes and then call me.
If I am miserable, I will simply say it's an emergency and excuse myself.
Yes, the ever-valuable escape call.
-Oh, you've done them? -Oh-ho-ho.
No, but I've seen them done.
Excuse me, are you Frasier?
Faye? Yes, well, hello. How did you know it was me?
You had that horror-stricken look of someone who's met my mother.
No, please, please. Shall we?
That's sweet of you, but you don't have to go through with this.
I just came to apologize.
No. Why don't you sit down?
Hey, Dr. Crane. Are you here with your brother?
No, he's on a blind date.
Oh. Heh.
Oh, he is, isn't he? Oh, look at him.
[CHUCKLES]
-I think he fancies her. -Uh-huh.
You know, it's always so obvious when a man likes a woman.
[CHUCKLES]
You can just tell by his awkward body language.
Shifting in his chair, heh,
he doesn't know quite what to do with his hands.
He's as nervous as a hen.
Oh, for God's sakes, stop fidgeting!
So your mother tells me that you're a lawyer.
Well, that's typical.
I was a lawyer and I quit two years ago and now I'm a pastry chef.
-Really? -Yes.
I work in a French restaurant in town.
Maybe you've heard of it. Le Cigare Volant?
It's one of my favorites. I had dinner there last Friday.
I worked Friday. What did you have?
-The Grand Marnier soufflé. -I made that!
-It was poetry on a plate. -Thank you.
[BOTH LAUGH]
You didn't happen to find my earring in it?
-I'm kidding. -Oh.
[LAUGHS]
You know, suddenly I'm glad that your mother is as pushy as she is.
It's funny, though, you're nothing like her.
That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.
-Dr. Crane, can I ask a favor? -Mm-hm.
What are you doing for the next ten nights?
-Because my… -Yes.
Excuse me, finish the question.
Well, my neighborhood theater group is putting on a holiday revue.
We're performing in the common room of Dr. Crane's building.
-Right downstairs? Ooh. -Yeah.
Well, we're still looking for a musical director.
I would never ask you, but they put me in charge of the whole thing.
Oh, well, count me in.
Is the show more religious in tone or secular?
Well, we couldn't quite agree,
-so we ended up with a mixed bag. -Hm.
We open with the no-room-at-the-inn scene,
then it's a rousing version of "Jingle Bell Rock,"
a brief medley from Jesus Christ Superstar.
The first act ends with Santa's elves and the Three Wise Men linking arms
and singing "Frosty the Snowman."
Well. Excuse me, I have to make a phone call.
Of course, I love Boston, but, well, there's no place like home.
[PHONE RINGS]
Excuse me.
Yes, hello? Uh…
No, you know what? I'll just have to sign those papers later.
Thank you.
Office work.
That was an escape call, wasn't it?
No, what are you talking about?
Come on, it's a blind date. You wanted a way to back out.
Oh, gosh, you are sharp, aren't you? How did you know?
[PHONE RINGS]
Well, that would be lovely. All right, I'll see you soon.
Well, isn't that nice? Faye's dropping by.
You've been seeing a lot of her lately.
Yes. You know, she really is quite wonderful.
Thought she was off to Florida with her mother.
Yes. They're popping by on the way to the airport.
I guess someone wanted to rack up a few more frequent Frasier miles.
[LAUGHS]
You don't ever actually say those things to the woman, do you?
Oh, no, no, no.
-Oh, Dr. Crane, you're here. -Yes, the show starts in half an hour.
Could you give me a hand?
I still have to sew the chains to Jacob Marley's tux for the dance number.
-Oh, happy to. -FRASIER: Jacob Marley?
They're doing A Christmas Carol too?
No, they're not. They worked him into the Nativity scene.
Hey, Fras, where's a good spot for Rudolph this year?
Dad, please, I thought we had an agreement about the decorations.
But what's Christmas without Rudolph?
He is not even one of the original reindeer.
Do the others have a song?
I'm not having this discussion again!
You know I'm right. Forget it.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
I wouldn't want to ruin your designer Christmas.
-Oh, Faye! -Hi.
Hi. Good to see you. Here, let me take your coat.
-Thank you. -Where's Helen?
She's talking to your doorman.
She's trying to fix him up with my cousin Janet,
I couldn't bear to watch.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
I'll just leave that ajar for her.
-Oh, my gosh. -What?
-You have a wreath. -Yes, so?
-Aren't you Jewish? -No. No, why do you ask?
The day we met, my mother saw you shopping for a menorah.
Yes, for my son. My ex-wife is Jewish.
-Oh, God. -Is there a problem?
For me, no, but my mother is another story.
Here I was wondering what we'd talk about on a seven-hour flight to Miami.
You know what, I can just take this down.
No, I have to stop being a child about these things.
If she's upset, she's upset.
-How many stopovers do you have? -Two.
-I'll take it down. -Thank you.
-I really appreciate you doing this. -Oh, it's no problem.
Can't believe I'm asking you to pretend to be Jewish on Christmas Eve.
It's all right. It probably won't even come up.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-HELEN: Hello, Frasier. -There she is.
-Helen! Hi. -Oh. Oh. Oh.
What a beautiful apartment you have.
[FAYE GASPS]
Thank you very much.
Get out!
-What? -Of that coat already.
[LAUGHS]
-So, Frasier, you grew up in Seattle? -Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.
-Such a pretty city. -Yes.
I guess you were bar mitzvahed here.
Oh, yes, yes, of course.
What a proud day that was.
I can still remember reading from the Torah
before the rabbi
and the cantor and the mohel.
The mohel?
The one who did your circumcision?
Yes, yes, I just wanted to show him that there were no hard feelings. Heh.
-Niles! -Hello, all. You must be Faye.
And I'm her mother, Helen Moskowitz.
-I'm Frasier's brother, Niles. -Yes.
What happened to the…
Moskowitz family that lived down the hall? They moved.
Why don't you help me in the kitchen?
I'm about to pour everybody a drink.
What's going on?
Faye's mother thinks that we're Jewish. Just play along.
Okay. Why?
Well, it's important to Faye, Faye is important to me.
-You think you can pull it off? -No problem. Oh, ham.
Niles. Please.
We've got to find a time to tell Dad about this.
-You mean Papa. -Stop it.
-Wait, Frasier. -What?
-Is that for Helen? -Yes.
What if she's expecting Jewish wine?
-I don't have that on hand. -That's all right. It's easy enough.
It's just like regular wine, plus a little of this.
Try that.
-It's dreadful. Ugh. -Perfect.
-Here we are. -Oh, thank you.
Who has a nice toast? Niles?
Oh, all right.
[SPEAKING IN YIDDISH]
Next year in Jerusalem.
Take it down a notch, Tevye.
Hey, Fras, since it's the night before…
-BOTH: Dad! -Oh, great.
Would it be a crime for somebody to tell me we had guests?
I'm Marty Crane. I'm Frasier's dad. Although you'd never guess it
from the way I'm treated like a second-class citizen around here.
But, as long as Frasier's happy, why should my feelings matter?
Niles, why don't you go help Dad in the kitchen?
Well, all right, but he'll probably just kvetch at me
-and frankly, I don't need the tsuris. -Niles!
[MOUTHING]
I don't know how to be Jewish.
Just answer questions with a question.
-Like what? -I have to explain everything?
-Can't you give me an example? -What, I should give you an example?
You gonna help me or not?
-You're saying I'm not being helpful? -Oh, forget it!
So, Marty, both your sons are doctors. How'd you work that out?
I have no idea…do I?
Well, I just got the phone call every producer dreads.
-What is it? -Someone's dropping out of the show.
You don't suppose you could take over one of the roles?
I don't see why not. I know all the songs.
-Wonderful. -It was nice meeting you both.
Likewise. We're leaving too. Could you send the elevator back up?
-We'll be right down. -Happy to.
-So who dropped out? -Mr. Blanchard.
[SPEAKS IN YIDDISH]
It's been great spending some time with the two of you.
I wish you could stay longer.
Well, actually, we can. I just called the airline.
The plane is delayed an hour.
Well, isn't that good news? Ha-ha!
-You know, I hate to be forward, -Mm-hmm.
But I'd love to taste whatever smells so wonderful in that kitchen.
I would love to give you a taste, except it isn't done.
[BELL DINGS]
Well, more good news!
I don't know how much longer we can continue this charade.
When Dad started to talk about working on his own car,
I thought we were goners.
We only have to keep it up another half an hour.
Actually, I think I have an idea.
-Go out there. -Okay.
I don't know what it is with that brisket.
It won't cook through.
-I could take a look. -No, no, we don't have the time.
I just got off the phone with the airlines.
They pushed the flights back up. We have to get going.
Oh, really? Eh. All right.
Gosh, I wish you could stay longer.
It's just that I'd hate to have you be late for your plane. Ha-ha!
-Hello, sir. -On the other hand, you know,
you can't leave until you've seen the apartment.
-What? -Let's start in the bedroom.
There's plenty of time.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Dad, could you see who that is, make sure they come back later?
Whatever you want, Frasier, as usual.
-Hello, sir. Let me wish you a merry… -Shh-shh!
Bring that back in an hour.
No way. It's Christmas Eve and I've got a full truck downstairs.
-Where do you want it? -Oh, jeez, I don't know.
You know, a lot of people put them in their living rooms.
Oh, here, put it in the bathroom.
-In the bathroom? -Yeah.
-Okay. -Just put it in, all right?
[SNIFFING]
[SNEEZES]
-All right, come on, quick. -Okay. Heh.
-You have, you know, a mer… -Shut up. Get out.
-That's a beautiful bedroom. -Oh, thank you very much.
I noticed you were sort of quiet, Faye.
Almost as though you'd been in there before, huh?
Oh, yeah, I have, Ma, but I was drunk and it was dark.
I don't remember so much.
[CHUCKLES]
You see how she talks to her mother?
Jesus!
I'll tell you what.
I just realized that you haven't seen the beautiful balcony.
Dad, would you do the honors and I'll check on the brisket?
What is going on?
The man who does the number from Jesus Christ Superstar can't go on.
He slipped in the shower. Man could walk on water, but no…
Yes, it's dripping with irony.
Niles, what are you doing here?
The minute I got within ten feet of the hay for the manger scene,
my allergies kicked in. I left my nasal spray here.
I'm sorry, but you've got to get the hell out!
-Is that kind of language appropriate? -Oh, just shut up!
Would you believe it? It's still pink in the middle.
By the time my brisket's done, my kugel will be dry as the Sinai.
It certainly is beautiful, but now I think we're cutting it close.
Yes, you know, you're quite right.
We can continue the tour at another time.
Let me walk you to the door.
Thank you so much, Frasier. You're a wonderful host.
Oh, well.
You know, maybe I should go to the powder room before we go.
Oh, here, allow me.
Ah!
What is going on?
Helen, I am so terribly sorry.
[KNOCKING]
I'll let you all sort this out. I really have to go.
I understand. This is your busy time.
Ma, Frasier's not Jewish.
I told them to pretend so you wouldn't freak out.
What? You think I care? You can date anyone you want.
Since when?
I can't believe you're embarrassing me like this.
You embarrass me on an hourly basis.
I embarrass you? Are you hearing this?
You know, maybe we should just give you your privacy.
No one leaves. You see?
You are making them uncomfortable in their own home.
You could have trusted me to understand.
All I want is for you to be happy.
As long as I'm happy in the life that you pick out for me.
Excuse me for being a terrible mother.
All I do is care.
Oh, here it comes, the guilt.
Just because I don't want you controlling my whole life.
What do you want me to do about it, cut myself out of it? You hate me?
Sometimes, I do hate you!
[GASPS]
Oh.
[BOTH GASP]
[BOTH SOBBING]
I'm sorry, Ma. I shouldn't have said that.
Why not? I am too involved. It's because you're all I have.
But you can't keep running my life.
-Maybe we should just… -Sit. We're nearly done.
I have been smothering you.
Maybe it's time I learned to let you go.
I don't wanna be let go.
I want you in my life, just not running it.
-I do love you, Mom. -Oh, baby. I love you too.
Mm.
-Well, we should go. -Right.
Oh, thank you for a lovely visit. Enjoy your holiday.
-I am so sorry about all this. -Oh, that's all right. That's all right.
Call me when you get back.
[FRASIER CHUCKLES]
Good night.
-Boy, that was something. -It certainly was.
Yeah, we've had a couple squabbles today, but nothing like that.
[CHUCKLES] No way.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Maybe I should get that Christmas tree out of the bathroom.
Yeah, right. One minute, they're talking about one little problem,
then suddenly, it's everything else.
Then it gets all emotional and messy,
and then they're hugging and then it's all over.
I suppose that's the healthiest way to go about it.
Yeah, yeah. I guess you can't keep that stuff bottled up.
No, you sit on it, you just get madder and madder.
Yeah, best thing is lay it on the line.
-Exactly. -Yeah.
Frasier, I want my Rudolph out for Christmas.
-What, this again? -It's just not Christmas without it.
Dad, we had an agreement about the Christmas decorations this year.
Yeah, but your Christmas stinks! I mean, you call that a tree?
Would it kill you to have a tasteful Christmas just once in your life?
Every year, we do Christmas your way.
And you have things your way every damn day! I mean, look at it.
There's nothing of mine around this place except for my chair.
And you've taken potshots at that right from the start
because it doesn't fit in with your froufrou knickknacks.
Right, go ahead, ridicule everything I do.
The way I eat, the way I decorate.
Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?
Know how it makes me feel to live like a guest in my home?
I do everything to make you feel welcome in this house,
but nothing I do is good enough!
Strange way to make me feel welcome, taking Christmas away.
The one time of the year when I get to do things my way,
like it used to be in our home, with your mother and when you were kids.
You know, that's a nice memory for me.
You'd think, as a psychiatrist, you'd figure that out.
Oh, fine. Now, I'm not even a good psychiatrist.
I'm just a big, fat letdown, aren't I?
I'm a burden to you. I hate living here.
And I hate you living here.
[BOTH SOBBING]
-Oh, my God. -Jeez.
-Oh, God, I feel terrible. -So do I.
They were hugging by now.
We never should have tried this. We're not Jewish.
Maybe Mrs. Shapiro next door can talk us through it.
-She's out of town. -Oh, no.
I'm sorry. I never should have said what I said.
Oh, Dad, no, I should have been more sensitive. I am a psychiatrist.
And you're a damned good one, too, and I'm very proud of you.
-Really? -Yes.
Oh, Dad, I didn't mean any of the things I said.
I love having you here.
Well, I love being here. I always have.
Honestly?
Well, no, but I thought it'd get us to the hug.
All right, let's try.