Niles Crane

[Pat]

Don't get me wrong. I loved the cast of Frasier and really liked Frasier's character as well, but I always thought Niles stole the show. I read in a TV Guide somewhere that they called him the "Fonzie of Frasier" hench, the thought that Henry Winkler from Happy Days wouldn't be the show stealer.

Any thoughts?

[Kristen]

I think I agree with this. And I KNOW when Andrea (Schmoopie) sees this thread, she'll agree 1,000%! As talented as Kelsey was/is, I think paring him w/ DHP is what really made the show so amazing. And adding in the Niles/Daphne saga only made things better. If that was even possible!

- Kristen

[andress_jade]

Originally Posted by Kristen

I think I agree with this. And I KNOW when Andrea (Schmoopie) sees this thread, she'll agree 1,000%! As talented as Kelsey was/is, I think paring him w/ DHP is what really made the show so amazing. And adding in the Niles/Daphne saga only made things better. If that was even possible!

- Kristen

I agree with everything! Niles was awesome, and adding the N/D aspect was perfection! It wouldn't have been the same without DHP. Imagine if they would have hired a "Rosie Perez type" instead of Jane, it wouldn't have been the same. Thank goodness for small miracles.

[Retro4Life]

This happens a lot, really. The lead actor is often forced into being a bit more bland and reactive than the second lead, who is more free to be "out there" and expressive, without the pressure of holding the rest of the cast together and acting as a sage or "stabilizing force". You can see this in Everybody Loves Raymond, where Robby was arguably more popular than Ray, in the aforementioned Happy Days, in Alice, with Alice/Flo, in ODAAT, with Ann/Schneider, in Barney Miller with Barney and Fish, in WKRP with Andy and Johnny, etc, etc.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

This happens a lot, really. The lead actor is often forced into being a bit more bland and reactive than the second lead, who is more free to be "out there" and expressive, without the pressure of holding the rest of the cast together and acting as a sage or "stabilizing force". You can see this in Everybody Loves Raymond, where Robby was arguably more popular than Ray, in the aforementioned Happy Days, in Alice, with Alice/Flo, in ODAAT, with Ann/Schneider, in Barney Miller with Barney and Fish, in WKRP with Andy and Johnny, etc, etc.

Wow, well put and very insightful!

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by Pat

Wow, well put and very insightful!

Thanks!

[MrCleveland]

Niles...IMO is very quirky and David Hyde Peirce played the character very well.

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by Kristen

I think I agree with this. And I KNOW when Andrea (Schmoopie) sees this thread, she'll agree 1,000%! As talented as Kelsey was/is, I think paring him w/ DHP is what really made the show so amazing. And adding in the Niles/Daphne saga only made things better. If that was even possible!

- Kristen

Oh geez, Kristen what could POSSIBLY make you think I'd want to gush about my favorite TV character of all time? Probably because I do it constantly anyway! Seriously though I never had any interest in "Frasier" at all when it was on in prime time but when I saw it on Lifetime, the one character that stood out was Niles. I just found him completely adorable and that's pretty much what started my obsession/affection for Niles and DHP! Well in all fairness, I have to give Kristen credit AGAIN for writing such an awesome fan fic that enticed me to start DVR'ing the show.

But Niles has this sweet boyish quality that I absolutely love! It seems that he really is the younger brother, always being downplayed by his older brother, either by what he does or says. Frasier seems to always be correcting him or telling him that his ideas are ridiculous. I think it's so cute when they bicker back and forth about the most mundane things, that seem so important to them.

But what really got me hooked on Frasier (Niles) was Niles' fixation with Daphne Moon. It's just so adorable and he's so cute being so shy around her at first.

I've seen many episodes of Frasier that I don't like much at all (mainly due to the storyline or something else) but it never fails that whatever scene Niles is in, it makes the episode worth watching. DHP just brightens up any scene he's in, so I love that he was in every episode.

And I guess I don't have to mention what an AMAZING actor DHP is. I know I've mentioned this several times but it just floors me how he can bring out emotions in Niles that can move me to tears or have me laughing hysterically. That's a rare trait in an actor.

[Kristen]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Oh geez, Kristen what could POSSIBLY make you think I'd want to gush about my favorite TV character of all time? Probably because I do it constantly anyway! Seriously though I never had any interest in "Frasier" at all when it was on in prime time but when I saw it on Lifetime, the one character that stood out was Niles. I just found him completely adorable and that's pretty much what started my obsession/affection for Niles and DHP! Well in all fairness, I have to give Kristen credit AGAIN for writing such an awesome fan fic that enticed me to start DVR'ing the show.

But Niles has this sweet boyish quality that I absolutely love! It seems that he really is the younger brother, always being downplayed by his older brother, either by what he does or says. Frasier seems to always be correcting him or telling him that his ideas are ridiculous. I think it's so cute when they bicker back and forth about the most mundane things, that seem so important to them.

But what really got me hooked on Frasier (Niles) was Niles' fixation with Daphne Moon. It's just so adorable and he's so cute being so shy around her at first.

I've seen many episodes of Frasier that I don't like much at all (mainly due to the storyline or something else) but it never fails that whatever scene Niles is in, it makes the episode worth watching. DHP just brightens up any scene he's in, so I love that he was in every episode.

And I guess I don't have to mention what an AMAZING actor DHP is. I know I've mentioned this several times but it just floors me how he can bring out emotions in Niles that can move me to tears or have me laughing hysterically. That's a rare trait in an actor.

First of all, I have to say how amazing it is that you say Niles is your fave character EVER, since I'm sure at one time it would have been someone from Seinfeld. I'm really honored I could have something to do w/ "converting" you!

I know what you mean about Niles' boyish qualities. He just seems like all he wants is for people to like him! Esp. Daphne, of course! And I think Daphne is someone who naturally likes to take care of people. I mean, it's what she does. So I think that may be part of what she sees in him. But of course that's a topic for another thread!

And yes, DHP is an amazing actor. I know I've said it before on here, but "Three Valentines" is all the proof you need of that! I mean, there are a thousand other scenes w/ him I love, but that one just required so much skill to pull off!

- Kristen

[andress_jade]

I didn't pay much attention to DHP until I started watching Frasier regularly. Once I got it to the show, I was just blown away by how good of an actor he was.
He was such a good actor, I had no idea that he was even gay until I read about it and then heard about it. He was so believable as a straight man on Frasier, that his scenes with Jane as Daphne were just magical.
Although, I was initially a bit disappointed to find he was gay, that still didn't change my mind about him as an actor or as a person. I love him to death.

[Pat]

I completely agree. The Niles infatuation with Daphne was a stroke of genius. It was written and executed SO WELL. I have seen the "secret obsession" role played in other shows and it does not work as well as it did in Frasier. (i.e. "the Loop", etc.). You have to admit the writers were nothing less than BRILLIANT! My favorite show by far.

[Pat]

My all time favorite line is...

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by Pat

I completely agree. The Niles infatuation with Daphne was a stroke of genius. It was written and executed SO WELL. I have seen the "secret obsession" role played in other shows and it does not work as well as it did in Frasier. (i.e. "the Loop", etc.). You have to admit the writers were nothing less than BRILLIANT! My favorite show by far.

This is so true, but I have to say that after Niles and Daphne got married, their relationship seemed to have lost a little of its sparkle. I'm not putting it down by any means and I simply can't fault the acting but I was a bit disappointed in Season 11 when there were rarely if any kisses between Niles and Daphne. It just seems a little out of character for a man who worshiped this woman for six years before telling her that he loved her to suddenly stop kissing her. You'd think he'd have been more in love with her than ever.

In Season 8 we saw Niles and Daphne kiss almost every time they were on screen together but starting after they got married that became less and less. Part of me can't help but wonder if maybe DHP was feeling uncomfortable about scenes like that. I mean I can completely understand but really I'd love to know the reasoning behind it.

But that's just a very tiny rant on my part! Thanks for "listening"!

[andress_jade]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

This is so true, but I have to say that after Niles and Daphne got married, their relationship seemed to have lost a little of its sparkle. I'm not putting it down by any means and I simply can't fault the acting but I was a bit disappointed in Season 11 when there were rarely if any kisses between Niles and Daphne. It just seems a little out of character for a man who worshiped this woman for six years before telling her that he loved her to suddenly stop kissing her. You'd think he'd have been more in love with her than ever.

In Season 8 we saw Niles and Daphne kiss almost every time they were on screen together but starting after they got married that became less and less. Part of me can't help but wonder if maybe DHP was feeling uncomfortable about scenes like that. I mean I can completely understand but really I'd love to know the reasoning behind it.

But that's just a very tiny rant on my part! Thanks for "listening"!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that. There was a lot of hugging and hand holding, but not much kissing. I was kind of disappointed by that. I really would have like to have known the reason myself. I guess we will never know.
Regardless of that, Niles and Daphne were still a beautiful couple.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

This is so true, but I have to say that after Niles and Daphne got married, their relationship seemed to have lost a little of its sparkle. I'm not putting it down by any means and I simply can't fault the acting but I was a bit disappointed in Season 11 when there were rarely if any kisses between Niles and Daphne. It just seems a little out of character for a man who worshiped this woman for six years before telling her that he loved her to suddenly stop kissing her. You'd think he'd have been more in love with her than ever.

In Season 8 we saw Niles and Daphne kiss almost every time they were on screen together but starting after they got married that became less and less. Part of me can't help but wonder if maybe DHP was feeling uncomfortable about scenes like that. I mean I can completely understand but really I'd love to know the reasoning behind it.

But that's just a very tiny rant on my part! Thanks for "listening"!

I find it hard to think David was complaining about it. I can't imagine him being less than professional.

They probably down-toned the kissing because they didn't want them to come across as the "teenages in love" in every episode.

I'm with you though. I think they should have kept it going.

Woudn't that have been a hoot to have a D&N spin-off!