Frasier's Niles Crane: Weird, Hilarious, And... Surprisingly Relatable

Frasier might have been the titular character of the hit sitcom, but Niles was clearly the star of the show. Let’s take a look at what made him so hilarious (and lowkey relatable) and unpack why he provided such an important balance to the show!

CHAPTERS
00:00 Frasier's funniest character is...
00:29 What made Niles so funny
05:32 Factor
06:34 Nile's arc & growth
12:31 Why Niles exited the story

CREDITS
Executive Producers: Debra Minoff & Susannah McCullough
Chief Creative Director: Susannah McCullough
Associate Producer: Tyler Allen
Writer: Jessica Babineaux
Narrator: Jessica Babineaux
Video Editor: Tyler Allen

#frasier #tvshow #tvanalysis

[katarinakrnjevic]

Niles is of rare sitcoms characters that every season gets more own storylines and best jokes . David is such underrated actor he deserves his own show

[LilyHandmaiden]

It always seemed to me that, while Frasier used his snobbishness as a way to set himself apart and keep people at a distance, to avoid vulnerability, for Niles it was a way to try to connect-- to form a community he could trust based on things like status and taste. This is why Niles ultimately ends up happily settled with his family, while Frasier is eternally wandering from place to place, searching. I would disagree that the show establishes the marriage with Maris as something Niles is just in for the money and the stuff (although I doubt he would have married her without the money and the stuff). It seems pretty clear that Niles initially saw in Maris someone who, because of her manifold neuroses, was someone he could relate to and also, as a psychiatrist, understand and protect. She made him feel needed. But she ended up using that devotion to manipulate and take advantage of him. What Niles finds in Daphne is someone who also values community and loyalty and family, but apart from taste and status. Embracing that real bond with people like Daphne, Martin, and Roz is the root of Niles's character growth.

[robchuk]

Niles pining for Daphne was one of sitcom's great crushes. But I did like his back and forth jabs with Roz even more. They aren't siblings, yet they felt like it.

[alexbramley]

Niles Crane was so fun. Somehow the actor was able to both play a rich snob but also such an interesting character you can’t help but love.

[fawnebrown]

Niles Crane (as portrayed by David Hyde Pierce) is one of the best sitcom characters ever. Maybe one of the best tv characters....period.

[rachels.]

Frasier has been my emotional support tv show since I was 9 or 10. I often watch it when I’m trying to fall asleep and over the years have seen each episode dozens if not over a hundred times. I won’t watch the revival. You can’t revive perfection. People need to understand that good things end and learn to accept that. This insane desire to do a reboot of everything that was once good detracts from the original in almost all cases.

[sarahn.h]

My husband asked me why I was rewatching Frasier, but first assumed that it was because of Frasier.
Nope.
Niles all the way. He was always my favorite and I also loved Roz and her character growth into motherhood.

[Friendofoe]

Niles presence is already funny. No matter what he said or did, the guy would crack me up or at least make me smile

[WittyUsernamehere]

"Don't you dare call me irrational! You know that makes me crazy!" 🤣😂

[spod]

Niles Crane is hands down one of the best sitcom characters of all time. 'Frasier' is a perfect show. You can keep Seinfeld and Friends, Frasier is the best.

[rochelle]

Excellent video! David Hyde Pierce is a national treasure. Also, you can’t talk about Maris without tipping your hat to Norm’s wife Vera, the OG.

[michalpitowsky]

I had such a huge crush on Niles, and always felt so weird about it 😅😅😅

[alyzu]

"She's in Antwerp getting her elbows done!" 🤣🤣🤣

[mundaneamazing]

Frasier is my comfort show! It is so funny and so cozy ❤

[kellie-ndyp]

Without Niles I have zero interest in the new one.

[samf.s.]

I would just like to add that Daphne knew on a subconscious level and actually kinda reciprocated.
When she picks out a guy after Joe, it's Niles 2.0, and when Martin's partner Sherry tells her she needs to get laid...

She literally goes to Niles's apartment.

Just saying 😂

She

[misshuntress]

He is without a doubt my favourite sitcom character, & one of my favourite characters period! David is pitch perfect as Niles!

[davidfoley]

You know, just make Niles like Maris in the reboot. Have Frasier talking with Niles over the phone, or have David speak of his father the way Niles would speak of Maris.

[scottyasparro]

Niles was great. David Hyde Pierce was amazing at the role. He is missed on the current show but the actor who portrays his son does a good job at bringing some of the characteristics of Niles to the new show. No one can replace Niles especially because of the acting but will just have to hope he makes a return even knowing David Hyde Pierce said he will not reprise his role

[donnasherwood]

agree one of the best physical comedians of our time.