By Darren Waters

BBC News Online in Los Angeles



The final episode of Frasier aired on US network NBC on Thursday evening. If you do not want to find out what happened in the final episode, do not read any further.

Grammer has played Frasier for 20 years on NBC

Frasier has left the building.

A week after America said goodbye to Friends it has now bid adieu to the world's most famous radio psychiatrist, Frasier.

Unlike the fuss surrounding the exit of the six New Yorkers, Dr Frasier Crane left our screens with quiet dignity and with the cutting wit that has always been his trademark.

There were no farewell parties in Times Square or fans sobbing on the street, but a general recognition that the most honoured comedy in US TV history will be greatly missed.

After 31 Emmy wins, it will leave a huge hole in the TV schedules not easily filled.

'Eternally grateful'

"It was time to say goodbye. Time to go out on top," actor Kelsey Grammer said on NBC's Today programme on Tuesday.

He has played Frasier for 20 years, beginning on the show that spawned the sitcom, Cheers.

"After 20, I did think 21 would be nice," Grammer admitted.

In the penultimate scene Frasier said goodbye to his radio listeners, but it was clear Kelsey Grammer was talking to the TV audience too.

"I have loved every minute with my KACL family and all of you. For 11 years I have said I'm listening but you were listening too. And for that I am eternally grateful. Goodnight Seattle."

The final episode was filmed in March

Trailers for the final Frasier were reverential, almost funereal but the analyst who can see everyone's neuroses but his own has produced a rich vein of comedy and thankfully, the last episode was not quite a wake.

The last episode focused on great change in Frasier's life.

His relationship with Charlotte, played by Laura Linney, ends when she moves to Chicago, his father marries and moves out, Daphne and Niles have a baby boy and Frasier is offered a job in San Francisco.

But in typical Frasier style, the best laid plans turned into a farce of the highest order.

Martin Crane's wedding was ruined by an overpowering stench of cow dung, Daphne gave birth at a veterinary surgery and Frasier's family thought he was on the verge of death when instead he was merely moving.

"Don't stare, you were no prize at that age either," said Martin Crane when he walked in on Niles holding a monkey.

Best lines

It was Frasier's farewell but the final show's best lines were all given to his demonic agent, Bebe.

It also starred David Hyde Pierce and British actress Jane Leeves

"You'll be like a Snickers bar at a fat camp," she said, describing a new life as a straight man in San Francisco.

Richard E Grant and Robbie Coltrane made guest appearances as Daphne's brothers but both were dreadfully unfunny with Grant especially greatly mis-cast.

Sadly, it was clear from some of the writing that Frasier's best days were some time ago.

A large proportion of the script felt like it was engineered to give every cast member a chance to praise Kelsey Grammer.

But after 11 years and countless awards, the praise was merited.

Frasier has left the building - but not before he gave us a more than a decade of pure pleasure.

Did you see the final Frasier? What did you think of it?

What is happening?? All good sitcoms are ending! Its a disaster!! All we have left is Will and Grace and some totally rubbish English ones. What are we going to do??

Esther, Woking , England

After being somewhat disappointed by an over-hyped ending to Friends, it was nice to see a truly heartwarming goodbye to one of TV's greatest shows. The goodbyes were slightly overdone but still felt genuine, particularly that of Martin, who was brilliant throughout the episode. Only one real complaint....they never celebrated Eddie's birthday!

Matt, Canterbury, Kent

Although no one on "Cheers" came close to a genuine-sounding blue-collar Boston accent, Frasier brilliantly parodied the outdated concept of the upper-crust Brahmin Boston fop, in a way that the younger generation might not understand. The growing public inability to appreciate refined sarcasm led to the general "schmaltz-ification" of the show - losing once-loyal viewers.

Dave, Boston, USA

Robbie Coltrane what the hell were you thinking? As for the rest of the show it felt like my wife dragged me kicking and screaming to a 'chick flick'. Sad but true

JDM, Miami,USA

I thought the final show was disappointing like the last few seasons. The show really lost its spark when Niles & Daphne got together, and characters like "Bulldog" left the show. Thanks for the years of excellence Fraiser, but it was time to end it!

Kevin Lynch, New York, NY

Very well done! I was a bit sad, but felt it was so well done and made viewers feel like we'd see them all again. Brilliant!

Jennifer, Charlotte, USA

I loved the final episode! I thought it was funny and light hearted. Just like Frasier in the past, there were twists and turns and funny banter. I will miss Frasier, his brother Niles, and his dad, Martin. They were like family to me. Thanks for the memories..........

Ronnie, Las Vegas,NV.

Typical Frasier - he and his cast will be missed by this viewer. Extraordinarily humorous, and a companion to the BBC's Hyacinth Bucket.

John Nagy, Houston, Texas, USA

Frasier's finale was truly the highlight of the season. Unlike Friends, where everything needed to be nicely wrapped in sappy goodbyes, Fraiser gave us more realistic, yet heart-felt farewells. Also, it should be noted that Charlotte, the woman of his dreams, was moving to Chicago. The twist at the end is great: Frasier tells another passenger he had to take this chance, this adventure. Yet, his plane is not landing in San Francisco. The captain welcomes them to Chicago. A subtle message that we should persue that which in the end will make us truly happy.

Fausto Tavarez, New York, USA

Good Riddance!

Billy, Toronto, Canada

There were some nice moments in the finale. Niles' concerns about his unborn child turning out like Daphne's brothers (and the punchline of her labour being induced by the phrase "open bar"). Also, Martin's reaction to the replacement for his ratty old reclining chair. But the hour-long running time was wasted on laborious setups for lame jokes at the big wedding. I was glad to see there wasn't too much sentimentality and the final twist was nice, but much of the intelligent banter was missing.

Tim, Ottawa, Canada

I loved the final episode! I thought it was funny and light hearted. Just like Frasier in the past, there were twists and turns and funny banter. I will miss Fraiser, his brother Niles, and his dad, Martin. They were like family to me. Thanks for the memories..........

Ronnie, Las Vegas,NV.

After being somewhat disappointed by an over-hyped ending to Friends, it was nice to see a truly heartwarming goodbye to one of TV's greatest shows. Admittedly the show lost its spark some time ago (ever since Daphne and Niles got together, basically), but as a one-off episode the finale worked for me. The moments where Frasier simply stood in his apartment to admire it were wonderfully nostalgic. The goodbyes were slightly overdone but still felt genuine, particularly that of Martin, who was brilliant throughout the episode. Only one real complaint....they never celebrated Eddie's birthday!

Matt, Canterbury, Kent

Frasier and Niles - the doctors for which the phrase "heal thyself" must have been intended - will live on in our hearts (and syndication) for a long time. Usually brilliant, occasionally annoying, always on my to-watch list, who won't miss the precision of David Hyde Pierce's physical humour as he nearly burns down Frasier's apartment in an attempt to achieve the perfect crease in his trousers (Niles was always my favourite), or the foolishness of John Mahoney in his new "Loren" glasses (Sophia, of course). Kelsey Grammer was blessed the day Diane brought him into Cheers.

Sherree, Victoria, Canada

I liked the show because it showed the life of men with all their ups and downs but with great humour and some reality. Martin's disability from being shot as a policeman, for example, and the tribulations of a more-or-less successful male social life outside of marriage are not what you see in most sitcoms. It suffered from some bad writing during the writers' strike and lost something with Niles and Daphne's romance, which I thought seemed staged and out of character. But I loved watching the civilized lifestyle as much as the comedy.

Jeremy, Detroit, USA

What is there to say? The best TV show after MASH is finished. TV will never be the same.

Lida A., Houston, TX, USA

Very disappointed with the way they left the final episode hanging. Almost like it was setup for another spin-off or a return ?

Roger West, Woodburn, Oregon, USA

Great ending, very classy as this show has always been. Kelsey Grammer is a true artist and the cast was superb! You always had the impression that the cast and characters liked each other, they were real and funny. Kelsey as Frasier lasted so long because he is truly a great actor/comedian, he allowed himself to play the fool, Frasier was the contemporary male version of Lucille Ball's Lucy and his brother was a great Ethel. So much TV comedy today is played by perfect, beautiful men and woman with no real talent for comedy timing and lousy writing staffs, Fraiser was more like Seinfeld, imperfect characters, ordinary people, super sctors and writers, that is what makes great TV and Kelsey Grammer knows this.

Carrie Jandura, Reston, VA, USA

Frasier made TV-viewing a fun, intellectually-stimulating and enjoyable event. The acting, writing, wit and humour of the show were only barely matched at times by Seinfeld and the Simpsons. I will greatly miss it and hope that it will continue living in everyone's memories and in the re-run world.

Roman, Washington, DC/Brooklyn, NY

I had to turn it off after about 20 minutes. Ths script was so bad and it made me mourn for the glory days long past. Where was the wit and the comic timing? It all turned to soap opera mush and as for the portrayal of the Daphne's brothers - louts of the very worst sort - unwatchable.

Judith Riddell, San Diego, USA

After the boringly predictable & overhyped Friends finale, the Frasier finale was purely delightful. Characteristally witty & humorous enough to make me laugh out loud - I really enjoyed it.

Tonya, capitol heights, MD, USA

Will always fondly remember Frasier - giggling at the episode where the wine bottle exploded and left the oddly-shaped stain on the drapes; guffawing at the one where the cleaners made the hilarious mistake with the prom gown; and cringing at the notorious eye infection sequence from season three.

Marky Mathison, San Diego, California, USA

The Series Finale was riddled with the wit and dry, subtle humour we all have loved with this excellent sitcom. It was an emotionally charged ending and a sad loss to the world of scripted television. Frasier will be sorely missed by this loyal viewer.

S. Alexander, Toronto, Canada

As I watched the finale I felt sad, not that Frasier was coming to an end as all things eventually must, but because it may be a long time before we see American television produce another show that isn't afraid to be intelligent.

Scott Westwood, Port Orchard, WA, USA

I thought it was fantastic! A great ending to a great show. Shame about Richard E Grant and Robbie Coltrane. Didn't think they quite fitted in but i still loved it. Thanks for the years of excellence.

Dave, New York, USA

Frasier has been witty without being crass, and that made it a rarer and rarer gem among TV shows these days. It will be missed by those of us who appreciate good writing and can't stomach reality television.

Kasia, Houston, Texas, USA

Frasier was a classic that will be sadly missed.

Paul, England

Frasier has been a marvellous illustration of superb acting and writing. Goodnight Seattle.

Dr Guy Norton, Seattle