Frasier through a social-class lens

The title character of the award-laden sitcom Frasier is not always likeable, but we as audience members are almost always asked to at least sympathize with in and those within his privileged circle. Watch the following clip through a social-class lens, and look for how “Seattle’s elite” are portrayed in relation to others. What does this say about us as viewers? About the characters?

Frasier, “Hot Ticket” (middle scene)


Throughout the scene, Frasier and Niles sling insults at those outside their own class. Niles is surprised that waiting in the cancellation line – portrayed as a shameful place where people who can’t afford to pay full price – “isn’t half as humiliating as I thought it would be.” When Roz arrives, she fulfills her stereotype of a promiscuous middle-class woman by not knowing the name of the esteemed actor in the play. Niles calls her a Philistine.

Then we meet Susan and Steven Kendall, members of the elite, who are worried Frasier and Niles are waiting in the cancellation line. The brothers deny it, rather than lose face. Susan and Steven even hesitate – albeit clearly for a laugh – to say hello to Susan’s parents who “could only get balcony” seats.

But the portrayed distance between Frasier and the Kendalls is convenient, because by distinguishing them we can both sympathize with the former and mock the latter – while still placing them in the same social class. Their ambivalent characterization reinforces the social roles. The audience is not expected to challenge the class system portrayed; it is expected to abide it, if for not other reason than that the rich are humorously petty and judgmental – which is better than being just petty and judgmental.

Throughout the series, Frasier is able to balance this loveable/lamentable quite well, though there are episodes where he topples into the latter. But in episodes such as this one, his desire to be regarded well among the elite is innocent. We laugh at his shallow words and actions, and because we laugh, we fortify the stereotypes of the social classes.

A suggested lesson plan to work off this:

Lesson plan: High society, as portrayed on TV

Objective: Students will apply a social-class lens to television sitcoms so as to better understand how they present or refute stereoypes. They should become more familiar with the social-class lens and be able to analyze future texts through it.

Materials: YouTube access or clips from TV shows (suggested Frasier and The Cosby Show) and synopses of the shows, if deemed necessary

Procedure: Choose clips of about 10 minutes from each show that highlight social class (with Frasier this is really easy, as they live to be among high society and focus on it often; I am not as familiar with The Cosby Show). Before watching each, offer setting, scene and character briefs for the shows – perhaps printed synopses. Tell students that as they watch the clips, they should write down adjectives to describe the characters from each social class as portrayed. After watching one, discuss as a class some of the words they wrote down.

Then, watch the second and ask them again to write down adjectives. How do they compare to the list from the first clip? This can lead into a conversation about how classes are portrayed in media, and whether these shows challenge or reinforce the stereotypes. Is it television’s job to fulfill either role?

Either as homework or perhaps a free write, ask them to think of another show they watch with some regularity. (If they do not watch TV, they could use a book, a video game or some other form of media.) Does their program reinforce these social stereotypes, or does it portray them in a contrary manner?

Time: 45-60 minutes