Unique among episodes of the classic sitcom, Head Game takes the novel approach of having the titular Frasier attending a psychiatrists convention in Aspen and therefore asking his brother Niles to fill in for him as the host of his Radio show. What we have here then is the younger sibling taking center stage and would therefore appear to have been a shrewd move on the part of the show's producers. The reality is it was more of an act of pragmatism due to fortuitousness as Kelsey Grammer needed time off as he was being treated for an addiction problem, and I'm pleased to say it largely pays off.
Initially intended to be written for Grammer, in hindsight, it's hard to imagine David Hyde Pierce's slightly more fastidious Niles not being the main focus of the episode. At first reluctant to fill his older brother's shoes at his request in the opening scene which features the show's main star in a brief cameo, he soon sees the upside. Quite by chance, he finds himself counseling, Reggie McLemore, a star basketball player for the Seattle Sonics as his team's been on a losing streak as his head hasn't been in the game, hence the title of the episode. It's a premise that acutely plays with the whole fish out of water concept of Niles's lack of interest in sports. A sentiment that is matched only by his unwillingness to want to stand in for Frasier on his Radio show.
One sublime scene sees Niles along with his father, Martin, and physiotherapist/housekeeper, Daphne sitting at the court-side during one of the Sonics games with the Mancunian using operatic analogies to describe to the psychiatrist basketball terminology being used by his Dad. It showcases the sophisticated inventiveness of the comedy at its level best. The scenario also offers a glimpse into why the character is overall more likable and down to earth than Frasier. Although undeniably out of place in his surroundings he still seems utterly relaxed, not begrudging his old man's child-like enthusiasm despite sharing his shared past snobbishness with his brother.
With his brief sessions with Reggie seemingly paying off dividends, Niles begins to enjoy the brief hero worship he receives by; "...the same troglodytes" who bullied him in Junior High. Not to mention the unenviable attention he receives from a member of the fairer sex.
Inevitably as is often the case you know an absurd, carefully placed plot twist is going to bring everything to a swift end as the conscientious psychiatrist finds himself having to confront his own ethics and integrity, much to Martin's consternation. It's a rare comic moment seeing Martin, often on hand to be the voice of reason who pricks the egos of his more intelligent sons with his incontrovertible wisdom, behaving more childish and unreasonable in contrast to Niles who is at his most pragmatic. And although it does resort to being a tad more low brow which there isn't necessarily anything wrong with, the scene where Niles has to impart some unfortunate news to Reggie sets the stage for some skillfully executed utilization of double-entendres conveniently overheard by a perturbed security guard.
That's not to say. Head Game is an episode that typically displays it at its pinnacle. It doesn't have quite the same level of sharpness as superior gems like; Ham Radio or Ski Lodge with premises that were even more inspired by their genius. Perhaps it's because it's less farcical than those which is I think where it often excelled itself and really came into its own. What it does prove however is what we all already knew, David Hyde Pierce had the talent and comedic presence to carry the show on his shoulders if only for one sole episode, and even if not great it says something when at its height, its weaker offerings were still fairly high quality.
Initially intended to be written for Grammer, in hindsight, it's hard to imagine David Hyde Pierce's slightly more fastidious Niles not being the main focus of the episode. At first reluctant to fill his older brother's shoes at his request in the opening scene which features the show's main star in a brief cameo, he soon sees the upside. Quite by chance, he finds himself counseling, Reggie McLemore, a star basketball player for the Seattle Sonics as his team's been on a losing streak as his head hasn't been in the game, hence the title of the episode. It's a premise that acutely plays with the whole fish out of water concept of Niles's lack of interest in sports. A sentiment that is matched only by his unwillingness to want to stand in for Frasier on his Radio show.
One sublime scene sees Niles along with his father, Martin, and physiotherapist/housekeeper, Daphne sitting at the court-side during one of the Sonics games with the Mancunian using operatic analogies to describe to the psychiatrist basketball terminology being used by his Dad. It showcases the sophisticated inventiveness of the comedy at its level best. The scenario also offers a glimpse into why the character is overall more likable and down to earth than Frasier. Although undeniably out of place in his surroundings he still seems utterly relaxed, not begrudging his old man's child-like enthusiasm despite sharing his shared past snobbishness with his brother.
With his brief sessions with Reggie seemingly paying off dividends, Niles begins to enjoy the brief hero worship he receives by; "...the same troglodytes" who bullied him in Junior High. Not to mention the unenviable attention he receives from a member of the fairer sex.
Inevitably as is often the case you know an absurd, carefully placed plot twist is going to bring everything to a swift end as the conscientious psychiatrist finds himself having to confront his own ethics and integrity, much to Martin's consternation. It's a rare comic moment seeing Martin, often on hand to be the voice of reason who pricks the egos of his more intelligent sons with his incontrovertible wisdom, behaving more childish and unreasonable in contrast to Niles who is at his most pragmatic. And although it does resort to being a tad more low brow which there isn't necessarily anything wrong with, the scene where Niles has to impart some unfortunate news to Reggie sets the stage for some skillfully executed utilization of double-entendres conveniently overheard by a perturbed security guard.
That's not to say. Head Game is an episode that typically displays it at its pinnacle. It doesn't have quite the same level of sharpness as superior gems like; Ham Radio or Ski Lodge with premises that were even more inspired by their genius. Perhaps it's because it's less farcical than those which is I think where it often excelled itself and really came into its own. What it does prove however is what we all already knew, David Hyde Pierce had the talent and comedic presence to carry the show on his shoulders if only for one sole episode, and even if not great it says something when at its height, its weaker offerings were still fairly high quality.
