What would Sigmund Freud have to say about Dr. Frasier Crane, scholar, author, and practicing psychiatrist? Quite a lot, and not all of it necessarily praiseworthy either. The ultra fussy psychiatrist (only Diane tops him in snootiness) is introduced to the Cheers crowd when Diane calls on him to help Sam get back on the wagon after she leaves him brokenhearted. Freud would definitely question Frasier's objectivity in counseling Sam while he himself is involved in a relationship with Diane, as he would question his judgment in becoming involved with a woman who had briefly been his patient. (In time, Frasier will have his own bout of drunken heartache courtesy of Diane.)

Frasier considers himself a polished intellectual (Carla thinks he a pompous phony). His achievements include a degree from Harvard, a Rhodes scholarship, a successful psychiatric practice, and an active life in academia where he's considered an authority on all things Freud. Yet, underneath it all, Frasier is still that misunderstood little boy who had few childhood friends. Born and raised in Seattle, Frasier felt he disappointed his no nonsense cop father, who didn't appreciate or understand his lofty interests. His constant childhood companion was his equally effete brother, Niles, with whom Frasier continues to have a close yet excruciatingly competitive relationship. Undoubtedly, he was a mama's boy (a psychiatrist who encouraged her son's cultural pursuits). Freud would probably have a thing or two to say about the latent oedipal characteristics of that relationship.

A renowned couple’s therapist, Frasier is himself unlucky in love. He was married briefly while in medical school to Nanette Guzman, now a famous children's entertainer, Nanny G. After his breakup with Diane, Frasier meets Lilith Sternin, a stony, brilliant psychiatrist. Their relationship gets off to a tepid start, but a spark is ignited during a joint appearance on Psychology This Week. Soon after they move in together, marry, and have a son. But as with all things in love for Frasier, it doesn't work out (Lilith has an affair with a colleague) and they divorce. Alone once again (Lilith gets custody of their son), and still grieving the death of his mother, Frasier eventually decides to return to Seattle, where he is offered a job as a call-in radio show therapist.

Ironically, Cheers becomes the one place where Frasier -- for the first time in his life -- feels like one of the guys, albeit one with impeccable taste. And even after Diane humiliates him, he keeps returning, because there he realizes he has found his tribe of "hairy men."