07x19 - Morning Becomes Entertainment

[bunniefuu]

Act One

Scene One - Café Nervosa
Daphne is sat at a table as Frasier enters.

Frasier: Daphne!
Daphne: Hey.
Frasier: Hello, I thought you were spending the afternoon with Dad.
Daphne: He's in the loo. Why don't you join us?
Frasier: All right, thank you. [sits] Hey, did you happen to catch the
show today? I was on fire. First caller was an agoraphobic –
[fists the air] Boom! - knocked it right out of the park.
Then, two troubled marriages and a compulsive over-eater –
Boom-boom, Boom! I was a regular mental health dispensing
machine.
Daphne: I did two loads of laundry and cut a piece of gum out of
Eddie's hair.
Frasier: Now, Daphne, don't get down on yourself. The work you do at
home is very important. In fact, I don't know what Dad and
I are going to do once you're married.
Daphne: Thank you, Dr. Crane, that makes me feel better.
Frasier: Boom! Boy, there is no off-switch on this thing!
Daphne: Sadly, that's true. [laughs]

Roz enters.

Frasier: Oh, there she is, the other half of our team. Roz, are you
still as jazzed as I am?
Roz: They're taking us off the air! [sits]
Frasier: What?! Since when?
Roz: Well, while you were out looking for Gatorade to pour over
yourself, Kenny came by and said he's yanking us for a week.
He wants to try out that new show - you know, "Car Chat with
Bob and Bethany."
Frasier: "Car Chat with Bob and Bethany," what the... [pauses] Ohhh,
touché, Kenny. You are indeed a worthy adversary but you
shall find I have a trick or two of my own! [laughs]
Daphne: You know, Dr. Crane, maybe a week off would do you some good.
Frasier: No, no, no, you don't understand. See, I'm actually
renegotiating my contract right now, this is merely
the station's tactic to try and get me to cave.
Roz: Well, I hope you're right.
Frasier: Well, of course I'm right; Bob and Bethany, Car chat, please!
I mean how can anyone drone on for three hours about a subject
that nobody even understands!
Roz: Yeah! We were there first!

Roz goes to the counter.

Daphne: Don't worry, Dr. Crane, I'm sure you're right about these
things. After all, you usually are.
Frasier: Well, thank you, Daphne, that's exactly what I needed to hear.
Daphne: Boom!

They laugh as Martin enters from the toilets.

Frasier: Oh, hi Dad.
Martin: [sits] Boy, they really did a job in the men's room, didn't
they?
Frasier: Oh, I hadn't noticed.
Martin: Oh yeah, completely re-did it: Fancy wallpapers, bright new
tiles, even those little perfumed soaps that you like to use
at home, Fras.
Daphne: Oh, for heaven's sakes, you went into the ladies room, you
blind old sod! I've been begging him for months to get
glasses.
Martin: Ladies room?! You're crazy, that guy was just in there.

Martin points out a very masculine-looking woman.

Frasier: [calls over to the woman] Oh hi, Bethany. Listen, good luck
in the slot next week.
Bethany: Thanks, we're pumped. [exits]
Frasier: Granted, Dad, Bethany may be a bit of a tough call, but still,
you know, it wouldn't hurt to get a check-up.
Martin: Oh, come on, don't you start too. There's nothing wrong with
my eyes. [picks up cream holder] Now, if you don't mind, I
just want to sit here quietly and have a... [notices the cup
he picked up] ...have a drink of cream, do you have a problem
with that?! Good.

The rest look at him as he sips the cream.

FADE OUT

Scene Two - Frasier's Apartment
Daphne is cutting some coupons as Frasier enters.

Daphne: Hi, Dr. Crane.
Frasier: Oh, hello, Daphne. Say, you know my agent, Bebe, said she
might be stopping by. Have you heard anything?
Daphne: No, and I hope she's not staying for lunch, I'm afraid we're
fresh out of live mice.

Martin then enters wearing a pair of "old-woman" glasses. Frasier
looks at him, alarmed.

Martin: Hi, Fras.
Frasier: Dad.

Martin proudly exits to the kitchen.

Frasier: Is it my imagination or are those ladies’ glasses?
Daphne: Yes, but don't you say anything. I had to drag him down to
the store. He tried on every pair in the place, those were
the only ones he liked.
Martin: [enters] So, how do you like the new specs?
Frasier: They certainly are eye-catching.
Martin: Yeah. You should have seen the looks I got all day. Mostly
from women. You know, I'd like to think it was me but I've
got an idea that these frames were designed with an eye to
pleasing the ladies.
Frasier: I'd say that's a safe assumption. [laughs with Daphne]
Martin: Have you seen the case for them? I don't know what I did
with it.
Daphne: Yes, I think I popped them into my purse, check my room.
Martin: Okey-doke. Oh, wait till you see this case, Fras. This
Loren guy really knows what he's doing. [exits to Daphne's
room]
Frasier: Ralph Lauren?
Daphne: Sophia. [giggles]
Frasier: I'm amazed you could keep a straight face all day.
Daphne: Well, I've done enough clothes shopping with your father.
[doorbell sounds] I'm pretty good at pretending to like
things, no matter how horrifying I find them.

Daphne opens the door and smiles at Bebe.

Daphne: [cheerful pretense] Bebe, how nice to see you.

Bebe peremptorily hands her coat to Daphne and enters.
Daphne goes to hang it up and then exits.

Bebe: Frasier, my favorite client, Seattle's golden-throated gift
to the airwaves.
Frasier: [kissing her cheeks] So, I take it negotiations aren't going
so well?
Bebe: You remember that insulting figure you said you'd never
accept?
Frasier: Uh-huh.
Bebe: They haven't come up to it yet.
Frasier: Oh, dear.
Niles: [at open door] Knock, knock.
Frasier: Oh, come on in, Niles. Bebe's just bringing me up to speed
on her depressing news about my contract negotiations.
Bebe: Don't worry, dear, I just need to find a way to throw a scare
into 'em.
Niles: Have you tried turning into a bat?
Bebe: I would, love, but most grown men don't share your fear of
tiny creatures!
Frasier: Could you two please catch up later?
Bebe: I did get one offer that I thought might give us some leverage.
It's a TV job.
Frasier: Television?
Bebe: Unfortunately it's all wrong for you. They want you and Roz
to host "AM Seattle" next week.
Niles: That vapid morning chat show?
Bebe: Exactly what I told them. Frasier Crane is a doctor!
He heals the masses, he doesn't pander to them. He's
not going to do some silly morning kaffeeklatch, no matter
how fabulously popular it is.
Frasier: No, it's quite right, Bebe. That sort of show, it's beneath
me.
Bebe: Exactly.
Frasier: It's undignified.
Bebe: Horribly.
Frasier: Still...
Bebe: I'm listening.
Frasier: If there were a way to do it with a bit more dignity, some
polish and substance...
Bebe: Why didn't I think of that?
Frasier: You know, a dash of high society, a dollop of culture...
Niles: I can't believe you're even considering this. The show is
nothing more than a mélange of bad jokes and mind-numbing
banter.
Frasier: Yes, well, it doesn't have to be, Niles, don't you see? I
mean, if I could choose the guests myself-
Bebe: You can.
Frasier: And control the content-
Bebe: You could.
Frasier: Well, then, I'd accept.
Bebe: We did. [realizes] I mean, we will. In fact, why don't I
call them right now with the exciting news. [takes out phone
and a cigarette] May I?
Frasier: On the balcony, if you don't mind.
Bebe: Mind? I don't want a single puff tearing up the baby blues
of TV's newest sensation. By this time next week...
Niles: You heard him, if you're gonna blow smoke, do it on the
balcony.

Bebe looks daggers at Niles, then haughtily puts the cigarette
between her lips and exits to the balcony.

Niles: Well, I can't say I'm surprised.
Frasier: What is that supposed to mean?
Niles: Only that something like this was inevitable. It's the final
step in your descent from legitimate psychiatrist to dancing
bear.
Frasier: Niles, we are talking about doing a sophisticated television
show for one week in order to improve my contract negotiations.
Niles: This has nothing to do with your contract negotiations! You
have been an applause junky ever since you first set foot on
a grammar school stage.
Frasier: I was drawn to the theatre because of its discipline and
collaborative spirit!
Niles: Oh please, in your sixth grade production of "Oklahoma!"
you took so many curtain calls, Mrs. Van Raphorst had to
lasso you and pull you from the stage!
Frasier: That woman never understood me or the role of Farmer Number
Three!
Niles: Oh, I'm just wasting my breath. As usual you have fallen
under the spell of that sorceress out there.
Frasier: I have done no such thing. I wish you would just lay off of
Bebe. You know, she is not some malign witch who can transform
people at will!

Martin enters wearing his glasses and searching through Daphne's
purse which is hung on his arm.

Martin: I can't find a damn thing in this purse! [exits]
Niles: If I say I'm sorry, will she change Dad back into a man?

Frasier gives Niles a look.

End of Act One

Act Two

Scene One - TV Studio
Frasier arrives with Bebe on the stage. The producer, Matt, is
standing by. Some stage hands and makeup artists circle around
Frasier, putting the final touches on his look.

Frasier: Well, it took several of your best people, but I believe
they have finally wrestled this feisty cow-lick of mine
into submission. So, are we ready to roll?
Matt: Not quite, your partner's not here.
Frasier: Roz is not here? But we're on in four minutes.
Matt: No, at this point a re-run is on in four minutes.
Bebe: Don't worry, Matt, she'll be here.
Matt: We won't even have time to put her through make-up.
Bebe: A natural beauty like Roz? Oh, please, darling, pinch her
cheeks, stand back and watch her glow.

Roz enters - she looks rather under the weather.

Roz: Hey, sorry I'm late.
Frasier: Roz, oh for God's sakes, you look awful, are you sick?
Roz: No, of course not, I wouldn't be sick for our big debut.
I'm totally fine.
Frasier: [feels her forehead] Roz, you're burning up!
Roz: Well, it's kinda hot in here, maybe it's all these lights.
Let me just get this jacket off!

Roz begins to unbutton her shirt until Frasier stops her.

Frasier: No, no, Roz, stop, stop!
Matt: She's delirious!
Bebe: With anticipation, darling. Don't worry, I'll calm her down.

Bebe takes Roz to the side and shakes her.

Bebe: Pull yourself together, do you hear me?! We need this show!
Matt: All right, everyone, we're doing a re-run, let the audience go,
cue the tapes.
Bebe: Wait? Can't Frasier do the show without her?
Matt: This is a chat show, who's he going to chat with?
Bebe: Me, I'll go on with him.
Frasier: You? [shakes Roz] Pull yourself together, Roz!
Matt: I don't think so, Bebe.
Bebe: Why not? All he needs is someone to suck up to him, laugh at
his jokes, pretend to listen to his stories. I'm his agent,
for God's sakes, that's what I do!
Frasier: You know, I believe she could pull it off.
Matt: The problem is she needs to be likable.
Frasier: Right. Do I at least get to keep the suit?
Bebe: Hold on, I can be likable. I can also be very un-likable.
Maybe if you explained the difference to poor confused Bebe.
For instance, what you were doing in the dressing room with
the wardrobe girl an hour ago - would your wife find that
likable or unlikable?
Matt: [worried] Could you put some make-up on this woman?

Bebe walks over to Frasier.

Manager: Okay, folks, sixty seconds.
Frasier: All right, Bebe, just follow my lead. I'll introduce us and
then I'll get to our guests, all right?

They sit and Frasier looks through the cue cards.

Frasier: Wasn't our first guest Susan Sontag?
Bebe: She had a conflict. Don't worry, we've got a fabulous
replacement.
Frasier: [reading] "Baby Leo, the world's biggest two year-old"?!
Bebe: You're gonna love him. Just remember to lift with your legs.
Frasier: [throws down the cards] That's it, this is unacceptable.
Bebe: Ohhh, now who's the world's biggest baby?
Frasier: Bebe, I will not do this show...!
Manager: [over Frasier's protests] And we're on in five, four...

Frasier and Bebe cease their arguing as the intro music starts and the
audience applauds.

Frasier: Hi, welcome to "AM Seattle." I'm Dr. Frasier Crane.
Bebe: And I'm Bebe Glaser.
Frasier: We're gonna be your hosts this week and believe me, we've
got some great shows lined up for you. But before we get to
our guests I'd like to take a few moments to share with you
a few thoughts I've prepared on a very special time of the
day, the time that we'll be spending together, morning. A
new beginning. A daily rebirth, if you will.
Matt: What the hell is this? Banter, banter. [he mimes banter to
Bebe]
Frasier: And even though AM stands for Anti-Meridian, if you simply
put them together, they also make up the word "am" as in "I
am."
Bebe: Whoa! Not before my coffee! As you can see, Frasier has a
way with words, but did you also know that he has a way with
voices.
Frasier: Excuse me?
Bebe: Who wants to hear Frasier's famous Sean Connery impression?

The crowd goes wild.

[N.B. They used the real studio audience that attended the filming of
this episode.]

Frasier: [Sean Connery voice] Now, Now, Moneypenny, you're
embarrassing me.
Bebe: Dr. Frasier Crane, ladies and gentlemen. Anymore
impressions, Frasier?
Frasier: You know what, maybe I should just get back to my...
Bebe: Now, don't be shy! Who wants to hear Frasier do more
impressions?

The crowd applauds.

Frasier: It's just that I'd hate to take time away from our other
guests. I believe that [in James Mason voice] James Mason
may be stopping by to visit.

The crowd applauds as we FADE OUT.

I THINK THAT SMELL IS GREASE PAINT

Scene Two - TV Studio
A few days later, Bebe and Frasier are presenting another show

Frasier: Well, this has been some week.
Bebe: It's really flown by.
Frasier: Hasn't it?
Bebe: Whoosh!
Frasier: A-whoosh!
Bebe: And there's even time for Thursday's kitchen corner. We'll
be right back with Chef Frasier.

They take the show to commercials.

Matt: And we're clear.
Frasier: Bebe, "Kitchen corner?" I thought we had the violin prodigy
up next. For God sakes, we've bumped Kim Lee twice this
week.
Bebe: I know, but we're running short of time and the cooking
segment's going to be bopo!
Frasier: Well, all right, but I insist Kim Lee play over the closing
credits, all right? We're not running some sort of tacky,
run-of-the-mill morning show!
Director: Here's your chef's costume. [he takes it in anguish]
Bebe: Now, now, big dear. You know, Frasier, the most magical
thing happened to me last night during dinner.
Frasier: Really?
Bebe: I was recognized.
Frasier: Intoxicating, isn't it? Gosh, I myself, no stranger
to celebrity, have noticed more heads swiveling in my
direction.
Matt: And we're back in five, four, three, two...

Frasier and Bebe take their place.

Frasier: Welcome back.
Bebe: Frasier, I hear you're quite the gourmet.
Frasier: Oh please, I don't do anything fancy. A few soufflés, a
flambé or two, just good eats! Now, this morning I'm going
to be making my signature breakfast for you. That's "Eggs
Pelemo Fontana."
Bebe: Mmmm, makes my mouth water. But before we start, I have a
little sweetheart backstage who's dying to come out and give
you a hand.
Frasier: Is it Kim Lee?
Bebe: Not even close. It's Bobo, the cooking chimp!

A stagehand leads in Bobo, wearing a chef's jacket.

Frasier: [covering] Ho-ho, that's very funny, it is. This has Matt's
fingerprints all over it!

Offstage, Matt points at Frasier, grinning.

Bebe: We thought it might be great fun if you were to match your
skills against him.
Frasier: Oh, I don't know, Bebe. Er....
Bebe: Well, let's let the audience decide. How many of you want to
see the monkey make eggs? [they all clap] Now, how many of
you want to see Bobo make eggs?
Frasier: Ouch! [laughs] Well, all right, apes before beauty!

Bobo and Frasier take their seat in the kitchen corner.

Bebe: Frasier, Bobo, may the best chef win!
Frasier: Now, the first rule of boute cusine is to be sure that you
have all of your ingredients at hand. You see, we have eggs,
milk, butter, spinach and of course our old friend, the
shallot!

Bobo meanwhile has already cracked his egg in the pan.

Frasier: Why, look at that, he's not even pre-heating the pan, the
beast! [laughs]
Bebe: Bobo's getting an early lead.
Frasier: It's very important to keep your eggs light and fluffy, so
what you want to do is add a bit of milk and a touch of
flour.

Bobo meanwhile throws an egg at Frasier. They begin to have an
improvised slinging match, throwing the eggs at each other.

CUT TO:

Scene Three - Frasier's Apartment
That evening, Frasier, Daphne and Martin (wearing his women's glasses)
are watching it on the television.

Frasier: Now this whole thing was improvised.
Daphne: You're kidding, it's like you and the chimp have been
working together for years!
Martin: Boy, that's great stuff, Frasier. You know, I can't tell you
how impressed the guys at McGinty's are that I have such a
famous son.
Frasier: Really? What do they say?
Martin: Well, they don't say anything to my face, but when I walk in
they kind of nudge each other and whisper.
Daphne: [responding to a bell heard in the kitchen] That'll be my
Shepherd's Pie. [exits to kitchen]
Martin: Shepherd's Pie? [takes glasses off]
Frasier: You know, I must confess, there's a part of me that wishes I
could still do the TV show. [doorbell]
Martin: Well, there's a part of me that wishes that monkey was
cooking dinner instead of you-know-who... but we put our
dreams away!

Martin exits as Frasier opens the door to Roz.

Frasier: Oh, hi, Roz. Well, don't you look nice. Are you feeling
better?
Roz: Yes, thank you. Can we talk?
Frasier: Well, of course, come on in. What's the matter?
Roz: Well, I talked to my friends in business affairs and they say
they're ready to close our deal but Bebe's holding it up.
Frasier: Well, of course she's holding it up, she's trying to make
them sweat a little bit. That's the whole strategy behind
the TV show: leverage.
Roz: Yeah, well, I heard a rumor that "AM Seattle" isn't happy
with their regular hosts and I think she's angling for you
to take over. So where does that leave me?
Frasier: Well, even if that was Bebe's plan, you're forgetting that
it's still my career and I'm calling the sh*ts. There is
no way I would continue doing "AM Seattle."
Roz: Yeah, well, you look like you are having the time of your
life.
Frasier: I'm playing a character! There is a big difference between
"Dr. Frasier Crane, psychiatrist" and "Frasier Crane, the
guy who starts your morning right." I'll tell you what.
I will speak to Bebe when we're in the chair. Oh, that's
the industry term for when we're getting our make-up put on.
Roz: Thanks, Frasier. [picks up Martin's glasses] God, this is so
weird! Daphne usually has such great taste, what was she
thinking with these glasses?!
Frasier: Well, actually, Roz...
Roz: [laughing, puts them on] I've gotta go see what these look
like.

Roz heads to the powder room as Martin enters and notices her.

Martin: Hi, Roz.
Roz: Hey. [she closes the door]
Martin: He-he-he, somebody ought to tell Mr. Doyle she's wearing
a dude's glasses!

Frasier rolls his eyes.

FADE TO:

Scene Four - Backstage
Behind the scenes of "AM Seattle," Frasier is getting his make-up put
on as Bebe enters.

Frasier: Oh, Kiki, you're a magician.
Bebe: Frasier, you're not going to believe the wonderful news I
just got: they want us to stay on.
Frasier: What?!
Bebe: Yes, we had the highest ratings the show's had all year.
Frasier: I don't believe this, Roz was right. You had no intention
of negotiating my radio contract.
Bebe: ...I don't expect gratitude, Frasier. Just a little faith.
I finished your KACL contract this morning. [hands it over]
Frasier: You did?
Bebe: And I did quite a good job, I might add.
Frasier: Oh, I'm sorry, Bebe, I owe you an apology... [reads it]
Well, this is wonderful, got an extra week's vacation and
a very handsome raise.
Bebe: It's garbage compared to what they'll give us to stay on here.
You'll get an expense account, a wardrobe allowance, not to
mention a car and driver.

For a moment he's tempted.

Frasier: No, no, let's not forget why I took this job. It was to raise
my profile, to get a better deal with the radio contract, and
we've done that, Bebe. And I thank you.
Bebe: You're welcome, darling, and I respect your choice.
Frasier: Thanks.
Bebe: Now, let's talk about today's show.
Frasier: Right.
Bebe: We start with the Friday Fiesta, here are our costumes...
[hands over Mexican ponchos] and then we move on to the Girl
Scout cookie-selling champ... [Bebe turns to tears] and then
we...
Frasier: Bebe, are you all right?
Bebe: I spent my life in the wings, it was just nice having my
moment in the spotlight. The rush when that little red light
on camera turns on... [captivating him] The stupid masking
tape on that dressing room door with my name on it...
Frasier: The stage door johnnys, or whatever that strange man with the
autograph book calls himself...

Niles enters, noticing her tactics.

Bebe: Admit it, darling, you want this as much as I do. I saw it
in your eyes during the pie-eating contest. Nobody loves
blueberries that much, it's the audience you love!

Announcer: [o.s.] Are you ready for Bebe and Frasier?

The crowd goes wild. Bebe clutches Frasier.

Bebe: Listen to them! They want you!
Frasier: They do want me, don't they?
Bebe: Tell me to tear up the contract, Frasier.
Frasier: Maybe it is time for a change...
Niles: [moves in] Get away from him, you she-thing!
Frasier: Niles!
Niles: It's a good thing Dad started choking on that peanut or I
would have never come back here for water. Stop this madness!
Bebe: He can't stop it, no one can, show business is in his blood!
Niles: No, psychiatry is. Frasier, you're a healer.
Bebe: Anyone can heal. You're better than that, [eyes light up]
you're an entertainer!
Frasier: Oh God, Niles, she's right. I love the audience. I know it's
shallow but it makes me feel alive.
Niles: Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look in this outfit?
Frasier, I know I sometimes I make light of your radio show,
but the truth is you provide help and hope and comfort to
people who need it. I have always envied you that.
Bebe: Don't listen to that drivel!
Frasier: He's right, Bebe. I'm a psychiatrist, I can't do the show
anymore. I'm sorry.
Bebe: Then quit! Who needs ya? I'll find some other stuffed
shirt who's happy to ride my coat tails to fame. [b*at] Niles,
you're a doctor.
Frasier: [stands between them] Niles, don't look into her eyes!
Bebe: Well, that's it... the dream is over.
Matt: [o.s.] Thirty seconds!
Bebe: But I'm still a professional. [puts on her oversized sombrero]
There's an audience out there waiting for two people to ride
in on a donkey. I don't know about you, but I'm not going
to let them down. [mounts the donkey]
Niles: [off Frasier's glance] It's your last show. Get out there!
Frasier: Thanks, brother, for keeping me grounded.

Frasier then puts his Mexican hat on and clambers onto the donkey and
sets out to the stage.

Niles: Vaya Con Dios!

As Frasier and Bebe emerge from the curtain, they salute the audience.

Announcer: [o.s.] And here they are, Bebe and Frasier!

The crowd goes wild.

Credits:

Martin is sat in Café Nervosa cleaning his glasses. As he does so, a
woman comes in and sits with him wearing the exact same type. Martin
realizes they are ladies’ glasses and quietly slips the glasses away
before striking up conversation with her.