Something About Dr. Mary

Infobox Television episode | Title = Something About Dr. Mary
Series = Frasier
Season = 7
Episode = 16
Airdate = 17 February 2000
Production =
Writer = Jay Kogen
Director = Will Shriner
Guests = Kim Coles (Mary Thomas)
Scott Lowell (Chuck)
Gloria Estefan (Maria)
Isaac Mizrahi (Gabe)
Prev = Out with Dad
Next = Whine Club
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 7)

"Something About Dr. Mary" is the sixteenth episode in season 7 of American sitcom "Frasier".

Cast and characters

Main cast and characters

*Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
*David Hyde Pierce – Dr. Niles Crane
*John Mahoney – Martin Crane
*Jane Leeves – Daphne Moon
*Peri Gilpin – Roz Doyle

Recurring cast

*Tom McGowan – Kenny Daly

Plot outline

Roz is going on holiday, and desperate to avoid having her replaced by Chuck Ranberg (who has a distracting speech impediment), Frasier decides to hire someone from outside KACL. He appoints a woman called Mary Thomas, who is initially reluctant to speak during the broadcast, even to introduce callers, but soon overcomes that and even interrupts with her own advice. Her style is very different from Frasier's, and her delivery is very light-hearted and jovial. Frasier finds this irritating, but is reluctant to be critical. Martin attributes this to the fact that Mary is black, believing that his son is too sensitive about that. The listeners enjoy this new style, and callers even start addressing her as "Dr. Mary". Kenny is so pleased that he talks about making the arrangement permanent; Frasier is horrified by the idea, but has no idea how to voice his grievances without sounding bigoted. He suggests to Kenny that Mary has her own show, but the outcome is not what he planned.

Meanwhile, Daphne sustains an injury by being in the wrong place during Niles' demonstration of his new skills at kickboxing. Niles is mortified, and insists on doing all Daphne's household chores until she has fully recovered. Martin decides to take advantage of the fact that, until now, his son had no idea what these chores were.

Episode Title Cards

This episode does not contain the usual title cards. Instead, at intervals there is a shot of a passing tram in Seattle, on the side of which is an advertisement for Frasier's radio show. The caption changes each time:
*"I'm listening"
*"Frasier Crane featuring Dr. Mary"
*"They're listening"

Cultural reference

The episode title comes from the 1998 romantic comedy film, "There's Something About Mary".

Memorable Quotations

"Martin has suggested that Frasier refuses to restrain Mary because she is black; Frasier denies it"
Niles: Oh, come now, Frasier. You can't deny a certain measure of guilt, living as you do in your exclusive lily-white world.
Frasier: Niles, owning the CD of "Ella sings Gershwin" does not qualify you as a soul brother!

"Frasier is getting fed up with everyone referring to his new assistant as "Dr. Mary"
Frasier: For the last time, she is "not" a doctor, no matter how many times she refers to herself as one! A cat can have kittens in the oven, but that don't make 'em biscuits!