Season 10 · Episode 9 · 2002
Don't Go Breaking My Heart [3]
17 cultural references across 7 categories.
Literature
2Gustave Flaubert
French novelist (1821-1880) known for works such as Madame Bovary and Sentimental Education.
“I never thought I'd grow tired of reading Flaubert.”— Niles
To His Coy Mistress
A metaphysical poem by Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) containing the famous line 'But at my back I always hear / Time's wingèd chariot hurrying near.'
“When you've heard time's winged chariot hurrying here, as I have, every day is a gift.”— Niles
Music
2Mozart Symphony No. 40
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550, composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1788, one of his most famous and beloved symphonies.
“Yes, Mozart Symphony No. 40: Molto Allegro. I just bought this new recording for Niles. It is fantastic. I've never heard such string articulation.”— Frasier
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Austrian composer (1756-1791), one of the most prolific and influential composers in the history of Western classical music.
“Yes, Mozart Symphony No. 40: Molto Allegro.”— Frasier
Mythology/Religion
4Old Testament
The first part of the Christian Bible, corresponding to the Hebrew Bible, containing accounts of God's often wrathful dealings with humanity.
“Oh, he's God, Roz! Have you read the Old Testament? He can be ruthless!”— Frasier
Grim Reaper
A personification of death in Western culture, typically depicted as a skeletal figure carrying a scythe.
“I just thought I'd add the Perspective of one who has ducked the scythe of the Grim Reaper.”— Niles
Psalm 23 (Valley of the Shadow of Death)
A passage from Psalm 23 in the Bible: 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.'
“Speaking as one who has walked through the valley of the shadow of death”— Niles
Easter
The Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, observed in spring.
“Well played, God. I'll see you at Easter.”— Frasier
Other
2The Young and the Restless
American television soap opera that has aired on CBS since 1973, one of the longest-running daytime dramas.
“Oh please, he's been parked on his ass watching The Young and the Restless.”— Gertrude
Days of Our Lives
A long-running American daytime television soap opera on NBC, famous for its opening narration 'Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.'
“Like sand through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives...”— Martin
Philosophy/Psychology
3Sigmund Freud
Austrian neurologist (1856-1939) and the founder of psychoanalysis.
“Freud is the poor man's Jung.”— Frasier
Carl Jung
Swiss psychiatrist (1875-1961) who founded analytical psychology, originally a collaborator of Freud's.
“Freud is the poor man's Jung.”— Frasier
Carpe diem
A Latin aphorism from the Roman poet Horace meaning 'seize the day,' urging one to make the most of the present.
“Carpe that diem.”— Niles
Theatre/Opera
3Commedia dell'arte
A form of Italian improvisational theatre originating in the 16th century, featuring stock characters and masked performances.
“their use of stock figures is reminiscent of the commedia dell'arte.”— Niles
Punchinello
A stock character from commedia dell'arte, known as Pulcinella in Italian, a hunchbacked servant figure.
“Yes, uh, Esther is Punchinello, Victor is Flavio, and Nikki — well, she's just the town pump.”— Niles
Flavio
A stock character from commedia dell'arte, typically a young male lover figure.
“Yes, uh, Esther is Punchinello, Victor is Flavio, and Nikki — well, she's just the town pump.”— Niles