Season 11 · Episode 22 · 2003
Crock Tales
27 cultural references across 9 categories.
Art
2Paul Gauguin
French Post-Impressionist artist (1848-1903) known for his paintings of Tahitian life, having famously moved to Tahiti.
“And you look like someone who doesn't want his Paul Gauguin souvenir oven mitt.”— Niles
Uncle Sam recruiting poster
Iconic American recruiting poster featuring Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer with the text 'I Want YOU for U.S. Army,' created by James Montgomery Flagg.
“Frasier sighs and points his finger like the old World War II recruiting poster. Frasier: I WANT YOU — to wear those headphones!”— Frasier
Film
5To Catch a Thief
1955 Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, featuring a famous scene where fireworks are intercut with a romantic encounter.
“This gag is also an obvious tribute to Hitchcock's 'To Catch A Thief,' in which the male and female leads fall onto a couch, kissing, and the camera shifts up to show fireworks going off.”— Niles
Chinatown
1974 neo-noir film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson and John Huston, considered one of the greatest films ever made.
“Of course I'm respectable, I'm old. Whores, ugly buildings and politicians all become respectable if they last long enough. — John Huston in 'Chinatown.'”— Frasier
John Huston
American film director and actor (1906-1987) who also played Noah Cross in Chinatown (1974).
“Of course I'm respectable, I'm old. Whores, ugly buildings and politicians all become respectable if they last long enough. — John Huston in 'Chinatown.'”— Frasier
Rosie Perez
American actress and dancer known for roles in Do the Right Thing and White Men Can't Jump.
“the writers originally conceived of Martin's home health care worker being a sassy Hispanic, with Rosie Perez in mind for the role”— Frasier
Alfred Hitchcock
English film director (1899-1980) known as the 'Master of Suspense,' directed classics like Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window.
“This gag is also an obvious tribute to Hitchcock's 'To Catch A Thief'”— Niles
Food/Dining
4Cornish Yarg
A semi-hard cheese from Cornwall, England, notable for its rind of nettle leaves which develops a natural mold.
“This from the gourmet who dumped my Cornish Yarg cheese down the disposal.”— Frasier
Nickerson's Lemon Biscuits
fictionalA brand of lemon biscuits mentioned as Daphne's favorite from Manchester. Likely fictional.
“And-and you're Daphne Moon, from Manchester, where you developed a liking for Nickerson's Lemon Biscuits.”— Niles
Dirty Dozen pizza
fictionalA pizza with twelve toppings, as ordered by Martin. Likely a fictional pizza variety name.
“It's called a Dirty Dozen. Twelve delicious toppings, and not one of them duck.”— Martin
Bisque
A smooth, creamy, highly seasoned soup of French origin, typically made from crustaceans, with a distinctive reddish color.
“You look like you've crawled out of a bisque.”— Frasier
Historical Figure
2Uncle Sam
National personification of the United States government, depicted as a tall man with white hair and goatee in a stars-and-stripes outfit, based on the famous W…
“Frasier comes out dressed as Uncle Sam: bright red-white-and-blue pantaloons, jacket and top hat, and a silvery wig and goatee”— Frasier
Betsy Ross
American seamstress widely credited with making the first American flag during the Revolutionary War.
“Roz comes in the front door wearing a red-and-white polka-dotted Betsy Ross costume.”— Roz
Literature
1Music
1Other
5Cinco de Mayo
Mexican holiday celebrated on May 5th commemorating the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
“Sorry I'm late. The Cinco de Mayo traffic was muy malo.”— Roz
Blue Angels
The United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron, known for performing precision aerial maneuvers at public events.
“Roz: The Blue Angels!”— Roz
Jack Russell terrier
A small, energetic breed of terrier originating from England, known for their intelligence and lifespan of about 13-16 years.
“You're reading about Jack Russell terriers, right? That's how many years they live — fourteen.”— Martin
Mount Crane
fictionalA humorous metaphor invented by Frasier comparing dating him to climbing a mountain.
“I allowed her to climb to the first base camp on Mount Crane and I believe she's feeling the effects of the altitude.”— Frasier
Thanksgiving
American national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, traditionally featuring a turkey dinner.
“could you please bring us some snacks to soak up this wine? Niles: Yes, and a little more wine. Who knew my sorrows would be such strong swimmers?”— Frasier
Travel
4Tahiti
French Polynesian island in the South Pacific, famously associated with artist Paul Gauguin who lived and painted there.
“Oh, Tahiti was absolute paradise — except for poor Niles getting sunburned.”— Daphne
Space Needle
Iconic observation tower in Seattle, Washington, built for the 1962 World's Fair, standing 605 feet tall.
“You're not going to send me back to the Space Needle with binoculars and a walkie-talkie again, are you?”— Daphne
Zurich
Largest city in Switzerland, known as a center for banking and medical/cosmetic procedures.
“Yes, and now she's on the phone to her chin-grinder in Zurich.”— Niles
Lisbon
Capital city of Portugal, referenced by Frasier as an analogy to the name 'Lisbeth.'
“Ah, like Lisbon!”— Frasier
Wine/Alcohol
3Spritzer
A drink made by mixing wine with club soda or sparkling water.
“Just a half a glass, with club soda. You know how I love my spritzer.”— Lisbeth
Sherry
A fortified wine made from white grapes grown near Jerez de la Frontera in Spain; became Niles and Frasier's signature drink on the show.
“Uh yes — actually, I'm in a sherry mood tonight. Frasier: Sherry? What an intriguing idea. Think I could scare up a bottle of sherry.”— Niles
Scotch
Whisky made in Scotland, a popular spirit often associated with refined taste.
“Anyway, would you care for a scotch, Niles?”— Frasier