Dr. Nora

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Frasier (season 6). (Discuss)

"Dr. Nora" is the twentieth episode in season 6 of American sitcom Frasier.

The show, which satirizes chat-show radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, became the subject of controversy after Schlessinger decried its satire of her mother, whom she claims is not a public figure. Paramount subsequently pulled the show from syndication apparently to the consternation of the show's producers.^[1] Although it has been shown in repeat runs in other countries, for instance the UK.

Plot

Frasier is in Café Nervosa interviewing candidates for a new radio psychiatrist at KACL, whose show will run alongside his own. He thinks he has found an unbeatable contender (Dr. Gordon Edelstein), and Niles, who knows his work, expects him to be right. In the end, however, he recommends Dr. Nora Fairchild, who spends most of her interview paying him compliments, even pretending to think Niles is the older brother. Frasier feels proud to have a protégé, until he actually hears her in action. She turns out to be an advocate of traditional conservative christian values, condemning pre-marital sex, divorce, single parenthood and the like, and her approach to therapy is not so much constructive criticism as outright abuse. Frasier is embarrassed and angry, and threatens to withdraw his recommendation, but the station manager has other ideas; she attracts so much attention (positive and negative) that he wants to keep her on. When she openly criticises Frasier's advice to a caller live on air, he and Roz decide to get her taken off the radio. Back at Frasier's apartment, Niles has been listening to the way Dr. Nora spoke to the caller and concluded she has issues that need resolving with her own mother. Next day Frasier brings Dr. Nora's mother to the studio who thanks him for reuniting her with her estranged daughter. However when the mother enters the booth to greet Dr. Nora her attitude changes and she becomes a crazed, grasping old woman who demands money. Terrified Dr. Nora says she is quitting the station and escapes. The show end as she is chased about the building by the screaming harridan all the while Frasier lamely tries to cover over the dead air and the screeching mother.

Episode Title Cards

• Dr. Ruthless
• “M” is for the many ways I’d maim her

References