Tales from the Crypt (Frasier episode)

Infobox Television episode | Title = Tales from the Crypt
Series = Frasier
Season = 10
Episode = 05
Airdate = 29 October 2002
Production =
Writer = Saladin K. Patterson
Director = David Lee
Guests = Steven Anthony Lawrence (Jason)
Dan O'Shannon (janitor)
Prev = Kissing Cousin
Next = Star Mitzvah
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 10)

"Tales from the Crypt" is the fifth episode in season 10 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
*Dan Butler – Bob 'Bulldog' Briscoe
*Patrick Kerr – Noel Shempsky
*Millicent Martin – Gertrude Moon

Plot outline

The Halloween season has come round again. Bulldog is bathed in glory after playing a practical joke on Frasier by replacing his BMW with a replica that had been smashed up. Frasier is humiliated and determined to get his revenge. His initial plan, which involves using a red balloon to cause Bulldog gradual psychological distress, meets with scorn when he explains it to Roz. He then decides to set up a terrifying scene in the KACL basement where Bulldog is working now, involving actors dressed as zombies. Martin and Roz help with the preparations, but they both agree that practical jokes are not Frasier's strong point, so this is bound to fail. After some thought, Frasier realises one way in which he can stage the greatest practical joke ever, even if it means changing direction in his plan.

Meanwhile, Gertrude Moon challenges a child named Jason (who was also the main trick-or-treater, in Frasier's building in past seasons) who comes to Niles' apartment trick-or-treating. This leads to a childish feud between the two, until Niles and Daphne finally lose patience.

Episode Title Cards

*"Is it October 31st again?"
*"Okay, what if the balloon were blue?"
*"Storage room of terror"
*"Tales from the Crypt"
*"No zombies were harmed in the filming of this episode"

Cultural reference

*The episode title comes from a series of horror comics from the 1950s, "Tales from the Crypt".

Memorable Quotations

"Martin complains that Frasier makes practical jokes seem like work"
Martin: This is supposed to be fun! Like a day at the beach! Oh, you do this kind of thing all the time.
Frasier: Like when?
Martin: Well, the last time we went to the beach!

"Jason’s parents call round to Niles’ apartment to sort things out"
Beverly White: It seems our children have been feuding. We’re very embarrassed.
Niles: "You're" embarrassed? Meet our daughter. "(gestures to Gertrude)"

"Frasier is ostensibly on the phone to the emergency services"
Frasier: Hello? Yes, I’d like to report…THE GREATEST PRACTICAL JOKE EVER!