Bristle While You Work

Infobox Television episode | Title = Bristle While You Work
Series = Frasier
Season = 10
Episode = 07
Airdate = 12 November 2002
Production =
Writer = Tom Reeder
Director = Sheldon Epps
Guests = Ana Gasteyer (Trish Haney)
Joseph Kell (doctor)
Dominic Rambaran (other Niles)
Robyn Johanna (other Daphne)
Prev = Star Mitzvah
Next = Rooms with a View
Episode list = List of Frasier episodes (Season 10)

"Bristle While You Work" is the seventh 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

*Edward Hibbert – Gil Chesterton

Plot outline

Frasier is looking for a new housekeeper, and his high standards and demanding nature make the search particularly difficult. Eventually, he, Martin and Daphne interview a woman named Trish Haney, who arrives very late and thus causes Frasier to worry about how seriously she will take the job. Martin, however, thinks she will be good company for him during the day, so is keen that she be given the job. Frasier is reluctant, but concedes. Unfortunately, his predictions prove to be accurate when Trish repeatedly disappears early from work for no good reason, or misses days altogether. Martin, anxious not to have his mistake known, is compelled to clean the apartment in her place, so that Frasier never realises she is not doing the work.

Niles has a persistent toothache, and the dentist has assured him that there is nothing wrong with it. Roz suggests a sinus infection, and although he hopes she is right, Niles also considers the distant possibility that he is experiencing referred pain. Over the next few days, he has several very unlikely experiences, such as winning competitions from bottle tops, flipping a coin that consistently lands tails up, and having his car struck by lightning. He becomes more and more worried by these apparent omens, and eventually decides to consult a doctor. The news is not good.

Episode Title Cards

*"In street jargon, he’s known as “The Mark”"

Cultural reference

*The episode title comes from that of a song, "Whistle While You Work", from the 1937 animated film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".

Memorable Quotations

"Frasier has just finished interviewing another candidate, and is walking her to the door"
Frasier: Of course, we have several other candidates to interview, but I'll be sure to let you know by the twelfth. "(closes the door)" …of never!

"Martin is encouraged to hear that Trish is a fan of the Sonics, when she arrives late after queuing for tickets"
Trish: I should have guessed everyone and his brother would want to see Vince Carter play.
Martin: Not everybody. Or his brother.