TEXT: ACT ONE Scene One - KACL Close-up of a tape recorder sitting on Roz's console. On it, a man is speaking in a suave, suggestive radio voice. Widen to reveal Roz, Frasier, and Kenny listening to the tape. Frasier is skeptical, Kenny looks worried, and Roz is enjoying the hell out of it. Zach: [on tape] Janet from North Seattle, you're in bed with Dr. Zach. How can I make you feel better? Roz: Oh, yeah... [laughs] Janet: [on tape] My husband isn't the man he used to be, if you know what I mean. It's ruining our marriage. Zach: Are you sure it's just his fault? The signs on "Love Street" don't all point one way. Roz laughs again. Frasier stops the tape. Frasier: My God, this is the competition? Dr. Zach? Please! It's nothing but suggestive, smarmy sleaze. Roz: And he's great at it! Frasier: Roz! You know what, I tell you what, I give this guy four, five weeks, tops. Kenny: He's been on the air ten weeks. And frankly, we're getting spanked. Roz: Oh, he did a whole show on that yesterday. Frasier: Stop it! So, well... all right, he's the new flavor of the month. We've seen them come and go before. Dr. Mary, Professor Hugs, "On the Couch With Jeff and Lars." Kenny: I don't know, Doc, I think this guy's got staying power. Roz: He did a whole show on that Tuesday. Frasier: Cut it out, Roz! They go into Frasier's booth. Kenny: Hey, you know, maybe we should try some of those theme shows. Frasier: You know what, actually we have done theme shows. You know, I still get letters about the show we did on existential angst! Roz: No, we don't. Fras
SUMMARY:
The Seattle radio airwaves have a new star psychiatrist: Dr. Zach, a doctor from whom Frasier differs entirely. Dr. Zach's brand of radio is, as Frasier describes it, "suggestive smarmy sleaze", but it has become very popular. Kenny suggests Frasier emulate him a little to improve the ratings. Frasier prefers the idea of raising the advertising budget; Kenny disagrees. This prompts Frasier to contact his agent, but upon arriving at Bebe Glazer's office, he learns that her newest client is Dr. Zach himself. She passes Frasier on to her former assistant, Portia Sanders ( Kristin Chenoweth ), who has become a "full-fledged junior agent". Frasier refuses and storms out angrily, deciding to end his association with Bebe's agency. However, he finds Portia very persistent, determined to prove her abilities to him. Meanwhile, he is disappointed not to have any more offers from agents, so considers representing himself. Martin attempts to avoid a medical examination by asking Niles to write a prescription for him. Niles refuses to violate his ethics, so Martin devises a plan by which he hopes to force his hand.