Fictional Finances: Frasier Crane of “Frasier”

Washington state is home to such noteworthy companies as Starbucks and Microsoft. Yet, if Dr. Frasier Crane is any indication, the people making the really big money in the Pacific Northwest are working in radio psychiatry. Although no new episodes have been broadcast since May of 2004, the good doctor and his finances are still available through syndication and DVD.

From Beantown to the Emerald City

In 1984, the popular television comedy “Cheers” introduced psychiatrist Frasier Crane as Diane Chambers’ therapist and boyfriend. Dr. Crane, as played by Kelsey Grammer, was a fussy intellectual who became an integral part of the barfly collection at a local Boston bar.

“Cheers” closed its doors in 1993, but Crane, after a very messy divorce from his icy wife Lilith, pulled up stakes and made the move to his own series. “Frasier” was set in Seattle, also affectionately known as “The Emerald City.” Giving up private practice for show business, Frasier became an online personality at radio station KACL, doling out advice to troubled callers between commercials.

Deep Pockets and Huge Credit Lines

After settling in Washington state, Dr. Crane purchased a condo in the Elliott Bay Towers, a fictional building that’s located in a very desirable part of Seattle. A Century 21 Web site lists a comparable, real-life condo in the Emerald City with 3 bedrooms for the princely sum of $610,000.

If the good doctor plunked down $10,000 on his new pad and took out a 30-year mortgage with a fixed interest rate of 6.5 percent for the remaining balance, he would pay approximately $4,667 each month for that gorgeous view of the Seattle skyline. That’s not counting the monthly condo maintenance fees, which should bring his payment to over 5 grand, plus taxes and insurance.

Each week, Dr. Crane also was in search of some new piece of furniture or artwork by a famous sculptor or painter. It’s safe to assume that the radio shrink carries more than one platinum credit card, each with a pretty hefty credit line.

A Live-in Therapist, Housekeeper and Psychic

For the bulk of the series, Frasier shared his luxurious condo with his father Martin, a police officer who retired from active duty after taking a bullet in the hip. Dr. Crane reluctantly allowed his dad to move in with him and hired Daphne Moon, a physical therapist and self-proclaimed psychic, to help with Martin’s recovery.

Estimating that Daphne receives about $400 per week for her services plus room, board and paid vacations, Dr. Crane shelled out between $20,000-$25,000 per year for her salary. Depending on how good KACL’s insurance coverage was, Daphne was a significant, but rather attractive, expense.

Beluga, Beethoven and Ballantine

While his father loved nothing more than a cold can of Ballantine beer, Frasier and his brother Niles had very cultured palates. The Crane brothers favored fine wines, exquisite cuisine, and even shelled out $40 an ounce for good Beluga caviar in one notable episode.

Each day, Frasier and Niles met at least once at the Cafe Nervosa, a local coffee bar, for a caffeinated beverage plus a muffin or biscotti. These daily coffee talks cost approximately $10 per session, which is a staggering $3,650 in a year’s time, not counting the times that Frasier bought coffee for his producer Roz Doyle.

With his love of good food, wine and coffee, Dr. Crane gave his credit cards a workout at the upscale food emporiums in his neighborhood. Based on his eating habits, Daphne most likely purchased at least $500 worth of food for the household each week.

With a hefty mortgage, live-in help and premium food, Dr. Crane needed an annual salary of around $250,000 to avoid slipping into serious debt. That’s not a bad paycheck for someone who works only a few hours per day at an AM radio station and has plenty of time for coffee breaks.

Steven Bryan