Good start, poor finish, May 29, 2011

Reviewer: Jack E from England

Although this episode starts well, I absolutely hate the ending in the
restaurant. It is, for me, the worst Christmas show in the entire
eleven series. It does not flow, there is little to laugh at and it makes
me desperately want to turn off my TV.

Rating: 52%

very sweet episode, May 27, 2011

Reviewer: KH from NY

One of my top 3 in season 1. I think the writing was pure genius. Kudos to portraying the homeless population as human beings with dignity. The heartwarming twist at the end can warm up any cold winter night. A very nice holiday episode that I will watch again and again.

Rating: 98%

A great episode, Jul 09, 2009

Reviewer: Sammy J from Canberra, Australia

This little gem is (I think) the first episode I ever saw, so it has a
place in my heart. After he misses out on the chance to spend
Christmas with his young son Freddie, and has a blowout with his
father, Frasier ends up taking the Christmas slot at KACL. After a
long and lonely night, he ends up in a diner of other Christmas
loners. Despite the seemingly depressing storyline, this episode
works very well: it is alternately hilarious and touching, using Frasier
both as a comic character and also as an examiner of others. The
final scenes, where Frasier is mistaken for a homeless man after he
can't pay, are very touching - yet also perhaps lay the seeds for the
farce-heavy future of the series? A great show.

Rating: 92%

Miracle on 3rd or 4th Street, Apr 18, 2009

Reviewer: Warren Lancaster from Toronto, ONT, CAN

In the first Christmas episode of the series, Frasier does his show on Christmas day, after which, he goes to a rundown restaurant, where a group of homeless people purchase Frasier a dinner, as they think he's homeless too. The scene when Frasier is getting into his BMW is brilliant. I really enjoyed this masterpiece from start to finish. All in all, a great show, and an endearing one, as well.

Rating: 89%

Not bad..., Jul 25, 2008

Reviewer: AdmiralXizor from Dallas, TX, USA

not bad at all. I saw it again today, and wondered two things:

(1) In the episode, Niles is obviously taller than Daphne (they're standing next to each other as Frasier & Martin storm out). When did they allow Daphe to start wearing heels? By the time they get married, she's the taller of the two.

(2) How did Frasier get home with no money for a taxi..?

Rating: 85%

Review of 'Miracle On 3rd or 4th Street, Feb 06, 2006

Reviewer: Nick from North Wales, U.K.

At times this episode seems slightly clumsy with Frasier and Martin's argument a perfect example. This is necessary however to bring about Frasier's depression at Christmas and leads him to being mistaken for a homeless person. While there aren't a great many belly laughs the theme is heartwarming and perfectly suited to the season.

Rating: 79%

Review of 'Miracle on Third or Fourth Street', Sep 18, 2005

Reviewer: Beer Necessity from York, England

Christopher Lloyd's second Frasier script provides us with a wonderfully warm Christmas episode. There's another memorable Niles/Daphne scene at Frasier's apartment where Niles is waiting for Daphne to model some dresses he bought for 'Maris'. I think a combination of some excellent writing coupled with David Hyde Pierce's likeable performances ensure these moments are never 'seedy', a trap they could easily have fallen into. The real star of the scene at Frasier's apartment is Eddie the dog, who opens the scene by drinking Niles' egg nog (I hope they paid DHP a handsome bonus for drinking from the same glass!) and closes it by burying his head under a cushion when Frasier and Martin are yelling at each other.

The central story concerns Frasier showing some Christmas spirit to Bulldog (by filling in for him on Christmas day) and receiving some in return when a group of homeless people buy him a meal. This is a nice 'traditional' Christmas tale by Lloyd which demonstrates more often than not that you reap what you sow. To nit pick slightly, Frasier's 'homeless' appearance in this episode is never properly explained. Roz refers sarcastically to how 'nice' Frasier looks in his moth-eaten sweater and jeans but I find it hard to believe Frasier would possess any clothes of this description, much less actually wear them for work! The clothes were obviously necessary to make the end scene in the diner work where the other patrons mistake him for being homeless, but I dislike the fact that the audience is expected not to notice such an obvious plot device. Anyway, it's a minor niggle in this toasty warm Christmas treat of an episode.

Rating: 80%

'Miracle On Third Or Fourth Street' review, May 18, 2005

Reviewer: Jocelyn from London, UK

The first Christmas episode and one which features the sort of Crane family arguments that will become something of a trademark. I love the fight over the decorations with the Christmas tree being festooned with chilli peppers while the sight gag involving Eddie helping himself to Niles' hot drink ranks as one of the best Eddie moments. The second half set at the diner, where Frasier is mistaken for a homeless person, is also very funny - not least when Frasier mislays his car keys and has to come crawling back inside. An effective mix of laugh out loud humour and genuine pathos make this episode a little gem.

Rating: 82%