Ep 23. The Focus Group

In the Frasier season 3 episode 23 titled "The Focus Group," Frasier is invited to participate in a focus group for a new TV show. Initially, he is reluctant to attend as he finds the premise of the show to be silly. However, he changes his mind after being promised a sizable compensation for his time.

Upon arriving at the focus group, Frasier is surprised to find that he recognizes one of the other participants, a woman named Abby. Abby had rejected Frasier's advances in college, and he is immediately thrown off guard by her presence. To make matters worse, she is now married to a very wealthy man, leaving Frasier feeling insecure about his own achievements.

As the focus group begins, Frasier is the only one who expresses reservations about the show's concept, while the others gush over it. In an effort to be more agreeable, Frasier begins to change his tune, but his insincerity is quickly called out by the moderator. Embarrassed, Frasier attempts to leave the focus group, but not before Abby singles him out for his negativity.

Frasier's embarrassment continues as he seeks refuge at Café Nervosa, where he runs into his brother Niles. Unable to keep his problems to himself, Frasier confides in Niles about his insecurities and Abby's rejections from college. Niles tries to reassure him that he has accomplished a lot in his life, but does not succeed in making Frasier feel better.

The next day, Frasier learns that the focus group loved his initial criticisms of the show and that his opinion has propelled the show towards success. He is invited to attend the show's premiere as a result and, hoping to redeem himself, accepts the invitation.

At the premiere, Frasier is surprised to find that Abby and her husband are in attendance. After a tense conversation, Abby reveals that she still carries a torch for Frasier, leading to a flirtation between the two. However, Frasier ultimately decides that he is not interested in rekindling their relationship and instead focuses on enjoying the rest of the evening with his friends and family.

"The Focus Group" is a classic episode of Frasier, highlighting the titular character's flaws and insecurities while also providing comic relief through his interactions with the other participants in the focus group. Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder that success is not just dictated by external factors, but also by one's own self-confidence and sense of value.