Frasier: Niles Learns to be a Good Parent

Let's go with Frasier again today, because Frasier is my favorite TV show. (Apologies about the ad in the beginning.)

In this clip, Niles carries a flour sack with him to learn about the responsibilities of being a parent. This is sometimes done in American schools to teach kids about the work involved with babies. It's an activity some schools use to try to prevent teenage pregnancy.



Frasier: Hello, Niles.

Niles: Hello Frasier.

Martin: What're you doing with that thing?

Niles: I'm forging a parent-child bond that will last forever.

Martin: That's a relief. I was afraid it might be something stupid.

Niles: If it makes you feel any better, I don't wear this in public. I just wanted to get a complete picture of parenthood.

Frasier: And...?

Niles: It's driving me batty. Oh, the feedings every two hours, the constant monitoring where he is... I can see how parents can be obsessed with worry. Last night, I actually had a dream my flour sack was abducted and the kidnappers started sending me muffins in the mail. Well, on the plus side, I've learned a lot. I think if I ever am to go through the real thing, I'll make quite a wonderful parent.

Frasier: Niles, what has happened to your child?

Niles: I was practicing my tai chi exercises this morning and I accidentally kicked him into the reflecting pool. That's when I brought him inside and left him by the hearth to dry.

Frasier: He caught on fire?

Niles: It was not as careless as you make it seem. After all, a real child would have cried before it burst into flames.



VOCABULARY/IDIOMS

What're: What are

bond: A connection between people. "Bonding" is often used lightly/humorously. "Rick and Mike went camping to do some male bonding."

in public: Out of the house, around other people. Opposite of "in private" which means "at home."

driving me batty: Making me feel crazy. "Batty" is slightly old-fashioned. Most people would say, "It's driving me crazy," "It's driving me insane." Maybe "It's driving me nuts."

on the plus side: a good thing, a positive thing. Can also say, "On the positive side." Usage Example: "On the plus side, I made five dollars. On the minus side, the bus fare cost six."

tai chi A Chinese martial art.

reflecting pool A calm, shallow pool. In a home it is usually a sign of wealth. The writers use the combination of tai chi and a home with a reflecting pool to show that Niles is wealthy and a bit pretentious.

Questions? Videos you'd like to see translated? (Best length is 1-5 minutes.) Email me at VideoEnglishTeacher@gmail.com