Roz Doyle
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Rozalind "Roz" Doyle (born 1963 or 1964) is a character on the American television sitcom Frasier. She is played by Peri Gilpin. The actress originally slated to play Roz was Lisa Kudrow, who went on to star in 'Friends', which debuted a year later.
Roz is the producer of Frasier's Dr. Frasier Crane Show on KACL 780AM. Although initially reluctant to take the job (it is revealed in a flash-back that Roz tried on several occasions to switch to another show early in her career with Frasier), she and Frasier soon become firm friends.
The character is named as a tribute to a producer of Wings (a show created by the creators of Frasier), who died from breast cancer in 1991.
[edit] Background and role in the series
Roz was born in Wisconsin. Her mother Joanna was a longtime politician there and served as Attorney General. (In an interesting note, the Attorney General of Wisconsin for most of the shows run was a person with the last name Doyle.) She has one sibling, a sister Denise with whom she has a very competitive relationship. Roz's parents are divorced although she has good relationships with both of them. Her grandmother was born in Ireland. Frustrated with small-town Wisconsin, Roz moved to Seattle.
An attractive woman who enjoys being with men, Roz is often the butt of jokes about her promiscuity. During the show's run, Roz is often worried about her appearance as she ages and worries that she will never fall in love and get married. She has several brief flings with coworkers, including Bulldog Briscoe (much to her later regret). On one occasion, she even sleeps with Frasier, but while they are mutually attracted they agree that their relationship works best as friends. Roz is also lusted after by co-worker Noel Shempsky, although the feeling is not mutual by any means.
Early in the series Roz and Frasier have a rather strained relationship, but as the show goes on they become extremely close, often consoling each other through hard times. Nevertheless, the teasing, sardonic element continues through their friendship.
Roz has a constantly antagonistic relationship with Frasier's brother, Niles; she teases him about his dandy-like qualities and snobbery, while he teases her about her abundance of partners. Their mutual bickering fades gradually as the series progresses and they become more friendly, although it never completely vanishes.
Roz is closer to Frasier's father Martin. While Frasier and Niles are interested in high culture, Roz and Martin shared a more down-to-earth view of life, and grew close over the series. Roz was often invited to join Martin's poker games, which his own sons weren't invited to.
Roz also was close to Martin's physical therapist Daphne, due to the fact that they were the only two women who were constant in the Crane men's life.
In 1997, Roz becomes pregnant after a brief romance with 20-year-old Rick Garrett, a waiter at Cafe Nervosa, and has a daughter, Alice May Doyle, the following year. Roz is horrified when she meets Rick's parents and discovers they have huge noses; since Roz had her own anatomical peculiarities growing up (she had her ears pinned and had a lazy eye), she is very worried their child will be hideous. After Alice is born, Bulldog often babysits her.
In 2004, Roz becomes station manager of KACL after the previous manager, Kenny Daley, decides to become a DJ again.
| Frasier characters |
|---|
| Main characters: Frasier Crane | Niles Crane | Martin Crane | Daphne Moon | Roz Doyle | Eddie the dog
Recurring characters: Maris Crane | Bob 'Bulldog' Briscoe | Lilith Sternin | Bebe Glazer |
