Two decades after his beloved character signed off the airwaves, Kelsey Grammer is finally serving up second helpings of tossed salad and scrambled eggs. The Frasier revival is now in production, after nearly a decade in development – despite some crucial absences. David Hyde Pierce has declined to return as Frasier’s neurotic brother Niles, while John Mahoney, who played their irascible but charming ex-cop father Martin, died in 2018. Factor in Grammer’s outspoken Trumpism, which complicates the legacy of his defining role, and fans may be forgiven for feeling trepidatious. But early reports suggest there may be reasons for optimism over the return of TV’s favourite Freudian.
After 11 seasons set in Seattle, in an apartment overlooking the city’s Space Needle no less, Frasier is returning to Boston, to reconquer his old Cheers-era stomping ground. “He left with his tail between his legs a little bit,” Grammer said in a recent interview. The 80s bar-room sitcom’s co-creator James Burrows, who also directed the original Frasier pilot, is confirmed to direct the first two episodes of the revival – but the rest finds the good doctor on pastures new.
Co-starring is Only Fools and Horses actor Nicholas Lyndhurst, who appeared alongside Grammer in the English National Opera’s Man of La Mancha in 2019. According to a report in Variety, Lyndhurst will play Frasier’s “old college buddy” Alan, a boozy British professor whose “mischievous streak might be just what Frasier could use to shake up his routine”.
Meanwhile, Jack Cutmore-Scott, who starred as a magician consulting for the FBI in ABC’s Deception, will play Frasier’s son Freddy. Now grown up, he’s a firefighter seeking “a chance to repair old wounds” with his dad. Jess Salgueiro, known for Canadian comedy drama Workin’ Mums, is Freddy’s roommate Eve. And, while Niles and Daphne may be absent, their son will make an appearance instead, played by newcomer Anders Keith.
The elements are there; hilarity may well ensue. But what made the original series such an enduring hit – and is it even possible for a revival to recapture the magic? We asked top writers and comedians, all of them superfans, to respond to Frasier re-entering the building.
‘Bring back Lana the vulgar prom queen’
James Graham, writer whose recent hits include Sherwood and Tammy Faye: A New Musical
Like everyone else watching Frasier, I just wanted to live in that apartment. My God, that view! Growing up, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you where Seattle was, only that it was where Frasier, Martin, Niles and Eddie the jack russell terrier lived. I grew up in a working-class house but, for some reason, we too drank sherry by the gallon. Frasier and Niles’s obsession with it made me think it was so refined, even though ours was £5 plonk.
I became a hardcore fan more through the endless repeats. Giddy moments of joy include: Martin’s Hot’n’Foamy shaving cream exploding over Niles: any time Frasier purses his lips in bashfulness; and the beach-house gourmet party where the brothers have to remove a rotting dead seal, dropping it back in the sea weighed down with a lamp that turns on or off should anyone clap. My favourite guest character, in an incomparable roll call, was Jean Smart as the loud and vulgar prom queen Lana. Please bring her back!
Sherwood is available on iPlayer
‘Grammer’s Trumpism makes me uncomfortable’
Josie Long, comedian, actor and TV panellist
Some people say Frasier went downhill after Daphne and Niles got together but I don’t think so. I love those characters. I love to sit with them and enjoy their story again. There are so many wonderful episodes. It’s so rich in its plotting and farce. I’d love to see more. However, Grammer’s flirtations with Trumpism make me slightly uncomfortable. You do wonder how it might come out in the reboot.
I rewatched it all recently and it still felt very contemporary. The stances taken are thoughtful and progressive. While the characters are privileged, they’re not the cast of Succession: these are middle-class people with cultural capital. That’s who the right now consider to be “elite”, especially in the US. I hope that the reboot doesn’t come with some new agenda, like Frasier telling “home truths” about how young people are clueless, and if they’d just work harder they’d be successful. Nor would I like to see Frasier being best friends with Elon Musk, or criticising “wokeness”.
That would all go against the original, which celebrated intellectualism and high art. Sure, Frasier and Niles might have been pompous and pretentious, but the show was still saying that opera, ballet, literature and classical music are important. It would be great, in this day and age, to have a mainstream sitcom whose characters unashamedly love those things. And as psychologists, Frasier and Niles always took their work – helping people – seriously.
Those are the Frasier values, which the right today is against. In its day, the series felt unifying, something progressives and Conservatives could enjoy equally. My grandma was a Tory and she loved Frasier. But politics has changed, inequality is so much sharper. The Crane brothers were supposed to be middle class, but the number of people who are middle class in that way in the UK today is tiny, while the majority are struggling. Those points of overlap aren’t there any more.
However, while Frasier was a beautiful, warm-hearted, caring show, Frasier himself was among the less caring characters. Especially in the later seasons, he was getting more self-absorbed and absurd. It does leave me wondering how they are going to get the magic back, that sweetness.
While the reboot’s certainly not going to be the same, it could still be lovely and warm-hearted. I’m going to hope for the best. It could take on the culture war in a way liberals might agree with. The Frasier of the past would not have tolerated bigotry. He would be defending the arts and funding for opera. When all’s said and done, Grammer brought that character to life. I assume he still has love and enthusiasm for him. So of course I’m going to watch it. Even if it’s absolutely shit.
Josie Long is touring the UK with new show Re-Enchantment
‘Let’s see him tackle today’s mental health issues’
Emmanuel Sonubi, former bouncer nominated for best comedy newcomer at the 2022 Edinburgh fringe
When I heard about the revival, I immediately began bingeing the original. The jokes are still hilarious. Not once did I think: “That was funny for the time, but you couldn’t do that now” – unlike with some other shows. (You know what I’m talking about: a hit series that ran for 10 seasons and had a wishy-washy character whose name rhymes with Cross.)
Frasier still holds up, in comedy and relevance, because many of the topics, even in the first season, are still discussed today: trolling, mortality, partnerships, regret and the public perception of oneself. As a writer looking at it through the lens of 2023, I’d stick to what has worked – making it about the characters. My first thought was if he would still be a radio host, or would be focusing instead on making his new podcast climb to the top of the Spotify charts?
This could be an opportunity to be more controversial. It would be interesting to see Frasier’s approach to modern discussions of mental health, influenced by his late father, sadly no longer seated in that armchair. Rarely does a spin-off surpass its original, but I reckon Frasier has this in the bag. I just hope they keep their tradition of amazing cameos.
Emmanuel Sonubi is touring the UK from April
‘Will he cry a single hot tear for Lilith?’
Imogen West-Knights, writer shortlisted for the 2017 Portobello prize
I never know how to justify the degree to which I love Frasier. Perhaps love isn’t even the right word. It’s more that I am in a dysfunctional thrall to the show. If I find myself watching Frasier, all is not well in my life. I’m watching the show because I need to be whacked around the head by something soothing and familiar. I put it on, hear Grammer singing that ridiculous song and think: “Here they are, my snooty little family.”
Perhaps I do not need new episodes. I fear the worst for this reboot. Admittedly, part of Dr Crane’s charm was that he was a little out of touch with the modern world. But he would be in his 70s today. Are we expected to endure Frasier’s opinions about how kids these days all claim to have ADHD? Or worse, about “ethical non-monogamy”? Or worse still, OnlyFans?
My real dread, however, is about the rest of the cast. Niles isn’t going to be in it. No Daphne either. The actor who played Martin has died. Even the dog has died. How will the show explain that Frasier doesn’t see his brother, with whom he used to be joined at the hip? Can these absences be anything other than depressing?
Are we to see Frasier in a box at the opera, turning to remark that American productions so rarely understand the particular Mitteleuropean humour of Die Fledermaus – and the light leaving his eyes as they land on the empty seat next to him? Will we see him at his ex-wife Lilith’s funeral, insulting her unconvincingly under his breath as a single hot tear rolls down his cheek? Is he going to fail to connect with his grown son, who is either a miniature Crane brother and ghostly reminder of Niles’s new distance, or like really into crypto? Baby, I hear the blues a-callin’.
FAQs
Is the Frasier reboot really happening? ›
Frasier is being rebooted by Paramount, who produced the original series, and will stream exclusive on Paramount+. Kelsey Grammer had been in talks with the studio since 2018 about reviving the sitcom, and confirmed a deal was in the works in 2021.
What is Frasier reboot? ›Frasier will mark Kelsey Grammer's return to his beloved character, Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist with a radio talk show where he does his best to offer advice and answer some of life's toughest questions for his callers.
Who will be back for Frasier reboot? ›Who is in the Frasier reboot cast? Frasier is going to be awfully lonely in the reboot. Kelsey Grammer is the only returning cast member from the original series. But he won't be alone because he's got a new crew, including his son (who has grown!), to keep him company.
Will Frasier reboot have Niles? ›If their absence was not enough of a blow to Frasier fans, the upcoming sequel series has cast the role of their son, David Crane. Not only will the Frasier reboot suffer without Niles and Daphne, but including their son will surely make the series worse.
Did everyone get along on Frasier? ›The cast of Frasier were notably close. Grammer calls Pierce the brother he never had. Along with the late John Mahoney, who played their dad, Martin, Pierce is godfather to Leeves's son.
Is Frasier coming back in 2023? ›Frasier (/ˈfreɪʒər/) is an upcoming American television sitcom. A revival and spin-off of the original series Frasier, featuring the character of Frasier Crane, who originated on Cheers in the 1980s before being spun off into his own show in the '90s. It is due to air on Paramount+ in mid-2023.
Why do they show pictures of actors at the end of Frasier? ›At the end of every season of Frasier, you may remember a series of black and white photographs flash in front of the screen over the ending credits. These are pictures of the celebrities that provided the voices for the callers on the Dr. Frasier Crane Show on KACL.
Why was Roz pregnant on Frasier? ›Unlike many other series where characters' pregnancies were written in to accommodate the actress becoming pregnant in real life, this was not the case with Roz. Hers was purely a storyline invention, Peri Gilpin was not pregnant in real life.
Why did they spin-off Frasier? ›The main show featured a "street-smart" Hispanic live-in nurse who would clash with the main character. While Grammer liked the concept, Paramount Television disliked it, and suggested that the best route would be to spin off the Frasier Crane character.
Who turned down the role of Frasier Crane? ›Actor John Lithgow turned down the role of TV favourite Dr. Frasier Crane, because he was too snooty for the small screen at the time. The Terms of Endearment star reveals the role of the Cheers cha…
Did Roz leave Frasier? ›
After Daphne's mother leaves, Daphne breaks down in tears and Niles convinces Daphne's mother to live in her own apartment. Roz gives Frasier an ultimatum to choose her or Julia, with Frasier choosing the latter. Heartbroken, Roz quits KACL and takes up her new position.
Who did Frasier end up with at the end of the series? ›Intended to appear for only a few episodes, Grammer's performance for the role was praised by producers, prompting them to expand his role and to increase his prominence. Later in Cheers, Frasier marries Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth) and has a son, Frederick.
Why is Niles not going to be in the Frasier reboot? ›According to Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce decided not to return as Niles on Paramount+'s revival of Frasier because he didn't want to repeat his performance of the character.
Why did Niles have heart surgery? ›Niles must have a bypass heart surgery. As the main characters wait for Niles, they experience flashbacks of their visits at the hospital including; 1. Niles is injured from an accident caused by Fraiser as kids and Fraiser bribes Niles not to tell by giving him an Archie comic.
Is Daphne going to be in the new Frasier? ›While it's finally happening on Paramount+, the upcoming Frasier reboot will sadly not feature beloved characters like Niles, Daphne, or Roz.
How much money did Eddie the dog get paid in Frasier? ›Check out this famous millionaire pet. Moose, the celebrity Jack Russell Terrier most famous for his role as Eddie on the television sitcom Frasier, earned around $10,000 per episode, for a net worth of approximately $3.2 million. Apparently, Moose received more fan mail than any of his human counterparts.
Why did Daphne leave Frasier in Season 8? ›However, she was pregnant earlier in the show. In season 8 the actress got pregnant and it was simply written into the show as a weight gain.
What is the funniest episode of Frasier? ›- The Seal Who Came to Dinner. ...
- High Holidays. (Season 11, Episode 11) ...
- The Two Mrs. Cranes. ...
- Back Talk. (Season 7, Episode 10) ...
- The Dinner Party. (Season 6, Episode 17) ...
- My Coffee With Niles. (Season 1, Episode 24) ...
- The Innkeepers. (Season 2, Episode 23) ...
- The Ski Lodge. (Season 5, Episode 14)
...
| Daphne Moon | |
|---|---|
| Frasier character | |
| First appearance | "The Good Son" |
| Last appearance | "Goodnight, Seattle" |
| Portrayed by | Jane Leeves |
Grammer as Frasier returns to Boston with a new cast: Jack Cutmore-Scott as Frasier's son, Freddy; Nicholas Lyndhurst as Frasier's old college buddy turned university professor, Alan; Toks Olagundoye as Alan's colleague and head of the university psychology department, Olivia; Jess Salguerio as Freddy's roommate, Eve; ...
When did Eddie get replaced on Frasier? ›
But Grammer notes that Eddie was already recast during the show's run -- Moose played him from 1993 to 2000 before his son Enzo took over until the show ended in 2004.
Was Frasier filmed in a real apartment? ›In Seattle, Fraiser moves into a large condo in Elliott Bay Towers (which does not exist in the real world). Located on the 19th floor in apartment 1901, the property is comprised of three bedrooms, extensive reception areas and adjacent kitchen, all with panoramic views of Seattle including the famous Space Needle.
Did they drink alcohol on Frasier? ›Martin can be seen with a beer in his hand almost every episode. Frasier and Niles continually drink wine, sherry and other 'high-class' alcoholic drinks. Drunkenness is rarely shown. Characters smoke cigarettes and cigars occasionally, though not frequently.
What was the twist at the end of Frasier? ›Frasier finishes his story just as the plane lands, giving viewers a surprise: Frasier was landing in Chicago, where Charlotte had moved, and not to San Francisco.
Did Frasier and Lilith have a child? ›...
Lilith Sternin.
| Dr. Lilith Sternin | |
|---|---|
| Children | Frederick Crane (son, with Frasier) |
| Relatives | Martin Crane (ex-father-in-law) Niles Crane (ex-brother-in-law) |
| Religion | Judaism |
Daphne Sported An Actual Baby Bump
So much so that she put on weight and even sported a bulging tummy for the majority of Season 8. In real life, Jane Leeves was pregnant at the time, and Daphne getting fat was written into the show to explain her baby bump.
Sometime after this, Lilith moves in with Frasier and they get married in 1987. In the Cheers episode "The Stork Brings a Crane," Lilith gives birth to her and Frasier's son, Frederick in the back of taxi (though the birth happens off-screen).
Was Frasier filmed in front of an audience? ›There shouldn't be doubts that Frasier is filmed in front of a live audience.
Was Frasier filmed in Seattle? ›Frasier Locations
This fabulous series was not shot in Seattle, as the show suggests, but filmed on sound stage sets in Los Angeles. There is only one exception to the filming rule in Frasier, which is the 100th episode called 'The 1000th Show' on the series. The 1000th Show was episode 5 of season 5.
Other ViacomCBS shows are also exiting Hulu in January including The Twilight Zone, Twin Peaks, I Love Lucy and others. However, many more remain for the time being, including popular shows like Cheers, Frasier, and CSI.
What was Frasier Crane's salary? ›
| Pay Rank | TV DAD | BASE SALARY (in 2005 $) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Heathcliff Huxtable | $237,932 |
| 13 | Tim Taylor | $191,526 |
| 14 | George Baxter | $178,880 |
| 15 | Frasier Crane | $164,644 |
The majority of Kelsey Grammer's wealth comes from his time on the hit NBC show Frasier. For the final two seasons of the show, Grammer was reportedly paid $1.6 million per episode for each 24-episode season. At the time, that price tag set the record for the highest-paid TV actor of all time.
Who is Frasier's secret admirer? ›Storyline. A giddy Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) mistakenly believes he's the object of a secret female admirer's affection, and even though he's squiring around an attractive new woman (guest star Grace Phillips) who adores him, he sneakily rings up every number in his little black book hoping to double his pleasure.
Why did Roz quit? ›In a release, Weston explained why he's leaving the show. “Two years ago, like everyone, I went into lockdown not knowing what to expect or who I'd be at the end of it all,” stated Weston. “For sixteen months, I channelled that uncertainty into creativity and wrote a book – my memoir, A Little Bit Broken.
Did Roz and Frasier ever sleep together? ›On one occasion, she almost sleeps with Frasier while at a conference, but they agree their relationship works best as friends. Roz and Frasier do eventually sleep together in season 9, episode 23: "The Guilt Trippers". Roz also is lusted after by co-worker Noel Shempsky, although the feeling is not reciprocated.
Who auditioned for Roz on Frasier? ›Lisa Kudrow was supposed to appear as Roz Doyle on Frasier, but the role eventually went to Peri Gilpin.
Who ends up with Daphne on Frasier? ›In the end, Niles decides the proposal doesn't need all the bells and whistles—just the two of them (finally) together.
Who does Martin marry at the end of Frasier? ›By the end of the show, Martin reacquaints himself with Ronee Lawrence, a woman who, as a teenager babysat Frasier and Niles. They become involved in a romance, which escalates into a marriage proposal. The ceremony takes place in the final episode of the series, establishing a new chapter in Martin's life.
Was Daphne pregnant in real life in Frasier? ›Daphne is single and a newly realized love interest of long-simmering admirer Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce), so Leeves had to disguise her real-life pregnancy in the usual "stand behind something" method. Peri Gilpin, who plays Roz on Frasier, was with Leeves in the delivery room, according to People.
Why is Maris not in Frasier? ›This was primarily because they didn't want viewers to think that Frasier was simply riffing off with what Cheers did with Vera, Norm's (George Wendt) wife, who was often mentioned but never made it on screen. They planned on debuting Maris in episode 3, but the gag became too funny that they stuck with it.
Which main character never appeared in Frasier? ›
Maris Crane is Niles Crane's wife for much of the series, though she is never fully seen onscreen (much like Norm Peterson's wife, Vera, on Cheers). She is the most notable of the show's never-seen characters, and often the subject of many jokes.
Did Niles sleep with Lilith? ›He exhorts Niles to help him resist temptation, particularly when she goes to dinner with them wearing a very revealing new dress. Ironically, after getting drunk, it is Niles and Lilith who sleep together in her hotel room.
Did Niles really make the basketball shot? ›Niles is selected to attempt the halftime half-court shot, and miraculously makes it, drinking in the adoration of Martin and the rest of Seattle. Frasier receives tickets to the Sonics game and goes with Martin and Niles.
What is Niles IQ? ›According to the IQ tests taken when they were children, the brothers learn that Frasier's (Kelsey Grammer) IQ is 129 and Niles' (David Hyde Pierce) IQ is 156.
Is there a new series of Frasier in 2023? ›Frasier (/ˈfreɪʒər/) is an upcoming American television sitcom. A revival and spin-off of the original series Frasier, featuring the character of Frasier Crane, who originated on Cheers in the 1980s before being spun off into his own show in the '90s. It is due to air on Paramount+ in mid-2023.
Who is coming back for Frasier Revival? ›Neuwirth marks the first confirmed original series cast member to join Grammer for the revival. Other cast members include Nicholas Lyndhurst, Toks Olagundoye, Jess Salgueiro, and Anders Keith. During an interview with PEOPLE in Nov. 2022, Grammer revealed that the revival has been in the works for quite some time now.
Is David Hyde Pierce doing Frasier reboot? ›Why David Hyde Pierce Isn't Returning As Niles In The Frasier Reboot. According to Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce decided not to return as Niles on Paramount+'s revival of Frasier because he didn't want to repeat his performance of the character.
Will Lilith be in Frasier reboot? ›Paramount+ has confirmed Bebe Neuwirth, who played Lilith Sternin in the original and on "Cheers," will return for the "Frasier" revival.
Who turned down the role of Frasier on Cheers? ›John Lithgow was originally chosen by Cheers producers for the role, but turned it down. Grammer believed that he had failed the audition because no one laughed, but was chosen because of the quality of his performance with Danson.
Did they replace Eddie on Frasier? ›But Grammer notes that Eddie was already recast during the show's run -- Moose played him from 1993 to 2000 before his son Enzo took over until the show ended in 2004.
How much did David Hyde Pierce make per episode of Frasier? ›
The next highest paid cast member, David Hyde Pierce, who portrayed Frasier's younger brother Niles, was reportedly earning around $750,000 an episode for the 10th season and $1 million an episode for the 11th.
Was Daphne pregnant in real life during Frasier? ›The baby that Niles and Daphne have at the end of the show is not a result of a real life pregnancy of Jane Leeves, the actress who plays Daphne. However, she was pregnant earlier in the show. In season 8 the actress got pregnant and it was simply written into the show as a weight gain.