Frasier is back as Kelsey Grammer returns alongside Only Fools And Horses actor
Oh what fresh hell is this? Another reboot? You can almost hear snobby psychiatrist Frasier Crane saying these exact words.
Nearly two decades after Frasier ended, the megahit American sitcom gets the reboot treatment, with Kelsey Grammer himself returning to the lead role. Grammer originated the role in Cheers during the 1980s, before the beloved character got his own spin-off in 1993 and Frasier became an even more successful sitcom.
It ran for 11 seasons, pulling in millions of viewers worldwide and scooping 37 Emmy awards, before it wrapped in 2004. For years, there have been rumours of a comeback, but now it finally lands on Paramount+ this week, and here is everything you need to know…
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Where will it be set?
Kelsey Grammer (left), pictured with co-stars Jess Salgueiro (centre) and Jack Cutmore-Scott (right), returns in the revival of Frasier (AP/Paramount+)The revival takes Frasier back to Boston, Massachusetts, where Cheers was set, and will explore new storylines while maintaining that classic Frasier nostalgia.
Frasier reboot begins filming this week as Kelsey Grammer heads to studio in LA
The character's new location was revealed in a social media post by Paramount+ which included mocked-up first class boarding passes showing Frasier Crane's details on a flight from Seattle to Boston. Though it later is revealed he's been living in Chicago.
Producers confirmed: "The new series follows Dr Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two to finally fulfill."
It is yet to be revealed whether Frasier will return to his old haunt, the Cheers bar, or whether any old pals will make a cameo - but Grammer has hinted we might see some of them. Surely producers have given Ted Danson a call…
Who is back from the original cast?
The actor played Frasier Crane in the eponymous sitcom, which came following his stint in Cheers (Pamela Littky/Paramount+)It's all change, with sadly most of the orginal cast pretty much absent. David Hyde Pierce, who played Frasier's equally neurotic brother Dr. Niles Crane, has expressed that he didn't have an interest in reprising the character.
David, who has since enjoyed huge success on Broadway, said: "I don't have a strong feeling that there's anything more that I can think of that I need to say about the character."
Similarly, Jane Leeves, who starred as housekeeper and physical therapist Daphne Moon, the woman Niles was infatuated with, decided not to return. She originally stated she wanted to stick with her role in medical drama The Resident, though that show was then cancelled in January.
John Mahoney, who played Frasier and Niles' retired cop dad Martin Crane, most often seen sitting in his comfy old green armchair, died in 2018 aged 77 after complications from throat cancer.
Martin's beloved little dog Eddie, whose real name was Moose, died at the ripe old age of 16 back in 2006. We're yet to see if a new pet takes up residence with Frasier.
In better news, Bebe Neuwirth, who plays Frasier's cold, sardonic ex-wife Lilith Sternin, and Peri Gilpin, who plays Frasier's bubbly friend and radio producer Roz Doyle, are expected to make regular guest appearances.
Who is new to the cast?
The new cast includes Toks Olagundoye (left) and Nicholas Lyndhurst (right) (Chris Haston/Paramount+/PA Wire)With Grammer the only original cast member to remain in the core cast, there are plenty of new characters. Jack Cutmore-Scott plays Frasier's now grown-up son, Freddy.
Only Fools and Horses legend joins Frasier reboot opposite Kelsey Grammer
Nicholas Lyndhurst, best known to us Brits as Rodders in Only Fools And Horses, is the big new attraction for this show. He plays Frasier's old college buddy and now university professor Alan. Grammer and Lyndhurst once appeared together on stage in Man Of La Mancha at the London Coliseum in 2019.
Images of Frasier released by Paramount show the two actors drinking pints alongside newcomer Toks Olagundoye. She plays Olivia, Alan's colleague and head of the university psychology department. It seems the three are set to be the new coffee and rant buddies, previously a beloved trio of Frasier, Niles and Roz.
Jess Salgueiro plays Freddy's roommate, Eve, while Anders Keith plays Frasier's nephew (Niles's son) David.
Who are the showrunners?
Kelsey serves as an executive producer on the show, alongside starring in it (Paramount+)As well as reprising his role as Frasier Crane, Kelsey Grammer also serves as an executive producer on the show.
Director James Burrows, who co-created, exec produced and directed Cheers, has directed the first two episodes of Frasier. Burrows is the most nominated director in the history of television, and other credits include Will & Grace.
The writing team includes Chris Harris of How I Met Your Mother fame and Life in Pieces' writer Joe Cristalli. The show is filmed in front of a live studio audience at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. As with Cheers, most episodes of the original Frasier were also filmed at Paramount Studios.
What is the plot?
The new show follows Frasier and people in his life (Paramount+)Kelsey Grammer himself has billed this as a "third act" for Frasier, after a completely different cast must take the show in a new direction.
At the end of the original series, lots of loose ends were tied up and it was a happy ending for everyone. Marty got married to Ronee, Daphne and Niles welcomed baby David, Roz was made radio station manager and Frasier set off for Chicago.
Frasier had been dating Charlotte, played by Laura Linney, but she was moving to Chicago. In the final episode, it was revealed that Frasier would follow her there, taking a chance on love. But a couple of decades on, where has life taken them now?
The death of John Mahoney is immediately addressed, with Frasier mentioning his dad's recent funeral. As he arrives in Boston, Frasier is reunited with his son Freddy, who lives there. Desperate to reconnect with Freddy, he decides to take a job and apartment and move to Boston.
He is also reconnected with his old college friend Alan, an Englishman with the pomp and posh personality to fit in here. But, previously a therapist on a radio show, is Frasier still listening? A trailer teases: "No more callers. All new hang ups. Oh, what fresh start is this?"
A sneak preview…
Frasier, the revival, premieres this week on Paramount+ (Paramount+)That familiar city skyline drawing and jazzy music of the opening titles and we're straight back where we left off. Except that Frasier is at the airport, having just arrived in Boston.
"My God, you haven't aged a day," declares Alan, who is there to greet his old friend who is visiting to be a guest lecturer at Harvard University. And it's true, Frasier, played by a now 68-year-old Kelsey Grammer, doesn't appear to look that much older.
Immediately we are given lots of answers about what's been going on for Frasier. Alan asks how Frasier's father's funeral was. "It was a good send off, he'll be missed," sighs Frasier.
It also turns out that Frasier has spent the last 20 years living in Chicago with Charlotte and has become a big TV personality with his own talk show. But it seems Frasier felt it was time for the talk show to end - and Charlotte felt the same about her relationship with Frasier.
Frasier's nephew David has been travelling with him and is clearly a chip off the old block, referring to his anxiety, neuroses and his laminated card listing his allergies - filling the void left by Niles.
At the airport, Frasier clocks a poster that says "Boston's calling…are you listening?" and it's clear in that moment that he will end up staying for good - especially since his son Freddy lives there.
Freddy is all grown up. He's a firefighter, having ditched Harvard - something that went down like a lead balloon and still leaves an awkward tension in the air. He is not at all pleased to see his dad turn up unannounced and Frasier is taken aback to be introduced to Freddy's girlfriend, Eve.
Already there are plenty of issues for Frasier, who can't wait to do a therapy deep dive. The humour, set to the laughter of a live studio audience, is still there in the witty one-liners and culture clash charm. Frasier himself is the same as ever - pompous, wealthy, elitist with a good heart - and an even better drinks cabinet.
There are new issues and neat plot twists, but from the scene captions - Guess who's coming to dinner? - to the character types and scene set-ups, this is one big nostalgia hit. As the episodes play out to 'Tossed salad and scrambled eggs', just the final line 'They're callin' again' is changed. 'Life's callin' again', Grammer sings. Frasier has reentered the building.
Frasier premieres on Paramount+ on Friday 13th October.
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