A Newbie and Massive Fan Discuss the New ‘Frasier’ Reboot
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It’s Frasier Week at IndieWire. Grab some tossed salad and scrambled eggs, settle into your coziest easy chair, and join us. We’re listening.
Frasier Crane is back in our lives as of October 12, when a revival featuring the return of Kelsey Grammer’s iconic character debuts on Paramount+.
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IndieWire’s TV critic Ben Travers gave the revival series a “C” grade, writing, “Hearkening back to its broadcast roots, episodes are recorded in front of a live, studio audience, yet they run 26-29 minutes a piece, exhibiting the same streaming bloat that can slowly sink comedies. Good rapport surfaces on occasion, usually between Frasier and Alan, but most of the jokes are loud and obvious, broad and forced. When Frasier isn’t on screen, the show feels like a below-average sitcom — there’s no hook to it, nothing that makes these characters spring to life like Niles, Martin, and Daphne did decades ago.”
Here’s where I note a confession: Despite being one of the most beloved comedies of all time, the one-time NBC sitcom remains a blind spot for me. So when I dove into my screeners for the new version, I couldn’t help but wonder: Will the show work without bringing 20 years of nostalgia to the proceedings? After mainlining the first five episodes, I roped in my colleague (and massive “Frasier” fan) Samantha Bergeson for a discussion about the new show.
ERIN: Sam! As you know I’m brand-new to the “Frasier” world. So I read your catch up guide, but know that there were plenty of references and such I missed. Despite that, the show was very easy to follow for a newbie like me, likely helped by the fact that while the character of Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) remains, everyone else on this Paramount+ version is brand new: his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott), his nephew David (Anders Keith), and new colleague Alan (Nicholas Lyndhurst), among others. You and I have both seen five episodes of the new show, but we’ll limit detailed discussion to the first two episodes that are streaming now.
To kick things off: How did the show work overall for you?
SAM: Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily Grammer folded back into the role. I know he recently spoke about how the character of Frasier never really left him, and I also think it’s safe to say that Frasier has never really left the zeitgeist. What was slightly concerning to me, though, was how similar the first two episodes felt to “How I Met Your Mother” installments. I know that “HIMYM” alum Chris Harris is a writer on the reboot, but some of the scenes felt too slapstick to me, particularly with Frasier’s nephew David. Alan thankfully retains some of Niles’ poised sarcasm that made David Hyde Pierce’s performance the perfect foil to Grammer’s. But I couldn’t help but ask if the “Frasier” reboot serves as the barometer for how the sitcom format has changed since the series’ inception?
ERIN: Yeah, as someone who doesn’t watch many network sitcoms these days, the laughs felt a little jarring to me (though I think it settles more as the show relaxes into itself during the first handful of episodes). I assumed Alan was supposed to be a Niles-type foil….were there analogous kids on the original show, or is watching Frasier with his adult son and nephew a new dynamic the show is exploring? How do you think that aspect is working?
SAM: There definitely were no kids on the original series, but as Frasier is now the patriarch of the Crane family following the passing of dad Martin (as well as the actor who played him, John Mahoney, in real life), I think the dynamic of seeing Frasier more in a parenting role gives a fresh flavor to the series. I never watched ‘Cheers,’ but Freddy is rarely in ‘Frasier’ as he lives in Boston with his mother Lilith. I think the revival series strikes the right balance of honoring characters who are no longer on the series like Niles and Martin, or guest stars like Lilith who is set to return to the show in a similar capacity. “Frasier” has just enough references to feel as though Frasier exists in the real world; it’s not a “starting from scratch” kind of reboot, which I appreciate as a long-time fan. It’s just interesting to see how different revival series ranging from “And Just Like That” to “iCarly” pay tribute to their respective origins.
That being said, Niles’ son is a bit too annoying for my personal taste, which seems to take the wrong lessons from Pierce’s character. What about you? Do you think this works as an entry point to the series?
ERIN: Sure! I think it was smart to move the show to another city, and given that the original show dealt with family (right?) it makes sense for a “next generation” thing to be happening on this one. I’m curious how much they are going to continue to talk about David being Niles’ son with David Hyde Pierce set to not appear on the show at all. Feels a little like something obvious is missing, a la Samantha (Kim Cattrall) not coming back for “And Just Like That” and the Sam-shaped hole that is missing. Is David Niles-like or is the Alan character filling that role?
Separately, I have to say that overall — a bit to my surprise — I found myself charmed by this whole endeavor. The slapstick, the hijinks, the wordplay….there are worse ways to spend 30 minutes, and as mentioned I do think the show improves as it goes and is able to perhaps relax a bit. I’m curious if there were any nods or references to the original I missed in the first few episodes, as well as what has been your favorite aspect so far.
SAM: Oh my gosh, well if the revival charmed you, the original is a must-see then! The wordplay is the foundation of my “Frasier” love, and I thought it came across well with Alan being the snarkier supporting character that Niles once was. I completely agree, though, it is odd to not have Niles and Daphne on the series while still referencing them. It seems as though the showrunners tried to have David be an equal composite of both of his parents, as Frasier briefly mentions in the pilot episode. But quite frankly, David is the worst parts of Niles and Daphne: He has Daphne’s frazzled demeanor coupled with Niles’ insecurities, which — in a college-age character — comes across more shrill than endearing. As for the original show, while it most definitely dealt with family, I am kind of missing the single, unlucky-in-love Frasier on the prowl element, with his love life being such a fun component — as well as a source of a lot of the wordplay. I hope Freddy’s romantic endeavors don’t become the only rom-com aspect of the series, as the triangle between his roommate Eve (Jess Salguerio) and Frasier’s boss, played by Toks Olagundoye (a stand-in for fan favorite Roz, who will be back for one episode later this season!), seems to be a large portion of the drama ahead.
I do appreciate the comedy of errors being continued, though. I think the first episode showed it best thus far with Frasier being convinced Freddy was hiding a secret grandchild, and his first reaction is to add fuel to the fire by guilting Freddy into confessing. That pettiness is what makes Frasier great! I also hope we see Frasier getting some comeuppance from the new generation, perhaps one of his more outspoken students criticizing Frasier’s take on a contemporary issue. That push-pull of modern sensibilities with practical reactions is what made “Frasier” so fun to watch — and appealing to such a wide range of audiences. What do you hope to see more of this season, and do you think the already-announced guest appearances from Lillith and Roz will distract from a revival series that stands pretty solidly on its own thus far?
ERIN: I’m curious how much set-up for newbies like me will be provided (I wouldn’t know Roz, for example) versus just understanding if you’re actually watching the revival you are expected to know those people. Because I will watch practically anything with a will they/won’t they arc, I’m of course curious to see what develops between Freddy and just-a-roommate Eve. But honestly, this series did make me want to finally check out the original “Frasier” (because I just don’t have enough current things to watch!) so in that way….well done, Paramount. The original is also streaming on Paramount+. Will you keep watching, or just stick with the original for now?
SAM: I’m surprised to say it, but yes, I do think my nostalgia for the original “Frasier” has led me to become a fan of the reboot. Just as Grammer re-recorded the classic theme song, these tossed salads and scrambled eggs are calling again…and I certainly will be listening (and watching).
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