The importance of the reboot’s new main character has already been debunked by the original Frasier show. Paramount+ is bringing back Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane, on the small screen via the revival of the critically-acclaimed series. A spin-off of the equally revered sitcom, Cheers, the Seattle-based series followed Frasier as he moved from Boston to the Pacific Northwest to start a new life. Coming back to his hometown also meant that Frasier reconnected with his father, Martin Crane and brother, Niles Crane, while also starting from scratch as a radiotherapist. After more than a decade in Seattle, Frasier ended, with the character moving to the Midwest in Chicago.
Two decades since Frasier embarked on his third arc, Grammer’s iconic character is ready to begin his fourth act. Kicking things off with another move, the Frasier revival will be set in Boston, which means that its titular character will be back in his old Cheers stomping grounds. The change in setting means that reboot will feature an entirely new ensemble, with Niles and Daphne not set to return, while Lilith and Roz only due for a cameo. Frasier’s grown-up son, Freddy, will return and be prominently featured in the project. That being said, arguably the most intriguing cast member of the Frasier revival is Nicholas Lyndhurst’s Alan Cornwall.
The Frasier Reboot’s Alan Cornwall Is Supposedly Frasier’s First Friend
Specific plot details about the Frasier reboot are still tightly under wraps, but production of the first 10 episodes of the series has already wrapped up. Aside from playing its titular character, Grammer is also involved creatively, and he has teased fans about what to expect from the Paramount+ endeavor. While he is careful not to share spoilers. Grammer bills Alan as Frasier’s first friend. The idea for him was born after David Hyde Pierce turned down the invitation to return as Niles, which posed some challenges for Grammer and his team. They had to think outside the box for the series’ premise.
Grammer said that Alan is Inspired by the realization that Frasier has never had a good friend. While he regularly hung out with the people at Cheers for about a decade, he never really fit in with them. The only reason why he ended up in Sam Malone’s bar was because of his relationship with Diane. When she left Boston, Frasier continued to visit the bar, but it didn’t feel like he was truly accepted for who he is. Instead, he was always made fun of for his high-society taste and behavior. If anything, it was he who had to adjust to the rest of them.
Frasier Has Already Contradicted Cornwall’s Billing In The Reboot
When Frasier moved to Seattle, he had to build his own social circle. Unlike his time in Boston, he barely visited a bar when he came home. Instead, he frequented Cafe Nervosa and various dining options in Emerald City. Given this, it was quite difficult to mingle and meet new people. This was why he started spending so much time with Niles. The Crane brothers were always together, so it became a recurring joke in the original Frasier show. While they can be categorized as friends, they are first and foremost, brothers. That will always be their primary connection, especially since they somehow share the responsibility of looking over Martin.
Contrary to Grammer’s statement, his character has also had friends during his time in Seattle. Frasier himself named them in Frasier season 7, episode 10, “Back Talk,” which tackled the snobby psychiatrist ruminating about how his life had turned out on his birthday. While self-reflecting, he called both Roz and Daphne his friends. This effectively invalidates the idea that he never had any friends until he reconnects with Alan in the Frasier revival. Frasier’s own declaration in the original sitcom decreases the need and uniqueness of Lyndhurst’s Cornwall and his relationship with Frasier.
How The Frasier Reboot Can Fix Alan Cornwall’s Character
Just because Frasier has had friends before, it doesn’t mean that Alan will be useless in the revival. There is one easy way to make sure that he stands out from Frasier’s other pals. Based on the description of the character, Alan will also be an intellectual. He and Frasier first met in college and reconnected when the Crane eldest son. Now, he is a professor in Boston, which makes it easier for him and Frasier to hang out with each other again. Alan’s background is what separates him from Roz and Daphne as Frasier’s friends, and that should be the focus of the new Frasier show.
Alan will be Frasier’s first friend with the same wavelength. Frasier never really fit in with the Cheers crowd, and the only reason why he became friends with Daphne and Roz was because of their proximity. Had Roz not been his KACL producer and Daphne not been Marty’s home care worker, it’s unlikely that Frasier would encounter them. The closest that Frasier has had someone with similar preferences is Niles and even Lilith, but they’re family. Alan, on the other hand, is a pure friend to Frasier. They were peers in college and that turned into a friendship, which means that they have a lot of things in common.
Why Alan Cornwall Will Be Integral To The Frasier Reboot’s Success
While Alan’s role in the Frasier revival may be inaccurately described, there is no doubt that Lyndhurst’s character will be integral in the upcoming show. Frasier’s appeal has always been dependent on the people around him. On his own, he could come across as annoying and over-the-top. Surrounding him with a great ensemble that either highlights his great qualities or grounds him is key to making sure that he remains relatable and fun to watch. The Frasier reboot has already covered the familial aspect of the series. Despite the absence of Niles and the death of Martin, the Paramount+ show will feature Frasier’s grown-up son, Freddy.
However, the revival needs to be mindful that it doesn’t fall into the same trappings as its parent series. Despite being its titular character, Frasier lacked being focused on in the Seattle-based show. By the end of it, both Niles and Martin had clear arcs, but the oldest Crane son had remained the same. Focusing on his dynamic with Alan could help in this regard as Frasier could be more open with his thoughts knowing that his friend will understand them.
