Now that the strikes are over, actors and creators are able to jump back in with both feet and promote the projects they are working on. Kelsey Grammer is thrilled to be able to do so, as he rolls out the first season of his rebooted Frasier series. When talking to Variety about what it’s like returning to play his most iconic role, Grammer gets teary and gushes about the fact that he is able to work with Cheers and Frasier creator James Burrows again, who is a dear friend of his.
He also talks about the fact that one of the most talked about and highly debated parts of the reboot in fan forums has been Frasier’s wardrobe! The new Frasier has traded in his designer suits for sneakers and jeans, and Grammer comments on the decision, saying:
“I did think it was a natural progression for him. But also natural for me. People didn’t talk about it much during the old iteration of the show. But my feet were always an issue. And I had a couple of podiatrists years ago notice on the show, asking ‘what’s going on with your feet?’ I have a gait issue, it’s just because I have really, really bad ankles. It’s OK, but it’s a little easier to wear those shoes than it is to wear a bunch of custom made brogues and all that.”
Besides updating Frasier’s wardrobe, the revival seems effortlessly tailor-made for Grammer. Burrows said that when Grammer returned to play the role, in front of a live audience, “Kelsey had them in the palm if his hand.” That’s why the star is ready to go the distance with this iteration of “Frasier” as well.
“I think we should go to another 100 episodes at least. There’s enough groundwork laid between these human beings; they are wonderful characters. I want to see where they go. And I want to see what happens to Frasier.”
In the new series, the character has wrapped his successful daytime TV show and has moved back to Boston to reconnect with his grown son, Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott), and nephew David (Anders Keith). An old Oxford chum, Alan (Nicholas Lyndhurst), soon convinces him to try his hand as a Harvard instructor, in a psychology department run by Olivia (Toks Olagundoye). The series also sees the return of Bebe Neuwirth as Frasier’s ex, Lilith, and Peri Gilpin as his former radio producer, Roz.
As for whether or not we will ever see David Hyde Pierce return to play Frasier’s brother, Dr. Niles Crane, Grammer says he did approach him for a complete return to the series early on in development, and Pierce said he was not interested in returning to play the character. But when asked if maybe he could be seen in a cameo later down the road as the series progresses, Grammer responded:
“I mean, we have Niles’ son on the show. It would be nice to have that happen. We won’t force it; we’ll see what happens. We can certainly write to it. There’s arguably a lot of people in the world that have seen ‘Frasier,’ and would really sort of celebrate seeing him again.”
Niles was my favorite character in the original series. He was so ridiculous and such a physical comedian. If you want to see one of the best comedic episodes of television, do yourself a favor and watch Frasier, season 6, episode 14, “Three Valentines.” That whole series is so great. I hope the new series is just as funny and endearing, and we do see it go for 100 episodes or more.
