There’s a brand new update on the long-gestating Frasier reboot, but it hints that the Kelsey Grammer-spearheaded project is in big trouble.
The Frasier reboot, based on a new update involving former Frasier cast members David Hyde Pierce and Bebe Neuwirth, seems to be in big trouble. As one of the seminal sitcoms from the ’90s, it makes sense that Frasier is being brought back almost two decades since it wrapped up. Frasier star and producer Kelsey Grammer has been leading the efforts to bring the Cranes back into the small screen. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like things are going his way, at least according to the latest comments from his former co-stars, Pierce and Neuwirth, who respectively played Niles and Lilith in the sitcom.
The Frasier reboot’s plot remains a mystery, but there are hints that it’s about Frasier Crane’s new life in Chicago following the series finale. As Grammer himself explains, “The first principle is that it is a different story, basically. The same group of characters, but in a different setting. Something has changed in their lives… [Frasier]’s past the radio show.” It would seem that “Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs” – the iconic Frasier theme song that refers to the callers on his radio show – will need to be replaced for the reboot. In fact, given Grammer’s comments, as well as certain developments related to the show, many elements from the original series could be replaced. Specific plot details are still scant at the moment, although Grammer has also previously revealed that the upcoming project will see its titular character’s third act.
The Frasier reboot has long been in the making. The series ended in 2004, Grammer was already talking about the project as early as 2017, but no official word about the Frasier reboot came out until it was officially ordered by Paramount+ in 2021. The actor is confirmed to reprise his radio psychiatrist character, Frasier Crane — originally introduced in Cheers, but no additional castings have been announced, yet. As exciting as this is, however, there are questions about who will join him in the new streaming sitcom.
Niles And Lilith Probably Won’t Be In The Frasier Reboot
At this point, it doesn’t seem like Niles and Lilith are part of the Frasier revival, at least based on Pierce and Neuwirth’s new comments. The pair are currently promoting their new HBO show Julia and were recently asked about what they know about the Paramount+ project. Unfortunately, both claim that they aren’t involved in it. In fact, all they know is that Grammer is working on it.
Although they’re supportive of the endeavor, their comments are indicative of the real status of the Frasier revival. It seems like even after a substantial amount of time, Grammer and his team continue to struggle to crack the story for the sitcom. If they have already locked the narrative, the project’s cast would’ve already been confirmed, and since Grammer has been clear about his intentions of bringing back his old c0-stars, Pierce and/or Neuwirth should’ve already been invited at this point.
When Is The Frasier Reboot Coming Out
Paramount+ has yet to give the Frasier reboot a release date. But, Grammer teased that it might premiere sometime in early 2022 back in mid-2021. It’s safe to say that it isn’t going to be the case since the production of the show hasn’t even started yet. But to make things worse, it seems like it would be a much longer wait since Grammer doesn’t seem to have the basic premise locked yet given Pierce and Neuwirth’s comments. But, if that isn’t the case and both actors are intentionally excluded from the project, that would still pose problems for the Frasier reboot.
Despite having a singular titular character, a big part of the sitcom’s success in its original 11 seasons was the supporting characters. Niles even had a clearer overarching narrative than his older brother. Meanwhile, as Frasier’s ex-wife, with whom he shares a son, Lilith is intrinsic to his arc. Not seeing either of them in the reboot would be a massive disappointment. Aside from the fact that it might take a while before it actually gets released, it might not be anything similar to what the original series was, especially without supporting characters like Niles and Lilith.
Is The Frasier Reboot Heading Toward Disappointment?
The Frasier reboot is definitely still in development, but long-time fans of the iconic sitcom need to temper expectations, as it seems to be headed in a starkly different direction than the original. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing: Kelsey Grammer’s comeback as Frasier Crane is loaded with risk, but change and risk could be exactly what the Frasier reboot needs. After nearly twenty years since Frasier ended in 2004, Frasier Crane is far from being the only intelligent, funny, and pretentious snob on television. This played-out archetype – Frasier Crane’s comedic bread and butter – has been extensively used in the last decades by shows like Big Bang Theory, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Shrink Next Door, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Although Frasier undoubtedly influenced these shows, a Frasier revival with a near-identical format to the original would look derivative today – unless the reboot somehow subverts or twists the sitcom genre into something new. After all, while Frasier himself fits a comedic archetype, the series is known for subverting expectations, surprisingly progressive LGBTQ+ representation, and shaping the groundwork for smarter mainstream comedy. Even if the Frasier reboot is most likely not going to be what many long-time fans are hoping for, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to disaster or the greatest ’90s sitcom revival of all time.
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