“Hey baby, I hear the blues a-callin', tossed salad and scrambled eggs…”
If you know that line, then surely you were aFrasierfan back in the day, in which case this article is for you! Nearly three years after it wasfirst floated as a possibility, a revival of the beloved NBC series appears to be coming to fruition at Paramount Plus, the forthcoming streaming service from Viacom CBS.
ThoughFrasieraired on NBC for 11 seasons, the show is a Paramount property, which is why all 264 episodes are currently available to stream on CBS All Access.Frasieris considered one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, having won 37 Emmy Awards over the course of its run.
The series starsKelsey Grammeras Dr. Frasier Crane, a character he originated years before on Cheers.David Hyde Pierceco-starred as his younger brother, Dr. Niles Crane, a fellow psychiatrist, while the lateJohn Mahoneyplayed their father, Martin Crane. English actressJane Leevesco-starred as Daphne, Frasier’s live-in housekeeper who eventually became Niles' love interest, whilePeri Gilpinplayed Roz, who produced Frasier’s radio show.
Though aFrasierrevival has been in the works for several years, there are still several hurdles to clear. First, the cast has to sign off on the idea, as Grammer had previously indicated that “If it’s not a great show, and if we don’t hear a pitch that hits it out of the park, it probably won’t happen.” Next is the issue of compensation, as Grammer and his co-stars were paid top-dollar when the show was on NBC, and Paramount+ is unlikely to get a discount. Finally, there’s the issue of scheduling, as Grammer is set to star oppositeAlec Baldwinin an untitled multi-cam comedy for ABC, while Pierce is busy filming aJulia Childseries for HBO Max.
With those issues in mind, Deadline reports that if the revival is greenlit, production is unlikely to start before next year, thoughTV Linesuggests it could go before cameras as soon as this summer.Joe CristalliandChris Harrishave been tapped to write the script, which is expected to find Frasier living in a new city other than rainy Seattle.
The TV/streaming landscape has embraced revivals of hit ’90s shows, be it sitcoms likeWill & Grace,Mad About YouandRoseanne(nowThe Conners) or dramas such asThe X-Files. Paramount Plus is also prepping a revival of the Nickelodeon seriesiCarly. The new streaming service – a rebranding of CBS All Access, and launching March 4 – will offer original content as well as shows from CBS, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and Nickelodeon.
WhileFrasierwas never appointment viewing in my household, I always liked the show, especially Mahoney’s character and his Jack Russell Terrier named Eddie. They’ll both be missed in this revival, which I expect to hear more about following the Paramount Plus launch. The streamer is also planningThe Offer, an event series about the making ofThe Godfather, though that show justlost its leading man, who sounds like he could use a long session with either Crane brother.
