Getting a lot of questions about a possible FRASIER reboot, whether I'd be involved, etc. Will address all of this in tomorrow's post. How's that for a teaser?
Hm. Not surprising in this age of the reboot. You have stated your misgivings about this and I agree with them. Still, if it were to happen I would definitely watch it.
I don't know if I want a whole new series, but I think a 6-episode mini-series would work really well. I know you don't like Roseanne but the people who actually made the show did it right. One of the problems with reunion shows is that the writing isn't the same. The Roseanne reboot had the same look and feel of the original show. It was like getting new shoes that didn't have to be broken in.
If this were to get off the ground, I'd rather see a recast Martin Crane than none at all (no disrespect intended to the great John Mahoney). How about John Astin?
A CHEERS reboot is inherently depressing: Either the now 70something characters (Sam, Carla, Norm, Cliff) haven't changed or they've changed enough that the show is unrecognizable so what's the point. A FRIEND reboot would have the same challenges. FRASIER does seem to have a sort of timelessness that could translate today.
I'd commented on Twitter that John Mahoney's death at first made it hard for me to imagine a reboot working. Martin Crane was critical to the show's dynamic. However, one possibility would be making Frasier himself the reboot's Martin: Or rather he's still himself, but the conflict is between him and his son.
They'd have to be foolish not to build the new shows around Frasier's relationship with his son, Frederick, who should be in his late 20's/early 30's by this point, and probably following in his parents' footsteps as a licensed psychiatrist.
One of the most important relationships in Frasier's life was always that with Frederick. He often felt guilty over the fact that Frederick had to grow up so far away with him; and whenever Frederick was around for one of their annual visits, the theme always seemed to be Frasier's attempts at making up for lost time.
Maybe, someone could create a scenario where Frasier and Frederick end up in private practice together. You'd have the repeated clashes between father and son (just like between Frasier and Martin in the previous series) with Frasier and Frederick having different approaches to psychoanalysis. But, at the end of the day, there's mutual love and respect between these men, with each realizing they still have plenty to learn from the other.
I'd also love to see whether Bebe Neuwirth would be up for reprising Lilith. If not full-time (which would be my ideal, since this is shaping up to be a family comedy, and one set back in Boston), then definitely on a recurring basis.
(Yes, I know you can't read these ideas, I'm just putting 'em out into the universe...er, cyberverse.)
Also, if Kelsey Grammer intends to continue from where the series ended, I could see Laura Linney's Charlotte (if they indeed ended up together) as the Maris of the series, considering Linney's schedule. Perhaps an occasional guest appearance here and there.
He was on the way to Chicago in the last episode of the series. I said in one forum that he caught the ball in the stands (the Bartman thing) that cost the Cubs the play-off game and eventually the World Series. Now that the Cubs have actually won a series, that idea is less formidable.
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You blog tease, you. ;)
ReplyDeleteFrasier 2: Electric Boogaloo
ReplyDeleteHm. Not surprising in this age of the reboot. You have stated your misgivings about this and I agree with them. Still, if it were to happen I would definitely watch it.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Hope this is good news for you and all of us.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Hope this is good news for you and all of us.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I want a whole new series, but I think a 6-episode mini-series would work really well. I know you don't like Roseanne but the people who actually made the show did it right. One of the problems with reunion shows is that the writing isn't the same. The Roseanne reboot had the same look and feel of the original show. It was like getting new shoes that didn't have to be broken in.
ReplyDeleteIf this were to get off the ground, I'd rather see a recast Martin Crane than none at all (no disrespect intended to the great John Mahoney). How about John Astin?
ReplyDeleteI came here to see what you had to say about this as soon as I heard about it. This is a link to the story:
ReplyDeletehttps://deadline.com/2018/07/frasier-reboot-explored-kelsey-grammer-cbs-tv-studios-1202432451/
Wouldn't be the same without Martin
ReplyDeleteA CHEERS reboot is inherently depressing: Either the now 70something characters (Sam, Carla, Norm, Cliff) haven't changed or they've changed enough that the show is unrecognizable so what's the point. A FRIEND reboot would have the same challenges. FRASIER does seem to have a sort of timelessness that could translate today.
ReplyDeleteI'd commented on Twitter that John Mahoney's death at first made it hard for me to imagine a reboot working. Martin Crane was critical to the show's dynamic. However, one possibility would be making Frasier himself the reboot's Martin: Or rather he's still himself, but the conflict is between him and his son.
Go ahead Ken. I’m listening...
ReplyDeleteThey'd have to be foolish not to build the new shows around Frasier's relationship with his son, Frederick, who should be in his late 20's/early 30's by this point, and probably following in his parents' footsteps as a licensed psychiatrist.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most important relationships in Frasier's life was always that with Frederick. He often felt guilty over the fact that Frederick had to grow up so far away with him; and whenever Frederick was around for one of their annual visits, the theme always seemed to be Frasier's attempts at making up for lost time.
Maybe, someone could create a scenario where Frasier and Frederick end up in private practice together. You'd have the repeated clashes between father and son (just like between Frasier and Martin in the previous series) with Frasier and Frederick having different approaches to psychoanalysis. But, at the end of the day, there's mutual love and respect between these men, with each realizing they still have plenty to learn from the other.
I'd also love to see whether Bebe Neuwirth would be up for reprising Lilith. If not full-time (which would be my ideal, since this is shaping up to be a family comedy, and one set back in Boston), then definitely on a recurring basis.
(Yes, I know you can't read these ideas, I'm just putting 'em out into the universe...er, cyberverse.)
Also, if Kelsey Grammer intends to continue from where the series ended, I could see Laura Linney's Charlotte (if they indeed ended up together) as the Maris of the series, considering Linney's schedule. Perhaps an occasional guest appearance here and there.
ReplyDeleteHe was on the way to Chicago in the last episode of the series. I said in one forum that he caught the ball in the stands (the Bartman thing) that cost the Cubs the play-off game and eventually the World Series. Now that the Cubs have actually won a series, that idea is less formidable.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a way for Frasier and Lilith to end up together. Remember the reading of Frasier's will? (That damn bar)
ReplyDelete