One of the great things about home video and streaming services is that you can “binge watch” your favorite TV series. If you want to catch up on the latest season of a newer show you are watching, or watching an old favorite in its entirety, it’s a great way to fill the time before the new TV season starts.
One long-running favorite that I have been re-watching has been Frasier.
The character Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) began appearing in the third season of the hilarious television series Cheers. He was only supposed to be in a handful of episodes. The character proved popular and was brought back again. By season five, he was a regular cast member.
When that series ended in 1993, NBC wanted to have a spinoff series starring Grammer. Different ideas were debated and rejected: one had Frasier staying in Boston. But this was rejected because they didn’t want to have to force Cheers actors to constantly do guest-shots. As a result, Frasier then moved to Seattle.
Once they had Frasier set in Seattle, one idea was to have him have his own practice, but this was changed because producers didn’t want to be compared to the classic 1972-78 Bob Newhart Show. Due to Grammer’s deep and resonant voice, Frasier became a radio host. Also, not to be compared to yet another classic TV show – the 1978-82 WKRP in Cincinnati – they focused more on his home life.
Once all of that was decided, everything else came together, and another successful sitcom was born. It was an instant hit with viewers, running for 11 seasons and garnering award after award.
Between Cheers and Frasier, Kelsey Grammer tied the record for one actor starring in the same role for the longest amount of time in a live-action series. The other actor and role? James Arness for his role of Marshall Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. (The cast of the animated comedy The Simpsons holds the distinction of being in the same roles the longest, from 1990-today).
As of now, Grammer holds another record, having been nominated for Emmys for the same role across three different series. He was nominated for this role on Cheers, Frasier, and for a guest appearance as the character Frasier on the sitcom Wings.
I’d write more about this great show, but I have two more seasons to watch!
In the meantime, check out these great videos of Frasier (and more). Afterward, let me know what comedies you’ve binged watched this summer!
Click “next” to watch the videos.
Michele “Wojo” Wojciechowski is the award-winning author of the humor book Next Time I Move, They’ll Carry Me Out in a Box, writer of the award-winning humor column, Wojo’s World®, and a not-yet award-winning stand-up comic. She admits that she loves binge watching television shows from time-to-time–you know, when she’s not reading Tolstoy…For more Wojo and lots of funny stuff, check out her website at www.wojosworld.com.
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