In a recent interview with “Today,” Kelsey Grammer revealed new details about the upcoming “Frasier” reboot. In the same interview, he also cleared up a misconception he’s heard about his character in the new show.
To start, the reboot takes place roughly 15 years after the end of the original show. After revealing that, Grammer was asked about his character, who is supposed to be “filthy rich.”
However, Grammer says the wording there was taken out of context. Taking the misunderstanding in stride, he laughs as he clears up any confusion.
“That was a little taken out of context, the idea. I said ‘Frasier, the character, is a little like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.'” He has an intention for his life he never gets to fulfill but ends up being rich beyond his imagination. I didn’t mean money.”
He then delves into what makes Frasier so “rich” in the new show.
“I meant in terms of life and heart and fulfillment and love. Those are the things I care about.”
Regarding returning characters, Grammer says the dream is getting the entire old cast back and they’re trying to make it happen.
“We’re negotiating with everybody, we want everybody back. That’s my dream, I hope everybody comes back.”
However, Grammer realizes this may not be possible. According to him, they have alternative ideas and scenarios for Frasier’s third act (the first act being “Cheers” and the second being “Frasier”), as well as the second act for the rest of the cast.
Kelsey Grammer on Returning Cast and How ‘Frasier’ Almost Didn’t Exist
Though Grammer expressed wishing for the older cast to return to the “Frasier” reboot in his recent interview with “Today,” he previously said the show can go on without them.
“We think we’re going to get most of the actors back, I’m certainly hopeful that we will, and I’m fairly confident that they’ll come back… We have a story to tell — that can actually be told with or without them, honestly — but I want them back because that’s what I always dreamed of. I thought we should explore all their lives in their third act, and so that is my hope.”
Currently, it seems regardless of the original actors being present, the show must go on.
Interestingly enough, after “Cheers,” Grammer stated in an interview on “The Rich Eisen Show” he wanted to kill the character.
“I wanted to kill Frasier, I thought it was his time to end. ‘Cheers’ is over, let’s do something else. I had a deal with Paramount and they said we’re going to do another show when ‘Cheers’ is over with you. I said, ‘Cool.’”
Grammer ended up embracing the role, with “Frasier” lasting 11 seasons.
