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On This Day: ‘Frasier’ Final Episode on NBC is Watched by Whopping 33 Million Viewers

On May 14, 2004, 33.7 million people tuned in for the final episode of “Frasier.” Titled, “Good night, Seattle,” many viewers consider it among the best final episodes of a TV series.

After 11 years on the air, the cast said goodbye to their loyal fans in a bittersweet way. In the series finale, much like” Friends” the week before, there was a good bit of plot resolution to come to in just 23 minutes. 

Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeds) had to have their baby, Martin (John Mahoney) had to marry Ronnie (Wendy Malick), and Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) had to do something to drastically change his life so that series could end with a stamp of finality. 

As revealed, Fraiser receives a job offer from San Francisco, which he accepts. In addition, fans also got to see several guest stars, such as Laura Linney, concluding her time as one of Frasier’s girlfriends. 

Anthony LaPaglia also appears as Simon, Jason Biggs as a veterinarian, and Jennifer Beals as a psychiatrist seated next to Frasier on a plane. 

‘Frasier’ Finale Ends With Surprise

The series finale also gave fans a plot twist. As it plays out, Frasier was in fact, not going to San Francisco but to Chicago to win Linney back. While on the plane, Fraiser finishes his story to Beals just as the plane lands, giving viewers a surprise. He says, “Wish me luck,” to Anne before heading down the aisle as the screen fades to black.

In 1993, the series was created as a spin-off of “Cheers.” The plot finds psychiatrist Frasier Crane as he returns to his hometown of Seattle. He builds a new life as a radio advice show host while reestablishing his relationship with his father and brother.

The sitcom starred Kelsey Grammer as the legendary protagonist and Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce, Peri Gilpin, and John Mahoney.

During its run, the show was critically acclaimed. The show itself and the cast won thirty-seven Primetime Emmy Awards, a record at the time for a scripted series. Additionally, the show won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series for five consecutive years.

The show hasn’t taped a new episode in 17 years. However, Paramount+ announced that the network was giving the go-ahead to a “Fraiser” revival. The new spin on the classic sitcom is expected to be released in 2022. 

Grammer said he “gleefully” anticipated “sharing the next chapter in the continuing journey of Dr. Frasier Crane” as he had “spent over 20 years” of his “creative life on the Paramount lot.”