‘Frasier’ to Bid Final ‘Goodnight Seattle’
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Bringing down the curtain on yet another long-running sitcom favorite, Kelsey Grammer bids a final “Goodnight, Seattle” on Thursday as he concludes a record-tying 20-year TV role as the elitist but lovable “Frasier.”
The Emmy-winning show, which debuted in 1993 as a spinoff of the veteran NBC hit “Cheers,” will end its 11-year run with an hourlong episode that promises all the trappings of a big-event TV finale — a birth, a wedding and, maybe, true love.
Still, the impending “Frasier” farewell has received considerably less promotion and media attention than the super-hyped send-off of NBC stablemate “Friends,” which concluded its 10 seasons in prime time last Thursday as U.S. television’s top-rated comedy.
That “Frasier” was overshadowed by “Friends” in its final hours is in keeping with the relative histories of the two shows. Although long a steady ratings performer and critical favorite, “Frasier” has never enjoyed quite as much mass popularity as “Friends.”
Grammer acknowledged recently he was disappointed that NBC had not promoted the “Frasier” finale with more gusto, but he added: “I think we’re being honored suitably in terms of how much audience we’ve brought to the show.”
From the start, the show often played as a sophisticated comedy of manners with Grammer starring in the title role as the snobbish Dr. Frasier Crane, a neurotic Seattle psychiatrist who dispenses advice to radio listeners as host of his own call-in show.
He shared a luxurious high-rise apartment with his down-to-Earth father, Martin (John Mahoney), a retired police officer who was disabled in the line of duty.
David Hyde-Pierce co-starred as Frasier’s fussy, younger brother, Niles, who for years pined after, and finally married their father’s physical therapist, Daphne (played by British actress Jane Leeves). Rounding out the supporting cast was Frasier’s workplace foil, Roz (Peri Gilpin).
CELEBRATED RUN
Few television spinoffs have enjoyed as much success as “Frasier.” The show earned Emmy Awards as television’s best comedy for five straight years — the only series to accomplish such a feat — and garnered a record 31 Emmys overall.
“Frasier” also matches the 11-year prime-time run of “Cheers,” where Grammer’s character was introduced in 1984.
As “Frasier” departs, Grammer will tie the record for the longest-running role portrayed by a single actor in prime time, set in 1975 when “Gunsmoke” ended its two decades on CBS with James Arness playing Marshal Matt Dillon.
While current viewership for “Frasier” pales in comparison to its ratings heyday, critics generally see the show as going out on a creative high note.
In the final, 264th episode, the Niles-Daphne romance is expected to come full circle with the birth of their first child, while a wedding is in the works for Martin and his new love, Ronee (Wendie Malick). Meanwhile, Roz celebrates a big promotion at work.
But the finale’s big cliffhanger will be the outcome of what could be Frasier’s chance to finally find true love with the latest woman in his life, Charlotte (Oscar nominee Laura Linney), whom he has fallen for as she is about to move back home to Chicago.
Keeping mum about the show’s conclusion, Grammer has said only that the main characters will end the series on a “hopeful and optimistic” note.
Grammer is less upbeat about the future of good, old-fashioned sitcoms, saying, “I’m not sure sophisticated comedy has a real place on television anymore.”
Asked what advice Dr. Crane would give to “Frasier” fans going through withdrawal, Grammer joked, “Well, we’re on in syndication.”
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