I actually heard this on CNN, but this is the only print article I could find about it. Anyone else hear anything?

Frasier spin-off plan

17may04

FRASIER has left the building, but for how long?

The final episode of the hit TV show has aired in the US, but it may not be the last viewers get to see of Kelsey Grammer as Dr Frasier Crane.
Paramount, the studio behind Frasier, is said to be sounding out interest in an all-new series.

Kelsey Grammer, who played the doctor continuously since 1984 after the character first appeared in Cheers, was said to be interested in starring in an all-new Frasier Crane series.

Frasier's 11-season run ended at 264 episodes -- one less than Murder, She Wrote, five more than Married ... With Children and 28 more than Friends.

I think they did pitch it to NBC who rejected it so they can now pitch it to other networks. I doubt this will happen though.

This then begs the question, why did the show end? I guess they probably could start fresh and his salary would be much less, but still.

Money was part of it (Kelsey was getting paid a ton, and, IIRC finally his contract ran out and NBC didn't want to to continue to pay him at his current salary levels). This is starting to feel like "Newhart" (and the various Newhart shows) as the show gets retooled with another cast to try to re-capture the viewers/ratings while keeping costs down.

But I doubt another re-tooled spin-off will happen for Frasier.

It's rare for lighting to strike twice in an actor's career on TV like this, but three times? Kelsey should learn from Seinfeld and go out on top. Nothing would be worse than if he repeated the horror that was Hello, Larry.

Having a successful career on a sitcom (Cheers) as a major character for years spinning-off into the star of your own successful sitcom (Frasier) is pretty rare.

To spin-off into another sitcom as the star yet again is really pushing your luck.

I think the character of Frasier has run it's course.

He's running the risk of getting type-cast into the range of character he can play - if he decides to stick with the Frasier character again.

KG should take some time away from sitcoms, and should he decide to go back to it - play a different character all together.

He's running the risk of getting type-cast into the range of character he can play - if he decides to stick with the Frasier character again.
.
.
.
after more then 20 years as fraser crane isnt he a bit typecast now?

He did say he was interested in revisiting the character in another sitcom somewhere down the line, but I got the idea that was years away if it was going to happen at all, not any time soon and only if the right situation came along to entice Grammer.

Fixed.

Hard to say, since he's been getting small roles in films that differ from his Frasier character (ie. Television reporter in 15 Minutes and the FBI agent in The Big Empty).

Perhaps he's not getting as many roles in film because he's still considered "Frasier Krane", but the longer he sticks with this character - the worse it'll get for him IMO.

I would welcome it. Frasier is like a friend. Why cast him aside? I've known him for 20 years.

That and look at his movie track record. Not so hot. He needs to stick with Frasier. The biggest one is Toy Story 2 and it is doubtful a 3 will happen.

If it's the same character, wouldn't it just be a change of setting and different supporting cast? And if so, why bother?

Maybe a 'Lou Grant' type situation.

Ed Asner went from co-starring in a half-hour situation comedy to starring in a one hour drama, playing the same character.

He does have a beautiful sultry voice. I hope he does more voice-over stuff like in Toy Story.

Or Sideshow Bob.

Down Periscope II

It'll probably end with him waking up from a dream and being in Boston with Lillith.

I just read an interview with Grammer where he said he wouldn't play Frasier ever again, and had been tired of the character for some time now. I don't think we'll be seeing him in another Frasier sitcom.

The Newhart style ending of Fraiser....

That actually would have been funny, if they did it right.

I, personally, found the idea of San Francisco more appealing than chasing a woman to Chicago. If they gave him a new show, anyway.

New show starts with Fraiser leaving Chicago after screwing up another relationship and heading for SanFrancisco, where he meets his brother after divorcing Daphne.

Maybe he'll solve crimes.................UGH. Let it go.

Frasier: San Francisco!

I can see it now!

Frasier moves to San Francisco. He starts a new talk show there similar to when he was in Seattle. He finds an apartment that looks almost exactly as the one in Seattle. His dad gets a divorce and moves in once again with Eddie the dog. His brother, Niles, also gets separated from Daphne and seeks out Frasier about it and moves to some place in San Francisco as well. Daphne being depressed about the separation goes to Frasier to seek comfort and turns out she's willing to stay awhile helping around the house once again.

Oh boy what a turn around! :P

Maybe USA and ABC could work out a deal to air the show similar to how ABC aired Monk a while back... Frasier moves to San Francisco, and sets up a private practice: His first patient? Adrian Monk. Watch each week as Monk reminsces about his humorous childhood, his nutty behavior and his frustration over solving his latest case! Hell, maybe they could get Monk's agoraphobic brother as Frasier's second patient in SF.

They could even get Frasier helping solve crimes on sporadic episodes of Monk. Think of the fun! Hey, it's better than any other new show on ABC's 04-05 schedule.