Paramount+’s Cancelation Of Frasier Is The Best Thing To Happen To Kelsey Grammer’s Revival

After two seasons, Paramount+ officially cancels the Frasier revival, but it is the best thing to happen to Kelsey Grammer’s project. Inspired by the success of the Roseanne reboot on ABC, the actor started shopping the idea around to various broadcasters. Admittedly, getting the show up encountered some big issues, especially after original Frasier cast members, David Hyde Pierce, Jane Leeves, and Peri Gilpin turned down appearing as series regulars. This forced Grammer to eventually set the Frasier revival in Boston, with the comedy also effectively replacing Cheers with a new bar, Mahoney’s.

Admittedly, the debut season of the new show was rough. it was difficult to get through, especially for those who were used to its predecessor, which was known for its fast pace, snappy dialogue, and elevated brand of comedy. The Frasier revival season 2 was a bit better, with increased involvement from Gilpin’s Roz and a nostalgia-filled return to Seattle-set episode. Sadly, these weren’t enough for Paramount+ to keep the show going. The new Frasier‘s cancelation, however, may not be exactly bad if CBS Studios successfully finds a new home for it — something that it is actively doing.

The Frasier Revival’s Time On Paramount+ Has Ended

According to Variety, CBS Studios is currently shopping Frasier around to other platforms. For context, not all canceled shows that were subjected to the same treatment ended up being picked up by another broadcaster. That being said, the fact that Frasier is even getting this treatment is already a good indication that the people behind the show are dedicated to continuing its story. Per the outlet, CBS absorbing the series may be out of the question, at least based on the network’s current roster of comedies, such as The Neighborhood, Poppa’s House, Ghosts, and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

That being said, the report cites that the original series airing on NBC could make the network a possible home for the Frasier revival. It’s worth noting that both Cheers and Grammer’s subsequent Seattle-set spinoff fronted the channel’s comedy block for a total of 22 years, with each show running for 11 seasons. NBC is also rebuilding its sitcom roster with Lopez vs Lopez, Happy’s Place, Night Court, and St. Denis Medical. Having Grammer and Frasier season 3 continue by joining that roster could be beneficial on both sides.

Frasier Has The Best Chance Of Success With Network TV

Half-Hour Sitcoms Need More Time To Find Their Identity

The original Frasier was a hit from the get-go, which was already an impressive feat made much better by the fact that it was able to sustain its quality throughout its run. Since it was on a traditional broadcasting station, it churned out upward of 20 episodes per season and had a guaranteed return every year for more than a decade. This allowed the show to move its storylines despite only having half-hour outings. The Paramount+ show had the same runtime, but with only 10 episodes per year, the Frasier revival didn’t really have the time to do much.

Comedies tend to struggle on streaming services anyway — at least the old-school formatted ones, with a 30-minute runtime. Over the years, platforms have canceled multiple sitcoms that are made like the new Frasier, even though they are tied to established predecessors, such as How I Met Your Father (Hulu’s How I Met Your Mother‘s spinoff sequel) and That ’90s Show (Netflix’s That ’70s Show follow-up). The only revival-type series that ran for a bit longer was Full House‘s offshoot, Fuller House, which was on Netflix for 5 seasons. Even then, the cast claimed they were blindsided by the cancelation.

Why The Frasier Revival Deserves Season 3

The Frasier Revival Is Only Starting To Get Interesting

Given this pattern and the almost impossible challenge of matching its critically and commercially successful predecessor, the Frasier revival being canceled by Paramount+ after just two seasons was unsurprising. Streamers just don’t give the same leeway for shows as they find their footing like networks do, and more often than not, shows, especially those with shorter runtimes need time to find their footing. Legendary comedies such as MASH and Cheers had notoriously bad debut years, but CBS and NBC kept them because of their potential.

Roz leaving KACL and Seattle also paves the way for her and Frasier to re-team for potentially an updated version of “The Dr. Frasier Crane Show” — something that the new show has done from the get-go, considering how out-of-place the snooty psychiatrist has been at Harvard.

Frasier season 3 is poised to showcase the true story of the revival. After 20 episodes, those behind the show have already figured out how to separate itself from the shadow of both Cheers and the original spinoff, answering why Frasier won’t visit Cheers and where Niles and Daphne are. Roz leaving KACL and Seattle also paves the way for her and Frasier to re-team for potentially an updated version of “The Dr. Frasier Crane Show” — something that the new show has done from the get-go, considering how out-of-place the snooty psychiatrist has been at Harvard.

Beyond its titular character’s own storyline, Frasier season 3 will also bring back a more established ensemble. After its sophomore year, the revival has more interesting storylines to continue. It will be curious to see how Alan’s relationship with his daughter moves forward after their reconciliation. Likewise, it will be great to see Olivia’s sister again. With many of the pressing questions answered, the proposed Frasier season 3 can also bring back more familiar faces, such as Cheers’ Sam and Diane — something that Grammer has always wanted to do.

Why NBC Would Be The Perfect Home For Frasier Season 3

Frasier’s Legacy Is On NBC

Variety’s report rules out CBS as Frasier’s next home, and while ABC is available, the outlet is right about the show fitting in with NBC. There’s currently no word on whether it is interested in the project, but since its overall legacy belongs to them, with Cheers and the Seattle show both airing with them, it isn’t difficult to imagine them taking on the opportunity to continue the revival. Perhaps, it could even revive the network’s glory days when it comes to comedies.

This is where Grammer’s ideas for some Cheers cameos and maybe even the much-anticipated appearance of Pierce and Leeevs as Niles and Daphne can finally happen.

Currently, NBC’s comedy line-up is a mixed bag of sitcoms. Admittedly, Frasier shares some similarities to a few of them, like Lopez vs. Lopez and even Happy’s Place. That said, it can differentiate itself by leaning on it being part of a bigger franchise. This is where Grammer’s ideas for some Cheers cameos and maybe even the much-anticipated appearance of Pierce and Leeevs as Niles and Daphne can finally happen. Doing that in Frasier season 3 can likely boost its ratings, convincing NBC to pick it up beyond its junior run.

Source: Variety