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In 1993, "Cheers" wrapped up after 11 seasons. That same year "Frasier" debuted, and ran for another 11 seasons until 2004. Almost 20 years after that, star Kelsey Grammer led a revival of the beloved sitcom that saw Dr. Crane relocate from Seattle to Boston, the city in which he first appeared some 40 years prior, during the third season of "Cheers."

When you factor in Frasier's 1992 guest appearance on another show set in the "Cheers" universe, "Wings," you have a character who has been played by the same actor since his debut across four separate series and four decades. That's pretty impressive, regardless of whether season one of the "Frasier" revival felt like a series that should have been a one-off special. The only character to match Frasier's four-show record is Bebe Neuwirth's Lilith Sternin, who returned for the "Frasier" revival and secured her place within sitcom history as a result.

But there is...

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about The Way Home, Blue Bloods, Yellowstone, Tracker and more!

1 | Are we to believe that Blue Bloods’ Badillo flicked away this entire half of a joint after being called out by #Jamko? ▼

More from TVLineHow'd Svu's Carisi Stay Spotless? Who Spied Open Fly on SNL? Was Found Oddly Careless? Fire Country's Best Padalecki Nod? And More TV Qs!Your #OneChicago Crossover Wishes? Yellowstone Death Was Murder, Right? Is New Frasier Romance Afoot? Are SNL Writers Trumped?...

Sitcoms had been around for years before the '90s, but that decade seems to have been a golden age for the format. Does the fact I grew up in that particular decade play into this opinion? Well, yes. But with shows such as "Friends," "Seinfeld," and "Frasier" emerging during the '90s, it's hard to argue against the fact that the final years of the millennium produced some of the finest sitcoms to grace the small screen.

Of course, if you happened to grow up in the '80s, there are plenty of other examples you could point to that would certainly make a good case for that particular decade being the apex of sitcoms. Take the show on which Frasier Crane himself debuted, for example: "Cheers." The legendary series premiered in 1982 and ran for 11 seasons until 1993 — the same year the "Frasier" spin-off launched. By that point, Kelsey Grammer...

For many tweens and teens growing up in the mid-to-late-1990s, Friday nights meant a bucket of popcorn and sitting down in front of the TV for a night of ABC's "Tgif" programming lineup. Shows like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," "Sister, Sister," and "Boy Meets World" catered to teens while still being family-friendly enough for primetime network TV, but occasionally they delved into topics that were a little more adult to actually have something to say to their teen audiences. "Boy Meets World" eventually ended up in syndication on The Disney Channel, along with several other "Tgif" favorites, but there were three episodes that originally aired on ABC that Disney Channel refused to air themselves.

Banned episodes are nothing new in the world of television — heck, "Frasier," "Family Guy," and "Friends" all have episodes that were banned from airing in one form or another — but the three that were prevented...

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It’s a good time to start streaming on Paramount+. For a limited time, the streamer is slashing the price on a subscription by 63%, bringing the price down to just $2.99 a month.

The way to score this deal is by signing up for Paramount+ through Amazon as part of the site’s Black Friday Streaming Deals.

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Paramount+ is an intriguing option at the lower end of the streaming price spectrum, but is it worth your time?

When considering a streaming service to round out one’s collection, Paramount+ comes into the discussion quite a bit. With a starting price point of $8 per month, Paramount+ is one of the cheaper on-demand streaming services on the market, but is it a case of getting what you pay for when you sign up? How useful is a Paramount+ subscription? I took advantage of the streamer’s free trial to help curious consumers answer those questions and more.

Everything you need to know about Paramount+:

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Plenty of ads, even on ad-free plan

Final thoughts

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Paramount+ doesn’t make you do any guessing or math to figure out its free trial. All...

Although Cheers is soon to get a remake set in the UK, this is almost certain to fail due to a problem that The Office inadvertently highlighted. The UK and US versions of The Office are both critically acclaimed, but the two shows have a lot less in common than viewers might presume at first glance. The Office UK is strikingly downbeat and bleak, leaning into cringe comedy for most of its laughs. In contrast, The Offices US adaptation radically altered the shows tone for an American audience. The US show is warmer, more genial, and, crucially, more hopeful.

Related There's No Hope For Fixing The Frasier Reboot's Cheers Problem After Surprising Remake Announcement

There's really no hope for fixing the Frasier reboot's biggest Cheers problem, especially since a surprising remake announcement just became official.

While The Offices US cast of characters are far from universally likable, their boss is...

The Paramount+ Holiday Collection ‘Tis The Season for Streaming returns to the service today with hundreds of seasonal movies and beloved specials for the whole household to enjoy, including the debut of the streaming service’s first original holiday film, Dear Santa.

The Farrelly Brothers holiday comedy Dear Santa stars Jack Black, Robert Timothy Smith, Keegan-Michael Key, Brianne Howey, Hayes MacArthur, and Post Malone in a story of a young boy who mails his Christmas wish list to Santa with one crucial spelling error, resulting in a devilish Jack Black’s arrival to wreak havoc on the holidays. The film premieres on November 25 exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and the following day in the UK and Australia.

Dear Santa

This year’s Paramount+ Holiday Collection will also include the debut of SpongeBob SquarePants – “SpongeBob & Sandy’s Country Christmas,” an all-new half-hour special where one of Sandy’s experiments...

The Frasier reboot just wrapped up its second season, although it has yet to be picked up for a third by Paramount+. Dont worry, we have a feeling that the misadventures of Dr. Frasier Crane will never end, even if that means that Kelsey Grammer has to personally go door-to-door and perform one-man episodes of Frasier in every living room in America.

In some ways, the second season of Frasier 2.0 was a big improvement on the first, namely because it didn’t feel like it was desperately trying to justify its existence at every turn. But while Season Two included some of the most effortlessly Frasier-like episodes, it also gave us the most contrived attempt to recapture the magic of the original — the episode in which Frasier visits his old Kacl studio.

While that episode arguably didn’t work at all, less conspicuously nostalgic episodes, like the penultimate “Murder Most Finch,...

Kelsey Grammer is currently enjoying a great deal of success with the revival of "Frasier," a series that has been running on Paramount+ since October 2023. The original "Frasier," itself a spinoff of "Cheers," starred Grammer as the titular character, a radio psychologist whose persnickety attitudes and tastes invited all manner of zany shenanigans into his life. The original show lasted 264 episodes over 11 seasons, making it one of the most successful sitcoms of its decade.

But, as many might be able to point out, Grammer's career has been wildly varied in success. He often shows up in films, yet he has headlined far more bombs than hits. Grammer has played Dr. Hank McCoy/Beast in several live-action "X-Men" movies, but he has also appeared in a slew of weird, low-budget, straight-to-home-media schlock. Who could forget, for instance, the bizarre glories of Andrew Lawrence's "Money Plane"? Grammer has similarly starred in numerous low-rent Christmas movies,...

A promising tease raises hype for Cheers' Ted Danson to potentially appear in Frasier. Paramount+'s reboot of Frasier stands out from the original series in that it takes place in Boston instead of Seattle, thus making a major Cheers crossover a real possibility for the series. However, with the exception of Frasier's ex-wife Lilith, the 2023 Frasier reboot hasn't depicted Dr. Crane reuniting with his friends from Cheers, even after two full seasons in Boston. Boston is well-remembered as the setting of the iconic 11-season NBC sitcom.

Frasier season 3 has the incredible opportunity to present a Cheers reunion decades in the making. The creators of the Frasier revival show have teased plans for how such a crossover could happen, and they can't back out of such a huge episode now. If Frasier meets up with one or more of his old drinking buddies from Cheers, it would bring his character...

Warning: this article includes some spoilers for Frasier season 2.

After the Frasier season 2 reboot, it's clear that the show needs to take advantage of a story set up by Bebe Glazer's recent return. Frasier season 2 continued Frasier's new life back in Boston with his son, Freddy, along with Olivia, Eve, David, and Alan. The group's dynamics are often wholesome, funny, and, at times, cringe-worthy as their lives continue to change, much like the original Frasier and its predecessor, Cheers.

However, another season would give Frasier a chance to expand the characters and plot further while paying homage to its predecessors. Specifically, there is one crucial part of Frasier's character that has yet to make a comeback in seasons 1 and 2 of the reboot. While season 3 is not yet confirmed, Frasier season 2's ending leaves room for plenty of new storylines in the future, including a chance for Bebe Glazer to...

Following the finale of Frasier season 2, the reboot has left many possibilities open for season 3, including setting up a new and promising romance. Frasier season 2 saw a familiar set of returning characters as well as several new faces and characters from the original show who had yet to make an appearance in the reboot, including Roz's daughter Alice Doyle. The introduction (or re-introduction) of new characters meant that the show was able to play around more freely with relationship dynamics and build off season 1 to the show's own benefit.

Along with the re-introduction of Alice Doyle, Roz Doyle also played a bigger role in Frasier season 2, sparking initial interest in Roz and Frasier's relationship. Over the course of the original show, Frasier and Roz became best friends and balanced each other out. When Roz and Frazier finally did sleep together in season 9, their dynamic changed until they both agreed that they work better as friends.

The reboot of Frasier returned for its triumphant second season on Paramount+, and the sophomore outing didn't disappoint. Originally debuting back in 1993 as a spinoff of Cheers, Frasier followed the eponymous snooty psychiatrist as he moved from Boston to Seattle to host a talk radio show. Noted for its irreverent humor, which was anchored by Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane, the show ran for 11 seasons before finally ending in 2004. The reboot catches up with Frasier after he returns to Boston to start his life's "third act".

Though Grammer has been praised for his effortless return to the Frasier role, the reboot has been met with apathetic responses from many critics who have characterized it as "safe" and little else (via Rotten Tomatoes). Though the Frasier reboot divided fans and critics, the show has been gaining traction and continues to prove that the three-decades-old show still has staying power. While...

[This story contains spoilers from the season two finale of Frasier.]

Midway through the first episode of Frasier’s second season, star Kelsey Grammer picks up an Enchanted Snooker Ball — think of a British Magic 8-Ball — and asks, “Does Frasier Crane still got it?” The answer — “Indubitably” — does the opposite of comforting him as he continues settling into life back in Boston. Instead, it sends Dr. Crane on a warpath. His anger is warranted, because moments earlier he discovered that the toy gave the same answer to his son when he questioned quitting Harvard to become a fireman. Frasier frantically shakes the ball again, asking if his curmudgeon best friend Alan Cornwall (played masterfully by Nicholas Cornwall) used the same toy to give his son the advice. The ball answers, “Obviously, you bloody fool.”

The joke lands so well that the laughter from the live audience can still be heard long after the scene ends.

For Frasier showrunners Joe Cristalli and Chris Harris,...

After two seasons of the "Frasier" revival series, the show still can't shake the feeling that had it managed to assemble the surviving cast from the original series, it would be much better. That's not to say the new series is as bad as some reviewers have made out, but there's no doubt "Frasier" 2024 just feels odd without the original gang.

There's more to this feeling than the lack of the original ensemble, though. A "Frasier" revival just felt a bit off from the moment it was announced. Aside from the fact Kelsey Grammer was saying not-so-modest things about his character being the key to "Frasier," (and overlooking the contributions of the outstanding ensemble in the process), there was the fact that the actor had clearly been struggling career-wise before rebooting his beloved '90s sitcom — the truly abject "Money Plane," in which Grammer put together an airborne heist being one rather lamentable example.

The showrunners of Frasier offer an update on season 3, teasing an appearance from a major Cheers cast member. The revival, which streams on Paramount+, recently closed out season 2 with a holiday episode that was big on emotional reunions, new romantic possibilities, and a deeper focus on the supporting cast. So far, however, Frasier season 3 has not been confirmed.

In an interview with TV Insider, co-showrunners and executive producers Chris Harris and Joe Cristalli, the possibility of a third installment is discussed. Cristalli shares his belief that the revival has improved since season 1, noting his optimism while stressing that he doesn't know if Paramount+ will renew the series:

Cristalli: We dont really know much. We havent heard anything, but I feel like [with] the quality of the episodes and how the characters have grown and the scripts and the writing staff and everyone I would argue that [this season is] better than the first. I...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier season 2 finale.

The Frasier revival's season 2 finale wraps up a slightly improved sophomore year by sticking to its signature storytelling approach. It's no secret that when the Paramount+ reboot of the beloved sitcom was announced, it was met with a divisive response considering the risks of bringing it back. It didn't help that the majority of its original ensemble isn't involved, including David Hyde Pierce's Niles and Jane Leeves' Daphne. The Frasier season 1 finale effectively addressed the show's premise, which was about Frasier reconnecting with his son, Freddy. However, Paramount+ deemed that the series deserved at least another year.

Frasier

Cast Stefanie Yunger, Jessica McKenna, Nike Doukas, Robert Barela, Shon Levi, Annette Shar, David Theune, Nora Yates, Chris Farah, Gogo Pandit, Monique Edwards, Patrick Rafferty, Danice Cabanela, Cheyenne Perez, John Bucy, Amy L. Workman, Owen Lloyd, Renee Pezzotta, Brittney Baxter, Amari McCoy, David Sargsyan,...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for all of Frasier Season 2 on Paramount+.] It seems to be a tradition now, for the Frasier revival to cap off a season with a Christmas episode. For Season 2, it was a heartwarming one. Alan (Nicholas Lyndhurst) learned his estranged daughter was in town, and everyone plotted to reunite them. While that didn’t go as planned (though meant some fun moments), it was after Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) spoke to Nora (Rayne Bidder) about absent fathers that there was a happy family reunion at Frasier’s (Kelsey Grammer) for the holiday. Now, the titular character is looking forward to scheming with his son in the future. Below, executive producers Joe Cristalli and Chris Harris break down the finale, talk about Frasier and Roz (Peri Gilpin) and Freddy and Eve (Jess Salgueiro), and tease what could be ahead in a third season, should they get one. Talk about having the season end with Alan...

Despite being stuffed to the antlers with holiday trappings, Frasier Season 2 Episode 10 was a surprisingly sober finale that ultimately displayed more Christmas than cheer.

The episode wrapped up most of the subplots introduced this season and featured a steady stream of laugh-out-loud zingers from Frasier as he navigated a holiday-themed meddling scheme.

Did the season finale go bigger on pathos than party favors? Perhaps. But I think it was necessary to dispense with a couple of larger storylines so that those characters and the show itself could move forward for a potential third season.

(Chris Haston/Paramount+)

I liked a lot of what this episode accomplished, even if I may have wished for less of an elegiac mood.

It was deceptively intricate on the story side, which was great, but it still clung to some aspects of the show (David!) that haven’t worked too well this season.

It’s...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Frasier season 2, episode 10.Frasier season 2's ending brings the reboot's sophomore outing to a close with some high emotions, high jinks, and high holiday cheer. The second season of the show, building on Frasier season 1's ending, has seen Kelsey Grammer's character connect more with his son, Freddy, as well as find a new romance with bartender Holly Quagliano (with Patricia Heaton joining the Frasier reboot's cast). Those two threads are both particularly important in the finale, "Father Christmas."

The episode is mostly centered around reuniting Alan Cornwall with his daughter, unbeknownst to both of them. It's very much a Frasier Crane well-meaning, hair-brained scheme that descends into farce, with both sides discovering the plan to get them together and each being angry about it. But, this being Christmas, things work out well in the end: Alan and his daughter finally talk, Holly joins the Christmas party,...

In the world of television, the best shows don’t just entertain — they spark conversations and push boundaries. It’s not a new thing.

Classics like All in the Family, Maude, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show paved the way by daring to address social issues head-on, tackling topics like sexism, race, and class with unflinching honesty.

Long before today’s open discussions on race, mental health, and LGBTQ+ issues, these series, and others that followed, quietly laid the groundwork for progressive storytelling.

(CBS/Screenshot)

Shows like these shattered stereotypes, broke taboos, and brought real-world issues into America’s living rooms, igniting conversations that continue to shape TV today.

Here’s a look at the trailblazing shows that, in their own way, were ahead of their time.

These shows tackled themes and topics that mainstream TV had long avoided, proving that television could be both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Designing Women...

In the age of endless digital content, it might sound wild to suggest bringing back DVDs.

After all, streaming is all about convenience: watch what you want, when you want, right?

But how many times have you searched for a favorite show only to find it’s vanished from your streaming platform of choice?

The Sopranos (Photo By Getty Images)

One minute, it’s there; the next, it’s gone, pulled without warning, and you’re left scrambling to figure out which platform (if any) still has it.

When did we agree to let streaming giants decide what stays or goes?

The Streaming Dream: Watch Anything, Anytime — Or So They Said

Once upon a time, streaming felt revolutionary. It meant breaking free from cable’s tight grip on our schedules and being able to watch on our terms.

Early on, streaming services delivered on this promise, offering libraries packed with...

The cast of the Frasier reboot series hasnt felt totally cohesive so far, but season 2, episode 9, Murder Most Finch, seems to have finally fixed that problem. Murder Most Finch sees Olivia throwing a surprise murder mystery party and Frasier doing everything in his power to excuse himself and his date from taking part in the fun. The episode continues Frasiers romance with his latest love interest, down-to-earth bartender Holly Quagliano, played by Everybody Loves Raymonds Patricia Heaton, which is his most promising relationship in the reboot to date.

This was easily one of the Frasier reboots best episodes so far. Since its just two seasons in, the Frasier revival is still finding its feet, but Murder Most Finch is a great sign that the show may have finally found them. Its one of the only episodes where the reboot felt like the classic original show. As a witty farce where...

"Frasier" is one of those shows that's so inoffensive and comforting that it's strange to think an episode could be banned from airing. The original show, which ran from 1993 to 2004, followed Kelsey Grammer's fussy yet lovable psychiatrist as he hosted a talk radio show in his native Seattle. But the series was really about Frasier and his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) reconnecting with their blue collar father, Martin (the late John Mahoney) — there's a reason, after all, that Frasier, Niles, and Martin are the only characters appear in all 263 episodes of "Frasier." While the series was a sitcom, then, it had a lot more depth to it than others of its kind.

Right from the off, the show established this formula of humor and heart. The "Frasier" pilot — an episode that Hyde Pierce thought was "terrible" at first — saw Martin move in with his son, only for the...

Frasier season 2, episode 9 may have permanently shut down talk of a romance between Frasier Crane and Roz Doyle. The idea of Frasier and Roz getting together dates way back to the original show. By their very nature as two close characters in a sitcom, the show naturally toyed with the idea (albeit not to the same level of Niles Crane and Daphne Moon), though it mostly seemed to come down on the side of keeping them friends. However, there were some exceptions.

Frasier season 7, episode 18, "Hot Pursuit," explored the sexual tension between them as they shared a hotel room. Then, finally, they did sleep together in season 9, as seen in episode 23, "The Guilt Trippers," but both had regrets. When Peri Gilpin returned as part of the Frasier reboot's cast in season 1, the show further played around with the idea, perhaps suggesting that, decades later, now might be the time for...

One of the most remarkable things about "Frasier" is its consistency. When the "Frasier" pilot aired back in 1993, Niles actor David Hyde Pierce thought the episode was "terrible" at first. Oh, how wrong he was. The pilot, entitled "The Good Son," remains an exceptional debut episode in TV history, simply because all the characters arrived fully formed, their dynamics dialed in and their chemistry immediately evident. The writing was as good as it ever got, too, and most importantly, the show demonstrated its commitment to an underlying moral depth right from the off, with Frasier and his father clashing initially before making up in a touching moment that saw John Mahoney's Martin Crane calling into his son's radio show to smooth things over.

Not content with debuting a show that appeared to have been running like clockwork for years, "Frasier" writers continued to pump out quality over the ensuing 11 seasons.

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about NCIS, Agatha All Along, The Summit, Svu and more!

1 | Why did Lioness choose a nickname for its new asset (“Josie”) that is so close to Joe’s own? And is it pure coincidence — especially with the Alex Cross TV series about to come out — that this was the title of this week’s Lioness, which co-stars Morgan Freeman? ▼

More from TVLineDid Frasier's Niles Excuse Fly? Which Survivor Deserves an Emmy? Can Any Agatha Season 2 Give Up 'Ghost'?...

One neat aspect of the original "Frasier" series is that it featured a bunch of bonafide Hollywood legends as guest stars we never actually got to see. While many renowned actors showed up in the physical — from Michael Keaton to Linda Hamilton — many more only lent their voice to the beloved sitcom, calling into Frasier's Kacl talk radio show for some advice from the good doctor. In fact, before she appeared on the show's fourth season as Molly, a potential love interest for Frasier who quickly gets away, Linda Hamilton herself called into Dr. Crane's radio show in the pilot episode, voicing the character of Claire, a woman struggling to get over her ex-boyfriend.

Over the course of 11 seasons, many more prestigious guest stars called Frasier for advice. Kevin Bacon, Mary Tyler Moore, Carrie Fisher, Billy Crystal, Macaulay Culkin, Helen Mirren, and Bill Paxton are just some examples. But it wasn't just actors.

S.W.A.T. fans have been through the wringer during the show’s eight seasons. Is it canceled? Or is it renewed? Do we know? Does CBS?

S.W.A.T is back for now, but some things are different. The new 20-Squad isn’t your grandparents’ version of S.W.A.T. How do viewers like the new look and the younger squad?

It works, but is it as good as it once was?

(Bill Inoshita/CBS)

I promise this isn’t a Toby Keith song. It’s a breakdown of how the S.W.A.T Season 8 is stacking up on what we’re certain (almost) will be the show’s last run.

Classic television shows like S.W.A.T., Hawai’i Five-o, Magnum, P.I., and Quantum Leap intrigue viewers across generational gaps.

The idea of a tough, highly-tuned police division keeping order in one of the country’s toughest cities has appealed to audiences for decades, starting in 1975. However, the...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Frasier season 2, episode 8, "Thank You, Dr. Crane."

Warning: The article briefly discusses suicide.

Somehow, Frasier and Freddy's new relationship conflict in Frasier season 2 doesn't have the emotional gut punch that it should have because it refuses to acknowledge the events of Cheers. A big part of the Paramount+ revival's premise is Frasier returning to Boston after his time in Chicago. That said, a pit stop to visit his son made him realize that he needed to repair their fractured relationship. The Frasier season 1 ending seemed like it took care of that, but season 2 introduces a new issue between the father and son.

While Frasier and his son have a better dynamic now than when they first started living together, there are still some conflicts that come their way in the show's sophomore year. Frasier season 2 delved deeper into Freddy's decision to drop out of Harvard, which apparently involved Alan Cornwall.

Election Day, aka the most fraught, divisive, and anxiety-inducing time of American politics, is almost upon us once again ... and Hollywood, as always, tends to offer up the perfect distraction (like this past episode of "SNL"). Then again, I suppose that depends on your definition of "perfect." In August of 2008, while then-Presidential nominees Barack Obama and John McCain battled it out in a heated race that would go on to define the next decade-plus of global diplomacy and policymaking, "Yellowstone" star Kevin Costner and co-leads Paula Patton and Kelsey Grammer were busy starring in arguably one of the most misguided pieces of political entertainment until Adam McKay decided he was the right person to write and direct 2018's "Vice." "Swing Vote" tells the story of how one random, apolitical citizen (Costner) inexplicably becomes the deciding vote in the entire Presidential election, with both major parties fighting to earn his endorsement.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Frasier season 2, episode 8, "Thank You, Dr. Crane."The Frasier revival season 2 returns to Seattle, but in the process, it interprets the point of the original series incorrectly. After spending the first several years of his TV arc in Boston, rubbing elbows with Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin at Sam Malone's underground bar in Cheers, Kelsey Grammer's snooty therapist decided to return home to the Pacific Northwest. Off-screen, awarding Frasier Crane his own spinoff was risky back then despite the success of its parent series. In the new revival, Frasier spent the first 10 episodes back in Boston reconnecting with his grown-up son, Freddy.

As its sophomore year expands its storytelling, it lets itself tap into the nostalgia of revisiting the original show. That includes more prominently featuring Roz, following Peri Gilpin the Frasier season 1 finale return. With the friends reuniting, they make a trip back to Seattle in "Thank You,...

“The One with the Blackout,” the seventh episode of “Friends’” inaugural season, was notable for several reasons. It first introduced viewers to both the gang’s miserly broomstick-waving neighbor Mr. Heckles and Ross’ first rival for Rachel’s affections, Italian stallion Paolo. It apparently added the term ‘friend zone’ to the English lexicon as a result. And, as its title suggests, it formed part of an ingenious marketing strategy in which three NBC sitcoms were deliberately plunged into darkness.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this month (November 3), Blackout Thursday was the brainwave of Dan Holm, a promotional producer also responsible for the term ‘Must See TV.’ Alongside the comedy that would prove to be the network’s most successful, the programming stunt also included one of the many forgettable one-seasoners that failed to ride its coattails, the Dabney Coleman-starring “Madman of the People,” and the 12-time Emmy-winning “Mad About You.

Freddy Crane and his friend Eve have a compelling relationship in the reboot of Frasier, but they shouldn't be Niles and Daphne's replacement. As Eve struggles to raise her child following the death of her husband, Adam, she and Freddy have conveyed their unbreakable bond as they lean on each other for support in this dark phase of their lives. This dynamic has made them some of the most entertaining characters in the Frasier reboot.

Freddy and Eve may seem destined for a romantic relationship. However, their recent adventures together, particularly in Frasier season 2, show they are far better off as friends, at least for now. Though 2023's Frasier reboot likely won't feature a couple as electric as Niles and Daphne, Freddy falling in love with another character may be what the series needs to reinvigorate the franchise.

Freddy & Eve Developing A Romance In Frasier Risks Hurting Their Story...

Warning! Spoiler ahead for Frasier season 2, episode 8, "Thank You, Dr. Crane."The Frasier reboot season 2 brings Frasier Crane back home to Seattle, and in the process, it wraps up the original series 20 years after it ended its run. While Cheers capped off its 11-year run on NBC in 1993, the network found a way to continue capitalizing on the success of the Boston-set sitcom. Admittedly, giving Kelsey Grammer's standout but still supporting character his own show was risky, considering the failure of Rhea Pearlman's The Tortellis. That said, the original Frasier only took 1 episode to prove its quality, which it maintained throughout its run.

Grammer was and continues to be great as the elitist but with a heart of gold Frasier Crane. That said, the original Cheers spinoff couldn't have succeeded without the rest of the cast. The old Frasier had to create a couple of plot holes to...

While the Frasier reboot mainly features a cast of new characters, Dr. Crane's former Kacl radio colleague Roz Doyle could end up becoming a mainstay of the series once more. Played by actor Peri Gilpin, Roz has made frequent appearances in the reboot ever since visiting her old friend for Christmas in the Frasier season 1 finale. Given Roz's growing presence in Frasier season 2, Gilpin may be gearing up to join the Frasier reboot cast as a main character in the Boston setting.

Aside from Freddy Crane (Jack Cutmore-Scott), Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) is the only character from the original show who is a part of the reboot's central cast for the first two seasons. However, should Roz become a player in Frasier's daily routine once more, the reboot could take another big step towards recapturing the magic that made the original Frasier such a popular sitcom.

Roz Leaving Kacl...

Any fan of "Frasier" will know that while the titular doctor is the star of the show, the series itself would have been nothing without its ensemble. The beloved sitcom ran from 1993 to 2004 and managed to sustain its quality throughout — a rarity for any show, but certainly for sitcoms of the era if you consider that even "Friends" was cranking out some of its worst episodes by its tenth and final season.

A big part of what gave "Frasier" its durability was its ensemble, which comprised not only multiple other main characters, but also an entire world of supporting and guest characters that made Dr. Crane's world feel like a real, living place. Of course, the main cast itself was most crucial to this aspect of the series, with John Mahoney's Crane patriarch, Martin, and David Hyde Pierce's Niles, the equally fastidious yet lovable brother of Frasier, being the most integral.

The revival of Frasier on Paramount+ was met with high hopes and nostalgia-fueled excitement from longtime fans of the original. After all, Frasier was a sitcom that skillfully combined highbrow humor with relatable family dynamics, often taking sitcoms to new heights of cleverness.

However, despite this beloved foundation, Frasier 2 has struggled to recapture the charm that made the original a classic. Below, we explore five key reasons the reboot fell short.

1. Lack of Chemistry and Natural Interactions A still from Frasier | Credits: Paramount Domestic Television

One of the defining traits of the original Frasier was the nuanced chemistry among the cast. Viewers fondly remember scenes at Café Nervosa where characters would banter, seamlessly pausing to place an order, or watching Frasier and Niles squabble in ways that revealed their quirks. The new series, however, misses this magic. Fans on social media have noticed the reboot’s stilted atmosphere, describing scenes...

Frasier Crane's return to Seattle in Frasier season 2 highlights the harsh truth about the revival's future. The first 10 episodes of the Frasier revival focused on establishing the character's new life in Boston. In its sophomore year, however, the Paramount+ project leans a little bit more on nostalgia with its storytelling that includes the return of familiar faces from Frasier's time in the Pacific Northwest. In perhaps, one of the most poignant outings of this year, Frasier comes back to Kacl for a special session of "The Dr. Frasier Crane Show," which, unsurprisingly, encounters some issues.

What inspires Frasier to revive his local show is his desire to help Roz fix the fledgling radio company in Frasier season 2, episode 8, "Thank You, Dr. Crane." Now that Peri Gilpin is essentially a semi-regular cast member in the Frasier revival, this storyline is fairly easy to stage. The pair's trip back to their iconic booth,...

One of the best parts of "Frasier," the Kelsey Grammer-led sitcom that began in 1993, was Peri Gilpin's Roz Doyle. Unlike Frasier, Doyle was a completely new character disconnected from the show's parent series, "Cheers," so the writers had total freedom with what to do with her. They made her Frasier's sarcastic radio show producer, who slowly became one of his best friends.

Few fans have any complaints about Peri Gilpin's performance in the role, which makes it harder to imagine that Roz Doyle was originally supposed to be played by Lisa Kudrow instead. Kudrow was cast as Doyle but fired before she could film the pilot, an event the actress described as "devastating" in a recent interview on the Smartless podcast. She talked about how, during an early run-through of the pilot, the director James Burrows told Kudrow "This isn't working," and that was it.

Kudrow believed it...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier season 2, episode 8, "Thank You, Dr. Crane."The Frasier revival season 2's return to Seattle makes Kelsey Grammer emotional during an unexpected moment. After the first 10 episodes of the Frasier revival focused on establishing his new life in Boston, the Paramount+ show finally taps into the legacy of the franchise. That includes the return of familiar faces from Frasier's time in the Pacific Northwest, specifically his time in Kacl. The former radiotherapist is invited by Roz to rescue the fledgling radio station. Proof of his continued love for his life-long friend, Frasier comes back to Kacl for a special session of "The Dr. Frasier Crane Show."

In a new interview with TV Line, Grammer talks about Frasier season 2, episode 8, "Thank You, Dr. Crane," and how sitting again in Frasier's old Kacl booth chair made him really emotional. As it turns out, the rest of the...

Warning: Spoilers for Frasier season 2, episode 8

Upon his return, the second season of the Frasier reboot dropped a surprising reveal about one of the characters from the original series. Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe reunited with Dr. Crane on his trip back to Seattle in Frasier season 2, episode 8. Their reunion surprisingly confirmed that Bulldog is actually gay. Played by actor Dan Butler, this former sports show host was infamous for his womanizing and for annoying Frasier and his peers, eventually becoming a main character in the series in season 6.

In the episode, Bulldog's sexuality is brought to light when Roz says, "someone finally came out of the closet." This prompted a moment of confusion, until it became clear that Roz was referring to a decision that Bulldog apparently made sometime after the original show's ending. This series has dabbled with featuring returning characters from the original Frasier before, bringing back fan favorites like Roz and Bebe Glazer.

In “Thank You, Dr. Crane,” Frasier’s (Kelsey Grammer) jaunt back to Seattle with Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) wasn’t just a walk down memory lane; it was a full-on sprint, tripping over ghosts of radio past and questionable career advice. The Harvard bar scene felt like a quick exposition dump, cramming in Niles and Daphne’s Sedona vineyard […]

Frasier Season 2 Episode 8 Recap: Crane, Back in Seattle, Stirs Up More Than Nostalgia (and Cake)...

Paramount’s free streaming service Pluto TV has revealed its November highlights. The Pluto TV November 2024 lineup serves up a delicious selection of TV shows, movies, and new channels, including the return of their Season’s Greetings category and a cornucopia of fresh options.

For those inspired to trace their roots, check out PBS Genealogy to explore the fascinating and emotional histories of the famous and not-so-famous. And if the dinner conversation turns competitive (as it often does), settle it with the new Family Feud channel, hosted by Steve Harvey.

As a special holiday gift to you, Pluto TV is bringing back Pluto TV 007! Dive into 20 official James Bond films, including Daniel Craig in No Time to Die, now streaming for free. Whether you’re a longtime James Bond fan or just discovering the legend, enjoy the 007 experience on Pluto TV.

Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service,...

This article contains spoilers for "Frasier" season 2.

The "Frasier" revival might be struggling without the involvement of the original cast, but it has brought back plenty of fan-favorite characters to satiate fans of the '90s sitcom. The most notable example is Peri Gilpin's Roz Doyle, who appeared in the "Frasier" revival's season 1 finale — an episode that actually stacked up quite well against Christmas episodes from the original series. But we've also seen Frasier's ex-wife Lilith Sternin show up, alongside the return of one of the best recurring characters from the Og "Frasier," Harriet Sansom Harris' machiavellian agent Bebe Glazer.

Now, with episode 8 of the revival's second season, Frasier has returned to Seattle, the city that hosted him for all 11 seasons of the original run of the show. Unfortunately, the episode, entitled, "Thank You, Dr. Crane," does not include the long-awaited return of David Hyde Pierce's Niles, but...

The free Paramount+ channel will offer some favorites from the streamer, in an effort to drive more customers to its paid service.

The Vizio WatchFree+ streaming service has had a big year, continuing to expand not only its programming options but also the ways in which audiences can access the service. That growth is continuing, as on Thursday Vizio announced it was bringing a new channel to WatchFree+: the Paramount+ channel which offers select episodes from originals on that streaming service.

Key Details: The Paramount+ channel will include episodes of ‘Lioness,’ ‘Tulsa King’ and other shows. Vizio says the channel has already generated “hundreds of thousands” of viewing sessions. Audiences can watch Vizio WatchFree+ on Vizio TVs or Android or iOS mobile devices. 7-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month paramountplus.com

The launch of the Paramount+ channel on Vizio WatchFree+ means that viewers of that service can now stream select episodes...

Frasier Season 2: Who Voiced the Guest Caller in Episode 8? - Main Image

Frasier Crane made his triumphant return to his Kacl radio show in Seattle in the recently aired episode 8 of Frasier season 2. It also featured a surprise cameo from a legend to voice the guest caller.

Since the revival was announced, fans have been looking forward to seeing the titular character make his return back to Seattle despite the new version being set in Boston.

What Happened in Frasier Season 2 Episode 8?

In episode 8 of Frasier season 2, Frasier, Roz, and Freddy traveled to Seattle for the anniversary special of the Kacl. Frasier also wanted to reacquaint the city where he used to live.

However, Frasier's return to Seattle was derailed by his reunion with his old caller, Lou. It was revealed that Lou's life was in shambles due to the advice that Frasier gave to him before.

By the end of the episode,...

The Paramount Plus pop-up channel on Vizio’s free, ad-supported streaming service WatchFree Plus. (Courtesy photo)

Paramount and Vizio are launching a dedicated pop-up channel for Paramount Plus through the free, ad-supported streaming service Vizio WatchFree Plus (stylized as WatchFree+), the companies announced on Thursday.

The channel will leverage Vizio’s Content Connection tool that allows streamers to seamlessly transition from WatchFree Plus to Paramount Plus while they are watching content through the pop-up channel, which will include episodes of “Tulsa King,” “Frasier,” “Dexter” and “Special Ops: Lioness,” among others.

(Courtesy photo)

“This is a perfect example of how content owners can combat TV fragmentation and create a seamless viewing experience across streaming environments,” said Sean Booker, the Head of Media & Entertainment and National Advertising Sales at Vizio. “And when you pair this Fast-focused experience with the Smart TV Home Screen, Vizio is uniquely positioned to reach viewers before they...

Worlds collided on Frasier Season 2 Episode 8 when Frasier and Freddy used some of Roz’s frequent flier miles for a trip down memory lane in Seattle.

They left from Boston, where it wasn’t surprising to see Roz seated comfortably in the bar with the Harvard gang. After all, it feels like she’s been in more episodes this season than some of the main cast!

But that was just the first of many blasts from the past in an episode that perfectly melded the beats, strengths, and (it must be said) flaws of the Og show to create an emotional turning point for the new series.

(Chris Haston/Paramount+) Bon Voyage, Boston

The Harvard bar scene set up the main storyline of Frasier’s visit to Kacl for a special tribute show and the smaller one of David leaving his job with Alan.

But to my mind, the actual...