It has been a little bit since we’ve heard some news about the “Frasier” revival coming to Paramount+. In fairness, there’s been kind of a little bit going on in Hollywood lately. Between two major strikes, streaming networks cutting content, and other standard news fare, it’s not like “Frasier” was a pressing news matter. But while everything else in the world was happening, apparently Kelsey Grammer and company we’re moving ahead with the series, to the point where we now have a teaser trailer and an official release date for Frasier’s newest adventure.
It has been nearly two decades since the series signed off after 20 years, but over the last two or three, we’ve been getting information drip-fed to us about what to expect for the revival. We know that Frasier himself will be returning to Boston and reforging a relationship with his son, Freddy. We also know that canonically, Frasier’s ex-wife Lilith lives in Boston, and indeed, Bebe Neuwirth is confirmed to be returning to the series. For a while, the only other “returning” cast member was the son of Niles and Daphne, David; Frasier’s nephew. But considering he was an infant when we last saw him, it’s hard to think of him a returning character in the broader sense of the phrase. Then back in April of this year, we found out Peri Gilpin would be returning to the role of Roz Doyle.
Filling out the cast are newcomers, Nicholas Lyndhurst as Alan, a previously unmentioned college friend of Frasier’s. Toks Olagundoye as Olivia, the head of the University psychological department that Alan works at and Jess Salgueiro as Freddy’s roommate Eve. Fresh-faced actor Anders Keith will fill the role of Frasier’s nephew David, with Freddy being played by Jack Cutmore-Scott. Some pictures of the cast in character have finally been released, showing what we can expect from the set design as well.
Paramount+ has also issued a new little teaser trailer for “Frasier” that features Grammer belting out a new rendition of the show’s theme song, “Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs.” The lyrics are the same, roughly, with Kelsey now declaring, “Frasier has re-entered the building.” But we’re still treated to a variation of the same sparse opening graphic, with a white line on a black background, drawing the skyline of Seattle. Well, Boston now since we’re back on the East coast.
This revival will consist of a confirmed 10-episode season, a far cry from the 24 episodes of the original run. Could it lead to stronger story writing and character arcs? We’ll soon find out in a little less than two months. In the meantime, you can check out the aforementioned teaser and relive the nostalgic dulcet tones of those blues a callin’.
“Frasier” will debut on Paramount+ October 12th. It’ll hit CBS with back-to-back episodes October 17th.
