If you’ve followed Nerdbot for a while, then you fully well know about our love of Frasier. Specifically, this author’s love of the show. It’s my opinion that Frasier is the greatest sitcom in the history of the genre. Yes, Cheers is wonderful and I adore that to tears. Still, Frasier took character humor to a wittier level with its highbrow dialogue and farcical stories. So many episodes play out like they could have been theatrical productions. The players on that stage elevated that material to the legendary heights we know today. One of them, actress Jane Leeves, recently announced an upcoming book about her time on the show as the loveable and quirky Daphne Moon.
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Jane Leeves and Her Robust Career
Leeves’ career is more than just Frasier, even though Daphne will forever be her most memorable role. She’s been around the film and television industry before and after the series though. She was previously in Seinfeld and even popped up in To Live and Die in L.A. directed by William Friedkin. After Frasier she would have starring roles in Hot in Cleveland and The Resident. She’s actually had a remarkably robust career, which is not something all sitcom stars can attest to.
It’s impossible not to discuss Frasier in the context of that career though. That’s why her upcoming book is titled Daphne & Me. Across eleven years, Leeves played Daphne Moon. Her character moved from Manchester to Seattle to start her life as a physical therapist. She moves in with Frasier Crane and his father Martin to take care of the elder Crane. We got to watch across those years as Daphne went from an eccentric psychic to a strong, devoted wife to Niles Crane and a fiercely devoted friend in general.
Daphne and Her Story Arcs
Of all the people on the cast, Jane Leeves’ story about being on Frasier may be the most interesting. The romance between Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne stretched out over seven seasons as Niles pined for her without confessing his feelings to her. Everyone else knew except Daphne of course. That’s where so much of the comedic tension came from. When the feelings finally came out though (as she was getting married to Donnie Douglas (Saul Rubinek) it allowed Leeves’ portrayal of Daphne to take on a new arc. Season eight sees her developing a romance with Niles, only for her character to develop a weight problem and have to leave for most of the season.
In real life, Leeves was pregnant and came back later that year. This sees her and Niles taking their relationship to a more serious level. Season 10 would see them getting married with the final season involving Daphne’s pregnancy. So yeah, all that is to say, Daphne’s character went on a damn journey! Arguably, her character had the most growth and development from beginning to end. Leeve’s upcoming book promises to tell that story, with a dash extra. As the official description on the order page for the book states, “As Daphne and Niles were falling head-over-heels for each other in one of television’s great romances, Jane was finding her own true love on the Paramount lot and eventually, having children—one of whom calls David Hyde Pierce ‘godfather.'”
Pre-order “Daphne & Me” Today
We are immensely excited to get our hands on this. Leeves has co-authored the book with Isabella Kathryn Coben. It’s being published by Malibu Village Books and pre-orders are going up now. They’ll remain active until October 16th with the book itself being published on October 20th. You can head here to start your pre-order and get yourself a copy signed by Jane. This is looking like an absolute must have for Frasier fans!
