Kelsey Grammer Reveals why David Hyde Pierce Said No to Returning as Niles for "Frasier" Revival
by Kimberly Roots
November 23, 2022


When "Frasier" returns as a Paramount+ revival, it will do so without the titular radio host’s little brother. In a new interview, series star Kelsey Grammer is shedding some light on David Hyde Pierce‘s decision not to revisit his character from the long-running "Cheers" spinoff.

“David basically decided he wasn’t really interested in repeating the performance of Niles,” Grammer tells People.

https://tvline.com/2022/11/23/frasier-reboot-david-hyde-pierce-niles-not-returning-niles/

He gets plenty of work!

Niles' Absence Turns The Frasier Reboot Into A Tragic Story (https://screenrant.com/frasier-reboot-niles-absence-story-tragedy/)

The status of David Hyde Pierce's Niles Crane in the upcoming Paramount+ reboot of Frasier makes Frasier Crane's life in the new story a tragedy.

Politics is probably a big reason why DHP isn't interested in the Frasier reboot. Kelsey Grammer is a supporter of President Trump.

Let's take a look at the link in the article as Pierce answers the specific question about participating in the reboot:

Question to Pierce:

"But in terms of the Paramount+ project, your mind is open to the idea?"

Response:

"Yeah."

As we drill down a little further we have this from an article appearing on the Radar Online site 12/8/22:


"Dr. Frasier Crane’s long-awaited return to prime time won’t be the family reunion fans were expecting — thanks to his greedy TV brother, David Hyde Pierce, RadarOnline.com has learned.

“David has become a huge star on Broadway,” explained a source. “He doesn’t need the show, so he decided to leverage his appearance to the hilt. In the end, he overplayed his hand and lost.”

Pierce’s grandstand move wrecked plans for the rest of the surviving cast — including Peri Gilpin and Jane Leeves — to have a happy reunion on the rebooted classic! Without Niles, producers decided to scrap the reunion and place Frasier in a new city with a new cast.

Sources close to the situation said 63-year-old Piece, who played Frasier’s little brother Niles, scuttled plans to bring back the entire case of the top-rated '90s sitcom when he demanded a much larger part in the storylines for his character — and wanted more money, too!"

As the old saying goes, "love makes the world go round, but money greases the axle"

Why David Hyde Pierce's Niles Isn't In The Frasier Reboot (https://screenrant.com/why-david-hyde-pierce-niles-isnt-in-frasier-reboot/)

When Kelsey Grammer's Frasier returns in the Frasier reboot, he will be without Niles. Here's the reason why David Hyde Pierce isn't in the revival.

The question is, just who is David Hyde-Pierce? The show's been off almost 20 years -; what's the hit show that he starred in since then? The hit movie? He did get a Tony for something called "Curtains," which is not exactly Cats. The guy is 64 years old, and the entirety of his notoriety is based on a facial resemblance to Kelsey Grammer 30 years ago. I like they guy, but I just don't get how his absence is a show stopper.

The question is, just who is David Hyde-Pierce? The show's been off almost 20 years -; what's the hit show that he starred in since then? The hit movie? He did get a Tony for something called "Curtains," which is not exactly Cats. The guy is 64 years old, and the entirety of his notoriety is based on a facial resemblance to Kelsey Grammer 30 years ago. I like they guy, but I just don't get how his absence is a show stopper.

Why Hollywood Won't Cast David Hyde Pierce (https://www.looper.com/1423179/david-hyde-pierce-whatever-happened-to/)

Although "Frasier" made David Hyde Pierce a household name for his portrayal of Niles Crane, his career since then has stayed largely away from Hollywood.

There is speculation that Hyde Pierce's voice is heard in the second episode of the new series.

Edit: details not provided to avoid spoiler.

The question is, just who is David Hyde-Pierce? The show's been off almost 20 years -; what's the hit show that he starred in since then? The hit movie? He did get a Tony for something called "Curtains," which is not exactly Cats. The guy is 64 years old, and the entirety of his notoriety is based on a facial resemblance to Kelsey Grammer 30 years ago. I like they guy, but I just don't get how his absence is a show stopper.I saw the first two episodes of Frasier 2.0 that aired on CBS tonight. The old professor who is Niles's replacement as Frasier's best friend is a terrible actor compared to David Hyde Pierce (or just a terrible actor in general). The actor who plays Niles's son David was really annoying. Episode two improved on the pilot, but what made the original Frasier so great was the supporting cast, which runs circles around the Frasier revival.

I saw the first two episodes of Frasier 2.0 that aired on CBS tonight. The old professor who is Niles's replacement as Frasier's best friend is a terrible actor compared to David Hyde Pierce (or just a terrible actor in general). The actor who plays Niles's son David was really annoying. Episode two improved on the pilot, but what made the original Frasier so great was the supporting cast, which runs circles around the Frasier revival.

The new cast was atrocious . Sitcoms live and die by the ensemble cast and with both Kelsey and Burrows being sitcom vets, they should known this setup wasn't working during filming. The live studio audience was also too much of a distraction.

Frasier's Kelsey Grammer Reveals The Likelihood Of A Niles Appearance (https://www.looper.com/1455034/kelsey-grammer-frasier-niles-appearance/)

"Frasier" fans may be wondering whether we will see Niles Crane return for the reboot. According to Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce has already weighed in.

David Hyde Pierce on Frasier reboot: "I never really wanted to go back." (https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/david-hyde-pierce-turned-down-frasier-reboot-niles-1235833726/)

“I never really wanted to go back,” Pierce recently told Los Angeles Times about his decision to skip the reboot. “It’s not like I said, ‘Oh, I don’t ever want to do that again.’ I loved every moment. It was that I wanted to do other things.”

“When we got into real talks about the reboot, I had just started on the ‘Julia’ TV show and was working on a musical and going to do another musical,” Pierce continued.

Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Reboot Vision Will Make David Hyde Pierce Not Returning So Much Worse (https://screenrant.com/frasier-reboot-kelsey-grammer-no-niles-david-hyde-pierce-worse/)

Kelsey Grammer has good news for the future of the Frasier reboot. Unfortunately, it makes David Hyde Pierce's absence as Niles even worse for fans.

Kelsey Grammer Says David Hyde Pierce Is Welcome on 'Frasier' Any Time (https://collider.com/frasier-reboot-kelsey-grammer-david-hyde-pierce/)

Season 2 of the 'Frasier' reboot is in production now.

I don't mind Pierce not being included. It's his choice to not return, and you can assume Niles is living his best life with Daphne.

Problem is, the show still seems to be stumbling, and hasn't found its footing. Maybe it will, likely it won't. This is the kind of seboot that hasn't really justified its existence yet, and feels like a cashgrab for its studio. I know some people really enjoyed the 2023 version. Sorry, I just feel like it hasn't captured the magic of the original as of yet.

I don't mind the general concept either, it's mostly the execution that's lacking.

This Is Frasier Season 2's Easiest Way To Bring Niles Back & I'm Begging Grammer & Pierce To Make It Happen (https://screenrant.com/frasier-season-2-niles-caller-dr-frasier-crane-seattle-episode/)

Frasier season 2 has the best and easiest way for David Hyde Pierce to return as Niles, and I am begging Kelsey Grammer to make it happen.

Actors Who Refused To Return For TV Show Revivals (https://www.looper.com/1183395/actors-who-refused-to-return-for-tv-show-revivals/)

TV show revivals are coming thick and fast these days, but not everyone is keen to relive the past. These actors refused to reprise their roles in TV revivals.