2004 saw the end of two long-running NBC sitcoms with a combined 21 seasons (not counting Kelsey Grammer's previous stint on Cheers either). They never really did get their comedy mojo back, eventually pushing critically acclaimed crap that was largely rejected by the general public. Before that though was the Friends spin-off Joey which was cancelled after two seasons, most Friends fans don't even seem to like that show. A Niles spin-off from Frasier with David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves reprising their roles (tension could still arise in that marriage from the forever invisible Maris :lol:) might have done a lot better than Joey. But all NBC cared about then was licking the boots of anyone involved with Friends. Josh Groban's popularity was taking off by this point and he also likes acting, could have been a good replacement frenemy for Niles after Frasier moved away.