from thefutoncritic.com....

'FRASIER' TAKES ITS PLACE IN TELEVISION PANTHEON AS CLASSIC, RECORD-BREAKING, EMMY-WINNING COMEDY BOWS OUT WITH A TWO-HOUR RETROSPECTIVE

'FRASIER' TAKES ITS PLACE IN TELEVISION PANTHEON AS CLASSIC, RECORD-BREAKING, EMMY-WINNING COMEDY BOWS OUT WITH A TWO-HOUR RETROSPECTIVE AND SERIES FINALE ON MAY 13

NBC's critically acclaimed, classic comedy, "Frasier" (Tuesdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET), will end its historic, Emmy Award-winning run with a two-hour series finale on Thursday, May 13 (9-11 p.m. ET). The evening will begin with an hour-long retrospective of the comedy's 11 seasons and conclude with a one-hour series finale. The announcement was made by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Entertainment, News and Cable Group.

"What more can you say about this beloved, classic series?" said Zucker. "It has set the standard for every other comedy on television. Its record for Emmy wins as Outstanding Series will stand forever. This program has represented the ultimate in class and sophisticated humor. Eleven years never passed so fast and we will all miss our weekly visits with the neurotic Dr. Crane and his clan."

"Frasier," starring Kelsey Grammer in his Emmy Award-winning title role of Dr. Frasier Crane, made history by becoming the first series, comedy or drama, to achieve a record five consecutive Emmy wins for Outstanding Comedy Series. With this achievement, the series stands ahead of the classic series which are four-time winners: "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "All in the Family," NBC's "The West Wing," "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law" and "Cheers," the series from which "Frasier" was "spun-off."

Equally important, now in its 11th season, "Frasier" has also earned a television series record total of 31 Emmys, including three for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Grammer) and two for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (David Hyde Pierce).

In addition, the series has garnered the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award; three People's Choice Awards for Favorite Television Comedy, Favorite New Television Comedy Series and Best Actor (Grammer); a Humanitas Prize; Golden Globes for Best Musical or Comedy Series and Best Actor (Grammer), and the TV Guide Award as Favorite Comedy Series, along with many other accolades.

As Dr. Frasier Crane, Grammer tied James Arness' "Gunsmoke" record for playing the longest-running character in television history (20 seasons as Dr. Frasier Crane on "Cheers" and "Frasier").

The upscale comedy features the insecure and pompous psychiatrist, Dr. Crane, host of a Seattle radio advice show. The good doctor's peaceful home life was shattered when his gruff, ex-cop father, Martin (Emmy nominee John Mahoney), was injured in the line of duty and forced to move in with him. He brought with him Eddie (Enzo), his pesky Jack Russell terrier, and a duct-taped recliner that clashes with Frasier's more aesthetically pleasing Eames and Wassily chairs.

Their home is frequently visited by Frasier's snobbish and competitive brother, Niles (Pierce), a fellow psychiatrist, and his wife Daphne (Jane Leeves), who was formerly employed as Martin's live-in physical therapist; their romance was realized in the final episode of the seventh season. At work, Frasier is kept in line by his slightly jaded producer and man-hungry, single-parent Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin).

David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee created "Fraiser." The production team includes executive producers Casey, Lee, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd, Joe Keenan, Jeffrey Richman, Sam Johnson, Chris Marcil, Lori Kirkland Baker and Jon Sherman.

From last nights episode.... we all know Maris is gone forever.

Then again she was never really here.

The "Friends" finale, which tapes next week, is scheduled to air Thursday, May 6. The one-hour episode will be preceded by an hour-long look back at the show's 10 years.

The following week, "Frasier" will return to Thursday night -- where it debuted behind "Seinfeld" in 1993 -- for its last episode, which will also run an hour, with a clip show preceding it.

As for NBC calling "Friends" the best comedy ever, Grammer says he understands.

"I don't blame them for saying so," he says, before adding with a laugh, "Although we all know it's not true."

It will be so sad to Frasier go. It's my favorite show on television. I haven't missed an episode in 3 years. What am I going to do now on Tuesdays! I think eleven seasons is a pretty good run. Some of the greatest shows of all time have run eleven years, like 'M*A*S*H' and 'Cheers.' I'm glad 'Frasier' is going out with class. This season has improved.

As for the thing about 'Friends,' I think it is severely overrated. I mean it's a great show, but it can hardly be considered the "best show on television." (In my opinion, that prize goes to Frasier).

I can't wait. It should be good.

Yep, crazy. Cheers 11 years, Frasier 11.

To play the same sitcom character for 20 of those years, woah.

That is actually a very good plan to have Frasier have it's finale in Friends timeslot. Will probably do very well in that timeslot. Sounds like a good send off. Hopefully NBC will promote the heck out of the finale near it's end.

from the NBC commercial....

Originally posted by barwars88
from the NBC commercial....

ITS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
TO TELEVISION'S MOST HONORED COMEDY

DONT MISS THE FINAL EPISODES
OF FRASIER

NBC TUESDAYS

Only 10 episodes left.