Creative writing and good chemistry often lead to crossovers between sitcoms. We offer a few tie-ins between "Frasier" and "Hot in Cleveland." The former has appeared in reruns on Hallmark; the latter airs at 10 p.m. Wednesdays on TV Land.
Peri Gilpin: Frasier Crane's acerbic sidekick took a lot of ribbing for her reported sleeping around, but she always gave it back in glib fashion. She had a guest spot on a second-season "Hot in Cleveland" episode.
Jane Leeves: On "Frasier," she was a home caregiver who had occasional dates before settling down with Niles Crane. Will she find true love on "Hot in Cleveland?"
John Mahoney: As Martin Crane on "Frasier," he brought a down-to-earth nature to rein in his sons' sometimes snobbish behavior. On "Hot" he is a love interest for Betty White's character, Elka Ostrovsky.
Wendie Malick: On "Frasier," the Ohio Wesleyan graduate played a likable former baby sitter for Martin Crane's kids who went on to marry Martin. On "Hot in Cleveland," she plays a shallow, former soap opera actress.
Suzanne Martin: The catalyst behind both shows. She wrote, produced and was an executive story editor for "Frasier," and she created "Hot in Cleveland."
More connections:
• Mary Tyler Moore starred in her own sitcom with Betty White, was a caller to Frasier Crane's radio show on "Frasier," and had a second-season guest appearance on "Hot in Cleveland."
• On "Frasier," Leeves' character hails from Manchester, England. Mahoney's family originally was from Manchester. He was born nearby, in Blackpool.
• On "Frasier," Millicent Martin played the mother of Leeves' character, Daphne Moon. Martin appeared on a second-season episode of "Hot."
• Eddie Van Halen once called in to Frasier's show. At the time, he was married to Valerie Bertinelli, who now stars on "Hot."
http://www.cleveland.com/entertainme...sier_have.html
