"Frasier" Finale...Carrying On The "Wings" Tradition - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 05-14-2004, 07:44 AM

We've talked a lot about the "Wings" finale over the past week, but seeing last night's "Frasier" episode reminded me a LOT of the last "Wings" episode....

The "Frasier" finale was funny and sad (but sad in a "good" way). There were good-byes said, but you didn't feel like they were "Forever" good-byes. (Martin made it a point of saying that Frasier would be around on holidays and other visits).

The show was funny, well-written, well-acted and gave us a nice surprise at the end...but not a BIZARRE "over the top" surprise!

Like "Wings", "Frasier" left us with dignity and class, and had very much the same pleasant and optimistic "tone" as the "Wings" finale.

peter may · 05-14-2004, 11:47 AM

I cant wait another 6 weeks till Frasier's series finale comes on TV here in England, How did Fasier end, what was the final scene and what happens to Frasier?

Tell me all the details

Chocoholic · 05-14-2004, 12:52 PM

I had to tape it last night (I had to work.) so I haven't seen it yet. I'll probably watch this weekend.

losthighway · 05-15-2004, 01:28 PM

Peter I can't do that! I don't want to ruin any surprises for you.

I enjoyed the finale too Pilotguy, although I still give Wings a bit higher rating for the finale.

I was always a big fan of the show "Frasier" especially about the first 6 or 7 seasons. It dropped off a little after that, but I've always contended after that many years it's hard to come up with new and original things to do with the characters. At a certain point, all the stories have been told.

I have always been a fan of Kelsey Grammer and I thought his development of the Frasier character was outstanding. He truly deserved the many emmys he won. I know some on this message board didn't like the show that much, but for me it was like Wings in several key respects. First, it was extraordinary and perfect casting, just like Wings. And secondly, the writing was some of the best sit-com writing going. Again, much like Wings. And of course that shouldn't be too shocking considering (as we all know) the same people that created Wings also created Frasier. Several of the folks that wrote episodes of Wings either wrote or produced many of the episodes of Frasier.

I'm glad to see Peter Casey and David Lee have so much success and I hope they come up with another show soon. Maybe they are ready to start "Wings II" as we pick up the story 7 years after Joe and Helen left...

pilotguy · 05-15-2004, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by losthighway
I have always been a fan of Kelsey Grammer and I thought his development of the Frasier character was outstanding. He truly deserved the many emmys he won. I know some on this message board didn't like the show that much, but for me it was like Wings in several key respects. First, it was extraordinary and perfect casting, just like Wings. And secondly, the writing was some of the best sit-com writing going. Again, much like Wings. And of course that shouldn't be too shocking considering (as we all know) the same people that created Wings also created Frasier. Several of the folks that wrote episodes of Wings either wrote or produced many of the episodes of Frasier.

One striking similarity between "Wings" and "Frasier" that I noticed is that both series made an older, 60-70 year old person a regular member of the cast, and didn't portray that person as a "silly, senile or meddlesome old biddy".

Oh sure, Fay Cochran may have been slightly ditzy at times, but that had nothing to do with her age....you just knew that she was saying those ditzy things when she was in her 20's too! On the whole, there was a certain wiseness about Fay, and the same can be said of Martin Crane. Sometimes the wiseness was a little rough around the edges, but it was there!

Other recent sitcoms utilized older characters, but they weren't important REGULAR members of the cast...they usually appeared every so often as the regular characters' parents ("Seinfeld", "Mad About You", "Friends", etc.).

While "Everybody Loves Raymond" has senior citizens in it's regular cast, even Raymond's parents aren't shown in the positive light that Fay Cochran and Martin Crane were.

It was just something that I noticed in an age when everything on TV is supposed to be "young and hip"!

Chocoholic · 05-17-2004, 10:03 AM

Pilotguy, I noticed that too. That's another thing I like about Wings and Frasier. They show senior citizens in a positive light.

Adamantium · 05-17-2004, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sideshow Kristen
Pilotguy, I noticed that too. That's another thing I like about Wings and Frasier. They show senior citizens in a positive light.

I agree, however, I still think that Arthur Spooner (Jerry Stiller) of "The King of Queens" is one of the funniest characters of all-time.

05-14-2004, 07:44 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	"Frasier" Finale...Carrying On The "Wings" Tradition We've talked a lot about the "Wings" finale over the past week, but seeing last night's "Frasier" episode reminded me a LOT of the last "Wings" episode.... The "Frasier" finale was funny and sad (but sad in a "good" way). There were good-byes said, but you didn't feel like they were "Forever" good-byes. (Martin made it a point of saying that Frasier would be around on holidays and other visits). The show was funny, well-written, well-acted and gave us a nice surprise at the end...but not a BIZARRE "over the top" surprise! Like "Wings", "Frasier" left us with dignity and class, and had very much the same pleasant and optimistic "tone" as the "Wings" finale.

05-14-2004, 11:47 AM	#2
peter may The SO Limey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Location: LONDON Posts: 1,883	I cant wait another 6 weeks till Frasier's series finale comes on TV here in England, How did Fasier end, what was the final scene and what happens to Frasier? Tell me all the details

05-14-2004, 12:52 PM	#3
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I had to tape it last night (I had to work.) so I haven't seen it yet. I'll probably watch this weekend.

05-15-2004, 01:28 PM	#4
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	Peter I can't do that! I don't want to ruin any surprises for you. I enjoyed the finale too Pilotguy, although I still give Wings a bit higher rating for the finale. I was always a big fan of the show "Frasier" especially about the first 6 or 7 seasons. It dropped off a little after that, but I've always contended after that many years it's hard to come up with new and original things to do with the characters. At a certain point, all the stories have been told. I have always been a fan of Kelsey Grammer and I thought his development of the Frasier character was outstanding. He truly deserved the many emmys he won. I know some on this message board didn't like the show that much, but for me it was like Wings in several key respects. First, it was extraordinary and perfect casting, just like Wings. And secondly, the writing was some of the best sit-com writing going. Again, much like Wings. And of course that shouldn't be too shocking considering (as we all know) the same people that created Wings also created Frasier. Several of the folks that wrote episodes of Wings either wrote or produced many of the episodes of Frasier. I'm glad to see Peter Casey and David Lee have so much success and I hope they come up with another show soon. Maybe they are ready to start "Wings II" as we pick up the story 7 years after Joe and Helen left...

05-17-2004, 10:03 AM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Pilotguy, I noticed that too. That's another thing I like about Wings and Frasier. They show senior citizens in a positive light.