David Hyde Pierce Doesn't Want to Play Dr. Niles Crane Anymore....Is He Selfish? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-25-2011, 11:32 AM

What’s your relationship with Niles Crane all these years later — that inseparability that comes from playing a long-running hit-TV-show character?
It’s less like that now. First of all, it’s been so long since the show. Maybe it’s because I’ve left that world and I’m here in New York doing theater, so I’m more in tune to audiences coming to stage doors and seeing plays that I’m in and talking about the characters I’ve just done — not necessarily Niles. But my relationship with the character? I’d have to say I just have nothing but affection for him. We had such a good time together, and when people do come up and talk to me, they’re so enthusiastic and affectionate — not just about me and the character, but the show. So many times — it just continues to happen, I think because of all the reruns — people come up to me and say, “You got me through the worst times.” Which is not something you’re thinking about when you’re making a sitcom.

I’m very close with Niles, I think, but I’m glad to step away. One of the blessings I got from that show was enough financial security that I’m able to choose what work I do instead of take whatever comes. And therefore, I don’t choose to do characters who are like that. I’ve done him! If that’s what people want to see, then that’s fine. But I don’t have to do it. That said, one of the things I loved about The Perfect Host is how it took a very similar kind of character and then moves him in a very different direction.

http://www.movieline.com/2011/06/dav...e.php?page=all

Yes, Frasier. For 11 seasons, Pierce played snooty Niles Crane, Frasier’s younger brother, on the NBC juggernaut, now in syndication. That character, constructed from tangents, is an effete intellectual. It has brought him renown and many accolades. The role also has allowed him to lavish attention on his first love: the stage.

“Maybe it’s because it’s the first thing I came to,” he said. “But I think it’s more than that. Having had a chance to do television for many years in as good a way as an actor could…I don’t feel a strong draw to go back. …Film is something where you do a whole lot of work ahead of time. You let it go and they catch it and you’re done. …It goes to an editor.”

http://www.davidhydepierce.org/2011/...f-niles-crane/

Pat · 10-25-2011, 01:04 PM

No, I don't think that's selfish. I think it is selfish for others to expect him to do nothing else but play Niles. We have no idea what it's like to be famous, but I'll be it really sucks for you to be great at one character and you try to move on, but no one acknowledges your new work. Can you imagine time after time after time to be reminded that people think you're only good at one character and may never be good at anything else... ever?

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a reunion show (I don't think that will ever happen) or find out that there was a lost show or two that was never aired that suddenly became available.

BEST SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MasterEdward · 10-25-2011, 08:37 PM

No I don't think he's selfish. It's his life and his career so he can do whatever.

Ed.

bingbangbaby · 10-26-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat

No, I don't think that's selfish. I think it is selfish for others to expect him to do nothing else but play Niles. We have no idea what it's like to be famous, but I'll be it really sucks for you to be great at one character and you try to move on, but no one acknowledges your new work. Can you imagine time after time after time to be reminded that people think you're only good at one character and may never be good at anything else... ever?

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a reunion show (I don't think that will ever happen) or find out that there was a lost show or two that was never aired that suddenly became available.

BEST SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perfectly worded. I agree wholeheartedly.

It's really nice too, when it's an actor you really like, to be able to see different shades of his/her talent.

Schmoopie · 10-31-2011, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat

No, I don't think that's selfish. I think it is selfish for others to expect him to do nothing else but play Niles.

Brilliantly put! I've mentioned this before but DHP was asked if he minded if people still call him Niles and he said absolutely not because he loved doing that show. I have to admit that I am absolutely dying to meet this wonderful man and I feel a bit uncomfortable with telling him how much I loved him as Niles.

But he is an amazing actor and all it takes is one viewing of "Perfect Host" to see that. It's a VERY creepy movie with an AMAZING twist near the end. I've seen it twice and it's honestly not something I want to see again any time soon, but it's totally worth watching once.

I just love seeing actor's versatility in doing different roles and I think watching someone play the same character over and over would be completely boring! Even if that's the character they are most associated with.

I find it so cool that since Frasier ended, Jane Leeves (Daphne), DHP (Niles) and Kelesy Grammer (Frasier) have gone on to do roles that are complete opposites of their characters on Frasier!

Torgo · 10-31-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

But he is an amazing actor and all it takes is one viewing of "Perfect Host" to see that. It's a VERY creepy movie with an AMAZING twist near the end. I've seen it twice and it's honestly not something I want to see again any time soon, but it's totally worth watching once.

He was great in that role.

Schmoopie · 05-10-2012, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

He was great in that role.

He was brilliant but I couldn't help but notice a bit of Niles mixed in with Warwick Wilson's other side! That's what made it so amazing! Well that and the fact that DHP was playing the role!

10-25-2011, 11:32 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	David Hyde Pierce Doesn't Want to Play Dr. Niles Crane Anymore....Is He Selfish? What’s your relationship with Niles Crane all these years later — that inseparability that comes from playing a long-running hit-TV-show character? It’s less like that now. First of all, it’s been so long since the show. Maybe it’s because I’ve left that world and I’m here in New York doing theater, so I’m more in tune to audiences coming to stage doors and seeing plays that I’m in and talking about the characters I’ve just done — not necessarily Niles. But my relationship with the character? I’d have to say I just have nothing but affection for him. We had such a good time together, and when people do come up and talk to me, they’re so enthusiastic and affectionate — not just about me and the character, but the show. So many times — it just continues to happen, I think because of all the reruns — people come up to me and say, “You got me through the worst times.” Which is not something you’re thinking about when you’re making a sitcom. I’m very close with Niles, I think, but I’m glad to step away. One of the blessings I got from that show was enough financial security that I’m able to choose what work I do instead of take whatever comes. And therefore, I don’t choose to do characters who are like that. I’ve done him! If that’s what people want to see, then that’s fine. But I don’t have to do it. That said, one of the things I loved about The Perfect Host is how it took a very similar kind of character and then moves him in a very different direction. http://www.movieline.com/2011/06/dav...e.php?page=all Yes, Frasier. For 11 seasons, Pierce played snooty Niles Crane, Frasier’s younger brother, on the NBC juggernaut, now in syndication. That character, constructed from tangents, is an effete intellectual. It has brought him renown and many accolades. The role also has allowed him to lavish attention on his first love: the stage. “Maybe it’s because it’s the first thing I came to,” he said. “But I think it’s more than that. Having had a chance to do television for many years in as good a way as an actor could…I don’t feel a strong draw to go back. …Film is something where you do a whole lot of work ahead of time. You let it go and they catch it and you’re done. …It goes to an editor.” http://www.davidhydepierce.org/2011/...f-niles-crane/
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

10-25-2011, 01:04 PM	#2
Pat Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: 2Trivia4Me, VA Posts: 2,729	LOVE THE NILES CHARACTER No, I don't think that's selfish. I think it is selfish for others to expect him to do nothing else but play Niles. We have no idea what it's like to be famous, but I'll be it really sucks for you to be great at one character and you try to move on, but no one acknowledges your new work. Can you imagine time after time after time to be reminded that people think you're only good at one character and may never be good at anything else... ever? Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a reunion show (I don't think that will ever happen) or find out that there was a lost show or two that was never aired that suddenly became available. BEST SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	__________________ Frasier: "Don't stare at me Eddie. I'm a humane man, but right now I could kick a kitten through an electric fan!"

10-25-2011, 08:37 PM	#3
MasterEdward Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 18, 2011 Posts: 37	No I don't think he's selfish. It's his life and his career so he can do whatever. Ed.