Could The Show 'Frasier' Survived Without (Gasp) Frasier Crane?! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-09-2011, 10:15 AM

Could this show have worked without Kelsey Grammer as the star? A Show with Niles as the radio Dj? What is your opinions on this?

Pat · 11-09-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Could this show have worked without Kelsey Grammer as the star? A Show with Niles as the radio Dj? What is your opinions on this?

I don't know. I don't think so. As someone, so intelligently, once told me, the main character is the center of attention and is expected to hold the show together. There can not be as much creation with him/her. The co-star can be more creative and spontanious. Thus, if there was no Frasier, Niles would probably become more like the Frasier Character.

Would I have like to see them try doing it without Frasier? Absolutely NOT! I love this show and think it stands far from others when it comes to the best show ever!!!

Pat · 11-09-2011, 03:00 PM

Retro4Life said it much better...

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

This happens a lot, really. The lead actor is often forced into being a bit more bland and reactive than the second lead, who is more free to be "out there" and expressive, without the pressure of holding the rest of the cast together and acting as a sage or "stabilizing force". You can see this in Everybody Loves Raymond, where Robby was arguably more popular than Ray, in the aforementioned Happy Days, in Alice, with Alice/Flo, in ODAAT, with Ann/Schneider, in Barney Miller with Barney and Fish, in WKRP with Andy and Johnny, etc, etc.

My reply to Retro4Life's
Wow, well put and very insightful!

bingbangbaby · 11-09-2011, 04:00 PM

I don't think so either. And let me just admit right off the bat that out of the six main characters including Eddie, Frasier ranks either number five or six for me, and below Eddie.

That said, I also like this entire cast heads and shoulders above a lot of other casts, so ranking number 5 or 6 still puts him in the upper echelon as far as TV characters go. But no, the show needs him. First off, why mess with lightning in a bottle-- and secondly I think this show worked so well among other things because it wasn't like anything else out there and because it had a familiar character already-- Frasier Crane. The cast is such a strong part of this show, it wouldn't be the same show without any one of those five main characters. And without Frasier-- then it's just a show mostly about Niles and Daphne, and, as cute as they are, it would have looked a lot like a lot of other shows already out there at that time and may not have been given the chance to see how far it could go. Without Frasier there would have had to have been other characters and some other tweaks in the storyline and they probably wouldn't have been as good as what's there now. Without Frasier we also lose the whole brother relationship, which really is as big a relationship and as big a part of the show-- if not bigger-- as Niles and Daphne's is. The way the show is now, there's something and some character to appeal to everyone, and there's so many different directions storylines can go. While I'm sure I would have loved to see a show only about Niles and Daphne, I wonder if it would have felt the same, and dare I say, been the same couple we absolutely love now, without Frasier there to temper the whole thing. As much as I love N&D, I do think the Frasier character adds way more sparkle to that picture, including the picture of Niles and Daphne, than we might realize at first glance.

Schmoopie · 11-10-2011, 12:31 AM

It's funny I was thinking the other day about what a spin-off of Frasier revolving around Niles (and Daphne) would have been like and of course since DHP was done with Niles by the time the series was over (can't blame him-that's a LONG time to play one character!), I don't think it would have lasted very long. I mean, as much as I would LOVE to see an entire show about Niles and Daphne, I like the interaction that Niles and Frasier had with each other.

Frasier was the true star, but I admit that if it weren't for Niles I wouldn't have even continued to watch the show. Personally I think he kind of stole the show from Frasier a little bit but that's probably because I'm infatuated with Niles. I think he's absolutely adorable.

But I do love Frasier and I think people associated with him more because of his presence on Cheers. So not having him as the star would have made the show a lot less enjoyable...

bingbangbaby · 11-10-2011, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

It's funny I was thinking the other day about what a spin-off of Frasier revolving around Niles (and Daphne) would have been like and of course since DHP was done with Niles by the time the series was over (can't blame him-that's a LONG time to play one character!), I don't think it would have lasted very long. I mean, as much as I would LOVE to see an entire show about Niles and Daphne, I like the interaction that Niles and Frasier had with each other.

Frasier was the true star, but I admit that if it weren't for Niles I wouldn't have even continued to watch the show. Personally I think he kind of stole the show from Frasier a little bit but that's probably because I'm infatuated with Niles. I think he's absolutely adorable.

But I do love Frasier and I think people associated with him more because of his presence on Cheers. So not having him as the star would have made the show a lot less enjoyable...

That's a good post... I agree with every word you said there.

I particularly like the second paragraph. I feel that exact same way... but I'm not sure how much that means either because I'm also not so objective-- being completely in love with Niles and all.

HHorseman · 11-24-2011, 11:52 PM

I dont think so be abit like taking Sam from Cheers and leaving it up to Woody I couldnt see that one working either.

Schmoopie · 11-25-2011, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingbangbaby

That's a good post... I agree with every word you said there.

I particularly like the second paragraph. I feel that exact same way... but I'm not sure how much that means either because I'm also not so objective-- being completely in love with Niles and all.

Thanks, but I'm sure we're not the only ones who feel this way!

Leigh Ann · 11-25-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

It's funny I was thinking the other day about what a spin-off of Frasier revolving around Niles (and Daphne) would have been like and of course since DHP was done with Niles by the time the series was over (can't blame him-that's a LONG time to play one character!), I don't think it would have lasted very long. I mean, as much as I would LOVE to see an entire show about Niles and Daphne, I like the interaction that Niles and Frasier had with each other.

Frasier was the true star, but I admit that if it weren't for Niles I wouldn't have even continued to watch the show. Personally I think he kind of stole the show from Frasier a little bit but that's probably because I'm infatuated with Niles. I think he's absolutely adorable.

But I do love Frasier and I think people associated with him more because of his presence on Cheers. So not having him as the star would have made the show a lot less enjoyable...

I think Kristen told me one time that Jane & DHP were asked to do a Niles/Daphne spin-off, but they didn't want to do it without Kelsey, John or Peri. I think the first couple of episodes would be good, but it would probably fail without the other cast. And I would miss the Frasier/Niles banter as well.

bingbangbaby · 11-25-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Thanks, but I'm sure we're not the only ones who feel this way!

That's true... I posted on another forum on another site for another show altogether that I was in love with DHP/Niles from Frasier and like 15 other people agreed. If DHP ever decided he wanted a woman, he'd have to fight 'em off, I think.

Schmoopie · 11-26-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingbangbaby

If DHP ever decided he wanted a woman, he'd have to fight 'em off, I think.

Yes, and as horrible as this sounds (of course I mean no offense at all), I think it's better that he has Brian instead of being married to a woman. I mean, I get jealous enough as it is!

Schmoopie · 11-26-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leigh Ann

I think Kristen told me one time that Jane & DHP were asked to do a Niles/Daphne spin-off, but they didn't want to do it without Kelsey, John or Peri. I think the first couple of episodes would be good, but it would probably fail without the other cast. And I would miss the Frasier/Niles banter as well.

Really? Hadn't heard that but I have heard DHP say many times in interviews that he wanted to do something other than Niles after Frasier ended and that's why a lot of his roles are so completely opposite of Niles. He picks them that way on purpose. As much as I love Niles, I think it's awesome that he does that because it just showcases his talents.

bingbangbaby · 11-26-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Yes, and as horrible as this sounds (of course I mean no offense at all), I think it's better that he has Brian instead of being married to a woman. I mean, I get jealous enough as it is!

That's too funny. I concur.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Really? Hadn't heard that but I have heard DHP say many times in interviews that he wanted to do something other than Niles after Frasier ended and that's why a lot of his roles are so completely opposite of Niles. He picks them that way on purpose. As much as I love Niles, I think it's awesome that he does that because it just showcases his talents.

Didn't he play a character just like Niles in the show he did before Frasier too? It didn't last long, I don't think, but I could see how he might feel that he could get typecast into only getting roles like that if he wasn't careful.

11-09-2011, 10:15 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	Could The Show 'Frasier' Survived Without (Gasp) Frasier Crane?! Could this show have worked without Kelsey Grammer as the star? A Show with Niles as the radio Dj? What is your opinions on this?
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11-10-2011, 12:31 AM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	It's funny I was thinking the other day about what a spin-off of Frasier revolving around Niles (and Daphne) would have been like and of course since DHP was done with Niles by the time the series was over (can't blame him-that's a LONG time to play one character!), I don't think it would have lasted very long. I mean, as much as I would LOVE to see an entire show about Niles and Daphne, I like the interaction that Niles and Frasier had with each other. Frasier was the true star, but I admit that if it weren't for Niles I wouldn't have even continued to watch the show. Personally I think he kind of stole the show from Frasier a little bit but that's probably because I'm infatuated with Niles. I think he's absolutely adorable. But I do love Frasier and I think people associated with him more because of his presence on Cheers. So not having him as the star would have made the show a lot less enjoyable...
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11-09-2011, 03:00 PM	#3
Pat Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: 2Trivia4Me, VA Posts: 2,729	Retro4Life said it much better... Originally Posted by Retro4Life This happens a lot, really. The lead actor is often forced into being a bit more bland and reactive than the second lead, who is more free to be "out there" and expressive, without the pressure of holding the rest of the cast together and acting as a sage or "stabilizing force". You can see this in Everybody Loves Raymond, where Robby was arguably more popular than Ray, in the aforementioned Happy Days, in Alice, with Alice/Flo, in ODAAT, with Ann/Schneider, in Barney Miller with Barney and Fish, in WKRP with Andy and Johnny, etc, etc. My reply to Retro4Life's Wow, well put and very insightful!

11-09-2011, 04:00 PM	#4
bingbangbaby I see you!! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,070	I don't think so either. And let me just admit right off the bat that out of the six main characters including Eddie, Frasier ranks either number five or six for me, and below Eddie. That said, I also like this entire cast heads and shoulders above a lot of other casts, so ranking number 5 or 6 still puts him in the upper echelon as far as TV characters go. But no, the show needs him. First off, why mess with lightning in a bottle-- and secondly I think this show worked so well among other things because it wasn't like anything else out there and because it had a familiar character already-- Frasier Crane. The cast is such a strong part of this show, it wouldn't be the same show without any one of those five main characters. And without Frasier-- then it's just a show mostly about Niles and Daphne, and, as cute as they are, it would have looked a lot like a lot of other shows already out there at that time and may not have been given the chance to see how far it could go. Without Frasier there would have had to have been other characters and some other tweaks in the storyline and they probably wouldn't have been as good as what's there now. Without Frasier we also lose the whole brother relationship, which really is as big a relationship and as big a part of the show-- if not bigger-- as Niles and Daphne's is. The way the show is now, there's something and some character to appeal to everyone, and there's so many different directions storylines can go. While I'm sure I would have loved to see a show only about Niles and Daphne, I wonder if it would have felt the same, and dare I say, been the same couple we absolutely love now, without Frasier there to temper the whole thing. As much as I love N&D, I do think the Frasier character adds way more sparkle to that picture, including the picture of Niles and Daphne, than we might realize at first glance.

11-24-2011, 11:52 PM	#7
HHorseman Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 23, 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 218	I dont think so be abit like taking Sam from Cheers and leaving it up to Woody I couldnt see that one working either.