One good spin-off deserves another

[Pat]

Don't start sending me hate e-mail. This image is something I just altered. This is not intended to be a joke or hoax, I was just wondering if you think NBC dropped the ball on this one. It would have been nice if they would have had The Niles and Daphne Show right after the end of Frasier.

What do you think? Would a spin-off like this have worked???

With Frasier out of Seattle, the show would be focused on Niles and Daphne.

Who else would you like to see on the show???

Roz?

Bull Dog?

Daphne's mother?

Simon?

Martin?

Let me know what you think...

I would be CLUED TO THE TV SET for this show!!!

[Leigh Ann]

I think Jane & David were asked to do a N/D spinoff show at one point, but they didn't want to do it without Kelsey, John, and etc. But it would've been cool to see more of our favorite couple. It would've been cool to see Roz get serious with a guy too, and I'm sure that would happen if she had her own show.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Leigh Ann

I think Jane & David were asked to do a N/D spinoff show at one point, but they didn't want to do it without Kelsey, John, and etc. But it would've been cool to see more of our favorite couple. It would've been cool to see Roz get serious with a guy too, and I'm sure that would happen if she had her own show.

Wow, I didn't know that they were offered their own show!!!
I think Kelsey was done. He was the one who called the end of the show and was probably ready to put his, more than 20 year, character to bed.
He could have made guest appearances.

My word, it would have been so cool to see that spin-off though, wouldn't it?

If they used the same set, (knowing with new shows they usually go with completely different sets), we would have to see more of Niles and Daphne's apartment. The sad thing would be missing Elliot Bay Towers.

Leigh Ann, thank you so much for your input.

[Pat]

I wish someone had a floorplan for Niles and Daphne's apartment at the Montana.

Basically, we only get to see the living room and the kitchen.

After Daphne moves in, we see the bedroom.

In one episode with Kirby, we get to see Niles' library.

There are some hidden passages. Remember when Niles has to give Martin directions how to get back down to the living room. Advising him to push in a certain book in the library to open a secret passage?

****

Niles: You can't blame me for the housing market - this is a simple apartment!

Frasier: Well, this simple apartment of yours is going to bankrupt you! You must admit it's a bit large for one person?

Niles: Oh, don't forget I have a pet.

Frasier: Are you saying that your BIRD requires both a study and a library?

****

Frasier: You have a THIRD floor?

Niles: It's practically a crawl space. (into intercom) Go out the door to the left. (to Frasier) Don't look at me like that! I have to have a roof over my head!

Frasier: You have THREE roofs over your head!


****

And don't forget the comment about him having a separate room to wrap gifts.

[bingbangbaby]

I was just wondering if you think NBC dropped the ball on this one. It would have been nice if they would have had The Niles and Daphne Show right after the end of Frasier.

What do you think? Would a spin-off like this have worked???

I think it would have been awesome to have had this show, but I don't know if I can say that NBC dropped the ball, because while Jane has alluded that she would have went a 12th season of Frasier (leading us to believe she would have taken her own show as Daphne), DHP has said he was done, meaning he likely would not have done it. He has said "Frasier" gave him the financial stability to be choosy about what he works on, and I'm not sure he would have chosen to play Niles for any longer.

But it sure is fun to muse about. I think it would have been a new set, probably a house that they bought, and I think it would open with Daphne pregnant with their second child, and David as a toddler. By about season four they would have had an unexpected surprise third child, but I don't think it would be a family show focused on the kids, per se. I think it would have been the same kind of adult comedy Frasier was, with some child rearing problems thrown in, so less like maybe "Full House," for instance, and more along the lines of something like "Everybody Loves Raymond" in that regard. I would have loved to see Roz show up every now and then as a good friend of Daphne's, and maybe even Alice babysitting the kids once in awhile. Same with Martin, and even Daphne's mother, but in this new show it would be some other actress whom we could still be annoyed by but also maybe find something endearing about, too. That original actress, while she served her purpose on Frasier, really gave us nothing to like about her, and I don't think would have worked well as a regular in an American sitcom. I think the part should be there, but played by some other British actress who could really develop the part for an American audience. Possibly even Daphne's dad (played by the original guy) showing up once in awhile might have been interesting. Niles had a lot of learning to do as a father and I think there would have been a generous helping of that, but he would basically remain the same kind of guy he was on the original. That's the way we loved him, so I think that's the only way a show like this would work. If they hit that perfect combination of pretentiousness mixed with that deep love for Daphne and now his family the way they did in "Frasier," then enhanced it just right with the right storylines and the right foils from Daphne's side of the family, I think it could have been a really good, funny show.

[Pat]

Thanks for you post Bingbangbaby! I really, really enjoyed reading that! Loved your ideas.

[Ant-Lox]

I never thought about them having their own show. It would seem like the natural progression. Looking at how Cheers ended though, it seemed weird that Frasier was the character to get the spinoff. I guess maybe the most obvious choice for a spinoff isn't the best one.

We did get a handful of episodes where Niles and Daphne had baby problems, as stated above, this could be a big topic for a spinoff. But with Frasier, the main star was the glue, he held everyone's lives in place, without him, they were a bit misguided. I think overall, during the course of the show, Frasier was bringing his family together.

Settings: Frasier had The Radio Station, Home, Nervosa.

With Niles and Daphne, maybe They get a house, and Niles and Daphne run their own businesses respectively.

Niles still has his private practice, and that would give us a good amount of side characters, and new characters in the form of patients. Niles could have a string of celebrities come in as patients, similar to how Frasier had his guest callers.

A receptionist, and maybe another practicing psychiatrist in the same building.

Daphne could have a spa, or a yoga studio, or maybe her own physical fitness center, or a gym that she runs. But with 2 kids, that might be too much.

Her relationship with Roz was pretty strong towards the end of Frasier, which I really liked. Roz, being the manager now, she could just continue in her supporting role.

So many roads you could take with the happy couple. I am pleased with the amount of time spent on their relationship, it was nice to finally see them get together after all those years.

[andress_jade]

I was just reading all these posts and you all have great ideas. It would have been awesome to have had a Niles and Daphne spinoff but unfortunately DHP didn't want to play Niles anymore. But we have it through Fan Fiction and I think that's better than anything.
I would have loved to have seen David grow up and Niles and Daphne having another child. Seeing how they truly were as parents since we only got a glimpse of it in the finale.
I would have watched if there had been a show about Niles and Daphne's life after the Frasier finale. A lot of what ifs but I am happy to bask in the loveliness that is fanfiction.
Thanks for sharing!

[Kristen]

I must agree w/ Andress. Niles and Daphne as parents is a theme quite often explored in fanfiction, and many of us here have done it. It's as if, just by showing the birth and giving their baby a name, they opened the door to a world of stories. And though we would love to actually SEE N/D raising a family, fanfiction is the next best thing!

[ajgenard]

I know a lot of people would have liked to see a N/D spinoff and at a certain point in time it would have been almost a guaranteed ratings grabber out of the gate. But by the time Frasier ended, the TV world had its fill of Niles & Daphne and the creative side of their dynamic was definitely running on fumes after 11 seasons. The ratings for the last season, aside from the final few episodes, were the lowest in the show's history albeit still respectable. All signs pointed towards bringing a close to a legacy that lasted 22 years.

In retrospect I'm rather glad it went no further and we're left with the phenomenal Frasier finale. The odds of a N/D spinoff being any good were not favorable. NBC caught lighting in a bottle TWICE with Cheers and Frasier so it's really doubtful they could do it again, especially considering how much television has changed. Fanfiction is one thing, having another official entry into the saga that can never be erased from the collective public mindset is another.

[Ant-Lox]

I agree, I think we have a good amount of Niles and Daphne stories explored in Frasier.

The TV landscape has changed, and sitcoms of today seem more blunt, less genuine and a little soul less to be honest.

[bingbangbaby]

Originally Posted by ajgenard

I know a lot of people would have liked to see a N/D spinoff and at a certain point in time it would have been almost a guaranteed ratings grabber out of the gate. But by the time Frasier ended, the TV world had its fill of Niles & Daphne and the creative side of their dynamic was definitely running on fumes after 11 seasons. The ratings for the last season, aside from the final few episodes, were the lowest in the show's history albeit still respectable. All signs pointed towards bringing a close to a legacy that lasted 22 years.

In retrospect I'm rather glad it went no further and we're left with the phenomenal Frasier finale. The odds of a N/D spinoff being any good were not favorable. NBC caught lighting in a bottle TWICE with Cheers and Frasier so it's really doubtful they could do it again, especially considering how much television has changed. Fanfiction is one thing, having another official entry into the saga that can never be erased from the collective public mindset is another.

Originally Posted by Ant-Lox

I agree, I think we have a good amount of Niles and Daphne stories explored in Frasier.

The TV landscape has changed, and sitcoms of today seem more blunt, less genuine and a little soul less to be honest.

Wow, both really good points. I agree with both of you. While I do think a N/D spinoff might have had a chance, it definitely would have required some changes to add some fuel back into that dynamic you were referring to. I think the one thing that would have had to stay the same would be the core personalities of the two characters. Other than that, big changes would have been needed for it to have had a go. It would have been tricky business, for sure.

And I agree about the current sitcoms too. I so miss the days when sitcoms were-- well-- good. As far as sitcoms go, I honestly haven't seen anything great in more than a decade. Maybe some day we'll figure out the sitcom formula again. Then we just have to hope the masses won't be too cynical to enjoy it anymore.

[Schmoopie]

I have a friend who loves David Hyde Pierce and he tells me all the time that they should have called the show "Niles" instead of "Frasier". I know that David didn't want to do any reunion shows or spin offs and I can see why they'd want to keep the cast together. Although I would totally watch it!