"Frasier" may bid NBC adieu - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 01-22-2003, 06:48 PM

By Josef Adalian

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Even as NBC finally comes to grips with losing its "Friends," the network is also readying to say farewell to another of its comedy anchors: "Frasier."

Don't look for any official announcements just yet, but insiders at both the network and its producer, Paramount TV, confirm it's now highly likely the 2003-04 season will be the last for the Kelsey Grammer (news)-led laffer. NBC's three-year license fee agreement for the show is up in May 2004, and all parties are operating as if there won't be any talks to extend the show's life beyond that.

Ratings for "Frasier" have taken a hit this season -- in large part because, as NBC programming chief Jeff Zucker admits, the network has done the show "no favors" with weak lead-in programming at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

However, the series is still a solid performer, as well as one of the few things working on NBC's Tuesday schedule. What's more, "Frasier" appeals to an affluent demographic, allowing NBC's sales department to snag a premium for spots on the show.

Most importantly, it seems hard to believe NBC would want to say goodbye to both "Friends" and "Frasier" in the same season, particularly since the network is still in dire need of new comedy hits.

But "Frasier" is also a very expensive show to produce.

In 2001, NBC agreed to a three-year, $374 million deal to renew "Frasier," a sum that translates into a per-episode license fee of roughly $5.2 million. Soon after, Paramount struck deals with stars Grammer and David Hyde Pierce (news) paying each man seven-figure salaries to stay with the show until 2004.

While ratings for "Frasier" are still good, barring a major Nielsen uptick -- or a complete collapse of its primetime schedule -- it seems unlikely NBC would want to continue shelling out $5 million-plus per episode for "Frasier." And considering the production costs of the show, Paramount probably wouldn't find a huge upside in continuing "Frasier" at a reduced license fee.

Should "Frasier" wrap in May 2004, the series will match the 11-season run of its parent laffer, "Cheers," while Grammer -- who made his first "Cheers" appearance in 1984 -- will have played Dr. Frasier Crane for an even 20 years.

Grammer has publicly stated his desire to keep "Frasier" going until the show matched "Cheers" in longevity.

Despite all the evidence pointing to the end of "Frasier," insiders at NBC and Paramount both stress that a final decision on the matter doesn't need to be made for another year. And just as "Friends" had been written off as a goner for several seasons before Zucker's final death sentence last week, there's always the chance all parties involved could hammer out a way to extend "Frasier's" lifespan.

"AfterFrasier," anyone?

Reuters/Variety

Frasier W. Crane · 01-23-2003, 02:06 PM

Well, I think its about done anyway. It would be nice to see a 12th season, but they can't keep up the quality, and I don't think I want it to pass Cheers up.

Brian Damage · 01-23-2003, 05:50 PM

If Frasier is still a hit, which it is, then I don't see why it can't come back for a 12th season. Besides, just like the article said, it would be pretty tough for NBC to lose two hit sitcoms in the same season.

Frasier W. Crane · 01-23-2003, 06:44 PM

Ture, but I wouldn't want it to be so horrible I couldn't take anymore of it.

Frasierfan1983 · 01-24-2003, 11:34 AM

It would be a shame, but I guess I did see this coming.

No need to fret just yet though. There is another whole Season beyond Season 10 afterall, and like the article said, they don't have to decide yet.

I just hope Frasier won't have already run out of steam before they make their final decision.

01-22-2003, 06:48 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,676	"Frasier" may bid NBC adieu By Josef Adalian HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Even as NBC finally comes to grips with losing its "Friends," the network is also readying to say farewell to another of its comedy anchors: "Frasier." Don't look for any official announcements just yet, but insiders at both the network and its producer, Paramount TV, confirm it's now highly likely the 2003-04 season will be the last for the Kelsey Grammer (news)-led laffer. NBC's three-year license fee agreement for the show is up in May 2004, and all parties are operating as if there won't be any talks to extend the show's life beyond that. Ratings for "Frasier" have taken a hit this season -- in large part because, as NBC programming chief Jeff Zucker admits, the network has done the show "no favors" with weak lead-in programming at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. However, the series is still a solid performer, as well as one of the few things working on NBC's Tuesday schedule. What's more, "Frasier" appeals to an affluent demographic, allowing NBC's sales department to snag a premium for spots on the show. Most importantly, it seems hard to believe NBC would want to say goodbye to both "Friends" and "Frasier" in the same season, particularly since the network is still in dire need of new comedy hits. But "Frasier" is also a very expensive show to produce. In 2001, NBC agreed to a three-year, $374 million deal to renew "Frasier," a sum that translates into a per-episode license fee of roughly $5.2 million. Soon after, Paramount struck deals with stars Grammer and David Hyde Pierce (news) paying each man seven-figure salaries to stay with the show until 2004. While ratings for "Frasier" are still good, barring a major Nielsen uptick -- or a complete collapse of its primetime schedule -- it seems unlikely NBC would want to continue shelling out $5 million-plus per episode for "Frasier." And considering the production costs of the show, Paramount probably wouldn't find a huge upside in continuing "Frasier" at a reduced license fee. Should "Frasier" wrap in May 2004, the series will match the 11-season run of its parent laffer, "Cheers," while Grammer -- who made his first "Cheers" appearance in 1984 -- will have played Dr. Frasier Crane for an even 20 years. Grammer has publicly stated his desire to keep "Frasier" going until the show matched "Cheers" in longevity. Despite all the evidence pointing to the end of "Frasier," insiders at NBC and Paramount both stress that a final decision on the matter doesn't need to be made for another year. And just as "Friends" had been written off as a goner for several seasons before Zucker's final death sentence last week, there's always the chance all parties involved could hammer out a way to extend "Frasier's" lifespan. "AfterFrasier," anyone? Reuters/Variety

01-23-2003, 02:06 PM	#2
Frasier W. Crane Farewell, Frasier Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 22, 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 782	Well, I think its about done anyway. It would be nice to see a 12th season, but they can't keep up the quality, and I don't think I want it to pass Cheers up.
	__________________ George W. Bush: "We Keep Our Word." Almost 3 Million Jobs Lost No Child Left Behind Act Underfunded by $9 Billion 3.8 Million More Americans Lost Health Insurance Small Deficit? Annual Deficit To Exceed $400 Billion in the Next 10 Years 200,000 Veterans Cut From Health System Raids Entire $2.6 Trillion Social Security Trust Fund We need a President who means what he says, and keeps his word. John Kerry is the President that can do that. Sen. John F. Kerry for United States President. HE WILL keep his word. Visit www.johnkerry.com to get more information about the Senator that will turn our country around. https://contribute.johnkerry.com/ind..._code=00014509

01-23-2003, 05:50 PM	#3
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	If Frasier is still a hit, which it is, then I don't see why it can't come back for a 12th season. Besides, just like the article said, it would be pretty tough for NBC to lose two hit sitcoms in the same season.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-24-2003, 11:34 AM	#5
Frasierfan1983 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 16, 2002 Location: UK Posts: 169	It would be a shame, but I guess I did see this coming. No need to fret just yet though. There is another whole Season beyond Season 10 afterall, and like the article said, they don't have to decide yet. I just hope Frasier won't have already run out of steam before they make their final decision.
	__________________ Martin: Can you imagine? Lilith's and my kid would be brother to you and Niles AND Freddie. Frasier: What are you talking about? Martin: And if you and Lilith got back together, you'd be his step-father AND his brother, and Niles would be your son... and his own uncle! It's almost worth doing just so that I can tell the story!

01-23-2003, 06:44 PM	#4
Frasier W. Crane Farewell, Frasier Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 22, 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 782	Ture, but I wouldn't want it to be so horrible I couldn't take anymore of it.

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