The official Press release stating the end of Frasier - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Miss Golden · 01-12-2004, 11:31 PM

NBC Says 'Frasier' Will End Its Run
Monday January 12 12:33 PM ET

After some brief talk of keeping the show going for a 12th season next fall, NBC said Monday that its five-time Emmy-winning comedy, "Frasier," will call it quits in May.

This was widely assumed to be its last season, but in recent months Kelsey Grammer, who has portrayed the high-strung psychologist Frasier Crane for 20 years since the character originated on "Cheers," had said he was open to continuing.

"The finances would not have worked for another season," said NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks.

"Frasier" won the Emmy for best comedy for five straight years, from 1994 to 1998.

Its exit means that NBC will go into next season without both of the popular, urbane comedies that have defined it as a network for the past decade. The last episode of "Friends" will also air in May.

"Frasier" lost popularity as it aged, but it remained a mainstay on Tuesday nights for NBC, averaging 11.1 million viewers a week. The network has tried, and failed, to develop other long-lasting hit comedies.

The show's ratings slide has continued despite a critical revival this season when the original writing team of Christopher Lloyd and Joe Keenan returned after being gone for three years.

"It will end on a high note," Marks said.

NBC was paying Paramount, the show's producers, an estimated $5.2 million per show licensing fee. As with most long-running shows, costs were mounting and there was discussion of Grammer taking a pay cut to continue another season.

This season marked two milestones important to Grammer. His 20-year run playing Frasier Crane a character introduced during the third season of "Cheers" ties James Arness of "Gunsmoke" for the longest stretch an actor has played a single character in prime time. "Frasier" will also have lasted 11 seasons, the same duration as "Cheers."

Brian Damage · 01-13-2004, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Miss Golden

The show's ratings slide has continued despite a critical revival this season when the original writing team of Christopher Lloyd and Joe Keenan returned after being gone for three years.

At least that explains why this season has been so good.

hawaii five-o · 01-13-2004, 09:03 PM

Frasier should go out while it's still on the top and not wear out its welcome.

barwars · 01-13-2004, 10:51 PM

3 Seasons.... that makes sense.
Those 3 seasons were the worst (they were still good.... but no comparison)

01-12-2004, 11:31 PM	#1
Miss Golden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 1,231	The official Press release stating the end of Frasier NBC Says 'Frasier' Will End Its Run Monday January 12 12:33 PM ET After some brief talk of keeping the show going for a 12th season next fall, NBC said Monday that its five-time Emmy-winning comedy, "Frasier," will call it quits in May. This was widely assumed to be its last season, but in recent months Kelsey Grammer, who has portrayed the high-strung psychologist Frasier Crane for 20 years since the character originated on "Cheers," had said he was open to continuing. "The finances would not have worked for another season," said NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks. "Frasier" won the Emmy for best comedy for five straight years, from 1994 to 1998. Its exit means that NBC will go into next season without both of the popular, urbane comedies that have defined it as a network for the past decade. The last episode of "Friends" will also air in May. "Frasier" lost popularity as it aged, but it remained a mainstay on Tuesday nights for NBC, averaging 11.1 million viewers a week. The network has tried, and failed, to develop other long-lasting hit comedies. The show's ratings slide has continued despite a critical revival this season when the original writing team of Christopher Lloyd and Joe Keenan returned after being gone for three years. "It will end on a high note," Marks said. NBC was paying Paramount, the show's producers, an estimated $5.2 million per show licensing fee. As with most long-running shows, costs were mounting and there was discussion of Grammer taking a pay cut to continue another season. This season marked two milestones important to Grammer. His 20-year run playing Frasier Crane a character introduced during the third season of "Cheers" ties James Arness of "Gunsmoke" for the longest stretch an actor has played a single character in prime time. "Frasier" will also have lasted 11 seasons, the same duration as "Cheers."

01-13-2004, 09:03 PM	#3
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	Frasier should go out while it's still on the top and not wear out its welcome.

01-13-2004, 10:51 PM	#4
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	3 Seasons.... that makes sense. Those 3 seasons were the worst (they were still good.... but no comparison)