Frasierseason 2 is drumming up nostalgia by bringing in several original characters, but I’m concerned that it will lead to the revival’s true standout player being sidelined. Paramount+ is bringing back Kelsey Grammer’s therapist-turned-Harvard educator despite thedivisiveFrasierseason 1. While he spent the whole of the new show’s duration getting re-acquainted with Boston, its sophomore year will incorporate more nostalgic elements. As a big fan of the Seattle series, I am thrilled about it, especially sinceFrasierseason 2 is confirmed to feature some of Frasier’s best former KACL co-workers.
Dan Butler and Edward Hibbert will return as Bulldog Briscoe and Gil Chesterton, as well asHarriet Sansom Harris as Bebe Glazer.Meanwhile, PeriGilpin’s Roz Doyle will also be back in a recurring capacity, following her debut in theFrasierseason 1 finale. I have written about the narrative implications of bringing these many characters from the original show in the sophomore year, including how it decreases the chances of seeing Frasier reconnect with his former Cheers buddies. Beyond that, however, I think they pose a bigger risk to the revival’s true hero.
Frasier Season 2 Trailer Features Another Secret Original Character That Isn’t From KACL
The new Frasier season 2 trailer reveals the returns of Bulldog, Gil, and Bebe, but it has one more original character comeback that is overlooked.
Alan Was The Best Part Of The Frasier Revival’s Debut Season
Nicholas Lyndhurst Shines As Frasier’s Long-Lost Best Friend
After core cast members such asDavid Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves turned down the chance of coming back as Niles and Daphne, Grammer, who had spearheaded the work on the revival for years, and his team had to pivot their approach for theFrasierrevival. Somehow, I’m still conflicted about this. While I would love to seePierce play Niles again, I appreciate that the Paramount+ show is trying something new. One of the biggest advantages of the latter is how the new Frasier introduces a fresh ensemble surrounding Grammer.
Nicholas Lyndhurst is brilliant as Frasier’s best friend, Alan Cornwall.
I know that comparing theFrasierrevival’s new castto its predecessor is unfair. There was something special about the Seattle crew that Grammer spent time with. That said, the new show isn’t devoid of a standout character. Nicholas Lyndhurst is brilliant as Frasier’s best friend, Alan Cornwall. This shouldn’t surprise British comedy fans, since the actor is considered a legend in the United Kingdom. For US-based viewers, however, it’s a delightful introduction to the legend. Granted that the mythology of his character and his relation to Frasier is confusing, he remains my favorite new character from theFrasierrevival.
I Hope More Familiar Faces Don’t Mean Less Time For Alan
Frasier Season 2 Expands Its Guest List
Admittedly, some of the character pairings in the newFrasierare still clunky. While poised to be thenext Niles and Daphne, I’m still not sold on Freddy and Eve’s supposed brewing romance. Meanwhile, Olivia Finch can still come off as out of place since she hasn’t established a unique bond with Frasier other than being a Harvard colleague. That said, Alan and Frasier are an immediate hit. I’m hoping that the Paramount+ show gives Lyndhurst more to do in season 2. His rapport with David in theChristmas-themedFrasierseason 1 finalecan be the start of a partnership.
I’m worried that it may not happen with all the guest stars appearing inFrasierseason 2, however. There’s already palpable excitement over Bulldog, Gil, and Bebe, especially for viewers who loved the original series and were underwhelmed that season 1 didn’t lean on that. Aside from Frasier’s former KACL cohorts, there is a slew of other cameos slated forFrasierseason 2, including Yvette Nicole Brown, Rachel Bloom, Patricia Heaton, and Amy Sedaris. That leavesminimal opportunity for the show to give Lyndhurst’s Alan to fully shine.
Frasier Season 2 Already Creates An Annoying Freddy Plot Hole Before It Even Premieres
Paramount+ has released the Frasier revival season 2, and before the series premieres, it has already created a new Freddy plot hole.
Alan Actually Needs A Bigger Role In Frasier Season 2
It’s Beneficial For Frasier Season 2 To Prioritize Alan
Regardless of the expanded list of guest stars,Frasierseason 2 needs to prioritize giving Alan a bigger role. As much as I want to see Frasier spend time with some of his old friends, both from Seattle and in his time in Cheers, it’s just not a wise storytelling approach for the revival. Those characters are part of his past and not his present. For Grammer’s new show to continue, he needs to ensure that the core cast of the Paramount+ series is fully developed, so viewers get invested in them the same way they did with his former ensemble.
The writers should start with Alan, considering how he stood out in season 1.Frasierseason 2 must build on the character — whether that’s to explore more of his relationship with Frasier or introduce his storylines separate from his friend. Personally, I think they need to start with the former because there are so many questions about their past and why Grammer’s character never talked about his supposed best friend until the Paramount+ project. From there, they canexpand Alan’s narrative by revealing more about his personal life.
Frasier
Cast
Follow Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston, Mass., with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally fulfill.
Fraiser is a comedy-drama sitcom that stars Kelsey Grammer as a psychiatrist who takes up the role of a radio show host in Seattle after his life in Boston is upheaved. A spin-off of the series Cheers, Fraiser follows the titular character adjusting to the single life while caring for his father (a retired police officer,) his brother, and other eccentric co-workers.
