8 Things The Frasier Reboot Got Wrong & How Season 2 Can Fix Them
The Frasier reboot has concluded its first season, and the divisive revival got more than a few things wrong about the titular character and his television universe, but a second season can fix things. Frasier saw celebrated radio psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) returning to Boston where as a guest professor at Harvard University, he extolled his usual witticisms as he performed the double duty of reconnecting with his adult son Frederick and overseeing the academic achievements of his nephew David. By the end of Frasier, he acclimates to new colleagues as well as spunky neighbor Eve.
The Comedic Tone Is More Big Bang Theory Than Frasier
The tone of the Frasier reboot is reminiscent of The Big Bang Theory and other Chuck Lorre comedies than it is to its predecessor. Kelsey Grammer's timing is impeccable, but it often seems like he's acting in a different series than the rest of the cast because their delivery is more attuned to the comedic tone that's in vogue now. In Frasier's second season, there should be a preference for rapid-fire dialogue, banter, and less dramatic pauses for the punchline, combined with a significant lack of mugging for the camera and hypertrophied facial expressions that imply the audience can't grasp the nuance of a joke.
Kelsey Grammer in the Frasier revival holding box and looking annoyed
The Frasier Reboot Needs Intellect & Culture
Frasier utilized extensively nuanced references to classical literature, music, and artistic culture. Given that the title character is still the main focus of the series, it stands to reason that the intellectual aspect of the series, which was a highlight even in its heyday, would remain. While the landscape of television has changed over time, there's a place for elevated entertainment, particularly in the era of Prestige TV. Season 2 of Frasier can fine tune the allusions to culture by continuing to focus on Frasier's environment at Harvard, as well as Freddie's classical education (which only seems to come out when he's had too much to drink).
Provost Sharma, Olivia, and Frasier at Harvard in the Frasier reboot episode 8
The Frasier Revival Lacks The Classic Frasier Formula
Frasier was always a satirical series with farcical elements combining entendres, innuendos, puns, plays on words, and layers of misunderstandings. Only episodes 6 and 10 of Frasier's first season, which involved juggling multiple romantic dates and a Christmas party even came close to a classic Frasier episode. The rest of the episodes came across as generic sit-com episodes which could have been applicable to any other show, not one which focused on Frasier, which is something that the second season needs to address if it wants to retain its dedicated audience that loved the original series' execution.
David and Alan in Frasier reboot episode 9
