Frasier's Epic Comeback: Unveiling the Hidden Connection to Cheers at the New Reboot Bar

Summary

Frasier's upcoming reboot will feature a new bar, not the iconic Cheers setting, which is a wise choice to develop its own unique voice.

The new bar in the Frasier reboot seamlessly combines the cozy ambiance of Cheers with the sophisticated appeal of Cafe Nervosa, capturing the essence of Boston's welcoming atmosphere while maintaining an intellectual aura.

Acknowledging its predecessor, the reboot can incorporate references to Cheers, whether by alluding to its transformation or demolition, mirroring the evolving world and Frasier's personal growth.

The latest images of Frasier's upcoming reboot show a bar, but it is not the famous Cheers bar from the original series. Cheers was a successful sitcom that utilized its location to ground each episode's story. While it had a large cast, the majority of the action took place in the bar, keeping the series from becoming too ambitious. Cheers was incredibly popular in the '80s and gave rise to stars like Ted Danson, Shelley Long, and Woody Harrelson, as well as the spinoff Frasier.

Frasier, in rare fashion, managed to match or even surpass the success of Cheers. So, the news of a Frasier reboot isn't surprising. The spinoff relocated the womanizing, neurotic psychiatrist from Boston to his hometown of Seattle, where he hosted a radio show. Although Frasier occasionally referenced events from Cheers, the focus was mainly on its own unique story. With a cast that included Frasier's aging father Martin, his sardonic brother Niles, his producer Roz, and Martin's caretaker Daphne, there was no shortage of new characters to populate the spinoff.

Frasier Has A New Hangout In His Upcoming Reboot

The initial images from Frasier's new reboot showcase the series' star in a bar. However, viewers who were concerned about the show relying too heavily on nostalgia can be reassured. The bar in the Frasier revival is not Cheers, which means that the show will not serve as a comeback for its predecessor. While a Cheers revival is unlikely to happen, Frasier's reboot could have easily continued both shows if it had brought back the iconic setting. However, this would have been unwise for several reasons. Firstly, there were too many Cheers characters to include in a Frasier reboot.

In order to do justice to the ensemble appeal of Cheers, Frasier's reboot would have required bringing back all of the surviving cast members from the original show. At that point, Frasier's follow-up would have effectively transformed into a Cheers revival, diverting attention from Kelsey Grammar's titular character. The bar setting in the first promotional images of Frasier's reboot suggests that the lead character hasn't changed much during his break from television, as he is still frequenting bars in Boston. However, avoiding Cheers as the central location for the show was a wise decision, allowing the reboot to develop its own unique voice.

How Frasier's Reboot Bar Is Inspired By Cheers (& Cafe Nervosa)

Although Cheers was an iconic setting that gave the show its name, Frasier's coffee shop Cafe Nervosa held significant importance in the spinoff. Similar to Central Perk in Friends, Cafe Nervosa served as a meeting place where major storylines were discussed and analyzed. Consequently, it is logical that the unnamed bar in the Frasier reboot resembles a combination of Cafe Nervosa and Cheers. Although it is explicitly a bar rather than a coffee shop, the cozy ambiance reminiscent of Boston remains. Moreover, the presence of books in the background lends an intellectual touch, connecting it to Frasier's Cafe Nervosa.

Considering that the new series is based in Boston, it is impossible to simply revive Cafe Nervosa, as the original show was set in Seattle. Nonetheless, by introducing a new location that incorporates elements from both Cheers and Cafe Nervosa, the Frasier reboot emphasizes that it will not be an exact replica of either show. The Boston setting necessitates the replacement of the upscale coffee shop with a bar, but the passage of time since the Cheers series finale has undeniably influenced the atmosphere of the show's portrayal of Boston. The new bar has a distinct appearance that deviates from the original, and this divergence is only fitting.

Why Frasier Returning To Cheers Wouldn't Work

Frasier's return to Cheers would have been too distracting and taken the focus away from his story. The purpose of bringing back Frasier was for viewers to catch up on what he had been doing during his absence from the screen, not to revive Cheers. Turning the reboot into a Cheers revival would have been misleading and a missed opportunity. Since Frasier had surpassed Cheers in many ways, the last thing the show's reboot needed was to be overshadowed by its predecessor.

Additionally, setting Frasier's revival in Cheers wouldn't align with his character. Although he was still somewhat of a caddish and nervy antihero at the end of Cheers, he had grown and matured during the course of his own series. Frasier had become less obstinate, arrogant, and boorish compared to his earlier days in Cheers. It would be a shame to regress his character by placing him back among the patrons of Cheers. The other characters in the show often brought out the worst in Frasier, which was funny in small doses but wouldn't work with him as the lead in the reboot.

Frasier's Reboot Still Needs To Address Cheers

Frasier's reboot faces a dilemma, similar to being caught in a catch-22. Ignoring the existence of Cheers would be as distracting as focusing solely on its setting. Thus, it is necessary for Frasier's return to Boston to acknowledge his old haunt, as omitting any mention would imply a significant offscreen event. Drawing inspiration from The Conners, Frasier's Boston-based revival must find a way to address Cheers' existence.

Thankfully, a potential solution presents itself. Given the unlikelihood of a Cheers revival, Frasier could address the fact that the iconic bar was either sold, rebranded, or demolished, making way for a modern establishment during his time in Seattle. While this would be a bittersweet revelation, it would allow Frasier to explore the transformations Boston has undergone since his departure and emphasize the idea that one can never truly return to their past. This tragicomic storyline aligns perfectly with the essence of Frasier and would provide a fitting conclusion to Cheers' legendary setting.