Frasier's Martin Funeral Plan: A Game-Changer That Backfired Completely

Summary

The original plan for the Frasier reboot pilot was to show Martin's funeral, which would have been a touching reunion for the original cast.

Nevertheless, the lack of essential characters such as Niles and Daphne hindered the ability to effectively address Martin's memorial. In order to prevent the revival from becoming weighed down and constantly compared to the original series, it was prudent to concentrate on Seattle and not include a proper send-off.

The planned Frasier reboot pilot, which would have featured Martin's funeral as its opening, was ultimately scrapped due to concerns that it would negatively impact the revival's success. The show, inspired by the passing of actor John Mahoney in 2018, begins with Frasier's arrival in Boston following his father's death, with only limited details about the funeral shared throughout the series. Although the original idea of showcasing Martin's funeral with the entire Crane family seemed promising, the decision by David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves not to reprise their roles as Niles and Daphne ultimately led to the abandonment of the concept. While the concept sounds appealing on paper, the practicality of exploring Martin's memorial without the key characters proves detrimental to the Frasier reboot.

The Frasier Reboot Showing Martin Crane's Funeral Could Have Been Its Best Moment

The Frasier reboot would have been greatly kickstarted by seeing Frasier back in Seattle with his family, honoring Martin. This would have created a true reunion, bringing the old ensemble together not only to pay tribute to the Crane patriarch, but also to Mahoney. While the revival's references and subtle Easter eggs are a nice way to honor the character, a proper farewell would have been even better.

Although it would have been a sad event, addressing the passing of someone so beloved would have allowed the Paramount+ show to capitalize on the original show's popularity and use the reboot pilot to evoke nostalgia. Moreover, it would have provided viewers with a proper update on the lives of the rest of Frasier's original cast.

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Martin's Funeral Would've Caused Big Problems For The Rest Of Frasier's Reboot

The absence of the original cast has undoubtedly affected the Frasier reboot. Although Kelsey Grammer continues to deliver an exceptional performance, it is undoubtedly challenging for his fellow actors to match the talent of the original ensemble. Therefore, while it may have been ideal to start the Frasier reboot in Seattle, this decision would only further burden the revival. Already facing comparisons to its predecessor, the show would have to navigate without the appearances of Niles and Daphne beyond the pilot, intensifying their absence.

In terms of storytelling, it presents challenges to shift the setting of the Frasier reboot from Seattle to Boston. Having Frasier go through another farewell would seem repetitive, given that it was already done in the original series finale. Additionally, it doesn't portray Frasier and Niles in a favorable light for them to immediately separate after losing their father. Considering that Frasier has already left Dr. Crane and ended his relationship with Charlotte, he could have chosen to stay close to his family during these difficult times.

Catch new episodes of the Frasier reboot on Paramount+ every Thursday.