One Bold Frasier Reboot Change Sparks Intrigue, Reviving the Show's Return

Summary

Frasier's move back to Boston for the reboot makes sense given the show's roots, but the university setting could pose challenges for the writers due to the established canon.

Frasier being set at Harvard, the only Ivy League university near Boston, could pose a challenge since the institution may not endorse negative portrayals in storylines.

If Niles's son were to attend Harvard in the show, it would introduce an intriguing dynamic and capitalize on the rivalry between Frasier and Niles as they selected their respective Ivy League schools.

Frasier will make a comeback in the sitcom reboot, returning to his signature salads and scrambled eggs as well as our screens. However, there is a potential problem with the new show's setting, which could create complications regarding the university backdrop. The original Frasier series followed the life of psychiatrist and radio host Frasier Crane, portrayed brilliantly by Kelsey Grammar, as he reconnects with his family after relocating to Seattle. In the teaser trailer for the revival, it was revealed that the title character will be moving back to Boston after an unexpected detour to Chicago in the original show's finale. This change in cities may pose challenges in integrating the university aspect into the plot of the reboot. Although Frasier surpassed its origins as a Cheers spinoff during its 11-year run, establishing a perfect dynamic between Frasier, his even snobbier brother Niles (played by David Hyde Pierce), and their down-to-earth father Martin (the late John Mahoney), returning to Boston for the Paramount+ revival aligns with the show's roots. However, given the significant presence of the university setting, the writers will need to navigate obstacles in order to maintain consistency within the Cheers/Frasier franchise and the characters' distinct personalities.

Frasier's University Setting Could Clash With The Show's Canon

Many details about the Frasier reboot have been kept secret. However, it has been confirmed that Frasier will not return as a radio host, but instead hints suggest he may now be teaching at a prestigious university. New cast members Nicholas Lyndhurst and Toks Olagundoye play the roles of Alan and Olivia, psychology professors at an Ivy League university. The show features scenes of them conversing with Frasier, suggesting that they are colleagues.

However, there is a challenge in setting the show at a real Ivy League university near Boston, such as Harvard, where Frasier attended. The real university may not easily approve storylines and jokes that could potentially harm its reputation, which would be problematic for Frasier's sharp-witted character. One possibility could be for the show to create its own fictional college, but this clashes with the established backstory and character of Frasier, who attended Harvard. Alternatively, it is possible that the reports of an "Ivy League" setting are incorrect, and removing this requirement would make creating a fictional college more feasible.

Niles' Son Going To Harvard Would Be A Bonus For The Show

While Niles won't be returning for the Frasier reboot, his son David will be, and this could provide an unexpected advantage in the challenging setting. If the new Frasier series is set at Harvard, it's highly likely that David will be attending since he is described as a college freshman. Niles, on the other hand, chose Yale instead of Harvard, and the fact that both brothers have chosen different competitive Ivy League schools adds an entertaining twist. However, if Harvard is not part of the show, David still doesn't seem to be attending Yale. Despite being off-screen, Niles is bound to be shocked by his son's decision to reject Yale, possibly even choosing his own brother's school - a delightful surprise for both Frasier and the fans.