The Frasier Reboot: Bringing Back Cheers’ Iconic Legacy in a Hilarious Nod to a 32-Year-Old Tradition

Summary

Frasier's return to Boston in the reboot brings up conflicting emotions for him, as he reflects on spending too much time at Cheers and not feeling like he fit in.

In the Frasier reboot, the original show pilot serves as a source of inspiration as it playfully mocks Cheers and highlights Frasier's remorse for regularly visiting the bar. Despite potentially appearing disrespectful, Frasier's comments about Cheers stem from his desire to portray his experience truthfully, free from any romanticized notions. The future of Cheers remains uncertain in the reboot.

The Frasier reboot pilot continues the tradition of its predecessor and pays homage to Cheers by mocking it. Kelsey Grammer reprises his role as Frasier Crane on the small screen, but with notable changes in his life. He has recently lost his father, Martin Crane, and quit his prestigious job in Chicago. A series of unexpected events brings him back to Boston, where he must start anew and form a new social circle, despite having lived there before.

Before having his own show, Frasier was introduced in Cheers, a series set in Boston, as Diane's rebound boyfriend after her breakup with Sam. Although originally intended as a guest star, NBC promoted Grammer to a main character. In fact, Frasier remained on the show even after Diane moved to Los Angeles. For eight years, he interacted with the regulars at the iconic bar, despite never truly fitting in. Now that he's back in Boston, it makes sense for Frasier to refer to his old drinking spot, but in an unexpected manner.

Frasier Reboot Pilot’s Cheers Insult Explained

The Frasier reboot pilot, titled "The Good Father," wastes no time setting up the premise of the new show. Through a series of expository scenes, it catches viewers up on Frasier's life over the past 19 years since being back in Boston. However, instead of relying on nostalgia and reminiscing about his time at Cheers, Frasier introduces a new hang-out spot called Mahoney. This strategic move by Grammer and his team acknowledges the audience's expectation for references to Frasier's old life but surprises them with a different approach.

When asked about his feelings on returning to Boston after three decades, Frasier openly expresses his conflicting emotions. He admits that he wasn't at his best during his last stint in Beantown and elaborates by disclosing that his excessive time spent at a certain bar, a clear reference to Cheers, is partly to blame. This revelation offers insight into Frasier's true opinion of his nightly visits to Sam's bar—he seems to feel a sense of regret for investing so much time there. It reinforces the notion that, despite his frequent presence over nearly a decade, Frasier never truly felt like he fit in at the bar.

The Original Frasier Show Pilot Also Poked Fun At Cheers

Frasier has a history of joking about Cheers. The new version of the show simply repeats a plotline from the original pilot episode, which aired 30 years ago. In that episode, titled "The Good Son," Frasier shares a personal story with a caller on his first on-screen radio appearance at KACL. The story revolves around his decision to leave Boston and return to his hometown of Seattle, due to his stagnant private practice and his nightly visits to Cheers for drinks. Just like in the reboot, there is a sense of regret in Frasier's voice when talking about his time at Sam's bar.

This is not the only time Frasier makes fun of Cheers. In season 2's episode "The Show Where Sam Shows Up," Sam unexpectedly visits Frasier in Seattle, leading to a dinner at Frasier's home where he introduces Sam to his family. Upon meeting Niles, Sam quickly points out the resemblance between Niles and a young Frasier. In response to Sam's slightly insulting remark, Frasier blames his drinking at Cheers for his appearance, joking that he doesn't exactly run a health club.

Why The Frasier Shows Can Make Fun Of Cheers

Frasier's criticism of Cheers, despite finding solace there during difficult times, may come across as disrespectful. However, he is realistic about his memories and does not want to romanticize excessive time spent at the bar. Despite this, Frasier does not inaccurately or disparagingly mention anyone from the bar, simply sharing his truthful experience. Ultimately, this should not be a major issue, considering Cheers' lighthearted storytelling compared to Frasier's blend of comedy and drama. The bar's setting allowed for silly antics due to its tipsy cast.

What Happened To Cheers In The Frasier Reboot

Since Frasier and his new friends now frequent a new bar in the reboot set in Boston, it is intriguing to wonder what happened to Cheers. In the original Frasier show, the last official update mentioned that Sam was still the owner and Woody still worked there. However, considering the significant amount of time that has passed since then, it is possible that this information is no longer accurate. Grammer suggested that Cheers "had gone kind of belly up," meaning it no longer exists in modern times. This is likely the simplest explanation as to why Frasier doesn't go to Cheers for his first drink in Boston.

It remains uncertain whether the Frasier reboot will address the fate of Cheers. With only 10 episodes in its first season, the show will probably focus on developing its own storyline rather than revisiting previous plots. It would be quite disappointing if Frasier were to discover that after three decades, his old drinking buddies in Boston still have nothing better to do than gather at Sam's bar and get up to mischief.