The Surprising Twist That Makes the Frasier Reboot Even Better Than the Original Series

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier reboot pilot.

Summary

Frasier's relocation to Boston in the reboot leads to a teaching position, aligning well with his intellectual nature and passion for educating others. However, the loss of his call-in advice show at KACL proves to be a drawback for the narrative of the Frasier reboot, as it showcased his willingness to assist others and featured celebrity voice cameos.

Frasier Crane, once a radiotherapist, now provides guidance and wisdom to his students and patrons at Mahoney, the newly opened bar in the Frasier reboot. Moving on from Seattle after nearly a decade, the snobbish yet beloved therapist, portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, returns in the revival on Paramount+. In his quest to reconnect with his adult son, Freddy, Frasier finds himself relocating once again, this time back to his old stomping grounds in Boston. While many of Frasier's eccentricities remain, it is evident that he has mellowed in certain aspects of his life.

Frasier’s Reboot Job Explained

: Assessing the risks associated with rebooting Frasier, given the beloved status of the original show, raises significant concerns. The absence of the familiar Seattle-based characters as regulars in the new series has unsettled many fans, as their dynamic ensemble played a key role in the show's success. The pilot episode of the Frasier reboot has somewhat alleviated concerns, offering the potential for a satisfying outcome on Paramount+. Nonetheless, surpassing the achievements of its predecessor will prove challenging, particularly due to the absence of the iconic call-in advice show at KACL.

Frasier's move to Boston in the reboot brings about a fresh start for him professionally. Instead of relocating to San Francisco as originally planned, he decided to follow his heart and go after Charlotte in Chicago at the last minute. The original series left his future uncertain, but "The Good Son" confirmed that things did work out between him and Charlotte, although they eventually broke up. On a positive note, Frasier secured a similar job in the Midwest and became a highly respected TV personality in Chicago. However, his desire for a change in his life led him to leave the position.

Frasier’s KACL Job Was More Important Than You Think

After Martin Crane's funeral in Seattle, Frasier only intended to briefly stop in Boston to see his son and give a guest lecture at his old friend Alan Cornwall's class. However, realizing his deep desire to repair his relationship with his son, he was persuaded to accept a teaching position offered by Olivia Finch, the head of Harvard's psychology department. While the two-episode pilot of the Frasier reboot has yet to reveal how he fares as an educator, given his knack for embarrassing himself, it is entirely possible that he may encounter some challenges as he adjusts to his new role.

With Frasier's passion for sharing his wisdom and inclination towards imparting knowledge, becoming a teacher seems tailor-made for him. Despite lacking prior experience, Frasier has always possessed an intellectual prowess. Coupled with his fervent desire to educate others, taking on this role may not be as daunting as initially anticipated. Moreover, it seems that his charismatic presence has captivated the students at Harvard. While being a teacher presents an esteemed opportunity for Frasier, it ironically poses a challenge for the storytelling of the Frasier reboot, as it leaves no room for him to attend to his beloved call lines.

Despite Niles' harsh criticism of his work as a radiotherapist in Seattle, it was actually the highlight of the original show for several reasons. Firstly, Frasier's ability to take calls from strangers and provide them with advice showcased his best quality: his willingness to help others. Despite his occasional snootiness and self-centeredness, his desire to offer guidance and enlightenment to his listeners made him somewhat endearing. While some calls were intended for comedic effect, others were genuinely emotional, such as Martin expressing gratitude to Frasier on air in the pilot episode or Roz opening up about her heartbreak in season 9.

Secondly, Frasier's KACL show provided opportunities for numerous celebrities to make voice cameos. Over the years, the show featured well-known stars like Christopher Reeve and Helen Mirren. What made this even more intriguing was that the guest stars were never named until the end of the season, and their roles as callers were not revealed. This excited the viewers and added an extra layer of enjoyment to the storytelling, as the audience tried to identify the weekly guest stars solely by their voices.

Finally, the hotline provided a means for those who weren't necessarily interested in its sophisticated cultural references to connect with Frasier. Initially, a sitcom centered around two pretentious and patronizing main characters may not have seemed appealing. However, Frasier managed to establish a connection with the audience by incorporating various approaches to ground Frasier and Niles. Many of the callers' issues were relatable, although some tended to be absurd. Nevertheless, Frasier offered practical advice for the more serious problems, which could prove valuable to individuals going through similar life experiences.

How The Frasier Reboot Can Replicate His KACL Job

Understandably, it is logical that Frasier would not continue his career as a radiotherapist. After all, two decades have elapsed since he left that job and moved on to more significant and fulfilling endeavors. It would have been considerably disheartening if he had not progressed in his professional life. Moreover, radiotherapy is no longer a prevalent practice. While Frasier could conceivably adapt his skills to alternative forms of media, such as starting a podcast, it is improbable that it would generate sufficient income to sustain his desired lifestyle.

That being said, even though Frasier is no longer practicing as a radiotherapist, he still has the ability to provide guidance and advice to those in need. In his earlier days at Cheers, he would often share his opinions and offer assistance, striving to help people navigate through their lives. In the Frasier reboot, he has the opportunity to extend his wisdom and support to his students, showcasing his ability to connect with the younger generation, with the exception of his own son. Aside from his role as their teacher, Frasier can also assist his Harvard contemporaries in their journey through college.

Additionally, Frasier could establish an advice booth at Mahoney, the newly introduced bar in the reboot that has effectively replaced Cheers. This establishment not only attracts people from Harvard, such as colleagues and students, but it is also a popular gathering spot for Freddy and his firefighter friends. With Eve working as a bartender there as well, Mahoney becomes the perfect central location for social interactions in the Frasier reboot, providing an ideal venue for Frasier to offer his advice-giving services.

The Frasier reboot airs new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.