'Frasier' bids a fond adieu

By Lynn Elber
Associated Press

When the blue-collar barroom comedy "Cheers" ended its run in 1993, it managed the neat trick of turning beer into champagne.

"Frasier," which has won 31 Emmy awards, features David Hyde Pierce as Dr. Niles Crane, Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane, Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle, John Mahoney as Martin Crane and Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon. Paramount

The NBC comedy's last episode airs tonight, closing a remarkable 22-year chapter in television history in which it matched the 11-season run of "Cheers" and became one of TV's most successful spinoffs.

Only the prime-time soap opera "Knots Landing," derived from "Dallas," lasted longer (14 seasons) — and it certainly couldn't boast of the record 31 Emmys, including five consecutive best comedy series awards, bestowed on "Frasier."

It's an accomplishment a demanding sort like Dr. Crane would relish. Series star Kelsey Grammer certainly does. He believes "Frasier," with David Hyde Pierce as Frasier's brother and partner-in-repartee, Niles, raised the TV bar.

"I'm proud of it. I have something I can look to, point out and say, "Well, I did that,' " said Grammer. "There is an audience for these guys. We proved that. Most of America, frankly, is much smarter than television assumes they are."

"I cannot call 'Frasier' a spinoff," said Hyde Pierce. "I know it is, but it seems to me that, from the beginning, it so stood on its own."

The series debuted Sept. 16, 1993. Effete, erudite Frasier's style was matched by fellow shrink Niles but it clashed with dad Martin (John Mahoney), a down-to-earth disabled policeman who ended up bunking with Frasier.

Others in the ensemble cast include Jane Leeves as Daphne, Martin's caregiver and the object of Niles' yearning, and Peri Gilpin as Frasier's sassy producer.

There was a succession of squeezes for Frasier.

The latest flame is Charlotte, played by Laura Linney, who features prominently in the two-hour finale, which includes a retrospective at 7 p.m. Now-married Niles and Daphne, awaiting the birth of their baby, and Martin and fiancée Ronee (Wendie Malick) share the spotlight.

Why did viewers take to a spinoff in which an intellectual snob went from one of the "Cheers" barflies to the hero?

"He wasn't a cold intellectual," said co-creator Casey. "I can't say he never lorded it over people, because there were times that he did. But deep inside he was a good guy and his motives were usually pretty good."

Hyde Pierce credits Grammer's ability to make his character "continually interesting and surprising." Grammer won three best-actor Emmys for the role; Hyde Pierce received three supporting-actor Emmys.

Grammer's 20 combined years as Frasier (he was introduced on "Cheers" in 1984, two years after the show began) puts him in the league of James Arness and his Marshal Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke" (1955-75).

"Frasier is the most delightful character to play," Grammer said. "He has a rich emotional life, he has quirks that make him fun to play. ... That's the adventure of a lifetime for any actor."

Even during periods in which critics complained the series was "arguably hitting some slumps, I always found him fascinating," he said.

Although the show's ratings flagged in recent seasons and never rivaled those of "Cheers," which aired during a time of less cable competition for networks, "Frasier" was a key player for NBC.

"During the '90s, NBC captured the most desirable demographics on television by appealing to young, urban, upscale viewers, the audience advertisers adore, with smart shows like 'Frasier,' " said Tim Brooks, co-author of "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows."

While changing the setting and dynamic of "Cheers," "Frasier" managed to retain those coveted viewers.

"There's precious little of its stature for that audience on television right now," said Brooks.

With audiences favoring reality shows such as "The Apprentice" and "American Idol," and with long-running sitcoms "Frasier," "Friends" and "Sex in the City" gone, the state of TV comedy is at a low.

Casey suggests a variety of reasons, including too-green sitcom producers, but singles out one factor:

"My big complaint is that networks tend not to be patient enough to let a show find an audience," he said. "They expect a show to come out of the gate firing, and it doesn't happen. It certainly didn't in the case of 'Cheers.' They had a horrible first season, in terms of ratings, but they lasted 11 years, didn't they?"

"Frasier" is ending at the right time, said its stars and producers. (Casey noted the series stands as the final credit for Angell, who died in one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center.)

"I always wanted to do 11 years, and we did 11," said Grammer. "I've never been arrogant, I've just been hopeful."

There's no expectation that "Frasier" will draw the 80.4 million viewers who tuned in for the last "Cheers," making it the second-most watched TV series finale ever, or even the 50-million-plus who watched last week's finale of "Friends." ("M*A*S*H" was seen by 105 million viewers.)

"Frasier" is also lagging in sales to advertisers, who paid up to $2 million for 30-second spots on the last "Friends" but reportedly are getting time on "Frasier" for up to $800,000 per half-minute.

But those who are part of "Frasier" say it's going out in style.

"I feel the producers have been able to bring the whole series, for 11 years, to a really sterling conclusion," said Pierce.

"I'm very proud of that last episode," said Casey. "No matter how good the show, they always seem to be waiting in the bullrushes on that final episode. And I just don't see how they're going to get us."