Summary
Director James Burrows predicts that the Frasier reboot may not last long due to the changing TV landscape and the move to a streaming platform. Paramount+ has only ordered a 10-episode first season, and streaming platform comedies rarely last as long as the original Frasier series did. It is critical for the reboot to return for a second season to have more opportunities to bring back important characters and avoid an unnecessary cliffhanger if the show gets canceled unexpectedly.
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Director James Burrows has an ominous prediction about the Frasier reboot. While he is best known for co-creating Cheers, the legendary director went on to helm many episodes of the most iconic sitcoms including Friends, Will & Grace, and the original Frasier. While only Kelsey Grammer is returning as a series regular in the new Paramount+ show, Burrows joins him to helm the first two episodes of the series. Despite being content with the work that they have done, the director isn’t optimistic about its longevity.
Speaking with The Guardian as part of the press rounds for the nearing premiere of the Frasier reboot on Paramount+, Burrows admits that he doesn’t think that it will last very long. It isn’t because he doesn’t believe in the series, but because of the changing TV landscape, especially as the comedy moves to a streaming platform instead of being in a traditional network. Read the related excerpt below:
Of the Frasier reboot, he says: “I’m not sanguine about the product lasting.” But, in keeping with the sunny outlook of his shows, Burrows doesn’t linger on the downbeat note. Next year will be his 50th in the business. “I’ve had a ball,” he says. “It’s added years to my life – because of the laughter.”
Why The Frasier Reboot Needs More Than One Season
For context, Paramount+ has only ordered a 10-episode first season for the Frasier reboot. For now, it’s unclear if there are plans beyond that, but understandably, the focus is on launching the new show first. Meanwhile, its predecessor ran for 11 brilliant seasons on NBC, which allowed the writers to really develop its narrative and the cast to fully own their respective characters. Streaming platform comedies, and shows in general, rarely last for that number of years, so Burrows’ concerns are not without merit.
Related: Frasier Recap: 10 Things To Remember Before The Reboot
Regardless of how the storytelling for season 1 pans out, it’s critical that the series returns for a second year as it will give the project more opportunities to bring back important players from the Seattle-based series. Many original characters are missing from the Frasier reboot for various reasons. David Hyde Pierce, in particular, turned down the opportunity to return as Niles, explaining that he didn’t want to simply repeat his previous performance. While it’s highly unlikely that he will appear in the initial run of the show, he can change his mind about being involved in the future.
As someone who worked for a long time with Grammer, Burrows may have already shared his thoughts about this with the series star and producer. With this idea in mind, the writers and producers can be more intentional with how they progress their narratives, ensuring that they have satisfying season finales in case the Frasier reboot gets unexpectedly canceled. This prevents the project from wrapping up with an unnecessary cliffhanger.
Source: The Guardian