Tonight, the doctor is in again asKelsey Grammerreturns to the small screen asFrasierCrane in the Paramount+ comedyFrasier.
WhenCheersconcluded in 1993, Frasier moved to Seattle and his story continued in the eponymous spinoff series.
Burrows co-createdCheersalongside Glen and Les Charles and also directed multiple episodes of the OGFrasier.
From top, left to right: BTS of Nicholas Lyndhurst, director James Burrows, Anders Keith, Jess Salgueiro, Kelsey Grammer, Jack Cutmore-Scott and Toks Olagundoye on the set of FrasierChris Haston/Paramount+
He was a buffoon inCheers, recalled Burrows during a recent conversation with Deadline.
They talked to Kesley and wrote the pilot.
Glen, Les and I had nothing to do with it but I directed it.
In theFrasierpremiere, the character of Martin Crane, Frasiers father, receives a sweet tribute.
There was also a tribute in naming the bar Mahoneys.
I think they did a wonderful job, said Burrows.
That bar of course was Cheers.
When I directed the pilot, I was emphatic that [Mahoneys] wasnt Cheers-like.CheersisCheersand may it be forever.
I mean, its woodsy so maybe little subtleties, he shared.
Fans hoping to see more of aCheers/Frasiercrossover in Season 1 might be disappointed.
Burrows was coy about whether there would be other crossovers.
He said, I have no idea.
I only directed the first two episodes and there were no crossovers.
Im just a hired hand.
The original bar used inCheerswas sold at auction in June for $675,000.
He looks the same and he acts the same.
The character is eternal; people love him.
Its so much fun and so seamless.
Well, the old cast was incredibly stellar.
More importantly, [we needed talent that could] compete with Kelsey.
Its great to have that, especially in a British character.
With Frasier now in his third act, theres no telling how long his story can go on.
No matter the timing, Burrows knows how hed like things to end for the character.
Id like him to end up happy, thats my concern.
A lot of things happen to that guy by the nature of the character.
Frasier cant win all the time.
Im hoping that the character eventually ends up in a beautiful place, Burrows said.
He said when Jason was around 9 years old, he was around theCheersset.
I didnt know that or I dont remember that, said Burrows.
So that tribute to Nicky and Geronimo, made it all so much more poignant.
