September 18th 2024.
Kelsey Grammer has certainly made a name for himself as the beloved character of Frasier Crane for an impressive four decades now. It all started back in 1984 when he first graced our screens as the iconic psychiatrist in the hit sitcom Cheers. However, even with his undeniable talent, Kelsey's journey to landing the role wasn't without its challenges.
As he recently opened up in a Q&A session at the Quad cinema in Manhattan, Kelsey revealed that his audition for Cheers didn't exactly go as planned. In fact, he confessed that he didn't receive a single laugh from the casting directors during his audition. This came as a shock to the now 69-year-old, who has become synonymous with the character of Frasier Crane.
Despite the initial disappointment, Kelsey persevered and eventually landed the role of Frasier, which would go on to become his very own spin-off series. The show ran for an impressive 11 years and has remained a fan favorite to this day. As the second season of the reboot prepares to premiere on Paramount+ this week, Kelsey reflected on his journey to becoming the stuffy radio host that we all know and love.
During the Q&A session, Kelsey revealed that he had initially auditioned for a role in another show called Brothers, but was rejected. It was only a few days later that casting director Gretchen Rennell reached out to him with a mysterious offer. She explained that there was a new character being introduced on Cheers and asked Kelsey to come in for an audition.
Confused at first, Kelsey admitted that he had never even heard of Cheers. However, he quickly learned that it was a popular show and decided to give it a shot. Looking back, he joked that he may have seen the pilot episode while working as a bartender at O'Neill's on 57th and 6th Avenue. He even recalls thinking, "What a terrible show. I would never want to be on something like that," as he laughed with the audience.
Despite his initial doubts, Kelsey's audition tape caught the attention of the producers and he was flown out to LA to meet with the legendary Ted Danson and Shelley Long, who played the roles of Sam and Diane respectively. He also had the opportunity to work with director James Burrows during the table read for the show.
However, Kelsey's nerves were quickly put to the test as he failed to receive a single laugh during the table read. Feeling discouraged, he joked that he would have to go out on the street to see if he could get any laughs there. But to his surprise, he returned to the studio to find a bottle of Dom Perignon with a note that read, "Welcome to Cheers." And the rest, as they say, is history.
Frasier went on to become one of the most acclaimed comedies in TV history, earning an impressive 37 Emmys during its 11-year run. Kelsey's portrayal of Frasier Crane only grew in popularity and he recently reprised the role in the show's revival last year. The second season of the reboot is set to premiere on Paramount+ this week, and fans are eagerly anticipating the return of their beloved characters.
The first season of the reboot saw the surprise appearances of Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith Sternin and Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle, while the second season is set to feature the return of Harriet Sansom Harris, Edward Hibbert, and Dan Butler to the Frasier universe. With such an impressive cast and a dedicated fan base, it's no surprise that Frasier has remained a beloved and enduring show over the years.
As Kelsey's journey as Frasier Crane enters its fifth decade, fans can't wait to see what the future holds for the iconic character. The second season of the reboot is sure to bring even more laughs and heartwarming moments, and we can't wait to see what's in store. Frasier premieres on Paramount+ on September 19, so mark your calendars and get ready for some more Frasier fun!
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