Editing Frasier (section)

== Production ==
{{See also|List of Frasier writers}}

=== Creation ===
During the eighth season of ''Cheers'', Grammer made a deal with former ''Cheers'' producers David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee (who were moving on to produce ''[[Wings (1990 TV series)|Wings]]'') that they would do a new series together once ''Cheers'' ended.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> Once it became clear during the 10th season that the 11th would be the last, the group began working on their next series together.<ref name="Behind The Couch" />

Grammer did not originally want to continue playing Frasier Crane, and Angell, Casey and Lee did not want the new show to be compared to ''Cheers'', which they had worked on before ''Wings''. The three proposed that the actor play a wealthy, [[Malcolm Forbes]]-like [[paraplegia|paraplegic]] publisher who operated his business from his apartment. The main show featured a "street-smart" Hispanic [[live-in nurse]] who would clash with the main character.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> While Grammer liked the concept, [[Paramount Television]] disliked it, and suggested that the best route would be to spin off the Frasier Crane character.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> Grammer ultimately agreed to star in a ''Cheers'' spin-off, but the producers set the new show as far from Boston as possible to prevent NBC from demanding that other characters from the old show make [[fictional crossover#Television series|guest appearances on the new show]] during its first season. 

The creators did not want Frasier in private practice, which would make the show resemble ''[[The Bob Newhart Show]]''. From an unused idea they had for a ''Cheers'' episode, they conceived the concept of the psychiatrist working in a radio station surrounded by "wacky, yet loveable" characters.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> After realizing that such a setting was reminiscent of ''[[WKRP in Cincinnati]]'', the creators decided to emphasize Frasier's home life, which ''Cheers'' had rarely explored.{{r|casey20061206}} Lee considered his own experience with "the relationship between an aging father and the grown-up son he never understood"{{r|allinthefamily}} and thought it would be a good theme for ''Frasier''. Although Frasier had mentioned on ''Cheers'' (in two episodes) that his father, a research scientist, had died,<ref name="ComedyFan2010">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539919/|title='Cheers' Two Girls for Every Boyd (TV Episode 1989)|author=ComedyFan2010|date=June 9, 2014|work=IMDb|access-date=June 15, 2015|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108043620/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539919/|url-status=live}}</ref> Angell, Casey and Lee did not realize this was the case, as they were not working on ''Cheers'' during the season those two episodes were filmed. The creative team was already well into the development process when Grammer pointed out the discontinuity; they decided to overlook it, initially [[retroactive continuity|retconning]] the character's backstory. In a second-season episode, the discrepancy was resolved, as Frasier revealed he had lied to the ''Cheers'' gang about his father.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ashurst |first1=Sam |title=7 Shows That Addressed Their Own Continuity Errors |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a858716/tv-continuity-errors-shows/ |website=Digital Spy |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=7 November 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107051704/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a858716/tv-continuity-errors-shows/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

One element of the original concept that was carried over was the live-in health-care provider for Frasier's father. Grammer points out that very little of the Frasier Crane of ''Cheers'' carried over to ''Frasier'', as his family history was changed (though this was later adjusted); the setting, his job and even the character himself changed from the ''Cheers'' predecessor, having to be more grounded as the central character of the show so the other supporting characters could be more eccentric.<ref name="Behind The Couch" />

=== Casting ===
Martin Crane was based on creator Casey's father, who spent 34 years with the [[San Francisco Police Department]]. The creators suggested to NBC that they would like to cast someone like Mahoney, to which NBC told them if they could get Mahoney, they could hire him without auditions.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> Both Grammer and the producers contacted Mahoney, with the producers flying to Chicago to show Mahoney the pilot script over dinner. Upon reading it, Mahoney accepted. Grammer, who had lost his father as a child, and the childless Mahoney immediately built a close father-son relationship.<ref name="allinthefamily" />

In discussing Martin's nurse, [[Warren Littlefield]] of NBC suggested she be English instead of Hispanic, and suggested Leeves for the role.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> Grammer was initially reluctant, as he thought the casting made the show resemble ''[[Nanny and the Professor]]'', but approved Leeves after a meeting and [[read-through]] with her. Mahoney and Leeves quickly bonded over their shared English heritage; Mahoney was originally from Manchester, the hometown of Leeves's character.<ref name="Behind The Couch" />

The character of Niles was not part of the original concept for the show. Frasier had told his bar friends on ''Cheers'' that he was an only child;<ref name="Behind The Couch">"Behind The Couch: The Making of Frasier", DVD Extra, Season 1</ref><ref name="allinthefamily">{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Bruce|title=All in Their Family|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-01-ca-24256-story.html|date=March 1, 1998|access-date=February 20, 2009|archive-date=January 27, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127193538/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1998/mar/01/entertainment/ca-24256|url-status=live}}</ref> however, Sheila Guthrie, the assistant casting director on ''Wings'', brought the producers a photo of Pierce (whom she knew from his work on ''[[The Powers That Be (TV series)|The Powers That Be]]'') and noted his resemblance to Grammer when he first appeared on ''Cheers''. She recommended him should they ever want Frasier to have a brother. The creators were "blown away" both by his resemblance to Grammer and by his acting ability.{{r|casey20061206}} They decided to ignore Frasier's statement on ''Cheers'' and created the role for Pierce.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Littlefield|first=Kinney|title=Custom Casting Got Pierce the Niles Role on 'Frasier'|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24205875.html?dids=24205875:24205875&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+23%2C+1993&author=Kinney+Littlefield%2C+Orange+County+Register.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=CUSTOM+CASTING+GOT+PIERCE+THE+NILES+ROLE+ON+%60FRASIER%27&pqatl=google|date=December 23, 1993|access-date=February 20, 2009|archive-date=July 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725044807/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24205875.html?dids=24205875:24205875&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+23%2C+1993&author=Kinney+Littlefield%2C+Orange+County+Register.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=CUSTOM+CASTING+GOT+PIERCE+THE+NILES+ROLE+ON+%60FRASIER%27&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pierce accepted the role before realizing he had not read a script. Once he was given a script, he was initially concerned that his character was essentially a duplicate of Frasier, thinking that it would not work.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> The first table reading of the pilot script was notable because the producers had never heard either Pierce or Mahoney read lines, as they were cast without auditions.<ref name="Behind The Couch" />

The only main role that required an audition was Roz Doyle,{{r|casey20061206}} who was named in memory of a producer of ''Wings''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Joyce Saenz |title=Dallas actress finds second home on ''Frasier'' |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=May 5, 1996<!--|access-date=February 20, 2009-->}}</ref> The producers auditioned around 300 actresses, with no particular direction in mind. Women of all ethnicities were considered.<ref name="Behind The Couch" /> [[Lisa Kudrow]] was originally cast in the role, but during rehearsals, the producers decided they needed someone who could appear more assertive in her job and take control over Frasier at KACL, and Kudrow did not fit that role. The creators quickly hired Gilpin, their second choice.<ref name="casey20061208">{{cite web|last=Casey|first=Peter|title=FRASIER starring Lisa Kudrow?|date=December 8, 2006|url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2006/12/frasier-starring-lisa-kudrow.html|publisher=kenlevine.blogspot.com|access-date=December 25, 2010|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225084701/http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2006/12/frasier-starring-lisa-kudrow.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Zaslow | first = Jeffrey | title = Balancing friends and family | work = USA Weekend | date = October 8, 2000 | url = http://159.54.226.237/00_issues/001008/001008kudrow.html | access-date = April 17, 2010 | archive-date = March 3, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212441/http://159.54.226.237/00_issues/001008/001008kudrow.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The original focus of the series was intended to be the relationship between Frasier and Martin, and it was the focus of most of the first-season episodes. Once the show began airing, Niles became a [[list of breakout characters|breakout character]], and more focus was added to the brothers' relationship, and other plots centering on Niles, starting in the second season.<ref>"Marching On to Season Two", DVD Extra, Season 2</ref> The producers initially did not want to make Niles's wife Maris an [[unseen character]] because they did not want to draw parallels to Vera, [[Norm Peterson|Norm]]'s wife on ''Cheers''. They originally intended that she would appear after several episodes, but were enjoying writing excuses for her absence so much that they eventually decided she would remain unseen, and after the increasingly eccentric characteristics ascribed to her, they concluded that no real actress would be able to portray her anyway.<ref name="Behind The Couch" />

=== Sets and settings ===
[[File:Frasier title card.svg|thumb|Title screen from the first half of the first season has a lit antenna spire at the [[Space Needle]], one of the numerous animated gags.]]
Frasier's apartment was designed to be ultra-modern in an eclectic style (as Frasier himself points out in the pilot). One of the show's signature elements that it became well known for was the apartment's design which included elements such as a slightly split-level design, doors with triangular wooden inlay features, numerous pieces of well-known high-end furniture (such as a replica of [[Coco Chanel]]'s sofa, and both an [[Eames Lounge Chair]] and a [[Wassily Chair]]) and a notable view from the terrace which was frequently complimented by visitors. The main set consisted of the open-concept living area with a sitting/TV space and dining area on the lower level and a piano exit to the terrace on the rear upper level. The set also included the kitchen through an open archway. A small section of the building corridor and elevator doors was built, as was a powder room near the front entrance. Two corridors off the living area ostensibly led to the apartment's three bedrooms. Sets for each of these rooms were built as separate sets on an as-needed basis.<ref name="Conversation">"A Conversation with Art Director Roy Christopher", DVD Extra, Season 3</ref>

No building or apartment in Seattle really has the view from Frasier's residence. It was created so the [[Space Needle]], the most iconic landmark of Seattle, would appear more prominently. According to the season-one DVD bonus features, the photograph used on the set was taken from atop a cliff, possibly the ledge at [[Kerry Park]], a frequent photography location. Despite this, ''Frasier'' has been said to have contributed to the emergence of an upscale urban lifestyle in 1990s Seattle, with buyers seeking properties in locations resembling that depicted in the show, in search of "that cosmopolitan feel of Frasier".<ref name="mcfadden">McFadden, Kay. "[https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20040513/frasier13/condo-by-condo-seattle-has-become-a-lot-like-frasier Condo by condo, Seattle has become a lot like 'Frasier'] ". [[Seattle Times]], May 13, 2004.</ref>

Another of the primary sets was the radio studio at KACL from which Frasier broadcasts his show. The studio itself consists of two rooms: the broadcast booth and the control room. A section of the corridor outside of the booth was also built (visible through the windows at the back of the studio) and could be shot from the side to view the corridor itself. The set was designed based on ABC's then-brand-new radio studios in Los Angeles which the production designer visited. Technical elements such as the microphones were regularly updated to conform with the latest technology. Although the studio set lacked a "front" wall (the [[fourth wall]]), one was built for occasional use in episodes with certain moments shot from behind the broadcast desk, rather than in front of it as usual.<ref name="Conversation" />

The producers wanted to have a gathering place outside of home and work where the characters could meet. After a trip to Seattle, and seeing the many burgeoning coffee shops, the production designer suggested to producers that they use a coffee shop. Unlike many of the relatively modern coffee shop designs prevalent in Seattle, the production designer opted for a more warm and inviting style that would appear more established and traditional. Stools were specifically omitted to avoid any similarity to the bar on ''Cheers''. Several Los Angeles coffee shops were used for reference. A bookcase was added on the back wall, suggesting patrons could grab a book and read while they enjoyed their coffee. The show used three versions of the interior set depending on how much space other sets for each episode required. If space for the full set was not available, a smaller version that omitted the tables closest to the audience could be used. If space for that set was lacking, a small section of the back of the cafe at the top of the steps could be set up under the audience [[bleacher]]s. A set was also used on occasion for the exterior patio.<ref name="Conversation" />

=== Filming ===
The cast had an unusual amount of freedom to suggest changes to the script. Grammer used an acting method he called "requisite disrespect" and did not rehearse with the others, instead learning and rehearsing his lines once just before filming each scene in front of a live [[studio audience]]. Although effective, the system often caused panic among guest stars.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Andrea |last=Francese |date=2021-07-30 |title='Frasier': Kelsey Grammer's Acting Method Sent Guest Stars Into a Panic |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/frasier-kelsey-grammers-acting-method-sent-guest-stars-panic.html/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet |language=en-US |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607203801/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/frasier-kelsey-grammers-acting-method-sent-guest-stars-panic.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1996, Grammer's recurrent alcoholism led to a car accident. The cast and crew performed an [[intervention (counseling)|intervention]] that persuaded him to enter the [[Betty Ford Center]], delaying production for a month.<ref name="allinthefamily" />

Only one episode, "[[The 1000th Show]]", was filmed in Seattle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/frasier/the-100th-show/episode/17052/summary.html|title=Frasier–Season 5, Episode 5: The 1000th Show–TV.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com|access-date=June 15, 2015|archive-date=April 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416080112/http://www.tv.com/frasier/the-100th-show/episode/17052/summary.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As with ''Cheers'', most episodes were filmed on Stage 25, [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount Studios]],<ref name="allinthefamily" /> or at various locations in and around Los Angeles.

Filming was briefly disrupted by the [[September 11 attacks]], during which David Angell was killed on board [[American Airlines Flight 11]] while returning to California along with his wife Lynn. The cast and crew were devastated by their deaths, but Kelsey Grammer was concerned about the public perception of their grief in the context of a national tragedy, and so they did not extensively discuss Angell in the news after the attacks. Peri Gilpin later recalled that, after they had consistently avoided discussing the subject for awhile, the cast sat down on the set of Frasier's apartment and talked about their memories of the Angells for several hours, after which she felt significantly better.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGBGVwFBxtQ&t=367s | title=Peri Gilpin: Where I Was on 9 11 | website=[[YouTube]] | date=July 24, 2021 }}</ref>

=== Celebrity voice cameos ===

The KACL callers' lines were read by anonymous [[voice-over]] actors during filming in front of a live audience, and during [[post-production]], the lines were replaced by celebrities, who actually phoned in their parts without having to come into the studio. The end credits of season finales show greyscale headshots of celebrities who had "called in" that season. Celebrities providing voices as callers include [[Gillian Anderson]], [[Kevin Bacon]], [[Halle Berry]], [[Benjamin Bratt]], [[Mel Brooks]], [[Cindy Crawford]], [[Billy Crystal]], [[Phil Donahue]], [[David Duchovny]], [[Hilary Duff]], [[Olympia Dukakis]], [[Carrie Fisher]], [[Jodie Foster]], [[Art Garfunkel]], [[Macaulay Culkin]], [[Elijah Wood]], [[Linda Hamilton]], [[Daryl Hannah]], [[Ron Howard]], [[Eric Idle]], [[Stephen King]], [[Jay Leno]], [[Laura Linney]], [[John Lithgow]], [[Yo-Yo Ma]], [[William H. Macy]], [[Henry Mancini]], [[Reba McEntire]], [[Helen Mirren]], [[Mary Tyler Moore]], [[Estelle Parsons]], [[Rosie Perez]], [[Freddie Prinze Jr.]], [[Christopher Reeve]], [[Carly Simon]], [[Gary Sinise]], [[Mary Steenburgen]], [[Ben Stiller]], [[Marlo Thomas]], [[Rob Reiner]], [[Carl Reiner]], [[Lily Tomlin]], and [[Eddie Van Halen]].

Some "callers" also guest-starred, such as Parsons, Perez and Linney (who played Frasier's final love interest in the last season).

=== Credits ===
The show's theme song, "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs", is sung by Grammer and is played over the closing credits of each episode. Composer Bruce Miller, who had also composed for ''Wings'', was asked to avoid explicitly mentioning any subjects related to the show such as radio or psychiatry. After Miller finished the music, lyricist Darryl Phinnesse suggested the title as they were things that were, like Frasier Crane's patients, "mixed up". The lyrics indirectly refer to Crane's radio show; "I hear the blues a-callin'," for example, refers to troubled listeners who call the show.<ref name="levine20120409">{{cite web | url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/04/story-behind-tossed-salad-and-scrambled.html | title=The story behind 'Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs' | work=...by Ken Levine | date=April 9, 2012 | access-date=April 9, 2012 | author=Levine, Ken | archive-date=December 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225084651/http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/04/story-behind-tossed-salad-and-scrambled.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Grammer recorded several variations of the final spoken line of the theme, which were rotated for each of the episodes. Other than season finales, a short, silent scene, often revisiting a small subplot aside from the central story of the episode, appears with the credits and song, which the actors performed without written dialogue based on the scriptwriter's suggestion.<ref name="levine20120810">{{cite web | url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-you-see-is-what-we-show-you.html | title=What you see is what we show you | work=...by Ken Levine | date=August 10, 2012 | access-date=August 10, 2012 | author=Levine, Ken | archive-date=December 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225084652/http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-you-see-is-what-we-show-you.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[title card]] at the start of each episode shows a white line being drawn in the shape of the Seattle skyline on a black background above the show's title. In most episodes, once the skyline and title appear, the skyline is augmented in some way, such as windows lighting up or a helicopter lifting off. The color of the title text changed for each season (respectively: blue, red, turquoise, purple, gold, brown, yellow, green, orange, metallic silver, and metallic gold). Over the title card, one of about 25 brief musical cues evoking the closing theme is played.{{r|levine20120409}}

=== Revival ===
{{Main|Frasier (2023 TV series)}}
On February 24, 2021, a revival series was greenlit for exclusive debut on [[Paramount+]]. The series premiered on October 12, 2023. Described as a "third act" and another spin-off, Grammer said he "gleefully" anticipated "sharing the next chapter in the continuing journey of Dr. Frasier Crane" as he had "spent over 20 years" of his "creative life on the Paramount lot".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last1=White|first1=Peter|date=2021-02-24|title=Kelsey Grammer Back As Dr. Frasier Crane As Paramount+ Confirms 'Frasier' Reboot|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/dr-frasier-crane-kelsey-grammer-reboot-paramount-plus-1234699954/|access-date=2021-02-24|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225084359/https://deadline.com/2021/02/dr-frasier-crane-kelsey-grammer-reboot-paramount-plus-1234699954/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022, Paramount+ officially gave the series a season order of 10 episodes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oganesyan |first1=Natalie |title=Frasier Sequel With Kelsey Grammer Greenlit at Paramount+ |url=https://www.thewrap.com/frasier-sequel-series-kelsey-grammer-paramount-plus/ |website=[[TheWrap]] |date=October 4, 2022 |access-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223174923/https://www.thewrap.com/frasier-sequel-series-kelsey-grammer-paramount-plus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2023, [[Jack Cutmore-Scott]] joined the cast as Freddy Crane.<ref>{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|title='Frasier' Sequel Series at Paramount+ Casts Jack Cutmore-Scott as Freddy Crane|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/frasier-sequel-series-paramount-plus-cast-jack-cutmore-scott-freddy-crane-1235488999/|work=Variety|date=January 13, 2023|access-date=January 13, 2023|archive-date=January 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113210236/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/frasier-sequel-series-paramount-plus-cast-jack-cutmore-scott-freddy-crane-1235488999/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also reported that English actor [[Nicholas Lyndhurst]] would be joining the cast.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=13 January 2023 |title='Frasier' Sequel Series at Paramount+ Casts Nicholas Lyndhurst (EXCLUSIVE) |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/frasier-sequel-series-paramount-plus-cast-nicholas-lyndhurst-1235488911/ |access-date=14 January 2023 |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119093634/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/frasier-sequel-series-paramount-plus-cast-nicholas-lyndhurst-1235488911/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Anders Keith and [[Jess Salgueiro]] were later cast as Niles and Daphne's son and Freddy's roommate, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Correll |first1=Shari |title='Frasier' Sequel Series at Paramount+ Casts Anders Keith, Jess Salgueiro |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/frasier-sequel-series-paramount-plus-cast-anders-keith-jess-salgueiro-1235502020/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=Variety |date=January 25, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125212430/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/frasier-sequel-series-paramount-plus-cast-anders-keith-jess-salgueiro-1235502020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February, [[Toks Olagundoye]] was cast as Olivia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2023-02-01 |title='Frasier': Toks Olagundoye Joins Paramount+ Sequel Series |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/frasier-toks-olagundoye-paramount-sequel-series-kelsey-grammer-1235246471/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201173909/https://deadline.com/2023/02/frasier-toks-olagundoye-paramount-sequel-series-kelsey-grammer-1235246471/ |url-status=live }}</ref>