There was no bigger fan of the original Frasier show than me. The premise was fairly simple and universal--a man whose life implodes moves across the country to get a fresh start. OK--it's a little more complicated than that. Harvard-trained 40ish psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane, brilliantly played by Kelsey Grammar, moves back to his home town Seattle following the implosion of his marriage to another psychiatrist Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) who does a formidable job as his uptight ex-wife. 

Frasier has the opportunity to host a call-in radio program called The Dr. Frasier Crane Show. He hires Roz Doyle (the fabulous Peri Gilpin) to be his producer. They are a perfect team. Frasier is stuffy and a true intellectual, whereas Roz is streetwise and earthy. Together, they produce a highly rated talk show. The episodes focus on Frasier on and off the air and there are many twists and turns--from his affair with the new station manager Kate Costas (Mercedes Ruehl) to numerous relationships in his quest for the perfect significant other.

Throw into the mix his aging father Martin, a retired police officer; the late wonderful John Mahoney, who moves in with Frasier; Daphne Moon (the lovely Jane Leeves), a physical therapist and housekeeper, who Frasier hires as live-in help; and psychiatrist brother Niles Frasier David Hyde Pierce) who is trapped in a loveless marriage he eventually gets out of. Niles gets infatuated with Daphne and ends up marrying her. 

The episodes were full of belly laughs and wisdom. Frasier aired on NBC for 11 seasons, from 1993-2004. I had moved to Seattle in the late 90s so was able to catch many of the nuances of the show that I would not have picked up--like hanging out in the coffee shop Cafe Nervosa on rain-filled winter days. 

It is not surprising that the show won 37 Daytime Emmys over its tenure. It was created and produced by Grub Street Productions, comprised of David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, who wrote episodes along with a group of other talented writers. The incredible scripts always conveyed Frasier's humanity and kindness--under his pompous exterior. 

Life has changed a lot since Frasier first graced the airwaves. The world is not nearly as gentle as it was then. In fact, it can be downright dangerous to go into some parts of Seattle now. I'm nostalgic for the 'old times.'

This time the show will air from a different city the doc moved to and, in Grammar's words, became 'rich beyond his wildest dreams.' 

The plot of the new show is being kept under wraps. So far, Grammar is the only original cast member who has signed. The rest are in negotiations. Frederick (Trevor Einhorn), Frasier's only son, will return, all grown up.

I don't think anything could possibly top the original show. I'd much rather see the former cast in a brand new project than in a reboot. Sometimes, you just can't go home.