“Frasier” is one of the most important sitcoms on television. On SkyShowtime you can watch the second season of the new version of the series, and I talked to the actor playing the main, title role – it’s Kelsey Grammer!
Watch the video interview above. Polish subtitles available on YouTube.
I want to start with a question about your character: he has his ups and downs over the years, but ultimately he doesn’t change, he remains steadfast. What do you think makes him that way, are you two the same – you’ve said in interviews that Frasier kind of comes from you.
That’s a good question. The simple answer is Frasier doesn’t give up. He’s broken, but that makes him even more charming, he gets up every morning and fights his battle. He doesn’t give up, he goes after what he thinks is right, and that makes him charming and good to watch. But also funny, he’s got a Bulldog quality to him, in terms of fighting for life and getting out of it. That’s part of the reason he’s a survivor, he’s very passionate, he’s erudite, he’s knowledgeable about times gone by, he likes to be an expert on something, he likes to enjoy life, savor it, try new things whenever possible. That said, he’s never failed at anything except to keep going. You see him as a likeable guy who wants the best for himself and everyone around him. That’s what makes him good to watch, funny, relevant, because he wants the best for everyone, including himself.
I love the episodes about ham day and the squeaky chair because they touch on mundane topics, but only as a gateway to tell a deeper story, as a chance for the characters to grow, to get to know each other better. How do you find that balance when you’re making a show today? Has it become easier over the years?
You count on great writers who can create great circumstances to bring out the best in character development, those ideas that will take the characters to a different place than where they started the show. “Jamon Day” is a showdown between two friends, Alan and Frasier, but ultimately it’s the cementing of their friendship. That’s the development.
Does the development of technology help in creating a series? A few decades ago we didn’t have smartphones, texting, it was much easier to get lost and lose contact, and that drives the plot. Now we can contact everyone much more easily, so how do you see it – is it easier or harder to record such a series, having such possibilities?
Interesting. I think the world of smartphones, of devices that we’re so involved with, can present challenges for viewers, can make it harder to build an audience, but I still believe that quality, humor, and unique entertainment will continue to come. My kids watch a lot of stuff on YouTube that’s mind-numbing, but it’s funny to them and they come back to it. There’s some good in that, and some bad in that, but I think if viewers give Frasier the chance it deserves, which I strongly believe it does, they’ll come back for more because we’re making them laugh hard. Real, funny, recognizable, human laughter. And maybe a few tears.
Frasier, both the show and the character, have moved on and are in different places, but don’t you or your character miss saying “I’m listening…” so often?
Yes, indeed, I no longer say “I listen.” But he is still attentive, still cares that those in his life and the life he leads are relevant and important.
In an older episode, when none of the other characters were looking, you went to the piano and played the very beginning of “Great Balls of Fire.” Is there any song that comes to mind if you were to do it in newer episodes?
Interesting. I considered last year when we did the Christmas episode to do “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It seemed appropriate at the time and I almost did it.
“Frasier” Season 2 (2024) and the classic series “Frasier” (1993) available on SkyShowtime.
Source: antyweb.pl
