Given the recent Cheers remake announcement, there really seems to be no hope for the Frasier season 1 finale, Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin) showed up, and, before her, Frasier's ex-wife, Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth), guest starred.

Since the reboot isn't set in Seattle, Boston provides a somewhat-fresh slate for the post-Frasier series finale revival. However, it's still hard to overlook the fact that Cheers was set in Boston. Not only did Frasier attend Harvard University and open his first psychiatric practice in Boston, but he pretty religiously grabbed drinks at Cheers' blue-collar dive bar. The occasional oblique references to Frasier's former life in Boston just don't make up for the fact that the Frasier revival hasn't properly addressed the character's Cheers origin story — and it seems unlikely the reboot ever will.

Frasier's Reboot Hasn't Given A Good Explanation For The Cheers Bar's Absence

Dr. Crane Does Slyly Reference His Time Spent At Another Boston Bar In The Frasier Reboot's Pilot

Even two seasons in, the Frasier revival has failed to give an adequate explanation for its lack of Cheers connections. For starters, it's strange that Sam Malone's (Ted Danson) titular Boston bar hasn't made an appearance. While having a drink with Professor Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Professor Olivia Finch (Toks Olagundoye) in the Frasier reboot's pilot, Dr. Crane laments the fact that he "spent too much time at a certain bar" when he was last in Boston. The seemingly throwaway line is a perfect Cheers reference, but the reboot fails to build on that cheeky Easter egg.

To make matters more frustrating, the Frasier reboot spends a lot of time in a brand-new dive bar: Mahoney's. The watering hole takes its name from the late John Mahoney, who played Frasier's father, Martin Crane, in the original Frasier. While it makes sense that the reboot would want to carve out its own setting, the lack of references to Frasier's time in Boston feels weirdly avoidant. With David Hyde Pierce's Niles not returning for the reboot, the writers have been diligent about referencing Frasier's brother. The same just isn't true when it comes to Cheers' cast of characters — or even its bar.

Frasier Not Having Any Cheers Characters Is Really Weird Since It's In Boston

The Frasier Reboot's Second Season Is Focusing More On Frasier Callbacks

Instead of addressing its Cheers connections, Kelsey Grammer finally addressed Cheers' bar’s status, confirming that it's closed in the world of the Frasier reboot. While the update is disappointing, it doesn't make up for the fact that Frasier avoids everything to do with its parent series. Lilith Sternin and Frasier Crane met at Cheers' titular bar, and Boston is where Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) was born. However, even Lilith's cameo wasn't enough to encourage more direct Cheers references.

New episodes of Frasier season 2 premiere on Paramount+ on Thursdays through November 14, 2024.

Previously, Grammer expressed his hopes for a mini Cheers reunion in the Frasier reboot. A driving creative force behind the revival, Grammer seems to have the sway to make just about anything happen. Unfortunately, the Frasier reboot's season 2 continues its Cheers ignorance, likely because it doesn't have the time to devote to guest stars like Danson. With a limited number of episodes, the reboot has renewed its focus on references to the original Frasier instead. However, it's still incredibly disappointing that no one from Cheers' Boston-based ensemble (besides Lilith) has made a cameo in the Frasier reboot.

A Cheers Remake Suggests There Are No Plans For Cheers Characters In Frasier

The British-Set Cheers Remake Might Kill Frasier's Cheers Cameo Chances

After running for 11 seasons from 1982 to1993, Cheers is the latest classic sitcom to be saddled with remake plans. In a reversal of The Office remake trend, Big Talk Studios is set to bring the show back to a brand-new setting: a British pub. It's not clear how the proposed remake would align with the original Boston-based show. It's possible it will be a remake in name only, using familiar character archetypes and tropes but grafting them onto a setting across the pond.

Even so, a Cheers remake of any kind isn't great news for the Frasier reboot, as it could make any planned future references or cameos more difficult. So far, the Frasier revival has completely fumbled its greatest strength. Instead of seizing upon the rare opportunity to blend two beloved sitcoms, Frasier and Cheers, it completely ignores the show that started it all. Of course, given Grammer's love for the sitcom that launched his career, anything is still possible.