Frasier reboot: Viewers in tears as first episode pays tribute to John Mahoney

Virgin Radio

13 Oct 2023, 07:59

After 19 years, Frasier has returned, and the opening episode of the rebooted series features a touching tribute to the late John Mahoney.

The original series of the acclaimed sitcom launched in 1993 and ran for 11 seasons before ending in 2004. The series returned yesterday (12th October) in the US, and comes to the UK on Paramount+ today (13th October).

The narrative picks up in Boston, where the character of Frasier originated in Cheers. There are a whole bunch of new faces as the titular psychiatrist embarks on the next chapter of his life, having left Seattle. 

Whilst Kelsey Grammer returns in the lead role, John Mahoney, who played his father Martin Crane, sadly died in 2018, at the age of 77.

*There are some spoilers ahead from episode one of the Frasier reboot*

Episode one, titled The Good Father, sees Frasier coming home from his father’s funeral in Seattle. It is revealed that his son Freddy (played by English actor Jack Cutmore-Scott), didn’t attend. Explaining that he was in “a bad place”, he says: “I was about to get on the plane and I was thinking about grandpa. I just couldn’t do it.”

Frasier then gives Freddy a framed American flag that was flown in honour of Martin’s service as a police officer. 

The episode ends with a clip of Mahoney from the original series. It shows him sitting in his well-worn recliner chair, smiling, and saying: "It all works out."

The revived series also nods to the late actor in the fact that the Boston bar where Frasier and his Harvard hang out is called Mahoney’s.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the tribute in the episode. One wrote: “25 minutes into Frasier (reboot) and I am bawling…. so glad Kelsey Grammer honoured John Mahoney this way. 💔 It all works out  - J.M. ❤️”

Someone else said: “New Frasier got me crying.”

Another wrote: “The Frasier reboot is outstanding. Very emotional first episode. RIP to the fabulous John Mahoney.”

Someone else added: “I like how Frasier and Freddy’s relationship resembles that of Frasier/Martin from the original show. There’s even some qualities of Martin in Freddy that creates a similar dynamic. Loved the tribute to John Mahoney at the end. That was touching.”

The episode was also dedicated to the memory of Gabrielle James, a script supervisor for Cheers and Frasier, and Archie Lyndhurst, the actor son of Nicholas Lyndhurst. 

Only Fools and Horses legend Nicholas Lyndhurst stars in the reboot, as Frasier’s pal Alan Cornwall. See who the other new cast members are.

Frasier airs on Paramount+.