Season 2 Of Beloved Comedy Series Reboot Is Counting On Nostalgia

In Season 2, the Frasier reboot will see the return of several characters from the original series, played by their original actors. The crass sports radio host Bulldog Briscoe, played by Dan Butler, the foppish food critic Gil Chesterton (Edward Hibbert), and the cutthroat agent Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris), will all make guest appearances. Roz Doyle, played by Peri Gilpin, will have a recurring role building on her Season 1 guest appearance. 

Most of these appearances are expected to happen in an episode that sees Fraiser Crane leaving the reboot’s Boston setting to visit Seattle, where the original was set. This is being hyped up as a key event for the Frasier reboot’s Season 2 in a clear bid to appeal to fans of the original series. The problem is even if that episode is great, it doesn’t help to fix the show’s deeper issues like the lack of development for the new characters. 

I approve of the Frasier reboot incorporating more characters from the original show, but making that nostalgia the basis for all of Season 2’s marketing feels like a trap. The marketing has worked on me, I’ll be tuning in to the new episodes largely to see beloved characters again, and even to see the return to Seattle. However, I also think that it’s likely I’ll once again be disappointed by the show. 

This illustrates the problem with nostalgia-based properties like the Frasier reboot Season 2; they don’t have to try very hard. With a built-in audience, these properties can ignore deep flaws as long as they appeal to the nostalgic fanbase with cameos and references. It’s not inherently a problem to appeal to the original, but when it’s used as a crutch to prop up an otherwise unremarkable show, it becomes a problem, and that’s what Season 2 of the show seems to be doing. 

There are less nostalgic reasons to be excited for the Frasier reboot Season 2, but they’re not what the marketing is focused on. Many sitcoms have also found their footing after their first season, like Parks and Recreations, The Office, and Cougar Town so it’s possible that could happen again. Established sitcom actresses Amy Sedaris, Yvette Nicole Brown, Patricia Heaton, and Rachel Bloom will all be making guest appearances, which could make for exciting episodes.

I’m a huge fan of Cheers and the original Frasier, but the reboot feels like a soulless nostalgia grab. Season 2 could improve and feel more like a worthwhile entry in the universe, but the fact that its marketing is going all in on nostalgia doesn’t give me high hopes. Whether it’s good or not, my nostalgia will have me tuning in to Paramount+ on September 19.