If you’re a millennial and don’t understand older people’s excitement at the news that “Frasier is back,” don’t worry. It’s only fair to mention that Frasier is part of a TV legend, but it’s been off the air for 19 years, and it’s still impressive in numbers. It was on air for 11 years and at the time a record of no less than 37 Emmys, including several years for Best Comedy Series, a record broken only in 2016 by Game of Thrones. That’s why Paramount Plus decided to bet on a reboot that premieres on October 12th and brings our beloved Frasier to digital platforms. And what a journey!

The character’s trajectory is iconic across all media. First, psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) was a minor character in another hugely successful 1980s sitcom, Cheers, starring Ted Danson. Cheers also aired for 11 years, introduced talents like Woody Harrelson to the world, and ended up being overshadowed by the devastating success of its spin-off. Frasier began appearing as a regular only in the third season of Cheers, initially as the love interest of Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), and in the fifth season, after he was abandoned by her at the altar, he joined the fixed cast.

It is in the bar “where everyone knows his name” that he meets Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth), whom he marries and has a son, Frederick. When Frasier leaves Lilith, he returns home to Seattle, where he stars on a successful radio show. The hook for his series is precisely this: his return home and having to deal with his competitive brother, also a psychiatrist, Dr. Niles (David Hyde Pierce), and his father, a paid police officer, Martin (John Mahoney). The intellectual quirks of the two brothers and their romantic confusions yielded some of the most hilarious moments in the history of global TV. Frasier was effective, brilliant, and simple. It worked due to the perfect chemistry of the cast, which collected awards while it was on air. Interestingly, it premiered exactly 30 years ago: September 16, 1993.

Many were surprised when a second comeback for pop culture’s most confused psychiatrist was announced, but it’s good news. Several characters from Cheers have appeared in the series over the years and apart from a correction here and there – for example, in Cheers Frasier presented himself as an only child – Frasier’s story is tightly tied together.

Although he was initially reluctant to reprise the character even when she was the main character of the series, Kelsey Grammer had no hesitation in working on what he calls “the third act” of Frasier Crane. And it will be curious. After all, an equally fun and moving part of the sitcom was the conflicted relationship he had with his father (the late Mahoney) and now we find him again reversing roles with an adult Frederick.

It will be much more complex for Frasier to regain his place and not threaten a legacy of perfection, but it is something nostalgic too. I personally don’t see the series’ smart humor style “working” with a younger generation, but it’s not like surprises are impossible. The trailer suggests that we will have a lot of classic references. I for one am celebrating!

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