Frasier’s Apartment Was Literally Built On Another Iconic TV Location

It takes a lot to create a truly memorable sitcom. In an age where illuminated soundstages are home to a frankly incredible number of generic sitcoms, the magic of the genre’s golden years seems to have been well and truly lost. Although they’ve been around for decades, the ’90s seemed to be a true pinnacle for the format, with “Friends,” “Seinfeld” and “Frasier” representing some of the best comedies ever produced. While the characters and writing are undoubtedly integral to the lasting appeal of these shows, there are also aesthetics to consider. All three series had a different look that was a combination of how the sets were lit back then and the design of those sets.

Monica’s apartment on “Friends” is surely one of the most recognizable TV shows of all time. He had a character and personality that created an indelible image in the minds of 90s audiences around the world. Similarly, Dr. Crane’s apartment in “Frasier,” though more low-key than its “Friends” counterpart, borders on iconic status. The eclectic, postmodern style of Frasier’s impressive platform became part of the show’s personality and was marked by significant features, from Martin’s recliner to the grand piano to the stunning but completely unreal view of the Space Needle. Seattle from the balcony.

Not that Frasier’s apartment needs anything else to cement its status as one of the greatest comedy sets of all time, but it turns out that the apartment was actually built on an equally legendary set, if not more so.

in a behind the scenes tour of “Frasier” set in 1993, star Kelsey Grammer gave viewers an inside look at the show and revealed that the doctor’s famous apartment was built on the same set as “Cheers.” Yes, the comedy in which Frasier made his debut was filmed on the exact same stage as the spin-off he produced: Stage 25 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. It’s funny to think that’s how things played out, considering Frasier Crane getting his own spinoff wasn’t the original plan for Grammer post-“Cheers.”

But there is more to this interesting little fact than that. Not only was Frasier’s apartment filmed on the same set as “Cheers,” but the apartment’s living room was built in the exact spot where the Cheers bar was located. In the featurette, Grammar walks around the apartment pointing out where certain aspects of the original bar scene used to be and what replaced them in “Frasier.” The actor even points out where all the former actors used to sit, including himself, revealing that Frasier used to lean on the exact spot where his new couch was located in Frasier’s apartment.”

Sadly, “Cheers” and its 25th-run legacy ended when “Frasier” went off the air after 11 seasons in 2004. Dr. Crane returned for the neither disappointing nor notable “Frasier” revival series in 2023, and although that show Also filmed on Paramount’s On the Lot, it’s now located on Stage 31, though that’s nothing to object to. That same setting has hosted such legendary productions as the original “Star Trek” series (Kelsey Grammer actually had a cameo in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” further expanding the connection between the two shows) and “Little House on the Prairie.” “Stage 31 has also seen films such as “Chinatown”, Forrest Gump”, “Addams Family Values” and “Wayne’s World 2” make use of its facilities.

Unfortunately, the “Frasier” set erected on Stage 31 for the revival show is not exactly what the old set was. The good doctor’s apartment in the new series lacks the personality of the original, and even when, in season 2, Frasier returned to Seattle and the original sets were recreated, it felt like a missed opportunity. Aside from the design language being different, there’s something about the HD resolution and lighting used today that robs these modern comedies of much of their appeal, and streaming-era “Frasier” is no different despite that many luminaries have returned to rekindle the magic, including comedy maestro James Burrows, who has never seen a comedy he hasn’t directed.

Still, it’s good to know that the show continues to film at Paramount in front of a live studio audience. But what would be cool to know is what takes the place of Frasier’s bar seat on Stage 25 today.