As a gamer with a deep love for sitcoms and a soft spot for “Frasier,” I must say that the show has always been a delightful blend of humor, wit, and subtle nods to its rich legacy. The Charles brothers, Les and Glen, have left an indelible mark on television history, creating not just “Frasier” but also “Cheers” and “Taxi.” It’s like they’ve been the Cyrano de Bergerac of sitcom creators, crafting characters that were more sophisticated and cosmopolitan than their writers could ever be.
Contains spoilers for “Frasier” Season 2, Episode 2 — “Cyrano, Cyrano”
In the show “Cyrano, Cyrano,” Frasier Crane (played by Kelsey Grammer), who is particular about fine dining and wine, faces a challenge to secure a table at the elite Le Charles restaurant. First, his Valentine’s Day date backs out, and then an awkward match made through a dating app leaves Frasier in the role of cupid for Olivia Finch (Toks Olagundoye) and Moose (Jimmy Dunn). To make things right, he helps both friends by subtly advising them on their manners and etiquette to help Olivia appear less sophisticated and Moose seem more refined. However, his efforts are discovered, leading him to successfully secure the sought-after table at Le Charles. Unfortunately, when his date finally arrives, she has a peculiar fondness for snakes, making the evening less than ideal.
LeCharles’ name is a clever nod to Les Charles and his sibling, Glen. The Charles duo boast an impressive heritage in the television comedy sphere: They conceived the character Frasier Crane, developed and produced shows like “Cheers” and “Taxi,” and penned numerous memorable episodes for sitcoms.
The Charles brothers retired early – but have left a solid legacy behind them
Les and Glen Charles have left an indelible mark in the world of sitcoms, extending far beyond their creation of “Cheers” and “Taxi.” They honed their skills in the scriptroom for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” where they collaborated on a single episode. Subsequently, they served as head writers on “Phyllis,” a spin-off from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and also took up the role of story editors there. Before moving to “Taxi” and then “Cheers,” they co-executive produced “The Bob Newhart Show” for a season. After “Cheers,” they created and co-executive produced the spin-off “The Tortellis.” Their final project was the film “Pushing Tin.” Since the conclusion of “Cheers,” they haven’t been directly involved in its day-to-day management, but the principles they instilled in running the show continue to shape “Frasier” as a sitcom.
The reboot of “Frasier” and even the original series itself have paid tribute to their origins in various ways; for instance, the character David Crane is named after co-creator David Angell, who tragically passed away during the September 11 attacks. Ultimately, this show maintains a strong bond with its roots and draws inspiration from the talented individuals who made “Cheers” an exceptional sitcom in its initial run.
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2024-09-20 04:00