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“The Simpsons” is arguably the best animated sequence in historical past. Equally, “Cheers” is nearly definitely one of many best live-action sitcoms of all time. However what would occur if these two worlds met? That query was answered briefly (and hilariously) as soon as in 1994 when Homer Simpsons stumbled into essentially the most well-known bar in TV historical past. But, throughout his trek there, a sure voice was notably absent from the proceedings — particularly, that of Kelsey Grammer, who has performed Sideshow Bob for the reason that earliest days of “The Simpsons.”
Grammer, in fact, additionally performed Frasier Crane on “Cheers” earlier than finally headlining the very profitable spin-off “Frasier.” Nonetheless, he did not lend his voice to the crossover in query. It occurred throughout the episode “Concern of Flying,” which aired as a part of “The Simpsons” season 6. The principle plot of the episodes includes Homer being awarded free aircraft tickets solely to find that Marge has a concern of flying. As such, a therapist is enlisted to assist Marge conquer her concern.
The episode opens with Homer being banned from Moe’s, which leads to him needing to discover a new bar to drink at. His quest takes him to numerous watering holes, from ritzy institutions to a bar solely for pilots, which bridges to the primary storyline of the episode. Over the course of his journey, Homer additionally stumbles right into a familiar-looking institution the place all people is aware of your title.
“This can be a very wonderful factor. We have been capable of get all the forged of ‘Cheers’ to reunite,” stated David Merkin, govt producer and then-showrunner of “The Simpsons,” talking on the episode’s DVD commentary observe. “These are the true actors!”
Certainly, they have been the true actors, with Ted Danson (Sam Malone), Woody Harrelson (Woody Boyd), Rhea Perlman (Carla Tortelli), John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin), and George Wendt (Norm Peterson) lending their voices to the proceedings. So, why wasn’t Grammer a part of it?
This is why Kelsey Grammer could not play Frasier on The Simpsons
On the time, Grammar was in the midst of his lengthy 10 season run on “Frasier.” Regardless of already being part of the “Simpsons” household as Sideshow Bob, he was simply too busy on the time the episode was being developed to document any traces as Frasier Crane. Due to this, we see Frasier on the bar throughout Homer’s go to, however he does not truly say something. As Merkin explains within the episode’s DVD commentary observe:
“The odd factor right here is that Kelsey Grammer, who does our present many, many, many occasions as Sideshow Bob Roberts — he is a unbelievable buddy of the present, he all the time says sure once we ask him — we could not fairly work out the timing to get him to do Frasier Crane on ‘Cheers.’ He is the one character that does not converse.”
In any occasion, the gag labored extremely nicely and the episode turned out nice. Grammer would additionally return many extra occasions to “The Simpsons”, even reprising his position as Sideshow Bob as lately as season 36. In different phrases, it isn’t as if there was any dangerous blood, it was only a matter of dangerous timing. Nonetheless, it might need been enjoyable to see (or hear, quite) Grammer placing his stamp on Frasier within the “Simpsons” universe. Alas, we are able to solely surprise what that may’ve been like.
“The Simpsons” is streaming now on Disney+, or you’ll be able to seize your favourite season on DVD from Amazon.
