Kelsey Grammer famously played the lovelorn psychiatrist for 20 years, but why did Frasier end after season 11, and was it canceled? Frasier is regarded as one of TV's greatest sitcoms, boasting an excellent cast and sharp, witty dialogue. The show noticeably declined in later years before bouncing back with season 11 and an emotional finale, posing the question of why it finally ended.
Returning to the role that he originated in Cheers, the Kelsey Grammer-led spinoff was highly acclaimed, winning the Emmy for “Outstanding Comedy Series” five years running. Relocating from Boston to his native Seattle, Frasier aired on NBC from 1993-2004 and follows the character as he hosts a radio psychiatry show. Frasier also reconnects with his family, including his fellow psychiatrist and snobbish brother, Niles (David Hyde Pierce), and his father, retired police officer Martin (the late John Mahoney).
After 11 years, long-standing storylines were finally wrapped up and Frasier Crane received an optimistic if open-ended send-off. With a Frasier revival in development for Paramount+, speculation inevitably arises as to the nature of the show’s original ending and the question of whether Frasier was ended prematurely. Despite season 11 being better received than its previous few years, Frasier was ultimately canceled. As reported by People, the cast was open to continuing but the show’s high production costs were the main reason why Frasier ended after season 11.
NBC decided the beloved sitcom was too expensive to continue, with a spokeswoman stating, “The finances would not have worked for another season.” Each episode reportedly cost around $5.2 million to produce, with $1.6 million of this amount dedicated to Grammer’s salary. The Sideshow Bob voice actor had played Frasier for so long that it's to be expected he was paid a very high salary. However, with ratings slipping, NBC struggled to justify the high costs per episode. Although Grammer indicated he was open to a pay cut to return for another year, it's understandable why Frasier ended after season 11. Contracts were up and important decisions had to be made, even if the cast weren’t all entirely happy. According to Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Jane Leeves, who played Martin’s live-in physical therapist Daphne Moon, once called the end of Frasier “absolute hell”. Leeves claimed that everyone wanted Grammer to continue in the role “but the studios had made all their money. They didn’t want to know”.
Grammer loved playing Frasier Crane and has been instrumental in developing the show’s return, even if his recent comments are a bad sign for Frasier’s revival. It’s also clear why he would have been wary of a 12th season. Speaking to USA Today ahead of Frasier's 2004 finale, Grammer acknowledged the later seasons' mistakes, revealing the show “took itself too seriously”. His statement is curious, as the highlights of Frasier seasons 8-10 were often more serious episodes. However, extended storylines involving Daphne’s family and the conflict between radio producer Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin) and Frasier’s boorish girlfriend, Julia Wilcox (Felicity Huffman), proved unpopular distractions. The writers struggled to breathe new life into the show after Niles and Daphne finally got together in season 7's finale, a common criticism being that Frasier lost much of its tension. Thankfully, the return of writers Christopher Lloyd and Joe Keenan, who left after season 7, led to a partial return to form with season 11.
Niles and Daphne had a baby, Martin remarried and Niles’ unseen ex-wife, Maris, committed murder. Season 11 also encouraged Frasier to begin a new chapter in his life. After experiencing so many breakups, and witnessing his loved ones move on with their lives, the finale, “Goodnight Seattle”, ended on a high note that gave the lovably pompous psychiatrist one more chance at love. Frasier was right to end after season 11, and the proposed revival risks ruining a wonderfully hopeful end for the character.