The character Frasier Crane was supposed to be a temporary distraction on Cheers, but he was so funny that they kept him around, and then he got a spinoff series that lasted 11 years. That’s a lot of history for Kelsey Grammar’s psychiatrist character, so there are some trivia tidbits even the most avid fan might not know about the show Frasier. For instance:
2. THEY WANTED TO SET THE SHOW AS FAR AWAY FROM BOSTON AS POSSIBLE.
Once it was agreed that Grammer would continue as Dr. Crane, the creators still wanted to distance themselves from Boston and the whole "crossover syndrome." They knew that the network would insist on having former Cheers characters make guest appearances if the show was set anywhere in Massachusetts, so they moved Frasier across the country to Seattle. The gourmet coffee scene was just taking root in that area, which provided a central meeting place for the characters. The creators didn't want Frasier Crane to work in private practice, since that had already been done on The Bob Newhart Show. Grammer's resonant voice seemed natural for radio, so the concept of a call-in psychiatry show seemed natural.
12. ...AND MOST OF THE Cheers CAST MADE APPEARANCES ON THE SHOW.
Most of the main Boston tavern regulars made appearances on Frasier. Lilith, logically, visited the most since she was Frasier’s ex and Frederick’s mom. Sam, Diane, and Woody all found themselves in Seattle for varying reasons, and a business trip to Boston in Season 9 enabled the Crane family to see the rest of the Cheers gang in one fell swoop. Noticeably absent, however, was Rebecca Howe, played by Kirstie Alley. Alley had contacted co-creator David Lee when Frasier was in the planning stages and informed him that as a Scientologist she did not believe in psychiatry and as a result would not be able to make an appearance on the series. Lee responded simply, “I don’t recall asking.”
There’s quite a bit more to learn, about Frasier, Niles, and all the other characters (and the actors who portrayed them), but especially the most popular of them all: Eddie the dog. Read all 18 things at mental_floss.