‘Frasier’: These Two Co-Stars ‘Hated Each Other’
The hit sitcom Frasier won a slew of Emmys and massive ratings during its run from 1993 to 2004. With Kelsey Grammer in the title role as Frasier Crane, the ensemble cast included David Hyde Pierce (Niles Crane), John Mahoney (Martin Crane), Jane Leeves (Daphne Moon), and Peri Gilpin (Roz Doyle).
The co-stars had instant chemistry, which extended to frequent supporting cast members Dan Butler (Bob ‘Bulldog’ Briscoe), Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith Sternin), Tom McGowan (Kenny Daly), and Harriet Harris (Bebe Glazer). The actors formed close bonds that lasted after the series finale, except for these two co-stars who disliked each other early on.
‘Frasier’ reunion in April 2020
The Frasier cast reunited via video in April 2020 for the online mini-show Stars in the House. Hosted by SiriusXM Broadway’s Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, the show featured all the NBC sitcom co-stars with the exception of Mahoney, who died in 2018. Grammer commented on his continuing fondness for each cast member.
“The best moments, and I hang on to them,” Grammer shared, “they are fresh always still, there has been a moment when I fell in love with all of you. Specific to each of you.”
Grammer affection for his co-stars clearly remains, where the entire cast remains close.
“What’s so remarkable is that it happened again and again and again,” the Frasier star said. “I would sit and think ‘Dear God, they’re wonderful’ and just be completely wrapped in this love that I have to this day.”
Four-legged ‘Frasier’ star scored high in testing
When looking back on the series in September 2018, Frasier co-creator David Lee explained why they added a dog to the cast.
“Sometimes, the network would do dial testing, where they’d put people in a room with dials and you’d watch their reactions through a two-way mirror,” Lee told Vanity Fair. “One of the testers told us that you could always get the dials up if you use a baby, cute child, or dog. So, we cynically thought, let’s put a dog in to get the scores up.”
Moose, the Jack Russell terrier, was brought on the show as Eddie, Martin’s four-legged friend. Leeves recalled the dog being a bit peculiar on set.
“Moose was a complicated little fellow,” Leeves said. “There were many times when he just improvised or went completely nuts, rolling around on the couch with his legs in the air, making funny noises.”
No love lost between father and son
Apparently, Moose had a penchant for nipping, which called for some creative solutions on set.
“I was directing an episode, and told John to put Moose on his lap,” Grammer recalled of the scene with Mahoney. “John said, ‘No! The son of a b*tch always bites me.’ We had to put sardine oil on his hands.”
Frasier writer-producer Anne Flett-Giordano noted Moose was more of a hunter than a cuddly canine.
“He was a good show dog, but not a lover,” she said. “He was forever killing rats – he swallowed a tennis ball once.”
As Moose began to age, the production team brought in his son, Enzo, to work as his double in some scenes. The makeup department would spray color on Enzo so he matched his father’s markings. Yet apparently, the father-son relationship was rife with conflict.
“Moose and Enzo hated each other,” Frasier co-creator revealed. “They couldn’t be on the set together. Apparently, it was one of those classic parent-child Hollywood rivalries.”
The last episode of Frasier aired in May 2004.
