pan6467

Some 20 years or so ago Taxi switched from ABC to NBC because NBC bought the rights to a comedy based wholly in a Boston bar. Taxi was, at the time James Burrows' baby (with help from Glen and Les Charles), and now Cheers was to be his best. I watched from the beginning, having been hooked on Taxi. I was 15, when it first aired in 1982.

The show floundered at first and NBC for lack of anything else but Brandon Tartikoff's vision it kept running. Then in 1984, as Cosby gave new life to Thursdays and Cheers was given that prime 9 pm slot they introduced a character who was to be on for just a few episodes. His name Frasier Crane..... er.. Dr. Frasier Crane that is and he was played brilliantly by Kelsey Grammer.

With Shelly Long playing diva and behind the scenes causing many issues, the show slowly took the focus off her and Sam and onto the best ensemble ever. Norm, Cliff, Carla and the man himself, Frasier.

There were many highlights during Cheers and once Ms. Long was gone the show truly blossomed. As did the characters. But none so memorable as the good Dr. with many phobias and neuroses. I related to him immediately.

When Cheers ended in 1993, I never cried harder in my life. I was 26 and had missed very few episodes. They had become family and I had allowed them in my living room for many years to lighten my mood and make life seem a little better. I was there for Kelly and Woody's marriage, Lillith's cheating, Sammy taking off the rug, Carla, Norm and Cliff being Carla Norm and Cliff.

Kelsey was to get his spinoff, and his character Frasier moved to Seattle. We met his dad and his dad's dog, Martin and Eddie (Martin being his dad). His brother, Dr. Niles Crane, who was more neorotic and pompous than Frasier himself. There was Roz, his producer and Daphne his dad's Therapy nurse, and the forever unseen Maris, Niles' wife.

For 11 years, the 2nd greatest ensemble cast ever, graced my living room and again made me smile, laugh and tonight cry like a baby.

Granted this show never achieved the audience levels of Cheers but at times it was so much better. So much funnier, I never related to a show better than this. Frasier, Niles and I shared many of the same qualities. I finally felt totally understood and not so alone in my eccentricities. Someone understood me, and showed me it was ok to be the way I was, neurotic, not very good at sports or "manly" things, love of the arts, phobic, sensitive and caring yet in subtle ways.

As stated before I cried tonight, harder than I ever have, including the night Cheers said farewell. Even as I write this, I do so choking back tears and the sound of wailing. For tonight, I said goodbye to one great friend and family member.

While, many can say it was just a tv show and they come and go, for 20 years Mr. Grammer's been in my living room weekly, almost every week. I suppose some psychocologists could claim transference and perhaps they are right. But when you have someone in your living room for 20 years on a weekly basis they become a part of your family. Frasier Crane and Kelsey Grammer have been a part of my family for many years.

So tonight, I thank the stellar cast, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Peri Gilpen, Jane Leeves, the creators and producers, the writers and directors.

But most of all I graciously thank Mr. Kelsey Grammer for the 20 years for never selling out his character, being true to his audience (even while fighting publicly many personal demons), and for graciously entering my living room for 20 years. Seeing me through puberty, high school, failed attempts at college, a gambling addiction and my own demons and the happy times. The one thing I could count on every week was that he'd bring a smile, a laugh and in some way acceptance.

So farewell Frasier may in Chicago you find that happiness. And to Mr. Grammer, good luck, you are a hell of an actor, as such you will bring life to many future characters, each as great in some way as Frasier.

The stagelight dims on Frasier but for me there will always be a part of him in my life.

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I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"