The beloved TV psychologist’s return remains faithful to its roots, offering a familiar, if not groundbreaking, viewing experience

The second season of the Frasier reboot on Paramount+ continues to offer a comforting and familiar experience for long-time fans of the series. After a year-long return to the screen, the quirky, sarcastic psychologist-turned-lecturer Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) settles into his life in Boston, once again dishing out wit and sarcasm to anyone within earshot. As he approaches his seventh decade, his exaggerated traits of snarky humour and self-important charm are even more endearing to his friends and family than ever.

The supporting cast, including Frasier’s son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott), his university colleague Olivia (Toks Olagundoye), the pompous Alan (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and their friend Eve (Jess Salgueiro), remains largely unchanged. In the five episodes available for preview, the plot remains simple and episodic, typical of a classic sitcom. Whether it’s Frasier and Alan looking after Eve’s baby, Freddy seeking therapy from another psychologist, or the gang bonding over food and drinks, each episode neatly wraps up without significant narrative advancement.

For better or worse, the show sticks to familiar sitcom tropes, relying on the chemistry between the characters and offering episodic, self-contained storylines. This sense of comfort seems intentional, as the reboot avoids the complexity of overarching plots or introducing new characters, allowing the show to lean into nostalgia.

Director James Burrows, who helmed the original Frasier and Cheers, makes no attempt to update the production for a modern audience. The sets remain traditional, and the laugh track is as enthusiastic as ever, often exaggerated to the point of parody. Yet, for fans of the original series, this retro approach may feel like a welcome return to form, even if it does come across as somewhat outdated.

Grammer’s performance remains the highlight of the show. He effortlessly slips back into the role he was born to play, maintaining Frasier’s charisma and charm. Even as his character becomes increasingly cantankerous, Grammer makes him a character you still want to root for. The series also gives occasional spotlight moments to Eve, a hardworking single mother, who, despite her role as the “straight man” of the group, provides a refreshing contrast to Frasier and Alan’s more cynical personalities.

Despite the predictable nature of the plotlines, the show does offer a few moments of genuine humour, especially when Lyndhurst’s character Alan steals the show with his sharp-witted putdowns. However, the most enthusiastic reactions from the studio audience seem reserved for some familiar star returns—though their brief appearances are often met with a laugh track that’s almost as exaggerated as the 90s sitcoms the show seeks to emulate.

At its heart, Frasier season 2 sticks to the central theme of the importance of family and friendships. The characters may be growing older, but the show continues to centre around their growth and personal reflections, even if they are learning the same life lessons over and over.

While not groundbreaking, this second season remains a faithful continuation of what Frasier fans have come to expect: comfort, charm, and the occasional chuckle. It may not push boundaries, but it offers a reliable and enjoyable viewing experience, true to its 90s roots. Season two of Frasier is available to stream on Paramount+ from September 19.