"Frasier" to Sein-on with Kramer next season
By John Littleton
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - NBC today confirmed reports that "Frasier", the five year old "Cheers" spin-off now airing on Tuesday nights, would indeed next season claim the coveted 9 p.m. Thursday night time-slot left vacant by the much-ado-about-nothing "Seinfeld".
NBC executives claimed that the "Frasier" addition should put to rest any speculation about the network's commitment to maintaining a strong Must-See TV Thursday night lineup. It had been widely reported that the network's rivals would once again renew serious attempts to compete on Thursday nights as a result of the "Seinfeld" departure.
In addition, NBC also revealed that the opening scene for the "Frasier" sixth-season premiere would include a brief cameo by "Seinfeld" star Michael Richards, the man who made the name Kramer famous.
According to NBC, the opening scene will show Dr. Frasier Crane, series star Kelsey Grammer, in his apartment's living room having an argument with his father and brother. In the heat of the argument Kramer, in full spasmatic glory, will burst through Frasier's front door shouting, "Hey, Jerry! Guess what?"
As a shocked Kramer glances around the room at the surprised Cranes, he reels and jerks into one of his trademark seizures, then sputters, "Oh, I'm s-s-sorry . . ."
The confused Kramer then turns to leave, pauses and looks at the apartment door, turns again to the Cranes, jerks and sputters, and then closes the door behind him.
As the scene fades into the opening credits, the Cranes can only stare at each other in stunned disbelief.
------------------ Reuters/Variety ^REUTERS@
06:30 05-14-98