Why was Niles Crane played so differently in this rerun of Frasier? Did he evolve as a character or just change suddenly?

August 31, 2004 1:48 PM

A couple months ago I saw a re-run of Frasier on a plane. I believe it was fairly recent. It prominently featured Niles Crane. The weird thing was, David Hyde Pierce was playing him differently. Way less prissy, voice was completely different (i.e., normal.) I found it jarring and unpleasant. Faithful viewers, what happened? Is it less bothersome to those of you who watched him evolve?
posted by lbergstr to media & arts (4 answers total)

No, it wasn't any less bothersome. The whole thing jumped the shark (and Niles started acting like that) around the time him and Daphne got together.
posted by reklaw at 1:52 PM on August 31, 2004

Did she make him straight?
posted by mecran01 at 4:30 PM on August 31, 2004

I didn't watch the show much at all, but I noticed that change from ads and catching a few reruns. Even as a non-fan it really bothered me. It was a pretty clear indication they had started coasting on their Emmys.
posted by schoolgirl report at 5:53 PM on August 31, 2004

Ever notice the difference between Frasier in Boston and Frasier in Seattle? Same principle, I'd imagine.
posted by BlueTrain at 8:25 AM on September 1, 2004