Post by lemur on Jan 1, 2008 19:10:21 GMT -5
David is not one to shrink from a challenge; BRUV STEPS INTO FRASIER'S SHOES
The Mirror (London, England) August 8, 1997 [/b][/size]
Author: Quinn, Thomas
Tune into hit sitcom Frasier tonight C4, 10pm) and you'll be treated to radio shrink Dr Crane's words of wisdom - but with a difference.
For instead of Kelsey Grammer's urbane Frasier Crane oozing over the Seattle airwaves, his neurotic brother Niles steps into his shoes.
David Hyde Pierce, who plays Niles, explains: "We did the show that way because off-screen Kelsey was having to go into a clinic to dry out.
"By having me take over the radio show we could carry on with production while he was treated.
"The episode had been written with the idea of Kelsey directing it, so he was pretty light in it to begin with.
"We filmed everything which didn't include him and when he came back he just did his two little scenes.
"It wasn't difficult for him, because he is an extremely generous actor.
"There are plenty of stars who don't want anyone else to shine, but Kelsey is the opposite of that.
"He feels that he looks better, the better the people are around him. And we love working together."
Not so the Crane brothers. Niles and Frasier are forever bickering, if not over some arcane psycho-analytic matter, then over the fanciability of their dad's care-worker Daphne Moon.
Niles is obsessed with Daphne (played by Mancunian beauty Jane Leeves), though the plot is used for only a gag or two a week.
Which means that David, 36, was never more than a supporting actor until former Cheers favourite Kelsey checked into the Betty Ford Clinic last October, to kick a recurring booze habit.
The 42-year-old star's personal life has been rocked with crisis after crisis in the past two years.
But he now insists that he's finally cleaned up his act after narrowly escaping death when he wrote off his pounds 40,000 sports car near his home in California's San Fernando Valley.
Around that time Kelsey was turning up to work on the Frasier set in such a bad state that he would fall asleep between takes.
But TV bosses stood by the star - who helped the show land a string of awards at the Emmys, America's TV Oscars.
David, who hosted the closing show at Montreal's Just For Laughs comedy festival, says he wasn't at all nervous when the time came for him to sit down in Frasier's radio hot seat.
"I wasn't scared," he says. "I'm working with other actors who are so good.
"And I actually find acting harder when I have only a little to do. You don't have the momentum of the show - you just come in, say a few words and pop out again." Kelsey's contribution to tonight's episode takes up only a couple of minutes - during which he tells Niles he is off to a shrinks' conference in Aspen, Colorado.
Then he begs his baby brother to take over his radio show for him in his absence.
Snobbish Niles is deeply offended at the thought that he might cheapen the profession he loves by appearing on air, but after some blackmail he is forced to agree.
While in the chair, he finds himself called to give advice to a Seattle basketball player whose form has nose-dived.
When the player starts winning games again, Niles takes the credit - only for a classic twist to rob him of all glory.
Despite its main star being absent, the show is Frasier at its best, with great scenes from David. Niles is TV's most insufferable snob - his idea of popular culture is a cheap seat at the opera - and David plays him to perfection. No wonder the star bridles at being thought similar to Niles.
"Well let me ask you," he snaps, "you're sitting here with me. Do you think I'm like my character in any way? You can be honest."
My answer had to be no. For one thing Niles would never wear a T-shirt, ripped jeans and go three days without shaving.
Nor would he attempt a stand-up routine at the Montreal comedy festival. But just to make sure I get the message, David adds: "I think Niles is someone whom, if I had the choice, I would spend as little time with as possible."
Nonetheless, Frasier's tiresome brother came into existence only because of the actor.
The writers didn't want to cast a brother for Frasier, but the likeness between the two stars was too good to miss out on.
Through the show, David has racked up two American Comedy Awards, in addition to an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
And his reward for Frasier's success is a blossoming film career.
After a series of walk-on parts and low profile roles, he has landed himself a part in a new John Travolta movie, Civil Action, which is being shot in the autumn.
But if greater Hollywood glory follows, he will still remember one prize ceremony more than any other - the British Comedy Awards in January.
There, softly-spoken David could only stare in disbelief as Chris Evans handed his trophies to a waitress.
And remain dumbstruck as Vic and Bob stormed the stage when they felt like it.
"It was one of the strangest awards shows I've ever been to," he says grinning.
"It was actually quite a relief from the style of award shows we're used to.
"That was a well-lubricated evening, I should say."
The Mirror (London, England) August 8, 1997 [/b][/size]
Author: Quinn, Thomas
Tune into hit sitcom Frasier tonight C4, 10pm) and you'll be treated to radio shrink Dr Crane's words of wisdom - but with a difference.
For instead of Kelsey Grammer's urbane Frasier Crane oozing over the Seattle airwaves, his neurotic brother Niles steps into his shoes.
David Hyde Pierce, who plays Niles, explains: "We did the show that way because off-screen Kelsey was having to go into a clinic to dry out.
"By having me take over the radio show we could carry on with production while he was treated.
"The episode had been written with the idea of Kelsey directing it, so he was pretty light in it to begin with.
"We filmed everything which didn't include him and when he came back he just did his two little scenes.
"It wasn't difficult for him, because he is an extremely generous actor.
"There are plenty of stars who don't want anyone else to shine, but Kelsey is the opposite of that.
"He feels that he looks better, the better the people are around him. And we love working together."
Not so the Crane brothers. Niles and Frasier are forever bickering, if not over some arcane psycho-analytic matter, then over the fanciability of their dad's care-worker Daphne Moon.
Niles is obsessed with Daphne (played by Mancunian beauty Jane Leeves), though the plot is used for only a gag or two a week.
Which means that David, 36, was never more than a supporting actor until former Cheers favourite Kelsey checked into the Betty Ford Clinic last October, to kick a recurring booze habit.
The 42-year-old star's personal life has been rocked with crisis after crisis in the past two years.
But he now insists that he's finally cleaned up his act after narrowly escaping death when he wrote off his pounds 40,000 sports car near his home in California's San Fernando Valley.
Around that time Kelsey was turning up to work on the Frasier set in such a bad state that he would fall asleep between takes.
But TV bosses stood by the star - who helped the show land a string of awards at the Emmys, America's TV Oscars.
David, who hosted the closing show at Montreal's Just For Laughs comedy festival, says he wasn't at all nervous when the time came for him to sit down in Frasier's radio hot seat.
"I wasn't scared," he says. "I'm working with other actors who are so good.
"And I actually find acting harder when I have only a little to do. You don't have the momentum of the show - you just come in, say a few words and pop out again." Kelsey's contribution to tonight's episode takes up only a couple of minutes - during which he tells Niles he is off to a shrinks' conference in Aspen, Colorado.
Then he begs his baby brother to take over his radio show for him in his absence.
Snobbish Niles is deeply offended at the thought that he might cheapen the profession he loves by appearing on air, but after some blackmail he is forced to agree.
While in the chair, he finds himself called to give advice to a Seattle basketball player whose form has nose-dived.
When the player starts winning games again, Niles takes the credit - only for a classic twist to rob him of all glory.
Despite its main star being absent, the show is Frasier at its best, with great scenes from David. Niles is TV's most insufferable snob - his idea of popular culture is a cheap seat at the opera - and David plays him to perfection. No wonder the star bridles at being thought similar to Niles.
"Well let me ask you," he snaps, "you're sitting here with me. Do you think I'm like my character in any way? You can be honest."
My answer had to be no. For one thing Niles would never wear a T-shirt, ripped jeans and go three days without shaving.
Nor would he attempt a stand-up routine at the Montreal comedy festival. But just to make sure I get the message, David adds: "I think Niles is someone whom, if I had the choice, I would spend as little time with as possible."
Nonetheless, Frasier's tiresome brother came into existence only because of the actor.
The writers didn't want to cast a brother for Frasier, but the likeness between the two stars was too good to miss out on.
Through the show, David has racked up two American Comedy Awards, in addition to an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
And his reward for Frasier's success is a blossoming film career.
After a series of walk-on parts and low profile roles, he has landed himself a part in a new John Travolta movie, Civil Action, which is being shot in the autumn.
But if greater Hollywood glory follows, he will still remember one prize ceremony more than any other - the British Comedy Awards in January.
There, softly-spoken David could only stare in disbelief as Chris Evans handed his trophies to a waitress.
And remain dumbstruck as Vic and Bob stormed the stage when they felt like it.
"It was one of the strangest awards shows I've ever been to," he says grinning.
"It was actually quite a relief from the style of award shows we're used to.
"That was a well-lubricated evening, I should say."