Why Martin Crane Was Frasier's Real Main Character
Despite the show being named after Kelsey Grammer's radio psychologist, Martin Crane was the real main character of Frasier. First introduced in a small recurring role on Cheers, Frasier Crane was a hit, and not only secured a regular role on the show, but also a wildly successful spin-off that ran for 11 seasons. Frasier was in many ways more successful than Cheers, and even almost two decades after the show's original run, it remains popular and culturally relevant, thanks in no small part to Martin Crane's often underappreciated significance.
Frasier's premise is very different from that of Cheers: Frasier's father, Martin — a retired policeman who was injured in the line of duty — moves in with him in the pilot, and promptly hires physical therapist Daphne Moon. Frasier's brother Niles soon becomes infatuated with Daphne, and the relationship between the two came to serve as one of the show's central premises. The dynamic between Frasier's core cast of characters is what secured the show's lasting popularity, but one character stands out as more important than the rest: Martin Crane.
Related: Frasier's Reboot Has To Totally Flip The Original Show's Premise To Work
The show might be named after his oldest son, but Martin is Frasier's real main character. Not only does he form a key part of the show's premise, but John Mahoney's Martin was the reason that its characters came together at all. So many of the show's stories revolve around Martin, and even those that don't wouldn't have happened without him, making him Frasier's most important character.
Of course, Frasier and Niles shared a close relationship as brothers even before Martin moved in with his oldest son. However, they were brought closer after Martin hired
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