Frasier’s Donnie Douglas originally had a much smaller role

Every great TV romantic comedy should have a third wheel. Just like the classic romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, the whole idea of ​​this romance between two characters that the audience (hopefully) loves is that there has to be some obstacle to their happily ever after. Despite the popular and award-winning sitcom “Frasier,” now in its second season of revival on Paramount+ (Read/Movie Review)itself a spin-off of the popular NBC show “Cheers,” ended up being anchored in some way by the long-running romance between its two main characters.

In the case of “Cheers,” of course, the romance was that of charming bartender Sam Malone and his well-read waitress Diane Chambers, which sparked in the pilot episode and didn’t really end until the series finale in Season 11. “Frasier” went in a slightly different direction. While main character Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) was often searching for his one true love, it was his more effective brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) who served as the main half of the romance. Niles quickly fell in love with his father’s home health care worker, Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves), and they seemed to be dating for many years. It was only when Daphne pursued a serious romance with Niles’ divorce attorney Donnie Douglas (Saul Rubinek, the man behind one of Star Trek’s most evil villains.) that the prospect of falling in love with Niles instead became dangerous. But while Donnie was a recurring character for a few seasons, it turns out he was originally only supposed to be part of the show for a few episodes.

When the time comes for Niles to finally sever ties with his (oft-mentioned, but never glimpsed) wife, Maryse, he enlists the services of Donnie, a straight-talking, straight-talking lawyer who doesn’t care to show up at his first meeting. In workout clothes. Although Niles is somewhat annoyed by Donnie’s approach, he quickly realizes that this lawyer may be gruff and cantankerous, but he is also the kind of lawyer you want on your side. However, just as Niles’ dance card frees herself (after Niles learns that Maris’s inheritance came from the urinal cake business, which is too disgusting for someone as posh as her to admit at all), Daphne falls in love with Donnie. As Rubinek pointed out in 2023 interview with the natural aristocratHowever, he was never chosen to be a serious rival for Daphne’s affections. At least, not at first.

The character’s representative noted, “I was originally contracted for only three episodes (…) but such was such a successful challenge to Niles’ secret longing for Daphne that they kept the character going for nearly two seasons.” As it happened, Rubinek ended up appearing in 15 episodes of “Frasier” spread over four seasons of the series, most of which (but not entirely) focused on his ill-fated romance with Daphne — from their initial engagement to his proposal, and wedding. Where she dumped him at the altar to run away with Niles, and the inevitable messy aftermath in Season 8 when he initially tried to sue his ex for breaking his heart. Aside from his brief comments in that interview, it’s easy to understand why the actor fits in so well with Dhoni. He’s just one of a long line of characters aiming to burst the luxurious, uptight bubble that Frasier and Niles reside in, just as their father did in every episode.

Donnie, who ended up referring to himself as Mr. Champ after Daphne left him (but before he realized that Frasier was essentially matching them both), was tough enough. And the irascible Rubinek, who actually shared the screen With the likes of Gene Hackman in Unforgiven (a film that Hackman initially rejected)was rude enough that it was very plausible that he would have wooed Daphne at all.

Since “Frasier” is in the middle of the aforementioned revival, it’s inevitable to wonder who may or may not be returning. Although Grammer is the only regular cast member, the others love him Peri Gilpin as Rose Doyle (who replaced Lisa Kudrow in the role)Harriet Sansom Harris as Baby Glazer, and Dan Butler as Bob “Bulldog” Briscoe, appear throughout the first two seasons. At the moment, as mentioned in the interview, Rubinek is not scheduled to return. (Arguably, since Niles and Daphne didn’t appear either, despite being referenced often, it would be a bit odd for Daphne’s ex to show up anyway.) But the fact is that Donnie Douglas was never designed to be the third wheel of the coronation For the big romance between Niles and Daphne, just over a year before the two characters finally admit their feelings for each other and fall in love forever, meaning anything is possible.

The new version of “Frasier” tried to strike a balance between being something new and something borrowed (to borrow, in a way, the name of the climactic two-part episode that effectively ends Donnie’s time on the show), by sending Frasier back to Boston and making him the grouchy, struggling old man His son to bond with while living together, all while Niles and Daphne’s son acts as a very volatile character. But the revival was even more wonderful when familiar characters returned. Yes, they’re all fairly old, and the show doesn’t try to hide the fact that they’re in their twilight years. All that said, it’s true that Donnie would be a surprise character if he appeared in the “Frasier” revival for a third season, but returning favorite characters are more than welcome in this reboot.

He served as a foil for Niles during the show’s original run. Why don’t you bring Mr. Champ back?