By its third episode,Frasierseason 2 finally fixes a big problem with its Niles replacement, Professor Alan Cornwall (Nicholas Lyndhurst). In the original series, thereboot-averse David Hyde Pierce’s Niles Cranewas a snobby psychiatrist, not unlike his older brother Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), although he was the more eccentric Crane brother. Often arrogant and detached,Niles' quirks are balanced out by the fact that he’s also incredibly caring and kind. Of all theoriginal members ofFrasier’s cast of characters, Niles is probably the reboot’s biggest loss. Thankfully, the revival provides other foils for Frasier.
While David Crane (Anders Keith), Niles and Daphne’s (Jane Leeves) son, has the same anxious energy as his father, Frasier’s nephew pales in comparison to theFrasierreboot’s best Niles replacement. Alan, a tenured Harvard professor who befriended Frasier at Oxford decades ago, is the more compelling stand-in. Like Niles, Alan is Frasier’s intellectual equal, and his dismissive attitude toward work and his students sometimes echoes Niles' haughty attitude at social events. Still,Alan Cornwall balances Frasier out differently too. The Harvard educator isn’t afraid to call Frasier out for his pretentious tendencies or drink a little too much.
The Frasier Reboot Has Been Wasting Alan Cornwall
Nicholas Lyndhurst Is The Revival’s Best Comedic Asset
Unfortunately,season 2 of theFrasierreboothas been wasting Alan Cornwall. As a result, this misstep underscores the show’s biggest problem with its Niles replacement: not giving Alan enough screen time. Nicholas Lyndhurst (New Tricks) is the best part of theFrasierrevival. The actor’s comedic timing couldn’t be better and his dry, British humor is a welcome reprieve from some of the show’s most American sitcom antics. Alan’s importance becomes all the more apparent inFrasierseason 2, episode 3, “All About Eve,“asProfessor Cornwall brings his comedic chops, but also serves as the episode’s emotional center.
New episodes ofFrasierseason 2 air on Thursdays on Paramount+ through August 10, 2025.
The sophomore outing’s premiere was defined by its absurdist humor, while the second episode parodiedCyrano de Bergerac. Frasierepisode 3’s return to conventional sitcom form finally puts Alan back in the spotlight. While the Niles replacement certainly brought his charm to the season premiere, “Ham,” he’s generally felt wasted as of late. The main issue with “Ham” and “Cyrano, Cyrano” is that they don’t give Alan anything to do. Professor Alan Cornwall isn’t a punching bag for Frasier’s snarky comedy. In fact,Alan dishes out searing jabs of his own — and deserves the screen time to do so.
Frasier Season 2, Episode 3 Makes Alan A Much Better Character
“All About Eve” Allows For Humor & Emotional Moments
Since it uses him wisely,Frasierseason 2, episode 3 makes Alan a much stronger character. The premise of “All About Eve” might be predictable sitcom fodder, but Lyndhurst’s Alan and Jess Salgueiro’s Eve make the formula work wonders. Funnily, Roz Doyle’s (Peri Gilpin) surprise visit inFrasierepisode 3 sets the stage for the best Alan appearance yet in season 2. Although Frasier invites Roz to a group art gallery outing, Roz suggests the exhausted Eve join her for a girls' night out instead.
However, behind Alan’s funny lines and antics, there’s also a lot of depth to his character…
In true sitcom fashion, this leaves Frasier, Alan, and Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) with Eve’s baby, John. Instead of staying home with the infant, the trio decides to forge ahead with their big night out, convinced that they can babysit while having fun. After all,both Frasier and Alan are parents — no matter how strained their familial relationships. “Is it even legal for us to look after a baby?” Alan wonders. As the three men bumble around the art gallery with the baby, hilarity ensues. However, behind Alan’s funny lines and antics, there’s also a lot of depth to his character toward the end of the episode.
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Spending an evening caring for John reminds Alan of his estranged daughter (and other children), but the show doesn’t play the professor’s admission for laughs. Frasier, who’s had his ups and downs with both his father and his son, doesn’t mock Alan. Instead, it’s a genuinely sad moment that’s played straight.The fact that Alan gets episode 3’s biggest laughs and most heart-wrenching scene reiterates the fact that he’s crucialto the reboot’s success.
More Of Alan Is Key To The Frasier Reboot’s Success
Alan Is The Better Niles Replacement (& The Revival Needs To Lean Into That)
In some ways, “All About Eve” is actually about showing how much Alan means to the reboot. Since the professor is the character who comes closest to replacing Frasier’s dynamic with Niles, Alan is crucial to providing tonal balance and acting as Frasier’s foil. If anything,Frasierseason 2’s third outing reveals thatleaning into Alan’s complexities, both his humor and heart, is an incredible boon. In order to continue the success of theFrasierreboot in season 3, the show should remember the lessons learned in “All About Eve” — and the episode’s pitch-perfect use of Alan.
Frasier
Follow Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston, Mass., with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally fulfill.
