How pleasantly surreal to find that the cheeky reply I made to @richardosman's recent tweet about Frasier has spawned a tabloid headline in @MetroUK. I am henceforth at Richard's disposal for any and all Frasier related queries.
https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/22/frasier-writer-responds-wild-theories-made-money-sitcom-gives-us-answers-waiting-13162462/?ito=article.desktop.share.top.twitter via @MetroUK

I'm enjoying the replies, but surprised at how many UK Frasier fans seem affronted that Frasier's writers lacked an ear for regional British accents that might have put Henry Higgins to shame. Hell, most of us can barely hear the difference between Chicago & Baltimore accents.

Here are the British accents 98% of Americans can discern:

• Posh and/or Jane Austen Movie
• Soccer Hooligan
• Ringo Starr
• Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts
• Her Majesty

What's worse, a man has to say "G'Day, Mate!" three times before we realize the speaker's Australian.

Production issues and time pressure play a large role in all guest casting. This is an email I wrote eight yers ago (to blogger Robert David Sullivan), explaining the story behind the Dick-Van-Dyke-iest British accent Frasier ever featured:

The American ear for UK accents inspired a very silly season 7 joke. When Roz met Daphne's brother Simon (Australian Anthony LaPaglia) she got drunk enough to fancy him. After listening to his "Mancunian" accent at length, she gushed, "God—he sounds just like Prince Charles!"