When Lake Chelan Made a Cameo Appearance on Frasier
By Loni Rahm
I admit to being a bit of a classic TV sit-com binge-watcher. Only after dark and only in the winter — in case that makes it less of a waste of time.
I tried binge-watching mind boggling shows like “24”and quickly discovered that I don’t have a one hour late night attention span. I also realized that fast paced shows require serious focus to the very end or I’m completely lost. However, if I doze off and miss the last few minutes of classic shows like Cheers or Friends, it doesn’t really impact the next episode.
Recently I started at the beginning of Frasier and am slowly making my way through this cleverly written show. As with all movies or shows supposedly set in Washington, I find myself watching for the errors. After all, no true Washingtonian would ever confuse Vancouver BC’s skyline with Seattle’s…although it appears that most television and movie producers seem to think they are interchangeable.
In Frasier’s season 1, episode 11, I was reminded of the infamous reference to Lake Chelan.
Click on the arrow below to listen to this audio clip from Frasier
It’s funny now, of course, but when it first aired in December 1993, I was alternately pleased and horrified. At the time, I was the Director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce and ecstatic that our destination had made television prime time. But “sha-lawn”? Not exactly our claim to fame.
After dozens of phone calls, dead ends and redirects – I finally tracked down an assistant’s assistant to the assistant of the assistant associate producer (or something obscure like that). I complemented the producer on their awareness that Lake Chelan would indeed be a desired destination for a prominent Seattle doctor, and after a brief linguistic lesson, I invited them to consider filming a vacation segment for Frasier here in Chelan.
So obviously that didn’t happen. But I felt better knowing that if there were ever another reference to Lake Chelan on Frasier, it would be pronounced correctly!
Enter to Win!
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who binge-watches on occasion. Just out of curiosity, what are your favorite binge-worthy shows? And if spotting errors – especially local and regional errors – is also one of your idiosyncrasies, what are the best representations and worst boo-boos you’ve noticed?
Post your comments on the LakeChelanNow Facebook page and you’ll automatically be entered to win. Given how much time Niles and Frasier spent in their corner coffee shop, it’s only fitting this prize is a gift certificate to The Vogue.
PS – In case you want to blame Kelsey Grammer for his inaccurate pronunciation of Lake Chelan, below is the script he worked from – taken directly from the Frasier website.
(From the script)
He goes to the receptionist’s cubicle.
Frasier: Yes, my father Martin Crane had an appointment thirty minutes ago?
Receptionist: Yes, I’m sorry. The doctor’s running a little late this morning, but you’ll be first up when he gets in.
Frasier: When he gets in? My God, where’s he coming from, Spokane?
Receptionist: Actually he has a long drive in from his weekend house at Lake Shalonne.
Frasier: Lake Shalonne? Ooh, this guy must be terrific!
He goes back to Martin.
