In the early stages of development, Fox Network President Peter Ligouri had washed his hands of the show because the writers had not given him a "latin" character. Ironic isn't it, that the Montana story line so accurately depicted the trends in television today. He mandated "diversity" in the show and when it was not executed to his satisfaction he abandoned the show in a petulant fit. "Disgusted" and "done" were the words that characterized his comittment to the show. Only weeks before that, the network was promising that its comittment was open ended and passionate. Surely this kind of egotistical childishness makes it impossible to generate a creative and collaborative atmosphere. Maybe that's not what Mr. L wants. Subsequently, Fox hired Kevin Reilly who had passed on this show while at NBC. His interest was weak at the outset and soon turned outright hostile after a meeting with the writers where they expressed concern that it might be difficult to meet the network notes immediately. Another nail in the coffin. Another meeting was called just after the strike, and it was then that the door was slammed shut. It might be difficult to accomodate all his notes right away, the writers told him but they did manage to switch some characters immediately and still managed to deliver several terrific shows. All for naught sadly, as Mr. Reilly had already declared that he too was done and disgusted. Meanwhile, a really terrific show was being put together without their knowledge--neither bothered to watch the show, so profound was their disinterest; clearly, we have so much to look forward to from this crack team of professional Kindergartners. Congratulations, FOX you may have lost yourselves a billion dollars. A costly show perhaps, but how much more costly to discard it?

In the early stages of development, Fox Network President Peter Ligouri had washed his hands of the show because the writers had not given him a "latin" character. Ironic isn't it, that the Montana story line so accurately depicted the trends in television today. He mandated "diversity" in the show and when it was not executed to his satisfaction he abandoned the show in a petulant fit. "Disgusted" and "done" were the words that characterized his comittment to the show. Only weeks before that, the network was promising that its comittment was open ended and passionate. Surely this kind of egotistical childishness makes it impossible to generate a creative and collaborative atmosphere. Maybe that's not what Mr. L wants. Subsequently, Fox hired Kevin Reilly who had passed on this show while at NBC. His interest was weak at the outset and soon turned outright hostile after a meeting with the writers where they expressed concern that it might be difficult to meet the network notes immediately. Another nail in the coffin. Another meeting was called just after the strike, and it was then that the door was slammed shut. It might be difficult to accomodate all his notes right away, the writers told him but they did manage to switch some characters immediately and still managed to deliver several terrific shows. All for naught sadly, as Mr. Reilly had already declared that he too was done and disgusted. Meanwhile, a really terrific show was being put together without their knowledge--neither bothered to watch the show, so profound was their disinterest; clearly, we have so much to look forward to from this crack team of professional Kindergartners. Congratulations, FOX you may have lost yourselves a billion dollars. A costly show perhaps, but how much more costly to discard it?

I am completely disgusted at Liguori and Reilly! :mad:

What might have
been: 'Back to You'

It was the new Fox show that seemed to have it all

By Diego Vasquez
May 14, 2008


As expected, Fox only made room on its fall schedule for one struggling sitcom starring a former “Everybody Loves Raymond” actor. But surprisingly, it wasn’t “Back to You,” the much-touted first-year show with “Raymond’s” Patricia Heaton and “Frasier’s” Kelsey Grammer as a pair of squabbling local news anchors.

Instead, Brad Garrett’s “’Til Death” earned a third season.

Tonight at 8:30 p.m., “You” will air its now-series finale, in which Chuck (Grammer) and Kelly (Heaton) tell their newsroom colleagues that Chuck is the father of Kelly’s 10-year-old daughter, Gracie.

Word of the cancellation broke over the weekend, and producer Steven Levitahn and Grammer have since confirmed it.

Fox has been trying for years to establish a successful comedy block outside its Sunday animation block, but while 8:30 p.m.’s “You” and “Death” seemed fairly compatible, both focused on the dysfunctional relationship between two acerbic middle-aged wits, they never gained much ratings traction against minimal competition.

The two shows have averaged an identical 2.3 adults 18-49 rating, according to Nielsen. But there were signs in recent months that “You” might not make it. Producers say the network ordered them to replace the actress who originally played Gracie, and another character, weathercaster Montana, was written off the show.

“You” is reportedly the more expensive of the two to produce, with Grammer and Heaton’s considerable salaries, while “Death” had actually been getting some critical huzzahs lately for the addition of “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” J.B. Smoove as Garrett’s Little Brother.

Still, this may not be the last of “You.”

CBS, which was in the running for the pilot last year, is rumored to be interested in acquiring the program. Considering “You’s” older skew, many media people had felt CBS would be the better fit for the show from the beginning.

I keep hearing and reading all these articles about CBS being interested in thes how, but you never hear anything about what CBS is doing right now in terms of this show. Nonetheless, I still get excited everytime I read an article like this, because it tells me if we keep working hard, we'll have a great shot ot getting it back for a second season. That's definitely one of the best articles yet! Where'd you find it? I'd love to send the author an email.

I keep hearing and reading all these articles about CBS being interested in thes how, but you never hear anything about what CBS is doing right now in terms of this show. Nonetheless, I still get excited everytime I read an article like this, because it tells me if we keep working hard, we'll have a great shot ot getting it back for a second season. That's definitely one of the best articles yet! Where'd you find it? I'd love to send the author an email.

Brian just said that CBS passed on the show :(

Kelsey Grammer's TV Show Dumped

Former 'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer has announced that his new sitcom, 'Back To You', will not be returning for another season as it has been dumped by the Fox network.

Grammer, who co-star's alongside Patricia Heaton from 'Everybody Loves Raymond', told The Associated Press that, "They have let it go. We were told all this time we were in good shape and we were coming back."

'Back To You' is set in a newsroom of a television station, and pulls an audience in the U.S. of just under seven million viewers per week.

"I'm not really sure what the real reasoning is," Grammer said. "I think they ended up with a show that was going to be a great show. It was a great show... they just really didn't want it."

He adds, "It does exactly what you want a sitcom to do. Granted, there are new trends in viewing and it's edgy to watch something with no laugh track. But when the old form is firing, it's the funniest form in the world."

An online petition to save 'Back To You' has been launched.

Time to say goodnight, Chuck

May 14, 2008 04:30 AM
Rob Salem

Geez. A guy takes one day off with the flu and suddenly all hell breaks loose. Perhaps it's just as well – in the past 24 hours alone, several of the prime-time season finales coming up soon have instead become series finales.

Starting with an all-too-abrupt end for the freshman Fox sitcom, Back to You, signing off tonight at 8:30 p.m., with a repeat on Global tomorrow night at 10:30. It will not be back in the fall. Or ever.

And here I was, all ready to extoll its emerging virtues. Sure, it got off to a shaky start, and it was indeed quite chronically underwatched. That endless enforced hiatus certainly didn't help much, either.

But from Day One, it maintained its consistent strengths, primarily the caustic clash of sitcom titans Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, whom I never tired of watching snipe and snarl at each other. And, of course, Fred Willard's masterful comic relief – yes, even in a sitcom – and the indelible stamp of veteran director Jim Burrows.

Admittedly, the show had problems. But they were only just starting to work them out. Mostly, though, it had to do with the badly cast, poorly conceived, under-30 characters. Last week they dumped the one-joke faux-Hispanic weather twinkie, Ayda Field, filling the resulting hole in the cast with a promisingly schizophrenic new station manager, played by Suzy Nakamura.

On the other hand, halfway through the season, they inexplicably swapped the perfectly delightful child actor Laura Marano for the young Christina Ricci clone, Lily Jackson.

And something simply had to be done about Josh Gad's perpetually sweaty news director ...

Ah, well. Too little too late. Score another premature kill for the notoriously trigger-happy Fox network – which I am still unwilling to forgive for axing Action, The Tick and Firefly. Particularly since they did renew Back to You's less worthy sked-mate,'Til Death, which ends its season tonight at 8; tomorrow at 10 on Global.

And that isn't even the dumbest pickup of the upcoming fall schedule. Read on here: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Television/article/425087

GRAMMER SAYS FOX MISLED HIM, CANCELED SHOW
Kelsey Grammer has accused Fox executives of misleading him and the other producers and cast of Back to You. "We were told all this time we were in good shape and we were coming back" next season, Grammer told the Associated Press. Instead, he says, he returned home Friday after taping an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show to promote the series, to receive a phone call notifying him that the show would not be renewed. "I'm not really sure what the real reasoning is," Grammer said. "I think they ended up with a show that was going to be a great show. It was a great show." He said he has already contacted CBS chief Les Moonves about picking up the show "and he was not completely discouraging."

http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/46/28646.php

In the early stages of development, Fox Network President Peter Ligouri had washed his hands of the show because the writers had not given him a "latin" character. Ironic isn't it, that the Montana story line so accurately depicted the trends in television today. He mandated "diversity" in the show and when it was not executed to his satisfaction he abandoned the show in a petulant fit. "Disgusted" and "done" were the words that characterized his comittment to the show. Only weeks before that, the network was promising that its comittment was open ended and passionate. Surely this kind of egotistical childishness makes it impossible to generate a creative and collaborative atmosphere. Maybe that's not what Mr. L wants. Subsequently, Fox hired Kevin Reilly who had passed on this show while at NBC. His interest was weak at the outset and soon turned outright hostile after a meeting with the writers where they expressed concern that it might be difficult to meet the network notes immediately. Another nail in the coffin. Another meeting was called just after the strike, and it was then that the door was slammed shut. It might be difficult to accomodate all his notes right away, the writers told him but they did manage to switch some characters immediately and still managed to deliver several terrific shows. All for naught sadly, as Mr. Reilly had already declared that he too was done and disgusted. Meanwhile, a really terrific show was being put together without their knowledge--neither bothered to watch the show, so profound was their disinterest; clearly, we have so much to look forward to from this crack team of professional Kindergartners. Congratulations, FOX you may have lost yourselves a billion dollars. A costly show perhaps, but how much more costly to discard it?

I would imagine that the one thng a production team on a sitcom worries about more than ratings/audience approval is meddling from the Network.

Peter Ligouri wanted a "Latin" character. Why? Did he know a Latin character would make the show better, or did he want to appeal to a demographic?

I know we live in a very PC world now, and it would be nice if there was a more "multi cultural" feel to prime time programming, but i believe there has been some progress made in that area.
But I think it's wrong to make the creators of a show change thier vision just because you want a quota filled.

Back to You gone
Updated: 11:04, Thursday May 15, 2008
It has only just begun in Australia, but actor/comedian Kelsey Grammer says that the Fox network has canned his new sitcom Back to You.

Grammer says he was surprised by the television network's decision, and described it as a 'shame'.

The decision couldn't have come at a worse time for Grammer, he received the call just after promoting the show during an on-air interview.

The series debuted well, especially with a well-known cast including Patricia Heaton, known for her role in Everybody Loves Raymond.

'We were told all this time we were in good shape and we were coming back,' said Grammer.

However, the audience numbers had dropped off in the US and the show was eventually cancelled.

Fans of the show may not have to worry, an online petition has started to save the series and it may be salvaged.
'I'm not really sure what the real reasoning is. I think they ended up with a show that was going to be a great show. It was a great show,' Grammer said

Fans of the show may not have to worry, an online petition has started to save the series and it may be salvaged.
'I'm not really sure what the real reasoning is. I think they ended up with a show that was going to be a great show. It was a great show,' Grammer said

:thumbsup: we will get what we want this time

:thumbsup: we will get what we want this time

We're getting a lot of promotion on the petitiion - I'd actually like some more promotion on the bottled water campaign. But, i'll take what I can get!

This is dated May 12 but it just showed on the internet!

Back to You: Fans Mourn Cancelled FOX Sitcom
Viewers, upset over the demise of FOX’s Back to You, took to the street last night and today. They set up an impromptu memorial for the sitcom in front of the FOX studio.

Deadline Hollywood reports that multiple candles, balloons, photographs, sympathy cards, American flags, and neckties (in reference to Kelsey Grammer’s Chuck character) decorated the street.

Apparently FOX executives didn’t like the attention and asked security to remove the tribute offerings. Undaunted, fans continued to drop off additional items throughout the day.


Grammer stopped by to pose for a photo with the tribute and others associated with Back to You are reportedly appreciative of the support.

Other fans have started a campaign of their own. They’re asking fans of the show to encourage CBS to pick up the show by sending bottled water (a reference to a cost-cutting joke on the series). Learn more here.Could this extra attention help sway CBS to pick up the sitcom? Stay tuned!

This is dated May 12 but it just showed on the internet!

Back to You: Fans Mourn Cancelled FOX Sitcom
Viewers, upset over the demise of FOX’s Back to You, took to the street last night and today. They set up an impromptu memorial for the sitcom in front of the FOX studio.

Deadline Hollywood reports that multiple candles, balloons, photographs, sympathy cards, American flags, and neckties (in reference to Kelsey Grammer’s Chuck character) decorated the street.

Apparently FOX executives didn’t like the attention and asked security to remove the tribute offerings. Undaunted, fans continued to drop off additional items throughout the day.


Grammer stopped by to pose for a photo with the tribute and others associated with Back to You are reportedly appreciative of the support.

Other fans have started a campaign of their own. They’re asking fans of the show to encourage CBS to pick up the show by sending bottled water (a reference to a cost-cutting joke on the series). Learn more here.Could this extra attention help sway CBS to pick up the sitcom? Stay tuned!

There's some more exposure - where did you find this article??

Oh man, who can remember - I have Patty & kelsey google alerts set in my email!

Fox, are you listening? There is MASSIVE interest in BTY!!!
Fox, CBS, anyone? Alas, no.....

Fox, are you listening? There is MASSIVE interest in BTY!!!
Fox, CBS, anyone? Alas, no.....

Seiously. First the whole memorial outside the FOX studios, then the petition, then the bottled water campaign, the emails, the letters, the freewebs, myspace, and facebook pages, all the online articles, and the fact that this board has had more activity then ever should automatically put FOX over the top. I guess not.

What we should do is maybe get every single site that's been created for the show (including the sites we made, plus all the forums that we've created here since the cancellation, and all the sites that posted an article about the show), and email it to FOX. That would definitely be a lot for them to look over!