Entertainment Weekly Pleads for BTY Renewal

[Sonia]

By Ken Tucker

This is not so much a season-ending review of Back to You as a public request for the renewal of this saucy, still-under-construction sitcom. Back is about two unmarried Pittsburgh anchors — Chuck Darling (Kelsey Grammer) and Kelly Carr (Patricia Heaton) — who bicker but share a 10-year-old daughter from a one-night stand. The gimmick (just resolved) has been that Kelly, a harried control freak, doesn't want the child to know that Chuck, an incorrigible bachelor, is her father.

What we viewers have known from episode 1 is that the big laughs emanate not from secret-family dynamics but from the newsroom, where Grammer, Heaton, and a terrific supporting cast (including the fantastic Fred Willard as a grinning-moron sportscaster) banter and complain. If these scenes have the crackle of sitcoms like Cheers and Taxi, well, it's because the grandmaster of the form, James Burrows, has directed every episode.

But with low ratings, the producers are centering on domestic issues and last-minute fixes. They recently replaced the perfectly fine actress (Laura Marano) who played daughter Gracie with a perfectly fine different girl (Lily Jackson). Why?

Back to You could evolve into a show with classic star interplay; it just needs to calm down behind the scenes and place its office laughs front and center. If Fox won't do it, memo to NBC's Ben Silverman: This should be your replacement for Scrubs. B+

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20197275,00.html

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by felix

By Ken Tucker

This is not so much a season-ending review of Back to You as a public request for the renewal of this saucy, still-under-construction sitcom. Back is about two unmarried Pittsburgh anchors — Chuck Darling (Kelsey Grammer) and Kelly Carr (Patricia Heaton) — who bicker but share a 10-year-old daughter from a one-night stand. The gimmick (just resolved) has been that Kelly, a harried control freak, doesn't want the child to know that Chuck, an incorrigible bachelor, is her father.

What we viewers have known from episode 1 is that the big laughs emanate not from secret-family dynamics but from the newsroom, where Grammer, Heaton, and a terrific supporting cast (including the fantastic Fred Willard as a grinning-moron sportscaster) banter and complain. If these scenes have the crackle of sitcoms like Cheers and Taxi, well, it's because the grandmaster of the form, James Burrows, has directed every episode.

But with low ratings, the producers are centering on domestic issues and last-minute fixes. They recently replaced the perfectly fine actress (Laura Marano) who played daughter Gracie with a perfectly fine different girl (Lily Jackson). Why?

Back to You could evolve into a show with classic star interplay; it just needs to calm down behind the scenes and place its office laughs front and center. If Fox won't do it, memo to NBC's Ben Silverman: This should be your replacement for Scrubs. B+

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20197275,00.html

Here! Here! That was an excellent article. I am glad to read others who are professionals who like the show and want it to succeed. I knew I liked Entertainment Weekly.

[Sonia]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Here! Here! That was an excellent article. I am glad to read others who are professionals who like the show and want it to succeed. I knew I liked Entertainment Weekly.

I know right. I'm a great fan

Roush answers another question on Back to You cast changes.

Question: Thank you for answering the "why the new Gracie" question about Back to You. But what happened to Montana the weather girl? She had the best banter with Kelly and some of the most classic lines. Any clue? — Mari N.

Matt Roush: Clearly, Back to You is going through more than the usual share of first-season course corrections. (I've had more than a few amusing letters saying, "So they thought the daughter and the weather girl were the problems?") Ayda Field was dropped from the ensemble, and there's an upcoming episode where the ever-insecure reporter Gary will try for the newly vacated weather position. But here's where things get really confusing. Because Fox is airing the episodes out of order (don't ask why), you will see Montana at least one more time, even though she has already been absent from some of the post-strike episodes that have aired. No official reason why she's out, but I think you'd have to assume the producers didn't see where they could take the character in the long run.

[Janice]

Good article, Felix. Thanks for posting. I know I was always happy getting a B+ on my work, lol. Also, I see Roush answered the question regarding Montana, and mentions that he already answered the question of replacing Gracie, but I don't see it. Do you know where that question can be found? Thanks.

[Sonia]

Originally Posted by Janice

Good article, Felix. Thanks for posting. I know I was always happy getting a B+ on my work, lol. Also, I see Roush answered the question regarding Montana, and mentions that he already answered the question of replacing Gracie, but I don't see it. Do you know where that question can be found? Thanks.

Hey Janice, I posted that question in another thread but I can't remember where.. I'm copying it again here....it's easier this way .

Roush on Back to You
Question: Fox aired a rather fast-paced "recap" of the Back to You season in advance of its return last week. In it, they show the "daughter," who is definitely different than Laura Marano, the actress who has played that character the entire season. What's the deal? Is Gracie being played by a different actress? I've searched on Fox's website and e-mailed them with no formal response. — David B.
Matt Roush: During the strike hiatus, it appears they did recast the role (now being played by Lily Jackson) for the usual "taking the character in a different direction" reasons. Being from the camp that feels the daughter storyline is the weakest part of the show's premise, I'm not convinced the casting was the problem.

[Janice]

^ Thanks Felix. I guess with that B+ grade, I'd get a C- in Effort or whatever it is that made me miss your original post.

[Sonia]

Originally Posted by Janice

^ Thanks Felix. I guess with that B+ grade, I'd get a C- in Effort or whatever it is that made me miss your original post.