Grammer Says BTY won't be back on FOX...but maybe CBS? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

sweetdiggity · 05-13-2008, 07:27 PM

By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
41 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - Kelsey Grammer said Tuesday that Fox is dropping his sitcom "Back to You," calling the decision a surprise and a shame.

"They have let it go," Grammer told The Associated Press. "We were told all this time we were in good shape and we were coming back."

On Friday, Grammer taped an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show promoting the series. When the veteran sitcom star ("Cheers," "Frasier") arrived home later that evening he received a call telling him that the show was canceled.

"Back to You," co-starring Patricia Heaton and set in a Pittsburgh TV station newsroom, debuted strongly last fall with nearly 9.5 million viewers. But its audience has slipped, with last week's episode drawing just under 7 million viewers.

Television watching overall is down, a trend that's been blamed in part on lingering effects of a 100-day writers strike that shut down TV production.

Fox's fall schedule is set to be announced Thursday in New York. The network declined comment on the fate of "Back to You."

Grammer said he spoke with Fox executives Peter Liguori and Kevin Reilly on Saturday and that they didn't fully explain the decision. He speculated that their interest in the show had "waned" so they were unwilling to be patient with it.

"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," he said.

An online petition campaign is afoot to save the show and Grammer and his wife, Camille, sent an e-mail note to friends inviting them to jump aboard. Grammer said he's "nursing a tiny hope" that CBS might pick up the show after talking with CBS CEO Leslie Moonves.

"I spoke with Les the other day and he was not completely discouraging," Grammer said, wryly.
Grammer and his wife e-mailed friends that if they wished to voice support for the show to CBS, "you won't hear us complaining."

In an interview, Grammer dismissed talk that the show, with two high-profile TV stars in him and Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), was too costly for Fox.

"That's rarely a stumbling block if they really want a show," he said. "There are ways around that. They just really didn't want it."

But, he said, this week's episode (8 p.m. EDT Wednesday) is excellent and an example of why "Back to You" deserves to continue.

"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," Grammer said. "But when the old form is firing it's the funniest form in the world."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/...o_you_canceled

Check out the link! A link to the petition is below the article!!! Awesome!!

Sonia · 05-13-2008, 07:35 PM

This is fantastic. Let's hope this increases the number of people joining our efforts.

Kelsey & Patty - Dont let the bastards bring you down!!!!

ryan423 · 05-13-2008, 07:49 PM

it would be so awesome if the cast and producers signed it, lol, but thats a long shot and conflict of interest.

Brian Damage · 05-13-2008, 08:00 PM

We created a monster!!!

I am glad they are aware of our petition. If they happen to be lurking, Patty, Kelsey, we will bring you guys 'back to us' one way or another.

JulieSomoski · 05-13-2008, 11:12 PM

That must be where all the signers are coming from. Suddnely we're getting like 1000 people coming to sign the petition, which is unbelievably great. I'm so glad Kelsey and his wife seem to be onboard with us about CBS picking up the show.

That would be awesome if all the cast and crew signed the petition. Maybe we can send some emails around . . .

catlover79 · 05-14-2008, 12:03 AM

We've definitely made a splash! Those numbskulls at FOX sure had it coming!!

05-13-2008, 07:27 PM	#1
sweetdiggity King of comedy!!! Senior Member Join Date: Oct 08, 2005 Location: L.R.G. Headquarters Posts: 2,258	Grammer Says BTY won't be back on FOX...but maybe CBS? By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer 41 minutes ago LOS ANGELES - Kelsey Grammer said Tuesday that Fox is dropping his sitcom "Back to You," calling the decision a surprise and a shame. "They have let it go," Grammer told The Associated Press. "We were told all this time we were in good shape and we were coming back." On Friday, Grammer taped an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show promoting the series. When the veteran sitcom star ("Cheers," "Frasier") arrived home later that evening he received a call telling him that the show was canceled. "Back to You," co-starring Patricia Heaton and set in a Pittsburgh TV station newsroom, debuted strongly last fall with nearly 9.5 million viewers. But its audience has slipped, with last week's episode drawing just under 7 million viewers. Television watching overall is down, a trend that's been blamed in part on lingering effects of a 100-day writers strike that shut down TV production. Fox's fall schedule is set to be announced Thursday in New York. The network declined comment on the fate of "Back to You." Grammer said he spoke with Fox executives Peter Liguori and Kevin Reilly on Saturday and that they didn't fully explain the decision. He speculated that their interest in the show had "waned" so they were unwilling to be patient with it. "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," he said. An online petition campaign is afoot to save the show and Grammer and his wife, Camille, sent an e-mail note to friends inviting them to jump aboard. Grammer said he's "nursing a tiny hope" that CBS might pick up the show after talking with CBS CEO Leslie Moonves. "I spoke with Les the other day and he was not completely discouraging," Grammer said, wryly. Grammer and his wife e-mailed friends that if they wished to voice support for the show to CBS, "you won't hear us complaining." In an interview, Grammer dismissed talk that the show, with two high-profile TV stars in him and Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), was too costly for Fox. "That's rarely a stumbling block if they really want a show," he said. "There are ways around that. They just really didn't want it." But, he said, this week's episode (8 p.m. EDT Wednesday) is excellent and an example of why "Back to You" deserves to continue. "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," Grammer said. "But when the old form is firing it's the funniest form in the world." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/...o_you_canceled Check out the link! A link to the petition is below the article!!! Awesome!!
	__________________ Leah Remini Guard Forum "I want to and love to bitch... that's just me okay?" - Leah Remini

05-13-2008, 07:35 PM	#2
Sonia Bring Patty Back on TV, NOW!!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 24, 2006 Location: TV Land Posts: 395	This is fantastic. Let's hope this increases the number of people joining our efforts. Kelsey & Patty - Dont let the bastards bring you down!!!!
	__________________ “Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.” - John Wooden Visit our "Save Back to You Site: http://savebacktoyou.webs.com/ If Romeo and Juliet hadn't killed themselves they'd be bickering like Ray and Debra - Patricia Heaton

05-13-2008, 08:00 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	We created a monster!!! I am glad they are aware of our petition. If they happen to be lurking, Patty, Kelsey, we will bring you guys 'back to us' one way or another.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-13-2008, 11:12 PM	#5
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	That must be where all the signers are coming from. Suddnely we're getting like 1000 people coming to sign the petition, which is unbelievably great. I'm so glad Kelsey and his wife seem to be onboard with us about CBS picking up the show. That would be awesome if all the cast and crew signed the petition. Maybe we can send some emails around . . .
	__________________ Click here to view some great articles written by my husband and I! All views are appreciated! Watch: Medium, Fridays at 9pm, on CBS! Big Bang Theory, Mondays at 9:30pm, on CBS! The Mentalist, Thursdays at 10pm, on CBS! Old Christine, Wednesdays at 8pm, on CBS! ABC's Comedy Lineup, Starting Wednesdays at 8:30pm, on ABC!

05-14-2008, 12:03 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,396	We've definitely made a splash! Those numbskulls at FOX sure had it coming!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-13-2008, 07:49 PM	#3
ryan423 Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2007 Posts: 1,829	it would be so awesome if the cast and producers signed it, lol, but thats a long shot and conflict of interest.