(September
20th, 2007. - Editor)
Kelsey Grammer
(Frasier, Cheers), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond), Fred Willard
(Best In Show, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy), Josh Gad (Mary
& Joe), Ty Burrell (Out Of Practice), Laura Marano (Are You Smarter
Than A 5th Grader) star in the half hour situation comedy Back To You, Wednesdays at 8pm EST on
FOX.
Newsman Chuck Darling (Grammer) first became an anchorman at WURG,
channel 9 in Pittsburgh, more than a decade ago As co-anchor of the
evening news with Kelly Carr (Heaton) he made a name for himself there
for 6 years before taking his career upward. Since leaving Pittsburgh,
his career has taken him to several larger market stations on his way to
the number one spot in the country, KZMB, channel 3 in Los Angeles. His
big market days ended quickly following an unfortunate on-air comment,
made when he thought his microphone was turned off. Suddenly Darling
finds himself returning to the same station he left more then a decade
ago. The station's news director, Ryan Church (Gad) was recently
promoted from the station's internet division and is ready to use his
three weeks of experience as a news director to make Chuck's return to
Pittsburgh as pleasant as possible. Sportscaster Marsh McGinley
(Willard) is happy to see his old friend return, but he quickly reminds
his old friend that things are not the same at the station today as they
were ten years ago. Weathergirl Montana Diaz Herrera () is also very
ready to make Chuck's Pittsburgh experience a little more pleasant and
reporter Gary Crezyzowski (Burrell), who dreams of one day getting his
shot at the anchor chair, is quick to warn the anchorman about his
over-sexed colleague. Together this offbeat group is charged with
bringing the magic back to WURG. To make the station's news division #1
in the ratings again, just like in their glory days of the 1990's. Soon
after his return to WURG, Chuck meets Kelly's daughter, Gracie (Marano)
and quickly discovers that the girl is his daughter. He is both thrilled
and terrified at the thought of being a father and promises Kelly he
will stay out of the girl's life. But that is a promise he is going to a
lot of trouble keeping.
This situation comedy has a real shot at success. Series Creators Steven
Levitan and Christopher Lloyd
have created interesting, funny and flawed characters that are
beyond the usual sitcom stereotype. For star Kelsey Grammer, the
challenge will be to convince his audience that this character has
something new to offer, after playing a radio personality in his last
sitcom. Grammer's personal interest in media is proving to be a factor
in his career.
Co-star Fred Willard steals every scene with his quirky
portrayal of the TV station's sportscaster, who after more than two
decades on the air, still has to vomit before every show. Willard's
comic timing and ability to work easily with everyone in the cast adds
depth to this comedy. The rest of the supporting cast
also each manage to add something different and interesting to the mix
and the result is a comedy that succeeds on several levels.
There is a danger that the writers will not make proper use of the
chemistry that exists between the lead characters being played by
Grammer and Heaton. If the 10 year-old romance between Chuck and Kelly
is rekindled too fast, a goldmine of great comedy material will be lost.
If they play the romance too long, those waiting for the pay-off will
become frustrated and change the channel. The target is small, but
something tells me these two sitcom veterans have aim needed to hit the
mark.
--
Editor --
