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Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton in "Back To
You"
courtesy of Fox
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“Back To You” (Fox)
One of the brightest comedies on the tube this season is Fox’s “Back To You.” Maybe I am just nostalgic but this is a comedy series in the vein of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Newhart” and “Murphy Brown.” It has two solid leads, a surprisingly strong supporting cast, and scripts that are just plain funny. If you haven’t tuned in yet, give it a try.
Kelsey Grammer plays Chuck Darling, a newscaster who is returning to his hometown. He left several years ago to make it in the big league of broadcasting but that didn’t pan out. In his absence Kelley Carr (Patricia Heaton) rose to anchor the news desk. With the return of Chuck they become co-anchors. This does not really sit well with either one of them.
Complicating things further is the fact Chuck and Kelly had a one night stand before he left town. This resulted in Kelly having a daughter, Gracie (Laura Marano). Chuck learns he is a father when he returns to town. Now he wants to be a part of his daughter’s life and Kelly is against that vehemently.
The main joy of the series is the interchange of spiteful dialogue between Chuck and Kelly. Grammer and Heaton are two pros and can spit the dialogue out with wit and venom. It is all clever and fast and entertaining.
Of the supporting cast I like Josh Gad best as the newsroom manager Ryan Church. Church reminds me of the character of Miles on “Murphy Brown.” He is young, ambitious and to a great degree naïve. Gad plays on his innocence and his exuberance.
I also like Ayda Field who plays Montana Herrera, the weather person. She is sexy and single on the show and provides some sizzle to the goings on. Sadly I have heard she is leaving the show. She will be missed by me. It is also rumored that Marano will be replaced in the role of Gracie.
Tampering with the cast this early in the game is a bad sign. Audiences do not take kindly to changes, especially in a sitcom where audience bonding occurs quickly. Tinkering of this type might be the death knell for this show and that would be a shame. As is, it is a sharp and funny comedy that should attract a bigger and bigger audience each week.
So before the network messes it up too badly tune in and enjoy the charms of Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton in “Back To You.” With the present cast intact it is a winner!
“Back To You” airs on Fox, Wednesday nights at 8:30. |
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©2008 Jackie K. Cooper |
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