User reviews

Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton, two sitcom legends teamed up in this sadly short-lived sitcom set in a newsroom.

I enjoyed this show, I thought it had real potential. Not to mention an all-star writing team, many of whom had written for Grammar previously on 'Frasier'. And look at the supporting cast they assembled - Fred Willard, Ty Burrell, Josh Gad - this show deserved to stay on the air far longer than it did.

I think it was the writers strike of 07/08 that really affected this show, and also the breaks between episodes. I wasn't keen on the recasting of Gracie midway through or the loss of Ayda Field either.

This was a well written sitcom, one that wasn't afraid to be smart and warm at the same time. It was a shame it didn't last longer.

It is interesting in this instant gratification generation that folks who saw the first show only are already on IMDb blasting this show. First episodes of 30 minute comedies are usually always a little slow. They have to develop characters so that the audience can relate to them later & then they will get better. These type of folks would have had other great ones over the years canceled.

For instance, CHEERS first episode is really no where near the quality that appeared later in the series. Seinfeld's first episode didn't even have Elaine yet, much less have it's characters fully developed. Barney Miller was very slow the first show. The list goes on, even in the 1960's the pilot to Green Acres is pretty slow. The first episode of Fraiser was nothing over the top either, but given time look where that show wound up.

This show first episode actually shows a lot of promise. It had to take time to develop the friction between the lead characters so that viewers could understand the friction between them which is sure to produce some funny shows later on. Kelsey Grammar & Patricia Heaton are both very good performers, & it shows in the first show.

There is a lot of promise here as when the scripts come along, which I believe they will, the show will get stronger. We have the situation created here where the elements of News Radio can be combined with some unique situations to become an excellent show. The supporting cast looks like they have the potential to come in & strengthen it too.

This type of situation comedy has been done before, but given time to mature, this show can be as big or even bigger than those past series. Let's just hope the instant gratification generation is not running things at FOX. This show had potential but I heard Fox has canceled it.

Of all the new fall shows that have came out this new one on FOX Wednesday nights called "Back to You" has to be the best! I love the way it's done from the way it's shot with the camera switching scene to scene and the comedy with the funny and witty lines plus to top it off the main two characters are full of tension and have good sexy chemistry with one another. The main reason it seems a success is the acting of TV star veterans Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton. Grammar plays cocky and confident newsman Chuck Darling who's moved back to Pittsburgh, PA to take back his old job at the station after his attempt at news in Los Angeles was a failure, upon return he meets his old partner and old flame the tough as nails and bossy anchor of a lady Kelly Carr(Heaton). The two have a past connection it will be interesting to see if the tension the two have rolls over to love, because they are always at each others throats yet love is still buried deep down. The performances from Kelsey and Patricia are top notch as always they do excellent work both are such experienced TV veterans. Also the cast has some good supporting help from Fred Willard who is funny and very traditional as the stations sportscaster, and don't forget Ayda Field as the hot and sexy weather reporter she can tell me the temperatures and forecast anytime! Really one of the better new series that looks promising and it's witty and funny and has great acting from two experienced TV veterans so let this sitcom entertain and come back to you!

I have seen several episodes of Back to You and I feel that its the best sitcom about broadcast news since Newsradio. The shows are well-written and the cast is a mixture of veterans and young actors. Kelsey Grammar doesn't seem to be typecast as Frasier Crane, playing co-anchor Chuck Darling, though he has a little of Dr. Crane's pomposity in his new role. Patricia Heaton is outstanding as Kelly Carr. Fred Williard adds a veteran presence to the show, Ayda Field brings beauty as meteorologist Montana, Josh Gad as the young news director and Ty Burrell as Gary round out the news crew. Let's not forget Laura Marano, fresh off Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader as Kelly's daughter, Gracie who plays the role very well.

My only complaint about the show is the constant fighting between Chuck and Kelly. I feel that it should be more of an ensemble comedy and less of a verbal battle between the two sitcoms veterans.

In an era of boring one-camera comedies, Back to You has revitalized the traditional sitcom genre.

This is one of the funniest shows I've seen for some time, witty dialogue, two great lead comedy actors in Kelsey Grammar, and the gorgeous Patricia Heaton, with a good supporting cast. Unlike some, I found every one of the 17 completed episodes to be very enjoyable, thought Grammar and Heaton had great chemistry together, and the situations were always funny. Unfortunately, network executives don't always make wise decisions, and they stuffed up big time in canceling this show, that due to the writers strike, didn't even complete the first season. They didn't give it a chance, and therefore lost a potential classic. Thank God they've released it on a nice little DVD set, and we can at least enjoy the 17 episodes over and over. I for one would love to see Kelsey & Patricia teamed again in the future. Many far inferior shows to this one have gone on year after year!

This show, unlike many of the other Fox sitcom "attempts" (coughcoughstackedcough) isn't so "BAD" as it's just not GOOD. Which is actually a commentary on the depth of the writing considering that "Back to You" has some noteworthy on-screen talent.

Like many others, after Frasier, I anxiously awaited seeing the great Kelsey Grammar in a new sitcom. Patricia Heaton and the wonderfully silly Fred Willard were draws as well.

Unfortunately, the script is not equal to the cast, especially Grammar. It could be likened to watching Ian McKellen on a soap opera. It's hard watching Kelsey Grammar go from one of the best, most intelligent sitcoms of all time to this hackneyed pap.

Indeed, "hackneyed" sums up "Back to You" quite well. There's little original in the situation, characters or humor. We've seen these characters and the same chemistry between them ad nauseam. The characters don't have depth or life; which takes some adjustment after the interesting character of Frasier.

And... the humor. It could almost be enjoyed; at times. Every now and then they have a one liner which is mildly funny in an adolescent way. However it's completely ruined by the ubiquitous laugh track and the overreaction of the cast to every minor pun. Nothing ruins a laugh like the laugh track and the cast trying to convince you that you should be doubled over laughing.

Overall, despite a cast worth watching, "Back to You" is fast food down from Frasier's cuisine. Some people will enjoy this show since it adheres to the hackneyed formula for brain-dead sitcoms. If you like sitcoms most people call "dumb" and "banal", you may enjoy "Back to You". However if you're looking for a comedy with any depth, originality or intelligence, look elsewhere.

Where, I don't know these days, but not here.

I love this show!! It's so funny, and so unlike all the other shows that are on TV right now. The two lead actors (Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton) are so good together, it's the perfect pairing. They are just SO funny. Every time I watch an episode, I end up laughing my head off. Everything is so perfect, and they have such great interactions. The supporting characters are great, too. It's so refreshing to see a show on anymore that's actually funny. Whenever I think of the show (usually when I'm sitting at my desk in school) I just burst out laughing, which results in a lot of weird looks. There's such great chemistry, it's really a near perfect show.

I'm a big fan of "Frasier" and Kelsey Grammar, so I couldn't wait to see "Back to You". What a disappointment! It's poorly written, badly casted, and not funny - the three of us sat stone-faced and silent through nearly all of it.

I know that new shows have to establish the story, but I was left with little interest in any of the characters or situations. The actors have no rapport or chemistry - I couldn't help but imagine how much better the show could have been with a really competent actress like Mercedes Ruehl as the co-anchor. Oh well.

I don't even feel like watching the second show. If it doesn't improve soon, it won't last long at all. Too bad.

This television show was never given a chance. I never saw it on the air, and only picked up the first season after its cancellation. I don't have much to say about it, but it wasn't a bad show. The first few episodes were a bit ... err ... some might say "boring" but I'd say, not as entertaining as a comedy series should be. But as it progressed through, the show became funnier, and funnier, especially the episode with the fish. But, again, I say "Why must good shows, die young?" and I think its a solid question. I know, in the end, its all about money. Dollhouse was not up to scratch with its ratings, but sold the first season for MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of dollars, so it was picked up in the last minute. Another big example would be Family Guy, it got canceled, several times, and was brought back for the MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of dollars it made on DVD.

So again, I think Network's should have a two-year contract with every show it picks up, because if a show isn't its best at the first season, which most shows aren't, the Network's should realize, mistakes are made, but people learn from them. This show had so much potential, but now, its dead.

8/10

Network: Fox; Genre: Sitcom; Content Rating: TV-PG (for some language and sexual innuendo); Perspective: Contemporary (star range: 1 - 4);

Seasons Reviewed: 1 season

In the mist of a career nose dive, Chuck Darling (Kelsey Grammar) returns to the local news station where he got his start and former co-anchor Kelly Carr (Patricia Heaton) still holds up shop. He meets all the newscast regulars: the sportscaster (Fred Willard), the weathergirl (Ayda Field), the hung out to dry field reporter (Ty Burrell) and the geeky young news director (Josh Gadd).

It isn't long before we learn that Chuck and Kelly once, as sitcoms always so elegantly put it, "did it" and Chuck learns that this night actually led to the birth of Kelly's 10-year old-daughter Gracie. Cue the sex jokes. And keep them coming until the series finale.

"Back to You" would be disposable as another lame network sitcom. It's the sheer wattage of talent attached to it that makes the show such a disappointment. Emmy-winners Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton are put together on the same set with halfway decent chemistry between them despite the glaring age difference. Mr & Mrs. Comic Timing. Behind the camera we've got serial-writer Steven Levitan ("Just Shoot Me") and Christopher Lloyd ("Frasier"). So, frankly, I just don't know what happened here. How did such a classy group of actors get buried under a pile of sitcom sex jokes? It's like the "Frasier" side of the series duked it out with the "Just Shoot Me"/"Stacked"/"Oliver Beene" side of the series and Levitan won.

The aforementioned set-up, Chuck, Kelly and their kid, becomes all "Back to You" can think about. Every single episode of the single season run orbits closely revolves around this idea. It grows tiresome quickly, never evolving, never giving the leads something else that might flesh them out. Character jokes, local news media jokes, rival anchor jokes, forget all that - Chuck and Kelly have a kid together. Chuck quickly goes from arrogant ladies man (funny) to a man serious about being a father (unfunny). He instantly falls in love with Gracie and wants the world to know it regardless of the detriment to himself, his job, Kelly or Gracie.

"Back" has a "'Till Death" formula to it. Like Fox is taking all these stars from modern classic sitcoms and using their name to pump life into an otherwise worthless show, while they slum through collecting a paycheck still able to deliver the goods giving 10% of their skill set. Grammar and Heaton are able to strain some laughs out of the material. There are a few good one liners. I can't lie. That is more than I can say for most sitcoms. Ty Burrell makes a good impression as a likable comic klutz, but "Back to You" marks a comedy first for me. This is the first time I've ever not found Fred Willard funny.

* * / 4

The show isn't exactly doing the kind of justice to the script as it was supposed to. Its like watching another misinterpreted episode of 'married to the kellys'. The show is just pulling in audience because of the magnum star status of 'Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton'. The casting of Josh Gad as the news director is as obtuse a casting can get. He simply isn't portraying the character to the full skin. Till now , i am not able to understand whether he is meant to be a loser or is he just one of the over burdened news directors. Ideally ,according to me the role was well scripted for Dave Foley , but am surprised how come the producers didn't approach him to return to his post of News Director that he depicted so convivially on 'NewsRadio'. In short Josh Gad is simply a misfit in the show. Producers , if you'll are listening to me , call Dave Foley. Kelsey Grammar is depraved of what he does best 'Rapping the dictionary'. The script writers have simply not stressed enough on language used by Kelsey in 'Frasier'. Patricia has always been a solo comedian. If you have observed carefully about her previous performance in the show ' Everybody loves Raymond', her comic capers came from her dialogs and expressions alone and not from the on screen chemistry she shared with Ray. Thats the main reason the producers should have stressed more on the office rivalry between her and Kelsey rather than the romance they are forced to do . I have always been a fan of Fred , but unfortunately in this show his comic capers are very dull. You are always forced to ask yourself ,'Oh ! was that supposed to be funny ?'; one laughs because he hears the laughter track getting activated in the background. Imagine you having a very profile luncheon with the some of the most respected people in town , and suddenly out of nowhere you hear a disturbing 'Fart!' and you ask yourself "What the hell was that ?"..this is exactly what role "Ty Burrell" is portraying in the show. His character is too fastidious to bring in any ratings for the show.

Again, a casting error. Andy dick or even 'Alfonso' from 'The fresh Prince of Bel Air ' fame could have depicted it well. Apart from highly tanned skin show 'Ayda Field' doesn't have anything much to offer to the show. But , the show shares some good ideas which could have well been directed. The theme is good and shows a good run if well nurtured (unfortunately it isn't). If the show keeps up with the above flaws , i really doubt the show might even see the dawn of light of the second season.

Full of hackneyed, stereotypical cracks so glib that it may well have done itself in during the premiere episode.

The show suffers from buffoonish acting, writing that has been done before-nearly verbatim, and most irritating for me, references to Pittsburgh that are utterly foolish and irrelevant.

Heaton and Grammar seem to me to be down to the level of Fred Willard who has made of career of cheesy performance.

I wonder if the powers that be gave up on it and are letting it run anyhow.

Taste counts for nothing and I found this show's opening episode completely tasteless.

I will be stunned if it last six episodes.

Back to who? It doesn't matter who it goes back to.

This show is infused with a concoction of witty, hilarious one liners and good old fashioned sexual chemistry between the two main protagonists, Heaton and Grammar. The casting agents have hit the nail on the head with the wonderful ensemble of supporting actors which really do justice to their characters. It is hard to disassociate grammar from frasier crane, but it must be said, the transition from frasier to chuck was a smooth and successful one, one which was to my awe and surprise, this just further reinforces the theory he is one of the finest actors to grace our television sets.

I predict this show will provide many years of laughter and excitement for us all.

Wow.

I was expecting maybe something decent. This is atrocious.

It's as if they picked out the very worst Frasier episodes and injected them with steroids.

Silly antics. Unintelligent humor. Totally antithetical to former works.

Can't see it lasting past Christmas.

Hope this isn't the end for Grammar.

I think the intelligent sitcom is truly dead. It's a shame.

Really disappointed in Levitan and Lloyd. They really mailed it in on this nonsense.

slow start but the scenes between the two stars are just great. wonderful chemistry from two great comedians. Patricia is particularly wonderful. I did not see her in ELR and sorry I missed that. What a wonderful screen presence. She is funny.

Ty Burrell does a scene where he is shot with a stun gun and it is perfect. He deserves an award just for this scene.

Look forward to more episodes. by the way, the girl who plays the daughter is a real find. back to the slow start. I was not initially that impressed but watching the two stars develop their relationship I am convinced this is a winner. great physical comedy

I was looking forward to seeing this show, but I wasn't sure when it was coming on. Luckily, I happened to scroll by it just as it was starting up. It has a great cast, a good premise, but the writing fails to impress. Many of the jokes are obvious one-liners that aren't even funny. Kelsey Grammar can't even save any of the lines. There is no originality, no cleverness; I could have written this show. The only good parts are when it is dramatic; the "humor" makes my head hurt. I need a good, original sitcom besides the shows that I watch on NBC, and this doesn't do the trick. It should be canceled soon. However, I'm giving it a 5 because the cast could possibly be able to save it.

"BACK TO YOU," in my opinion, is an absolute FOX classic! I haven't seen every episode, but I still enjoyed it. It's hard to say which episode was my favorite. However, I think it was always funny when a mishap occurred. I always laughed at that. Also, of all the episodes I've seen, my favorite would probably be the two-part one where Gracie (Lily Jackson) finds out a little secret. When I think about it, I remember the opening sequence and theme song vaguely. Despite the fact that it was a short-lived series, it was nice that all the main characters stayed with the show throughout its entire run. It seems that no one stays with a show throughout its entire run. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. In conclusion, I hope some network brings it back on the air for fans of the show to see.

This show wants to be Murphy Brown so bad that I expected to hear a Dan Quayle joke. But of course it is no Murphy Brown. Mostly because it's bland, uninteresting, very unfunny, and only boringly socially relevant. Not to mention that it's twenty years too late to be Murphy Brown. The acting makes one think of a ridiculous stage production, which could be funny but unfortunately falls flat of its over-the-top intention. On top of that, the plots are unmistakably trite and borrowed from somewhere else unfunny. Overall its tired humor just cannot compete with the silly, intelligent humor of other newer shows. Miss it. Watch 30-Rock instead. Or even Samantha Who.