Spring Break
'Back To You' will keep viewers coming back for more
TV show review: "Back To You"
Jake Corbin
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Features
To my knowledge, Phil Collins has never been compared to Nostradamus. However in the 1981 song "Thunder and Lightning," Collins sang "...'cause they said thunder and they said lightning, it would never strike twice, oh, but if that's true, why can't you tell me how come this feels so nice..."
Apparently, Collins was ahead of his time.
Fast-forward to 2007, an era where sitcoms come and go with the blink of an eye. Most actors are lucky to make it big once, let alone mount a comeback.
"Back To You," which airs on Fox at 8 p.m., marks the return of Kelsey Grammer("Cheers" and "Frasier") and Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond") to television as the anchor team of Pittsburgh's own WURG-9 News.
If the pilot episode is any indication, comedic lightning has struck twice for the all-star cast. And, yes, Mr. Collins, it does feel nice.
"Back To You" follows big shot Chuck Darling (Grammer) as he makes his return to the Pittsburgh TV station where he got his first start.
After 10 years away and a stint in the big leagues of Los Angeles, Darling is forced to deal with everyone and everything he left behind, including anchorwoman Kelly Carr (Heaton).
The two had a fling before his departure and Carr's phone calls went unreturned. Now the two are forced to deal with their unresolved feelings, and, as it turns out, a much bigger problem that hits close to home.
The episode ends on a sweet note, giving us a small taste of the emotional brilliance Grammer often brought to his beloved "Cheers" character. But don't expect too many similarities between the doctor and the anchorman.
"This character isn't as smart as Frasier was, but he's also not as tortured," Grammer said in Entertainment Weekly. "Frasier was a mess, although that made him fun to watch. This guy [Chuck Darling] is gonna be fun because you're gonna watch him grow up."
During this growth period, however, there will be plenty of opportunities for Heaton's character to flash her trademark eye-rolling, evil-eyed glances she was so good at on "Everybody Loves Raymond."
The interplay between the two leads is short of nothing but perfect, giving hope to the survival of the traditional sitcom.
In addition to the on-air star power of "Back To You," the behind-the-scenes crew looks like the New York Yankees of sitcoms.
The co-creators list "Frasier" and "Just Shoot Me" on their resumes, while director James Burrows has put his touch on shows spanning from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to "Will and Grace."
And if Grammer and Heaton are the home run hitters on this team, then Fred Willard ("Best In Show") is the relief pitcher.
Willard's role as chauvinistic sportscaster Marsh McGinley might only be in the game for a few "innings" at a time, but he brings the heat tossing one punch line after another.
Relative newcomer Josh Gad also brings a Chris Farley-like charm to his role as news director Ryan, subconsciously reminding us of the soft spot we all carry for the nervous, fat guy.
Without researching any further Phil Collins lyrics, I feel another long-running television series for Fox in the air tonight.
Watch this show - you won't be disappointed.
Jake Corbin can be reached at jcorbin@statehornet.com
Apparently, Collins was ahead of his time.
Fast-forward to 2007, an era where sitcoms come and go with the blink of an eye. Most actors are lucky to make it big once, let alone mount a comeback.
"Back To You," which airs on Fox at 8 p.m., marks the return of Kelsey Grammer("Cheers" and "Frasier") and Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond") to television as the anchor team of Pittsburgh's own WURG-9 News.
If the pilot episode is any indication, comedic lightning has struck twice for the all-star cast. And, yes, Mr. Collins, it does feel nice.
"Back To You" follows big shot Chuck Darling (Grammer) as he makes his return to the Pittsburgh TV station where he got his first start.
After 10 years away and a stint in the big leagues of Los Angeles, Darling is forced to deal with everyone and everything he left behind, including anchorwoman Kelly Carr (Heaton).
The two had a fling before his departure and Carr's phone calls went unreturned. Now the two are forced to deal with their unresolved feelings, and, as it turns out, a much bigger problem that hits close to home.
The episode ends on a sweet note, giving us a small taste of the emotional brilliance Grammer often brought to his beloved "Cheers" character. But don't expect too many similarities between the doctor and the anchorman.
"This character isn't as smart as Frasier was, but he's also not as tortured," Grammer said in Entertainment Weekly. "Frasier was a mess, although that made him fun to watch. This guy [Chuck Darling] is gonna be fun because you're gonna watch him grow up."
During this growth period, however, there will be plenty of opportunities for Heaton's character to flash her trademark eye-rolling, evil-eyed glances she was so good at on "Everybody Loves Raymond."
The interplay between the two leads is short of nothing but perfect, giving hope to the survival of the traditional sitcom.
In addition to the on-air star power of "Back To You," the behind-the-scenes crew looks like the New York Yankees of sitcoms.
The co-creators list "Frasier" and "Just Shoot Me" on their resumes, while director James Burrows has put his touch on shows spanning from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to "Will and Grace."
And if Grammer and Heaton are the home run hitters on this team, then Fred Willard ("Best In Show") is the relief pitcher.
Willard's role as chauvinistic sportscaster Marsh McGinley might only be in the game for a few "innings" at a time, but he brings the heat tossing one punch line after another.
Relative newcomer Josh Gad also brings a Chris Farley-like charm to his role as news director Ryan, subconsciously reminding us of the soft spot we all carry for the nervous, fat guy.
Without researching any further Phil Collins lyrics, I feel another long-running television series for Fox in the air tonight.
Watch this show - you won't be disappointed.
Jake Corbin can be reached at jcorbin@statehornet.com
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