Back to You is Back to Basics

Normally, anything starring "Frasier's" Kelsey Grammar and "Everybody Loves Raymond's" Patricia Heaton would turn me off in a heartbeat because, well, I envision their audience more on the mature side now that both actors have been pigeon holed into certain roles and ultimately jumped the shark. But, throw them in Pittsburgh (Go Steelers!) and on a news set along the scale of KDKA, WPXI or WTAE of which I've either worked or interviewed at and I'm in!

The news business in itself is a comedy and other networks have picked up on the fact in lesser sitcoms that missed the mark such as, "Good Morning Miami" where the meteorologist was actually a nun. No joke.

But promos of "Back to You" are promising for a wholesome sort of spin on poking fun at the news business. While some of the punch lines seem predictable and the non-news junkie just might not get it "Back to You" could be a return to non-reality, non-everyone sleeps with everyone else comedy.

The show's premise begins with Kelsey Grammar who has worked his way up through the ranks to find himself lead anchor in the number two news market, Los Angeles. But while he's doing so well for himself he hasn't managed to grasp the concept of both an open mic and, well, the little red light that indicates you're on air. Thus, leading to his downfall when he's caught cussing unknowingly when he thinks the show is in break. Down and out his second chance comes in the form of co-anchoring Pittsburgh's nightly news, his old stomping ground, with former co-anchor Kelly Carr played by Heaton.

Sparks are sure to fly as the duo not only had on screen chemistry, but apparently had a fling back in the 90's. Can they put aside the past long enough to get the station back to number one? Hopefully not because that just wouldn't be funny.

Adding to the show's appeal is the bumbling 26 1/2 year-old news director, lewd and inappropriate sports anchor, hot Hispanic weather woman (she hasn't passed the meteorology test) and the field reporter who just wishes he'd stop being assigned to stories requiring him to stand out in the snow for hours on end.

Compared to other primetime debuts "Back to You" will probably fly under the radar among the 20 something crowd because it lacks sex appeal. But for families longing for a traditional sitcom with comedy that relies on timing rather than boobs or brawn Fox surprisingly show up.