Review: 'Back to You' Series Premier

Following budget cutbacks, network giants ABC and NBC have abandoned the multi-camera sitcom. Fox, on the other hand is banking the eight-camera, live audience format on a star studded cast. Back to You is the new half-hour laughfest that premiered Wednesday, September 19^th.

Starring four time Emmy award winner Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Fraiser) and two time award winner Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond), the pilot of Back to You has been generating industry buzz since last spring. In fact, the concept was so hot it generated a bidding war between ABC, CBS, and FOX when the project was announced. Even advertisers are banking on high ratings and hoping to cash in with the 25-54 year olds. But, is Back to You really worth all the hype? Here's a rundown of the performace.

Kelsey Grammer's Performance

Grammer sheds his Fraiser persona for this role. Chuck Darling is a self-important ass that you will love to hate, or maybe not. By the end of the show you find that Darling may just be a good guy, if a little immature. It will be interesting to watch this character grow and develop.

Patricia Heaton's Performance

Heaton's Kelly Carr is a little high strung, which works well for an over caffeinated news anchor who is obviously nervous about Darlings return. When she has to deliver the news that he is the father of her ten-year old daughter her soft side emerges.

Supporting Cast

Fred Willard (Marsh McGinley) plays the sports anchor, and as always he delivers his sexist lines with the deadpan humor he is famous for.

Ayda Field (Montana Herrera) works her role as the station vamp without going over the top. In low cut shirts and short skirts, it would be easy for the sexy Field to upstage the other cast members, but she keeps it reigned in while still delivering comedic content.

Ty Burrell (Gary Crezyzewski) plays the field reporter who was jocking for the anchor position before Darling's returned. He manages to sell the jilted employee without sounding whinny.

Josh Gad (Ryan Church) plays the over-enthusiastic news director. Gad gives his character a number of idiosyncrasies that really make the character stand out in a nervous Chihuahua sort of way.

Laura Marano (Gracie Carr) is the youngest cast member who plays Kelly Carr's daughter. Unlike many child actors who let there technique show through, Marano is convincing, even as she delivers a sulky tirade.

The Writing

There were a number of great one liners, mostly involving sexual innuendo. Working in the entire back story was a little tricky, but dispersed fairly evenly throughout the show. This allowed the story to maintain a pretty fast pace. The writer's have created a pretty solid foundation while allow a lot of room for growth.