Fox is getting out in front of the upfront greenlight process, ABC is preparing for "Life on Mars" and CBS is being wooed as a possible new home for the canceled comedy "Back to You."
quote:
Twentieth has given CBS boss Leslie Moonves episodes of "Back to You" to screen as part of its bid to set up the comedy at the network. Fox canceled the Kelsey Grammer-Patricia Heaton show over the weekend, forcing sister studio 20th to find a new home for the project.
Ironically, CBS had been mentioned as a home for "Back to You" a year ago, before it landed at Fox. Heaton is the former star of CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond," while CBS several years ago tried to get Grammer to star in a spinoff of "Frasier." The network is hoping to open a new night of comedy beyond its Monday lineup, and a Grammer-Heaton project could be a solid anchor for such an extension.
I hope it's not picked up. It won't have a ratings turnaround because it's on a network it fits on better. It's already been sampled and the viewers rejected it.
Posts: 1831 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 24 March 2007
I'm not surprised that 20th Century Fox is shopping "Back to You" around, considering how high profile it's stars are and the big promotional push Fox had behind it last fall.
I had assumed that ABC, which reportedly was outbid by Fox for the series, would want it too. After grabbing "Scrubs" from NBC and possibly "Old Christine" from CBS, the ABC brass thought three transplanted comedies may be too many.
"Back to You" certainly has a CBS-esque feel to it and would seem to mesh well with the typical CBS audience. The question that CBS will have to answer is, if it picks up "You", will a pre-existing comedy get axed to make way for it (i.e. "Rules of Engagement" or "Old Christine")?
A four comedy block of "Rules", "Old Christine" and "Back to You" plus a new comedy could give CBS a second viable comedy block. However, I'm not sure that CBS wants to do a second two-hour block due to its lack of free real estate. Only Tuesday, Wednesday, or Sunday could realistically support a two-hour block. Maybe poaching "Back to You", pairing it up with "Rules" and/or "Old Christine" and saving the other for midseason would be a more likely scenario.
at everyone who thinks Back to You will do well on CBS. I doubt it gets picked up, and if it does it will flop. It barely got above a 2 demo with the "Idol effect".
Posts: 1831 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 24 March 2007
Originally posted by himymfan22: at everyone who thinks Back to You will do well on CBS. I doubt it gets picked up, and if it does it will flop. It barely got above a 2 demo with the "Idol effect".
I'm trying to offend you or anything but are you saying all this because BTY lessens the chances of HIMYM (your name) season 4?
Originally posted by himymfan22: at everyone who thinks Back to You will do well on CBS. I doubt it gets picked up, and if it does it will flop. It barely got above a 2 demo with the "Idol effect".
I'm trying to offend you or anything but are you saying all this because BTY lessens the chances of HIMYM (your name) season 4?
B2Y has nothing to do with HIMYM's already signed and sealed renewal. Doogie's already slated to be...well...Doogie at CBS's upfronts this Wed. Back to You if anything would be a good pairing for Christine on Sundays post-60 Minutes.
Originally posted by himymfan22: I hope it's not picked up. It won't have a ratings turnaround because it's on a network it fits on better. It's already been sampled and the viewers rejected it.
Honestly, B2Y has more of a CBS feel than HIMYM, Christine, and even the Big Bang Theory ever did and they all do well. I think if promoted correctly and if they let the show just do its thing, it could work well for them and give CBS that second night of comedies its been dreaming about (not to mention as good if not better demos than their more expensive dramas). It could be a win win for everyone. Now, if only we can get Til Death to hold on through next year and then get poached too!
B2Y was not bad, it was decent. I do not really see how it would be more suitable for CBS but it could work.
Mondays: 8:00pm Big Bang Theory 8:30pm How I Met Your Mother 9:00pm 2.5 Men 9:30pm Rules of Engagement
Wednesdays or Sundays: 8:00pm Back to You [Fall] NEW COMEDY [Midseason] 8:30pm New Advent. of Old Christine
B2Y could work well with Old Christine in that they both deals with dysfunctional family. Otherwise, all the other ones deal more with "getting with the girl, than not calling them again."
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The two new comedies CBS picked up are going in the fall, so B2Y if picked up would be a mid-season show.
If I had to guess, B2Y will follow the same plan as Tower. CBS will hold the option of pickup past upfronts. They then will pick up the two separate shows in a joint press release and plug them in the holes that need to be filled mid-season with a 6 episode order. Much like The Man and Welcome To the Captain last year.