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canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale

   

Back to You: Why Was It Cancelled? Is It Gone for Good?

by Trevor Kimball, May 27, 2008

Back to YouFans of FOX’s Back to You sitcom were shocked to learn that the Kelsey Grammer — Patricia Heaton series had been snuffed out after only one season. Most industry insiders had expected Back to You to return next fall. In fact, executive producer Steven Levitan said that FOX had assured him of a renewal on the same day that it was ultimately cancelled. So, what happened? Could the series still return for season two?

Though Back to You had a decent premiere (9.44 million viewers), subsequent episodes fell to a low of 6.4 million. On the two occasions that FOX gave the sitcom the coveted timeslot following American Idol, viewership shot up to 12.15 million. Unfortunately, that number seems less impressive when you consider that’s less than half of the Idol lead-in. What’s more, when Back to You was moved out of that timeslot, the numbers fell back to six or seven million viewers.

Levitan believes that the sitcom was just not a good fit with FOX. He told the Pittsbugh Post-Gazette, “We’ve been on the wrong network from the start. We got talked into it. That was our blunder… We were on a network that appealed to a different kind of people than we’re aiming for… FOX has a lot of people who tune in for American Idol and then they tune out.”

Interestingly enough, when the series was being developed, FOX, ABC, and CBS all wanted the sitcom. “FOX had the better deal and lots of big promises they didn’t keep,” Levitan notes. “And the one person who didn’t bid on it was Kevin Reilly at NBC, and then he [soonafter] came over to run FOX.”

Discussing the cancellation, FOX Entertainment chief Reilly said, “This was not an easy decision but with that kind of top-profile talent and… proximity to [American Idol] in the second half of the season, the expectations were higher.” He continued, “The show did not seem to be striking a chord, and in terms of creative direction… it was a pretty mixed bag.”

Levitan says, “We were surprised [by the cancellation], but not shocked? Nothing surprises me with [FOX] anymore.”

It’s been suggested that ‘Til Death was renewed instead of Back to You because the Grammer — Heaton sitcom was more expensive to produce. Levitan counters that he was never asked to look into ways to trim the show’s budget to make a second year possible. Grammer notes that the budget wouldn’t have been an issue if the network had wanted to renew the sitcom. “That’s rarely a stumbling block if they really want a show,” he said. “There are ways around that. They just really didn’t want it.”

There has been talk that the sitcom might move to another network, most likely CBS. A handful of episodes were sent to CBS Corp chief executive Leslie Moonves for viewing. Levitan concedes, “It’s always a long shot, but they [CBS] took JAG from NBC and that turned out to be a hit for them for years, so it’s not unprecedented. But it is a long shot.”

Grammer called Moonves personally and the exec said that the network was considering it. When he later called Nina Tassler, the CBS Entertainment president, Grammer says she dismissed the idea. The former Frasier star said, “I really believe in the show. If I didn’t I wouldn’t have tried to fight for it.”

Though the sitcom’s chances for survival seem quite grim, 20th Century Fox Television (who produces the series) is reportedly still trying to find a new home for it. Their deadline is June 11th, likely when show contracts expire. Fans of the series are still actively campaigning to save their show by sending money (in a symbolic gesture to help offset production costs) and water bottles (a reference to a particular episode). Presumably they’d also like to see FOX air the remaining four episodes as well.

Admittedly, the sitcom’s return is a long shot at best. In the event that Back to You stays cancelled, Grammer has been signed to join the Roman’s Empire pilot for ABC. Empire’s a single-camera comedy and Grammer will play the patriarch of a wealthy and eccentric family. There are also rumblings that co-star Heaton would like to do a daytime talk show. The actress had been interested in doing one when Everybody Loves Raymond ended but took herself out of the running when she signed on to do Back to You.

Back to You

It seems that, one way or the other, Grammer and Heaton will likely be returning to television soon. Which network? Which show? Stay tuned! TV Series Finale home page


More about: Back to You

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Richard
Reader
Richard

Yes, great show but it was back in 2007, so virtually no chance of revival; at least with Grammer and Heaton. For those looking for season 2, on ANY network, best of luck!

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
August 23, 2018 5:15 pm
Lisa Johnson
Reader
Lisa Johnson

Well I’m 10years to late or am I?? I just bought the DVD of this series and it is hilarious. Thinking it was a new show I got online to see about other series and seen it was cancelled long ago. With all the sitcom’s making come backs recently, I hope this one gets in the running. Great cast, great laugh’s. Please give it another chance.

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May 30, 2018 5:29 am
Richard
Reader
Richard

I just bought it and watched a couple of episodes too! I agree, really well-done and funny show. I put it right up there with “Becker”.

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August 23, 2018 5:18 pm
emily
Reader
emily

Disappointed there was only 1 season. best sitcom!!! please bring it back with seaon 2! Kelsey Grammer and Patricia heaton work so well together.

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May 2, 2016 8:53 pm
dj
Reader
dj

i love this series.please bring back season 2.

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April 3, 2013 2:30 am
Vanessa
Reader
Vanessa

I Love Patricia Heaton.

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September 21, 2011 3:40 pm
Brittney
Reader
Brittney

Why , why do they insist on trying to find a show for these two losers. They had their time in the sun and are done. Stick a fork in them they are done!!!!!

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September 30, 2009 5:33 pm
trackback
BC Beat » Blog Archive » LATV Fest: Steve Levitan Flips Fox The Bird

[…] TVSeriesFinale.com quoted Reilly responding to the show’s cancelation in an article in May 2008: “This was not an easy decision but with that kind of top-profile talent and… proximity to [American Idol] in the second half of the season, the expectations were higher.” He continued, “The show did not seem to be striking a chord, and in terms of creative direction… it was a pretty mixed bag.” […]

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July 9, 2009 6:11 pm
Brit
Reader
Brit

I hope Back To You gets more seasons. I love it. It’s so cute. They both are so funny. I really enjoy the show; the cast works so well together, and the jokes are great.

I really hope Patricia Heaton and Kelsey Grammar get a solid role on primetime somewhere.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
November 8, 2008 11:37 am
Amanda
Reader
Amanda

Pls. put Back 2 You on the air again. This show didnt need all the sex/ appeal to be a great show. There was good humor and a great cast. Hopefuly CBS will pick it up!! I know Ill be waiting!!

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September 25, 2008 1:11 pm
Marie Barone
Reader
Marie Barone

Love Kelsey Grammer – HATE Patricia Heaton. I really hope she doesn’t get a talk show – but, since she’s as self-absorbed as Oprah and Tyra Banks, she probably will. *gag* I thought Kelsey Grammer had taken a BIG ‘step down’ when he agreed to work with her. Am really looking forward to his NEW show – – – but I will say this (about ‘Back to You) – I delibrately avoided the show, once I heard Patricia Heaton was on it – that show would ‘SO HAVE WORKED’ if it had been a spin off of ‘Frasier’, with ‘Roz’/Peri… Read more »

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September 7, 2008 2:13 pm
Sue
Reader
Sue

U must be kidding me!
This show is one of my fave…. Plz, plz…. season 2 has to be back!

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
August 25, 2008 4:11 am
Marla J. Klein
Reader
Marla J. Klein

My family and I love the show “Back To You”. We had to miss a couple of episodes, so we just recently went online to view them. If Fox makes this permanent, We hope that CBS picks it up.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
June 11, 2008 8:27 pm
jarvis
Reader
jarvis

please put k ville back on tv please that was so good i feel like i want to watch or not make a dvd about it

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June 4, 2008 1:51 pm
trackback
Tonight on the Tube: SYTYCD, MI-5, NBA & NHL Playoffs & Men in Trees | TVaholic.com

[…] cancelled show news, it was rumored that FOX’s Back to You had a shot of landing over at CBS, but with news of […]

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May 28, 2008 2:27 am
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