New CBS Sitcom First Look: Project Gary

The multi-camera sitcom Project Gary stars Jay Mohr (Ghost Whisperer) as Gary Barnes and Paula Marshall (Nip/Tuck) as Allison, a couple divorced after fifteen years of marriage who share custody of their two children. Their “politically correct and environmentally conscious” eleven-year-old daughter Louise is played by Laura Marano (Back to You, Without a Trace), while Ryan Malgarini (How to Eat Fried Worms) portrays their fourteen-year old “socially awkward” son Tom.
Gary, a painting contractor, finally re-enters the dating world and hooks up with single mother Vanessa (Jaime King of The Class), whom he meets when he’s hired to paint her apartment. Complications arise, however, when Gary learns his ex-wife is engaged to the ex-couple’s therapist, which encourages him to pursue his own form of happiness.
CBS ordered 13 episodes of the series executive produced by Ed Yeager (Still Standing) and Ric Swartzlander (8 Simple Rules). View a clip after the jump.
Fox Stunner: ‘Til Death’ Lives, ‘Back to You’ Dies
May 10, 2008 by Chandra

That time of the year is upon us, namely the spring upfront season, which is when viewers learn the fates of their favorite shows on the bubble. The industry-speak phrase refers to those series that network executives haven’t yet decided what to do with: cancel, renew, or downsize to a midseason replacement. The last two options are obviously better than the first.
Fox has spoken regarding a couple of its shows on the cusp or brink or edge or whatever — the sitcoms ‘Til Death and its broadcast companion Back to You. Shockingly (at least in my head), the first series has been renewed for a third season while the second show, which stars TV-comedy heavyweights Kelsey Grammer (Frasier, Cheers) and Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond), has been axed.
Say what?!
Sure, Back to You isn’t the best it could be, but it’s still highly watchable on a decent night, and downright hilarious most times that regulars Fred Willard and/or Ty Burrell are onscreen (and when you get them both together, just sit back and soak up the comedy genius). I actually thought a sophomore run was more or less a lock for the series. That shows how much what I think matters.
Back to You: 1.13 ‘The New Boss’ Previews
May 7, 2008 by Chandra

Back to You’s May 7 episode, The New Boss, guest stars Suzy Nakamura (Help Me Help You) as the new woman in charge at WURG.
Of course, to everyone’s great dismay, she swoops in and starts changing stuff. Unfortunately for Team Ambush, Chuck and Kelly, she’s also more than a little savvy, which allows her to successfully derail their ambush … to their disadvantage.
This episode sounds like it’s going to be a step in the right direction, finally taking viewers away from all of that self-involved angst over revealing to Gracie that Chuck is her father. That’s gotten old, so I, for one, am anxious to just move on already.
Oh — And Ayda Field is back on this episode from wherever she was as sexy weather anchor Montana Diaz Herrera. Great.
Two quick preview clips from “The New Boss” follow the jump.
Back to You: ‘Hug & Tell’ Spoilers (4-23-08)
April 15, 2008 by Chandra

The April 23 episode of Back to You, “Hug & Tell,” will pack an extra shot of star power due to the guest appearance of entertainment pioneer Diahann Carroll.
Carroll is an icon for so many reasons besides her obvious beauty, talent, and good deeds. She’s the first black actress to star in her own television series in an untraditional non-servant role (the 1968–1971 sitcom Julia, on which she played a nurse), the first black woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress (the 1962 musical No Strings), and one of only seven black actresses ever nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award (the 1974 comedy drama Claudine).
The episode itself revolves around Chuck and Kelly’s decision to finally tell Gracie who her father is. We all know that’s what Chuck wants, despite Kelly’s continual concerns. But, when a therapist enters the picture, the situation becomes even more difficult for all involved.
I personally think it’s time for the so-called adults to get this over with and let Gracie know what’s what. She deserves the truth, especially considering her maturity for her age, not to mention that she already knows Chuck fairly well.
Back to You airs Wednesdays on Fox at 8:30pm EST.
Back to You: ‘The Wall of Fame’ Spoilers (4-16-08)
April 15, 2008 by Chandra

Fox newbie Back to You returns from writers strike-induced hiatus on April 16 with the festive episode “The Wall of Fame.”
Crotchety sports reporter Marsh plans a big surprise for his colleague Chuck that leads to a troubling discovery for Chuck and Kelly. Of course, the two, ever concerned about appearances, then go to great lengths to make sure that nobody else finds out what they just found out. I’d bet money they won’t succeed either.
Back to You airs Wednesdays on Fox at 8:30pm EST.
Back to You: 1.9 ‘Business or Pleasure’ Recap
March 9, 2008 by Chandra

Original Air Date: February 27, 2008
While the Channel Nine news team is out to dinner at a nice restaurant, Channel Eight News’ charismatic new anchorman CRAIG ST. CLAIRE (Guest Star Coby Ryan McLaughlin) comes over to introduce himself and make small talk. This is a big deal because the newsman is the hottest new personality in town — everyone’s discussing how good-looking he is.
Not surprisingly, MONTANA flirts with Craig relentlessly, but he seems most interested in KELLY. She offers to give him some insider local tips because he’s not from Pittsburgh, and he agrees and asks her out for a drink later. Blushing and giggling, Kelly accepts.
Earlier, CHUCK and MARSH had complained about Craig’s audacity to not wear a tie sometimes, while RYAN just seems thoroughly infatuated with him throughout the episode. As a result, Chuck repeatedly chastises the news director later for acting gay.
Back to You: 1.8 ‘Cradle to Grave’ Recap

Original Air Date: February 26, 2008
After CHUCK and KELLY close the news broadcast with the development that former anchor Ed Coleman has died, Kelly reveals she was asked to deliver the eulogy at his funeral, although she didn’t like him because he was so mean to her. GARY is stunned because, according to him, he knew the man better than anyone else at the station. Chuck, on the other hand, informs his colleagues he’s not even going to the funeral since he decided at nine years old that there were certain things he wouldn’t do anymore, and funerals was one of them.
In their shared office, Kelly makes a few snide remarks when she realizes Chuck is preparing for a date with AMBER, a blonde who’s much younger. She receives a message then that her babysitter for the funeral has canceled. Chuck volunteers while claiming he has to start spending time with their daughter GRACIE eventually, even if she still doesn’t know he’s her father.
So, Kelly drops Gracie off at Chuck’s hotel on the day of the funeral. Gracie is petulant, however, because she thinks she’s too old to require a babysitter. Everything Chuck has planned sucks to her, too, such as watching a movie with the Olsen twins — Gracie thinks their movies are stupid and their lives are a mess.
Back to You: 1.8 ‘Cradle to Grave’ Previews
February 26, 2008 by Chandra

Tonight at 9:30pm EST, don’t miss the first new installment of Fox’s Back to You since November 14, 2007.
“Cradle to the Grave” is about death — specifically a former WURG anchor’s death, which will lead to all sorts of hilarity when current co-anchor Kelly Carr (Patricia Heaton) is called on to give the eulogy at the deceased’s funeral.
Two one-minute preview clips from the episode follow the jump, both featuring lots of Chuck Darling just for all the Kelsey Grammer fans out there (you know who you are).
Back to You: ‘Business or Pleasure’ Spoilers (2-27-08)
February 19, 2008 by Chandra

The February 27th episode of Back to You is called “Business or Pleasure.” True to the title, an incredulous Chuck Darling grows increasingly suspicious about the motives of another TV station’s new anchor when the young(er) man shows a keen interest in his colleague Kelly. Does the guy want to get with Kelly or is he just trying to get ahead? Hmmm… I’m sure Chuck will get to the bottom of that situation within the half-hour.
This episode of Back to You airs Wednesday on Fox at 9:30pm EST.
Back to You: ‘Cradle to Grave’ Spoilers (2-26-08)
February 19, 2008 by Chandra

Fox’s Back to You is coming back to TV at the end of the month with two brand-spanking-new episodes airing on two consecutive days.
First up on February 26th is “Cradle to Grave,” which will feature ladies’ man Chuck Darling looking after his darling daughter Gracie when her mom Kelly heads to a former colleague’s funeral.
And, don’t worry. Chuck’s not the only WURG anchor who’s going to be in a bind. There’s plenty of distress in store for Kelly, as well, when it’s revealed that the deceased has everyone thinking she had a “thing” going on with him. Don’t you just hate when dead people spread lies like that?
This episode of Back to You airs Tuesday on Fox at 9:30pm EST.


