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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

New show premieres tonight: Back to You and Gossip Girl

Two new shows debut tonight that you may want to watch. I’ve seen the pilot episodes for both shows and here’s my take.


Back to You
Premiere date: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Airs: Wednesdays @ 8 p.m. ET on FOX

Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton return to television in this funny sitcom about a news anchorman who left Pittsburgh for a bigger market. Unfortunately, Chuck Darling (Grammer) had an on-air meltdown at the new station, immortalized forever on the Internet, and was fired. So, he returns to Pittsburgh to his old job and his old co-anchor Kelly Carr (Heaton.) The two have history, romantic and otherwise. Let’s just say, they’ve got issues. Fans of the traditional sitcom style, this show is for you. Shot in three-camera style, with laugh tracks, it has the feel of the ‘90s sitcoms we loved. It also has a stellar cast, including Fred Willard as a sports anchor. Josh Gad is hilarious as the young, overweight, overstressed news director, and you’ll get some laughs from the sexy weather girl, Montana, and the on-the-spot field reporter, Gary, who wanted Darling’s desk job. A gag involving Gary testing a new police taser is a gas. Those tuning in expecting to find Frasier, you’ll need to adjust your tastes. Darling isn’t a prissy metrosexual. He’s a ladies man with an edge. Although, Darling delivers the quick-witted one-liners, as easily as Frasier Crane did. I’ve seen the first two episodes, and I enjoyed them both. It’s not Frasier, but it has promise.



Gossip Girl
Premiere date: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Airs: Wednesdays @ 9 p.m. ET on CW

Fans of the teen soap genre, this one is for you. From O.C. creator Josh Schwartz, Gossip Girl examines the lives of a group of kids on the upper east side of Manhattan. Money, booze, drugs, sex, fashion, jealousy and backstabbing all play a part in these teens lives. At times, the show felt a little like Cruel Intentions. Gossip Girl is dark. Don’t expect the humor and brilliant one-liners we loved on The O.C. The best part of the show for me was hearing Veronica Mars’ Kristen Bell doing the narration as Gossip Girl, a blogger who documents all the breakups and shakeups of this uber-cool crowd. It’s been a while since I was a teenager, and if this show is reflective of what teens are doing these days, well, I’m shocked. Despite an interesting premise and genius Schwartz on board, Gossip Girl seemed to be missing something: a smoldering-leading-man type and the geeky, yet sexy and humorous, sidekick type. In other words, Ryan Atwood and Seth Cohen are nowhere to be found. Teens will probably love this show, but I’m not sure it will grab adults. I’m giving it a few more episodes before I decide if Gossip Girl will stay on my DVR schedule.

Check back for Tube Talk Girl’s take on Private Practice, Bionic Woman, Chuck and Reaper.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm hooked on Gossip Girl already, just from watching the promos. I can't wait! EEEEE!!!!! I love fall.

Anonymous said...

It's nice to see a return to the traditional sitcom. I hope it's funny and a hit. I miss the old school sitcoms.

Anonymous said...

Tube Talk Girl....sadly, there will never be another Ryan Atwood and Seth Cohen. :( God, I miss The O.C.

Anonymous said...

I liked Back to You. Kelsey Grammer is the king of the sitcom. I liked Gossip Girl, too. Man those teens are viscious.

Thanks for the info. I would have missed it, had I not been browsing here. For some reason, I thought the new shows didn't premiere until next week!

Anonymous said...

I was a little disappointed in Gossip Girl. :( I had high expectations. I'll give it another few weeks. Maybe it will lighten up.

Anonymous said...

I love Gossip Girl! It is just like high school minus the fact my friends and I aren't millionaires. My favorite character is Dan. He is so funny and good looking.

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