The TV Addict 

After last night’s very funny season series finale of BACK TO YOU on FOX, am I the only TV Addict who’s somewhat sad that Chuck and Kelly will not be getting another opportunity to ‘do it again?’

Since it’s way too too nice to be inside today in the TV Addict’s beautiful hometown of Toronto Canada, I’m going to make this quick. Ready… set… blog…

Michael Ausiello is reporting that the original bad-girl-turned-good Jennie Garth will be returning to the show that made her famous, signing on to BEVERLY HILLS 90210 Version 2.0 [this show really needs an official title] in a recurring capacity as get this — West Bev’s Guidance Counsellor. And while this TV Addict is thrilled with the news, surely I’m not the only one who finds it hard to believe that Kelly Taylor — the original Queen Bee of Beverly Hills high — is living the life she’s accustom to on a guidance counsellor salary. Unless of course she married rich. Hmmm…. Dylan McKay cameo anyone?

Two rare gems on television, smart shows that actually make this TV Addict laugh — ALIENS IN AMERICA and BACK TO YOU are both said to be on the chopping block this week. And while ALIENS axe comes as no surprise considering the CW put about $5 into marketing the show. BACK TO YOU’s sudden cancellation is quite the shock and disappointment. Especially since FOX is renewing ‘TIL DEATH [as in, what I wish for when when I'm watching the show] for a third season. Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton deserve a far better fate than this and if it helps make my argument, the epicenter of cultural cool [Entertainment Weekly] agrees.

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By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

I tuned into FOX’s Back to You when it premiered earlier this TV season to see two classic TV stars interact. What happened after the pilot was that I found myself tuning in to the next few episodes not only because of the chemistry and the talent of the big names, but the supporting players, who, in my humble opinion, continue to steal the show. One of my favorite supporting players on the show is Ryan Church, the sweaty and anxious news director played so well by Josh Gad. Josh took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with me about his character, about laughing so hard he thought security should show up, and why people with some time on their hands should tune into BACK TO YOU.

I’m so glad to get to talk to you!
I’m so glad that you get to talk to me.

Ha! Just want to start by saying that on your show, you could easily have been one of the characters that gets lost behind Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, but you really stand out. I find myself laughing at your stuff more than others.
Thank you so much, that means the world to me.

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The TV Addict with legendary funny-man Fred Willard

Not only is actor Fred Willard one of the funniest men on both the big and small screens. At age 69, he has more energy than almost anyone I’ve ever met.

For almost five hours in Hollywood’s Roosevelt Hotel, this TV Addict marveled as Willard effortlessly hopped from reporter, to radio station, to blogger, tirelessly promoting his current hit FOX show BACK TO YOU. And when it was finally my turn, Willard not only remembered our previous interview six months prior, but managed to be as kind, classy and funny as ever.

I have to tell you, honestly, this never gets old. Thanks to my web site I’ve had the phenomenal opportunity to interview a lot of actors. But your work in all of the Christopher Guest films is hilarious. So if I’m a little nervous… I hope you’ll understand.
Fred Willard: If you ask the wrong questions, I’ll go off like a firecracker!

How different is working on a movie like FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION versus a sitcom like BACK TO YOU?
For Christopher’s [Guest] movies, all he gives you is an outline of a scene, a fun premise and a great co-star like Eugene Levy or Catherine O’Hara. There’s very little dialogue.

A sitcom like BACK TO YOU is very tightly scripted. People always ask if we’re allowed to improvise and so far we haven’t been able to. But you didn’t miss it because the scripts are great. Of course if we start getting weak scripts by the end of the season I’ll totally lose it!

But at this point, I’m really trying my best to get every line perfect because I’d feel so bad if the writers came up to me and said, “Fred, you’re missing the joke here.”

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In celebration of BACK TO YOU’s highly anticipated return to the airwaves tonight on FOX (Global TV in Canada), this TV Addict will be running interviews with series stars Patricia Heaton, Fred Willard, Josh Gad and Ty Burrell all week long.

First up, Patricia Heaton, who had a lot to say about what it takes to succeed in Hollywood, the perils of child acting and the possibility of a crossover with former EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND co-star Brad Garrett.

I’m not sure if you know this, but in Toronto [the TV Addict's hometown] you’re huge. Both yours and Kelsey’s [Grammer] heads were absolutely everywhere when the show premiered. Buses, Billboards, did you ever imagine your career would turn out how it did?
Patricia Heaton: I didn’t know if it would happen, but I always thought it should! [laughs] And I think you kind of have to have that ego as an actor, to suffer for the fifteen years where I didn’t have any work at all, watched all of my friends get married, buy houses, children. All the while I’m sharing an apartment with two other strangers in Hell’s Kitchen and waitressing and summarizing depositions from midnight to 8AM.

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Live from Hollywood Blvd…. it’s the TV Addict.

Yup, taking my television addiction to new heights, this TV Addict has travelled from Toronto to Los Angeles today to attend the FOX January Launch celebrating TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. Yes clearly, the TV Addict has a problem.

That said, I can’t wait to provide you all with all the scoop that’s fit to print. Not only will I be attending the TERMINATOR launch tonight, I’ll be spending tomorrow interviewing some of the stars of your favorite FOX shows. So if you’ve got a question for the cast of TERMINATOR, BACK TO YOU’s Patricia Heaton and Fred Willard, UNHITCHED’s Craig Bierko, PRISON BREAK’s Amaury Nolasco, Dominic Purcell and if we’re very very lucky BONES’ David Boreanaz — post away in the comments below.

You can also follow the TV Addict’s Hollywood adventure by becoming my friend on twitter, or simply checking out the twitter badge below.

Recently, the TV Addict was thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with BACK TO YOU star Ayda Field. Field plays meteorologist Montana Diaz Herrera on the hit Fox Comedy BACK TO YOU and was kind enough to spend a few minutes reveling in our mutual adoration of Kelsey Grammer and the short-lived, yet brilliant STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

The TV Addict: Are you as happy as I am that Kelsey Grammer is back on television?

Ayda Field: Absolutely! When FRASIER ended I was so sad. I loved the show and everyone on it. In fact, a few nights ago, I was watching an old episode and Frasier was talking to Daphne… It was so trippy — because I was thinking. That’s me! I get to do that. I just worked with him that afternoon. It’s such a great feeling to work with people who you look up to and admire. You don’t get over that.

Any talk of FRASIER alumni visiting BACK TO YOU?

Oh I’m sure. One of the creators of the show and a bunch of the writers were on FRASIER. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see if it happened.

Last season you starred on one of my favorite shows, STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP. What happened?

I think it was a combination of a very expensive show and a ratings system that doesn’t work. Personally, everyone I knew TiVo’d the show, so I don’t think the ratings were really reflective of how many people watched the show.

I also think audiences expected the show to be funnier — like 30 ROCK. STUDIO 60 was a very smart show. Some people called it self-congratulatory while others loved it. Whatever you felt about it — it was an intelligent show and great to work on. Matthew Perry, Aaron Sorkin, Tommy Schlamme were amazing.

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