Back To You

Editorial Review

Tune in as Kelsey Grammer takes on one of the most memorable scenes in TV history.

Program Summary

Channel:

When:

8:30 PM, Wednesday, 26 Mar 2008

Rated:

Type:

Comedy

Editorial Review

When Chuck (Kelsey Grammer) discovers that it's Gracie's (Laura Marano) 11th birthday, he offers control-freak Kelly (Patricia Heaton) a hand, by picking up the birthday cake - thus playing a small but significant role in his daughter's special day. After some persuasion Kelly reluctantly consents.

Just as the party is set to begin, things start to go pear shaped. Chuck predictably has cake troubles, and Kelly and Montana (Ayda Field) become concerned when they hear strange noises coming from the attic. Things go from bad to worse when Chuck and the rest of the news crew offer Kelly their pest-control expertise.

This episode was seemingly lacklustre until an evil raccoon reared its head in the second act, reminiscent of the infamous squirrel scene in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. There's something about the concept of a vicious rodent in a room full of petrified people that says "certified hit". Kelsey Grammer has nothing on Chevy Chase when it comes to slapstick rodent-wrestling though.

Perhaps too early for concern, particularly with the aftermath of a writer's strike to contend with, after only seven episodes the show's storyline has become predictably formulaic. Most instalments revolve around Chuck's failed attempts to prove himself to Kelly, accompanied by a succession of hilarious mishaps. However, you could probably feed any rubbish to these talented cast members, and they would find a way to turn it into something mildly respectable.

Back to You airs on Network Ten on Wednesday, March 26, at 8pm.

Katherine Scott, March 2008