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Fox Wednesday Comedies Failing Fast

TVByThe Numbers.com:

The Fox comedies didn’t fare much better with Back to You pulling in 6.5m and a 2.2/7 and ‘Til Death 6.48m and a 2.4/7.

That left the two shows in fourth place for the hour. Not a good spot for a show with high actor salaries.

I have this crazy idea. Let's see what you think of this.

What if no one was coming to Back to You, because they just don't like Patricia Heaton?

Is it that far-fetched to think that sitcom fans (you know, people who like to laugh, enjoy the format and all it's inherent naughtiness and joking) just don't like the woman? Was she the reason anyone tuned into Raymond? Did you appreciate her sticking her nose in the Terri Schiavo situation when she wasn't asked? Why would she go on Entertainment Tonight and discuss the issue like she was an expert, anyway?

And, what of Kelsey? What did that campaigning for Bush and our continued presence in Iraq do for his Q rating? How about his comments about Republicans being the party of personal responsibility while he needed an intervention from all his Frasier co-stars to get into rehab? Did those remarks cause people to think less of him?

Or, maybe it was the month his palacial estate made the cover of Architectural Digest that cause the rift between him and his fan base.

For me, it was all these things. I'm certainly not going to support the careers of these two.

I feel bad for Brad Garrett. He should have looked more closely at that Robert Barone spinoff.

Fox Renews 'Til Death, Could Pair With New Grammer-Heaton Series

The Reporter has word that Brad Garrett's series has been renewed. Fox execs must have a short memory. Note to them: No one watched the show until you put it up after Idol. Get a clue.

They say they want to pair it with the new Kelsey Grammer - Patricia Heaton series formerly called Action News, which has been changed to Back to You. Not a chance in the world that I'll watch that. Both Grammer and Heaton, although they will probably get along just fine, are just not the kind of people whose careers I want to be supporting. Case closed.

So, two multi-camera sitcoms (my favorite kind) that I won't even watch once. Will anyone else?

You Can Lead an "Idol" Audience to "Til Death," But You Can't Make Them Drink

From the Reporter:

"Til Death" (14 million, 5.7/15) followed the half-hour "Idol" at 9:30 p.m. If it didn't retain as many viewers as "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" has over the past two weeks, it still managed to do better than what it's been doing over the Fox schedule. "Til Death" had its highest adults 18-49 rating so far this season.

I know that it's said that House owes it success to being scheduled adjacent to Idol, but it has to be the right show. I don't know if an edgy comedy about marriage is the natural partner to a singing competition show.

And yes, I realize that House is a semi-procedural drama with strong character components about a New Jersey doctor with an injury and a painkiller addiction, but it's also a very well-crafted show.

Sorry, Til Death fans, but I watched it last night only to see Dan Butler revive his Bulldog character from Frasier for one night.