The producers of the promising new comedy Back To You may be looking to reboot the sitcom now that it’s back in originals on Fox. A source close to the production says that actress Ayda Field (pictured), who plays weather girl Montana Diaz Herrera, may leave the freshman laugher to make way for a new cast member. Herrera is expected to appear in at least one more episode before departing the comedy that stars Patricia Heaton and Kelsey Grammer as two anchors who work for a Pittsburgh TV station. Meanwhile, a Fox spokesman said the producers decided to “go in a different direction” by casting Lily Jackson (My Name is Earl) as 10-year-old Gracie Carr, the daughter of Kelly (Heaton) and Chuck (Grammer). Gracie was previously played by Laura Marano. Jackson made her first appearance in the April 16 episode. Back To You will wrap its first season on May 14.
'Back to You' undergoes casting changes
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Comments (1-30) of 38 Add your comment
i liked this show the way it’s been going, especially Ayda Field’s character. i hope they’re not getting rid of her to make room for the lame blond from this week’s episode. That’s just so …done.
Both absences were noted and both actresses will be missed. Laura Marano was a natural in the role.
But I fear for Back to You’s future.
I’m only the second comment of the day! This confoundingly unsung series is flying too low under the radar.
Lame! I love Laura Marano. Looking at the new Gracie, she looks a lot younger than Laura. Laura had such a great chemistry with Kelsey Grammer. I hate to see her go.
There is another site linked to the Fox web site which has MANY of the same comments. This show has been ruined by these cast changes, and apparently more to come. I can’t believe that a show as crisp as this one began has been allowed to do this. Imagine “Cheers” suddenly replacing Sam Malone, or “Frasier” suddenly replacing Martin Crane or Roz Doyle! It’s ridiculous! Bring back Gracie and Montana! And keep the entire cast intact!
There is another site linked to the Fox web site which has MANY of the same comments. This show has been ruined by these cast changes, and apparently more to come. I can’t believe that a show as crisp as this one began has been allowed to do this. Imagine “Cheers” suddenly replacing Sam Malone, or “Frasier” suddenly replacing Martin Crane or Roz Doyle! It’s ridiculous! Bring back Gracie and Montana! And keep the entire cast intact!
I agree with the other comments. I am dissappointed to see the original gracie gone as well as Ayda Field. Both of whom were my favorite ppl on the show.
I hate to see Marano go she was great I also like Field she she was a strong charter. I love the show the only week link if I had to pick is the news director.
taking Laura Marano off the show is stupid as…oh…replacing Billie Bruno on According to Jim. Laura is a scene stealer, that’s why she had to go. Shame on Kelsey. Laura should be given her own show.
I am so upset that they replaced the original Gracie ( Laura Marano.). She played so well against both Patricia Heaton and Kelsey Grammer. Who makes these decisions!!!! I really don’t think that I can look at the relationship between the characters the same way again. I liked this show very much just the way it was. VERY BAD DECISION!!!!!!!
I totally agree with you Jackie. I don’t know who thought that it would be a good idea to replace such a talented actress. I wish there was some way we could protest this action and bring back Laura. LAURA MARANO FOREVER!!
Marano great! Why would they do that??? She’s incredibly talented and I really feel like it’s a huge mistake to “go in a different direction”. She’ll get picked up somewhere else soon and I’d watch that show.
I’m disappointed about Laura leaving the show. She believable as a child of a single parent and more street wise. She wouldn’t let anyone push her around. The new actress I’m sure is good, but looks too young and innocent to be the daughter of Kelly and Chuck. The connection is just not there.
I agree with some of the other comments, I really liked Laura in the role of Gracie. She was very believable, and had great chemistry with Kelsey. Also, the new actress seems cute and funny, but looks too young. Laura does deserve her own show!
They replaced a talented young actress for a much younger dud. They should not have replaced the hot Montana either! I hate actor changes, do they think most people don’t notice? Best way to voice my dissatisfaction is to stop watching I guess. How else can we let them know they are idiots. This series is headed down the tubes!
From the outset, it was pretty obvious that the weak supporting cast was going to be the downfall of the show. Having said that, however, I would point more towards Fred Willard and Josh Gad. Sure, Ayda Field was clearly eye candy, but her character surprisingly seemed to be developing some depth as of late. And as for Laura Marano, the only surprise there was that they didn’t fast forward her into her late teens or early twenties. In any event, I doubt that any of this even matters – stunts like this only get pulled to try and salvage an already sinking ship. And the fact that FOX still hasn’t picked it up for a second season should tell you all you need to know. What a waste of two great leads.
To change the cast now that they are warming up is dumb.
My wife and I have discovered this show on the website and been delighted viewing it through our mini-mac and large LCD TV. We’ve laughed so hard our ribs hurt. Now we find that two of the key actors are gone ! Montana is hot and hilarious. And the original Gracie had perfect chemistry too. Bring them back and pay them for the trouble. Its not the same show and there are lots of other options now that I can just browse to another site for another show on demand. And BTW fix your clunky web interface, fox has the worst compared to the other major networks. Shows are out of order and its a pain to get full screen. Pueblo, Colorado.
Montana is/was one of the best parts of the show… hot, funny, youthful, perfect. The original daughter was also nearly ideal in my opinion (and based on the lead actors age, was a better match than the new toddler they brought on). Please, if I’m supposed to believe that Grammer and Heaton are that kid’s parents, they have something to learn about perceptions… grandparents maybe, but not parents. Truth be told, I think the weakness of the show is how they write Grammer’s character. On Frasier, he was funny and intelligent (dispite his ill-advised antics). On this show, he’s dim-witted, immature, and despite his obviously advancing age (which I’m not saying is negative), he apparently gets tons of women who no old TV newsman would have a chance with; completely unrealistic. An old Brad Pitt couldn’t get with the women they’re throwing at him. Spice him up, give the tubby manager guy some better, less emasculating lines, and keep the laughs coming.
I really hate to lose those two. “Montana” had great one liners and the original “Gracie” was perfect for the part. I’m not really sure what different direction Fox is headed for but I have a feeling it’s called LowRatingsville. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the new Gracie will eventually work out and maybe she will grow on some on us. But man, the old Gracie should’ve gotten the news not the new one. It just didn’t feel the same. No more Tivoing it for me. If I catch it, I catch it. If not, oh well.
I missed the first episode back and when watching this week I kept looking at the “gracie” and noticed she was a lot younger and her acting chemistry is not all that good. I loved Cheers and Fraiser and Raymond and I am a fan of Kelsey and Patricia but I believe the casting directors may have ruined what would’ve been a great show with too soon changes in character. Most shows wait until after two or so complete seasons before they drop or add new people. I didn’t like it in soap operas and I really don’t like it now. The new gracie looks 7 and acts like a baby and Ayda Fields character was great.
I really liked the original Gracie and wish they’d bring her back. I agree with another person’s comment that she and Kelsey Grammer worked well together and “fit the role” better than her much younger replacement. Cast shake-ups already? Usually, that means ratings are slipping and the network is hoping to regain them again using replacements. Bad idea, in my opinion. I think FOX would be better off just trying to make this show work WITHOUT that tactic. Ty Burrell is (and Laura was) in my opinion, the only 2 actors on BACK TO YOU that come/came off as “natural”. Everyone else is just trying too hard, and it isn’t working. And let’s try toning down Patricia Heaton a little. The blue dress she wore in last week’s episode and again in tonight’s looks as though it was painted on her. I know Fox wants Kelly to be as far away from Debra Barone as possible, but please, soften her up somewhat.
I have to say they really screwed up switching to a new & younger Gracie. When they originally casted Laura Marano they got it right she had great chemistry with the other actors & really ‘fit’ the role. They really should have stuck with their first choice – because this new girl just isn’t believable, she doesn’t ‘fit’.
I hope someone takes the time to read these comments & gets a clue that maybe they should give the fans what we want!
The writing is nowhere near as crisp as in the beginning. The new Gracie is ugly and totally unlikeable, a real sarcastic brat who is mean to her mother. And the re-kindling romance is so corny, they are trying to fix up a family. And the continuity , there isnt any. Where is that party where they were supposedly making out on the big night? No sign of any of that new year’s. It’s like watching a whole new show. Even Josh Gad’s parts aren’t as big or as funny. Nothing beats that episode with the funeral.
I can’t believe Montana is gone! She was a key part of the show. The new “season is just too weird without both of them.
I am sad to see Laura has been replaced on the show. She seemed like a natural and had a spunkiness that seemed a lot like Patricia’s character.
Bad idea to change the cast, you could have gotten rid of a couple of the men, but Laura was part of the reason I watched the show, after fifth grader to see her develope as an actress was great, bring her back the new kid doesn’t have the personality. I sometimes wonder why the people making decisions can’t see what the audience does!!!!
They got rid of the two best things on that show. Gracie and Montana.
They got rid of the two best things on that show. Gracie and Montana.
Everyone can agree that Laura Marano was perfect for the part of Gracie, Montana wasn’t bad either. The question is why? I am sure the people in charge made informed decisions, otherwise they would not be in their positions. So why get rid of Gracie, a great character that most fans of the show love?
In my opinion, which is pure speculation, is that the show isn’t doing as well as they expected and they want to make sure it doesn’t make a second season.
This is the only reasonable answer to why I could think of, what do you guys think?
What the hell? They get rid of Montana, the best part of the show, and gracie too? it’s like they’re in a panic and just sticking bandaids indescriminately. Note to the producers: you screwed up. Bring back Laura Marano and Montana before it’s too late.