' 'Til Death,' the comedy that cannot die

The big surprise this weekend was Fox canceling comedy "Back to You" and, for a third time, renewing its sitcom zombie, the appropriately named " 'Til Death" -- a show that seemingly cannot be killed by any traditional weapon such as low ratings, viewer apathy or critical disregard. 

The move is all the more surprising because "Death" is produced by Sony Pictures Television and "Back" is from 20th Century Fox Television. Typically networks give their sister companies more rope than projects purchased from outsiders. A key issue here is "Back" is more expensive due to the talent salaries of stars Kelsey
Grammer and Patricia Heaton, along with its top-shelf
producers. The last episode falling to a season low 2.1 adults 18-49 rating to nearly matching "Death" didn't help.

Word is that "Back" is being shopped around. Given its cost, cable is out. And given its cost, NBC is out.

CBS is the best personality fit, especially if the network expands its comedy block to another night. But it's tough to see CBS, which has such a strong sitcom lineup, opt for a show it knows in advance its other shows will have to carry like a wounded solider. ABC has been partial to calling secondsies lately, but the possibility of a "Back to You" and "Scrubs" Déjà vu Comedy Hour seems unlikely.   

See here for a full recap of the weekend's pre-upfront dealmaking and deal-breaking scurrying.