Let me start this post off by saying I love Frasier. In college, I could always fall asleep to the soothing sounds of Frasier Crane’s voice. And even now, I enjoy reruns of the show. However, Hank is no Frasier. The show centers around Hank Pryor (Kelsey Grammar), who just lost his job as a powerful CEO of a sporting goods company, and has to move back to Virginia. He is forced to deal with his family and his new life. The second most familiar face is David Koechner who plays Grady, his brother-in-law. The concept is clever, but it felt like Frasier loses his job. Kelsey Grammar is just so ingrained in my mind as Frasier Crane, that it’s hard to see him as anyone else. I laughed a few times, I will admit that. But overall, it fell short as a new sitcom. I think it needs to focus on the laughs and less on the crazy antics and the jokes about the “small” house and lack of a maid. I love Kelsey Grammar, and I hope he finds success in this show, but I’m just not sold.

However, Michael Ausiello (EW Ausiello Files) reported yesterday:

“Lauren Graham’s ex-Gilmore Girls BFF Melissa McCarthy — who just wrapped a two-year run as a member of Christina Applegate’s entourage on Samantha Who? — is joining the ABC sitcom on a recurring basis, sources confirm to me exclusively. McCarthy is playing Dawn, the wife of David Koechner’s Grady and sister-in-law to Grammer’s Hank.”

I love Gilmore Girls. If you have read some previous posts, you know that it is one of my favorite shows of all time. I am glad to see Melissa McCarthy on this show, and I hope she adds some much needed positive energy. Also, apparently the pilot was re-shot, so I have slightly higher hopes than I did at first.

Hank premieres Wednesday, September 30th at 8 PM on ABC.