The Pittsburgh-set Fox sitcom "Back to You" returns tonight with a new episode airing at 9:30 after "American Idol."

Cleveland native Fred Willard, who plays sports anchor Marsh McGinley, said he hopes the series represents Pittsburgh well.

"I had an aunt who lived in Roslyn Farms, up above Carnegie," Willard said. "I used to go in to see baseball games in town. That was before they rebuilt Pittsburgh. Now it's a whole different city than it was then. My uncle worked for U.S. Steel."

Willard said he spoke with a Pittsburgh anchor the night they filmed the "Back to You" pilot (Ken Rice, perhaps? We know he was there. Willard thought it was a sports anchor though, so who knows).

"He was telling me funny stories about a colorful, politically incorrect sportscaster and he told me some of the things he would say that I can't get away with in a comedy," said Willard, possibly referring to the late Bill Currie. "I haven't modeled [my character] after anyone in particular. I'm just fascinated with sportscasters, in particular the ones that are ex-athletes."

Willard said he doesn't watch much TV, but he has a few favorites, including "30 Rock," "Monk" and "Boston Legal."

"I'm fascinated with Bill Shatner," he said. "For a long time people were making fun of him and he's turned it around and I'd love to be doing what he's doing now."