CBS Testing Two-Hour Sitcom Block On Thursdays?; Bernie Mac Not Joining Centric, Jamie Foxx Remains

Thursday, February 23, 2012

CBS Testing Two-Hour Sitcom Block On Thursdays?; Bernie Mac Not Joining Centric, Jamie Foxx Remains

CBS announced late yesterday that on Thursday, April 12, they will air a second hour of sitcoms in the 9pm hour on this date only. Perhaps this is a test for next season to open up a second hour of sitcoms on the night? On this night, The Big Bang Theory and Rules of Engagement will in their normal 8pm & 8:30pm time periods, but at 9:00pm will have a second Big Bang followed by an airing of 2 Broke Girls at 9:30pm. As of now, the 9:00pm hour comedies are repeats, but could this still be a test for a second hour of comedy? Freshman drama Person of Interest will air an hour later at 10:00pm on this night instead of The Mentalist. Now The Mentalist could be on the move next season. CBS also announced that an original episode of The Mentalist will air on Friday, March 9 at 9:00pm instead of A Gifted Man, which is likely not going to return next season. This could be a test to see if The Mentalist can do well on Fridays if they want to open up a two-hour comedy block on Thursday and shift Person of Interest to 10pm or to another night next season.
All of this is just talk for now, but it is certainly interesting on why CBS has made these changes for March 9 and April 12 only. We will find out in May at the upfronts if CBS does go with a two-hour comedy block on Thursday nights next season. What do you think they should do? Sound off to us on Twitter @SitcomsOnline and Facebook. What four comedies would you schedule, if you think they should?

Earlier this week we mentioned that Bernie Mac will be airing on Centric starting Feb. 27 replacing The Jamie Foxx Show, but now Centric has changed their mind. Now The Jamie Foxx Show will remain in its 2-3pm and 7-8pm timeslots and Bernie Mac will not join the network. Bernie Mac will continue to air on sister network BET weekdays from 8-10am. No idea why Centric changed their mind, but even this weekend's (Feb. 24-25) marathon of Bernie Mac will not air. Instead a marathon of The Jamie Foxx Show will air.
Everything else we mentioned earlier in the week will remain, including the other weekend marathons in March.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, April 29

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Name Drop" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Marty and Courtney's baby name gets spread around because nobody can keep a secret; Dave is assigned the ever-complicated task of assembling the diaper changing table.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Olu! I Popped!" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Bob and Abishola plan a trip to Las Vegas for Kemi’s wedding and Kemi and Chukwuemeka get into an argument over his mother.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 29)

Monday, April 29

Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness) - Watch Melanie on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about The Tattooist of Auschwitz on NBC's Today some time between 7-9am.
Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She will also be on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
Gayle Rankin (GLOW) - Gayle appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Caroline Rhea (Sydney to the Max/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/Pride & Joy) - Caroline is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/The Ellen Show/Welcome to New York) - Jim stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Caroline Rhea (Sydney to the Max/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/Pride & Joy) - Caroline is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Rachael Harris (Surviving Jack/In the Motherhood/Notes from the Underbelly) - Rachael appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet) - Co-host Gayle King sits down with Drew on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
Laura Benanti (Younger/The Detour/Go On/Starved) - NBC's Today catches up with Laura in the 9am hour.
Rocky Carroll (Roc/Welcome to New York) - Rocky tells Sherri about the hit CBS show NCIS on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Bebe Neuwirth (Cheers/Frasier) - Bebe talks about Cabaret at the Kit Cat Club on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That.../Second Time Around) - Nicole discusses her Gymwrap sweat band line on Access Daily with Mario & Mit, so check your local listings.
Seth Rogen (Platonic/Undeclared) - Seth is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Brandon Scott Jones (Ghosts/The Other Two/The Good Place) - Brandon talks about Ghosts on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.