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

Wednesday, March 5

Shifting Gears - "Career" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Georgia invites Matt and Riley to speak at her school’s Career Day, where playful competition turns tense when Riley learns Georgia is ashamed of her job. Meanwhile, Gabriel mentors Carter’s car project until a more urgent piece of business arises.

Abbott Elementary - "Books" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A debate over a controversial book leads Ava to remove it from the library, but some parents push for its return.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 3)

Wednesday, March 5

Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones/The Unicorn/Vice Principals) - Watch Walton on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Mike Epps (The Upshaws/Uncle Buck/Survivor's Remorse) - Mike is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Mindy Kaling (Running Point/The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Mitra Jouhari (Clone High/Three Busy Debras), Sandy Honig (Three Busy Debras) and Alyssa Stonoha (Three Busy Debras) - Mitra, Sandy and Alyssa are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Tony Danza (Taxi/Who's the Boss?/Hudson Street/The Tony Danza Show) - Tony talks about Power Book III: Raising Kanan on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick appears on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Parker Posey (Search Party/The Return of Jezebel James) - Parker talks about The White Lotus on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered/Married/Second Generation Wayans) - Regina guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Tan France (Deli Boys - Tan talks about Deli Boys on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling tells Sherri about his new role on the hit Hulu series Paradise on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Melissa Peterman (Happy's Place/Young Sheldon/Baby Daddy/Working Class/Reba) - Melissa talks about her hit NBC show Happy's Place on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber/The Brian Benben Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell talks about Power Book III: Raising Kanan on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Jennie Garth (Mystery Girls/What I Like About You) - In a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE with actress Jennie Garth, she shares her formula for fulfillment and how she created the “I Choose Me” movement on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.