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

Tuesday, February 7

Night Court - "The Apartment" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
In desperate need of a new apartment, Abby turns to Gurgs and her unconventional real estate skills; Dan helps Olivia prepare for the biggest case of her career and a shot at redemption.

American Auto - "Celebrity" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Payne loses their spokesperson, Katherine and the team go to great lengths to woo a new celebrity -- Andy Richter -- only to have second thoughts.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 6)

Tuesday, February 7

Salma Hayek Pinault (30 Rock/The Sinbad Show) - Catch Salma on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about Your Place or Mine on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Paula Pell (Girls5eva/Mapleworth Murders/A.P. Bio) - Paula will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kirby Howell-Baptiste (The Good Place/Barry/Downward Dog) - Kirby appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Elon Gold (Stacked/In-Laws) - Elon is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Ashton Kutcher (The Ranch/Two and a Half Men/That '70s Show) - Ashton will be interviewed on E! News on E! at 11pm.
Alison Brie (GLOW/Community) - Alison is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Fortune Feimster (Kenan/Bless the Harts/Champions) - Fortune joins Tamron to chat about her Netflix comedy special Good Fortune and her new tour Live Laugh Love! on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!/God, the Devil and Bob) - Alan is talking to Drew about his new show and the time he swam in Drew's pool when she wasn't home on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Yvette Nicole Brown (The Mayor/The Odd Couple/Community) - Yvette will be on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
Ron Funches (Loot/Poweless/Undateable) - Ron appears on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet) - Drew is a guest on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am. She will also be interviewed on E! News on E! at 11pm.
Zoe Chao (The Afterparty/Love Life) - Zoe talks about Your Place or Mine on ABC's Good Mornning America some time between 7-9am.
Nick Jonas (Jonas) - NBC's Today catches up with Nick in the 9am hour.