SitcomsOnline Digest: The Big Bang Theory Gets LEGO Treatment; Viacom Cable Networks Undergoing Changes

Saturday, February 11, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: The Big Bang Theory Gets LEGO Treatment; Viacom Cable Networks Undergoing Changes

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It hasn't been a busy news week, but we did get to see The Big Bang Theory (in LEGO form), we're (already) hearing of a potential reboot of American Idol, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

In case you've ever wondered what that cast of The Big Bang Theory would look like in LEGO form, we now have an answer. (Deadline)
There are lots of changes going on at Viacom's cable networks, including rebranding Spike as Paramount Network (something that was once proposed and abandoned for the now defunct UPN) and an uncertain future for TV Land. (Hollywood Reporter)
When the American Idol "finale" aired last year, it was pretty obvious that wasn't the end of the road for that series, and now it appears NBC might be interested in reviving it already. (Billboard)
After 13 seasons and several changes in format and host (including the infamous Pat O'Brien), the syndicated entertainment newsmagazine The Insider is finally coming to an end. (Deadline)
Bob Costas is "passing the torch" (so to speak) as the primary host of the Olympics on NBC, beginning with the 2018 winter games. (ESPN)
Netflix has a busy slate of original programming in the works. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 7) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Beavis and Butt-head - The Complete Collection

Beavis and Butt-head - The Complete Collection (DVD, $45.98): While the name of the collection is misleading (it isn't really complete as it only includes all of the previously released DVDs, which still excluded a significant portion of the original series), you can get most of the best cartoon shorts of the classic MTV cartoon and many extras in this release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Randall Park (Twitter), "Defunct Mall in Ohio"

Claim to Fame: Obviously, we're not actually featuring a dead mall as our "Follow Me" this week (although that description of who he is did inspire us to look up this former mall near Cleveland, OH, which has an interesting story), but this Randall Park is a person, who plays Louis Huang in ABC's Fresh Off the Boat. He was born to Korean immigrant parents in 1974, and made his screen debut in 2003, with guest roles on several TV series. Fresh Off the Boat, though, is his first (and probably not last) sitcom starring role.

Pick of the Tweets: "TONIGHT! An all new ep of #ChildrensHospital at 11pm on #adultswim! For once, I get to act without a wig! (pic)" (March 4, 2016)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, April 9

Young Sheldon - "A Slump, a Cross and Roadside Gravel" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sheldon and Georgie mine for platinum in roadside gravel. Also, Mary is concerned when Missy misuses religion to help with a batting slump.

Man with a Plan - "Adam's Big Little Lie" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Adam promises not to lie to Andi again but finds himself in a tough spot when he has to cover for Joe.

Mom - "Hot Butter and Toxic Narcissism" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Christy regrets fleeing the scene after hitting a parked car. Also, Bonnie’s therapist, Trevor (Rainn Wilson), offers tools to help her better communicate with Adam.

Broke - "Jobs" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Jackie encourages Javier and Elizabeth to get jobs so they can contribute financially to the household, Javier gets work as a ride share driver, with Luis’ help, and Elizabeth is employed as a personal shopper. Also, Jackie worries Sammy will get hurt by becoming so close with his uncle Javier.

Last Man Standing - "Garage Band" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A car restoration article throws Mike, Chuck, and Ed into the spotlight, while leaving Joe feeling unappreciated; Ryan overreacts after taking Kyle's psych test.

Last Man Standing - "A Bedtime Story" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mike tries to avoid hurting Vanessa's feelings due to her snoring; Mandy goes overboard preparing for the arrival of Kristin and Ryan's new baby.

Superstore - "" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - "Valloweaster" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The squad competes in an effort to determine who is the greatest human/genius.

Will & Grace - "We Love Lucy" (NBC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Will claims living with Grace is like Ricky living with Lucy. When Karen and Jack hear this, they each claim that they are the Lucy of the group. Grace, Karen, and Jack each imagine themselves as Lucy (during “Vitameatavegamin,” “Chocolate Factory,” and “Grape-Stomping”), with Will as the Ricky to all of them. Lucie Arnaz and Leslie Jordan guest star.

Indebted - "Everybody's Talking About King and Queens" (NBC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Debbie decides to become a certified life coach to help her and Stew get out of debt and immediately make waves in Dave and Rebecca’s lives. Stew rejects Joanna’s help while trying to come up with a great new as-seen-on-TV product.

Better Things - "High Man. Bye Man" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Sam goes to the weed store and visits her brother; Frankie and Sam eat ice cream.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 6)

Thursday, April 9

Don Cheadle (Black Monday/House of Lies/The Golden Palace) - Catch Don on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12:05am on ABC.
Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered) - Regina appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12:05am on ABC. She will also be on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Jane is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Abby Elliott (Indebted/Odd Mom Out) and Adam Pally (Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Abby and Adam are guests on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig will be on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Casey Wilson (Marry Me/The Hotwives/Happy Endings) - Casey appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
Danielle Schneider (The Hotwives) - Danielle is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
Victor Rasuk (How to Make It in America) - Victor previews the new series The Baker and the Beauty on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
David Spade (Rules of Engagement/8 Simple Rules/Just Shoot Me!) - David appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Rob Lowe (The Grinder/Parks and Recreation) - Rob is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Kim Fields (The Facts of Life/Living Single) - Kim appears on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Christine Baranski (Happy Family/Welcome to New York/Cybill) - Christine will be on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
Tim Robbins (The Brink) - Tim is a guest on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Busy Philipps (Vice Principals/Cougar Town) - Busy appears on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Daniella Monet (Baby Daddy/Victorious/Listen Up!) - Daniella cooks lentil soup on a repeat of Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.