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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, June 18

Shifting Gears - "Restoration" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt, the widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, is confronted with his most unexpected and challenging project yet when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her adolescent children come crashing back into his life.

Shifting Gears - "Accommodations" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt joins Riley at Carter’s high school open house, where he’s unsettled to learn about the “accommodations” made for his grandson’s anxiety. Meanwhile, Riley reconnects with Caitlin, a former classmate, and sets her up with Gabriel.

Shifting Gears - "Job" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley, desperate for work, reluctantly takes a job at Matt’s shop. Meanwhile, Gabriel and Stitch secretly stray from Matt’s vision on a high-stakes restomod project.

Shifting Gears - "Grief" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Riley discovers a closet filled with her late mother’s clothes, she insists Matt hasn’t processed her death and urges him to see a grief counselor. Meanwhile, Gabriel faces a crisis of confidence when he’s put in charge of the shop for a day.

Children Ruin Everything - "Emergencies" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
During a family emergency, with both James and Astrid busy at work, they need to rethink their childcare plan.

Children Ruin Everything - "Sex" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Astrid and James get some much-needed adult time when they convince Nisha to take the kids for the night; their night gets complicated however, when a small lie grows out of control.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "House of Probation" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Calvin and Laura are met with unexpected news, while Curtis and Glo join forces against Mrs. Wellington; Calvin and Miranda must navigate the complexities of co-parenting.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "It Takes a Village" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Vinny attempts to take matters into his own hands with the armed crimes around the neighborhood; the facility is in an uproar regarding their safety after the armed crimes around the neighborhood.

The Ms. Pat Show - "The Graduation Party" (BET, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Janelle has a big confession to make at her high school graduation party; Brandon's surprise decision sparks a huge fight with Ashley.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 16)

Wednesday, June 18

Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia/Luis) - Watch Charlie on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) - Miley is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself/Schitt's Creek) - Annie appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Allison Williams (Girls) - Allison drops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Cole Escola (Human Resources/Search Party/Mozart in the Jungle/Difficult People) - Cole appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Reid Scott (Veep/My Boys/It's All Relative) - Reid is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - E! News has an interview with Keke at 11pm on E!.
Retta (Parks and Recreation) - NBC's Today catches up with Retta in the 9am hour.
Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Cynthia talks about The Gilded Age on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Fortune Feimster (FUBAR/Kenan/Bless the Harts/Champions) - Fortune is sharing her hilarious take on the hottest headlines of the day and telling Drew about her latest Netflix standup special on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.