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

Wednesday, October 16

The Goldbergs - "Animal House" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Barry decides to rush a fraternity, but it doesn’t quite work out as he expects. Meanwhile, Beverly and Murray find themselves getting closer to being empty nesters, which means more hobbies and activities for Beverly and more TV for Murray.

Schooled - "Kick Like a Girl" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Hoping to improve the football team’s chances at winning the title, Coach Mellor and Principal Glascott recruit star soccer player Felicia to kick field goals. But soon, she is treated like one of the guys, which affects her relationship with fellow player Reza. Meanwhile, CB chaperones an overnight ski trip and hopes to get in some quality time with Lainey but is constantly thwarted by socially awkward Tom Scott.

Modern Family - "Pool Party" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Mitch and Cam help Lily overcome her insecurities about wearing a bathing suit to a pool party but discover their own. Meanwhile, now that Gloria’s new internship is taking up so much of her time, Jay is feeling particularly neglected.

Single Parents - "Big Widow Wives" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After a house incident leaves Graham in fear of staying in his and Angie’s home, Angie enlists Will to help her get the house back together; however, there is a hiccup in the plan as Angie discovers a possum on the loose that she has to deal with. Meanwhile, Poppy discovers that Douglas is lying to her about a weekly poker game he must attend, as he participates in a weekly widow’s support group instead, causing Poppy to get a little jealous of his emotional vulnerability with the women in his support group.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang Chokes" (FXX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Annoyed that the gang failed to react as he nearly choked to death on an appetizer, Frank decides the waiter, his savior, is the only person who has his back.

Family Time - "Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number" (Bounce TV, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Devin starts dating an older woman, which has Tony and Lisa concerned; Ebony's school project inspires her to go vegan.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 14)

Wednesday, October 16

Jennifer Aniston (Friends/Muddling Through/Ferris Bueller/Molloy) - Watch Jennifer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Dane Cook (Maybe This Time) - Dane appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Whoopi Goldberg (Whoopi) - Whoopi is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
John Goodman (The Conners/Roseanne/Center of the Universe/Normal, Ohio) - John appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Ed Helms (The Office) - Ed is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie/Burning Love/Players) - June appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Thomas and Whitney are panelists on Lights Out with David Spade at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?/Romantically Challenged) - Alyssa chats with the ladies of The View about her book Project Middle School (Alyssa Milano’s Hope #1) on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly/Samantha Who?) - Melissa visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Michael Rapaport (Awkward/The War at Home) - Michael stops by The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory/8 Simple Rules) - Kaley is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself/Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later/Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp/Wild Oats) - Paul talks about Netflix's Living with Yourself on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
Ali Wong (American Housewife/Are You There, Chelsea?) - Ali talks about Dear Girls on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
William Jackson Harper (The Good Place) - William talks about The Good Place on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
Angela Kinsey (The Office/Haters Back Off/Your Family or Mine) and Jenna Fischer (Splitting Up Together/The Office) - Angela and Jenna talk about the Office Ladies Podcast on NBC's Today in the 10am hour and on the BUILD Series at 2pm.
Julie Andrews (Julie) - Julie talks about her book Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years on the BUILD Series at 5pm.