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

Thursday, January 22

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Will and a Dead Man’s Wife" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie’s not ready for his mother to start dating again. Meanwhile, Jim and Audrey struggle to make their wills.

Ghosts - "Kyle" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam and Jay’s relationship is tested when Kyle (Ben Feldman), a handsome living who shares Sam’s ability to see ghosts, arrives at Woodstone B&B.

Animal Control - "Dragons and Dognappers" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Rob Gronkowski returns and asks the team for help rehoming a zebra; Emily and Shred's first date goes awry when they unexpectedly run into Daisy and Patel on their night out; Frank must defend Templeton when Templeton is accused of dognapping.

Going Dutch - "Farmer's Mark-tet Offensive" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After a messy breakup, the Colonel and Katja find themselves going to war between the town and the base; Capt. Maggie tries to de-escalate the tension between the two ex-lovers and negotiate a truce.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)

Thursday, January 22

Mike Epps (The Upshaws/Uncle Buck/Survivor's Remorse) - Catch Mike on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. NBC's Today catches up with Anthony in the 10am hour.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - Sean is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica talks about Shrinking on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners) - Michael talks about Shrinking on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Craig Robinson (Killing It/Ghosted/Mr. Robinson/The Office/Lucky) - Craig talks about Broadway' All Out on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Deon Cole (grown-ish/Angie Tribeca/black-ish) - Deon joins Sherri to discuss hosting this year's NAACP Image Awards on BET on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Heidi Gardner (Shrinking) - Heidi tells Sherri about her star turn in the new Broadway comedy All Out: Comedy About Ambition on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Kyle MacLachlan (Carol's Second Act/Sex and the City) - Kyle tells Drew about the latest season of his thrilling hit show Fallout and plays a round of memory bank dishing on his biggest moments and roles revealing which Sex and the City character he identifies most with on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson tells Drew about the newest season of the hit show Tell Me Lies, how he started dating co-star Grace Van Patten, growing up on set with his actress mom and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - Howie talks about Netflix's Best Guess Live on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.