Robert Voets/CBSSomewhere, Joel McHale is working on his nerd-crushing vice grip. And so is William Shatner.
CBS has announced its new schedule for the 2010-2011 TV season, and in a move that no one saw coming, will be moving Big Bang Theory to Thursday nights at 8—taking on McHale's Community on NBC. And you'll never guess who's going to try to beat down Dwight Schrute and Michael Scott from The Office:
OK, you probably can because he's already mentioned up there, but a new sitcom starring Shatner called $#*! My Dad Says. (You know, based on that "Twitter" thing all the kiddos are talking about.) It's from Will & Grace producers David Kohan and Max Mutchnick and will air opposite The Office, after Big Bang, on CBS' Thursday nights at 8:30.
Other moves: Survivor goes to Wednesdays at 8. CSI: NY moves to Fridays at 9. CSI: Miami is now Sundays at 10.
In other very exciting but more expected news, Alex O'Loughlin and Daniel Dae Kim are coming to your living room Monday nights (10 p.m.) this fall in CBS' redo of Hawaii Five-O. Hooray for the living undead back on TV! (Mick St. John and Jin FTW!)
As reported yesterday, CBS has canceled The New Adventures of Old Christine, Ghost Whisperer, Gary Unmarried, Accidentally on Purpose, Cold Case, Miami Medical, Numb3rs.
Also picked up by CBS today:
Mike and Molly is a comedy from Chuck Lorre ("Two and a Half Men," and "The Big Bang Theory") about a working class Chicago couple who find love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Stars Melissa McCarthy (the original Sookie—Sookie St. James from Gilmore Girls), Billy Gardell and Swoosie Kurtz, who plays Molly's mom.
The Defenders stars Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell in a comedic drama about two colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. (Jerry's other lawyer pilot this season, Rex Is Not My Lawyer, was passed on by NBC.)
Blue Bloods is a New York family cop drama starring Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Will Estes and Bridget Moynahan.
CBS also picked up the untitled Criminal Minds spinoff starring Forest Whitaker for midseason.
Here's the full CBS schedule:
MONDAY
8-8:30 p.m.: How I Met Your Mother
8:30-9 p.m.: Rules of Engagement
9-9:30 p.m.: Two and a Half Men
9:30-10 p.m.: Mike & Molly (new)
10-11 p.m.: Hawaii Five-O (new)
TUESDAY
8-9 p.m.: NCIS
9-10 p.m.: NCIS: Los Angeles
10-11 p.m.: The Good Wife
WEDNESDAY
8-9 p.m.: Survivor (new time)
9-10 p.m.: Criminal Minds
10-11 p.m.: The Defenders (new)
THURSDAY
8-8:30 p.m.: The Big Bang Theory (new time)
8:30-9 p.m.: $#*! My Dad Says (new)
9-10 p.m.: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
10-11 p.m.: The Mentalist
FRIDAY
8-9 p.m.: Medium (new time)
9-10 p.m.: CSI: NY (new time)
10-11 p.m.: Blue Bloods (new)
SATURDAY
8-9 p.m.: Crimetime Saturday
9-10 p.m.: Crimetime Sunday
10-11 p.m.: 48 Hours Mystery
SUNDAY
7-8 p.m.: 60 Minutes
8- 9 p.m.: The Amazing Race
9-10 p.m.: Undercover Boss
10-11 p.m.: CSI: Miami (new time)
What do you think of CBS' bold move? Got any questions for any of the new stars? I'll be speaking with them in a few hours.
________
Follow me on Twitter for constant updates from the New York Upfronts!