Something you don't expect any NBC show that isn't The Voice to be asking: "Are you better off than a year ago?" Leave it to cockeyed optimist Leslie Knope (the sublime Amy Poehler), the hopeful heart and resilient soul of Parks and Recreation, to set herself up for a smackdown in the too-soon season finale (Thursday, 9:31/8:31c), by posing this question at a public forum that she naively sees as a "victory lap" to celebrate her one-year anniversary in office. While Leslie contends with a Pawnee version of Tea Party-style opposition — in this town, more like "sweet tea," with extra sugar in a 512 oz. cup — Andy (Chris Pratt) adopts his bumbling "Burt Macklin, FBI" persona (always a win) to solve a mystery that could change one of his co-worker's life forever. NBC is certainly better off for sticking with this show as it has improved over the seasons to become the network's most reliably enjoyable comedy — even though this already eventful and possibly pivotal episode would have been better off without the subplot involving Tom's "Rent-a-Swag" business and his contentious relationship with Jean-Ralphio's horror-show sister Mona Lisa (Jenny Slate).
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On Thursday, The Big Bang Theory will welcome Bob Newhart to its ranks in a role inspired by showrunner Steve Molaro's real life.
The comedy legend will play Professor Proton, the former host of a children's television show, a la Bill Nye the Science Guy, that both Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) grew up watching. When Sheldon discovers Professor Proton can be hired out to work private functions, the duo jump at the chance to meet their childhood hero — a feeling Molaro knows firsthand...
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That's a wrap! The stakes are rarely higher for a TV series than at the end of a season — whether it's signing off until next fall with a climactic grand gesture or taking a well-earned final bow. As part of TV Guide Magazine's Finale Preview issue (on newsstands this week), and reflecting the magazine's ongoing celebration of its 60th anniversary, we take a fond look at 60 of the best series and season finales of all time. We hate goodbyes, except when they're done this well.
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No bazinga about it: The Big Bang Theory dominated TV Guide Magazine's Fan Favorites Awards with wins for Favorite Comedy, Ensemble and Actor (Jim Parsons). "Well, hot damn!" says Parsons, who has spent the past six seasons as theoretical physicist Sheldon Cooper on the smash CBS comedy. "I'm...
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Bob Newhart, 83, often turns down requests to guest star on sitcoms, so kudos to CBS's The Big Bang Theory for landing him on its May 2 episode. Exec producer Chuck Lorre asked him what it...
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