The bad, sad news dropped earlier today. Basic-cable network TBS, which currently syndicates My Name Is Earl, has declined to pick up the comedy following its cancellation at NBC last month. That means the sitcom is now officially finished. *sniffle*

Blame the latest disastrous and final development in the comedy’s struggle to survive on failed negotiations. Apparently, Turner, which owns TBS (and also TNT), and the sitcom’s production studio, Twentieth Century Fox TV, were unable to reach an agreement that would have allowed production of new episodes to continue.
The culprit? Money, as always. It seems one or both sides couldn’t come …read more

Tomorrow, May 14, is season finale time for NBC’s Thursday Night Comedy lineup, and first up at 8pm ET is My Name Is Earl, which closes its 27-episode fourth season without a renewal for a fifth. Called “Dodge’s Dad,” the episode features guest star Norm MacDonald of Saturday Night Live and The Norm Show, who returns to reprise his role as the title character, also known as Little Chubby.

Tonight’s (May 7) NBC comedy lineup includes special guest star Alan Alda (The West Wing, ER, M*A*S*H) on 30 Rock.
Keep reading to learn what else is happening on all four sitcoms. And, remember, next Thursday, May 14, is season-finale time for each of the shows.
MY NAME IS EARL
Inside Probe, Part 2: The intriguing story of Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher’s disappearance told in Part One concludes dramatically. Earl and Randy think it was an alien abduction, Darnell suspects a hundred-year-old feud, and Joy and Catalina believe it had something to do with Ernie’s freaky sex tapes. When the truth …read more

There are just three more fresh episodes left in the current seasons of NBC’s four Thursday primetime sitcoms. Here’s what’s coming up tonight.
MY NAME IS EARL
Inside Probe, Part 1: When Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher disappears, Geraldo Rivera’s TV show Inside Probe arrives in Camden to investigate. Eight years later, the story has become a murder case, with Earl and Randy the prime suspects as Rivera’s report finally airs on television. Yet, after NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip provides clues from the fateful night, other Camden residents also become suspects. The episode concludes next week. [8pm]

NBC has a fantastic episode of My Name Is Earl in store for fans tonight. None other than Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover is dropping by to play Darnell’s (Eddie Steeples) absentee dad Thomas during “My Name Is Alias.”
Thomas shows up in Camden claiming that he wants to make amends with his son. Fortunately, Earl and Randy are immediately suspicious, and they make a trip to Joy and Darnell’s new Witness Protection home to warn the couple.

I guarantee that fans of old-school nighttime soaps are gonna love MY NAME IS EARL’s brand-new episode “Friends with Benefits” tonight at 8pm EST. It features Falcon Crest’s Morgan Fairchild and Knots Landing’s Joan Van Ark as guest stars. How sweet is that?
Now all we need is somebody from Dallas and the nostalgic circle of joy would be complete. Also dropping by during the episode is Less Than Perfect alumna Andrea Parker.
When Mr. Turtle finds his way home after being lost, Earl decides to return him to Darnell, who’s in Witness Protection and currently living in an …read more

I just know all the Mad Men fans out there can’t wait for the next fresh episode of 30 Rock called “Generalissimo.” That’s because it features the one and only John Hamm, who happens to play Don Draper on AMC’s Emmy-winning, critically acclaimed period drama.
On NBC’s own Emmy-winning sitcom, Hamm guest stars as Dr. Drew Baird, Liz Lemon’s cute single neighbor and latest love thang, as the photo above clearly shows. Somehow, I don’t think the relationship is going to work out too well because, well, these things never do for poor, lovelorn Liz. That’s one of …read more

Burn Notice fans are in for a huge delight tonight when the USA Network crime dramedy returns to resume its second season at 10pm EST with the premiere “Do No Harm.”
Longtime viewers will remember that the midseason hiatus began with a bomb waiting for Michael in his apartment. Well, I’m happy to say the former spy survives the disastrous explosion, but it does leave a noticeable mark on his attitude.
As a result, when he decides to help a father with a dying son who has been scammed by a shady drug company, Michael’s approach gives the series a fresh …read more

Talk about a nostalgic throwback to the good ol’ days of TV. Original CHiPs man Erik Estrada, better known to some folks as just Ponch, guest stars on the next episode of My Name Is Earl, tomorrow’s “Darnell Outed.” Sadly, however, he won’t be playing a tight-pants-wearing motorcycle cop from Cali.
Instead, Estrada is taking on the role of — surprise! — himself as the host of a fictional new reality show with the catchy name Estrada or Nada. When the program heads to Camden in search of talent, Earl convinces Joy to give it a go, and …read more

NBC’s Thursday-night Comedy Done Right lineup returns almost intact tonight, save for The Office, which is a repeat of the current season’s “The Surplus.”
Add a new episode of Ugly Betty for America Ferrera et al fans, and that means there’s a pretty good night of primetime comedy on the way today, January 8.
My Name Is Earl
Got the Babysitter Pregnant
Now there’s a suggestive title, although it’s not what fans might think. Earl didn’t get the babysitter pregnant himself, but he sure plotted to mess her life up when she broke his heart. Older and wiser and with a Karma …read more