CHUCK LORRE

Billy Gardell is scrupulous about giving credit where it’s due, at home and at work. Chuck Lorre, the prominent producer who cast the actor-comedian in “Mike & Molly” and again in “Bob Hearts Abishola,” has “literally changed my life.” The praise sounds heartfelt, a match for how Gardell comes across: A guy with a working-class background who considers himself remarkably lucky to have landed as a network TV star, twice.

There were constant reminders this past week, when major entertainment companies hawked their wares to advertisers in Manhattan presentations, of the diminished role of broadcast networks.

Friends who bonded in a recovery group, led by Allison Janney's Bonnie, depart "Mom" more able to face life's challenges, but still adept at insults.

CBS' "Mom," which ends May 13, evolved into a funny, moving story of a group of friends who support each other's recovery from addiction.

"The United States of Al" creators on "The Takeout" — 3/19/2021 "The United States of Al" executive producer Chuck Lorre, co-creators Maria Ferrari and David Goetsch, retired General David Petraeus and former Ambassador Ryan Crocker join Major to talk about how real-life events of war translate into plotlines of the new series, as well as the research and writing process that went into it, on this week's episode of "The Takeout with Major Garrett."

Crocker, a former ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, called on the U.S. to allocate "the resources and the mechanisms to process these cases in three months, not three years." "United States of Al" premieres April 1 at 8:30/7:30c on CBS. This character is astonished by the style of life that's available to him here." This character is astonished by the style of life that's available to him here." For more of Major's conversation with the creative team of "United States of Al," Petraeus and Crocker, download "The Takeout" podcast on Art19, iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify and Stitcher.

FILE - Conchata Ferrell arrives at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 16, 2007, in Los Angeles. Ferrell, who became known for her role as Berta the housekeeper on TVs Two and a Half Men, has died. A publicist says the actor died in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles following cardiac arrest, with her family at her side. Ferrell died Monday at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles following cardiac arrest, according to publicist Cynthia Snyder. She received two Emmy supporting actress Emmy nominations for “Two and a Half Men,” and a nod for her role as Susan Bloom on “L.A.

FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2020, file photo Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks in Washington. On Monday, Sept. 7, Harris will travel to Milwaukee, her first traditional campaign trip. Three weeks after joining Joe Biden as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, the California senator is still campaigning largely in front of a computer screen to relatively small audiences. On Monday, Harris will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on her first traditional campaign trip. He said he expects there will be opportunities for Harris to get out in swing states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and Georgia.

The Equalizer, a 1980s drama reboot starring Queen Latifah, and the comedy B Positive with Thomas Middleditch are CBS' fall newcomers. The network's schedule, as with those of other outlets, is dependent on when the two-month TV and movie production halt to contain the coronavirus ends or at least eases. CBS isn't ignoring that reality but hopes to see taping resume sometime this summer, said Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment. We are optimistic we're going to have our shows on in the fall. We have five returning strong freshman shows, and that wasn't going to leave a ton of room for new shows," Kahl said.

Preview: Director Chuck Lorre's unusual beginnings The creator of hit comedies including "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men" shares how he got an unusual start in show business. Watch Thursday on "CBS This Morning" for the full interview.