‘The Big Bang Theory’ season 7 spoilers: ‘Southland’s’ Regina King to return

As sad as the news is about the end of TNT’s critical favorite “Southland,” the one bit of silver lining is that Regina King is now able to share the love more with some other shows. This means in particular “The Big Bang Theory,” as it was announced on Monday that she will be back in the Human Resources department this coming season.

The two episodes that featured King last season were some of the strongest, and she possesses a very different sort of energy than the rest of the characters as a no-nonsense authority figure. She also allowed for yet another side of Sheldon (even for him) to come out, when we realized that he is not exactly cognizant of what the African-American experience is in modern-day culture. (It was definitely awkward turned up to another level.)

King’s return comes at a time, interestingly enough, when there has really been next to nothing else announced about the new season thus far. Bob Newhart will return eventually as Professor Proton, but it could be anytime this year. The only confirmed details are that we will see Leonard aboard the boat at the start of the season (possibly sporting a beard), and that Howard and Bernadette are not necessarily going to be thinking about children, despite the press peppering them with questions about it as though this is the only part of their life that matters now.

It was also announced on Monday that “The Big Bang Theory” will be airing two episodes back-to-back to start off season 7 on September 26, a move by and large designed to ensure that another show in “The Crazy Ones” gets off to a crazy-good start. If you want to read more news about that, you can do so over here.

Photo: CBS