Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, co-creators of CBS's 'The Big Bang Theory,' have been bestowed honorary membership to the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science.

See, it pays to be geeky. According to Variety, 'Big Bang Theory' stars Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar will accept the honors on behalf of their producers.

"We are honoring Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and the entire 'Big Bang Theory' team for creating a television program that seamlessly melds science and everyday life," Bruce Gitelman, president of RCI, said in a statement. "The program exposes the public in an entertaining way to the awe and wonder of science and life in general. As the number one series in Canada today, it not only makes science accessible to the public but also entertains many practicing scientists."

In other TV news ...

• 'The Walking Dead' is being adapted into a series of novels. The comic book series by Robert Kirkman, which has already been adapted into a new AMC series, will also be translated to three novels. Kirkman will outline the series to be written by Jay Bonansinga. The books will take place in the universe established in the comic series. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Max Weinberg had to quit 'Conan' because of heart problems. The drummer said reason helped him make his decision not to join Conan O'Brien on his new show. Well, that and his love for living in New Jersey. [Fancast]

• Dr. Oz's wife is getting her own talk show. Lisa Oz is filming a pilot with Sony Television about relationship issues. [Hollywood Reporter]

Though Max Weinberg followed Conan O'Brien to Los Angeles for 'The Tonight Show,' the drummer won't appear on the comedian's new TBS show, 'Conan.'

According to The New York Times, guitarist/keyboardist Jimmy Vivino told The Riverfront Times in St. Louis that he will take over as bandleader when the new show begins in November. "We're staying in L.A. and I'm committed to that now," Vivino said. "It feels different than when we went out and tried to continue the New York show, because now we're disassociated from one network and starting up with a new one. It's going to be great."

Let's hear it for high profile defections. According to Movieline, rumor has it that longtime Conan O'Brien bandleader Max Weinberg is seeking the coveted position of bandleader for 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno', a role that is soon to be abandoned by Kevin Eubanks.

While it's somewhat understandable that Weinberg would want the position, it is a bit of a slap to Conan. On the other hand, it's all about what's best for Max Weinberg and while things with Conan are currently up in the air, 'The Tonight Show' is a pretty solid position to be in. Like it or not, there are still a lot of viewers on Team Jay and he continues to pull in ratings despite his brief absence from the 11:30 spot.

At least Weinberg would also now have a lot to talk about with Stuttering John Melendez, who defected to Jay from 'The Howard Stern Show' ages ago.

[via TVWeek]

Conan, Andy, Max, and a special guest star made the Tonight Show Christmas card on the air during last night's show.

I would also love to have one of these sweaters to wear on Christmas Day. I think that would be kinda awesome (I'd also like that dog).

[Watch clips and episodes of The Tonight Show and other shows at SlashControl.]

I don't know about you folks, but I never look at the first episode of any new late-night talk show as a good indication of how a host is going to start out. Why? Everything's new and shiny and there's a big introduction and everyone's nervous, that's why. It's the second night, when things are settling down into more of a routine, that I pay more attention to.

And after watching the second night of Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show, I'm getting worried that, despite all his assurances to the contrary, Conan is too busy easing up on his edginess to make good comedy.

Today is the day Conan O'Brien takes up the mantle of one of the most beloved shows in TV history - The Tonight Show. And since feelings about O'Brien on some of my previous posts have been so strong, I thought it might be a good idea to do a point/counterpoint on the question, "Will Conan O'Brien succeed on The Tonight Show?"

I will be taking the position that he will be successful, and my formidable opponent will be John Scott Lewinski, who will take the position that O'Brien will not be successful.

My argument:

NBC has a fake tour of the new Tonight Show set up on the show's site (it features Conan, Andy, and Max doing the show in a giant warehouse with just a school desk and a bucket to bang on), but Access Hollywood's Maria Menounos got a real tour of the set from Conan himself. Spoiler warning: it features a desk, a mug, a couch, and curtains! (Video is also here.)

Conan takes over next Monday.

Oh, thank the late night gods! After some rumors surfaced that Max Weinberg wouldn't be relocating with ConeBone69 to LA for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, I was worried. I mean just look at that bored, uninterested face! Because of their bizarre energy and involvement in sketches, the Max Weinberg 7 are the best band in late night (I swear I will fight anyone that suggests anything less).

Late Night would have a totally different tone without elements like Pender's over-energetic, passionate solos and LaBamba's extra-endearing presence. Well, not to worry, people who worry about the same pointless things I do! It looks like Max and the gang are joining Conan in LA.

Step back from the guacamole dip. Put the chicken fingers down. Bruce Springsteen's drummer will stay that way for now.

It looks as though drummer Max Weinberg of Late Night with Conan O'Brien's Max Weinberg 7 won't be going to L.A. when O'Brien makes the jump to The Tonight Show this summer.

The New York Post breaks the situation down like this: Weinberg has too many ties to the East Coast and the E Street Band and moving to L.A. would just complicate things too much. Plus, his true bread and butter is playing for Springsteen and moving to the other side of the continent could cause a huge strain on him and his family.

Late night god Conan O'Brien has been chosen to emcee the Emmy Awards in August. O'Brien's my favorite out of the late night talk show guys (forget Leno, Letterman, Ferguson, and Daly... if he even counts), so I have high hopes for his performance. At worst, he'll get a little too immature with his jokes, but I don't expect anything controversial.

He took the Emmy-hosting gig back in 2004, as well. I don't think I watched that year. To those of you that watched him in 2004, did he do well?