CBS hands the comedy keys to Adam Sandler

The Dating Game spoof ad was pretty funny when it ran during the Survivor finale– until we realized it was a promo for a new CBS sitcom starring David Spade. And now CBS is giving Rules of Engagement what Variety calls “the best comedy timeslot on TV.”

The show comes from Adam Sandler’s company– another chance for Sandler to give his buddies a shot on the both sides of the cameras and fill the air with dumb sex, fart and booger jokes. Which means that CBS is stetting its comedic ambitions a rung or two lower than usual (though we should admit that Joe Dirt is on our list of the Top 50 movies of all time).Rules kicks off Monday, February 5th– the night after the Super Bowl– at 9:30 pm, following the top-rated Two and a Half Men. The show will also get lots of promos during the game.

The move pushes The New Adventures of Old Christine to Mondays at 8:30. And it sets the stage for the end of King of Queens, which goes on hiatus after its January 3rd episode. Rules will get a seven-episode run, then King will return for its final seven, and, after nine seasons, a finale in May.

The shuffling is part of CBS’s plan to make Monday nights repeat-free for as long as possible. CBS liked Christine and it’s gotten critical praise, but face it, it’s too girlie.

(And what happened to Jim Lange’s hair?)

–Tabloid Baby