What’s Worth Watching: ‘Mom’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’, ‘Flowers’ and more for Thursday, May 5

Mom - Allison Janney and Richard Schiff - 'Pure Evil and a Free Piece of Cheesecake'
Darren Michaels/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
"Pure Evil and a Free Piece of Cheesecake" -- Bonnie (Allison Janney, right) fantasizes about a new career path with Robert (Richard Schiff, left), on MOM, Thursday, May 5 (9:01-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Darren Michaels/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. © 2016 WBEI. All rights reserved.

Mom (9/8c, CBS): In another great showcase for Emmy winner Allison Janney as Bonnie (and the underrated Anna Faris as her daughter Christy), mother-daughter tensions reach a new peak—including a slapstick catfight in a bridal salon—when Bonnie won’t let herself gush over Christy making the Dean’s List. Is it jealousy or insecurity that accounts for such hostility? The answer might be found in a climactic fantasy sequence in which Janney reunites with her West Wing co-star Richard Schiff in a send-up of that series’ patented walk-and-talk routines.

The Big Bang Theory (8/7c, CBS): More mama trauma as Leonard’s prickly mother, Beverly (the great Christine Baranski), pays a visit, prompting nervous daughter-in-law Penny (Kaley Cuoco) to try to bond with yet another intimidating genius. More uncomfortable chemistry ensues when Sheldon (Jim Parsons) hires Stuart (Kevin Sussman) to be his surrogate to spend a day with Amy (Mayim Bialik).

Flowers (Premieres Thursday, Seeso): Those who fell in love with the great British actress Olivia Colman in dramas like Broadchurch and AMC’s current The Night Manager may not realize her roots are in comedy. They may be further puzzled when tuning into this six-episode darker-than-dark comedy about a miserably dysfunctional family that makes the Shameless gang look normal. It opens with a botched suicide attempt and pretty much goes downhill from there. If your tastes are for the truly twisted (which is not the same as actually funny or amusing), you might dig this.

Inside Thursday TV: Gerard Depardieu stars in Netflix’s latest original series, Marseilles (eight episodes available Thursday), filmed on location in France, about an outgoing mayor plotting one last deal in a drama about political corruption. … The team has finally captured arch-villain Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) on The CW’s DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (8/7c), but will he divide his captors against each other before they can deliver him to the Time Masters? … ABC’s Scandal (9/8c) looks more prescient that ever in the wake of Donald Trump’s rise to the top of the GOP field. This week, in a collusion recalling the failed attempt of Ted Cruz and John Kasich to join forces, Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Abby (Darby Stanchfield) try to form a united front to defeat the arrogant Hollis Doyle (the hilarious Gregg Henry).