TV Guide E4 Wednesday

Eco-disaster looms in Springfield when Mr Burns launches a controversial fracking operation - and while Homer is more than happy to play accomplice to his boss, an outraged Lisa calls on the services of bigshot politician Maxine Lombard (voiced by two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda) to shut Burns down. Against the odds, however, the opponents end up falling for one another

In a crossover episode with Futurama, the Planet Express crew members travel back in time and turn up in Springfield on a mission to prevent the troublesome family from destroying the future. It's not just a question of asking nicely however - Bender has been programmed to kill Bart, Terminator-style. Can the clan foil the murderous bot?

Mitch and Cam help Lily overcome her insecurities about wearing a bathing suit to a pool party, but discover they have some of their own. Meanwhile, now that Gloria's new internship is taking up so much of her time, Jay is feeling particularly neglected

A new house on Phil's books proves irresistible to the rest of the family, with Haley getting caught in the act by Andy when she tests out its 16-jet hot tub. Cam and Mitch pay the property a visit as they try to put the spark back into their relationship, but their night of romance is interrupted by others sneaking in with the same idea. Elsewhere, Gloria and Jay prepare to pull off a surprise for everyone

There is scepticism, competition and high emotions when Gloria wins a bid at the school auction for a family seminar with famous doctor and author Debra Radcliffe, whose self-help book, Clean Out Your Junk Drawer, encourages people to get out all their emotional junk to become healthier people and better partners and spouses

Sheldon finds himself forced to keep a secret when Penny decides to tell him what happened on her disappointing first date with Leonard. Comedy, starring Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons

Leonard is dejected to see Penny with another man and decides to cut his losses by going back to fellow scientist Leslie Winkle - a move that upsets Sheldon. Starring Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco and Sara Gilbert

Penny becomes addicted to an online game based on the world of Conan the Barbarian. As her obsession intensifies, she begins to neglect her friends and seeks the company of the usually snide Sheldon, whom she continually pesters for advice. Starring Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons

Bart sees into his future with the help of a mysterious casino owner and learns he will become a struggling musician with Ralph Wiggum as a room-mate, while Lisa seems destined to hold the office of US president

Sheldon returns to Texas in disgrace when he discovers his friends tampered with the Arctic expedition data after growing tired of his quest for a scientific breakthrough. Elsewhere, Leonard becomes frustrated as constant interruptions hamper his attempts to woo Penny

Sheldon and Howard stake their most coveted comic books on a bet over the species of a cricket, while Leonard and Penny struggle to recover from an awkward first night together. Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg and Kaley Cuoco star

Sheldon succeeds in getting Penny to conform to his high standards, so Leonard adopts a similar strategy for his romantic gain. Meanwhile, Howard and Raj meet two women at a goth nightclub and things appear to go well - until they are taken to a tattoo parlour

Raj accepts Sheldon's offer to work for him as he is desperate to avoid being sent back to India. Howard starts spending more time with Leonard and Penny, who would rather be left alone. Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Kaley Cuoco star

Sheldon is given the chance to square off against the one actor from the Star Trek franchise he holds a grudge against - Wil Wheaton. Meanwhile, Leonard asks Penny to set Howard up on a date with one of her friends. Comedy, starring Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons

Leonard worries his lack of American football knowledge is alienating him from Penny and her friends. However, he finds an unlikely sporting tutor in the form of Sheldon, who reluctantly spent most of his childhood attending games with his father. Meanwhile, Raj is infuriated when Howard abandons him to pursue a girl at a kite-fighting contest

A jealous Leonard argues with Penny when she invites one of her male friends to stay at her apartment while he is in town. Unfortunately, the row brings up unpleasant memories for Sheldon of watching his warring parents, causing even more tension between the friends. Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons star

Leonard, Raj and Howard go camping to watch the Leonid meteor shower, but the trip takes an unexpected turn thanks to some specially baked cookies. Meanwhile, Penny injures herself in the shower, and with the rest of the gang out of town, it's left to Sheldon to come to her aid

Howard's fear of commitment causes him to avoid Bernadette, but he soon realises he has made a mistake and tries to compensate for it. Meanwhile, Kripke plays a prank during a radio interview with Sheldon, who sets out to get revenge, only to be caught by the Dean. Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Kaley Cuoco star, with an appearance by Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) as herself

Bernadette asks Leonard about his physics experiment, making Howard so jealous that she threatens to end their relationship. Penny also feels put out by the situation, and asks Sheldon to teach her about science. Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Melissa Rauch star

Leonard's mother visits and he is horrified to learn that Sheldon knows more than he does about his own family, including his parents' impending divorce and the death of his dog. Guest starring Christine Baranski

Raj lusts after a girl he and Sheldon meet at a university party, and Leonard comes to regret airing his disapproval of Penny's belief in psychics. Comedy, starring Kunal Nayyar and Jim Parsons

Leonard and Sheldon's flat is burgled, so they work on a state-of-the-art security system in a bid to outwit any future would-be thieves. However, their plans go awry when they ensnare Penny in a net. Comedy, starring Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons

Sheldon develops a mental block and has difficulty working on a formula, so in a move inspired by Albert Einstein he gets a job at the Cheesecake Factory diner to try to revive his creativity - and despite Penny's objections, proves surprisingly effective in the role. Guest starring Yeardley Smith (The voice of Lisa Simpson)

Leonard is invited to visit the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland and asks Penny to join him as a Valentine's Day treat. However, Sheldon tries to persuade the couple to allow him to take her place

Sheldon misses an opportunity to meet Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee when he has to go to court for driving through a red light, and his anger leads to his imprisonment. Penny finds out the address of the comic-book writer and takes Sheldon there - but his troubles with the law have yet to reach their conclusion and the visit does not go as expected

The friends fight over a ring they believe was used in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Leonard hopes to return the item to its rightful owner - but Raj wishes to sell it so he can buy a jet ski, and Sheldon develops a Gollum-like obsession with the precious object

Sheldon is awarded a prestigious prize by the university, but is scared of collecting the gong at a ceremony because he knows he'll have to give a speech. Penny tries to gee him up with rousing references to X-Men, and Leonard and Raj offer psychological guidance - without much success

Leonard tells Penny he loves her, but fails to get the response he would have liked. Sheldon also finds himself competing against Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Wil Wheaton once again when the gang goes bowling - and tries to get his revenge

Sheldon tries to hide the fact he had dinner with Penny after she broke up with Leonard, hoping to stay friends with her. However, keeping secrets does not prove to be his strong point, and it isn't long before his deceit is exposed. Comedy, starring Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki

Sheldon invites a famous physicist to the flat after befriending her online, but is put out to find Leonard showing an interest in her. Meanwhile, Penny has to confront her ex-boyfriend when the visitor turns up in his bedroom. Guest starring Judy Greer (Glenn Martin, DDS)

Penny and Leonard try to distract Sheldon from his career woes by reinstating Anything Can Happen Thursday, but it causes friction among the gang when Amy and Bernadette are caught lying. Meanwhile, Raj seeks Howard's help in preparing for a date with Emily. Comedy, starring Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco

The gang's preparations for Star Wars Day are interrupted by the news that Professor Proton has died. Leonard and Penny attend the funeral, where they talk about their rejected marriage proposals, but Sheldon has difficulty dealing with the death of his childhood hero - until a surprise visitor helps him cope with his grief. Comedy, starring Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco, with a guest appearance by Bob Newhart

The restaurant hosts the festive party to end all parties with a programme full of amazing surprises as maitre d' Fred and his Christmas Cupids celebrate a year that has seen love blossom into wedding proposals, engagement rings and the very first First Dates baby. Couples Aarron and Ibiba, Doreen and James, Will and Fran and Ajai and Hema all make a welcome return to the place where it all began, while previous participants get another chance to find love

Bart faces a tough test at school when he gets a bullying new teacher who seems to want to crush his spirit, so the spiky-haired tearaway becomes determined to fight back. Meanwhile, the family attends a hippie-style community festival. With the guest voice of Willem Dafoe

Homer finds himself caught in the throes of a midlife crisis, so he takes up bass guitar and forms a band with some of the other dads in Springfield. However, things get awkward when their singer - none other than Apu - proves so successful that he quickly outgrows the rest of the group, leading to jealousy and resentment

Phil is determined to finally scare Claire on Halloween, while Gloria feels self-conscious about her age for the first time when someone correctly assumes she is Jay's wife. Mitch and Cam head to the WeHo carnival after Lily decides to go to her first Halloween party alone

Gloria rents a cabin in the mountains in which she hopes she and her family will be able to enjoy a picture-perfect white Christmas. However, when the clan arrives, unhelpful weather and a random eccentric guest conspire to ruin the festive cheer. Meanwhile, Mitch and Cam resolve to make up for their bad carolling experience last year, and Jay has a huge announcement that catches Claire off-guard. Comedy, starring Sofia Vergara