'Call Me Kat' returns for season two but without its Kentucky writers. Here's what to know

Most of America watched the first season of FOX's "Call Me Kat" because of the show's talented lead Mayim Bialik and the ensemble cast. But in Louisville, we watched because of all the references to our home state.

In case you haven't seen the first season of "Call Me Kat," which returns for its second season on Jan. 9, Bialik plays a cheerful and content 39-year-old single woman who opens a cat cafe after leaving a job as a professor at the University of Louisville.

Although she celebrates her independence, a fact that bothers her mother, played by Swoosie Kurtz, Kat's single-forever plans begin to veer off-course when her former crush and good friend, Max (Cheyenne Jackson), returns to town.

The sitcom also stars Leslie Jordan, Kyla Pratt and Julian Gant. Jim Parsons, Bialik's husband from "The Big Bang Theory," has a behind-the-scenes role on the show — the former co-stars are executive producers on "Call Me Kat."

While the show is produced on a sound stage in Los Angeles, the storyline takes place in Louisville. And that's all thanks to Darlene Hunt, a native of Lebanon Junction, and Amy Hubbs from Elizabethtown.

However, The Courier Journal has learned neither Hunt, a former executive producer, nor Hubbs, a former co-executive producer, is returning for season two. With these two Kentuckians no longer contributing their knowledge of their home state to the show, will "Call Me Kat" continue to focus on Louisville?

Related: 'Call Me Kat' renewed for season two. What to know about the fictional cat cafe comedy

The short answer is yes.

Turns out there is at least one Kentucky native still involved in season two. According to Chris Grantz, a graduate of both Trinity High School and the University of Kentucky, Louisville is still the focus of the sitcom.

Grantz, who works in the set design department on "Call Me Kat," told The Courier Journal that all the specific Kentucky set elements, like the University of Kentucky and Louisville banners and other memorabilia, are still in place.

As for how much of the show will include local references remains to be seen, but we do know something about the new season's storyline, at least the first episode. In the season two premiere, Bialik will reunite with her former "Blossom" costars Joey Lawrence, Jenna von Oÿ and Michael Stoyanov.

Woah!

So how did the show end up set in Louisville, anyway? Hunt wrote season one and while the Kentucky native could have set "Call Me Kat" in any city, she chose a city she knows well.

"Louisville just felt right," Hunt said in a previous interview with The Courier Journal.

Even Bialik was on board with her character living there.

You may like: 'Cats,' one of the longest-running Broadway shows, is coming to Louisville. What to know

"She had been to Louisville recently and loved the city and told me she felt it was really unique and special," Hunt said. "I gave her the option to set it in her hometown of San Diego, but she doubled down on Louisville."

Hubbs, who was brought to the show by Hunt, told The Courier Journal writing about her home state filled her with a sense of pride.

"I love being from Kentucky, it's who I am," said Hubbs. "So when I heard there was a mainstream television show set in Louisville with the main character coming from a place of positivity, I thought 'how can I not work on that show?'"

Thanks to Hubbs and Hunt, the sitcom was chock full of nods to the Bluegrass State. Over several episodes, Bialik's character opens a cat cafe in Louisville, goes on a date with the track announcer at Churchill Downs, attends a wedding reception at The Brown Hotel, and is interviewed by a reporter for The Louisville Courier Journal. (No, it wasn't yours truly, unfortunately!)

Additionally, actor Julian Gant, who plays a bar owner named Carter, often wears a Muhammad Ali-themed sweatshirt on the show and decorates his establishment with both University of Kentucky and University of Louisville memorabilia.

What other hometown nods will we see in season two? We'll have to tune in to find out. The season kickoff will be shown on FOX following the Jan. 9 NFL doubleheader. Subsequent episodes will air Thursdays at 9 p.m. beginning Jan. 13.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: FOX show 'Call Me Kat' with Mayim Bialik returns for season two