‘The Wiz Live!’ casts David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion

Norman Weiss August 4, 2015, 9:41 pm

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The Wiz Live! casts David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion

The three-time Tony nominee will go back to his stage roots for NBC’s live production.

Community’s future: A movie released on Yahoo?

According to Deadline, that’s the most likely outcome. “I hear an idea for a theatrical release was briefly discussed but the conversation quickly focused on doing the film for a digital distribution,” writes Deadline’s Nellie Andreev. “As a partner on Season 6, Yahoo would get first dibs.”

Shonda Rhimes explains why McDreamy had to be killed off on Grey’s Anatomy

“The decision to have the character die the way that he did was not a difficult one,” Rhimes told critics at the TV press tour. “What were the options? Either Derek was going to walk out on Meredith, and leave her high and dry, and what was that going to mean? That was going to suggest that the love was not true, the thing we had said for 11 years was a lie and McDreamy wasn’t McDreamy. For me, that was untenable.” PLUS: Grey’s returns with a lighter tone next season.

Jeff Garlin says there’s a “51 percent chance” of more Curb Your Enthusiasm, reveals his struggles with The Goldbergs‘ underwear

Garlin entertained critics at press tour today with his trouble wearing tighty whities. Garlin has to wear special underwear to avoid showing his penis. PLUS: The Goldbergs to pay homage to Risky Business, and why the Thriller episode will never air.

Kerry Washington: Scandal’s Olivia Pope “should be nobody’s role model”

“I’ve always thought it was misguided when people tell me that Olivia is their role model,” she told critics. Why? “Because she’s having an affair with a married man, who is President of the United States. And a murderer.”

Miley Cyrus wears pasties in her latest MTV VMAs promo

Cyrus also shows off her hairy armpits in the new promo.

Fox’s Bones–Sleepy Hollow crossover will air in time for Halloween

The crossover that was slated for later this season will now air on Oct. 29.

NBC will begin its year-long promotional push for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics on Wednesday

Two NBC News correspondents, Natalie Morales and Miguel Almaguer, have already been sent to Rio de Janeiro to report on the one-year countdown to the 2016 games.

Reelz scraps Living with the Jacksons reality show, but Lifetime has The Jacksons: Next Generation

Reelz’s reality show about Jackson family members who left the family estate is not going forward. Meanwhile, Lifetime has announced a docuseries featuring Tito Jackson’s sons.

Why is Louis CK hanging out with New York City’s mayor?

The Louie star has been shadowing Mayor Bill de Blasio “for a project in development.” Adds Louis CK, jokingly: “It’s a total coincidence. It’s a total coincidence. I just happen to be going to all the same places as him.”

True Detective’s Season 2 problem: “The show is just too damn violent”

“Indeed,” says Scott Timberg, “this season of True Detective seems to use violence as a crutch, as a way to cover holes in the storytelling.” He adds that “we’ve seen an enormous amount of bloodshed over the course of just seven episodes.” PLUS: Taylor Kitsch on this week’s episode, New Yorkers react to lines from True Detective Season 2, and check out the parody True Comedian.

Coach finds a son

Andrew Ridings will play Craig T. Nelson’s now-adult son on the NBC revival of Coach.

Can Unreal avoid a sophomore slump?

The Lifetime series will stick with the Everlasting format, but will it be able to continue playing to its strengths? PLUS: UnReal turned The Bachelor into literature, UnReal became Lifetime’s Breaking Bad, and co-stars Freddie Stroma and Johanna Braddy are dating.

A Canadian family redesigned its kitchen to look like The Simpsons

The Calgary couple based on their plans on Marge’s kitchen.

That’s So Raven stars reunite for a top-secret project

Raven-Symoné writes on Facebook: “Wait till I tell you why we are all together!!!!!!!!”

The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl star’s HBO pilot is in limbo

Issa Rae, whose web series landed her an HBO deal, says it’s been tough getting her pilot off the ground — especially with execs trying to meddle with her vision.

Mindy Kaling pens a New Yorker article on recycled TV tropes

“Boy-man must face the adult world” and “The staunch oval office dame” are some of the tropes networks are clamoring for these days, writes Kaling.

Watch a compilation of Daily Show correspondents’ first appearances with Jon Stewart

Digg has a video showing how former correspondents like Michael Che and Stephen Colbert started out with Stewart.

Brad Paisley becomes a Voice mentor

Paisley will assist fellow country singer Blake Shelton this fall.

Are the Playing House stars the next Tina Fey and Amy Poehler?

Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair’s USA comedy returns tonight after a Season 1 in which they considered their show “the walking dead.” PLUS: Playing House grows up in Season 2.

American Idol drops its demand that Brooklyn Senior Idol change its name

The seven-year-old community singing competition signed a contract with FremantleMedia North America allowing use of American Idol’s name.

Why Ian McShane is perfect for Game of Thrones

The Deadwood alum, says Michael Calia, “is the perfect player for the deadly and brutal world created by George R.R. Martin and brought to life on TV by show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. In a show loaded with great character actors and strong screen presences, from Jonathan Pryce to Lena Headey to Peter Dinklage, McShane might be the most imposing of all.”