Without Rami Malek, ‘Mr. Robot’ Would’ve Been a Failure

Without Rami Malek, Mr. Robot would’ve been a failure

“Take away Malek and the whole show implodes,” says Tim Goodman, who cites all the ways the USA series should’ve failed. He adds that without Malek, “It doesn’t, not even for five minutes, work. You can’t put Jon Hamm in that role and have a show. You can’t put — well, I’ve done this little exercise on down the line like obsessively — anyone else in that role and have it work. It can’t be pictured. So two things are at play here. Not only is Malek absolute perfection in the same way that Tatiana Maslany is for Orphan Black, but he represents the ultimate exclamation point about the importance of casting.” PLUS: Mr. Robot is eerily realistic, here’s your Mr. Robot conspiracy field guide, Mr. Robot’s visual aesthetic succeeds by being confrontational and in your face, what other shows should learn from Mr. Robot, how Mr. Robot’s cinematographer conveys loneliness, and Mr. Robot killed capitalism, the centerpiece of prestige TV.

Kermit the Frog dating another pig was revealed at Comic-Con — why is it news now?

Kermit’s breakup with Miss Piggy and his dating of new pig Denise were part of the 11-minute pilot presentation that was screened at Comic-Con and posted to YouTube on July 20. Yet the People report on Tuesday that Kermit was dating Denise was treated like it was just revealed this week. Why? Because the media love being in on the “elaborate marketing game” that is being used to promote The Muppets. PLUS: What’s up with this Muppet “tabloid nonsense”?, and The Muppets try to get Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spoilers.

Oscar producers are looking for hosts who have “a little hint of danger”

“We want  the viewer to have a sense of excitement and a little hint of danger. I think those are good qualities to have in a host,” says co-producer Reginald Hudlin. “It is a high-wire act obviously and a lot of (potential hosts) are ‘I’m not ready for that kind of challenge.’ But we think there is an exciting  list of possibilities that could kill it.”

Sesame Street created a kid-friendly spoof of When Harry Met Sally

Watch Cookie Monster star in When Cookie Met Sally. PLUS: Sesame Street spoofed Donald Trump with “Donald Grump” in 2005.

Jeb Bush to Stephen Colbert: “I thought the host was Amy Schumer. I totally blew it”

Watch the Republican presidential candidate respond to Colbert bashing him for raffling off a Late Show debut ticket. PLUS: Colbert and J.J. Abrams will chat on stage at the Montclair Film Festival.

Girl Meets World to tackle Asperger’s Syndrome

A special episode next week will revolve around Farkle Minkus and whether he has autism spectrum disorder.

Pitch Perfect’s Skyler Astin and Veronica Mars’ Chris Lowell join Epix’s Graves

Astin will play President of the United States Nick Nolte’s assistant, while Lowell will play Nolte’s son.

Trevor Noah introduces The Daily Show Jewelry Collection

Check out more of Noah’s promos, including one where Noah takes John Hodgman’s mustache.

Silicon Valley’s The Flintstones house can be yours for $4.2M

The home was redesigned in 2007 with the goal to ““create a work of art within a work of art.”

Welcome to your 50s, Charlie Sheen!

The former Two and a Half Men star turns the Big 5-0 on Thursday.

Shonda Rhimes explains Grey’s Anatomy’s 1-year time-jump

“I couldn’t imagine a world in which Meredith could go a month and be able to speak or breathe — or [even] six months,” Rhimes says. “I needed time to pass for her to even be in a place where I felt like she could have a conversation.”

Go behind the scenes of Game of Thrones’ epic dragon pit scene

“It took hundreds and hundreds of people, and weeks and months of work,” Emilia Clarke says of the Season 5 scene in a new featurette. PLUS: Read 11 leadership lessons from Game of Thrones.

Will Miley Cyrus announce her presidential candidacy on SNL?

Even though it’s a month away, there’s already talk of a VMAs-inspired skit for the season opener.

Marvel’s Luke Cage casts Misty Knight role

Simone Missick will play the young female lead, an ex-NYPD officer who gets a bionic arm from Tony Stark.

Why Apple should avoid making original TV shows

The chances of Apple being a game-changer in the already crowded TV landscape is slim.

Why casting Josh Gad as Roger Ebert is totally wrong

Ebert deserves better in the big-screen film Russ & Roger Go Beyond.

Kid Rock to host a weeklong Johnny Cash tribute on CMT

The “Cash Music Television” tribute will mark the 12th anniversary of the country legend’s death.

Here are 100 dramas everyone should watch

From Carnivàle to Hannibal.

You’re the Worst books Echo Kellum

The Ben and Kate alum will play a character named Tall Nathan on the FXX series.

Introducing The Mindy Burger

The Mindy Project-inspired Umami Burger can be had in New York and L.A. for $13.