Larry David: ‘You Don’t Have to Watch’ When I Host ‘SNL’ this Week

TV Tattle

Larry David: “You don’t have to watch” when I host SNL this week

In his SNL promos with Leslie Jones, David says you could avoid this week’s episode: “Don’t worry about it. If you’ve got something to do. Honest to God, go ahead and do it. It’s not a big deal.” PLUS: Everybody thought David should play Bernie Sanders, including David himself.


Judge rules Fox can keep Empire title

A record label and publishing company called Empire Distribution, which featured hip-hop artists, had sued claiming the Fox drama was a violation on its trademark. But U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson disagreed, writing: “The word ‘Empire’ is clearly relevant to Fox’s work because the Empire Series tells the story of characters struggling for literal control over an entertainment company called ‘Empire Enterprises,’ and figurative control over the vast ’empire’ that Lucious Lyon has built. Additionally, the Empire Series is set in New York, the Empire State.”


CBS announces a SupergirlThe Flash crossover

Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen will drop by Melissa Benoist’s superhero series on March 28. The crossover is “something that we have dreamed of happening since we starting making Supergirl,” said Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, who are executive producers on both series.


President Obama scolds TV networks for portraying Muslims only in storylines involving national security

“It’s not that hard to do,” Obama said of expanding Muslim portrayals, in an address at the Islamic Society of Baltimore. “There was a time when there were no black people on television. You can tell good stories while still representing a reality of our communities.”


Hamilton
cast will perform at the Grammys live via satellite

The last time the Grammy Awards made room for a Broadway musical was in 2010 with American Idiot.


Ryan Murphy to tackle Hollywood’s diversity problem with a new foundation

Called “Half,” the foundation will aim to give 50% of all the directing slots on his shows to directors who aren’t straight white males.


SVU planned to bring Christopher Meloni back for the series finale

But the Season 18 renewal has scrapped those plans.


The Muppets hits a ratings low with reboot

Despite positive reviews, it’s clear that viewers weren’t interested in the revamped Muppets.


The Jinx’s Robert Durst pleads guilty to gun charge, clearing the way for his murder trail

Durst will now be cleared to be transferred to Los Angeles to face a murder charge in connection with the death of his writer friend Susan Berman.


The Americans‘ new trailer promises “trouble”

“We’re in trouble,” says Elizabeth Jennings.


Samantha Bee’s Full Frontal premiere will be simulcast across the Turner networks

TBS’ new primetime/late-night show will also be shown Monday on TNT, Adult Swim, truTV and HLN.


Key and Peele will provide live commentary for the Super Bowl

They’ll live-stream their commentary as aspiring sportscasters Lee and Morris, but they can’t legally say they’re describing the “Super Bowl.”


Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen parody Independence Day

Watch their Budweiser Super Bowl ad.


Barry Sloane to star in History’s SEAL Team Six drama

The Revenge alum will play the leader of a SEAL Team Six unit in the series SIX.


NBA star Kevin Durant’s mom’s life story will become a Lifetime movie

The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story will tell how Durant’s mom struggled to raise two kids, one of whom went on to become NBA MVP.


Spotlight‘s director, who’s up for 2 Oscars, directed Game of Thrones’ terrible unseen original pilot

Game of Thrones creators Dan Weiss and David Benioff recently recalled how badly the first pilot turned out. It was so bad it turned off Tom McCarthy, who previously directed Peter Dinklage in The Station Agent and starred on the final season of The Wire, from TV directing. PLUS: Emilia Clarke says: “Legitimately, this season almost killed us.”


Comedy pioneer Bob Elliott, father of Chris and grandfather to Abby, dies at 92

Bob Elliott was one-half of the famous Bob and Ray comedy duo. As the NY Times notes, “Bob was the more soft-spoken one, Ray the one with the deep voice and the blustery attitude,”  yet they took turns playing the straight man. Elliott’s son, Chris Elliott, would also have comedy success with Fox’s Get a Life, featuring his dad, and on SNL. Bob Elliott’s granddaughter, Abby Elliott, also went on star on Saturday Night Live.