In a bit of peculiar-yet-awesome development news, Deadline is reporting Lifetime is set to remake Robert Harling's genius 1989 Southern dramedy Steel Magnolias — with an all-black cast! Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are set to produce the reimagining via their Sony TV-based Storyline Entertainment shingle. Famed director Kenny Leon is set to direct. Sally Robinson (The Music Man) is adapting the original Harling vehicle, which began as a stage play Harling wrote to help him cope with the loss of his sister to diabetes.

Since no casting choices have been reported for the project as of yet, I figured I'd give Wishful Casting the TV adaptation of one of my favorite movies a whirl! For the lead role of M'Lynn Eatenton, ever fretful mama of fragile-yet-courageous Shelby, I can't think of anyone better than Grey's Anatomy's own source of indominable strength, Chandra Wilson.

One of TV's most underrated stars, Wilson as Bailey has kept Grey's on many a fan's DVR when the perpetual neuroses of Meredith and her Dr. McDreamy had us ready to ask for a time of death on the ABC sudser. Wilson would be the perfect person to follow in Sally Field's sensible shoes. I get chills thinking about what she would do with M'Lynn's graveyard meltdown!

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Whew! Ladies you better hose your man down... Young, Black and Fabulous got their hands on R&B singer Jason Derulo's brand spanking new video "It Girl" featuring The Game and Gossip Girl star Tika Sumpter. The One Life to Live alum heats up the screen as Derulo's love interest. Watch the video after the jump! READ MORE

 

Sigh. Why do my favorite shows always have to be plagued by behind-the-scenes drama? Rumors have been running rampant that Stacey Dash (Val) is about to be fired from VH1's hit soap Single Ladies because of alleged "diva antics" and clashes with costar LisaRaye McCoy (Keisha). My girl Natasha over at YBF.com reached out to VH1 to get to the bottom of the ish, and was told "No casting decisions have been made for Season 2 of Single Ladies." Sounds cryptic. READ MORE

As talented as she is striking, former One Life to Live star Tika Sumpter's stock is rising in Hollywood on par with U.S. gasoline prices. Sumpter, who has recurring roles on both The CW's Gossip Girl and BET's record-breaking The Game, took a little time out of her busy schedule to share her place with Esquire for their Me In My Place photo essay collection.  Wouldn't it be awesome if BET did a cable soap starring Sumpter, Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams and Victoria Rowell? Ah, the possibilities. Click here to see more!

Photo credit: Esquire

Gossip Girl guest and former One Life to Live star Tika Sumpter helped celebrate Earth Day at The Body Shop Kick-Off on April 21. Attendees of the Columbia University event were inspired to try The Three-Minute Earth Shower Challenged for Earth Lovers. See more from the event after the jump! READ MORE

One Life to Live’s Ilene Kristen worked the stage on opening night of My Big Gay Italian Wedding on February 4 at the St. Luke’s Theatre in New York City. Kristen’s OLTL co-star Shenell Edmonds and former co-star Tika Sumpter, who is rocking it as Raina on The CW’s Gossip Girl, popped up at the premiere to show their support. Check out more photos from the opening night of My Big Gay Italian Wedding after the jump.

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