{alltv} NBC Press Tour Scoop: Rob Lowe Promoted to Parks and Recreation Regular & 30 Rock Is Doin' It Live!

Pawnee just got a whole lot prettier!

During Friday morning's Television Critics Association Press Tour, NBC bigwigs Angela Bromstad and Jeff Gaspin kicked things off with a few crazy exciting announcements—the first being Rob Lowe's big Parks and Recreation promotion...

After popping by Indiana's most famous city service department this spring, Rob Lowe will be back full-time when(ever) Parks and Recreation returns—and fingers crossed that's soon! His auditing cohort Adam Scott (fresh off his Party Down cancellation) has already been promoted to series regular, so based on the manner in which these two entered the world of Pawnee, things are not looking good for Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and her beloved job.

That said, maybe Rob's guy Chris Traeger sticking around will mean a much-needed love interest for Rashida Jones' Ann...just sayin'.

And lucky for you fans of the Peacock net, that was just the tip of the iceberg on the NBC newsy fun front:

• 30 Rock will air a live episode Oct. 14, much to the excitement of Tina Fey. "Coming from [Saturday Night Live], Lorne Michaels and Tina are very up for it!" Angela also noted that the cast was asked if this was even something they'd be interested in before a live ep was just sprung on them.

• Kathy Bates will definitely be back on The Office this fall—perhaps as a way to draw the returning Holly Flax (Amy Ryan) back to Dunder Mifflin Scranton?

• Speaking of The Office, Angela also revealed that the wheels are in motion to find a Steve Carell/Michael Scott replacement. "In terms of who will replace Michael, there will be a lot of storyline leading up to that," she tells reporters. Also, it's important to note that The Office producers and NBC execs were well aware that this would be Steve's final season on the fan fave series long before the public was let in on the news.

• Drew Carey will be stopping by everyone's favorite college sometime this fall, with a gig on Community. He'll be in third episode of the season as a guy from Jeff's old law firm. Also stopping by Community is Rob Corddry, as Jeff's old pal from his lawyer days.

• When asked about CBS moving The Big Bang Theory to Thursdays opposite NBC's comedy lineup (specifically Community), both Angela and Jeff reiterated their confidence in the now sophomore series. The execs fully support Dan Harmon's piece of comedy gold and believe it will fare well against TBBT. In fact, the two are hoping to broaden Community's audience altogether.

• Angela says that Law & Order: Los Angeles (aka LOLA) will aim to keep the original's spirit alive. Terrence Howard has also joined the cast, alongside the previously announced Skeet Ulrich.

What do you think about all this news? Anything pique your interest?