Slippery Rock native tries out to compete on ‘MasterChef’

MVP and Mirror Ball champion Hines Ward begins a new gig with HLN July 1. He will join “Morning Express With Robin Meade” as a sports commentator. Mr. Ward also will be contributing across CNN’s various platforms.

• Both Radar Online and TMZ reported drama at the Abby Lee Miller dance studio in Penn Hills. According to reports, an unauthorized man who told a witness he just wanted to “read poetry” to the girls tried to get into the building. Penn Hills police arrested him, according to the websites.

In other “Dance Moms” news, the show has been nominated for a Teen Choice award (live on Fox July 31). Maddie Ziegler, who is done with “Dance Moms” and has moved on to multiple projects (including playing muse to singer Sia), will be a judge on yet another reality show premiering Monday.

“So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation” features talented young hoofers between the ages of 813 paired with all-stars.

• It has been a long wait, but “American Ninja Warrior” returns to NBC with a special on Wednesday, featuring teams of five on a supersized course.

Regional qualifying for season eight individuals is underway; at least two local men participated in one held at Philadelphia’s Richmond Power Plant Thursday and Friday. Scott Carslaw is a gymnastics coach who also mentors “ANW”-style workouts, and Mike Shuck is a fifth-grade teacher at Aiken Elementary in Green Tree.

The Philly regional is scheduled to air June 27, with the national finals from Las Vegas Aug. 22. Esquire Network broadcasts repeats of the NBC shows soon after the original airdate.