ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Josh Hartnett Is Expecting Baby No. 2, Girlfriend Tamsin Egerton Debuts Bump at 2017 Oscars After-Party. Surprise! Josh Hartnett is about to experience his second round of fatherhood. Longtime girlfriend Tamsin Egerton debuted what appears to be a baby bump during Vanity Fair's 2017 Oscars After-Party on Sunday evening at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Josh and Tamsin welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in November 2015 -- three years after they began dating. During the post-Academy Awards celebration, the English actress glowed in a black bodycon gown while the dad-to-be looked suave in a classic black and white tuxedo. The lovebirds happily posed for photographs, though they've yet to publicly confirm a new bundle of joy is in fact on the way. Egerton shared a photo alongside Josh and Hartnett's ex-girlfriend Helena Christensen to Instagram, though made no mention of a pregnancy. Josh and Tamsin co-starred as love interests in The Lovers, which filmed between 2010 and 2011. The pair faced romance speculation one year later, and officially confirmed their relationship in 2013. Six months after becoming a father, Hartnett sat down for an interview with Good Morning Britain last May. When asked about parenthood, he shared, "It changes everything, what can you say? The rubber finally meets the road and everything you have done beforehand is just preamble. You're actually living your life for the first time because everything matters a bit more doesn't it?" The Penny Dreadful star also explained how his little girl has impacted his professional career. "For me it's not just about who I'm potentially working with, I just want to take that opportunity and I want to live as much of a full life as I can because I'm taking care of my daughter and thinking about her," he said. Congratulations, you two! (Eonline)
Congratulations to designer Charlotte Ronson and Fun. frontman Nate Ruess, who have welcomed their first child. Charlotte gave birth to a boy, Levon Ronson-Ruess, earlier this month. The couple have been dating since 2014. We're told the family, including Charlotte's sister, Samantha Ronson, and brother, Mark Ronson, are "over the moon." This happy news also makes Charlotte's mom, jewelry designer Ann Dexter-Jones, New York's most glamorous grandmother. (Page Six)
From Paris with love, Selena Gomez and The Weeknd. The couple was spotted leaving five-star hotel La Reserve on Monday evening, just a few minutes down the road from where Bella Hadid was pictured leaving Hotel George V. The Weeknd, 27, has a concert scheduled at the AccorHôtels Arena on Tuesday, and Gomez, 24, will no doubt be supporting him as she has been attending several of his European concerts. On Sunday, the actress called him her "baby" in a Snapchat video at his Zurich concert. Meanwhile, Hadid, who broke up with the "Party Monster" singer in November after a year-and-a-half-long romance, has been in the City of Light attending fittings ahead of Paris Fashion Week. PEOPLE revealed in January that Hadid had harbored hurt feelings after her ex was pictured on a romantic date with Gomez. "Bella and Abel's split wasn't dramatic, but of course she's hurt and pissed that he's moved on so quickly with Selena," said an insider. And earlier this month, Hadid told Teen Vogue that "love hurts." "As an outsider, you might think I handled it so well, but it's always in your heart, and you always feel it very heavily," the model admitted of her break-up. "It'll be hard for a while. Love hurts, but you have to pull through. Paris is the second international destination that Gomez and The Weeknd have visited. In late January, the pair took their romance to Italy, where they walked hand-in-hand inside the Galleria dell'Accademia museum in Florence and dined at local restaurants. (People)
Sarah Silverman: I Chose a Career Over Children. There's a double standard in the world of stand-up, according to Sarah Silverman. In a series of tweets Monday night, Silverman explained why she chose a career over children. "As a comic always working & on the road I have had to decide between motherhood & living my fullest life & I chose the latter. Men don't have to do that. I'd so love to be a fun dad, coming home from the road & being my best fun dad self," she told her 10.1 million followers. "So this is just a lil f--k all y'all bc u can't be a woman w/out sacrifice & that's the fact jack." Lest anyone misunderstand her point (as has happened in the past), Silverman tweeted that she loves her "comedian brothers" who "acknowledge this truth" on behalf of female comics. "They're my family," Silverman wrote, "& for a lot of us women comic sisters, our only family." Columnist and mother of two Ada Slivinski retweeted Silverman, adding, "Becoming a mother has filled my life more than I could have ever imagined. Filled it in ways a career alone never could have." Silverman understood her point, but tweeted in response, "That's beautiful, Ada! Living my fullest life is different than u living urs is all. I'm jus talkin bout me & people like me." Though Silverman has often said she doesn't want to get married, she has expressed a desire to start a family of her own. In fact, in a 2015 interview with E! News' Marc Malkin, she said, "You know how some guys have a rubber neck about like hot girls' butts or whatever? "That's me with babies and toddlers and even like children and young teens. They fortify me. I love them." Even then, Silverman knew motherhood might not be in her future. "I just don't have a life conducive to this. I could be a fun dad. I could do that. I could go on the road and come home and 'Daddy's home!' and give them everything I have and just love them to pieces when I'm home and have a career and a life...I live in a little apartment. Sometimes I sit and [think], 'So my guest room would be the baby's room and then I'd just buy it clothes and food?' I don't how people do it. It's so huge. It's so much and there's no going back. It's a big decision," she said. "I don't know how people make it so cavalierly. They're human lives you're responsible for." Silverman echoed her comments when she appeared on Marc Maron's WTF podcast nearly a year later. "It's a sadness for me because I love kids. I ache for kids," the 46-year-old star of I Smile Back explained at the time. "But I love my life more. You can't have it all; you really can't." (Eonline)
Warren Beatty refused to hand over the envelope evidence to Oscars security after the now-famous flub that erroneously crowned "La La Land" as the year's Best Picture. A source at the awards show told Page Six that an embarrassed Beatty was backstage after the epic error, and was about to step into an elevator with fellow stars and PriceWaterhouseCoopers brass when he was ordered to turn over the envelopes that caused the confusion -- but he refused. "Beatty was getting into an elevator, and they asked him to turn over the envelopes," said a source who saw the exchange. But, "He said no, he was going to keep them." The source said Beatty wanted the envelopes as proof he wasn't responsible for the awards accident. "Warren can be a bit paranoid," the source noted, "with his politics and everything." Vanity Fair reported that during the elevator incident, the show's stage manager "Gary Natoli .?.?. approached Beatty," telling him that "security would like the envelopes." But that Beatty shot back, "I'm holding onto them. I'll give them to ['Moonlight' director] Barry Jenkins at an appropriate moment." Beatty and Faye Dunaway gave "La La Land" Best Picture when they were given a duplicate envelope for the Best Actress category. The best picture was actually "Moonlight." After the error, Beatty was seen in a tussle onstage for the Best Pic envelope with PWC's Brian Cullinan -- the accounting exec who handed him the wrong envelope in the first place -- and the actor successfully had two envelopes as he walked off. Beatty carried them to an after-party, and was seen at the academy's official Governor's Ball explaining the snafu to execs from Lionsgate, which put out "La La Land." Beatty did not attend the vaunted Vanity Fair party, though Dunaway did, and was overheard saying, "I really [bleeped] that up," Variety reported. By 1 a.m. Monday, "Moonlight" distributor A24 posted an image of the Best Picture card, captioned, "It's real, we got the proof." (Page Six)
Biggest Loser's Bob Harper Is Back at Home and ''Feeling Better'' After Suffering Heart Attack. Bob Harper is on the mend after suffering a heart attack. As E! News previously reported, The Biggest Loser host was recently rushed to a New York City hospital after collapsing at the gym. Harper told TMZ he woke up two days later and remained under doctors' supervision for six more days. On Monday, the fitness guru took to Instagram with a health update, also thanking his many followers for their well wishes. "Well I guess you all heard what happened. Two weeks ago yesterday I had a heart attack. I am feeling better," the 51-year-old wrote alongside a photo of himself in a hospital bed and holding his dog. He added, "Just taking it easy. KARL has been a great nurse. I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of messages and support." "It feels good to be cared about," Bob continued. "I've been home [in Los Angeles] for 8 days now. Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I'm lucky to have such good friends and family to take care of me right now." Prior to sharing his health scare with the public, Harper captioned another Instagram photo posted five days ago, "My word of the day... LUCKY". It appears a fellow gym-goer, who just so happened to be a doctor, might have saved the television personality's life. This individual administered CPR and used paddles on Harper before ambulances arrived. Wishing Bob a speedy recovery! (Eonline)
Amanda Seyfried is grieving the sudden loss of her on-screen dad, Bill Paxton. "He was an amazing and supportive father-figure to me in my early career," she tells PEOPLE. "Incredibly inspired and full of life at every turn, he made you feel like everything was possible. This is a terrible loss." The actress, 31, starred opposite Paxton, who died at the age of 61, in the polygamy HBO drama Big Love from 2006 to 2011. Other stars have honored the late actor, including Ginnifer Goodwin, who played one of his three wives in Big Love, as well as Jamie Lee Curtis, director James Cameron, Helen Hunt and Bud Cort. Cort, who starred with Paxton in the 1990 thriller Brain Dead, released a statement to PEOPLE saying he's "not letting go" of the actor. The 68-year-old actor met Paxton in the 1970s when the Twister star was parking cars at the Beverly Hills Hotel, according to Cort's rep. The two became fast friends and their friendship endured. "All of the laughs and joyful times and deep conversations we've shared for so many years are safe in my heart forever," Cort's statement read. "You really did it and with such style, class and soul and intelligence and, of course, your incomparable humor." "It was an honor to be your friend and a privilege to act with you, to make music with you and... most of all, just to hang with you," he continued. "I love you, Bill. All my prayers and deepest sympathy to Louise, James and Lydia and to your mom and brother and your great dad John, who I know for sure you are with now. God bless you brother." Paxton died due to complications from surgery. His fame rose in the 1990s thanks to roles such as Morgan Earp in Tombstone(1993), Fred Haise in Apollo 13 (1995), the lead role in the 1996 hit Twister and as treasure hunter Brock Lovett in Titanic (1997). (People)
Ralphie May's estranged wife says he's sexually abusive, suicidal, and so drug-addled he can't be alone with their kids ... according to court docs. Lahna Turner claims Ralphie's gotten more aggressive and threatening recently in the fallout of their pending divorce ... due to frustration over monitored visits with their 2 kids. In docs, obtained by TMZ, Turner says he's been physically abusive, and it spread to the bedroom when they tried to reconcile in 2015. Turner says they were having sex, but after asking him to stop, he persisted and said, "You need to feel pain, bitch!" She also claims Ralphie insults her, threatens to kill himself, abuses drugs ... in front of their 2 kids -- and she's afraid he'll take them out of the country without permission. Turner requested a restraining order, which was only partially granted. The judge denied her request for Ralphie to stay 100 yards away, but he is barred from harassing her. Ralphie's reps had no comment, "due to legal constraints." (TMZ)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Kate Middleton Literally Sparkles From Head to Toe at Royal Reception With Prince William. Kate Middleton dazzled at a royal event on Monday! The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attended a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the launch of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017. Kate donned a lace Erdem dress that was woven with gold glitter, accessorizing the look with a pair of platinum Oscar de la Renta heels and drop earrings by Indian designer Anita Dongre -- a designer she donned during her trip to Mumbai last year. She chose to wear her hair half-up, showing off the gorgeous jewelry all the while emulating that classic beauty we all know and love. The Royal couple joined Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as they greeted a long list of high-profile attendees -- including politicians, diplomats and actors -- at the event, which honored the sight, smells, tastes and more from India. Kate and William enjoyed taking in all that the festive affair had to offer, smiling from ear-to-ear while learning about the country's culture. The other attendees came from areas of performing arts, fashion, food, literature and sports. A couple big names included: Kapil Dev, ex-England and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, musician Anoushka Shankar (the daughter of legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar) and film director Joe Wright. Meanwhile, the year-long program of events and exhibitions -- organized by the British Council together with the Indian High Commission in London -- will take place in both countries in order to celebrate the deep cultural ties between the nations and the 70th anniversary of India's independence. The program also aims to inspire people to celebrate the long-standing relationship between the two countries, which is a particularly crucial relationship for a post-Brexit Britain. (Eonline)
Hollywood recluse Johnny Depp was a surprise guest at Madonna's ultra-exclusive after-party. Sources tell us Depp -- who has been lying low after his bruising divorce from Amber Heard followed by his headline-making legal battle with his business managers -- showed up at Madonna's party, thrown with her manager Guy Oseary at his Hollywood home. A source told us, "Johnny actually looked great. He looked well and relaxed. People were happy to see him. This is the hardest Oscar invitation to get, there was no media invited and the stars really kicked off their shoes and danced." Madge got the crowd going with salsa dancing. Guests included Leo DiCaprio, who was introducing model Nina Agdal to other partygoers as "my girlfriend," Katy Perry and boyfriend Orlando Bloom, Lana Del Rey, Jon Hamm, Ed Norton, Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips. (Page Six)
Kourtney Kardashian has come under fire for posting a photo of her 4-year-old daughter, Penelope, wearing a lip ring. The mom-of-three shared a selfie with her little girl on Instagram on Monday, February 27, and admitted she was sporting the controversial piece of jewelry. "Our Oscar Sunday," she captioned the shot in which they are both in their dressing gowns. "Yes, that's a lip ring. Thanks @kimkardashian". But while the ring - given to her by her aunt, Kim Kardashian - was likely to just be a fake, Kourtney's social media followers flipped out. "A child shouldn't have that. Period," one angry person commented. "You got your little daughter a lip ring? And parent of the year goessss to," wrote another. Others berated the 37-year-old adding: "Why don't you just add a belly button ring too" and "When I was her age I wasn't even allowed to wear nail polish." While many pointed out that it probably wasn't real, Kourtney's parenting skills continued to be questioned. Penelope is emulating her famous aunt's style, since she's been pictured wearing a similar piece of jewelry recently. The photo comes just weeks after Us Weekly revealed Kourtney rejected her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick's marriage proposal during a four-day trip to Costa Rica. The couple and their three children, Mason, 7, Penelope and Reign, 2 were vacationing when he casually popped the question. But a source told Us that while she's happy to co-parent with him, "Kourtney is over being with him." (US Weekly)
Adorable attitude! Kim Kardashian shared a series of seriously cute selfies with her son Saint West on Monday, February 27. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star treated her followers to some snaps of her baby boy sitting in his high chair and glaring at the lens. But while his famous mom, 36, posed for the camera, the tot was perfecting a pout of his very own. "Look at his cheeks and angry face. LOL," Kardashian captioned one Twitter pic of one-year-old Saint looking less than impressed at the selfie session. On Instagram she shared a couple more where he looks a little happier and is even reaching up to give his mamma's face a squeeze. "Me and my Sainty boo a few months ago. Scroll through," the mom-of-two wrote. A few days earlier she was playing on Snapchat with her son and used one filter to turn him into a pooch. In the video, the tiny tike could be heard trying to say "dog" as he looked at himself sporting ears and a little black nose. (US Weekly)
Norman Reedus and Dave Chappelle worked up an appetite riding their motorcycles around Savannah, GA ... and hit up a local Cuban joint for some grub. Sources at Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant tell us ... the biker buddies rolled in around 2 PM Monday with 30-35 members of their crew, who were in town filming "Ride with Norman Reedus." They ordered lechon asado, pollo asado, paella, ropa vieja and cafe Cubano. We're told the guys dropped just over $500 bucks for the fiesta, and left way more than 20 percent for their server. 'Ride' airs on AMC and features Norman riding around with other celeb motorcycle enthusiasts. (TMZ)
Nicki Minaj's ex says Nicki took a major hit from Remy Ma ... and she shouldn't count on him to help her recover. We got Nicki's ex-fiance and producer Safaree Samuels leaving the gym in L.A. ... he says Remy's lyrics are some of the most disrespectful he's ever heard -- possibly a one-punch rap battle knockout. Safaree's not one for helping out his ex either, but not because it's personal with Nicki ... he's just not into female beef. (TMZ)
Music
Kanye West Drops New 17-Minute Version of The-Dream Track 'Bed'. Kanye West returned to Soundcloud after an eight-month absence on Monday night (Feb. 27) with a new, 17-minute version of The-Dream track "Bed." The track opens with an ominous repeated bass note and is highlighted by Dream's feathery singing on the demo of a song that would later be released by J. Holiday, though it doesn't seem to feature any new vocals from 'Ye. The atmospheric, meandering revamp, titled "BED YEEZY SEASON 5 (FT. THE DREAM)" was created by West and his The Life of Pablo collaborator DJDS and it premiered during the Feb. 15 Yeezy Season 5 fashion show. Dream co-wrote the original version for Chris Brown a decade ago and it emerged in 2010 on the unofficial mixtape LoveTape: The Demo's. (Billboard)
Chance the Rapper Will Meet Illinois Governor to Talk Chicago School Funding. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper plan to meet this week to discuss funding education in Chicago. The performer from Chicago, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, said Monday on Twitter that he'll meet privately with Rauner on Wednesday. He says he's eager to hear Rauner's ideas. The Republican governor's official Twitter account responded, saying "Looking forward to hearing your ideas, too." Talk of the meeting started after Rauner congratulated the rapper via Twitter for winning three Grammy Awards earlier this month, saying the state "is proud that you're one of our own." Chance replied that he'd "love" to meet with Rauner. Chicago Public Schools is suing Rauner and state education officials, saying the way Illinois funds schools violates the civil rights of the district's predominantly minority students. (Billboard)
Coldplay, The Chainsmokers, Ellie Goulding to Headline 2017 Global Citizen Festival Hamburg. The Chainsmokers, Coldplay and Ellie Goulding will headline the 2017 Global Citizens Festival Hamburg on July 6. The free, ticketed concert in advance of the 2017 G20 Summit will also feature German actor/singer Herbert Grönemeyer performing at the Barclayard Arena, on the eve of the gathering where the world's most powerful leaders will come together. Music fans can start trying to win tickets to the show starting March 14 by joining the Global Citizen movement here. The event will be handing out 9,000 free tickets to the show to people who sign up and pledge action to encourage world leaders to deliver on their responsibility to help the world's most vulnerable citizens. "In bringing the Global Citizen Festival to Germany for the first time, we are calling on the G20 to take action and responsibility for moving forward on the Global Goals," said Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans in a statement. "They have had two years to address the Goals, and while some leaders are stepping up, others are engaging with empty promises. As Global Citizens, we do not accept this; we do not accept the status quo or believe these issues are beyond our capacity to fix. With the support of the international community and our partners convened in Hamburg this July, the G20 leaders will hear our call. Together we will make a lasting impact for generations to come." The group said that less than two years after the adoption of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, "little progress has been made and world leaders are not being held accountable, with many retreating to isolationism. The G20 Summit is a critical moment of accountability for the world's most powerful leaders, who are uniquely placed to mobilize the political will and financial resources needed to fight inequality and poverty." Global Citizens members will gather in Hamburg the day before the Summit to demand that the G20 countries agree to concrete commitments to address and deliver on the list of goals in the areas of education, health, development and the global refugee crisis. "It is truly inspiring to see so many people come together and take action, participating in these essential conversations, and holding world leaders to account," Goulding said in a statement. "After joining the Global Citizen Festival on stage in New York last summer I am incredibly excited to continue on the journey to a sustainable future free of extreme poverty by performing in Hamburg on July 6th." (Billboard)
British Songwriter Accuses U2 Of Stealing Song for 'Achtung Baby'. The Edge and Bono of U2 perform onstage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 23, 2016 in Las Vegas. A British songwriter and guitarist is claiming that rock band U2 and lead singer Bono stole one of his songs for their 1991 album "Achtung Baby." In a lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court, Paul Rose says U2 lifted elements of his song "Nae Slappin" for their song "The Fly" while they were looking for new inspiration. The lawsuit says U2 heard his song after signing on with Island Records in 1989, the same year Rose provided a demo tape to recording studio executives. Rose is seeking songwriting credit for "The Fly" and $5 million in damages and lawyer's fees. The New York Post reports representatives for U2 and Island Records did not immediately return requests for comment. (Billboard)
Movies
Will Hollywood Survive Donald Trump's "Tweaks" to NAFTA? The president's promise to renegotiate the 23-year-old trade agreement could affect everything from foreign digital talent working in L.A. to the cost of popcorn in Mexican movie theaters. U.S. President Donald Trump has made no secret of his distaste for the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. After repeatedly criticizing the pact, which was ratified in 1994 in an attempt to free up trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Trump recently softened his stance somewhat, saying during a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he intends to "tweak" the agreement. But with the entertainment sectors in all three countries entwined-especially Canada, which benefits from lucrative Hollywood film and TV productions lured north of the border by generous tax credits and incentives -- a renegotiated NAFTA could mean serious consequences. The problem is that no one really knows what Trump will do, because he has been short on specifics. "Trump is 'America first,' and I think he will try to push through whatever he thinks will improve the U.S. situation. We have a lot to lose if NAFTA is seriously damaged," says Bernie Wolf, a professor of economics and international business at the Schulich School of Business in Toronto. One source of concern is the free movement of labor. if Trumps listens to Los Angeles unions crying foul over American jobs lost to Canadian soundstages and VFX houses in Vancouver and Toronto, the door could be slammed shut on NAFTA-sanctioned TN (Treaty NAFTA) work visas. NAFTA created the TN professional visa so Canadians and Mexicans could enter the U.S. upon receiving a job offer from an American employer. The TN visa is generally valid for one to three years, so it is basically a temporary work permit, a valuable asset for foreign talent looking for work in the tech and VFX industries. "If Trump gets his wish of tossing out NAFTA for good -- or at least is able to make dramatic changes to the agreement -- the TN would effectively cease to exist, closing off one of the key avenues used by Canadian workers to accept opportunities in the U.S., at least temporarily," warns immigration lawyer Lorraine D'Alessio of D'Alessio Law Group. Others see the status of foreign digital artists in any reopened NAFTA talks as unchartered territory, as the trade pact was negotiated when digital technologies like CGI were in their infancy. "At present, digital professionals qualify for the TN visa, but because that industry didn't exist in 1994, they don't fit easily into existing categories," says Mark Warner, an international trade lawyer with Toronto-based firm MAAW Law. Mexico's thriving exhibition sector, which ranks No. 10 worldwide in terms of box-office sales, will face more prosaic challenges in the event of a trade war. Cinepolis, Mexico's top theater chain, not only buys screens and projectors from the U.S. but also purchases nacho cheese sauce and popcorn kernels stateside. Yes, you read that right -- Mexico, the cradle of maize, imports its kernels from the U.S., because it doesn't produce enough of the corn used to make popcorn. Cinepolis has said that any significant tax increase on U.S. popcorn kernels might force the cinema giant to turn to Argentina as an alternative supplier. But even if Trump did at one time talk about ripping up NAFTA, few see him picking a fight with Hollywood and its cross-border trade in media production during the upcoming renegotiations. Says Ariel Katz, an associate professor of law at the University of Toronto: "If Canada plays its hand wisely, it might be able to preserve the status quo." (Hollywood Reporter)
Netflix's 'Okja' Teaser Offers First Glimpse of Mystery Animal and Tilda Swinton in Character. Directed by Bong Joon Ho and also starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano and Lily Collins, the film will be released globally in June. Netflix dropped its first teaser trailer for Bong Joon Ho's much-talked-about fantasy film Okja on Tuesday. The film is about a young girl who lives in the deep woods of South Korea's mountainous Gangwon Province with a "massive animal" named Okja who does everything in her power to find her best friend when Okja disappears. Okja attracted much interest around the mysterious titular character, and the newly released clip features a glimpse of a large, brown-eyed creature with elephant-like skin and a description in Korean that it is 'somewhere between human and animal.' Oscar winner Erik-Jan de Boer (Life of Pi) is supervising the visual effects of the $50 million film. A platinum-blond Tilda Swinton appears to be behind Okja's creation: "I took nature and science, and synthesized." The sequence also shows the lead South Korean actress, Seohyun An, frantically searching for Okja in the woods, along with the caption in Korean that reads "Love and the fear within it." "I want to show the beauty that can exist between man and animal, and also the horror between them," the South Korean director previously said about his first project with Netflix studios. Other cast members include Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano and Lily Collins (To the Bone), along with Devon Bostick (The 100), Byun Heebong (The Host), Shirley Henderson (Anna Karenina), Daniel Henshall (The Babadook), Yoon Je Moon (Mother), Choi Wooshik (Set Me Free) and Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead). Shooting locations include South Korea, Canada and the U.S., and the film is in English and Korean. Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Lewis Taewan Kim, Dooho Choi, Woo-sik Seo and Bong Joon Ho are producers on the film. Okja is a Plan B, Lewis Pictures and Kate Street Picture Company production. Okja will premiere globally on Netflix in June and will also have a limited day-and-date theatrical release in the U.S. (Hollywood Reporter)
Oscars: Patricia Arquette Angry at Sister Alexis' In Memoriam Omission. "I was really p-----d off," the Academy Award-winning actress told ABC news. Patricia Arquette has expressed her fury at the exclusion of her sister Alexis from the In Memoriam section at this year's Oscars. Alexis, who died in September at age 47, has more than 70 stage and screen credits on her acting CV and was a trailblazing artist and activist for other trans actors and performers. Speaking to ABC News, Arquette, who won best actress Oscar for her role in Boyhood in 2015, said: "I was really p-----d off the Academy left out my sister Alexis in the Memoriam, because Alexis had a great body of work, but Alexis was one of very few trans artists that worked in the business." "At a time when we have trans kids that can't even go to the bathroom at school, you would think the Academy would have a little bit more respect for a group of people that are murdered, and trans women of color are most likely to live in extreme poverty, making $800 a month." She added: "So I think the Oscars have a lot of learning to do." The In Memoriam section of this year's Oscars came in for more criticism, most notably for remembering the late costume designer Janet Patterson mistakenly with an image of her friend, producer Jan Chapman, who is "very much alive." (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Savannah Guthrie Accidentally Confuses Matt Lauer and Her Husband and the Slip Leaves Them Both Blushing. Pregnancy brain is making live television interesting for Savannah Guthrie. After making her grand return to Today on Monday following a maternity leave for her newborn son, Charles, the co-anchor made an accidental slip that had the entire panel bowled over in awkward laughter. As she, Sheinelle Jones and Al Roker were discussing the effects of children on women's sleep versus men's sleep, Guthrie recalled how her husband would complain about his tiredness while she was waking up every few hours to feed their baby throughout the night. However, as the journalist was telling her story, she accidentally called her husband Matt instead of Mike [Feldman]. "Breaking news!" Jones joked. "Anything you want to talk about?" "Where is my Freud textbook?" Guthrie reacted in shock. "That's not the first time that's happened." "That's our secret," Lauer quipped into the camera as he and Guthrie shook their heads in embarrassment. "This is what happens when you leave," she told viewers. "It all falls apart." However, Guthrie owned her gaffe, introducing Lauer in a later segment as Mike again -- this time on purpose. "Let's head back down to Washington and more with Mike," she joked as Lauer reappeared from his live shot from the United States Capitol. "Matt at work, Mike at home," he retorted. "I'm not paying for college for Vale and Charlie, alright?" "Take one look at those kids," she concluded. "We all know who the daddy is, ok!" (Eonline)
Feud to Tackle Prince Charles and Princess Diana in Season 2. Feud is going royal for its second season. FX announced the newest installment of Ryan Murphy's anthology series will be titled Feud: Charles and Diana and tackle Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married from 1981-1996. Diana, mother to Prince William and Prince Harry, died in 1997. Their marriage became fodder for tabloids around the world, with allegations of affairs happening in the early 1990s. Prince Charles' current wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, will likely be a major figure in the series. The second installment will be 10 episodes and debut in 2018. Murphy will write Feud: Charles and Diana with Jon Robin Baitz and serve as executive producers. Dede Gardner, Plan B Entertainment and Alexis Martin Woodall are also on board as executive producers. Baitz is currently a consulting producer on the second season of American Crime Story, Katrina: American Crime Story. So far that season has Annette Bening and Matthew Broderick in the cast. Baitz's other credits include creating Brothers and Sisters, executive producing The Slap, Three Hotels, The West Wing and Alias. Feud: Bette and Joan, the first season of the series, premieres Sunday, March 5 at 10 p.m. on FX. In Feud: Bette and Joan, Jessica Lange stars as Joan Crawford opposite Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis. The series charts the famous feud between the Oscar winners who only worked on one film together: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? The cast also includes Alfred Molina, Sarah Paulson, Stanley Tucci, Kathy Bates, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jackie Hoffman, Kiernan Shipka, Alison Wright and Judy Davis. Feud: Bette and Joan premieres Sunday, March 5 at 10 p.m. on FX. (Eonline)
How Drew Barrymore Helped Michael Vartan Land His Breakout Role in Never Been Kissed. We cannot imagine Drew Barrymore's classic rom com Never Been Kissed without Michael Vartan (AKA Mr. Coulson). But Vartan says he never thought he'd actually land the role after his audition. "I auditioned for Never Been Kissed 116 years ago and I was as nervous as can be," Vartan told E! News during an exclusive visit to the set of his new E! show The Arrangement. "It was my first, one of my first really big movie auditions and I really had no notion or thought that I was gonna get the job. And Drew Barrymore, who was the star and producer of the movie, fought very hard for me and I got the job." Since landing his big breakout role in Never Been Kissed almost 20 years ago, the 48-year-old actor has starred in lots of major TV shows and films, including Alias with Jennifer Garner and Monster-in-Law opposite Jennifer Lopez. However, Vartan admits he's still gets nervous when it comes to auditioning. "Every audition is terrible," Vartan added. "It's really nothing but self-loathing and self-doubt. The auditions I thought I'd done the best on I never even got a call back and the auditions where I threw my sides in the trash walking out saying 'that's done' you get a call back. There's no rhyme or reason." Series premiere of The Arrangement this Sunday at 10 p.m., on E! (Eonline)
Even though Bill Paxton was one of the leads on the TV version of "Training Day," no one will take his place in the role ... according to producers. Will Beall, the creator of the CBS crime series, and executive producer Barry Schindel, told us Bill was perfect and irreplaceable as crooked cop Frank Roarke. They've already finished shooting the show's premiere season, and they're playing it close to the vest when it comes to Bill's character's fate. They did hint at a perfect "send-off." If that sounds like the character dies, don't be so sure. Just watch. It's unclear if the show will be back for a 2nd season, but if it is . . . the guys are sure how they'll handle Bill's death. (TMZ)
Kym Johnson Returning for 'DWTS' Season 24; Celebrity Pairings Revealed. Dancing With the Stars is bringing back a familiar face! Kym Johnson, who last competed on the celebrity dance competition in spring 2015 with her now-husband, Robert Herjavec, will make a grand return to the DWTS dance floor as a pro for season 24, ET has exclusively learned. The 40-year-old Aussie will be partnered with Mr. T in the new cycle. Johnson's return to DWTS comes months after she told ET in August 2016 that she was officially done with the show. "I love the show and I love to still be part of it, but you know, I still want to hang up my dance shoes and what a way to end," Johnson said. "It's like, 'Thank you, Dancing With the Stars." In September 2016, she filled in for DWTS co-host Erin Andrews alongside longtime emcee Tom Bergeron. ET has also confirmed new celebrity participants and some of their pro partners. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles will be paired with Sasha Farber for the upcoming season. Bachelor Nick Viall will continue the streak of Bachelor/Bachelorette presence on DWTS, and will be partnered with returning pro Peta Murgatroyd, who will be back on the dance floor after giving birth to son Shai. Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei will be partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy, while Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Erika Jayne will be dancing with Gleb Savchenko. Charo, who previously appeared on DWTS in 2010 teaching Pamela Anderson the flamenco, will be paired with pro Keo Motsepe, while bull rider Bonner Bolton will slip on the dancing shoes with Sharna Burgess. Former Glee star Heather Morris, ex-Jacksonville Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings and comedian Chris Kattan will also be competing. Pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy will return. Former Olympic ice skater Nancy Kerrigan is reportedly also in the cast. Among the pros not returning for the upcoming installment? Cheryl Burke, Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Karina Smirnoff and Tony Dovolani. The official season 24 cast announcement will take place on Good Morning America on Wednesday. The new season premieres Monday, March 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. (MSN)
Nashville shocked fans on Thursday with the devastating death of Rayna Jaymes, the country superstar singer, loving wife and mother of two portrayed by Connie Britton for five seasons on the show. But while fans of the soap might have been crying during Jaymes' emotional goodbye, it was Britton who was tearing up on Tuesday when reminiscing about the role. "I'm going to get choked up," the 49-year-old actress told Kelly Ripa and Jerry O'Connell during a stop by Live with Kelly. "It really was hard. That's my family -- that's been my Nashville family. I loved playing that role so much. So it's been a lot of things." Britton, who had asked Nashville producers to leave the show, said her exit was "something that [she] wanted for a lot of reasons." That said, spending her last scenes in a hospital bed wasn't exactly a restful way to end her run. "I've been in a coma before and it wasn't all as it's cracked up to be," she said. "I wasn't as excited about the coma acting as I thought. Because the way they get you with the coma, you have to put the tube in your throat. And I was like, 'This is not as fun as I expected.' " She did grab some things from set on the way out. "Rayna Jaymes had really fabulous clothes. So I might have swiped a couple of things," Britton said before showing off one small souvenir. "And this-this is the program for Rayna and Deacon's wedding. So that was kind of sentimental." Just because Britton's character is dead doesn't mean she won't be seen on the show again, though. She will appear in flashbacks for a few more episodes later this season. And during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday night -- her first since her Nashville death aired -- Britton hinted she would be open to appearing on the show as an evil twin or a zombie. "I think these are great ideas actually," Britton said. "I think the twin sister idea is not bad. It's Nashville, anything can happen. What if the long lost twin sister can come back? Oh and she's such a devil. Oh she's such a devil. She'll come back and be horrible!" Sadly, it appeared Britton was just joking. "[Rayna's] really dead," she said. "I'm sorry! I gotta tell it like it is." And though the confirmation was heartbreaking, Britton had a sweet message for Nashville's fans. "I would say to my fans, first of all, that I love you so much. The show loves you so much. Rayna will live on forever. I feel so fortunate that I was able to play that character truly with all my heart. I love that character so much. And just as when we lose somebody in our lives, the spirit will live on. And there's reruns!" Britton said. Nashville airs Thursdays (9 p.m. ET) on CMT. (People)
Benedict Cumberbatch and Showtime Team for 'Melrose' Miniseries. The five-part project is an adaptation of English author Edward St. Aubyn's Booker Prize-winning novels. Benedict Cumberbatch can't stay away from TV for long. Fresh off of a three-part return to BBC favorite Sherlock and news of a PBS telepic, the Oscar-nominated actor is teaming with Showtime for a five-part limited series. Cumberbatch will star in and executive produce Melrose, a mini based on the fictional works of author and journalist Edward St. Aubyn. He'll play the titular character, Patrick Melrose, whose been the focus of five novels -- including the 2006 Man Booker Prize-winning Mother's Milk. It's another international matchup for Showtime. The stateside pay cable network is producing the series with Sky Atlantic, a second collaboration after the upcoming John Ridley and Idris Elba effort Guerrilla. One Day author and screenwriter David Nicholls is set to adapt all five installments, with each episode focusing on a different one of St. Aubyn's Melrose books. The character is described as an aristocratic and outrageously funny playboy struggling with considerable parent issues. Showtime Networks CEO and president David Nevins announced the news on Tuesday, further cementing his clearly vested interest in the limited series space. In addition to Guerrilla, the network also has its sprawling one-off Twin Peaks revival and is developing another mini about Muhammad Ali's landmark 1967 summit of black athletes to protest the Vietnam War draft. "We are delighted to be part of this incredible series," said Cumberbatch and Adam Ackland, who will produce under their SunnyMarch shingle. "We have been huge fans of these books for many years, and David Nicholls' adaptations are extraordinary." Word has it that Cumberbatch and company are looking for an auteur-type director to helm each of the five installments, as has been in fashion since Cary Fukunaga's celebrated work on HBO's original outing of True Detective. Showtime is already doing that with David Lynch on Twin Peaks and, to a certain extent, Guerrilla (Ridley split directing duty on that project with Luther helmer Sam Miller). Cumberbatch, whose take on Alan Turing in The Imitation Game earned him an Academy Award nomination in 2015, has four Emmy nominations and one win under his belt for his sporadic portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC's update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic literary character. He'll next be seen in Thor: Ragnarok, as he's now a fixture in the Marvel cinematic universe thanks to his well-received debut as Dr. Strange in the 2016 film of the same name. He is repped by UTA and Conway Van Gelder Grant and Sloane Offer. (Hollywood Reporter)
'Broadchurch' Season 3 Debut Draws 7.5M on ITV, 'Nightly Show' Kicks off With 2.9M Viewers. Britain's answer to U.S. late-night shows draws some negative reviews from viewers and critics. U.K. TV giant ITV's flagship network on Monday night drew 7.5 million viewers with the 9 p.m. season 3 debut of hit series Broadchurch and averaged an audience of 2.9 million for the first edition of 10 p.m. experiment The Nightly Show, Britain's answer to U.S. late-night shows. Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, became a U.K. ratings hit in its first season. The overnight audience figures for the start of season 3 compared with 7.6 million viewers for the season 2 launch episode. The second season then hit ratings lows. The drama's 34 percent share of viewing at the time came in higher than the season 2 premiere and set a high for the show and brought in ITV's biggest drama audience since Downton Abbe yin 2015. Overall, Broadchurch won the 9 p.m. time slot convincingly and helped ITV beat BBC flagship network BBC One in terms of all-day share for the first time this year. The Nightly Show is a 30-minute daily show with an eight-week run, featuring a different big-name host each week. Comedian and Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams is hosting the show this week, with Gordon Ramsay among the other hosts for the show's run. The first episode started out with an audience of 3.8 million, helped by the Broadchurch lead-in, but finished with only 2.2 million viewers. That meant an average audience of 2.9 million. Observers highlighted that this was well above news show ITV News at Ten, which the show is replacing. But the show and Walliams drew viewer criticism on Twitter. "How can you go from the excellence of #Broadchurch to the showing the absolutely dire #NightlyShow?" tweeted one viewer. Another one said: "I watched my first and last #thenightlyshow last night. Awful TV." TV reviewers also felt the show had little to offer. The Telegraph called it "flat," while Times said "David Walliams's jokes fell flat in the comedy talk show's debut." Some viewers said they liked the new show though. "I personally loved #TheNightlyShow!" said one viewer on Twitter. "Something refreshing!" (Hollywood Reporter)
Congratulations to designer Charlotte Ronson and Fun. frontman Nate Ruess, who have welcomed their first child. Charlotte gave birth to a boy, Levon Ronson-Ruess, earlier this month. The couple have been dating since 2014. We're told the family, including Charlotte's sister, Samantha Ronson, and brother, Mark Ronson, are "over the moon." This happy news also makes Charlotte's mom, jewelry designer Ann Dexter-Jones, New York's most glamorous grandmother. (Page Six)
From Paris with love, Selena Gomez and The Weeknd. The couple was spotted leaving five-star hotel La Reserve on Monday evening, just a few minutes down the road from where Bella Hadid was pictured leaving Hotel George V. The Weeknd, 27, has a concert scheduled at the AccorHôtels Arena on Tuesday, and Gomez, 24, will no doubt be supporting him as she has been attending several of his European concerts. On Sunday, the actress called him her "baby" in a Snapchat video at his Zurich concert. Meanwhile, Hadid, who broke up with the "Party Monster" singer in November after a year-and-a-half-long romance, has been in the City of Light attending fittings ahead of Paris Fashion Week. PEOPLE revealed in January that Hadid had harbored hurt feelings after her ex was pictured on a romantic date with Gomez. "Bella and Abel's split wasn't dramatic, but of course she's hurt and pissed that he's moved on so quickly with Selena," said an insider. And earlier this month, Hadid told Teen Vogue that "love hurts." "As an outsider, you might think I handled it so well, but it's always in your heart, and you always feel it very heavily," the model admitted of her break-up. "It'll be hard for a while. Love hurts, but you have to pull through. Paris is the second international destination that Gomez and The Weeknd have visited. In late January, the pair took their romance to Italy, where they walked hand-in-hand inside the Galleria dell'Accademia museum in Florence and dined at local restaurants. (People)
Sarah Silverman: I Chose a Career Over Children. There's a double standard in the world of stand-up, according to Sarah Silverman. In a series of tweets Monday night, Silverman explained why she chose a career over children. "As a comic always working & on the road I have had to decide between motherhood & living my fullest life & I chose the latter. Men don't have to do that. I'd so love to be a fun dad, coming home from the road & being my best fun dad self," she told her 10.1 million followers. "So this is just a lil f--k all y'all bc u can't be a woman w/out sacrifice & that's the fact jack." Lest anyone misunderstand her point (as has happened in the past), Silverman tweeted that she loves her "comedian brothers" who "acknowledge this truth" on behalf of female comics. "They're my family," Silverman wrote, "& for a lot of us women comic sisters, our only family." Columnist and mother of two Ada Slivinski retweeted Silverman, adding, "Becoming a mother has filled my life more than I could have ever imagined. Filled it in ways a career alone never could have." Silverman understood her point, but tweeted in response, "That's beautiful, Ada! Living my fullest life is different than u living urs is all. I'm jus talkin bout me & people like me." Though Silverman has often said she doesn't want to get married, she has expressed a desire to start a family of her own. In fact, in a 2015 interview with E! News' Marc Malkin, she said, "You know how some guys have a rubber neck about like hot girls' butts or whatever? "That's me with babies and toddlers and even like children and young teens. They fortify me. I love them." Even then, Silverman knew motherhood might not be in her future. "I just don't have a life conducive to this. I could be a fun dad. I could do that. I could go on the road and come home and 'Daddy's home!' and give them everything I have and just love them to pieces when I'm home and have a career and a life...I live in a little apartment. Sometimes I sit and [think], 'So my guest room would be the baby's room and then I'd just buy it clothes and food?' I don't how people do it. It's so huge. It's so much and there's no going back. It's a big decision," she said. "I don't know how people make it so cavalierly. They're human lives you're responsible for." Silverman echoed her comments when she appeared on Marc Maron's WTF podcast nearly a year later. "It's a sadness for me because I love kids. I ache for kids," the 46-year-old star of I Smile Back explained at the time. "But I love my life more. You can't have it all; you really can't." (Eonline)
Warren Beatty refused to hand over the envelope evidence to Oscars security after the now-famous flub that erroneously crowned "La La Land" as the year's Best Picture. A source at the awards show told Page Six that an embarrassed Beatty was backstage after the epic error, and was about to step into an elevator with fellow stars and PriceWaterhouseCoopers brass when he was ordered to turn over the envelopes that caused the confusion -- but he refused. "Beatty was getting into an elevator, and they asked him to turn over the envelopes," said a source who saw the exchange. But, "He said no, he was going to keep them." The source said Beatty wanted the envelopes as proof he wasn't responsible for the awards accident. "Warren can be a bit paranoid," the source noted, "with his politics and everything." Vanity Fair reported that during the elevator incident, the show's stage manager "Gary Natoli .?.?. approached Beatty," telling him that "security would like the envelopes." But that Beatty shot back, "I'm holding onto them. I'll give them to ['Moonlight' director] Barry Jenkins at an appropriate moment." Beatty and Faye Dunaway gave "La La Land" Best Picture when they were given a duplicate envelope for the Best Actress category. The best picture was actually "Moonlight." After the error, Beatty was seen in a tussle onstage for the Best Pic envelope with PWC's Brian Cullinan -- the accounting exec who handed him the wrong envelope in the first place -- and the actor successfully had two envelopes as he walked off. Beatty carried them to an after-party, and was seen at the academy's official Governor's Ball explaining the snafu to execs from Lionsgate, which put out "La La Land." Beatty did not attend the vaunted Vanity Fair party, though Dunaway did, and was overheard saying, "I really [bleeped] that up," Variety reported. By 1 a.m. Monday, "Moonlight" distributor A24 posted an image of the Best Picture card, captioned, "It's real, we got the proof." (Page Six)
Biggest Loser's Bob Harper Is Back at Home and ''Feeling Better'' After Suffering Heart Attack. Bob Harper is on the mend after suffering a heart attack. As E! News previously reported, The Biggest Loser host was recently rushed to a New York City hospital after collapsing at the gym. Harper told TMZ he woke up two days later and remained under doctors' supervision for six more days. On Monday, the fitness guru took to Instagram with a health update, also thanking his many followers for their well wishes. "Well I guess you all heard what happened. Two weeks ago yesterday I had a heart attack. I am feeling better," the 51-year-old wrote alongside a photo of himself in a hospital bed and holding his dog. He added, "Just taking it easy. KARL has been a great nurse. I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of messages and support." "It feels good to be cared about," Bob continued. "I've been home [in Los Angeles] for 8 days now. Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I'm lucky to have such good friends and family to take care of me right now." Prior to sharing his health scare with the public, Harper captioned another Instagram photo posted five days ago, "My word of the day... LUCKY". It appears a fellow gym-goer, who just so happened to be a doctor, might have saved the television personality's life. This individual administered CPR and used paddles on Harper before ambulances arrived. Wishing Bob a speedy recovery! (Eonline)
Amanda Seyfried is grieving the sudden loss of her on-screen dad, Bill Paxton. "He was an amazing and supportive father-figure to me in my early career," she tells PEOPLE. "Incredibly inspired and full of life at every turn, he made you feel like everything was possible. This is a terrible loss." The actress, 31, starred opposite Paxton, who died at the age of 61, in the polygamy HBO drama Big Love from 2006 to 2011. Other stars have honored the late actor, including Ginnifer Goodwin, who played one of his three wives in Big Love, as well as Jamie Lee Curtis, director James Cameron, Helen Hunt and Bud Cort. Cort, who starred with Paxton in the 1990 thriller Brain Dead, released a statement to PEOPLE saying he's "not letting go" of the actor. The 68-year-old actor met Paxton in the 1970s when the Twister star was parking cars at the Beverly Hills Hotel, according to Cort's rep. The two became fast friends and their friendship endured. "All of the laughs and joyful times and deep conversations we've shared for so many years are safe in my heart forever," Cort's statement read. "You really did it and with such style, class and soul and intelligence and, of course, your incomparable humor." "It was an honor to be your friend and a privilege to act with you, to make music with you and... most of all, just to hang with you," he continued. "I love you, Bill. All my prayers and deepest sympathy to Louise, James and Lydia and to your mom and brother and your great dad John, who I know for sure you are with now. God bless you brother." Paxton died due to complications from surgery. His fame rose in the 1990s thanks to roles such as Morgan Earp in Tombstone(1993), Fred Haise in Apollo 13 (1995), the lead role in the 1996 hit Twister and as treasure hunter Brock Lovett in Titanic (1997). (People)
Ralphie May's estranged wife says he's sexually abusive, suicidal, and so drug-addled he can't be alone with their kids ... according to court docs. Lahna Turner claims Ralphie's gotten more aggressive and threatening recently in the fallout of their pending divorce ... due to frustration over monitored visits with their 2 kids. In docs, obtained by TMZ, Turner says he's been physically abusive, and it spread to the bedroom when they tried to reconcile in 2015. Turner says they were having sex, but after asking him to stop, he persisted and said, "You need to feel pain, bitch!" She also claims Ralphie insults her, threatens to kill himself, abuses drugs ... in front of their 2 kids -- and she's afraid he'll take them out of the country without permission. Turner requested a restraining order, which was only partially granted. The judge denied her request for Ralphie to stay 100 yards away, but he is barred from harassing her. Ralphie's reps had no comment, "due to legal constraints." (TMZ)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Kate Middleton Literally Sparkles From Head to Toe at Royal Reception With Prince William. Kate Middleton dazzled at a royal event on Monday! The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attended a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the launch of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017. Kate donned a lace Erdem dress that was woven with gold glitter, accessorizing the look with a pair of platinum Oscar de la Renta heels and drop earrings by Indian designer Anita Dongre -- a designer she donned during her trip to Mumbai last year. She chose to wear her hair half-up, showing off the gorgeous jewelry all the while emulating that classic beauty we all know and love. The Royal couple joined Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as they greeted a long list of high-profile attendees -- including politicians, diplomats and actors -- at the event, which honored the sight, smells, tastes and more from India. Kate and William enjoyed taking in all that the festive affair had to offer, smiling from ear-to-ear while learning about the country's culture. The other attendees came from areas of performing arts, fashion, food, literature and sports. A couple big names included: Kapil Dev, ex-England and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, musician Anoushka Shankar (the daughter of legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar) and film director Joe Wright. Meanwhile, the year-long program of events and exhibitions -- organized by the British Council together with the Indian High Commission in London -- will take place in both countries in order to celebrate the deep cultural ties between the nations and the 70th anniversary of India's independence. The program also aims to inspire people to celebrate the long-standing relationship between the two countries, which is a particularly crucial relationship for a post-Brexit Britain. (Eonline)
Hollywood recluse Johnny Depp was a surprise guest at Madonna's ultra-exclusive after-party. Sources tell us Depp -- who has been lying low after his bruising divorce from Amber Heard followed by his headline-making legal battle with his business managers -- showed up at Madonna's party, thrown with her manager Guy Oseary at his Hollywood home. A source told us, "Johnny actually looked great. He looked well and relaxed. People were happy to see him. This is the hardest Oscar invitation to get, there was no media invited and the stars really kicked off their shoes and danced." Madge got the crowd going with salsa dancing. Guests included Leo DiCaprio, who was introducing model Nina Agdal to other partygoers as "my girlfriend," Katy Perry and boyfriend Orlando Bloom, Lana Del Rey, Jon Hamm, Ed Norton, Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips. (Page Six)
Kourtney Kardashian has come under fire for posting a photo of her 4-year-old daughter, Penelope, wearing a lip ring. The mom-of-three shared a selfie with her little girl on Instagram on Monday, February 27, and admitted she was sporting the controversial piece of jewelry. "Our Oscar Sunday," she captioned the shot in which they are both in their dressing gowns. "Yes, that's a lip ring. Thanks @kimkardashian". But while the ring - given to her by her aunt, Kim Kardashian - was likely to just be a fake, Kourtney's social media followers flipped out. "A child shouldn't have that. Period," one angry person commented. "You got your little daughter a lip ring? And parent of the year goessss to," wrote another. Others berated the 37-year-old adding: "Why don't you just add a belly button ring too" and "When I was her age I wasn't even allowed to wear nail polish." While many pointed out that it probably wasn't real, Kourtney's parenting skills continued to be questioned. Penelope is emulating her famous aunt's style, since she's been pictured wearing a similar piece of jewelry recently. The photo comes just weeks after Us Weekly revealed Kourtney rejected her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick's marriage proposal during a four-day trip to Costa Rica. The couple and their three children, Mason, 7, Penelope and Reign, 2 were vacationing when he casually popped the question. But a source told Us that while she's happy to co-parent with him, "Kourtney is over being with him." (US Weekly)
Adorable attitude! Kim Kardashian shared a series of seriously cute selfies with her son Saint West on Monday, February 27. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star treated her followers to some snaps of her baby boy sitting in his high chair and glaring at the lens. But while his famous mom, 36, posed for the camera, the tot was perfecting a pout of his very own. "Look at his cheeks and angry face. LOL," Kardashian captioned one Twitter pic of one-year-old Saint looking less than impressed at the selfie session. On Instagram she shared a couple more where he looks a little happier and is even reaching up to give his mamma's face a squeeze. "Me and my Sainty boo a few months ago. Scroll through," the mom-of-two wrote. A few days earlier she was playing on Snapchat with her son and used one filter to turn him into a pooch. In the video, the tiny tike could be heard trying to say "dog" as he looked at himself sporting ears and a little black nose. (US Weekly)
Norman Reedus and Dave Chappelle worked up an appetite riding their motorcycles around Savannah, GA ... and hit up a local Cuban joint for some grub. Sources at Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant tell us ... the biker buddies rolled in around 2 PM Monday with 30-35 members of their crew, who were in town filming "Ride with Norman Reedus." They ordered lechon asado, pollo asado, paella, ropa vieja and cafe Cubano. We're told the guys dropped just over $500 bucks for the fiesta, and left way more than 20 percent for their server. 'Ride' airs on AMC and features Norman riding around with other celeb motorcycle enthusiasts. (TMZ)
Nicki Minaj's ex says Nicki took a major hit from Remy Ma ... and she shouldn't count on him to help her recover. We got Nicki's ex-fiance and producer Safaree Samuels leaving the gym in L.A. ... he says Remy's lyrics are some of the most disrespectful he's ever heard -- possibly a one-punch rap battle knockout. Safaree's not one for helping out his ex either, but not because it's personal with Nicki ... he's just not into female beef. (TMZ)
Music
Kanye West Drops New 17-Minute Version of The-Dream Track 'Bed'. Kanye West returned to Soundcloud after an eight-month absence on Monday night (Feb. 27) with a new, 17-minute version of The-Dream track "Bed." The track opens with an ominous repeated bass note and is highlighted by Dream's feathery singing on the demo of a song that would later be released by J. Holiday, though it doesn't seem to feature any new vocals from 'Ye. The atmospheric, meandering revamp, titled "BED YEEZY SEASON 5 (FT. THE DREAM)" was created by West and his The Life of Pablo collaborator DJDS and it premiered during the Feb. 15 Yeezy Season 5 fashion show. Dream co-wrote the original version for Chris Brown a decade ago and it emerged in 2010 on the unofficial mixtape LoveTape: The Demo's. (Billboard)
Chance the Rapper Will Meet Illinois Governor to Talk Chicago School Funding. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper plan to meet this week to discuss funding education in Chicago. The performer from Chicago, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, said Monday on Twitter that he'll meet privately with Rauner on Wednesday. He says he's eager to hear Rauner's ideas. The Republican governor's official Twitter account responded, saying "Looking forward to hearing your ideas, too." Talk of the meeting started after Rauner congratulated the rapper via Twitter for winning three Grammy Awards earlier this month, saying the state "is proud that you're one of our own." Chance replied that he'd "love" to meet with Rauner. Chicago Public Schools is suing Rauner and state education officials, saying the way Illinois funds schools violates the civil rights of the district's predominantly minority students. (Billboard)
Coldplay, The Chainsmokers, Ellie Goulding to Headline 2017 Global Citizen Festival Hamburg. The Chainsmokers, Coldplay and Ellie Goulding will headline the 2017 Global Citizens Festival Hamburg on July 6. The free, ticketed concert in advance of the 2017 G20 Summit will also feature German actor/singer Herbert Grönemeyer performing at the Barclayard Arena, on the eve of the gathering where the world's most powerful leaders will come together. Music fans can start trying to win tickets to the show starting March 14 by joining the Global Citizen movement here. The event will be handing out 9,000 free tickets to the show to people who sign up and pledge action to encourage world leaders to deliver on their responsibility to help the world's most vulnerable citizens. "In bringing the Global Citizen Festival to Germany for the first time, we are calling on the G20 to take action and responsibility for moving forward on the Global Goals," said Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans in a statement. "They have had two years to address the Goals, and while some leaders are stepping up, others are engaging with empty promises. As Global Citizens, we do not accept this; we do not accept the status quo or believe these issues are beyond our capacity to fix. With the support of the international community and our partners convened in Hamburg this July, the G20 leaders will hear our call. Together we will make a lasting impact for generations to come." The group said that less than two years after the adoption of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, "little progress has been made and world leaders are not being held accountable, with many retreating to isolationism. The G20 Summit is a critical moment of accountability for the world's most powerful leaders, who are uniquely placed to mobilize the political will and financial resources needed to fight inequality and poverty." Global Citizens members will gather in Hamburg the day before the Summit to demand that the G20 countries agree to concrete commitments to address and deliver on the list of goals in the areas of education, health, development and the global refugee crisis. "It is truly inspiring to see so many people come together and take action, participating in these essential conversations, and holding world leaders to account," Goulding said in a statement. "After joining the Global Citizen Festival on stage in New York last summer I am incredibly excited to continue on the journey to a sustainable future free of extreme poverty by performing in Hamburg on July 6th." (Billboard)
British Songwriter Accuses U2 Of Stealing Song for 'Achtung Baby'. The Edge and Bono of U2 perform onstage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 23, 2016 in Las Vegas. A British songwriter and guitarist is claiming that rock band U2 and lead singer Bono stole one of his songs for their 1991 album "Achtung Baby." In a lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court, Paul Rose says U2 lifted elements of his song "Nae Slappin" for their song "The Fly" while they were looking for new inspiration. The lawsuit says U2 heard his song after signing on with Island Records in 1989, the same year Rose provided a demo tape to recording studio executives. Rose is seeking songwriting credit for "The Fly" and $5 million in damages and lawyer's fees. The New York Post reports representatives for U2 and Island Records did not immediately return requests for comment. (Billboard)
Movies
Will Hollywood Survive Donald Trump's "Tweaks" to NAFTA? The president's promise to renegotiate the 23-year-old trade agreement could affect everything from foreign digital talent working in L.A. to the cost of popcorn in Mexican movie theaters. U.S. President Donald Trump has made no secret of his distaste for the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. After repeatedly criticizing the pact, which was ratified in 1994 in an attempt to free up trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Trump recently softened his stance somewhat, saying during a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he intends to "tweak" the agreement. But with the entertainment sectors in all three countries entwined-especially Canada, which benefits from lucrative Hollywood film and TV productions lured north of the border by generous tax credits and incentives -- a renegotiated NAFTA could mean serious consequences. The problem is that no one really knows what Trump will do, because he has been short on specifics. "Trump is 'America first,' and I think he will try to push through whatever he thinks will improve the U.S. situation. We have a lot to lose if NAFTA is seriously damaged," says Bernie Wolf, a professor of economics and international business at the Schulich School of Business in Toronto. One source of concern is the free movement of labor. if Trumps listens to Los Angeles unions crying foul over American jobs lost to Canadian soundstages and VFX houses in Vancouver and Toronto, the door could be slammed shut on NAFTA-sanctioned TN (Treaty NAFTA) work visas. NAFTA created the TN professional visa so Canadians and Mexicans could enter the U.S. upon receiving a job offer from an American employer. The TN visa is generally valid for one to three years, so it is basically a temporary work permit, a valuable asset for foreign talent looking for work in the tech and VFX industries. "If Trump gets his wish of tossing out NAFTA for good -- or at least is able to make dramatic changes to the agreement -- the TN would effectively cease to exist, closing off one of the key avenues used by Canadian workers to accept opportunities in the U.S., at least temporarily," warns immigration lawyer Lorraine D'Alessio of D'Alessio Law Group. Others see the status of foreign digital artists in any reopened NAFTA talks as unchartered territory, as the trade pact was negotiated when digital technologies like CGI were in their infancy. "At present, digital professionals qualify for the TN visa, but because that industry didn't exist in 1994, they don't fit easily into existing categories," says Mark Warner, an international trade lawyer with Toronto-based firm MAAW Law. Mexico's thriving exhibition sector, which ranks No. 10 worldwide in terms of box-office sales, will face more prosaic challenges in the event of a trade war. Cinepolis, Mexico's top theater chain, not only buys screens and projectors from the U.S. but also purchases nacho cheese sauce and popcorn kernels stateside. Yes, you read that right -- Mexico, the cradle of maize, imports its kernels from the U.S., because it doesn't produce enough of the corn used to make popcorn. Cinepolis has said that any significant tax increase on U.S. popcorn kernels might force the cinema giant to turn to Argentina as an alternative supplier. But even if Trump did at one time talk about ripping up NAFTA, few see him picking a fight with Hollywood and its cross-border trade in media production during the upcoming renegotiations. Says Ariel Katz, an associate professor of law at the University of Toronto: "If Canada plays its hand wisely, it might be able to preserve the status quo." (Hollywood Reporter)
Netflix's 'Okja' Teaser Offers First Glimpse of Mystery Animal and Tilda Swinton in Character. Directed by Bong Joon Ho and also starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano and Lily Collins, the film will be released globally in June. Netflix dropped its first teaser trailer for Bong Joon Ho's much-talked-about fantasy film Okja on Tuesday. The film is about a young girl who lives in the deep woods of South Korea's mountainous Gangwon Province with a "massive animal" named Okja who does everything in her power to find her best friend when Okja disappears. Okja attracted much interest around the mysterious titular character, and the newly released clip features a glimpse of a large, brown-eyed creature with elephant-like skin and a description in Korean that it is 'somewhere between human and animal.' Oscar winner Erik-Jan de Boer (Life of Pi) is supervising the visual effects of the $50 million film. A platinum-blond Tilda Swinton appears to be behind Okja's creation: "I took nature and science, and synthesized." The sequence also shows the lead South Korean actress, Seohyun An, frantically searching for Okja in the woods, along with the caption in Korean that reads "Love and the fear within it." "I want to show the beauty that can exist between man and animal, and also the horror between them," the South Korean director previously said about his first project with Netflix studios. Other cast members include Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano and Lily Collins (To the Bone), along with Devon Bostick (The 100), Byun Heebong (The Host), Shirley Henderson (Anna Karenina), Daniel Henshall (The Babadook), Yoon Je Moon (Mother), Choi Wooshik (Set Me Free) and Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead). Shooting locations include South Korea, Canada and the U.S., and the film is in English and Korean. Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Lewis Taewan Kim, Dooho Choi, Woo-sik Seo and Bong Joon Ho are producers on the film. Okja is a Plan B, Lewis Pictures and Kate Street Picture Company production. Okja will premiere globally on Netflix in June and will also have a limited day-and-date theatrical release in the U.S. (Hollywood Reporter)
Oscars: Patricia Arquette Angry at Sister Alexis' In Memoriam Omission. "I was really p-----d off," the Academy Award-winning actress told ABC news. Patricia Arquette has expressed her fury at the exclusion of her sister Alexis from the In Memoriam section at this year's Oscars. Alexis, who died in September at age 47, has more than 70 stage and screen credits on her acting CV and was a trailblazing artist and activist for other trans actors and performers. Speaking to ABC News, Arquette, who won best actress Oscar for her role in Boyhood in 2015, said: "I was really p-----d off the Academy left out my sister Alexis in the Memoriam, because Alexis had a great body of work, but Alexis was one of very few trans artists that worked in the business." "At a time when we have trans kids that can't even go to the bathroom at school, you would think the Academy would have a little bit more respect for a group of people that are murdered, and trans women of color are most likely to live in extreme poverty, making $800 a month." She added: "So I think the Oscars have a lot of learning to do." The In Memoriam section of this year's Oscars came in for more criticism, most notably for remembering the late costume designer Janet Patterson mistakenly with an image of her friend, producer Jan Chapman, who is "very much alive." (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Savannah Guthrie Accidentally Confuses Matt Lauer and Her Husband and the Slip Leaves Them Both Blushing. Pregnancy brain is making live television interesting for Savannah Guthrie. After making her grand return to Today on Monday following a maternity leave for her newborn son, Charles, the co-anchor made an accidental slip that had the entire panel bowled over in awkward laughter. As she, Sheinelle Jones and Al Roker were discussing the effects of children on women's sleep versus men's sleep, Guthrie recalled how her husband would complain about his tiredness while she was waking up every few hours to feed their baby throughout the night. However, as the journalist was telling her story, she accidentally called her husband Matt instead of Mike [Feldman]. "Breaking news!" Jones joked. "Anything you want to talk about?" "Where is my Freud textbook?" Guthrie reacted in shock. "That's not the first time that's happened." "That's our secret," Lauer quipped into the camera as he and Guthrie shook their heads in embarrassment. "This is what happens when you leave," she told viewers. "It all falls apart." However, Guthrie owned her gaffe, introducing Lauer in a later segment as Mike again -- this time on purpose. "Let's head back down to Washington and more with Mike," she joked as Lauer reappeared from his live shot from the United States Capitol. "Matt at work, Mike at home," he retorted. "I'm not paying for college for Vale and Charlie, alright?" "Take one look at those kids," she concluded. "We all know who the daddy is, ok!" (Eonline)
Feud to Tackle Prince Charles and Princess Diana in Season 2. Feud is going royal for its second season. FX announced the newest installment of Ryan Murphy's anthology series will be titled Feud: Charles and Diana and tackle Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married from 1981-1996. Diana, mother to Prince William and Prince Harry, died in 1997. Their marriage became fodder for tabloids around the world, with allegations of affairs happening in the early 1990s. Prince Charles' current wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, will likely be a major figure in the series. The second installment will be 10 episodes and debut in 2018. Murphy will write Feud: Charles and Diana with Jon Robin Baitz and serve as executive producers. Dede Gardner, Plan B Entertainment and Alexis Martin Woodall are also on board as executive producers. Baitz is currently a consulting producer on the second season of American Crime Story, Katrina: American Crime Story. So far that season has Annette Bening and Matthew Broderick in the cast. Baitz's other credits include creating Brothers and Sisters, executive producing The Slap, Three Hotels, The West Wing and Alias. Feud: Bette and Joan, the first season of the series, premieres Sunday, March 5 at 10 p.m. on FX. In Feud: Bette and Joan, Jessica Lange stars as Joan Crawford opposite Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis. The series charts the famous feud between the Oscar winners who only worked on one film together: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? The cast also includes Alfred Molina, Sarah Paulson, Stanley Tucci, Kathy Bates, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jackie Hoffman, Kiernan Shipka, Alison Wright and Judy Davis. Feud: Bette and Joan premieres Sunday, March 5 at 10 p.m. on FX. (Eonline)
How Drew Barrymore Helped Michael Vartan Land His Breakout Role in Never Been Kissed. We cannot imagine Drew Barrymore's classic rom com Never Been Kissed without Michael Vartan (AKA Mr. Coulson). But Vartan says he never thought he'd actually land the role after his audition. "I auditioned for Never Been Kissed 116 years ago and I was as nervous as can be," Vartan told E! News during an exclusive visit to the set of his new E! show The Arrangement. "It was my first, one of my first really big movie auditions and I really had no notion or thought that I was gonna get the job. And Drew Barrymore, who was the star and producer of the movie, fought very hard for me and I got the job." Since landing his big breakout role in Never Been Kissed almost 20 years ago, the 48-year-old actor has starred in lots of major TV shows and films, including Alias with Jennifer Garner and Monster-in-Law opposite Jennifer Lopez. However, Vartan admits he's still gets nervous when it comes to auditioning. "Every audition is terrible," Vartan added. "It's really nothing but self-loathing and self-doubt. The auditions I thought I'd done the best on I never even got a call back and the auditions where I threw my sides in the trash walking out saying 'that's done' you get a call back. There's no rhyme or reason." Series premiere of The Arrangement this Sunday at 10 p.m., on E! (Eonline)
Even though Bill Paxton was one of the leads on the TV version of "Training Day," no one will take his place in the role ... according to producers. Will Beall, the creator of the CBS crime series, and executive producer Barry Schindel, told us Bill was perfect and irreplaceable as crooked cop Frank Roarke. They've already finished shooting the show's premiere season, and they're playing it close to the vest when it comes to Bill's character's fate. They did hint at a perfect "send-off." If that sounds like the character dies, don't be so sure. Just watch. It's unclear if the show will be back for a 2nd season, but if it is . . . the guys are sure how they'll handle Bill's death. (TMZ)
Kym Johnson Returning for 'DWTS' Season 24; Celebrity Pairings Revealed. Dancing With the Stars is bringing back a familiar face! Kym Johnson, who last competed on the celebrity dance competition in spring 2015 with her now-husband, Robert Herjavec, will make a grand return to the DWTS dance floor as a pro for season 24, ET has exclusively learned. The 40-year-old Aussie will be partnered with Mr. T in the new cycle. Johnson's return to DWTS comes months after she told ET in August 2016 that she was officially done with the show. "I love the show and I love to still be part of it, but you know, I still want to hang up my dance shoes and what a way to end," Johnson said. "It's like, 'Thank you, Dancing With the Stars." In September 2016, she filled in for DWTS co-host Erin Andrews alongside longtime emcee Tom Bergeron. ET has also confirmed new celebrity participants and some of their pro partners. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles will be paired with Sasha Farber for the upcoming season. Bachelor Nick Viall will continue the streak of Bachelor/Bachelorette presence on DWTS, and will be partnered with returning pro Peta Murgatroyd, who will be back on the dance floor after giving birth to son Shai. Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei will be partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy, while Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Erika Jayne will be dancing with Gleb Savchenko. Charo, who previously appeared on DWTS in 2010 teaching Pamela Anderson the flamenco, will be paired with pro Keo Motsepe, while bull rider Bonner Bolton will slip on the dancing shoes with Sharna Burgess. Former Glee star Heather Morris, ex-Jacksonville Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings and comedian Chris Kattan will also be competing. Pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy will return. Former Olympic ice skater Nancy Kerrigan is reportedly also in the cast. Among the pros not returning for the upcoming installment? Cheryl Burke, Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Karina Smirnoff and Tony Dovolani. The official season 24 cast announcement will take place on Good Morning America on Wednesday. The new season premieres Monday, March 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. (MSN)
Nashville shocked fans on Thursday with the devastating death of Rayna Jaymes, the country superstar singer, loving wife and mother of two portrayed by Connie Britton for five seasons on the show. But while fans of the soap might have been crying during Jaymes' emotional goodbye, it was Britton who was tearing up on Tuesday when reminiscing about the role. "I'm going to get choked up," the 49-year-old actress told Kelly Ripa and Jerry O'Connell during a stop by Live with Kelly. "It really was hard. That's my family -- that's been my Nashville family. I loved playing that role so much. So it's been a lot of things." Britton, who had asked Nashville producers to leave the show, said her exit was "something that [she] wanted for a lot of reasons." That said, spending her last scenes in a hospital bed wasn't exactly a restful way to end her run. "I've been in a coma before and it wasn't all as it's cracked up to be," she said. "I wasn't as excited about the coma acting as I thought. Because the way they get you with the coma, you have to put the tube in your throat. And I was like, 'This is not as fun as I expected.' " She did grab some things from set on the way out. "Rayna Jaymes had really fabulous clothes. So I might have swiped a couple of things," Britton said before showing off one small souvenir. "And this-this is the program for Rayna and Deacon's wedding. So that was kind of sentimental." Just because Britton's character is dead doesn't mean she won't be seen on the show again, though. She will appear in flashbacks for a few more episodes later this season. And during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday night -- her first since her Nashville death aired -- Britton hinted she would be open to appearing on the show as an evil twin or a zombie. "I think these are great ideas actually," Britton said. "I think the twin sister idea is not bad. It's Nashville, anything can happen. What if the long lost twin sister can come back? Oh and she's such a devil. Oh she's such a devil. She'll come back and be horrible!" Sadly, it appeared Britton was just joking. "[Rayna's] really dead," she said. "I'm sorry! I gotta tell it like it is." And though the confirmation was heartbreaking, Britton had a sweet message for Nashville's fans. "I would say to my fans, first of all, that I love you so much. The show loves you so much. Rayna will live on forever. I feel so fortunate that I was able to play that character truly with all my heart. I love that character so much. And just as when we lose somebody in our lives, the spirit will live on. And there's reruns!" Britton said. Nashville airs Thursdays (9 p.m. ET) on CMT. (People)
Benedict Cumberbatch and Showtime Team for 'Melrose' Miniseries. The five-part project is an adaptation of English author Edward St. Aubyn's Booker Prize-winning novels. Benedict Cumberbatch can't stay away from TV for long. Fresh off of a three-part return to BBC favorite Sherlock and news of a PBS telepic, the Oscar-nominated actor is teaming with Showtime for a five-part limited series. Cumberbatch will star in and executive produce Melrose, a mini based on the fictional works of author and journalist Edward St. Aubyn. He'll play the titular character, Patrick Melrose, whose been the focus of five novels -- including the 2006 Man Booker Prize-winning Mother's Milk. It's another international matchup for Showtime. The stateside pay cable network is producing the series with Sky Atlantic, a second collaboration after the upcoming John Ridley and Idris Elba effort Guerrilla. One Day author and screenwriter David Nicholls is set to adapt all five installments, with each episode focusing on a different one of St. Aubyn's Melrose books. The character is described as an aristocratic and outrageously funny playboy struggling with considerable parent issues. Showtime Networks CEO and president David Nevins announced the news on Tuesday, further cementing his clearly vested interest in the limited series space. In addition to Guerrilla, the network also has its sprawling one-off Twin Peaks revival and is developing another mini about Muhammad Ali's landmark 1967 summit of black athletes to protest the Vietnam War draft. "We are delighted to be part of this incredible series," said Cumberbatch and Adam Ackland, who will produce under their SunnyMarch shingle. "We have been huge fans of these books for many years, and David Nicholls' adaptations are extraordinary." Word has it that Cumberbatch and company are looking for an auteur-type director to helm each of the five installments, as has been in fashion since Cary Fukunaga's celebrated work on HBO's original outing of True Detective. Showtime is already doing that with David Lynch on Twin Peaks and, to a certain extent, Guerrilla (Ridley split directing duty on that project with Luther helmer Sam Miller). Cumberbatch, whose take on Alan Turing in The Imitation Game earned him an Academy Award nomination in 2015, has four Emmy nominations and one win under his belt for his sporadic portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC's update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic literary character. He'll next be seen in Thor: Ragnarok, as he's now a fixture in the Marvel cinematic universe thanks to his well-received debut as Dr. Strange in the 2016 film of the same name. He is repped by UTA and Conway Van Gelder Grant and Sloane Offer. (Hollywood Reporter)
'Broadchurch' Season 3 Debut Draws 7.5M on ITV, 'Nightly Show' Kicks off With 2.9M Viewers. Britain's answer to U.S. late-night shows draws some negative reviews from viewers and critics. U.K. TV giant ITV's flagship network on Monday night drew 7.5 million viewers with the 9 p.m. season 3 debut of hit series Broadchurch and averaged an audience of 2.9 million for the first edition of 10 p.m. experiment The Nightly Show, Britain's answer to U.S. late-night shows. Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, became a U.K. ratings hit in its first season. The overnight audience figures for the start of season 3 compared with 7.6 million viewers for the season 2 launch episode. The second season then hit ratings lows. The drama's 34 percent share of viewing at the time came in higher than the season 2 premiere and set a high for the show and brought in ITV's biggest drama audience since Downton Abbe yin 2015. Overall, Broadchurch won the 9 p.m. time slot convincingly and helped ITV beat BBC flagship network BBC One in terms of all-day share for the first time this year. The Nightly Show is a 30-minute daily show with an eight-week run, featuring a different big-name host each week. Comedian and Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams is hosting the show this week, with Gordon Ramsay among the other hosts for the show's run. The first episode started out with an audience of 3.8 million, helped by the Broadchurch lead-in, but finished with only 2.2 million viewers. That meant an average audience of 2.9 million. Observers highlighted that this was well above news show ITV News at Ten, which the show is replacing. But the show and Walliams drew viewer criticism on Twitter. "How can you go from the excellence of #Broadchurch to the showing the absolutely dire #NightlyShow?" tweeted one viewer. Another one said: "I watched my first and last #thenightlyshow last night. Awful TV." TV reviewers also felt the show had little to offer. The Telegraph called it "flat," while Times said "David Walliams's jokes fell flat in the comedy talk show's debut." Some viewers said they liked the new show though. "I personally loved #TheNightlyShow!" said one viewer on Twitter. "Something refreshing!" (Hollywood Reporter)
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