ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Danielle Panabaker Is Married! The Flash Star Shares First Photo From Her Wedding Day. Danielle Panabaker is officially off the market! The Flash star had a weekend to remember when she married entertainment attorney Hayes Robbins Saturday afternoon. In a social media post, the actress confirmed the news by showcasing her wedding day look. "6.24.17 Happiest day of my life," she wrote while kissing her husband on the lips. According to Entertainment Tonight, the bride wore a Monique Lhuillier gown as more than a few famous friends watched the couple exchange vows. In fact, Flash co-stars Grant Gustin, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh and Jesse L. Martin were all reportedly in attendance. CW stars Katie Cassidy and Victor Garber also appeared during the festivities. iZombie's David Anders also shared a memory from the celebration on Twitter with the caption: "Last noche at my dear friends @dpanabaker and Hayes' wedding I got real sneaky with this pic of my mentor, Victor Garber & Paul James. Kisses." Back in July 2016, the couple got engaged during a romantic vacation in Greece. "Enjoying the last night of this Greek vacation," she shared on Instagram in the middle of her stay at the Blue Palace Luxury Resort & Spa. "A trip I will never forget! @TheLuxuryCollection." Since then, the pair has kept their romance private with very few social media posts and even less joint red carpet appearances. Nonetheless, fans and friends are thrilled to hear about the couple's big news. New episodes of The Flash return October 4 on the CW. (Eonline)

Ricky Martin Promises His Wedding to Jwan Yosef Will Be a "Big" Event: "I Want Something Massive." Ricky Martin's wedding is going to be one to remember. Close to seven months after the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer announced he was engaged to Jwan Yosef, the couple already has some predictions for their romantic ceremony. "It's going to be a big event. I want something massive," Ricky told E! News while in Las Vegas for his "All In" residency. "I for sure want to get married in Puerto Rico. That is something that has to happen." He continued, "It's where I'm from, where my family is from. He's from Sweden and some of his relatives are from Syria so we're going to do something international. We'll see what happens." While Ricky's enthusiasm to say "I Do" is contagious, the Grammy winner admits that planning isn't exactly full-speed ahead. As it turns out, organizing a special ceremony is harder than it looks. "Everybody is talking about the wedding but nobody is talking about the planning of the wedding because it's so difficult," he joked. "I didn't know it was so complicated to put together an event like the one we want." Before he walks down the aisle, Ricky can be found at Park Theater inside the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas where he performs his biggest hits in front of a packed house night after night. In addition to select dates in June and early July, Ricky will also headline a handful of shows in September. Two people who love the show include Ricky's twins Valentino and Matteo. In between visiting the aquariums and exploring the desert, the singer's kids are close to dad at his concerts. "I have them every night," he shared. "As long as there's no school the next day, they're with me." As for how Ricky's life has changed since becoming a dad, he's the first to say that these boys take priority. "Fatherhood changes everyone's life. I know I'm not the only father that says it but everything I do is based on my kids," the "Shake Your Bon-Bon" singer shared. " Every decision that I make is based on them and my kids are very happy and that means we're doing a good job. I'm very happy. It's beautiful." To purchase tickets to Ricky's residency in Las Vegas, head to Ticketmaster now. (Eonline)

As if Pharrell Williams isn't busy enough making music, he's a father to six-month-old triplets! The Despicable Me 3 composer gushed about his multi-tasking parenting skills on Monday's Tonight Show, and even showed host Jimmy Fallon just how he and wife Helen Lasichanh gets it all done. "It's a full-on assembly line," Williams, 44, told Fallon. "All of them are fine and healthy." Later adding, "They harmonize when they cry. When one cries, two cry, then three cry. Chain reaction is a real thing at our house." Williams and Lasichanh, who wed in October 2013, welcomed triplets in early January, his rep confirmed to PEOPLE. No details on the sex or names of the babies have yet to be revealed. The couple is also parents to 8-year-old son Rocket Ayer. "Rocket is into architecture now," Williams said proudly during his late-night appearance. Despicable Me 3 hits theaters June 30. (People)

Ryan Reynolds Reveals He Once Saved His Nephew's Life. Ryan Reynolds doesn't just play a hero -- he actually is one. Two days ago, the 40-year-old and his wife Blake Lively completed a CPR course -- and on Monday, the A-listers urged others to follow their lead. "Years ago, I took a CPR course thru the Red Cross. And holy s--t, I ended up saving my nephew's life because I knew what to do!" wrote Reynolds, who has two young daughters. "True story! Yesterday I took a refresher course -- focusing on infant and toddler CPR. It takes only a few hours and it's also kinda, sorta fun." (The actor, the youngest of four brothers, did not further explain his previous life-saving efforts.) Reynolds thanked a Viva First Aid team member for the lesson and joked, "And thank you to these two helpful yet lifeless dolls whose vacant ocular cavities will haunt me until end times." Lively, meanwhile, had championed the course hours earlier with an Instagram post of her own. "ALL MAMAS AND DADDIES OUT THERE -- I can't recommend this enough," the 29-year-old Shallows actress wrote in her caption. "I took a CPR class with a focus on babies and toddlers. Google 'infant CPR class near me' and you'll see lots of listings. For those of you who haven't done it, you will love it. It's so helpful by giving you knowledge, tools, and some peace of mind." Reynolds shared his Instagram update from the set of his latest movie. On Monday, the actor was spotted filming a scene for Deadpool 2, set for release on June 1, 2018. "The sun sets on day 1. Feels good to be back," he said on Instagram. "This dog can hunt." Directed by David Leitch, the 20th Century Fox blockbuster stars Morena Baccarin, Zazie Beetz, Josh Brolin, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapicic, Jack Kesy, T. J. Miller and Leslie Uggams. (Eonline)

Eminem Decides to Switch Up His Signature Look With a Brand-New Beard. We don't want to sound dramatic, but we'd totally understand if you "Lose Yourself" over Eminem's new facial hair. As admirers of the Grammy winner know, Eminem is a man with a look that doesn't change very often. There are the short buzz cuts, baggy clothes and occasional beanies. But when stepping out for The Defiant Ones premiere at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, some music fans had one question: Is that Eminem? "Just a couple of guys from Compton and one from Detroit. With a beard," Eminem wrote on Instagram while posing with Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar. "#thedefiantones." Yes, friends. The man behind hit tracks like "Not Afraid," "Rap God" and "The Real Slim Shady" now has a beard and fans can't get enough. "Eminem has a beard. I've seen it all, ladies and gentleman," one user wrote. Another added, "Eminem got a beard. Next album bout to be crazy." So what made Eminem make such a special appearance? In addition to supporting The Defiant Ones, it appears the rapper wanted to support his longtime collaborator Dr. Dre. According to Variety, who attended the premiere, Eminem avoided the red carpet but managed to sit behind his friend during the celebration. Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Jared Leto and Trent Reznor were also on hand to support the four-part documentary about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine's partnership. For those hoping to catch Eminem in concert this summer, the rapper has a couple special U.K. events on his calendar for August including the Leeds Festival. Will the beard still be alive and well then? Stay tuned! The Defiant Ones premieres July 9 only on HBO. (Eonline)

John McEnroe Refuses to Apologize to Serena Williams Over Sexist Remarks. John McEnroe doesn't feel the need to apologize to Serena Williams, despite the controversial remarks he's made about her lately. The former tennis star already commented that he believes he could beat her in a match to this day. When he joined NPR over the weekend, he stuck to his belief, saying the current tennis GOAT -- and soon-to-be mama who just posed nude for Vanity Fair -- couldn't win if she played against men. Though he admitted she's the best female player in the world, he said, "If she played the men's circuit, she'd be like 700 in the world." He continued, "That doesn't mean I don't think Serena is an incredible player...On a given day, Serena could beat some players. I believe because she's so incredibly strong mentally that she could overcome some situations where players would choke 'cause she's been in it so many times, so many situations at Wimbledon, The U.S. Open, etc. But if she had to just play the circuit -- the men's circuit -- that would be an entirely different story." McEnroe came under fire for his remarks, and Williams even took to Twitter herself to ask him to stop making non-factual statements. "Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based," she wrote. "I've never played anyone ranked "there" nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir." Still, McEnroe doesn't feel a need to apologize. He joined CBS This Morning during which host Norah O'Donnell asked if he would be willing to apologize to Williams. "No," he replied and later added, "It's not necessary. I didn't know it would create controversy." He continued, "I respect Serena very much so and I was simply calling her on NPR -- which supposedly this is where you can say it like it is and you're gonna get honest feedback -- she's the greatest player, female player, that's ever lived." McEnroe said his comments came from a perspective in which people are always asking him if he could beat her. Therefore, he suggests men and women should play together. "Why don't you combine, just solve the problem -- I'm sure the men would be all for this -- the men and women play together," he quipped. "And then we don't have to guess." Responding to Williams' tweets, he added, "Serena has a way with words. I don't want anything to go wrong with Serena because she's pregnant. I don't want to upset her or whatever it was. I think she was doing it tongue-in-cheek, as well, and I think that, deep down, we're talking about something I can't even believe we're talking about right now." (Eonline)

Miranda Kerr just forked over millions of dollars' worth of jewelry to the U.S. government because someone may have bought them for her with stolen overseas money. Miranda surrendered $8.1 million in jewels to the U.S. Justice Department Friday from her safe-deposit box in L.A. The jewels were given to her by a Malaysian financier ... allegedly with ill-gotten money. International lawsuits have been filed alleging the cash was illegally taken from a Malaysian sovereign-wealth fund, and that some of the money was used to buy gifts for various celebs ... including Miranda and Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo just handed over some of his prized possessions -- including an Oscar won by Marlon Brando that was gifted to him. He surrendered the goods a couple weeks ago, the result of the same probe. Neither celeb was named as a defendant in the lawsuits. (TMZ)

Venue Could Move to California in Next Phase of Bill Cosby's Sex Abuse Case. Bill Cosby arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse during his sexual assault trial on June 15, 2017 in Norristown, Pa. The stage for Bill Cosby's next legal challenge shifts to California with a hearing scheduled Tuesday to set a trial date in a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a teen at the Playboy Mansion more than 40 years ago. Judy Huth accused the comedian of forcing her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom at the mansion around 1974 when she was 15. The hearing comes less than two weeks after a Pennsylvania jury deadlocked on criminal charges against Cosby. A mistrial was declared June 17 on charges Cosby drugged and molested Andrea Constand, the former Temple University director of women's basketball, at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. Cosby said the encounter was consensual. Cosby's legal team declared victory after the mistrial, though Pennsylvania prosecutors vowed to retry him. The comedian and actor once known as "America's Dad" for his TV role on The Cosby Show as paternal Dr. Cliff Huxtable has had his reputation tarnished with accusations of sexual abuse by nearly 60 women. In the wake of the criminal trial, though, Cosby is planning town hall meetings in an attempt to restore his legacy. Cosby, 79, is fighting lawsuits by 10 women on both coasts. Three have filed sexual battery or defamation cases in California, and seven have sued for defamation in Massachusetts, where Cosby has a home. He has denied any wrongdoing. Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents Huth, said the judge in Los Angeles Superior Court judge may delay setting a trial date to let Pennsylvania prosecutors pursue the retrial against Cosby first. A second deposition by Cosby was put on hold pending the criminal case. His first deposition in the Huth case is sealed. A spokesman for Cosby didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. (Billboard)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Pregnant Serena Williams Poses Nude for Vanity Fair Cover. Serena Williams is posing with her best accessory yet. The tennis champion documented her first baby bump the best way a celebrity can -- a Vanity Fair magazine cover shot by Annie Leibovitz (yes, the Leibovitz who famously shot Demi Moore similarly for the August 1991 cover). The first-time expectant mom graces the front of this year's August issue in nude underwear, a body chain and little else as the silhouette of her growing belly takes center stage. Roughly seven months into her pregnancy, the 35-year-old has two personal milestones in store -- becoming a mother for the first time and becoming a wife for the first time. She and fiance Alexis Ohanian became engaged in December 2016 in Rome at a table where the two first met. However, unlike her surprise pregnancy, Williams suspected her beau was about to ask her a very important question when he insisted she get on a plane to Italy despite her work obligations creeping up around her. "I knew it was coming. I was like, 'Serena, you're 35, you're ready. This is what you want,'" she recalled during her interview with Vanity Fair. She was less inclined, however, to take a pregnancy test a month later when she wasn't quite feeling like herself. As she told the story to the magazine, friend Jessica Steindorff had an inkling and urged her to take a pregnancy test. After a few days, the athlete gave in. "I'll take it just because (a) to prove you wrong and (b) because it's fun, whatever," she said. "It's like a joke. Why not?" The cover girl was so unconvinced she was expecting that she forgot to check her pregnancy test after she took one while getting ready for an event. "An hour and a half later, I went back to the bathroom and I totally forgot about it because it was impossible for me....So I went back to get dressed and I went back in the bathroom and I was like, 'Oh yeah, that test,'" she recalled. Once she saw the result, Serena "did a double take and my heart dropped. Like literally it dropped." Five months later, Williams still sounds a touch caught off-guard. "I don't know what to do with a baby. I have nothing....I've done absolutely nothing for the baby room," she told the magazine. "If you would have told me last year in October or November that I would have a baby, not be pregnant but have a baby, I would have thought you were the biggest liar in the world. This is kind of how I am right now. This is happening sooner than later, and it's going by so fast," she continued. However, don't worry about this champion. As the feature's author, Buzz Bissinger noted on Today, "She is the most comfortably pregnant person I've ever seen...I think she's ready for another phase of her life." (Eonline)

Angelina Jolie inspires school children to fight for human rights. "Children, I need you. We all need you. We adults, we are a little lost these days..." Angelina Jolie introduced a group of over 600 school children who took to the stage at London's Royal Albert Hall Monday night to perform their own interpretations of "freedom". But before the show kicked off, the Hollywood starlet/human rights activist had an important message to share. At the event, which was put together by Amnesty International and Chickenhead Theatre to celebrate the likes of Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Malala Yousafzai, Jolie - who is a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) special envoy - urged the children to fight for their rights. Speaking via a pre-recorded video, the mother-of-six said: "Children, I need you. We all need you. We adults, we are a little lost these days, we want you to think that we have it all under control, that it will all be fine. And it will be. "The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; it's like your secret book of laws. And if you can master it, no one can trick you, or your friends. And you can take those laws and rights and go head on with those adults who won't listen. "With the power of not only what is right and fair, but what is law, you can fight back. And as you grow up, you will have the tools to protect yourselves and to defend others. "It means you can grow up to be citizens who together can complete the work that my generation will leave unfinished and fight for universal human rights for all children." The event was based on Amnesty's book 'Dreams of Freedom' and saw the children share their own messages of freedom and solidarity in a staying beginning with "I stand with..." Following the recent Grenfell Yower tragedy, many of the children chose to make their statement "I stand with Grenfell" in support of all those affected. The actress has been known for her humanitarian work ever since 2001, where she visited Cambodia to film Tomb Raiders and witnessed the effect of a humanitarian crisis. She has since visited a number of war torn countries and been a public advocate for universal human rights. (British Glamour)

Drake Brings Basketball Reporter Rosalyn Gold-Onwude as His Date to the 2017 NBA Awards. Drake's smile says it all! The Views rapper stepped out Monday evening in New York City to host the 2017 NBA Awards, but instead of walking the red carpet solo, one stunning lady stood by his side. Drizzy enlisted NBC Sports reporter Rosalyn "Ros" Gold-Onwude as his date for the inaugural event, which honors the best of the best in basketball. Dressed in a classic tux, Drake wrapped his arm around Ros as they posed for a few absolutely adorable photo opps. The fan-favorite sports analyst looked gorgeous in a red midi-dress and nude heels. So what is there to say about the duo's relationship status? As of now, not a whole lot, but we do know it's safe to say the hip-hop heavyweight started crushing on Ros almost two years ago. Back in 2015, Drake shared a snapshot with Gold-Onwude to Instagram after his hometown team (the Toronto Raptors) lost to the Golden State Warriors, who she's been a sideline broadcaster for since the 2014-2015 season. "When the post-game makes you forget about what happened during the actual game," the suave performer captioned the moment. Ros definitely knows her stuff when it comes to basketball, especially because she was honored as the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year while playing for Stanford University up until 2008. Impressive, right? That means this award show pair will have plenty to talk about, not to mention Drake and Ros both come from Jewish backgrounds. In a 2015 interview, the journalist credited her mother's constant worrying as a factor in her achievements, explaining, "But that's the reason why I think I'm able to have success. She was so engaged with making sure I got on the right path." (And we all know how much Drake values his relationship with his mama...) Only time will tell just how well Drake and Ros hit it off. (Eonline)

Taylor Swift Fakes a Friendship With Russell Westbrook in Silly NBA Awards Video. Has Taylor Swift inducted Russell Westbrook into her squad? The 27-year-old "Bad Blood" singer made a special pre-taped appearance at the NBA's inaugural award show Monday to honor the 28-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder point guard. "Russell, it's Taylor. Remember? I was the one who taught you how to play basketball. I was the one who taught you to dribble, to shoot hoops, you know? I remember the first time you beat me at basketball and I was very upset, and you said -- if you remember correctly -- you said, 'You just have to shake it off.' And I had an idea..." the singer-songwriter said, referencing one of her biggest pop singles. "So, essentially we have each other to thank for these careers! Obviously. So, that's why I'm part of your congratulations video, because we go back -- what? -- 20 years?" Swift, who's been out of the spotlight for much of 2017, decided it was time to be honest. "We've never met, and that's a fake story, but I wish it were the truth. You're amazing! You're the MVP. I'm so happy for you," she said. "Sending you the biggest hug ever! Congratulations!" Westbrook received 69 of 101 first-place votes, followed by James Harden with 22, Kawhi Leonard with nine and LeBron James with one, meaning he won the title of MVP by a landslide. The basketball player began his emotional acceptance speech by handing his trophy to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "I can't hold this," he said. "I've got some people I want to thank." "First and foremost, thank you to the man above. Without his blessing, without his honor, I wouldn't be standing here today. Thank him. I'm very, very blessed to be in the position I am today, so I'm very appreciative of that," Westbrook said. He went on to thank members of "the organization," specifically Clay Bennett, Maurice Cheeks, Billy Donovan, Sam Presti and Troy Weaver. "I appreciate you guys believing in my, drafting me No. 4 when nobody thought that was a great decision, so I definitely appreciate that. I've got a long list of people in Oklahoma I want to thank," he said. "I want to thank all the film guys, all the team doctors, the trainers, the massage therapists, the strength and conditioning staff, the equipment team, the front office, the business office, the chefs, the support staff at the arena, at the building, the PR team, just everybody in Oklahoma City that helped me to go out and compete at a high level every single night. I'm very, very thankful. You guys are great. I'm very appreciative of you guys' help." "Next, I want to thank my teammates. If y'all won't mind, you guys would come up here; I'd appreciate that," he said. After they joined him, he added, "Y'all looking good. My guys, man. Obviously, all of the guys -- they're not here tonight, but these are my brothers, man. These guys sacrificed so much for me throughout the year. It was obviously an amazing season for me, but without these guys, the rest of our guys that's not here, none of this would be possible. This award is not for me, it's for all of you guys, and I'm very, very thankful to have you guys in my corner. You guys are my brothers for life, and I just thank you guys and love all you guys." "I want to thank the NBA as well. I never thought I'd be saying this up here today, but I want to thank the media for voting for me. But seriously, thank you guys for voting for me. I'm very, very appreciative. I feel like I go out every night and compete at a very high level and I'm thankful for you guys noticing that, so thank you," he said. "To the fans: I want to thank all the fans all across the world just for supporting me throughout my career. I'm very appreciative of that as well. But I want to give a special thanks to all the fans in Oklahoma City. You guys have been riding with me since Day 1. You guys have been riding with me through the good games, the bad games, always there lifting me up, and I'm just so thankful for all the fans there." After acknowledging his agents, an emotional Westbrook thanked his family. "Without you guys, I don't know where I would be. I can't be standing here without your support, your sacrifice, everything you've done for me, starting with my parents. Let's give them a round of applause, please. My parents -- man. You guys did any and everything to make sure me and my brother had anything we wanted. I told myself I wasn't gonna cry, but...I can't say thank you enough. You guys sacrificed everything. Pops, OG, working two jobs, getting me up at 4 in the morning, waking me up, every night going to the gym, shooting hoops outside, staying up late playing the video games...To my mom, doing everything to keep our family together. I'm truly blessed to have you as my mother. You're so amazing. I couldn't be able to do none of this without you guys. I can't say thank you enough. There's so many things I could say about you guys for putting me here. I'm just thankful for having you guys in my corner. I love you guys." "To my little brother, my roll dog. You mean so much to me. You're my role model. I truly look up to you. You're amazed and blessed. I'm so happy to have you as my brother. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. A lot of you guys may not know, but my brother just got his masters two weeks ago. I'm so proud of him, not just for that, but the man he is today. He lifts me up every single day. My brother -- he texts me every single game at halftime. Every game. Since I've been in the league he texts me every game at halftime," he said. "He don't got to do that, but he does that because he's got a kind heart and he looks out for me. I love you from the bottom of my heart, brother. I promise you I appreciate everything you do for me. I love you, brother." "Lastly, my beautiful wife. Since Day 1, meeting you 2007 back in UCLA, I knew you were special. You make me go. You hold me down. You keep me in check through good and through bad. You make sure I'm on the right track and I'm so appreciative of you because so sacrifice so, so much for me every single day, and I can't thank you enough. As a wife in this league, to be able to sacrifice some of the things you sacrifice and everything that you do, I can't put it in words and describe how thankful I am to have you in my life," Westbrook said. "You've blessed me with a beautiful son that I'm so thankful for. You continue to make me go. Every time I come home, regardless of a good or bad game, every time I see your face I just smile. It does nothing but brighten me up. I just want to say I love you and I thank you for everything you've done for me thus far. You're the best wife a husband like me could ask for. I love you, Sugar." "Everybody in this room, I want to thank you guys for coming out. Thanks, everybody at home. I couldn't thank everybody, but thank all you guys. People that have helped me along the way, I'm very appreciative of all you guys," he said. "You guys have a great night. Thank you again." (Eonline)

La La Anthony spent her birthday weekend working and dancing with her "Power" co-stars in LA. The Starz drama took over the London Hotel's Vivienne Westwood penthouse where Anthony, Jerry Ferrara, Fat Joe, Orlando Jones and Tichina Arnold boogied. The show's executive producer 50 Cent "started a dance battle with another partygoer. "[Fiddy] ended by doing the hustle and grabbing a girl from the crowd for a quick salsa dance," a spy told us. Anthony received some birthday love from estranged husband Carmelo Anthony. "I look at you on this birthday . . . it is hard to believe another year has passed. You are as beautiful now as ever before!" he posted, adding, "MY EARTH @lala Love YOU." (Page Six)

North West Picked a Name for Her New Puppy and It's Not What You'd Expect. After nearly two weeks, North West has officially decided upon a name for her new puppy. In case you missed it, Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian gifted their daughters, including Penelope Disick, two sister Pomeranian puppies for their birthdays. Nori turned 4-years-old on June 15, while Penelope will turn 5 on July 8. Penelope almost immediately landed upon the name "Honey" for her fluffy little pup, but North was debating between a few. Of course, Kim decided to step in and help by asking her Twitter followers for their input. The mother-of-two posted a poll to ask her fans to vote on the names Baby Jesus, Peachy Pop, Sushi and Goldie. Though the poll showed people voting in favor of Peachy Pop, it appears Kim and North went by electoral votes as Kim announced they named the doggy Sushi. Meanwhile, the puppies were the cherry on top of quite the birthday extravaganza for North and Penelope. Not only did the whole family celebrate Nori's birthday with a cake and celebrations on the actual date, Kim and Kourtney also put on a Moana and Hawaii-themed joint party over the weekend. North, P and the rest of the party-goers donned grass skirts and flower crowns while bouncing in a bouncy house, splashing around in the pool and enjoying a petting zoo complete with a chicken and a pig. They also feasted on ribs, French fries and mac n' cheese for the main course and enjoyed rainbow shaved ice and Hansen's Cakes for dessert. (Eonline)

Royal Photographer Calls Princess Grace the 'Most Difficult Royal' and Princess Margaret the 'Diana of Her Day. Royal Photographer Calls Princess Grace the 'Most Difficult Royal' A royal photographer is spilling behind-the-scenes details on what some of the world's most glamorous princesses were like away from the cameras A royal photographer is spilling behind-the-scenes details on what some of the world's most glamorous princesses were like away from the cameras. In his new book, My Life Photographing Royalty And The Famous, Reginald Davis, who worked as a royal photographer for four decades, reveals a more intimate side to the last century's most famous royals. But "the most difficult royal I ever photographed," he said, according to the Daily Express, was Princess Grace of Monaco." "She only agreed to a private audience because I had previously had a private audience with the Queen," he continued. "Everyone wanted to shoot Grace," he said. "She was such an attractive woman, why be so haughty, arrogant and awkward? "Of course, you'd never know that from looking at her face" he said. "(In the photo) she seems every inch the relaxed, happy mother." As for his favorite subject to shoot, Davis says that title went to Queen Elizabeth's younger sister, Princess Margaret. "She was just so vibrant -- and had these beautiful azure eyes," he said. "She really was the Diana of her day. Everything I took of her was in demand." After training as a photographer with the Royal Navy during WWII, Davis joined the Daily Express in 1949 and graduated from working on the night shift to shooting celebrities at first nights and film premieres. He first photographed the Queen in 1959 and during the next four decades, accompanied the royal family on state visits and royal tours around the world. But he did some of his best work at the royal family's homes in Britain. "I'd been invited to Windsor Castle to photograph the family in the gardens. I had this idea of sitting them all on the grass. "But the ground was so wet I had to get something for them to sit on," Davis said. "All I could find was a Persian rug. "When Prince Philip saw it he wanted to know: 'Whatever is a Persian carpet doing in the middle of Windsor?' "Thankfully the Queen eased the situation, saying to the two younger boys (Princes Andrew and Edward): 'Come along children, let's sit on the magic carpet and fly away ... ' "(People)

Joe Biden said he wanted to punch "wiseass" hedge funder Bill Ackman in the face at an infamous Las Vegas dinner showdown. The former vice president put his fist up at billionaire Ackman after the two got into a testy exchange at an exclusive VIP dinner last month. According to a witness, towards the end of the dinner as tensions rose, Biden made a fist, held it up to Ackman's face, and said, with forceful irony, "If I could, I'd punch you in the face." It was first reported that the pair clashed after Ackman allegedly made a snarky comment about the death of Biden's son Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015. But multiple sources tell Page Six that Ackman didn't say anything at all about Biden's son, and the verbal confrontation happened after former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush asked Biden to comment on Donald Trump. The witness told us that "Biden replied, 'I am going to have to be careful what I say' [referring to Trump]," and Ackman quipped, "After all these years, why start now?" Ackman was referring to Biden's outspoken nature, we're told. Biden -- who was already testy after being challenged over foreign policy -- initially ignored Ackman and talked about Trump, but then added directly to the hedge funder, "Address me with respect," and calling Ackman a "wiseass." Another witness added, "Biden clearly didn't like Ackman. [He] said something like, 'I'd like to knock this guy on his ass,' but it was taken as being in jest." Biden had also objected to Ackman earlier giving him a friendly slap on the shoulder. "The body language was just off between them," the source said. "Who is this a-– hole?" Biden reportedly asked a seatmate, unimpressed by the hedgie's attempts to smooth it over. Ackman has repeatedly said of any tension with Biden, "I have enormous respect for Vice President Biden. It is unfortunate that a totally false press report would suggest otherwise." Biden's spokeswoman declined to comment. Anthony Scaramucci hosted the May 18 dinner. Attendees included Jon Corzine, Dan Loeb, Steve Cohen and Valerie Jarrett. (Page Six)

Ryan Edwards got the help he needed. In a statement shared with Us Weekly on Monday, June 26, the Teen Mom OG star addresses his drug addiction and recent stint in rehab. "A little over 30 days ago, I made the decision to check myself into a rehabilitation facility. I am back home now doing well, and life could not be better," his statement read. "Without the support of my wife and parents I would not have been able to do this. Thank you all for your well wishes." Edwards' statement comes on the heels of the season finale of Teen Mom OG, during which wife Mackenzie Standifer accused him of driving under the influence of Xanax. Throughout the season, Edwards' ex-fiancee Maci Bookout expressed her concern about his drug addiction. In the June 19 episode of the hit MTV docuseries, she sought the help of a counselor in staging an intervention for Edwards, who is the father of her 8-year-old son Bentley. "I'm hoping to get some advice on helping an addict," Bookout, 25, told a counselor on the phone during the emotional episode. "He is my oldest son's father. I'm not really sure what exactly he's using, but sometimes he'll fall asleep while you're trying to have a conversation with him or he's extremely wide eyed. He doesn't look right." Edwards checked into rehab center after he married Mackenzie Standifer on May 15. As documented on the June 26 season finale, Edwards' mom, Jen, was upset that Bentley was absent from their low-key nuptials. "It don't matter if there are 100 people or two people," Edwards told his mom as she broke down in tears. "It just matters as long as we love each other." If you or anyone you know is facing substance abuse issues, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free and confidential information 24/7. (US Weekly)

The original Black Ranger from "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" can't believe someone made his TV weapon into a real-life killing instrument ... and now he wants his own. We got Walter Jones Monday at LAX, where our photog asked what he thought about the show "Man at Arms" ... recreating his character's Power Axe (which doubled for a gun on TV). Walter's all about it, but not completely surprised it got done. It is 2017, after all -- the tech these days is pretty wild. As he puts it ... making an axe-blaster is high on the doable list. We also ask what his weapon of choice would be in a real battle ... let's just say Walt's old school. (TMZ)

Leslie Jones ain't putting on the Ritz -- she's pissed about the service she got at L.A.'s Ritz-Carlton, and fired back at the hotel the same way Kanye West did George Dubya. Fresh off hosting the BET Awards in downtown L.A. -- right next to the Ritz -- Leslie implored her 693,000 followers to NOT stay there, claiming "THEY DONT LIKE BLACK PEOPLE!!" Unclear what exactly happened to set her off, but the Ritz responded to Leslie's tweet with ... "@Lesdoggg We're sorry to hear this. We pride ourselves on providing excellent service to all. Please DM us & we'll look into this right away." We've reached out to her rep, but haven't heard back. (TMZ)

A nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic made its intern search look more like Miss Hawaiian Tropic ... and as you'd probably guess someone's in really hot water. Not radioactive though. We hope. The Temelin Station posted photos of 10 high school graduates who were vying for a 2 week internship at the plant. The Facebook post said the candidate who got the most likes would be crowned "Miss Energy 2017." The online reaction was, well ... nuclear. The plant -- which is the largest in the Czech Republic -- apologized after 2 days of competition and announced all 10 young women would get internships. It insisted the original intent was to "promote technical education." They must have meant Hooters ed. (TMZ)

The video clip is swirling around ... showing a CNN supervising producer saying the network's coverage of the Russia/Trump investigation is "mostly bulls***" but it's being covered to death for ratings. John Bonifield, CNN's supervising producer of the network's health unit, is caught on undercover video saying the network is getting great ratings from trying to tie the Trump Administration to the Russian interference in the election. Bonifield says CNN doesn't have the goods, but it's nonstop coverage is all about attracting viewers. The video was produced by James O'Keefe, the founder of Project Veritas, a super conservative blog. Trump has jumped on Monday's story about 3 CNN employees resigning after an unsubstantiated story connecting Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci to a Russian investment fund was retracted. Trump tweeted, "Fake News CNN is looking at big management changes now that they got caught falsely pushing their phony Russian stories." (TMZ)

Music

Katy Perry, Calvin Harris and Pharrell Williams Take to the Tropics in New Music Video for "Feels." Don't be afraid to catch feels...over this new music video. Calvin Harris, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and Big Sean have teamed up for their first music video together in honor of the group's track, "Feels," off of Harris' upcoming fifth studio album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1. In short, prepare to transport to the tropics -- or at least, their psychedelic version of it. While Big Sean is flanked by parrots and Pharrell lounges on a fishing boat, Perry dons a Beyonce-esque canary maxi dress as she frolics in a field of flowers. Between closeups of monkeys and turtles, waves crashing on rocks and plenty of sunshine and palm trees, this music video transports you right to the idyllic sandy beaches of your imagination -- even if you're stuck sitting in an office. As the video dropped, Perry warned her Twitter followers, "DON'T BE AFRAID TO CATCH FEELS." It's clear fans heeded her advice as the video has already accumulated more than 1 million views on YouTube since its release early Tuesday. Of course, fans immediately analyzed the clip and pointed out similarities between Perry's scenes and the cover art she shot for her fourth studio album, Prism -- they both feature her posing in a field of flowers. "If this isn't art, i don't know what it is," one fan gushed on social media. Alert the medics because this music video is catching! (Eonline)

Jack Garratt Shines, U2 Rocks & Adam Clayton Collects Stevie Ray Vaughn Award at Musicares Gala. "Hi, I'm Michael and I'm an alcoholic and addict." That might sound like a traditional introduction to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, not a pop concert-or awards show, for that matter. But then the 13th Annual Musicares MAP Fund Benefit Concert honoring U2 bassist Adam Clayton (which took place June 27 at New York City's PlayStation Theater) gloriously wasn't typical of either. The above quote comes from Michael McDonald, the renowned artist manager whose clients have spanned John Mayer to Ray LaMontagne. McDonald is also one of the most passionate advocates of sobriety in the music industry and incoming chairman of the Musicares Foundation, an altruistic wing of the Recording Academy, the organization that gives us the Grammy Awards. Musicares' mission is to support the literal health of the music community: from offering emergency financial and legal assistance to preventive programs and funding for medical expenses. The organization has given out $48 million dollars to over 16,000 individuals in its nearly three-decade history ($4.7 million in the last year alone) and its MAP Fund, meanwhile, specifically addresses the needs of those struggling with substance abuse, addiction recovery, and sober living. Its esteemed annual benefit show has honored the likes of Chris Cornell and Ozzy Osbourne and Smokey Robinson with the Stevie Ray Vaughn Award celebrating their personal and philanthropic commitment to this cause. Musicares' events are famed for their unique, one-time-only celebrations of the artists they honor, with surprising all-star lineups paying tribute to those artists' musical legacy -- and the 2017 edition of the MAP Fund Benefit proved no different. In addition to U2 playing a rare set in such an intimate venue (indeed, the PlayStation's 2,100 capacity proves minuscule compared to the Irish alt-rock icons' arena spectaculars), a varied group of both established names and cutting edge up-and-comers handpicked by Clayton himself performed a vibrant program helmed by legendary musical director Hal Willner (Randy Newman, Lou Reed) and hosted by So You Think You Can Dance?'s bubbly Cat Deeley. The set made frequent deft, winking insider nods to U2's history. Socially-conscious singer-songwriter Michael Franti opened the proceedings with a savagely kinetic version of "Television, the Drug of a Nation" by his early-'90s protest-rap group Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Not coincidentally, Franti had also performed that song as the intro music on U2's 1992 ZooTV tour, although here he updated it for the present day with a montage of Trump-heavy newscast samples and pointed lyrics decrying "opioid overdoses sponsored by the drug companies that made them possible." (Later in the set, Franti thrillingly transformed U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday"-a great version of a song that doesn't easily lend itself to reinterpretation.) Willner's house band, meanwhile, essayed a jazzed-up version of the Mission: Impossible theme Clayton and bandmate Larry Mullen updated for Tom Cruise's 1996 remake. Later, an instrumental acoustic-bass duel reinterpreted U2's most beloved melodies with virtuoso abandon, proving a most unexpected highlight. Notably, the newer acts proved as vital as the more heritage names on the bill. The charismatic Jamaican new-school reggae singer Chronixx dazzled the crowd with his combination of Bob Marley-style uplift and supple lover's rock vocalizing. The Lumineers-also openers on U2's current smash Joshua Tree anniversary tour-stunned by tackling one of U2's most signature songs, "One," and beauteously making it their own. Their spare rendering seemed invested with even greater poignancy due to Lumineers frontman Wesley Schultz's passionate, Dylanesque vocal and percussionist/keyboardist Jeremiah Fraites' own recent two-year commitment to sobriety. The night's revelation, however, may have come from the hirsute young British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt. A true one-man band, Garratt dynamically fused numerous genres and instruments in his three-song set-overlaying his sampler/percussion workouts, thumping trap basslines, and Prince-style guitar histrionics with a Thom Yorke-meets-Al Green falsetto. Garratt's balls-out take on U2's "The Sweetest Thing," however -- imbued with Dixieland swing and Gospel testifying -- may arguably have surpassed the original. Soul proved the unifying theme of the night, both sonically and spiritually, as Macy Gray clearly demonstrated in her contributions. The eccentric R&B anti-diva brought a welcome note of irreverence to the proceedings. "You sure are quiet for a whole bunch of sexy people," she hilariously castigated the crowd. "What do we have to do to please you? Maybe we should ask Jesus to come back – maybe that would get you on your feet." Outfitted in a psychedelic frock with an enormous fake-fur collar, Gray managed to do just that, however. She kicked off with a wonderfully bizarre version of Frank Sinatra's chestnut "My Way," giving it a build recalling Ike and Tina Turner's classic "River Deep, Mountain High." Gray also rehabbed "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" into a funky, Muscle Shoals-style shuffle that proved a startling, wildly memorable interpretation of one of U2's biggest hits, enhanced even further by an ecstatically sprawling solo by guitar iconoclast Marc Ribot. Still, despite the profundity of the evening's tributes, when it comes to U2, nothing's better than the real thing. Music-biz legend Chris Blackwell (who signed the nascent U2 to his Island Records label in 1980) bestowed Clayton with the Stevie Ray Vaughn Award, which Clayton followed with a good humored yet trenchantly moving speech of his own. Calling it "an award for not doing something," Clayton got a big laugh, but he also melted hearts when thanking his bandmates. "I didn't think you could be in a band and not drink," he said. "I'm unreservedly grateful for their friendship, and I am in awe of the extraordinary work we've done together... We made a pact: in our band, no one will be a casualty." With that, Clayton was joined by Bono, The Edge, and Mullen for a three-song set that let the music do the talking. Opening with the ballad "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" from U2's triumphant comeback from 2000, All That You Can't Leave Behind, the intimacy of the room heightened Bono's heartfelt vocal to almost astonishing levels; similarly, The Edge's artful blasts of post-punk guitar on "Vertigo" seemed imbued with newfound urgency. Taking the audience full circle, U2 climaxed with a rousing rave-up rendition of one of its earliest songs, the coming-of-age anthem "I Will Follow." Earlier, Clayton had ended his acceptance speech with an apt quote from its chorus: "Walk away, walk away/I will follow... " (Billboard)

Big Boi Said an Outkast/A Tribe Called Quest Joint Album Was 'Definitely Happening' Big Boi stopped by hip-hop radio station Hot 97 late last week to discuss his newest solo album Boomiverse. He also made a revelation that most music fans would have loved to listen to had it come to fruition. The Dungeon Family member told hosts Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg that Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest was in the midst of creating a collaboration album. However, Phife Dawg's untimely death changed the course of the plans. "Q-Tip flew to Atlanta with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, we all met at Dre's house," the ATLien said of getting the wheels in motion on A Tribe Called 'Kast, which Andre 3000 mentioned would have been the name of the album during Phife's memorial service in 2016. "We got to the point of picking out beats for the album. Then, some kind of way, everybody started doing stuff, and then Phife... you know. It definitely was happening, though." Fear not: Big Boi said that he and Phife cut a few tracks when the late-MC visited the recording studio, Stankonia, and exclaimed that he's hoping to release some time in the future. (Billboard)

U2's Adam Clayton Thanks Band For Helping Him Through Addiction at MusiCares Benefit Concert. In a frank and heartfelt speech, U2 bassist Adam Clayton thanked his bandmates of four decades for their support during his treatment and recovery for alcohol abuse years ago, and then joined them for a rollicking rendition of a few hits. "We have a pact with each other," said Clayton, 57, who was receiving an award from MusiCares, the charity arm of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. "In our band, no one will be a casualty. We all come home, or none of us come home. No one will be left behind. Thank you for honoring that promise, and letting me be in your band." He ended by quoting lyrics that Bono, U2's frontman, had written when the band was starting out: "If you walk away, walk away, I will follow." At that, his bandmates came out to join him, performing "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," ''Vertigo" and, fittingly, "I Will Follow." The evening at the PlayStation Theater in Times Square also featured performances by rapper Michael Franti, Jack Garratt, reggae singer Chronixx, Macy Gray, and The Lumineers, who are currently appearing with U2 on their Joshua Tree tour. Clayton was introduced by British record producer Chris Blackwell as someone who "lived through addiction and came out the other side, and has been courageous enough to admit it." Taking the stage, the bassist quipped: "I'm not used to achieving anything on my own." Turning serious, he said: "I'm an alcoholic, addict, but in some ways that devastating disease is what drove me towards this wonderful life I now have. It's just that I couldn't take my friend alcohol. At some point I had to leave it behind and claim my full potential." He said part of the reason he had a hard time quitting drinking was that, "I didn't think you could be in a band and not drink. It is so much a part of our culture." It was Eric Clapton, he said, who finally told him he needed help. "He didn't sugarcoat it. He told me that I needed to change my life and that I wouldn't regret it," Clayton said. He credited another friend, The Who's Pete Townshend, for visiting him in rehab, where he "put steel on my back." As for his bandmates, Clayton said, "I was lucky because I had three friends who could see what was going on and who loved me enough to take up the slack of my failing. Bono, The Edge, and Larry (Mullen) truly supported me before and after I entered recovery, and I am unreservedly grateful for their friendship, understanding and support." Clayton received the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his support of the MusiCares MAP Fund, which offers musicians access to addiction recovery treatment. Arriving at the theater earlier, he told reporters the fund was especially important given the current epidemic of opioid addiction. "MusiCares ... really provides funding for a lot of people to look into those things and find help," he said. He added that his bandmates had been supporting him for 40 years. "You know, I guess they loved me before I knew how to love myself," he said. "So it's really important that they share this with me. (Billboard)

Movies

Hollywood Conducting First Independent Audit of China's Box Office. After years of U.S. studio concerns over a lack of transparency and possible ticket fraud, Hollywood is getting a closer look at the Chinese industry's books. The Motion Pictures Association of America has hired an outside accounting firm to audit China's massive -- but non-transparent -- movie box office, a source with knowledge of the situation tells THR. The results could help establish how much progress Chinese regulators have made in combating once rampant ticket sales fraud in the country, an issue that U.S. studio executives have complained about in private for years. The MPAA is understood to have brought in an international firm to review sales of selected films, with the results expected as soon as the third quarter, says Bloomberg, which was the first to report the news. A representative for the MPAA declined to comment. With China expected to surpass North America as the world's largest theatrical market sometime in the next five years, U.S. studios have grown increasingly reliant on strong returns from the Middle Kingdom to prop up the global performance of their biggest tentpoles. Case in point: Paramount's Transformers 5, which has earned nearly twice as much in China as North America since its release on Friday. But Chinese cinemas have been known to employ various techniques to game the system, such as the simple under-reporting of sales, ascribing profits from one film to another, or selling discounted tickets to distributors in bulk to create the false appearance of a hit for marketing gain. As recently as 2013, industry experts believed that at least 10 percent of all Chinese box-office sales were lost to fraud. Under mounting pressure from the MPAA and U.S. trade officials, China secretly relented in 2015 to a box-office audit by an international firm, sources told THR at the time. The concession was one of two agreements won from negotiations shrouded in secrecy during Chinese president Xi Jinping's state visit to the U.S. that year. The other accord was a plan to increase significantly the number of foreign films allowed into China on what's known as a flat-fee basis. The latter of the two was the first to come to pass: In 2016, a total of 51 international movies were sold into China for a flat fee, compared with just 28 the year prior. Now, it appears China's media regulators are making good on the promise of greater transparency, too. Beijing has taken plenty of steps to clean up the exhibition sector on its own as well. Earlier this year, Chinese regulators punished 326 local cinemas for cooking the books -- the first major enforcement of a new national film law, which went into effect March 1. Insiders say the recent rise of powerful digital ticketing platforms in China -- which account for over 80 percent of all movie tickets sold in the country -- also has made fraud more difficult to execute and conceal. Some of the most popular platforms, such as Weying and Alibaba's Tao Piao Piao service, publicly disclose box-office data on a regional, or even cinema-by-cinema, basis -- often in real time. The new Hollywood audit is believed to be involved in setting the stage for the renegotiation of the U.S. film industry's terms of doing business in China. The previous five-year trade framework -- which covered everything from how many U.S. movies China would accept into its cinemas and when and how the titles could be released to how much Hollywood studios ultimately could take home -- expired in February. Officials from the two nations are now at work on a new agreement, with the U.S. side pushing for greater market access and a fairer playing field, and the Chinese looking to safeguard the healthy development of their homegrown industry. (Hollywood Reporter)

'War for the Planet of the Apes': What the Critics Are Saying. Step aside, Wonder Woman; there's a new beloved blockbuster of the summer -- and War for the Planet of the Apes has a level of critical praise that would make even the first lady of superhero movies jealous. Simply put, it's getting reviews that summer tentpoles just don't traditionally receive. To wit, The Hollywood Reporter's Todd McCarthy raves about the movie, praising its visuals ("the sheer beauty of the film is intense," he writes, noting that cinematographer Michael Seresin "intoxicatingly" captures the world around the apes), score and a story that dares to be morally complex instead of reductive for blockbuster audiences. "[O]ne of the great merits of the screenplay by Mark Bomback, who co-wrote the previous entry and shares credit on this one with [director Matt] Reeves, is that it takes all the characters' views, grievances and aspirations seriously," McCarthy writes, "although investment in Caesar's and the apes' cause is assumed and tacitly encouraged, the film doesn't insist that they are right and everyone else is intrinsically evil." The Village Voice's Bilge Ebiri was equally impressed. "Of course, people are often capable of great evil; we don't need the movies to tell us that. But the mindless, tribal destructiveness on display in this film is not some outside, unfamiliar force. These aren't zombies. We recognize this impulse, this willingness to embrace raw hatred and give ourselves over to leaders who focus and cultivate our rage. These days, we know it all too well," he writes. "The picture pulls us as viewers into an atmosphere so oppressive that it leaves no room for morality; we're too caught up in the characters' struggle for survival to worry about anything else. To put it another way: This movie is a dangerous place to be." Similarly, The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw commends the movie for being "utterly confident in its own created world, and in the plausibility of its ape characters, who are presented quite unselfconsciously and persuasively," and notes, "War for the Planet of the Apes has its own sense of purpose; it does not get distracted with tricksy or self-aware Statue of Liberty moments, either ones of their own or variations on the original, and of course this is partly because of the franchise's prequel status. But it is also clearly a larger decision to frame the movies with clarity and directness, without huge cosmic ironies." Although IndieWire's Eric Kohn might be less wildly enthusiastic about the movie as a whole -- witness the B+ grade, if nothing else -- he nonetheless writes that War is, for large periods, "simply a marvel of morbid imagery rarely seen in this kind of American movie." Brian Truitt at USA Today adds that, although the movie gets bogged down by a late action sequence, the pic "turns it around before the end when both men and apes have to deal with their own survival-of-the-fittest situations. The satisfying and heart-wrenching climax is a last reminder that Caesar's new adventure is one of this summer's best." Perhaps Empire's James Dyer puts it best: "That this is a more introspective journey than advertised will frustrate those expecting to see an army of irate bonobos rain death upon their human oppressors. That's not to say there isn't excitement, nor that the finale lacks fire and brimstone, but the war of the title is primarily one of the soul. Even Caesar's revenge, when it comes, is told with poignant restraint. The conflict here is one of morality, identity and the boundaries of humanity; all the guns and napalm, while present, are secondary to War's purpose. A misnomer, certainly, but Existential Ruminations of the Planet of the Apes wouldn't sell nearly as much popcorn." (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

Lauren Graham & James Van Der Beek Are Your New Favorite TV Parents With Vampirina. Meet your new favorite TV parents: Dawson Leary and Lorelai Gilmore. Sorry, that's James Van Der Beek and Lauren Graham. In what may sound like an unlikely pairing to fans of The WB of yore, Gilmore Girls star Graham and Dawson's Creek veteran Van Der Beek are teaming up for Disney Junior's Vampirina, a new musical series that premieres this fall. The duo will play Boris and Oxana Hauntley, parents to Vampirina or "Vee" (Isabella Crovetti). The show follows a young vampire girl who is tasked with being the new kid in town when her family moves from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. Patti Lupone, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Wanda Sykes will recur on the new animated series. Lupone and Stokes Mitchell are Vampirina's grandparents, Nanpire and Grandpop, and Sykes plays Vampirina's gargoyle sidekick Gregoria. Additional members of the voice cast include Cree Summer and Dee Bradley Baker. In a release, Disney Junior said, "Vee will learn that while it may be easier to blend in with her peers, it's important to celebrate the differences that make everyone unique." Graham and Van Der Beek's characters will run a bed and breakfast for visiting ghouls and goblins. Broadway composers Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond will provide original songs for each episode with the cast performing them. Van Der Beek and Graham will perform the show's theme song. The series is inspired by Disney Publishing's Vampirina Ballerina. Doc McStuffins veterans, including executive producer Chris Nee and co-executive producer Norton Virgien, are behind the series with Nicky Phelan on board as director. Graham can next be seen in the new season of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. Van Der Beek is starring in What Would Diplo Do? premiering August 3 on Viceland. What do you think about Van Der Beek and Graham playing parents together? Vampirina debuts this fall on Disney Junior. (Eonline)

Eric & Jessie Is Back! Get the Scoop on Season 3 of Eric Decker and Jessie James Decker's Hit E! Show. Eric & Jessie is back! E! announced Tuesday morning that Eric Decker and Jessie James Decker's hit series is returning for a third season. The brand new season of Eric & Jessie, which premieres Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 10 p.m., will show how the famous family's lives have changed over the past few years since welcoming daughter Vivianne, 3, and son Eric Jr., 1. "Eric and I are very excited to be back for a third season of our show," Jessie said in a statement today. "We are all about family, fun and sharing the love. I know our fans are going to enjoy watching this new chapter of our lives." According to a press release, season 3 will follow Jessie "juggling her music career, her hosting duties and expanding her businesses when Eric unexpectedly changes football teams and signs with the Tennessee Titans." "The Deckers discuss what the future holds as they embark on this new journey and focus on laying their roots in Nashville," reads the news. "On the heels of her recent wedding, Jessie's sister Sydney has even more exciting times ahead as she and her new husband prepare to welcome their first child together. "Eric & Jessie: Game On first premiered in September of 2013 on E! and across its first two seasons covered two major milestones for Eric and Jessie, as audiences tuned in to watch the couple get married and welcome their first child together. While things are constantly changing for the Deckers their commitment to family, fun and one another always prevails." Get excited! The season three premiere of Eric & Jessie Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 10 p.m., on E! (Eonline)

Gypsy should be your newest obsession if you loved Big Little Lies. Naomi Watts stars in Netflix's sexy new thriller. It's accurate to say we were obsessed with Big Little Lies - from its soundtrack to its amazing interiors - but there's a shiny new psychological drama in town in the form of Gypsy, which starts streaming on Netflix this week. Naomi Watts stars as therapist Jean Holloway; she lives with her husband and daughter in Connecticut but works in New York City. Everything seems perfectly middle-class on the surface - but just like BLL it's a very different story underneath. Jean is secretly breaking every therapist rule in the book by 'investigating' her client's lives without their knowledge. Pretending to be a journalist called Diane, she strikes up secret friendships with their loved ones and becomes dangerously infatuated - bordering on obsessed - with a client's ex-girlfriend. While they are two excellent shows in their own right, we can't help but draw some parallels between Gypsy and BLL. Let's tick them off: Bitchy school moms = the worst How delicious was all the sniping and scheming between the competitive parents in BLL? In Gypsy, Jean faces a similar den of vipers - who don't understand why she works, and make snide comments about her tomboy daughter Dolly. Just as in BLL, a plot point centres around a lavish kids birthday party (aka the gladiator ring for rich, uptight power-mums). The gloss-factor The homes in BLL gave us major property envy, and the women were blow-dried, and designer-clad at all times. Gypsy is as swish interiors-wise - from Jean's ginormous Connecticut pad, to the velvet sofa we really want from her office - plus her wardrobe is on point (there's a particular pair of boots that we're already trying to source). And yes, we can appreciate the complex emotions themes of a TV show and like the clothes. Marriage is (seriously) complicated. Initially, you want to dismiss Jean's lawyer husband Michael (the very handsome Billy Crudup) as a neglectful, workaholic spouse - and mark their marriage as 'over'. But it's not that simple: they're both attracted to other people, but they still have (hot) sex together. The genuinely value the stability of their domestic set-up whilst simultaneously feeling bored by it. There isn't a goody or a baddy. Rather like Madeline and Ed's marriage in BLL it's not clear cut. Everyone has secrets. Remember how at the end of every BLL you were left with a stream of questions? Gypsy hits the intrigue spot just as effectively. Is Jean's husband having an affair with his secretary? What's this wild past that Jean keeps alluding to? And what happened between her and her mum when she was a child? (There are some tantalizing flashbacks - just like BLL). Are Jean's clients telling her the truth in their therapy sessions? (British Glamour)

The Bachelorette Week 5: Snakes, Lies, and the Most Awkward Date In History. Welcome one, welcome all to the most dreaded Bachelorette night of this season. Normally, the two-on-one is the most anticipated night since watching two contestants face off is usually hilarious and occasionally ends with the villain being left alone on a windy beach, but the show's current villain is not a guy who's fun to watch. He's a smirky jerk whose best defense to everything is that he doesn't understand the other person's point of view, especially when the other person isn't a southern white wannabe gentleman with wannabe Jimmy Neutron hair. Kenny tried to calmly and carefully defend himself against all of Lee's smirks, and Will tried to explain the history of black men being referred to as "aggressive," but Lee just dismissed it all due to the fact that he doesn't understand "the race card." Lee just shouldn't have ever been here in the first place, but we're going to have to wait to see him go, because, of course, we got To Be Continued. But first, there's some other stuff to deal with. First, we found a guy with whom Rachel has zero chemistry whatsoever. First, Rachel and Jack Stone took a carriage ride past some old houses, which Jack Stone declared were "clearly haunted," simply because "this is where I think that kind of stuff happens." Rachel did not agree. "No, I don't think that," she said, not agreeing. We would have been satisfied if that carriage ride took him straight home, but they had to go shuck some oysters and take some dance classes first. Jack Stone cannot dance. Jack Stone likes jokes, but Jack Stone might not be able to take a joke. Jack Stone likes to ask rhetorical questions like, "How do you really get to know each other without having that quality time together?" and "What better way to get more comfortable with each other than to learn a new dance?" Jack Stone was feeling great, couldn't take his eyes off of Rachel, couldn't stop thinking of kissing her. Rachel, meanwhile, was wondering why they seemed perfect on paper, but in person, something was missing. If you ask us, that something was any hint of romantic spark along with any hint of life behind Jack Stone's stony stare, and Rachel saw it too. Jack Stone grinned. Rachel plastered on a smile or two. Jack Stone wanted to know about Rachel's dad's joking habits, and when Rachel asked the first thing he'd do with her on a date in the real world, he said, "I'd lock the door." Luckily, there were cameras everywhere so we didn't feel that Rachel was in immediate danger of being murdered, even as she proceeded to not give Jack Stone the rose and send him home. With that, Jack Stone's grin died forever. After Jack Stone's demise, it was rose ceremony time. Rachel had no time for cocktail parties, because she knew she wanted to get rid of Iggy and Tickle Monster immediately. Poor Tickle Monster, who still creeps us out, hoped he could still find a girl that appreciates a good set of tickling hands, and Iggy at least realized he should not have spent all his time with Rachel talking about other guys, which is true. At this point, we assume the producers made her keep Lee just to give Chris Harrison some extra drama to tease, because he does sound like he's having some morbid fun with those two-on-one teaser voiceovers. After the rose ceremony, the whole gang headed to Norway. Rachel wasted no time in taking Bryan out on a one-on-one, and it was a hell of a date. Like night and day compared to that cringefest with Jack Stone. They went rappelling off of a building, but it was their dinner conversation that once again proved that it can be so refreshing to watch two employed adults in their 30s relate to each other. They shared their insecurities and how far they've come over the years in terms of growing up. It was beautiful. Up next, a group date played a sport. It was a Norwegian sport called handball, and they all wore very tight outfits while playing it. Peter didn't care about the game and just cared about Rachel, which was the right call, because Peter was the only guy we paid attention to. At the post-sports cocktail party, Will really brought his A-game while Josiah got creepy as hell. He just went on and on about how Rachel's beauty radiates from her core and she's the woman of his dreams, and Rachel seemed correct when she assessed that he's more into the idea of her than the person she actually is. Rachel and Peter then took their party to the hot tub for make outs before rejoining the rest of the date. Peter completely expected that group date rose, so when Rachel deservedly gave it to Will, Peter's heart visibly sank. But while we were already Team Peter, we're also starting to really like Team Will. Finally, we arrived at the two-on-one, which Lee prepared for by lifting weights, reading books, and writing toasts(?). As usual, it looked like a Pinterest-inspired room taken out of the house and out into the wilderness, and Rachel was in a full parka while Lee just wore a sweatshirt, like an idiot. Rachel asked to talk to Kenny first, and Kenny did his best to kindly tell Rachel how rude Lee is. Then, Lee completely made s--t up, as far as we know. Unless this show did some seriously egregious editing, Lee invented some incident where Kenny violently dragged him out of a van. Of course Kenny denied having done this thing he definitely didn't do, but Rachel didn't know what to do or who to believe, and so we left Kenny maniacally laughing on his way back to Lee and the fuzzy pillows. The Bachelorette aired Monday and Tuesday this week on ABC. (Eonline)

Discovery Files Injunction Against Sky Deutschland. Discovery, which carries German Bundesliga soccer on its Eurosport Player platform, claims Sky is "misleading customers" by claiming to be the "exclusive home to the Bundesliga." Discovery Networks Germany has filed an injunction against Germany pay TV group Sky Deutschland, part of Sky, claiming Sky is "misleading customers." Discovery filed a cease and desist order against Sky in a court in Cologne, Germany. At issue is Sky's promotion for its coverage of the new season of Germany's Bundesliga soccer, which kicks off in August. For the first time in many years, Sky does not have all pay TV rights to the Bundesliga. Discovery will carry 40 matches from the 2017/2018 season live on its Eurosport Player, which allows customers to watch on TV or on their computers or mobile devices. Discovery's Bundesliga deal includes exclusive coverage of Friday night primetime match as well as five Sunday afternoon and five Monday evening matches. But in its promotional campaign, Sky continues to claim, falsely, that it is the exclusive home of the Bundesliga in Germany, Discovery claims in its injunction. In a statement, Discovery said Sky's claim "is complete fiction and in our view detrimental and confusing, to millions of sports fans throughout Germany." The legal action suggests Discovery is taking a more aggressive approach with its Eurosport Player in the German market and is directly targeting Sky's soccer fans. German customers can subscribe to Eurosport Player for around $35 (€29.99) a year, a major savings on Sky's premium soccer offering, which costs $11(€10) a month for existing Sky subscribers. New customers have to fork out at least $24 (€21.25) a month for a skinny pay-TV package that also includes Sky's Bundesliga matches. Sky still has far more German soccer on offer than Eurosport, with rights to 572 matches in the first and second division in the 2017/2018 season. (Hollywood Reporter)

Amazon Orders First Original Japanese Sci-fi Series. Amazon Prime Video has announced its first original Japanese sci-fi drama series, FACE: Cyber Crime Special Investigation Unit, which will star Ayame Goriki and begin streaming July 11, with new episodes released weekly. Produced by Oscar Promotion, a Tokyo talent agency that specializes in actresses, the series will be directed by Ayato Matsuda and Hideki Hori, and written by Masaki Fukusawa and Toshio Sekine. "Following our drama series such as Kamen Rider Amazons and Tokyo Vampire Hotel, this is Amazon Prime Video's first Japanese Amazon Original series set in the world of cybercrime," said James Farrell, head of Asia Pacific content at Amazon Prime Video. Both Amazon and Netflix are investing heavily in original content for Japan, with the former having announced more than 20 titles, including documentaries, reality shows, anime and dramas. (Hollywood Reporter)

Three CNN Journalists Resign After Russia Story Snafu. Thomas Frank, Eric Lichtblau and Lex Haris have all left the company in the wake of the story. Over the weekend, BuzzFeed broke the news that CNN had taken the unusual step of removing a story from its website about a supposed congressional investigation into a meeting between financier and Trump transition team member Anthony Scaramucci and a Russian investment fund. The story, which was published Thursday and pulled down Friday, was replaced with an editor's note that said it "did not meet CNN's editorial standards." On Monday, the other shoe dropped, and three experienced journalists involved with the story -- Thomas Frank, who wrote the piece; the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eric Lichtblau, who edited the piece; and Lex Haris, executive editor of CNN Investigates -- resigned from the network. The last day for all three was Monday. "In the aftermath of the retraction of a story published on CNN.com, CNN has accepted the resignations of the employees involved in the story's publication," a network spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. The news was first reported by The Washington Post. While the decision to pull down the story entirely, rather than correcting it, showed that CNN viewed the mistake as a serious one, the resignations still come as a surprise considering the reputations of some of the journalists involved. Lichtblau, in particular, was a high-profile poach from The New York Times, where he worked for 15 years. "Wow. @EricLichtblau is one of the most thorough, smart and ethical journalists I know," Times reporter John Schwartz wrote Monday evening on Twitter. CNN, over the last few months and years, has been extremely aggressive in hiring well-known reporters from major outlets and putting a lot of resources into building out a digital reporting team that rivals few others. The network has also been a well-worn target of President Donald Trump and his allies, who have accused it of publishing "fake news" and treating him and his administration unfairly. The story is likely to be seized on by CNN's detractors, though it's clear that the network acted very quickly to redress the situation. The spokesperson did not respond to a THR question about whether the staffers voluntarily resigned or were encouraged to do so. (Hollywood Reporter)

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