ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Anderson East Wants to Propose to Miranda Lambert This Year. Will 2017 be the year Anderson East gets down on one knee for Miranda Lambert. As one insider told E! News, that's the plan for the country crooner, who has been dating the Grammy winner since late 2015. While the longtime lovebirds approach two years as a couple in December, one source says East wants to propose by the end of the year. According to the insider, the two are "extremely serious" and have been tied at the hip since they started dating all those months ago. "They understand each other on a deeper level," the source described. "Miranda feels everyday like the luckiest girl." According to the insider, children would also be in the cards for the two performers after they say "I do." "They would like to have children once they get married," the source said. "This has been shared and discussed between them." Back in March, a source told E! News this year "is going to be big for Miranda." "Miranda's friends and family have never seen her this happy," the source said at the time. As the two stars continue to share their lives together, Lambert most recently helped her beau ring in his 30th birthday in July and there was no shortage of sweetness. "He owns the stage and he owns my heart," she said of her man on Instagram. "Thanks @andersoneast for inspiring me in so many ways. You are a light that could outshine the sun. I love making memories with you." Perhaps there will be one more major memory to add to their list in the next few months! (Eonline)

Selena Gomez on The Weeknd: "He's More of a Best Friend Than Anything Else." Selena Gomez recently turned 25 -- but in her mind, age ain't nothing but a number. "I kind of wish numbers didn't exist sometimes, because I feel like I'm 15 some days, and then other days I wake up and I'm 40," the "Fetish" singer tells InStyle's editor in chief Laura Brown in the September issue, on stands Aug. 11. "It's so weird, how one year can change everything." That's an understatement. A year ago, Gomez canceled the Revival World Tour and took 90 days off to be "proactive" about treating the side effects of lupus, which can include anxiety, depression and panic attacks. After seeking treatment, she returned to the red carpet in November. "When I came out, I was asked to go to the American Music Awards, and everyone around me was like, 'Do whatever makes you comfortable.' I didn't want my fans to have a negative view of taking care of yourself, so I just went in head-on, and I'll tell you, the first time stepping on that carpet was so overwhelming," Gomez says. "I felt like my back was sweating." After she returned to the spotlight, Gomez became outspoken about feeling as if she had to present an image of perfection on social media. Today, she's uninterested in selling lies to her fans, as she cares about their wellbeing as much as her own. "Because of social media, because of all the pressure that girls have, it's so difficult. It's good to be connected, to see things and to get a sense of what your friends are up to. But it also allows people to think they need to look or be a certain way. Now it feels more zoomed-in -- you have ugly people trying to get negative things from you, and the energy makes you feel bad about yourself. You can't help it," the pop princess tells InStyle. "It's very hard to find out who you are during all that mess and pressure." It's one of the reasons she's so proud of the controversial hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which she optioned as a teenager and executive produced earlier this year. "I think if our show is able to start a conversation at the dinner table, event if it's just 'That's terrible' or 'That was great,' it's still starting a conversation," Gomez says. "It scared people, but it's really important." Gomez is proud of her accomplishments, but that doesn't mean she would do it all over again. "I think it's really dysfunctional to be in the industry at a young age where you're figuring out who you are," says Gomez, one of Disney Channel's most popular stars. "I don't recommend it." With a new album on the way, the "Bad Liar" singer finally seems to be at peace professionally. The same can also be said of her personal life, as she has been dating The Weeknd since late last year. "I don't depend on one area of my life to make me happy. It's really important for me to love and nourish my friends and family and make sure I never get influenced by a guy," the singer assures the magazine. "I'm lucky because he's more of a best friend than anything else." (Eonline)

They've just reconciled after a bitter feud kept them apart for a decade since he wrote an explosive bestseller about her, but now Madonna's brother is doing it again. In a fiery new interview, Christopher Ciccone has accused the pop queen of blacklisting him in Hollywood -- and says he could have written another tell-all book about just how "horrific" she is. His fresh blow comes nine years after the publication of his b -- hy bestseller, "Life with My Sister Madonna," which destroyed their relationship. In an exclusive chat, Ciccone, who for years was her backstage dresser and show designer, said: "I could have written that book, the book about how horrifying she is or can be, but I didn't write that book. I was just looking for a little recognition for the work I've done for 20 years with her, that it wasn't one person." In his 2008 book, Ciccone told how his sister was bossy, sweaty, moody and, above all, mean. Both still deeply scarred by their mother's death in 1963, Madonna had brought Ciccone to New York and employed him -- but also demeaned and underpaid him and, he claimed, even outed him as gay on television. Reflecting on the row, Ciccone says: "When I got back to LA my 500 acquaintances suddenly turned out to be four friends. She's quite powerful in Los Angeles, in the industry. I was working in the industry doing music videos and tours and it was difficult to get work, if not impossible." But Ciccone reckons Madonna has lost her way without him and says he is barely able to watch her live shows now because she lost sight of what her fans want. He said: "Her performance lost its theatricality to me and lost its connection to the audience. That was disappointing. How many tours have there been since '94? Five? It's difficult to watch them because I know what she's capable of. It's all screens and projections and Kabbalah and all this other stuff that the audience doesn't really connect to." In his book, Ciccone also wrote savagely about Madonna's sexual partners -- actor Sean Penn was "intense," former personal trainer Carlos Leon "thick" and Brit film director Guy Ritchie "a poser." He adds: "I haven't spoken to any of those guys and nor do I wish to. There's not a single word in that book that isn't true. If it hadn't been, I'd have been sued." But in a show of solidarity, Ciccone backed his sister over Lady Gaga, who he called a "court jester." He added: "I have nothing against Lady Gaga, she had some great tracks. I was never a fan of her performances or music videos as I always felt she was ripping us off." He also shares his sister's disapproval over Universal's forthcoming Madonna biopic, "Blond Ambition." In April she wrote on Instagram: "Nobody knows what I know and what I have seen, only I can tell my story. Anyone else who tries is a charlatan and a fool." Supporting her, Ciccone said of the script: "I read it, it's utter crap. Number one, I don't even exist. I'm not even there. Then they got the names wrong, the timings wrong, the places wrong, events incorrect. On top of that, it's a s -- ty script." And he insists the siblings have made progress, crediting their elderly father Tony for helping to repair their rift. He said: "We've gotten past that, we talk. I just talked to her a couple of weeks ago when I was at my father's vineyard. We email each other. Well, it's passed for me, but I do know Madonna likes to hold grudges. There's nothing I can do about that." (Page Six)

Justin Bieber can breathe a sigh of relief -- we're told cops are not recommending any criminal charges against him for accidentally running his truck into a paparazzo. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... they've determined Bieber had no intent to strike the paparazzo when he left church last week. As we reported, Bieber's monster truck knocked the photographer to the ground. The photog went to the hospital for a leg injury. What's more, cops tell us the photog was in the wrong for standing in the street, but since that's a minor crime he won't be charged because it wasn't committed in the presence of police. As for a civil lawsuit ... well, that's almost a sure thing, but it seems Bieber has a leg up because he had the right of way, was blinded by camera flashes and the photog was where he shouldn't have been. (TMZ)

Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke on the "Dukes of Hazzard," has been arrested for indecent assault and battery in Massachusetts ... TMZ has learned. Wopat was in Waltham, Mass starring in a play -- a production of "42nd Street." We're told the alleged victim is a woman connected with the production, and the incident involved Wopat allegedly putting his hands down her pants. According to law enforcement ... police arrested 65-year-old Wopat Wednesday at 10:53 PM. Police were actively looking for him, and pulled him over in his Ford Bronco. We're told cops found a small baggie of cocaine on him, and he was booked for possession. The indecent assault and battery is a felony. The coke possession is a misdemeanor. Wopat's being arraigned Thursday. We've reached out to his rep ... so far, no word back. The play is supposed to open with a Thursday matinee, and according to the box office ... show will go on with Wopat. (TMZ)

Teamsters Threatened Padma Lakshmi and Hurled Racist Insults as They Protested Top Chef, Producer Testifies. A Top Chef producer testified in Boston federal court that she was the subject of racist taunts and host Padma Lakshmi was physically threatened when four members of the Teamsters Union were picketing outside a restaurant where the show was filming in 2014. Supervising producer Ellie Carbajal told the jury Wednesday that the teamsters, who Deadline reports are accused of trying to extort the show for driving jobs, "swarmed [Lakshmi's] vehicle and surrounded it." According to Deadline, one of the men said to the others with his face just inches from the host's car window, "That's the pretty one. We want to smash her face in." Carbajal also shared a disturbing video with the court that showed the protesters calling her a "f -- ing towel head" and a "c -- ." "Your mama would be so proud," the producer, recording the incident on her phone, said on the video. "At least I'm not a scab like you," one of the men replied. "They got in my face. I was scared," Carbajal testified, according to Page Six. "I couldn't believe they were doing this. They were grown men." Four members of Teamsters Union Local 25-Robert Cafarelli, John Fidler, Daniel Remond and Michael Ross-are charged with attempting to extort a nonunion production company, according to ABC News. The outlet reports they have pleaded not guilty. "The defendants went to Milton to get jobs for their out-of-work brothers and sisters in the union," attorney Kevin Barron, who represents Ross, told jurors during opening statements, according to MassLive.com. "That's what they're there for. This is real work we're talking about." Mark Harrington, another union member who was there, pleaded guilty to extortion last year, according to Deadline. He is serving six months of home confinement and two years of probation. Lakshmi is expected to testify at the trial Thursday, Page Six reports. (People)

Taylor Swift's battle with the Denver DJ she claims grabbed her ass during a photo op finally heads to the court next week -- but getting into the trial will be as tough as scoring Taylor concert tix. According to new legal docs, jury selection will begin Monday in Colorado for David Mueller's lawsuit against Swift, and her countersuit. Here's the crazy part -- only 32 seats will be held each day for the public, and they'll be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. That means waiting in line -- a long one, no doubt -- if ya want a shot at seeing Taylor in court. According to docs, Swiftees can start lining up at 6 AM and passes will be handed out at 7 to the first 32. An overflow room with TV monitors will be available for 75 more people. It's a small gamble -- chances are Taylor won't be in court everyday, but as they say ... ya gotta be in it to win it. (TMZ)

Suge Knight made a death threat against famed "Straight Outta Compton" director F. Gary Gray ... so claims the L.A. County Grand Jury which indicted Suge on felony criminal threats ... TMZ has learned. We've learned Suge allegedly made the threat during the filming of the movie, but months before he killed a man involved in the production by driving over him in a Compton parking lot. TMZ has obtained a copy of the Grand Jury indictment, which reads in part, "On or about August 8, 2014, Suge ... threatened to commit a crime which would result in death and great bodily injury to Felix Gary Gray." Suge was extremely unhappy with his portrayal in the movie and we're told he sent the threat by text. We know on August 8, 2014, Gray was interviewed by cops at the Slauson Swap Meet where they were filming. Suge is scheduled to be arraigned on the charge Thursday. Here's the weird thing ... the indictment is dated February 7. It's unclear why it took 6 months to arraign him. Sources connected with Suge claim the murder charge against him is falling apart and they believe law enforcement is simply out to get him. (TMZ)

Rapper Kidd Creole Charged in Fatal Stabbing of Homeless Man. The Kidd Creole has been arrested and charged in the fatal stabbing of a homeless man in midtown New York City. The rapper, formally named Nathaniel Glover and famously known as one of the original members of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, was arrested Wednesday and charged with killing a 55-year-old man Tuesday night, E! News can confirm. The victim, later identified by outlets as John Jolly, was reportedly found on the sidewalk by pedestrians with multiple stab wounds in his torso and brought to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Glover was charged with second-degree murder. According to the New York Times, NYPD detectives saw Glover, 57, on surveillance camera footage from near the scene. In footage captured by PIX11, the former rapper was handcuffed and escorted into a car by detectives Wednesday night. Jolly, 55, was living in a homeless shelter at the time of his murder, according to the New York Daily News. Per the newspaper, Jolly had multiple prior arrests and was a convicted sex offender. While it is not clear if the men knew each other prior to the incident, the New York Daily News cited sources that claimed the rapper and homeless man got into some kind of an argument after Creole thought Jolly was "making an advance toward him." According to NBC, Glover, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, had four prior arrests and was working security at a building near the murder scene. (Eonline)

Harry Potter Star Robert Hardy Dies at Age 91. British actor Robert Hardy, who in recent years became known for his work in four of the Harry Potter films, has died at age 91. The death of the star, who played Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, was confirmed by his family Thursday. Hardy is survived by children Emma, Justine and Paul. "Gruff, elegant, twinkly, and always dignified, he is celebrated by all who knew him and loved him, and everyone who enjoyed his work," his family said in a statement to BBC News, adding that Hardy had a "tremendous life" and "a giant career in theatre, television and film spanning more than 70 years." "Dad is also remembered as a meticulous linguist, a fine artist, a lover of music and a champion of literature, as well a highly respected historian, and a leading specialist on the longbow," they said. "He was an essential part of the team that raised the great Tudor warship The Mary Rose." The official Harry Potter Twitter page paid tribute to Hardy. The actor was also known for his role of Siegfried Farnon on the dramedy All Creatures Great and Small, which aired between 1978 and 1990. In addition, Hardy played former British Prime Minister and iconic leader Sir Winston Churchill multiple times, in the miniseries War and Remembrance and Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years, the series Agatha Christie's Marple, and in the TV movies Bomber Harris, The Woman He Loved and Churchill: 100 Days That Saved Britain. In 1981, Hardy was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services to acting. (Eonline)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Will Smith opened up about fatherhood and lessons he's learned from being a dad. The actor appeared on Jay-Z's "Footnotes of Adnis" and described the moment he and wife Jada Pinkett Smith discovered their daughter, Willow, had shaved her head in 2012. "We came downstairs and she had shaved her head bald," Smith recalled. "She shaved her head bald in the middle of her 'Whip My Hair' tour. I was like, 'Oh, s -- t.'" Willow had told her father halfway through the tour that she wanted out. He insisted she continue with the planned shows, prompting the then 11-year-old to take drastic measures. "I'm looking at that girl and I'm like, 'Got it. I understand. You will not have this trouble out of me ever again. Let's go, baby. We can go,'" Smith said. Smith added seeing his daughter with a shaved head made him realize he couldn't rely on the parenting style his father used, which he described as strict. "For me, it was that soldier that was pushing and wasn't paying any attention whatsoever to what was going on emotionally with this beautiful little creature in front of me," Smith said. "That was the first part of the collapsing of my father's suit that I was wearing that wasn't mine." Mom Jada Pinkett Smith addressed her daughter's shaved head back in 2012 and defended the haircut. "The question why I would let Willow cut her hair, first the let must be challenged. This is a world where women [and] girls are constantly reminded that they don't belong to themselves -- that their bodies are not their own, nor their power or self-determination. I made a promise to endow my little girl with the power to always know that her body, spirit and her mind are her domain," the actress wrote in a 2012 Facebook post. (Page Six)

Armie Hammer Reveals Date Night Rule: Don't Talk About the Kids! Their golden rule! It can be tough to plan a date night with two young kids at home. That's why when Armie Hammer and his wife, Elizabeth Chambers, do get the chance to sneak out they keep the conversation focused on themselves. "We go to sushi, and we don't talk about the kids, that's the biggest thing," Chambers, 34, exclusively told Us Weekly at the HFPA Grants Banquet in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, August 2. "We're not allowed to talk about the kids," Hammer, 30, chimed in. Chambers added: "We don't have date night just to tell cute kid stories." Hammer admitted that they make time for each other "by force." "It's hard when you're breastfeeding -- my wife -- it's hard cause there's only so much time you can leave," he explained. "You just make it work. You know? You figure it out. You have friends and family. You figure it out." The Final Portrait star and the actress tied the knot in May 2010 after four years of dating. They are parents of daughter Harper, 2, and recently welcomed son Ford in January. "Ford's doing great," Hammer told Us on Wednesday. "He's 6-months-old, so he's just sort of hitting that point where he recognizes us. We walk into a room and he smiles and he gives you the love back, so we just play. It's honestly just the goofiest, most ridiculous stuff that makes him laugh, so I'm sure from an outside perspective, it would just look ridiculous." He continued: "I do think it's pretty funny when he pees on my wife. That's always a good one. He's just hilarious. He loves to laugh, and he's also very shy. So he'll start laughing and then he'll hide his face. He's cute." (US Weekly)

"Big Brother" star Cody Nickson didn't just serve his country as a Marine for 4 years, he was also twice deployed and received numerous medals ... according to his file obtained by TMZ. Cody's been on the outs with the rest of the cast except his gf, Jessica, but things got nasty this week when some of them -- including Paul Abrahamian -- tried antagonizing the Marine Corps vet by questioning his military experience ... and 'BB' fans were pissed. Rightfully so, it turns out, because according to Cody's official military file ... he served in the Marine Corps from December 2008 to December 2012, reaching the rank of E-4 Corporal with a specialty as a Rifleman. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force as well. Nickson received numerous honors ... including campaign medals for his tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, 2 National Defense Service Medals, a Good Conduct Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and 2 Navy Unit Commendations. Though he's portrayed as a villain on the show ... you gotta respect him. (TMZ)

"Just Drew" designer and Tiffany Trump BFF Andrew Warren broke his arm during what has been described as "a botched act of heroism" in Montauk this past weekend. We're told that Warren says he saw someone fall off an inflatable flamingo on Fort Pond next to hip hangout Surf Lodge, and he did the honorable thing and jumped in to save the distressed reveler. But broke his arm in the process. He Instagrammed a picture of the cast, captioning it, "Out of commission for the next month #survivor." Warren was out east with his crew including Tiffany, who was not at Surf Lodge when her friend fell in the drink. He declined an interview when reached Wednesday, but did say, "Someone fell in the pond, and I went in the water to help them, my arm was either broken as I went in or when I was pulled out. I broke my right arm and I am in a cast for six weeks. It is especially hard because I use my right hand to design and for social media." (Page Six)

Brooklyn Beckham's new tattoo provokes QUITE the reaction on Twitter. His dad David has 40+ inkings, and now Brooklyn Beckham is following suit... Brooklyn Beckham had his first tattoo done back in March this year and then several soon after, and it seems he's seriously caught the bug as he's just gone back for more - and one of his latest inkings has caused some controversy. The Beckham's eldest son has just had the words 'Made In England' tattooed onto his foot, an ironic choice seeing as his first name is Brooklyn. Fans took to Twitter to express their confusion at the tat, with many questioning why he would have it done when he was named Brooklyn because of his parents' love of America. Many have also wondered if he was conceived in New York, too - making his choice even funnier. Before we even had a chance to process these ideas, the youngster was showing off yet another new tat on Instagram - a rose on his torso. Wow he's been busy... Brooklyn's latest tattoo before these two was a large, intricate compass tattooed onto his forearm. He also has a large camera on his left arm and a Native American war bonnet on his right. We wonder how long it'll take for Brooklyn to reach his father David's 40 tattoo record... (British Glamour)

Siesta Key star Alex Kompothecras was at the Key West, Florida, airport about to board a flight when a friend sent him a link to a video that left him disgusted. "I was, like, 'Are you kidding me?' " Kompothecras, 22, tells PEOPLE of being sent a video of his friend Michael Wenzel and two other men allegedly dragging a shark by its fin behind a boat at high speed. "I was absolutely horrified." But by the time the MTV reality star landed in New York City, he was shocked to find that -- despite the fact he is not in the video and claims he's never been on Wenzel's boat -- he had been linked to Wenzel and had begun receiving hate on his social media accounts. "I started seeing a couple messages on Facebook, like, 'You're a piece of crap,' " he says. Soon the hate evolved into death threats. "I got some horrific comments," says Kompothecras. "My mom took it the hardest. She sobbed for three days in a row because she was scared for me. I couldn't even go outside to walk my dog. It's been hectic and scary." A Facebook page called "Boycott Siesta Key MTV" was created and a protest was planned for the premiere party on Monday night. After death threats were allegedly directed at a cast member, the local premiere was canceled. Kompothecras says the hardest part of the entire experience has been watching his family, friends and cast mates be dragged into the scandal with him. "I'm getting death threats and I've never in my entire life been fishing. It's scary," says Siesta Key's Madisson Hausburg, 23. "I understand why people are upset because I was absolutely horrified by the video. It was disgusting. It was awful. But I had absolutely nothing to do with it. No one on the show had anything to do with it. I think there was some misinformation that this Michael guy is a part of the show but he's not -- and he never has been." "I've been getting DMs from people telling me they hope all of us commit suicide," adds castmate Brandon Gomes, 22. "I've known Alex for almost half my life and it's totally unfair that he's being slammed for something he had nothing to do it." "It would be one thing if it was something I'd done and I'd gotten caught but this is something I am 100 percent against," says Kompothecras. "I've been fishing for 15 years in Sarasota and I'm very respectful of the profession. I love the water. I consider it my backyard and I would never consider doing something like that. I don't condone what he did and I was horrified by it." Kompothecras says Wenzel has reached out to him but he's not ready to talk to him yet. "Michael has been calling me but I haven't responded to him because I'm personally offended. We're friends but I'm so disappointed in him," Kompothecras says of Wenzel, who is being investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "Michael deserves what's happening to him but I had nothing to do with this and my family and friends don't deserve this hate." Kompothecras says Wenzel has been fishing together in the past (on the reality star's boat) but he does not believe he was in the same city as Wenzel when the video was shot. "We've spoken to Alex and many others at length, and it's clear that he was not on the boat nor played any role in this incredibly disturbing incident," an MTV spokesperson says in a statement exclusive to PEOPLE. "We hope the serious threats unfairly being made against Alex and the other cast members-for something they had absolutely nothing to do with-stop." But Kompothecras is owning up to some photos of him that raised eyebrows among animal rights activists in light of the shark-dragging scandal. "There are images of me harming some animals and I feel horrible," says Kompothecras who has deleted a video from his Instagram account that depicted a man shooting a gun at a shark in the water. "I am embarrassed and it won't happen again." There are also photos of his younger self with deer and alligators he seemingly killed while hunting and another of him and a friend with a fish being force-fed beer. "I've made my share of bad decisions and I feel horrible, but all I can say is that I would not make those decisions again," he says. "I was being stupid but I've grown from that. It's an eye-opener for me because it's made me think long and hard about things I've done and I've learned from that. This has all been a shocking experience." (People)

Talk about ignoring the elephant in the room. A rock drummer says that Jon Bon Jovi made conversation with him -- just to avoid talking to much-maligned New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The Black Keys' Patrick Carney told Vice News that he was at a birthday party for Howard Stern when the Garden State rock god surprised him by chatting "really intensely." "I was like, 'Why does Jon Bon Jovi want to talk to me?' And realized it was just because he didn't want to talk to Chris Christie." But a rep for Christie insisted to Page Six that the governor and the rocker are actually dear, dear friends. "The governor and first lady are personal friends with Jon and Dorothea," he said. "The story is completely ridiculous." The "You Give Love a Bad Name" singer campaigned enthusiastically for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, but did allow Christie to use his music for his campaign events, saying, "My friendships are apolitical, and, yes, I absolutely gave him permission to use my songs." Bon Jovi's rep didn't respond. (Page Six)

High School Musical's East High Nearly Destroyed Following Flash Flood. What time is it? Time to help save East High School. Just last week, a Salt Lake City rain storm triggered a flash flood that damaged many homes and businesses. As it turns out, one of those properties was East High School that was used to film Disney Channel's beloved High School Musical franchise. In pictures posted on cast member KayCee Stroh's Instagram, viewers will easily recognize the gymnasium and cafeteria that received inches of water. As a result, the school is experiencing $2-3 million in damages. "Basement is completely flooded, here is the cafeteria and they are trying to save the famous basketball court as we speak!" KayCee -- who played Martha Cox -- shared with her followers. "Fingers crossed for our iconic #easthighschool #wildcats #hsm." Monique Coleman commented with a crying emoji while Bart Johnson (Coach Bolton) replied with "My dojo!!!!" According to the Salt Lake Tribune, clean-up is expected to last through the end of the month or until summer break is over. "There's so much water," district spokesperson Yandary Zavala Chatwin shared with the publication. "They're still trying to get the water out before they can assess the final damage." While hundreds of residents call the school home, others easily recognize the property as a place where Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) was told to get his head in the game as he competed in basketball. And who can forget the final number in High School Musical where the cast and crew proudly proclaimed that "We're All in This Together?" Ultimately, school officials are confident that they will be able to recover by August 21. In other words, don't expect to see something new once the school year begins. (Eonline)

Music

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is opening an exhibit on the life and career of Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn in Nashville. "Loretta Lynn: Blue Kentucky Girl" opens Aug. 25 and runs through Aug. 5, 2018. The museum said in a news release that highlights include Lynn's original handwritten manuscript for her 1970 hit, "Coal Miner's Daughter," the microphone used at her first recording session, some of her dresses, and the sewing machine she used to make her stage clothes early in her career. The 85-year-old singer-songwriter suffered a stroke in May and is recovering at home following a stay at a rehabilitation center. She said in a statement from the museum she's excited about the exhibit displaying her more than 50 years in country music. (Page Six)

Macklemore's Mercedes-Maybach came back to life in the rapper's new music video. We took a close look, and the 2016 AMG Maybach that sat in the tow yard has matching plates to the Maybach used in the rapper's video, which dropped Wednesday, 5 days after the car was totaled. The video was shot around several weeks before the crash. TMZ broke the story ... Macklemore came away unscathed after a head-on collision caused by a suspected drunk driver in Langley, Washington. The accident happened Friday but we're told the video was completed several weeks earlier. The photos of the aftermath show severe damage to the front bumper, hood and engine. But one of the photos we obtained and didn't publish showed the back of the $192k car and its plates. No word on whether the whip's considered salvageable or a total loss. (TMZ)

Niall Horan Gives Louis Tomlinson a Twitter Shout-Out With Some Exciting News. Directioners have likely been yearning for some 1D action, as it's been awhile that they've seen all of One Direction together since the band's hiatus began. But while there's seemingly still no actual reunion in the works, fans will be pleased to know that the boys haven't forgotten about one another. On Wednesday (Aug. 2) Niall Horan saw news on Twitter that the popular U.K. bakery chain Greggs is expanding drive-thru locations around the country, and because his fellow 1D pal Louis Tomlinson is a big fan of the chain, Horan sent Tomlinson a sweet tweet. Though Horan is known to be partial to the fast food restaurant Nandos, he attached a photo of the Greggs news on Twitter and quipped, "Hahaha @Louis_Tomlinson is going to love this." (Billboard)

Camila Cabello Teases New Young Thug Collabo, 'Havana'. The long tease for Camila Cabello's upcoming solo album continued on Tuesday night (Aug. 1) when the former Fifth Harmony singer posted a movie trailer-like coming attraction for the single "Havana" featuring Young Thug. The 19-second sneak peek unfolded at a drive-in movie as seen through the windshield of a car with the singer and rapper's names flashing on the big screen over a scratchy, silent movie soundtrack-like track. Another tweet appeared to suggest that the video would have a love story. The teasers came a day after Cabello posted the image of an old school movie theater marquee featuring her name in neon and the title "A summer double feature now playing 'Havana' and 'OMG' starring Camila Cabello and featuring Young Thug and Quavo." The songs are the follow-ups to Cabello's debut solo single, "Crying in the Club." Cabello performed both tracks live at the B96 Pepsi Summer Bash in Chicago on June 25, but no official release date has been announced for either. In a recent Billboard cover feature, producers Andrew "Pop" Wansel and Frank Dukes said they're thinking of opening Cabello's upcoming solo debut album, The Hurting, the Healing, the Loving, "with a dusty, piano-clanging cut called 'Havana.'" (Billboard)

Justin Bieber Breaks His Silence After Cancelling Purpose Tour: "I Have Let My Insecurities Get the Best of Me." Two weeks ago Justin Bieber shocked fans when he cancelled the 14 remaining dates of his Purpose Tour. His reps spoke out about it, his manager, his fans, but he's kept silent. That is until now. Earlier, the hit-making singer posted a heartfelt and lengthy Instagram message to his legion fans explaining why he pulled the plug on his tour. The image posted is of a typed out message written by the Biebs and has no caption. It begins with gratitude. "I'm so grateful for this journey with all of you. I'm grateful for the tours but most of all I am grateful I get to go through this life WITH YOU! Learning and growing hasn't always been easy but knowing I'm not alone has kept me going," wrote Bieber. He continued, "I have let my insecurities get the best of me at times, I let my broken relationships dictate the way I acted towards people and the way I treated them! I let bitterness, jealousy and fear run my life!!!" Following the news, some speculated that the Canadian's ties to the Hillsong Church and his allegiance to pastor Carl Lenz was the chief reason he wanted out of the international tour. In his post today, the "Sorry" singer made it a point to say that he was working on himself and surrounding himself with people who would help him be the man he wants to be. The singer wrote, "I am extremely blessed to have people in the past few years help me build my character back up reminding me of who I am and who I want to be!!!" The thoughtful crooner also added, "My past decisions and past relationships won't dictate my future decisions and my future relationships. I'm VERY aware I'm never gonna be perfect, and I'm gonna keep making mistakes. I wanna be a man that learns from them and grows from them!! I want you all to know this tour has been unbelievable and has taught me so much about myself. I am reminded of how blessed I am to have a voice in this world. I've learned the more you appreciate your calling the more you want to protect your calling." But if anyone feared that the Grammy winner was taking this tour break as a permanent break -- they'd be wrong. Bieber makes it clear that that he's in it for the long haul but wants to make sure that he can sustain life as a performer. "Me taking this time right now is me saying I want to be SUSTAINABLE. I want my career to be sustainable, but I also want my mind heart and soul to be sustainable so that I can be the man I want to be, the husband I eventually want to be and the father I want to be." In the message, which almost seems like a plea for understanding and to let his fans know that he cares, the chart-topper adds, "This message is just an opportunity for you to know my heart, I'm not expecting anyone to understand, but I do want people to have an opportunity to know where I am coming from!" Clearly writing from his heart, Bieber completed the statement with this: "THIS MESSAGE IS VERY GRAMMATICALLY INCORRECT BUT ITS FROM THE HEART. BUT I THINK THERES SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT IMPERFECTIONS!! [sic]" What do you think of Bieber's perfectly imperfect statement? (Eonline)

A$AP Rocky Announce New Creative AWGE Website. A$AP Rocky and the rest of the mob are cooking up something pretty trill for the month of August. Late on Tuesday night (Aug. 1), Rocky announced the crew would be launching its new creative platform in celebration of its first annual Awgest. "I would like to announce the first annual Awgest," Pretty Flacko shared in a post on Twitter. "For the month of Awgest, we will be launching a new Awge website, music, content, video & a whole bunch of other kool s**t." The announcement also stated that fans could expect new music drops from the A$AP mob, and all other Awgest artists, including Playboi Carti, Smooky Margiela, Fatmankey, and Treezlowkey. "We will have our own forums in while our team will update constantly with visuals and their own curated work as well," the announcement adds. "This is only the beginning. The new Awgest launch comes shortly after the mob revealed the cover art and release date for their compilation project, Cozy Tapes Vol. 2, which drops Aug. 25. In support of the forthcoming tape, the boys are also set to head out on the road on the Too Cozy Tour, starting on Sept. 23. The new Awgest launch comes shortly after the mob revealed the cover art and release date for their compilation project, Cozy Tapes Vol. 2, which drops Aug. 25. In support of the forthcoming tape, the boys are also set to head out on the road on the Too Cozy Tour, starting on Sept. 23. (Billboard)

Movies

"Deadpool 2" is coming in hot and loaded -- literally -- with the unveiling of Domino. Zazie Beetz -- best known for her role on FX's "Atlanta" -- will star as the savage mercenary Domino, who ultimately joins the good guys. Beetz was filming alongside her stunt double in Vancouver, and buzz about her debut started building after Ryan Reynolds tweeted a photo of Zazie in her costume. Her look was so on point, even Deadpool comic book artist, Rob Liefeld, roared with approval on Twitter. (TMZ)

Tara Reid has been with the "Sharknado" franchise since the beginning, but her frustrations with the series are starting to show. The actress spoke with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the "Sharknado 5: Global Swarming" premiere, where she criticized film company Asylum for giving better treatment to some of the celebrities making cameos than its stars. "I think 'Sharknado' cares more about their 'extra of the day' than they do about their own cast," Reid said. "You work at something for five years and you don't get treated as well as someone who shows up for a single day?" The article also revealed that Reid makes only a quarter of what co-star Ian Ziering pulls in for the series. Ziering -- who plays Fin Shepard, husband of Reid's character April Wexler -- reportedly earns $500,000 per film, which means Reid is raking in around $125,000. The report also notes that the budget for "Sharknado 5" is double what it was for the franchise's first film. SyFy referred TooFab to Asylum for comment, but a rep for the production company wasn't immediately available. Reid actually joined the series before Ziering, after Teri Hatcher, Rebecca Romijn, Tiffani Thiessen and several others passed on the project. "Tara had a profile," casting director Gerald Webb added though, "SyFy liked her." Another fun fact gleaned from the report: Donald Trump almost played the President in the third film, but talks halted after he decided to really run for office. "Sharknado 5" airs on small screens Aug. 6. (Too Fab)

Is the Golden Age of 3D Officially Over? Remember when 3D was Hollywood's savior? In 2010, 21 percent of total box-office revenue in North America ($10.6 billion), or $2.2 billion, came from 3D tickets sales. That was the year of 3D hits Toy Story 3 and Alice in Wonderland; additionally, much of the revenue James Cameron's groundbreaking Avatar, released in late December 2009, was earned in 2010. Fast-forward to 2016, when 3D revenue amounted to $1.6 billion, down 8 percent from 2015. That's despite the fact that overall box-office revenue hit an all-time high of $11.4 billion. The share of 3D revenue was just 14 percent. The biggest 3D draw of 2016 was Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book, which eared 43 percent of its opening weekend gross from 3D screens. While that pales in comparison to Avatar (70 percent), it was certainly better than the average 30 percent-35 percent that has become the norm. Still, it did surprise some when Imax announced last week during its earnings call that it would be reducing its 3D slate in the domestic market, citing a "clear preference" for 2D from audiences. Imax Entertainment CEO Greg Foster tells THR that Imax is not abandoning 3D but taking a more strategic approach to its use of the format. "3D is no longer the default," he says, explaining that Imax releases about 35 motion pictures per year, and of those, his instincts suggest that an estimated 5-10 would be 3D releases in the foreseeable future. "We listen to our filmmaking partners," he adds, saying directors that want to release their movies in 3D will continue to have Imax's support. While the format remains popular overseas -- globally, 56 percent of all digital screens are 3D, compared to 39 percent in the U.S. and Canada -- comScore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian suggests much of the blame for 3D's decline in the States falls on Hollywood. He notes that at its height of popularity in 2010, "The industry was excited about 3D being able to enhance the bottom line. Then you had many movies that were not originally conceived or shot in 3D [converted to 3D] in order to capitalize on the opportunity, and I think the audience really noticed the difference. The quality was not where it should be. Not only the quality, but the higher ticket prices, eroded the good will." "We believe films should be made in native 3D or by taking the time to convert it properly, as we did with Titanic and T2," says James Cameron's Oscar-winning producing partner Jon Landau. "From a dramatic storytelling standpoint, when the screen plane disappears, you have made a strong bond with your audience. That's what we're excited about." He points out that Alita: Battle Angel, produced by Cameron and Landau, was lensed in native 3D by director Robert Rodriguez and will be released in Imax 3D next summer. And of course, the four upcoming Avatar sequels will also be made and released in 3D. Jon Favreau, who made his live-action retelling of The Jungle Book with 3D in mind and is planning the same for his upcoming live-action Lion King, has a similar view. "Technology is most effective in film when it works in synergy with storytelling. In the case of The Jungle Book, the use of 3D and Atmos sound added to the immersive experience that contributed to the illusion that the primarily CG environment was real. We planned it from the beginning and captured the images using 3D cameras. Audiences were rewarded for seeking it out in theaters as it delivered a unique experience that was different from home viewing." (Hollywood Reporter)

'Justice League' Stars Help Introduce Big International Licensing Push. Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher take a look at some of the merchandise that will be everywhere this fall. With the arrival of Earth's protectors in multiplexes across the globe still months away, the world will still be able to rely upon the Justice League in the meantime, thanks to a full-scale licensing and merchandising program for the movie, courtesy of DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products. WBCP is partnering with manufacturers including Mattel, The Lego Group, Rubie's Costumes, Funko, Jakks Pacific, Hot Toys, Kotobukiya, Bioworld, Under Armour and Converse, as well as a retailer line-up that includes Walmart, Target, Toys 'R' Us, Amazon, GAP, Hot Topic and Party City for a roll-out of Justice League merchandise and products that spans toys, collectibles, apparel, home decor and accessories. In addition to the Ultimate Justice League Batmobile that debuted at San Diego Comic-Con last month, Mattel will release action figures of the main characters from the movie as part of its popular DC Multiverse line, while Lego will debut a number of construction sets allowing fans the chance to rebuild their favorite movie moments and Funko will release vinyl versions of the heroes. (In the video, Justice League stars Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher get to meet their action figure alter egos.) Those who want to share their allegiance to the League on their bodies will find all manner of clothing available to help them do so, with a collection inspired by the movie available from GAP alongside athletic wear from Under Armour, Converse footwear and New Era headwear; in other verticals, Hallmark, American Greetings, Trends International and The Northwest Company are just some of the companies partnering with WBCP for JL greetings, ornaments, home textiles, pillows, party goods and posters. In addition to the ongoing Justice League comic book source material, WBCP has also partnered with Titan Books, Insight Editions, Centum and Panini for a range of published material, including a behind-the-scenes "Making Of" book tied into the movie. WBCP's partnerships for the movie are international, with a number of key retailers in different markets offering exclusive material. (The highlight of which may be the Bimbo Bakeries partnership in the Latin American market, for Justice League bread, pastry and confectionary.) In China, China CITIC Bank will release Justice League-themed credit cards, while Europe will see life-size sculptures of the team, courtesy of Muller and Muckle. In a statement, WBCP President Pam Gifford said, "The most celebrated DC Super Heroes are uniting on the big screen for the first time ever in what is a truly epic entertainment experience. We are eager to expand the fan experience by fully immersing them in all things Justice League. With a multi-faceted program featuring the highest quality product, WBCP is delivering fans what they want to help get in on the action as they Join the League." Those last three words should sound familiar; launched earlier this year, the Join The League website continues to act as the hub of Warner Bros' promotion for the Justice League movie, with updated exclusive content, games and activities as the movie heads towards release, including all-new Augmented Reality experiences this fall. More information on the product roll-out for WBCP's Justice League program will be available at that site. Justice League will open in theaters Nov. 17. (Hollywood Reporter)

'The Dark Tower': What the Critics Are Saying. The Dark Tower reviews are in and the critical consensus can charitably be summed up with one word: meh. Stephen King's eight-book magnum opus has long been earmarked for a film adaptation with development stretching back decades. It took a while, and there were reported problems during production, but Sony and Danish director Nikolaj Arcel finally brought King's mystery-packed multi-verse mythology to the big screen, and sadly, it was met with a collective shrug emoji from reviewers. THR's John DeFore quick take on Tower was that it was "decent but uninspiring" and that it was "far from the muddled train wreck we've been led to expect." "Though satisfying enough to please many casual moviegoers drawn in by King's name and stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, it will likely disappoint many serious fans and leave other newbies underwhelmed," added DeFore. The Guardian's Charles Bramesco was similarly left wondering what the point was, writing: "It's rare a film so convoluted manages to be so determinedly boring. Lucky for you, it vanishes from the mind as soon as it ends." Bramesco felt that all the talent involved didn't really disgrace themselves but really didn't stand out either. "There's a point somewhere in the misshapen second act that an attentive viewer can feel all the parties involved giving up and resolving to get the rest of the movie over with as soon as possible." "While most high-profile franchise starters try to do too much their first time out, this thing's guilty of too little ambition," wrote Brian Truitt in USA Today. Truitt focused on the admirable levels of mediocrity despite A-list talents like Elba, McConaughey as well as King's wildly popular source material. Still, it wasn't all forgettable, as Elba's performance as Roland Deschain won the biggest praise from Truitt, who said his gunslinger "oozes a winning sense of stoic gravitas." IGN reviewer Marty Sliva's verdict was to the point, describing Tower as "a thoroughly average take on some truly incredible source material." Sliva added: "For a story where the literal fate of the universe is at stake, it's disappointingly easy to not really care about anything that's happening onscreen." Kate Erbland writing in Indiewire saw the film as a failure and pondered whether it was possible, or even advisable, to adapt Tower for the big screen given the 4,000 pages from the novels alone. Erbland felt fans would dislike the film and "even newbies will likely be left in the dust as Jake and Roland bounce through locations and plot movements with jarring irregularity, as they're forced to judge for themselves just how important each person and place really is to the larger story." Uproxx's Mike Ryan didn't hold back, writing a blistering review that opens by describing Tower as "so astoundingly awful that when you leave the theater you'll likely be less mad you wasted your time than flabbergasted that something like this could a) happen and b) be released as something that, theoretically, is going to launch a multi-platform franchise." (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

It's been 11 years since Will & Grace went off the air, but they're back with a highly anticipated reboot of the show beginning Sept. 28 on NBC. The cast gathered for their first read-through of the new season on Wednesday, and PEOPLE has exclusive photos of the reunion from photographer Robert Trachtenberg (who also shot the Will & Grace cast for the new cover of Entertainment Weekly). On a Universal Studios soundstage, Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes read through the first new episode to the show's writers and producers, as well as network and studio executives. The series' original set is largely intact though Max Mutchnick (who created the show with David Kohan) told the small audience they gave it "a little facelift" -- at which point Hayes, 47, jumped from his seat, ran into Will's living room, and pretended to reclaim his territory by urinating on it. We won't give away too much about the first episode, but it is, not surprisingly, hilarious. Will and Grace are both single again and she's living in his apartment (neither has kids; the producers decided the flash-forward in the 2006 series finale never happened). Karen is outrageous as ever. So is Jack, who has come up with a new acting method called "Jackting." And the series is, once again, timely: The first new episode includes more details on Karen's close friendship with Donald and Melania Trump, which was first revealed in a short viral video with the cast released last year. After the read-through, the stars and creators joined director James Burrows, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti for a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the soundstage. Garcetti proclaimed August 2 Will & Grace Day in L.A. and the cast spoke about their return to the show. "A lot has happened since we went off the air," Hayes said. "Trans rights were introduced and canceled, just like a lot of the shows we've been on recently." Messing, 48, had a message for Garcetti: "I would like to say to the mayor that they're redoing a waterline on Franklin and its added 10 minutes to my commute." Will & Grace premieres Thursday, Sept. 28 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. (People)

It's been a long, eventful 13 years since she said goodbye to playing Rachel Green on Friends -- and the TV world has sorely missed Jennifer Aniston. Now she may be coming back to the small screen, and as fans rejoice, sources tell PEOPLE in the new issue that as the TV world has changed, taking on a prestige series is a natural move for the star. "She has talked about returning to TV for a while," a source tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. "She was just waiting for a great project." Aniston, 48, is currently attached to star alongside Reese Witherspoon in an untitled TV series -- now being shopped to networks -- about morning shows and the New York media scene. "Reese approached Jen for the project," the source says. "Reese has had such a positive experience filming Big Little Lies and Jen is very excited about working with her." Of course, Aniston's husband, Justin Theroux, has enjoyed widespread acclaim with The Leftovers, the supernatural HBO drama that just wrapped its three-season run. "Jen is a huge fan of The Leftovers," the insider continues. "Justin loved working on the show." After her success on Friends, in movies and in the beauty world (she just launched her latest fragrance, Luxe), Aniston can afford to be choosy about her acting roles. "She would never do a project that she wasn't super excited about," says the source. Jennifer Aniston And Justin Theroux Are Married! Surprise!: From wedding bells to Bora Bora - we've got all the details about the superstar couple's secret ceremony and exotic honeymoon getaway Next up, Aniston will head to Atlanta this month for the film dramedy Dumplin', while Theroux, 45, goes to Europe for The Spy Who Dumped Me. "They work when they want to and then have fun together when they are not," the insider says of the couple, who will celebrate two years of marriage this Saturday. "Not seeing each other every day makes them appreciate each other more." (People)

Chad Johnson Says He Can't Deal With Karina Smirnoff's "F--king Rejection" Anymore: She's "Trying to Piss Me Off!" It looks like Chad Johnson is done trying to romance Karina Smirnoff. In this exclusive sneak peek from Sunday's new Famously Single, the former Bachelorette hunk confides in Tiffany "New York" Pollard about their rocky relationship. "Karina's lost," Tiffany says. "Karina's in another space." "Karina's f--king trying to piss me off," Chad complains. "I don't play those games." "Why don't you just come in the room and say, 'Karina, enough is enough. I want you as my woman,'" Tiffany suggests. "I can't deal with the f--king rejection anymore," Chad explains. "Like, I'm done with it." "Chad you're not even trying at this point. You gave up," Tiffany adds. "Chad, don't do that. Karina's a great girl, you know she cares about you." "What am I supposed to like fight for somebody whose just like consistently fought with me?" Chad says. Tiffany says Karina is "worth the fight" and convinces Chad to go talk to Karina to smooth things out. So how does it go? Not well! (Eonline)

Gucci Mane and his fiancee, Keyshia Ka'oir, are well into shooting their first reality show ... and we've got some details on what fans can expect. Sources close to the BET show tell us ... the couple's been filming everything in their lives leading up to their $1 million dollar wedding in October, including the planning for the big day ... set to go down in Miami. We're told several celebrity cameos are expected -- Trina and Monica have already taped -- and Gucci's performance with Fifth Harmony at the VMAs later this month will be included too. We broke the story ... the rapper and his fiancee scored a fat contract for their BET show, which conveniently includes their wedding costs. Open bar, y'all!!! (TMZ)

Netflix Orders Two Indian Originals, One Written by 'Quantico' Scribe. 'Again' is a female detective series, penned by Marisha Mukerjee, while 'Selection Day' revolves around cricket and corruption. Netflix is building up its Indian content offerings, unveiling on Thursday two new originals that it will stream worldwide. Selection Day is based on the novel of the same name by best-selling author Aravind Adiga, which revolves around cricket and corruption. The series will be co-produced with U.K.-based Seven Stories, which is part of All3Media and backed by filmmakers Sharon Maguire (Bridget Jones' Baby) and Anand Tucker (Leap Year). The book sale was brokered by Luke Speed at Curtis Brown. Again is a female-led detective series set in the capital New Delhi and is written by Marisha Mukerjee whose credits include Quantico and Justified. The series revolves around a female homicide detective who must put her career and life on the line when a recent murder connects to closed cases from her past, proving she has a serial killer on her hands. Mukerjee said the series "not only speaks to my own duality and cultural heritage, but also to the universal grey that exists between life and death, where religion intersects justice." "These projects have specifically local subjects, but will be great for our global audience, and are supported by world-class talent," said Netflix vp international original series Erik Barmack. "When I first read Selection Day I was completely overwhelmed by the scale and ambition of Aravind's vision -- and moved to my core by its emotional power," said Tucker. Netflix announced its first Indian series last year, Sacred Games, also based on a novel, by author Vikram Chandra. While a release date is not yet set, the series, which is headlined by Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, is currently in production by Phantom Films, whose founders include Anurag Kashyap (Gangs of Wasseypur). By contrast, rival Amazon has rolled out Indian fare more aggressively since its Prime Video service launched in the country last December. Within a short span, it has already streamed a wide range of originals, from comedy specials to its first series, Inside Edge, which premiered last month and also revolves around cricket. (Hollywood Reporter)

Nickelodeon International Launches 'Nella the Princess Knight' Games App. The games based on the Nick Jr. series look to "inspire girl empowerment, self-confidence, resilience and compassion among players." Nickelodeon International has launched Nella the Princess Knight: Kingdom Adventures, an app featuring games based on social-emotional lessons taught in the hit Nick Jr. pre-school series Nella the Princess Knight. "In the spirit of the show, the game leans on princess-and-knight heroine Nella to inspire girl empowerment, self-confidence, resilience and compassion among players," the company, part of Viacom, said. The five mini-games also enable kids to practice math, creative problem solving and fine motor skills. The games are Hide and Seek (players are tasked with finding Nella and her friends with the help of the light of Nella's sword), Shift Shapes With Bigor the Dragon (Nella helps dragons order and collect differently-shaped objects), Feed the Impkins (Nella feeds hungry impkins plumberry ice cream using her lance), Willow Needs Support (Nella supports her friend Willow in a gardening contest) and Helping Birds Find Home (Nella, using her bow and arrows, helps lost birds find their homes). "We are extremely excited about bringing Nella in game format to kids all around the world to inspire important and timely concepts through play, such as compassion and inclusiveness," said Kate Sils, vp multiplatform & brand engagement, Nickelodeon International. "We put kids first in everything we do at Nickelodeon, and want our characters to serve as role models that help empower kids everywhere to remember they are important, valued and can take on anything while having fun doing so." The app is free to download from the iTunes Store and Google Play in more than 150 international markets in 12 languages, including French, German, Italian, Russian, European and Latin American Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. The Nick Jr. show focuses on Nella, an unconventional eight-year-old princess "who possesses royal qualities like compassion and grace, while also embodying the courage and determination of a brave knight." She also "transcends traditional roles and expectations through her unique ability to transform into Nella the Princess Knight, protecting her kingdom with the help of her friends-Trinket, Nella's glamorous unicorn and best friend, Sir Garrett, a loyal and adventurous knight, and Clod, Garrett's trusty steed." (Hollywood Reporter)

'Catastrophe' Creator and Star Recounts Carrie Fisher's Final TV Shoot: "It's Hard to See Her So Alive Onscreen" (Guest Column). Sharon Horgan remembers her posthumously Emmy-nominated friend, whose "filthy" humor delighted the BBC-Amazon comedy's crew and horrified executives. We first saw Carrie Fisher in the flesh at the Attitude Awards in London in October 2014. She was presenting an award to Graham Norton, and she made a speech that was so rude and irreverent and funny that she managed to at once charm and insult everyone present. Rob Delaney and I were at that point writing our first season of Catastrophe. We'd written the part of Rob's dreadful mother and my character's mother-in-law, Mia, and were mid-brainstorm for who could play her. We watched Carrie onstage, and I turned to Rob and said, "That's Mia. That's your mother." We spent the next few days trying to find an "in" because we assumed the traditional route of approaching her agent would lead nowhere. So Rob tweeted her, I tweeted her, we tried the old "friend of a friend" route, but no joy. Finally, we sent the pilot episode that we'd already filmed and a few scripts to her agents and expected nothing. Then we got the yes. We didn't fully believe she was actually going to do it until we were booking her and her dog Gary's plane ticket. For three seasons she would bolt into our lives for a short period and then fly out of them again. Full of stories and gossip and mischief. She'd perform what was on the page and then go off on a mad Carrie/Mia tangent. Could be a song, could be a rant, could be full-on sexual innuendo. The first season was just phone call scenes. Her day on set involved a scene where her character and mine begin politely and end up insulting each other. It was fairly tame on the page, but then Carrie took it a little further, and we spent half an hour one-upping each other on the abuse while our channel exec stood by the monitor, horrified. We finally got to know each other properly by the third season, which we filmed during the fall of 2016. Mia was featured more heavily, so Carrie was around more. She let her guard down, and we were grateful to be given the chance to really enjoy her company. She was an entertainer, obviously, on- and off-screen. Her wit is well documented -- bottom line is, she was almost impossible to keep up with, her brain whirred constantly, every sentence had a punchline, every story a potted Hollywood cautionary tale -- but I'm not sure her kindness and generosity are as well known. She was just a really nice lady, warm and fun. She would distribute presents to cast and crew with little notes, written in her gorgeous, elaborate handwriting, that were part poetry, part filthy prose. We wanted to use the third season to get to know Mia, so we went a little deeper to explain how she became this loving but tough-as-nuts asshole of a woman. We were nervous because it wasn't just the usual goofing around. But Carrie embraced it. And we knew as we were shooting that she'd given us something special. We had finished the shoot, and all of the episodes were assembled by the time we heard the news of her death. It knocked us all. She'd been there, just a minute ago, talking about plans for her life and career, talking about her family and the house she'd just bought in London. It didn't seem possible that she was gone. She'd definitely been a bit more delicate this time. She had seemed to have a little less spring in her step, but nothing that gave a hint that she was struggling. Maybe our eyes just weren't open enough. Although we hadn't gotten into fine-cutting episode six -- her episode -- by the time of her death, the tragic news didn't have any impact on the choices we made. It was all there in the rushes; we knew that she'd given us some great scenes. Her delivery during the "Nanook of the North" bathroom scene -- when Mia barges, unannounced, into our characters' home -- was immediately hilarious, and the power and control of her performance during the scene where she tells Rob that his father had abused her revealed new sides to Mia's personality. Funny and tragic in equal measures. A great performance that made you want to know more about this lady. A privilege that we were unfortunately denied. It was hard to watch in the edit, hard to see her so alive onscreen and yet no longer with us. And it's hard for us to watch now. We miss Mia. And we really miss Carrie. We all wish we could have shared the final product with her because, as self-deprecating as she was, I think she would have been proud. She certainly made us proud. (Hollywood Reporter)

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