ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Hilary Duff on Getting Back Together With Ex Matthew Koma: ''Third Time's a Charm!'' Hilary Duff is a big believer in second (and sometimes third) chances. The Younger star confirmed her and ex-boyfriend Matthew Koma's recent reconciliation during an appearance on The Talk, saying she totally understands why Selena Gomez got back together with Justin Bieber. "It's going so great," Hilary gushed about their relationship. "I mean, this is the third time that we've dated and I think that what [Gomez] says has so much merit to it." She continued, "Timing is such a big deal... third time's a charm!" (E! News confirmed in October that Hilary and Matthew were giving it another shot five months after their first split and three moths after her brief fling with Ely Sandvik.) From Duff's perspective, "I think that you have history and a past with someone and love, and just because it doesn't work out the first time, the second time, as long as there's not too much damage done, then, it can always work out again." And as an insider recently revealed to E! News, this celebrity pair "can't get enough of each other." "Hilary quickly went back to spending a lot of time with Matthew. They've been spending almost their entire weekends together," the insider said. "Hilary loves how effortless it is with him and that they always have a good time no matter what they're doing." "Him being gone on tour was the main reason things didn't work out the first time around, so now that he's back," our source explained, "they picked up right where they left off." Could these two get any cuter? We think not! (Eonline)

Macaulay Culkin Steps Out With Brenda Song and Paris Jackson in Paris. Paris adventures! Macaulay Culkin was photographed with his girlfriend, Brenda Song, and his goddaughter, Paris Jackson, in Paris on November 22. The trio enjoyed dinner with Seth Green and his wife, Clare Grant, at the Joël Robuchon's restaurant L'Atelier last month. Culkin, 37, and Song, 29, were first spotted holding hands in September at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, where they were on a double date with Green and his wife. "They were spotted holding hands and being cute with each other," a source told Us at the time. Scroll through the photos of the couple's trip to Paris. The pair embraced each other on the streets of Paris during their November trip. The couple strolled along the Seine river and across the Pont des Arts. Culkin, who is Paris' godfather, befriended the late Michael Jackson after Home Alone was released in 1990. The pair spent time together at Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California and an 11-year-old Macaulay starred in starred in Jackson's "Black or White" video. The former child star and the 19-year-old model, who got matching tattoos of what appears to be a small spoon in June, have been photographed hanging out multiple times in the past year. Green, who costarred with Culkin in 2003's Party monster, directed his pal, song and his wife grant in the new film Changeland. Culkin looked healthier after reportedly battling substance abuse issues. He was arrested in 2004 for possession of marijuana, Xanax and clonazepam. Culkin, who is also the also godfather to Paris' siblings, Prince Michael, 20, and Prince Michael II, aka Blanket, 15, was previously married to actress Rachel Miner and dating Mila Kunis for a number of years. Song, meanwhile, was previously engaged to Miley Cyrus' brother Trace Cyrus (US Weekly)

A new photo of Billy Bush holding hands with his former "Access Hollywood" colleague Tara Bernie has sparked buzz that he's moved on after separating from his wife, Sydney Davis earlier this year. But Bernie told us the speculation that they're dating is "ridiculous." "We're friends. I was his producer for 15 years at 'Access.' We were all out to dinner .?.?. his brother, his publicist. It's a ridiculous story. He was walking me to get my Uber. He's even on the phone with the driver. We're friends and support one another," she said. A rep for Bush -- who split from Davis after nearly 20 years of marriage -- also insists that the pair are just friends. "There's nothing to that photo," said his rep. "He grabbed her hand and put her into an Uber. There were seven people there -- including me -- and the photographer followed us across town to dinner." The rep added that Bush "was being respectful and getting her a car. Even my doorman does that!" Bush and Bernie were pictured together hand-in-hand after the fallen TV host finished an interview with Stephen Colbert. The interview followed Bush's New York Times op-ed addressing the infamous "Access Hollywood" video with Donald Trump. Page Six exclusively reported his split from Davis in September. His rep explained their separation at the time as taking time to "evaluate their life together." (Page Six)

Naya Rivera Refiles for Divorce From Ryan Dorsey. Naya Rivera is ready to end her marriage once again. According to multiple reports, the former Glee star has refiled for divorce from her husband Ryan Dorsey. According to court documents first obtained by The Blast, Naya cites irreconcilable differences as the reason behind the split. In addition, the actress is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their two-year-old son Josey. In the documents, Naya lists the date of separation as November 24 or one day before she was arrested for domestic battery after allegedly assaulting Ryan. Over Thanksgiving weekend, police responded to a call about a domestic violence complaint at a residence in West Virginia. According to police, Ryan claimed that Naya struck him in the head and face. The officer saw minor injuries consistent with his statement. Ryan also showed deputies a video made during the incident. "This is a difficult time for everyone in the family especially for Naya and I," Ryan shared on Twitter after the drama. "This isn't some reality show, this is our life, and I ask that everyone especially 'the media' please respect our privacy and treat us/this situation how you would want a loved one to be treated." He added, "Perhaps with kindness, respect, without judgment, and as negative a situation this is, with positivity and love." Back in November 2016, Naya first filed for divorce from Ryan after two years of marriage. At the time, the famous pair released a joint statement and said they will "continue to be great co-parenting partners" for their son. And this past October, E! News confirmed that the Sorry Not Sorry author was no longer moving forward with her divorce. In fact, she filed a request for dismissal of the divorce paperwork. "They want to make it work for the sake of their son," a source shared at the time. (Eonline)

Robin Thicke's Pregnant Girlfriend Poses for an Impromptu Nude Photo Shoot to Celebrate Birthday. Robin Thicke's pregnant girlfriend April Love Geary celebrated her 23rd birthday be evoking the iconic rose petal scene from American Beauty. One day before her birthday, the 40-year-old singer surprised the mother-to-be with a romantic stay at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. "And it's not even my birthday!! I have the best boyfriend in the world!" Geary captioned the photo of herself dressed in the hotel's famous Martinique-printed robe on Tuesday. In another photo, the expectant model, who has been dating Thicke for two years, lay naked in a bed with strategically placed rose petals. The snap showed off her growing baby bump. Not only did Thicke shower Geary with rose petals and bouquets, he also pampered her with desserts such as chocolate covered strawberries and macaroons as well as her favorite snacks. "This is so cute! Sparkling cider because I'm pregnant!" she said on her Instagram Story, also sharing that she is 28-weeks pregnant in a mirror selfie. The celebration fell on the singer's ex-wife Paula Patton's 42nd birthday. Geary announced her pregnancy on Instagram in August, writing: "Robin and I are very excited to share with you all that we're having a baby! The due date is March 1st, [Robin's late father] Alan's birthday!" Months later, in November, she announced the couple is expecting a girl. Thicke is already dad to 7-year-old Julian Fuego, his son with Patton. The parents-to-be, who made their first public appearance together at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2015, started dating in the months following his separation from the actress in February 2014. Patton filed for divorce in October 2014 and in March 2015, their divorce was finalized. Earlier this year, the former couple were embroiled in a lengthy custody dispute, which was later resolved. (People)

Hot-headed former Rangers star Sean Avery was hit with a restraining order, Page Six has learned, stemming from a bitter legal dispute with his mother-in-law, Marianne Rhoda. The restraining order -- which expires later this month and began Dec. 20, 2016, per Suffolk County Family Court documents -- says that Avery "committed the family offense of harassment in the second degree." He was also ordered at the time to "surrender any and all handguns, pistols .?.?. shotguns and any other firearms" to police. Rhoda's lawyer Terry R. Woodward told us of the restraining order: "During a course of time in the summer of 2016, [Avery and Rhoda] were living in the same area in the Hamptons and he was harassing her. They were running into each other, belonged to the same gym, and he'd issue profanities at her and make obscene gestures. He was driving in his car too close to her and scaring her." Angry Avery appealed the order, but was denied. However, the court did rule that the document should not have ordered him to surrender any weapons to local cops. Page Six has previously reported that Avery and Marianne have bitterly clashed for years. Avery's model wife, Hilary Rhoda, sued her mom in 2014 for allegedly stealing six figures from her as her manager. Marianne countersued, denying the allegations and claiming breach of contract. But her legal docs also revealed that Marianne disapproved of Avery, believing his "prospects for employment were highly speculative" and that "Avery prevailed upon [Hilary] to refrain from seeking a prenuptial agreement and embarked on a concerted effort to estrange" her mom. Avery's known for his temper. He was arrested days before his 2015 wedding for allegedly throwing rocks at cars, stormed off the set of an off-Broadway show in 2014 when he had a meltdown over an assistant offering him pizza, and threw a Twitter tantrum against a homeless advocate last year. He's now filming the movie "Mile 22" with Mark Wahlberg. His rep did not get back to us. (Page Six)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

TIME's Person of the Year 2017: "Silence Breakers" Like Ashley Judd and Taylor Swift. TIME has selected the "silence breakers" as its Person of the Year. Today's Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced the news on the air Wednesday morning. The group succeeds Donald Trump, who was given the honor last year after winning the U.S. presidency. (Trump claimed last month he had declined an offer to "probably" receive the title again this year; a spokesperson for the magazine tweeted he'd shared "incorrect" information.) Runners up for 2017 included Trump (No. 2) and the President of China, Xi Jinping (No. 3). Ashley Judd, who shared her story of sexual harassment at the hands of Harvey Weinstein, appears on the cover alongside Taylor Swift , who successfully sued a radio DJ who groped her. "I started talking about Harvey the minute that it happened," Judd says. "Literally, I exited that hotel room at the Peninsula Hotel in 1997 and came straight downstairs to the lobby, where my dad was waiting for me, because he happened to be in Los Angeles from Kentucky, visiting me on the set," she says. "And he could tell by my face -- to use his words -- that something devastating had happened to me. I told him. I told everyone." Weinstein, who has been fired, said he "never laid a glove" on Judd and denies having non-consensual sex with other accusers. Weinstein's behavior was an open secret in Hollywood, Judd says -- but it's pervasive in other industries, too. It wasn't until the actress and other women went on the record in The New York Times that Weinstein finally had to address his actions. As to why Weinstein's accusers stayed silent for so long, she asks, "Were we supposed to call some fantasy attorney general of moviedom?" At the time, Judd adds, "There wasn't a place for us to report these experiences." Other celebrities profiled include Selma Blair, Terry Crews, Megyn Kelly and Rose McGowan. Alyssa Milano, who started the viral #MeToo movement, also appeared on Today Wednesday. Swift says she was made to feel bad about the consequences that David Mueller faced. After she complained that he had reached under her skirt and grabbed her butt during a meet and greet, Mueller was fired; in response, he sued her for millions in damages. Swift countersued for a symbolic $1 -- and won. "I figured that if he would be brazen enough to assault me under these risky circumstances, imagine what he might do to a vulnerable, young artist if given the chance," she says. By the time she testified in August, she recalls, "I had already had to watch this man's attorney bully, badger and harass my team, including my mother. I was angry." The "...Ready for It?" singer was emboldened on the stand. "In that moment, I decided to forgo any courtroom formalities and just answer the questions the way it happened. This many hadn't considered any formalities when he assaulted me," she says. "Why should I be polite?" The people profiled in TIME have no intention of going away quietly, either. "We're running out of time," McGowan says. "I don't have time to play nice." McGowan, who accused Weinstein of rape (a claim he later denied), is encouraged by the people who are using their voices to call people out and lift others up. "The number of people sharing their stories with me is so intense, especially since all of this is incredibly triggering for me as well. People forget a lot that there's a human behind this, someone who is very hurt. But that's OK," she tells the magazine. "It fuels my fire. They really f--ked with the wrong person." Previous Person of the Year honorees include Angela Merkel (2015), Ebola fighters (2014), Pope Francis (2013), Barack Obama (2012), the protester (2011) and Mark Zuckerberg (2010). (Eonline)

Sarah Michelle Gellar's Holiday Commercial for McDonald's Is the Best Gift From the '80s. Ba da ba ba ba. We're lovin' this throwback. Long before Sarah Michelle Gellar was known as Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions, the actress appeared in a festive commercial for McDonald's. Don't believe us? May we point you to her latest Instagram. In a new post shared on Tuesday morning, the actress gifted her followers a clip of the '80s holiday commercial for the fast-food destination. "#throwback #holidayedition I spy...a future vampire slayer...a future adventurous babysitter...and the future mother of #martymcfly," she captioned the video. "#throwbacktuesday #holiday." While we sadly don't get to see any French fries or Big Macs in the clip, we do get to hear a young Sarah busting out into song with the holiday classic of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." And we'd be lying if we said we weren't intrigued by the matching outfits a majority of the actors are wearing. Ultimately, Sarah remains in the Christmas spirit as she celebrates with husband Freddie Prinze Jr. and their two children this year. In addition to attending 102.7 KIISFM's Jingle Ball at the Forum this past weekend, the actress has already received her tree and experienced some snow in Southern California. "Swinging in to the last month of the year!" she wrote on Instagram. "How is it already December?!? #endoftheyearcountdown." (Eonline)

Prince William Dishes on Prince George's "Funny" School Nativity Play: "He Was a Sheep." Prince George was busy rehearsing one line for this year's school nativity play: baaaa! The royal youngster recently showed off his acting chops. According to the 4-year-old's famous dad, Prince William, his firstborn landed the role of a sheep in Thomas's Battersea School's play. "I went to my boy's nativity play. It was funny," the Duke of Cambridge revealed to schoolchildren during a visit to BBC's Bridge House on Wednesday. "He was a sheep." It was just three months ago when the couple's firstborn headed off to his first day at the primary school, adorably sporting his summer uniform of a blue sweater with blue Bermuda shorts, blue socks and black shoes. As part of the curriculum, the little one has been studying a range of subjects, among them art, ballet, French, music and -- you guessed it -- drama. Meanwhile, his mom and dad were busy meeting with other students and BBC executives in Salford to give the youngsters a chance to give feedback on some of the network's new programs. During a Q&A, one 14-year-old student discussed a film he created about developing obsessive compulsive disorder and how he addressed his mental health challenges with his father. Prince William was thoroughly impressed by the conversation with the kids. "You're much better than the adults at questions. Very good questions," he complimented them. Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, who is expecting the couple's third child, also urged the importance of speaking up. "People are so worried about what they say, they aren't saying anything at all, and what we've found from speaking to people is it's so good to have conversations." (Eonline)

The Crown's Matt Smith Feels ''Sorry'' for Meghan Markle: ''Life as She Knows it Is Gone.'' While many may envy Meghan Markle's recent commoner-to-soon-to-be-princess status switch, Matt Smith, who plays Queen Elizabeth's II husband Prince Philip on The Crown, is not one of those people. During a talk moderated by Vanity Fair's Mike Hogan, the British actor let his thoughts known on the future-royal's royal future as the wife of Prince Harry. "I feel sorry for her," said the nonplussed star at the event held at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. "It's such a transition in her life, and it's such a huge thing to take on. Life as she knows it is gone. But hey, she's marrying the prince of Britain -- how exciting for her." Don't sound so thrilled, Matt... Meanwhile, the show's current star, Claire Foy, who was also at the talk, had a more hopeful view of life for Prince Harry's fiancee. "You realize the fact that Elizabeth forbade her sister from marrying a divorced man; it goes to show how time has changed and how they've had to evolve," she said. "And they really have. This would not have been conceivable, this would not have happened 50 years ago. And I think that's why the monarchy will survive, and thrive, because it's willing to change and listen to the people and realize that some elements of the institution are outdated and unnecessary." Smith's perspective has clearly been shaped by playing the role of the sometimes-bitter man behind queen for the past two seasons, a man whose request to have his children carry his surname was rejected. In the biography Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith, Philip, who has been married to the queen for 70 years, is believed to have famously said, "I am the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his children." He added, "I'm nothing but a bloody amoeba." Smith is all to If ya want some California love from Tupac Shakur, it's about to go on sale -- a full frontal shot of the rap legend dropping trou. The photo was taken in the middle of a 1990 house party in Marin County. We're told Pac would frequently try to shock his pals by exposing his twig, berries and the vast surrounding shrubbery. Hey, it was a much different time. This particular night ... we're told Pac's gf at the time threatened to snap a photo if he didn't cover up. Of course, he didn't back down, and the d**k pic was born. We're told the ex wants to privately sell it for $7,500. A rock 'n' roll auction house is accepting offers, but if she can't get the asking price, the woman plans to let it go to the highest bidder. There are other party pics she's planning to sell, but Tupac's fully clothed. Save your scratch for the big show ... we ain't mad at cha. (TMZ)

Consider this case closed ... 'cause one of the biggest Boston sports superfans on the planet says Rob Gronkowski deserved to be suspended for his late hit on a Bills player on Sunday. TMZ Sports got Matt Damon's reaction to Gronk getting benched for one game after a controversial hit on Tre'Davious White ... and while you can tell he didn't wanna admit it, Damon says it was worthy of a suspension. FYI ... Damon freakin' loves his Pats -- as he's told us time after time after time -- and he still shows love for Gronk ... but yeah, dude. It was a dirty hit. (TMZ) aware of what the sacrifices one must make to marry into the monarchy. After the engagement news, Meghan announced that she was exiting Suits after season seven and revealed she would be retiring from acting to focus on royal duties. The second season of The Crown will be available on Netflix on Dec. 8. (Eonline)

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's Tennessee Retreat Can Be Yours for $3.45 Million. They're a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll! Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have listed their Tennessee retreat for $3.45 million, E! News can confirm. The couple's six-bedroom, four-bathroom brick farmhouse is seated on 35 acres in Franklin, TN. The country home, which is 5,086 square feet, features a long drive through the woods to the traditional house. The house has an open floor-plan and modern spaces with minimal color. The living room has a pitched vaulted ceiling. There's a stainless steel fireplace in the family room. The dining room features windows that show the house's view. There's a galley kitchen that has granite counters and stainless-steel cabinets. There's a top-floor master suite that includes a sitting room, separate bedroom, large bathroom and walk-in closet. The lower level has guest bedrooms, a den and a fitness room. There's also a separate cottage works that could house guests or a caretaker. (Eonline)

Here's Why Taylor Swift's Fans Are Upset Over Kim Kardashian's Instagram Post. Fueling the fire! Kim Kardashian just threw some major shade Taylor Swift 's way. The social media icon and reality star posted an Instagram pic of herself taking a photo of Kanye West's 2016 Famous exhibit, which featured a naked wax figure of Taylor. To add insult to injury, she captioned the pic "Famous." Coincidence? We think not. She also happened to post the pic the same day as Kim's Vogue cover. So is Kim trying to start some fresh drama? (Eonline)

Beyonce Surprises Colin Kaepernick With Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. Beyonce is showing her support for Colin Kaepernick. In a surprise appearance few people knew about in advance, the "Crazy in Love" singer stepped out Tuesday night to present the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback with Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. "It feels so good to be here on such a special night of appreciation. Thank you Colin Kaepernick. Thank you for your selfless heart and your conviction. Thank you for your personal sacrifice," the Grammy winner shared with the audience inside New York City's Barclays Center. "Colin took action with no fear of consequence or repercussion, only hope to change the world for the better. To change perception, to change the way we treat each other, especially people of color." The mother-of-three added, "We're still waiting for the world to catch up...His message is solely focused on social injustice for historically disenfranchised people. Let's not get that mistaken." The Muhammad Ali Legacy Award is given to an athlete who uses their platform to promote change. During the 2016-17 NFL season, Colin made headlines when he refused to stand for the national anthem. His actions inspired other athletes and entertainers to speak out and follow suit. When it was first revealed that Colin would be receiving the award, Muhammad Ali's wife Lonnie Ali supported the decision. "I am proud to be able to present this to Colin for his passionate defense of social justice and civil rights for all people," she shared with Sports Illustrated. "Like Muhammad, Colin is a man who stands on his convictions with confidence and courage, undaunted by the personal sacrifices he has had to make to have his message heard. And he has used his celebrity and philanthropy to the benefit of some of our most vulnerable community members." Previous Legacy recipients include Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jim Brown and Magic Johnson. During the night's ceremony, however, the attention was all on Colin. "I accept this award not for myself, but on behalf of the people," he told the crowd via the New York Daily News. "Because if it was not for my love of the people, I would not have protested. And if it was not for the support of the people, I would not be on this stage today. With or without the NFL's platform, I will continue to work for the people, because my platform is the people." Watch the 2017 Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year event Friday night at 8 p.m. on NBCSN. (Eonline)

Actress Lena Dunham said she warned Hillary Clinton's campaign about disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and was uncomfortable with his presence during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to a report out Tuesday. The "Girls" star told The New York Times that she heard stories about Weinstein from other actresses who claimed they had troubling interactions with him, so in March of 2016 she warned Clinton campaign deputy communications manager Kristina Schake about him. "I just want you to let you know that Harvey's a rapist and this is going to come out at some point," Dunham said she told the campaign. "I think it's a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it's an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault." Dunham, who said she has "an incredible allegiance to Hillary," claimed Schake told her she'd relay the message to campaign manager Robby Mook, but that she was surprised at the warning. The controversial actress said she also told another Clinton campaign member, spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod, about Weinstein. Dunham said, "the campaign had not responded to her concerns" about the disgraced mega producer, who's been accused of sexually assaulting or harassing more than 100 women. Weinstein had donated thousands of dollars to Clinton's political campaigns over the years, and it took the former secretary of state five days to break her silence following the accusations made against him. "I was shocked and appalled by the revelations about Harvey Weinstein," the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement through campaign communications director Nick Merrill. "The behavior described by women coming forward cannot be tolerated. Their courage and the support of others is critical in helping to stop this kind of behavior." Merrill told The Times that no one ever told him about Dunham's warning regarding Weinstein to the campaign, and Schake and Elrod "denied" that the actress "mentioned rape" when she advised the two about him. Last month, Dunham apologized for defending a male writer and executive producer of "Girls" who was accused of raping an actress when she was 17 years old. (Page Six)

Music

Wu Wear Relaunches After Nearly 10 Years With a Holiday Collection. "As we all know -- Wu Tang is forever," says RZA. Before streetwear's ascendance to the height of fashion, Supreme's collaboration with Louis Vuitton and Vetements' luxe $1100 hoodies, there was Wu Wear, the clothing brand created by the legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan in 1995, which lasted (despite success and plenty of counterfeiting) until 2008. Now, Robert Diggs (aka RZA) and Oliver Grant (Power), two of the original founders of Wu-Tang Clan, have seized the new streetwear moment and partnered with Live Nation's merchandise division to relaunch Wu Wear. Out this week, the new incarnation of the brand hits stores such as Urban Outfitters, where it will be readily accessible to millennial and Gen Z shoppers who may have first heard Wu-Tang Clan's music from their parents or older relatives. "As we all know -- Wu Tang is forever," RZA tells The Hollywood Reporter, quoting the group's 1997 album title Wu-Tang Forever. "This line will represent the original aesthetic and the same purpose as classic Wu Wear, with updated silhouettes and design to reflect current fashion sensibility." The Wu Wear reboot is also timed to the 25th anniversary of the group's debut studio album, 36 Chambers, released in 1993. The line is unisex and includes fleece jackets, graphic long-sleeve tees, short sleeve t-shirts and crew-neck sweaters. Many of the t-shirts and hoodies are emblazoned with the iconic Wu-Tang Clan "W." There is also a throwback '90s vibe to the new Wu Wear which Rihanna, Chance the Rapper and director Eli Roth have already been wearing over the past few weeks. Rihanna posted an image of herself on Instagram wearing a black Wu Wear sweatshirt with the word "forever" printed on one sleeve. Her caption: "for.eva." RZA, who has branched out into composing soundtracks for film as well as acting and directing, will continue to be at the design helm of the Wu Wear brand. "As the abbot of Wu Wear, all avenues of the brand are bounced by me for input -- inspiration, design and bodies -- everything. I review with my partners in Wu Wear and we come up with freshest collection," he says. Power has been brought on to serve as the brand's "historic creative consultant." RZA also adds that, going forward, the line will include collaborative and individual capsule collections highlighting specific periods of time through Wu Tang's lineage: "We are extremely excited about Ghostface's [original group member Ghostface Killah] input. That takes us back to the grain." Wu Wear's 2017 holiday collection ranges from $27-$75 and is available at wuwear.com. (Billboard)

Fifth Harmony Release Spotify Singles Session Featuring 'He Like That' & Cover of 'Feels'. Fifth Harmony recently decided to work from Spotify Studios NYC instead of from home, and the result is two new singles. Well, two re-imagined pre-existing singles. Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui and Normani Kordei replaced original quartet of Calvin Harris, Big Sean, Katy Perry and Pharrell for a cover of the latter's summer smash "Feels." While there, the ladies also recorded their single "He Like That." On Wednesday (Dec. 6), the group tweeted, "Loved getting to perform a couple of songs for @Spotify. Hear our #SpotifySingles session featuring 'He Like That' and a cover of 'Feels,' available now!" Harmonizers will instantly be able to tell a difference between 5H's version of "Feels" and the original, as the Spotify Single features a slow piano rather than Harris' signature beats. This isn't the first contribution that Fifth Harmony has made to Spotify Singles series this month, as they shared their holiday single "Can You See" (from Christmas movie The Star's soundtrack) on Dec. 1. (Billboard)

Diddy Goes by 'Puff Daddy' on Jeezy's New Album. Jeezy has shared the tracklist for his eighth studio album Pressure. The trap elder collaborated with several of his spawn, including Tee Grizzley and Payroll Giovanni, but the most newsworthy feature may be on the previously released single "Bottles Up," to which Sean Combs contributes ad-libs under his original stage name "Puff Daddy." The song is listed on Spotify featuring "Diddy," but on Apple Music featuring "Puff Daddy," so it's unclear whether Combs is fully re-committing to his initial nom de plume. We've reached out to Combs' team for clarity. In any case, this affirms that the Bad Boy founder's stint as "Brother Love" was just a joke. (Billboard)

Movies

Domhnall Gleeson Addresses Prince Harry and Prince William's Rumored Cameo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Don't expect Domhnall Gleeson to spoil any Star Wars: The Last Jedi secrets, especially those involving the royal family. During an interview with E! News, the General Hux character remained tightlipped when asked about Prince William and Prince Harry's set visit. E! News previously reported the royals appear in the film as Stormtroopers; however, Gleeson stayed mum on the topic. "Look at my face just go blank. I'm not allowed to talk about anything to do with that," the actor said. "I heard they were on set, but I wasn't there that day. So, I have no idea -- unless they were actually Stormtroopers while I was in a scene and nobody told me, which would be cool." In fact, the actor said he keeps a "pretty good" poker face when talking about the next chapter in the Luke Skywalker saga. "My poker face, I think, is pretty good," he said, "but I'm bad at saying a small amount. I'm fine saying nothing, but now at this period, we're expected to say a little bit and that's so much harder than just saying nothing. So, yeah, I just kind of go into defensive mode." He was, however, willing to open up about hanging with his fellow cast members. Watch the video to hear his interview. While Gleeson stayed mum on the topic of the princes, Mark Hamill talked openly about their visit and even shared a story about it involving the late Carrie Fisher. Watch the video to hear him tell the whole thing. Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters Dec. 15. (Eonline)

Margot Robbie was thrilled at the Los Angeles premiere of her latest film, I, Tonya, not because it was her big moment to shine-but because she got to share the night with the real-life Tonya Harding. The Australian star, 27, beamed as she stood on the red carpet with the ice skating legend, whom she portrays in the new film. The actress, who wowed in gray metallic Versace dress with a black belt, initially walked the carpet her husband and producer Tom Ackerley. Harding, 47, joined her on the carpet where they chatted, laughed and posed for photos. Turning toward Acklerley, Robbie expressed her excitement, saying, "Amazing!" Harding appeared overwhelmed and wiped away tears while wearing a fitted, floor-length dress with orange straps. Sebastian Stan, who plays Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly in the film, told PEOPLE on the red carpet that he wasn't sure how to approach Harding. "I don't know if I should even say 'Hi' to her, I mean, I play Jeff!" he said. "I'm totally star struck right now." Allison Janney, who portrays Harding's mother in the film, had a similar reaction to Harding's arrival. "Wow, this is incredible," she told PEOPLE. After the screening, Harding came out on stage and received a standing ovation from audience members. The Australian actress is receiving huge praise for her portrayal as the polarizing ice skater and it seems the sparkly skater aesthetic has influenced the actress's off-screen style. "Every time I put something on I'm like, 'Does it look like I'm trying to dress like an ice skater?' That means I would have avoided sequins forever and I'm just not willing to do that," she told PEOPLE of her red carpet looks at the Gotham Awards in late November. In October, the actress admitted to PEOPLE that playing a famous '90s figure skater inspired her style in real life. "It started with scrunchies and then it like kind of spread to the rest of my wardrobe," she said. "All of a sudden I was like, 'I dress '90s every day; what is this?'" (People)

James Franco on Portraying Tommy Wiseau in 'The Disaster Artist' and the Most Surprising Thing About Acting | Actor Roundtable "Everybody that comes to Hollywood is on the outside with a dream. It's all of us," Franco told THR. "I watched [The Room] about 50 times. It's like the gift that keeps giving. People just keep coming back. You have to, sort of admit, there's something there," James Franco, who stars as Tommy Wiseau in the upcoming film The Disaster Artist, said on The Hollywood Reporter's Actor Roundtable. "I don't think it's just that he made strange, bizarre, choices all the way through. I think it's partly the magic sauce, that there is so much passion underneath." Although The Room, which became a "cult hit," premiered in 2003, it has consistently been playing in theaters in almost every major city once a month for the past 14 years. On the film's unconventional success, Franco said, "There are thousands upon thousands of bad movies that we will never watch again, but people watch this one over and over, and I think it's partly because of the heart and soul underneath." The Oscar-nominated actor (127 Hours) took a respectful approach on capturing Wiseau and his experiences as a filmmaker. "I tried to make the best movie I could, but it was about how I treated him. I treated him with respect as an outsider artist just trying to do what we're all trying to do. Everybody that comes to Hollywood is on the outside with a dream. It's all of us." Franco's acting career has spanned decades, and he shared with the Roundtable why he finds his industry such a special one to work in saying, "[Acting] is one of the only professions, I think, where you get to work with all your heroes and in such an intimate way. In most cases it's usually just a dream come true in addition to everything else." He continued, "my guess is there's not a lot of professions that work quite that way." The full Actor Roundtable also features Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Gary Oldman, Sam Rockwell and Willem Dafoe, and will air Sunday, Jan. 28, on SundanceTV. Tune in to THR.com/roundtables for more roundtables featuring talent from the year's top films. (Hollywood Reporter)

Anti-Harassment Movement Is Time Magazine's Person of the Year 2017. The movement, launched in the wake of allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein and other Hollywood luminaries, beat out Donald Trump for the title. Time Magazine has named the anti-harassment movement, what the magazine dubbed "The Silence Breakers" as its Person of the Year. The movement, launched in the wake of sexual harassment and assault charges against producer Harvey Weinstein and other prominent men in Hollywood, is credited with fueling a moment of reckoning about the treatment of women in the workplace. Time made the announcement on Wednesday. The magazine's editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal revealed the selection on the Today show along with the cover, a composite group photo that includes actress Ashley Judd, singer Taylor Swift and former Uber engineer Susan Fowler. "The galvanizing actions of the women on our cover... along with those of hundreds of others, and of many men as well, have unleashed one of the highest-velocity shifts in our culture since the 1960s," Felsenthal said in a statement. "The idea that influential, inspirational individuals shape the world could not be more apt this year. For giving voice to open secrets, for moving whisper networks onto social networks, for pushing us all to stop accepting the unacceptable, The Silence Breakers are the 2017 Person of the Year." For the cover story, Time interviewed dozens of women and men who have experienced sexual harassment at their jobs, including actress Rose McGowan, journalist Megyn Kelly and actor Terry Crews. Time also included non-celebrity voices, among them Dana Lewis, one of the Plaza Hotel plaintiffs who filed suit against the hotel for "normalizing and trivializing sexual assault" among employees, and a strawberry picker, given the pseudonym Isabel Pascual, who spoke of being stalked after speaking out against the harassment she was experiencing on the job. The movement, which has also been dubbed #MeToo, due to the popular hashtag linked to the cause, beat out President Donald Trump for Time's most newsworthy title. Trump, who was Time's Person of the Year in 2016, had been named to the magazine's shortlist of 2017 candidates. The President Trump claimed that Time informed him that he was "probably" going to be given the annual title for the second year in a row but, via Twitter, The president he "took a pass" on the honor, claiming that Time told him he'd have to do an interview and photo shoot. Time denied this, saying, with its own tweet: "The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. Time does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6." Social activist and community organizer Tarana Burke created the #MeToo hashtag back in 2006. The movement got widespread attention after actress Alyssa Milano tweeted the phrase on October 15. The hashtag was shared millions of times on Twitter and Facebook and became an international phenomenon, trending in at least 85 countries. It has spawned local-lingo versions, including #BalanceTonPorc (#DenounceYourPig) in France, #quellavoltache (#TheTimeThat) in Italy and #YoTambien (#MeToo in Spanish) for Spain and Latin America. Felsenthal called the hashtag "a powerful accelerant." In an editorial in Time explaining the decision to award its Person of the Year title to The Silence Breakers, Felsenthal wrote that the moment began "with individual acts of courage" linking actresses who spoke out against Harvey Weinstein to "the strawberry picker who heard that story and decided to tell her own. The young engineer whose blog post about the frat-boy culture at Silicon Valley's highest-flying startup prompted the firing of its founder and 20 other employees. The California lobbyist whose letter campaign spurred more than 140 women in politics to demand that state government "no longer tolerate the perpetrators or enablers" of sexual misconduct." Felsenthal added that the change unleashed by the Silence Breakers is still ongoing. A Time/SurveyMonkey poll, conducted Nov.28-30 and published together with the Person of the Year cover story, found that 82 percent of Americans say women are more likely to speak out about sexual assault or harassment since news of Harvey Weinstein's multiple allegations broke news. The survey found that, forced to choose, most people (85 percent) believe the women making accusations of sexual assault or harassment over the men who have been accused. Over half (56 percent) surveyed think the movement will lead to meaningful change in society. You can read a full report of the poll results here. "We are in the middle of the beginning of this upheaval," writes Felsenthal. "There is so much that we still don't know about its ultimate impact. How far-reaching will it be? How deep into the country? How far down the organizational chart? Will there be a backlash? Will there be a backlash? Hollywood and the media -- the industries that have thus far been home to most of the prominent cases -- live in a coastal, co-dependent bubble...the biggest test of this movement will be the extent to which it changes the realities of people for whom telling the truth simply threatens too much." Since 1927, Time has bestowed its Person of the Year title upon an individual or group of people who the magazine's editors believe have most influenced news and events of the past year, "for good or ill." (Hollywood Reporter)

'Lion' Sweeps Australia's Academy Awards With 12 Wins. 'Lion's' Sunny Pawar became the youngest ever Best Actor winner while Nicole Kidman received two awards across film and TV, for 'Top Of The Lake: China Girl.' Nicole Kidman, Elizabeth Moss and Lion stars Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar took away major awards at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, held in Sydney Wednesday. Nine months after its Oscar's campaign, Lion swept Australia's top film and TV awards, winning all five of its nominated categories, including Best Film, Best Direction for Garth Davis and Best Supporting Actor for BAFTA Award winner Dev Patel, who received the AACTA International Award for his role earlier this year. In total Lion won all twelve of the AACTA categories it was nominated for this year, taking out seven other honors at the AACTA craft awards on Monday. The film's nine-year-old star, Sunny Pawar, received the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor, becoming the youngest winner in the category. Nicole Kidman rounded out her stellar year by winning the double for her film and TV work: Kidman took Best Supporting Actress for Lion, for which she won the AACTA International Award earlier this year; and Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama for Jane Campion's Top Of The Lake: China Girl. Ten years after receiving her first AACTA Award, Emma Booth was honored as Best Lead Actress for her gripping turn as serial killer Evelyn White in the thriller Hounds Of Love. Hugo Weaving received his first AACTA Award in a television category, winning Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama for ABCTV's Seven Types Of Ambiguity. But it was Jane Campion's second season of Top Of The Lake: China Girl that dominated the television categories, receiving four awards including Best TV Drama. Elisabeth Moss and Ewen Leslie took home the awards for Best Lead Actress in a TV drama and Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama, respectively, joining Kidman as winners for the series. Celia Pacquola's performance in ABCTV/Sundance series, Rosehaven, saw her take home the Award for Best Performance in a TV Comedy. Other television awards went to: Sunshine for Best Telefeature or Mini Series, Australian Ninja Warrior for Best Light Entertainment Series, Selling Houses Australia for Best Lifestyle Series, Seven Types Of Ambiguity for Best Screenplay in Television and Masterchef Australia, which won Best Reality Television Series for the third consecutive year. The inaugural AACTA Award for Best Asian Film was awarded to Indian sports drama Dangal, which beat out Chinese box office juggernaut Wolf Warrior 2, amongst others. In previously announced awards, director Phillip Noyce was honored with Australia's highest screen accolade, the Longford Lyell Award. Actor and newly minted director, Simon Baker accepted the AACTA Trailblazer Award, which recognizes the achievements of an Australian screen practitioner whose body of work has served as an inspiration to others. Other highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of the Byron Kennedy Award to filmmakers Martin Butler and Bentley Dean, who were honored for their body of work including First Footprints, Contact and Tanna. The Byron Kennedy Award celebrates outstanding creative enterprise within the Australian screen industry and is given to an individual or organization whose work embodies the qualities of innovation, vision and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Congratulating the winners, AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said, "In a year that saw our industry deliver some of the strongest and most diverse stories we've ever seen, we are delighted to see such a varied slate of productions, people and performances recognized. "Tonight's recipients serve as an inspiration to the industry and audiences alike. In particular, I'd like to congratulate our inaugural Best Asian Film Award winner, Dangal, and our individual Award recipients: Phillip Noyce, Simon Baker, Martin Butler and Bentley Dean." This year's awards were held in the shadow of the global discussion of sexual harassment in the industry. Notable this year was the absence of AACTA president Geoffrey Rush, after he stepped aside following allegations of 'inappropriate behavior' which he has vigorously denied. Actress Rachel Griffiths noted that "nobody likes to be tried in the public square." "The fact that we are discussing things in the 'marketplace' shows that processes and procedures have not been adequate," Griffiths said. "Geoffrey Rush is not Harvey Weinstein and I have had more than a handful of interactions with Harvey Weinstein," she added. Accepting the award for best film for Lion, producer Angie Fielder commended the "incredible bravery of the women" who had spoken out about sexual harassment in the screen industry. "Hopefully this marks a time of change, it's really great to see the industry taking a stand." Director Gilliam Armstrong, presenting an award, told young women to "take off their high heels, put on gumboots and be the boss." (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

Black Mirror Season 4 Arrives Just in Time to Freak You Out About Technology in 2018. Black Mirror is coming to help you Ring in the New Year with fun, terrifying and anxiety-inducing stories. What a way to end 2017! The new season of Black Mirror, six episodes, premieres on Friday, Dec. 29 on Netflix. The new additions to Charlie Brooker's Emmy-winning anthology series star the likes of Jesse Plemons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jimmi Simpson, Cristin Milioti, Aldis Hodge, Maxine Peake, Andrea Riseborough, Letitia Wright and Michaela Coel, among countless others, and feature stories ranging from a Star Trek-esque tale to what appears to be a harrowing post-apocalyptic black and white outing. Directors for the new season include Jodie Foster, Toby Haynes, John Hillcoat, Colm McCarthy, Tim Van Patten and David Slade. Brooker returns as writer and executive producer alongside executive producer Annabel Jones. Black Mirror season four premieres Friday, Dec. 29 on Netflix. (Eonline)

Tracee Ellis Ross Tackles Sexual Harassment With Live Reading of The Handsy Man. Tracee Ellis Ross used her platform to reach an even bigger audience. The black-ish star guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday, using her opening monologue as a teachable moment for people who don't know what sexual abuse and sexual harassment entail. "There is something I wanted to talk about tonight, and that's the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal. First of all, let's start with the fact that it isn't a sex scandal. It isn't a Hollywood scandal. It isn't even a scandal. It is a systemic problem about the abuse of power that takes place across all industries and has enabled a culture of inequity to persist for far too long," she said. "Over the past few months, countless brave women have come forward to share their experiences. While I'm not totally surprised by these stories, it seems like quite a few men are." "Treating another human being with respect isn't complicated, but it seems a bit confusing for a lot of men out there. So, I wrote a book," she added. "It's kind of like a children's book, for men, that is going to make this really simple and just bring it back to the basics. So...Listen up, fellas!" Ellis Ross then read aloud from her book, all while illustrations appeared onscreen behind her. "There is a guy with 10 long fingers, creepy glares and hugs that linger. If you're a woman, you're not a fan. I speak, of course, of The Handsy Man," the Golden Globe winner read to the audience. "Handsy Man, based on the news, you seem to be a bit confused. Listen, and I'll explain to you all the things you may not do. You may not compliment my butt. You may not call me 'ho' or 'slut.' And even if you're stoned or drunk, do not expose me to your junk. And if I am your employee, don't rest your hand upon my knee. No, I won't sit on your lap. I shouldn't have to say this crap. You cannot smell my hair, you creep, or grab my boobs while I'm asleep. I do not want a back massage. Did you follow me into the parking garage? I do not like you, Handsy Man. You're not allowed to touch my can. Not on a plane. Not on a train. Not on your boat. Not in a moat. Not in a tree. Not by the sea. Not in your mansion. Help me, Chris Hansen." "So, Handsy Man, if you're still confused whether your behavior will be excused, I'll say it clearly, nice and slow," Ellis Ross said in conclusion. "If she doesn't consent -- the answer is NO." The audience cheered after the actress finished reading from her book. "Everyone got it? Good," Ellis Ross told the audience, joking, "Just so you know, that's Part 1 of a 67-part series." Later in the episode, Ellis Ross interviewed Mary J. Blige and Amanda de Cadenet. (Eonline)

Game of Thrones Tops the List of Most Tweeted About Shows in 2017. In news that will shock basically no one, Game of Thrones was officially the most tweeted about show in 2017. Twitter released the list of the top 10 shows talked about on the site, and the HBO monster hit is obviously number one. Stranger Things takes second place, while 13 Reasons Why, The Voice, and The Walking Dead also make the list, as no surprise to us. Pretty Little Liars, which was always a Twitter staple, lands at number 10, but there are a few others on this list that have us scratching our heads a bit. While it's impossible not to love the Winchester brothers, we're a bit surprised to see Supernatural still making the list after 12 seasons. And same for Grey's Anatomy, which sits at number seven in its 14th season. Saturday Night Live wins fifth place after one of its highest rated seasons in decades, and Big Brother is third, which is a good sign for the upcoming celebrity edition. As for the shows that didn't make the list, it seems strange that no Bachelor franchise show appears, and we would have bet that This Is Us and/or Riverdale would have shown up somewhere. Guess we'll all just have to step up our TV tweeting game in 2018! (Eonline)

It was a touching tribute to the late Debbie Reynolds on Will & Grace's holiday episode Tuesday night. Debra Messing, 49, shared a sweet selfie on Instagram hours before the show aired wearing the same costume that Reynolds was wearing in a portrait in the episode. The "A Gay Olde Christmas" holiday special saw the cast transported back in time -- and throughout the episode, the late actress' visage, as depicted in a painting mounted on the wall, watched over them. The actresses played mother and daughter duo, Grace and Bobbi Adler on the show. Messing grinned while pointing at Reynolds' portrait in the photo, writing in the caption, "Debbie is with me in tonight's flashback Christmas Episode. I love that portrait of her. It captures her Light. After Reynolds' death in December 2016, Messing mourned the loss of her TV mother, who guest starred in 10 episodes of Will & Grace. "Debbie went to be with Carrie. She always worried about her. Carrie left too soon and now they are together again. My heart is literally broken," Messing shared in an Instagram post when Reynold's passed away after suffering a stroke. The actress also described Reynolds as "pure energy & light when she came on stage." "She was loving, and bawdy, and playful-a consummate pro- old school and yet had the work ethic and investment in her craft of a new fiery up and comer," Messing said of Reynolds. "She was always running off to Vegas or somewhere else 'on the road' to be a hoofer, to sing and dance and make people laugh. She performed 340 days out of the year. An inspiration on every level. A Legend of course, the epitome of clean cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working," Messing added. She concluded her tribute: "A devoted mother and grandmother, and aunt and great aunt, and friend. I lost my mom a few years ago. She loved that Debbie was my TV mom. I hope they find each other and hug and kiss and my mom says, "I got you, Debbie. Carrie's waiting for you." RIP Bobbie Adler." Will & Grace airs Thursdays (9 p.m. ET) on NBC. (People)

Once a cheater, always a cheater. "Vanderpump Rules" star Jax Taylor betrayed his girlfriend of two years, Brittany Cartwright, last May with former SUR waitress Faith Stowers, sources confirmed to Page Six. As captured by cameras for Monday night's premiere, Stowers copped to the tryst during Scheana Marie's birthday party (which was filmed that same month) while Taylor, 38, denied it. One source claimed Stowers was "upset she wasn't relevant on the show years ago," while an insider said Stowers "used Jax to get back in [the spotlight]." Stowers, who was working as a home care aide at the time of the incident, appeared on the show as a friend of the cast multiple times throughout 2013 and 2016. "Brittany and Jax were on-and-off after the cheating, but Brittany did go back to Jax and loves him," the insider said, claiming the show's producers "forced them to get back together" after "a very rough spring and summer." "She's trying to work through their relationship and she wants to make it work," the insider added. "Jax is trying to be faithful and good to Brittany." But a source close to the show shot down claims that the network orchestrated their reunion. Cartwright, 28, previously expressed her desire to marry Taylor throughout the couple's spin-off show filmed in October, "Vanderpump Rules: Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky." Taylor famously cheated on ex-girlfriend Stassi Schroeder, 28, in the show's first season. A rep for Stowers did not immediately return a request for comment. Reps for Cartwright and Taylor didn't get back to us. Bravo had no comment. (Page Six)

NBC's Next Headache? New Olympics Host Mike Tirico Has Harassment in His Past. The network is sticking with its Bob Costas replacement, who was suspended at ESPN in the early 1990s: "Mike has repeatedly assured us that this behavior is long in his past, and we have no evidence of anything to the contrary." Matt Lauer is said to have behaved inappropriately with a female subordinate at the 2014 Winter Games in Russia. Now his alleged conduct is casting a cloud over the next Olympics two months before NBC Sports heads to Pyeongchang, South Korea. Scrutiny is falling on Mike Tirico, who was suspended at ESPN in the early 1990s amid allegations of sexual harassment. Tirico's behavior was recounted in two books: Michael Freeman's ESPN: The Uncensored History, published in 2000, and James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales' 2011 book, Those Guys Have All the Fun. NBC Sports hired Tirico away from ESPN in 2016 and announced this year that he will become the new primetime TV host for the games, replacing Bob Costas. Tirico, 50, already appears on NBC's NFL coverage. And NBC Sports says there are no plans to replace him. "When we hired Mike in 2016, we were aware of the incidents from more than 25 years ago, which had been addressed in 1991-92 by ESPN, his employer at the time, and for which he has apologized," an NBC Sports rep says in a statement to THR. "Mike has repeatedly assured us that this behavior is long in his past, and we have no evidence of anything to the contrary in his tenure at NBC Sports." Josh Krulewitz, an ESPN spokesperson, adds: "These charges were aggressively addressed 25 years ago with a lengthy suspension." NBC Sports execs had been eyeing Tirico for some time; his expertise in golf and football make him a natural fit for the network's rights portfolio. But multiple sources say the disclosures in the books were cause for concern. "They were waiting until he got some distance from the book," says one insider, referring to the 2011 tome. Ultimately executives were satisfied that the matter had been properly adjudicated, and his first games will begin Feb. 9. Indeed, other prominent sportscasters have weathered far more public scandals, most famously Marv Albert, who was tried for sexual assault in 1997. He was ousted from NBC Sports but brought back in 2000 and announced basketball for NBC during the 2014 Summer Games in Rio. (Hollywood Reporter)

Russian Networks Boycott 2018 Winter Olympics After Doping Ban. The International Olympic Committee this week banned the Russian team from competing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics over state-sponsored doping. Russian TV networks will boycott the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned the country's national team over widespread and state-sponsored doping. State-owned broadcasting corporation VGTRK, which runs the Rossiya network, said it won't broadcast the Olympics if the Russian team is not competing. "Our stand is firm," a VGTRK representative was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency. "We won't air the Pyeongchang Olympics without the Russian team." A representative for Gazprom Media, the broadcasting wing of the natural gas giant, told the FM radio station Govorit Moskva that without the Russian team, the Olympics will be "a reduced event" and won't attract interest among Russian fans. The IOC on Monday banned the Russian team from the 2018 Winter Olympics after receiving evidence of what it called the Russian government's "unprecedented systematic manipulation" of the IOC's anti-doping system. Russia's Olympic Committee has been banned from the Pyeongchang Olympics and ordered to pay $15 million in costs after making what the International Olympic Committee called an "unprecedented attack on the integrity of the Olympic Games and sport." For the first time, the IOC also said that the Russian state was directly involved in widespread, institutional doping. The group banned then Russian minister of sport, Vitaly Mutko, and his then deputy minister, Yuri Nagornykh, from any participation in all future Olympic Games. Russia's athletes who were not involved in the country's massive state-sponsored doping program will be allowed to compete in Pyeongchang but not under the Russia flag. They can participate under the neutral Olympic flag and the Olympic anthem, not the Russian, will be played if any athlete wins a gold medal. The Winter Olympics are just as big as the summer ones in Russia, particularly after the country hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, an event where, the IOC says, Moscow implemented its widespread doping program. The IOC's ruling, however, will not impact the 2018 World Cup. Soccer governing body FIFA this week confirmed that the event will be held in Russia as planned. (Hollywood Reporter)