ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry & the End of "Old Etiquette." When Meghan Markle marries Prince Harry, the "old etiquette" need not apply. The countdown is on to May 19, when the royal and the about-to-be former actress will say "I do" at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Expect a most celebratory atmosphere to envelop the U.K. in the weeks leading up to the big day -- which happens to be a Saturday, your first indicator that all won't be according to the usual royal protocol. But while the ceremony itself will almost certainly include traditional elements, it will most likely adhere to a new, more modern set of wedding etiquette rules than what we've seen utilized by past generations, or even by Prince William and Kate Middleton just seven years ago. This will be the first wedding for Harry and the second for Meghan, who was previously married to producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013. There are "old-fashioned traditions... [and] certain things that you 'don't do'" with a second wedding, says British etiquette expert Grant Harrold, but these "old-fashioned rules" aren't necessarily relevant for Harry and Meghan's big day. "We're talking about the 21st century," Harrold, a former butler for Prince Charles, tells E! News exclusively. "And we're talking about a very modern young couple -- a new generation of royals." And whether it's a royal wedding or a regular one, a second-time bride can "yes, absolutely" wear a white dress, says Lizzie Post, the great-great-granddaughter of manners maven Emily Post and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast. Under "old etiquette," couples "almost tried to make a second wedding a very discrete situation," Post tells E! News. "I think that so many people have come to find partners at different points in their lives who fit them so well and wonderfully, and [they] want to be able to celebrate that, and their family and friends want to be able to celebrate that." Post says a bride "can do absolutely everything that she did for her first wedding" -- and so can the groom, if it's his second time down the aisle. "The only difference would be -- and this is one that usually gets ignored -- but folks who were invited to [his or] her first wedding are not obligated to give a gift at [his or] her second wedding." Gift registries are "fine" for encore weddings, says Post -- although we're betting Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, already have a toaster and all the kitchenware they need. The future spouses may actually follow William and Kate's lead and ask guests to donate to charity rather than actually give them wedding presents. Of course, William and Kate did still receive gifts from around the world when they wed back in 2011, and Harry and Meghan are likely to as well. And just as William and Kate became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they married, Harry and Meghan will also have new titles bestowed upon them by the queen. "It is likely that they will become a duke and duchess, but it is not a guarantee," William Hanson, another leading royal etiquette expert in the U.K., tells E! News. "They will be given something -- Prince Harry might become an earl, and then the wife's title would be countess...but I highly suspect he will become the Duke of Sussex and thus she will become the Duchess of Sussex." Meghan, an American, will go through the process of becoming a British citizen just like any other applicant. This may take some time, but it hasn't delayed the bride-to-be from getting an early start on her royal role. In late 2017, the Suits star not only started making public appearances with Harry, she also spent Christmas with Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the royal family. This was "huge," says Harrold, and it's a clear indication of how certain royal "rules" are becoming more relaxed. Another indication of the monarchy modernizing? Harry and Meghan's engagement photos. Hanson points out how these portraits "are very lovely but much more intimate," adding, "[They're] not very royal, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. If you compare them to William and Catherine's [engagement] portraits which were a little more formal and more traditional, these are pushing the royal boundaries, and probably for the better." That's not to say, though, that certain traditions don't still have a place in the royal family. As Hanson puts it, "You have got to remember that the monarchy is an institution that goes back thousands of years, so we can't suddenly become too soap opera-y or too informal. There's a time and a place for formality." Picking up on protocol and royal etiquette won't be too difficult for Prince Harry's future wife. Harrold says as an American woman marrying a prince in the U.K., Meghan "will of course have things to learn from an etiquette point of view, but the chances are she'll probably already know of them, or she'll find them very easy. Nothing will be too complicated for her to pick up on." "The thing about etiquette is, it's always evolving. Rules are always changing," says Harrold. He points out how Meghan politely declined to take a selfie with a fan during a royal appearance -- a clear indication that she's on board with what appears to be "one of the newer rules" for royals. "It's not a problem -- it's how it works," he adds. When Meghan was a public figure without any official ties to royalty, there were times in which it would have been appropriate for fans to have asked for her autograph. But now? "No more doing that," Harrold says. "You can never ask a royal for an autograph. They're not allowed...because you know, it's a royal signature, therefore autographs will be something that she'll no longer do." Like her future husband and brother- and sister-in-law-to-be, Meghan seems fairly down-to-earth and approachable -- but there are still certain rules to follow when meeting any member of the royal family, and Meghan still has plenty of more family members to meet. "It's not just as simple as walking up to them," says Harrold. "I would always strongly recommend if you really do want to go up and say hello to them, it's a case of hopefully knowing someone they know and just saying, 'It'd be wonderful to meet them. Is it possible for you to introduce us?' It's always good to have an introduction rather than just go up to someone, but that's kind of the same with etiquette in general in the U.K." As a Brit or a citizen of the Commonwealth, men should offer a neck bow and women should offer a curtsy when meeting a member of the royal family. At this point, the royal can choose to extend his or her hand for a handshake (but not the other way around). Americans aren't required to bow or curtsy, but as Hanson points out, "it is a nice sign of respect." Even royals do this for senior members of the royal family -- which means Meghan "will have to curtsy when she sees the queen...[or] anyone higher than Prince Harry," says Hanson. "That does include Prince George and Princess Charlotte and the unnamed unborn baby -- although in reality, she is not going to curtsy to a baby." This will likely only take place at "some of the more formal events" when Meghan is taking on "a ceremonial role," Hanson notes. "But it won't be a lot -- and it's more -- you're not bowing or curtsying to the person, you're bowing or curtsying to the office, and to what they represent." (Eonline)

Kelly Clarkson Jokes About Raising Four Kids: ''Wine Is Necessary.'' Kelly Clarkson's doing what she does best -- getting real! During The Voice's panel at TCA on Tuesday, Clarkson spoke about life, love and the reality of being a celebrity with kids. When the singer, who has daughter River Rose Blackstock and Remington Alexander Blackstock with husband Brandon Blackstock, was asked about what it's like being a mom to her two kids as well as Blackstock's two children from a previous marriage, the candid songstress admitted, "They are challenging." She then joked to the crowd, "Wine is necessary." When asked whether or not she and her hubby since 2013 would be having any more wee ones, the singer made her feelings clear: "We're done having kids!" The 35-year-old did say to the audience having children has been humbling, "They're great, though. They say something and you're like, 'Damn.' They'll call you out. And they teach me. I know it sounds really silly, but kids teach you to be a better human because they're watching every moment. Not only me at home, but me sitting here with y'all." The hands-on mama said, "I hope with our two girls and our two boys, they see their parents as successful, loving and respectful people because that's what we want for them." The big-voiced singer said that the biggest lesson that having kids has taught her is to have a change of "perspective" and showed her about being less "ego-centric." The former American Idol winner said that having children has grounded her in the wild and ego-inflating entertainment industry. "I think when you're younger and, especially in this kind of industry where everybody's always applauding you or even if they're talking bad or good, they're still talking about you. It's so hard to not drink your punch, and I think a lot of people fall prey to that," she admitted. "I think that [my children] taught me to just look around me and notice the things that are really important, even if it's just hanging with them, playing on their little piano or taking the time. Because I think in life, as adults, it's very hard for us to be still. It's very hard for us to enjoy the moment." Well hopefully the proud mother can enjoy a moment like this... Recently the "Stronger" singer's parenting has come under the microscope after she did an interview with a Rochester-based radio station in which she stated, "I'm not above a spanking, which people aren't necessarily into. And I don't mean like hitting her hard, I just mean a spanking" Last week, the Texan told the radio station, "My parents spanked me and I did fine in life and I feel fine about it." "So that's a tricky thing when you're out in public, 'cause then people are like, you know, they think that's wrong or something, but I find nothing wrong with a spanking," she said, before adding, "I warn her. I'm like, 'Hi, I'm gonna spank you on your bottom if you don't stop right now. Like, this is ridiculous.'" (Eonline)

Lena Dunham Addresses Jack Antonoff Split, Says She'll "Always Wear" Ring Ex Gave Her. Lena Dunham is addressing her split with Jack Antonoff. E! News exclusively revealed on Monday that the Girls star and her musician boyfriend had ended their relationship after five years together. Then on Tuesday, Lena went on Instagram Live and broke her silence on the split. After thanking everyone for their supportive messages in the Live video, she shared that she's wearing a ring that Jack gave her. "I'm wearing this ring that Jack gave me and I'll always wear it, because love is a really cool, powerful, eternal thing and it doesn't have to be defined the way we in Western culture define it as beginnings and ends," Lena said. "Things can be 'you're a drop of water and you re-enter the ocean,'" she continued. "Anyway, I really love you all and I'm really thankful for the support, really thankful for the love." Lena and Jack, who started dating in 2012, broke up in December, a source told E! News. "It was mutual," the insider shared. "Jack and Lena were growing apart and it just made sense for them to end their relationship where it was." The source went on to add, "They want the best for each other no matter what. They are both moving on." A rep for both stars confirmed the split to E! News. (Eonline)

Snooki's Husband Jionni LaValle Sets the Record Straight on Divorce Rumors. Don't worry pop culture fans! This couple is staying Jersey Strong. Despite a few tabloid headlines claiming Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jionni LaValle's marriage is on the rocks, the famous pair is setting the record straight once and for all on social media. In a new Instagram post, Jionni made it clear that things are going great. "My wife is filming a scene packing up and leaving for her new show and I AM CHOOSING TO NOT be on TV because I simply DO NOT like it," Jionni shared with his followers. "Nicole and I are doing great and became even stronger together while raising our beautiful kids. HOWEVER you will not see me on her reality show. Being a reality star was never something I wanted to be when I grew up. I own my own business and work hard at it, that's what I do." He added, "MY wife is a reality star and works hard at that, that's what she does. We ARE not divorced. For the HATERS I hope this message find you and confuses you even more about life and for the FANS of my wife and her show... I got your back!!! God Bless Yas!" Recently, MTV announced that an upcoming reality show titled Jersey Shore Family Vacation will bring the original cast (minus Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola) back together. Spouses and kids are expected to be included in some way. Ultimately, the post received support from Jenni "JWoww" Farley and Deena Nicole Cortese. As for Snooki, she couldn't help but comment and express love to her "hunnie." "I love you beyond words & so lucky to have you," she wrote. "As long as we know what we have, screw everybody else. You're my world!" Snooki and Jionni said "I Do" in November 2014 during a Great Gatsby-themed wedding ceremony. The pair has since welcomed two children together. (Eonline)

Taraji P. Henson says Twitter helped her become an international star. Taraji P. Henson says Twitter -- not an Academy Award nomination -- helped her realize she was an international star. "It wasn't when I was nominated for an Oscar. That's not why I got into acting. For me, it was when social media became prevalent," Henson told Page Six. "When Twitter came about .?.?. I knew I was successful in the States, but I kept being told by the industry, 'You won't sell overseas.' They kept saying, 'Black movies don't do well over there.' Hip-hop music -- clearly -- does well over there. Why can't a movie do well?" She says that when she "joined Twitter [in 2009] and I started getting all these tweets from all these different continents and I'm like, 'Wait a minute here, you mean to tell me you know this movie in China?' So, then I was like, 'So, somebody is lying.' And I remember .?.?. if you go back on my Twitter feed .?.?. I said, 'I'm going to be an international star. I'm going to prove to this industry that a black woman can not only sell a movie domestically, but we can do it overseas. And a black woman, who looks, sounds and talks like me." She further told us at a Hennessy VSOP Privilege dinner at Zuma to promote her film "Proud Mary," "Years kept going and going and 'Empire' hit. That's what took me overseas." Henson has over 5.2 million Twitter followers. She said of her new movie, which also stars Danny Glover in the story of a hitwoman working for an organized crime family: "This movie is so important .?.?. in a time when women feel like victims because of the men or whoever .?.?. you have Proud Mary say, 'Take your power back!' Because in this film .?.?. she's fighting all men and she kills them all," she said. "Page Six TV" star Bevy Smith hosted a Q&A with Henson. (Eonline)

James Franco tells Colbert sexual harassment accusations 'are not accurate'. James Franco had some things to say about the sexual harassment accusations that were brought up after his Golden Globe win. The Disaster Artist director and actor appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to address the backlash he received on Twitter following the ceremony. After talking about his film about The Room (aka "the worst movie ever made"), his Golden Globe win, giving his impression of Tommy Wiseau, and even bringing his brother on stage, Colbert asked about the Time's Up pin he was wearing during the ceremony and the criticism he received. "I do support [Time's Up]," he started. "I was so excited to win, but being in the room that night was powerful. I support change." Franco told Colbert that he was aware of what Ally Sheedy had said. Shortly after his win, Sheedy sent out a vague tweet about Franco's behavior in the past. The two worked together on the 2014 off-Broadway production of The Long Shrift. To this, Franco said, "I have no idea what I did to Ally Sheedy. I had nothing but a great time with her. I have total respect for her." He said that they had fun working together and he said he couldn't speak for her and reiterated that he did not know what he did. Other women followed Sheedy's tweet but were less vague. Violet Paley and Sarah Tither Kaplan tweeted out detailed accusations against Franco about inappropriate sexual behavior. In regards to these tweets, he said, "In my life, I pride myself in taking responsibility for things I've done. I have to do that to maintain my well-being. I do it whenever something needs to be changed." He said that things that were out on Twitter were "not accurate." He continued, "I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice because they haven't had a voice for so long. I don't want to shut them down in any way. It's a good thing I support. Colbert then asked Franco if there is a way to have discussions about sexual harassment allegations outside of social media. The Late Show host then asked if there was a way to come to what the truth is and come to some reconciliation between people who clearly have different views of things. "If I have done something wrong, I will fix it -- I have to," said Franco. "That's how that works. I don't know what else to do." He then concluded by referring to the Time's Up movement during the Globes, "The point is to listen. I am here to listen and learn and change perspective where it's off. I'm completely willing and want to." (PageSix)

Michael Douglas preemptively denies masturbation allegations. Oscar winner Michael Douglas preemptively denied allegations that he once masturbated in front of a female employee and blackballed her from Hollywood, a report said. The "Fatal Attraction" actor told Deadline Hollywood that he's been told The Hollywood Reporter was set to publish a story, chronicling alleged misdeeds 32 years ago. The woman worked for Douglas' production company in New York, the famed actor said. "I don't know where to begin. This is a complete lie, fabrication, no truth to it whatsoever," Douglas told Deadline in an interview published at 9:41 p.m. New York time. Douglas, 73, said THR approached him before Christmas, asking him for comment on the woman's accusations. And then at some point after Christmas, Douglas said THR told him the story was running. No such article was on THR's website by 10:25 p.m. "I felt the need to get ahead of this," Douglas said. "It pertains to me but I'm also getting a sense of how it reflects in our culture, and what is going on today." Douglas admitted he often used profanities in front of his former employee-but had never directed any salty language at her. Douglas and Deadline didn't identify the alleged accuser. "As far as blackballing her, that was completely untrue," Douglas said. "She was a lady who was involved in development at my company, and we just didn't have a good development record in the time she was there, so I just moved on. I never blackballed her. If people from the industry called me to ask about her, I would have been honest, but I never blackballed her." The Hollywood Reporter could not immediately be reached for comment and, as of late Tuesday, there were no articles containing allegations against Douglas on its website. (PageSix)

Rose McGowan selling her house to fund Weinstein fight. Rose McGowan, refusing to call Harvey Weinstein by name, says legal action by the man she calls "the monster" is forcing her to sell her house to fight him. The actress-turned-activist spoke to TV critics Tuesday about her new documentary series, "Citizen Rose," and what she called her global fight against sexual misconduct and injustice. McGowan helped start a national public discussion about sexual misconduct when she accused Weinstein of raping her. The movie mogul, facing numerous other accusations of misconduct, has repeatedly denied "allegations of non-consensual sex." "Citizen Rose," debuting Jan. 30 on the E! channel, refers only to Weinstein as "HW" or "the monster," said executive director Andrea Metz. In video remarks before the panel, McGowan asked reporters to refrain from saying Weinstein's name and to ask respectful questions to acknowledge her humanity. The former star of "Charmed" was asked if she had any qualms working for E!, which was called out on the Golden Globes red carpet by stars unhappy with E! host Catt Sadler's departure over pay disparity. The issue arose after she'd made a deal with the channel for the series, McGowan said, adding, "Let me hang out for a while and maybe things will change." Frances Berwick, who oversees E! as president of Lifestyles Networks for NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, addressed the issue after McGowan's Q&A. Sadler, who said she quit E! because she was paid less than fellow host Jason Kennedy, had a different role than Kennedy and therefore a different salary, Berwick said. Sadler was a daytime host and Kennedy worked in prime-time news and on the red carpet, Berwick told the Television Critics Association. McGowan has been privately taping her life for several years, joining with Bunim-Murray Productions to create the documentary series, McGowan said. "I want to be like Gertrude Stein, to have a conversation with the world instead of just in my living room," said McGowan, who is highly visible on social media. She called the series "raw" and her "truth." "I'm really just trying to stop international rapists and child molesters," she said at another point, after a reporter had asked if she was a "warrior." McGowan separated herself from Hollywood's anti-misconduct Time's Up initiative, saying she doesn't believe change will come from those who hold power in the industry. A settlement reached with Weinstein in 1997 over an encounter in a hotel room during the Sundance film festival didn't include a non-disclosure agreement, McGowan said. But she added that she faces the sale of her house to pay "legal bills fighting off the monster." There was no record of a lawsuit by Weinstein against McGowan in Los Angeles courts, where the actress has lived, although legal action may not have arisen to the level of a public filing yet. She went public with her accusation of rape after The New York Times reported on the settlement as part of a larger expose on Weinstein. (PageSix)

Matt Lauer is "as good as he can be" in the wake of his headline-making alleged sexual misconduct scandal, according to former co-worker Willie Geist. On Tuesday, Geist told Entertainment Tonight that he had been in touch with Lauer recently, exchanging text messages with him around Dec. 30 -- Lauer's 60th birthday. "He's good. As good as he can be. He's sort of reconnecting with his family and figuring everything out," the 42-year-old Sunday Today anchor said from the red carpet of the National Board of Review Awards, which he hosted. Asked what Lauer's next step would be, Geist said he was unsure. "I think he's totally focused on his kids and his family right now," he explained. Since he was fired from Today for alleged inappropriate sexual behavior in November, Lauer has remained in touch with his former co-workers -- even texting Kotb earlier this month to congratulate her when news broke she would be replacing him on the popular NBC morning show. He has remained away from the public eye though, and has not spoken out since releasing a statement in the hours after his dismissal. "There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions," Lauer said in the statement. "To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this, I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC." "Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed," he added. "I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly." Lauer continued: "Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching, and I'm committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It's been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace." Geist was one of the rumored replacements for Lauer's position, though he told ET Tuesday that he was happy with his current gigs and occasional Today guest spots. "I do my Sunday Today show. I do Morning Joe, which I love, during the week, so I get into the politics of it all," he said. "And I'm there all week this week with the gang, so I'm not too far." As for Kotb, Geist couldn't help but gush about her role alongside co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. "They're both my honest-to-goodness friends. I'm so happy for Hoda," Geist said. "They're kickin' butt. They won the week again last week. I think they've won every week since they've started. You can't not be happy for Hoda. She's such a genuine, loving, feeling, energetic person. She deserves it, and it's good for everybody." Today airs weekdays (beginning at 7 a.m. ET) on NBC. (People)

Nas and Kelis have found common ground in their custody dispute over their 8-year-old son. According to court docs, the exes hammered out specific dates where Nas will have custody of Knight for weekends. Dad gets four full weekends over January, February and March. Nas' weekend visits will begin immediately after school on Fridays ... thru Sunday night, or Monday night, if it's a 3-day weekend. As we reported, Nas was complaining that Kelis was making it difficult for him to spend extended time with their son. The new agreement also requires both parents to use their "best efforts to not popularize [Knight] in social media." (TMZ)

"Deadpool" star Morena Baccarin became single at a price. We got the property settlement agreement between Baccarin and ex-hubby Austin Chick, and there were a lot of spoils to divide. For starters, Austin gets their home in New York City, while Morena gets their homes in Brazil and Los Angeles. The documents say Morena makes more than $90k a month, and Austin pulls in $1,375 a month. And ... she gets the 2001 Lexus!!! Morena, who also starred in "Homeland," gets lots of residuals, and they're fair game for Austin. They agreed that some of the residuals, including the ones for "Deadpool" and Season 1 of "Gotham," will be split. When all the dust settles, to make things square Morena agreed to cut a check to Austin for $406k. As for custody -- which was the major bone of contention -- TMZ broke the story 4-year-old Julius can live with Morena in NYC. Austin was trying to block the move, but in the end he's agreed to move to the Big Apple. She's paying $3,500 a month in child support and he gets $5k in spousal support for a year. The agreement provides that neither will trash the other in front of their kid. (TMZ)

Corey Feldman Willing to Join Forces With Terry Crews to Fight Sexual Abuse. Corey Feldman is ready to fight against sexual abuse with as many people as possible. Just a few short months after launching his Truth Campaign, the actor remains hopeful that he can raise $10 million to make a film about sexual abuse in Hollywood and his own life. He also is more than willing to collaborate with other individuals including Terry Crews who recently came forward with his own sexual assault allegations. "I thought about [reaching out to Terry], but I've been pretty overwhelmed with everything that I'm doing, but here's an open invitation," Corey shared with E! News' Melanie Bromley. "Terry, if you're listening, I'm more than happy to join forces with you and work together. I'm willing to work with anybody. Can I just put that out there?" He continued, "I'm willing to work with anybody that wants to aid in this fight. If you want to help me get this film made, to tell the truth, please help me." Corey has been vocal about his motivations behind his ongoing crusade to expose alleged sexual abuse in Hollywood. Before Corey Haim's death in 2010, the Goonies star claims his close friend asked him to shed light on the abuse he says they endured while working as young, child actors. Back in November, Corey appeared on The Dr. Oz Show and claimed former actor Jon Grissom molested him as a child. Jon has never commented publicly on the accusations. After the premiere of Lifetime's original movie A Tale of Two Coreys this past weekend, Corey (who served as an executive producer) now has even more time to help fight for a cause so important to him. "If you want to help me get the statutes changed, please help me. If you want to help me get your story out, I will help you," Corey shared with E! News. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I'm here to be a soldier. I'm not in it for me. I'm in it for all of us. Let's work together, please." (Eonline)

Jackass Star Bam Margera Is Heading to Rehab After DUI Arrest. Days after Bam Margera was arrested in Los Angeles after allegedly driving under the influence, the former Jackass and Viva La Bam star is heading to rehab, says his mother. "He decided to go to rehab in LA so we're putting that program into place," his mother April told Page Six on Tuesday. "How long he stays is to be determined but he'll want to keep that private." The concerned mother added, "He feels a lot better. He had a bad night. He's embarrassed by it. He's mad at himself for being stupid. Now he just wants to pick up the pieces and move forward for himself and for his family." April added that she's entrusting his care to professionals and said, "Don't be so quick to judge other people. Everybody has a different story and everybody is going through different things. It's not an instant fix. He's been seeing therapists. There are going to be hiccups when you're battling addiction. You're not going to be 100 percent successful the first time. He's getting a handle and the upside of this thing. He's learning as he goes." On Monday, California Highway Patrol confirmed to E! News that the extreme prankster was arrested around 8 a.m. Sunday morning in Los Angeles county. While he was initially pulled over due to a cell phone violation, officers noticed signs of possible intoxication and conducted a standard field sobriety test. Officers proceeded to arrest the pro skateboarder for suspected drunk driving. The 38-year-old posted $15,000 bail and was released Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. local time. E! News has reached out to Bam's agent for comment. Bam's brother Jess Margera told Page Six on Monday that the family was trying to get the stunt star help. "He's with a friend out there and we're trying to see if he wants to go to rehab or anything," said Jess. "We're trying to help him from across the country." Just last month, Bam and his wife Nicole Boyd announced the birth of their son Phoenix Wolf on social media. This is not the first time that the MTV star struggled with alcohol. He has openly spoken about hitting his "bottom." "I took a five-year hiatus from skating because I had bone spurs, so instead I was making money by doing nightclub appearances, which basically was shooting photos and taking shots with the locals," he shared with People in September 2017."So I was s -- tbag wasted every night, and eventually was like, 'This has to stop.' Once I woke up in my own puke and p�, I knew I had to cut it off." "I just reached a point where drinking got really old," he added. "I just looked at the big picture, like, 'What am I doing? I'm not doing anything, just sitting in a bar in Westchester cracking jokes with the locals.' So I stopped." Hopefully the DUI arrest will be his last and final bottom... Many of his Jackass stars have battled substance abuse and drinking problems since they hit the spotlight. Margera's former Jackass co-star Ryan Dunn died in a car crash on June 20, 2011. The wreck killed both Dunn, who was the driver, and his passenger Zachary Hartwell, a production assistant on Jackass Number Two. Following Dunn's death, a toxicology report showed Dunn had a blood alcohol level of 0.196%, more than twice the state's maximum legal limit of 0.08%. The police report also stated "speed may have been a contributing factor in the crash. He was believed to be driving between 132 and 140 miles per hour in a 55-miles per hour." In 2011, Bam spoke to E! News about the horrific event and he said, "It was pretty much the worst news I've ever heard in my life." Similarly, Johnny Knoxville has previously spoken about staging an intervention on pal Steve-O. "We'd all had our eye on Steve-O because he'd gotten to a really bad point in doing all kinds of crazy drugs," Johnny told Access Hollywood in 2010. "But [when Steve-O's] e-mails kind of hinted at [suicide]... I got 10 of our closest friends -- big guys-- and went to his house and said, 'Steve-O, you know, we're here to take you in to the rehab, or actually 5150 [medical hold],' and he goes, 'No dude, I ain't going.'" Johnny continued, "I said, 'Steve-O, if you don't go I've instructed the guys to knock you out and then we'll take you.' He's like, 'OK dude, I'll go,'" In 2016, Steve-O spoke to Kqed Arts about being eight years sober. (Eonline)

New Russell Simmons Claims Under Review By NYPD. The New York Police Department is looking into new allegations made against Russell Simmons. A statement to E! News from a detective with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner Public Information reads, "The NYPD has received information regarding allegations involving Russell Simmons in the NYC area and our detectives are in the process of reviewing that information." E! News has reached out to Simmons' attorney for comment. According to TMZ, two women filed criminal complaints alleging Simmons raped them in 1983 and 1991, respectively. The outlet reports that Sherri Hines, who first came forward with the claims in a report from the Los Angeles Times and later appeared on Megyn Kelly Today, is one of those women. Hines claims she was a teenager performing in a hip-hop group when Simmons asked her to come to his office in 1983, where he allegedly raped her. E! News has not seen the alleged complaints. At least 13 women have accused Simmons of sexual misconduct, which he's previously fought back against. "I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual," Russell said in a statement to E! News in mid-December. "I am blessed to have shared extraordinary relationships, whether through work or love, with many great women; and I have enormous respect for the women's movement worldwide and their struggle for respect, dignity, equality and power. I am devastated by any reason I may have given to anyone to say or think of me in the ways that are currently being described." He also called the allegations brought to his attention by "the New York Times and Los Angeles Times range from the patently untrue to the frivolous and hurtful." One month prior, the Def Jam co-founder announced he stepped down from his various businesses as not to "be a distraction" after screenwriter Jenny Lumet publicly accused Simmons of sexual harassment. His response to her account read in part, "While I have never been violent, I have been thoughtless and insensitive in some of my relationships over many decades and I sincerely and humbly apologize." E! News previously confirmed that the NYPD opened a preliminary investigation against Russell in early December. Russell said in a statement at the time that he "fully supports and will cooperate with the police inquiry and is confident of a swift resolution." (Eonline)

Harvey Weinstein was attacked Tuesday night at a restaurant ... TMZ has learned. Weinstein was at Elements restaurant at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Scottsdale, eating dinner with his sober coach when 2 men sat at a table next to them. One of the men -- Steve -- tells TMZ he walked up to Weinstein and told him he loved his movies and would like to take a photo with him. Steve says Weinstein became belligerent and told him to buzz off. The manager of the restaurant says Weinstein was not belligerent -- she says to the contrary he was "very sweet about it" and said, "I'd rather not take a picture right now." The manager says the two shook hands and Steve went back to his table. At around 9 PM, Weinstein and his sober coach got up to leave at the same time Steve and his dinner companion were leaving. Steve tells TMZ he had "quite a bit to drink," told his friend to fire up his cell phone and shoot video of what was about to happen. Steve says he walked up to Weinstein and said, "You're such a piece of s*** for what you did to these women," and then punched him in the face twice. He says Weinstein stumbled backward and almost fell. A restaurant manager says neither attempted punch connected, and the guy was drunk and out of control. Both sides agree ... the person who filmed the incident asked Weinstein if he wanted to call the police, but Weinstein declined and everyone left the restaurant. (TMZ)

R&B singer-songwriter Denise LaSalle dead at 78. Singer and songwriter Denise LaSalle, whose hit "Trapped by a Thing Called Love" topped the R&B charts in 1971, has died. She was 78. Musician and producer Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell, a close family friend of LaSalle's, said Tuesday that the singer died in Jackson, Tennessee. Media outlets report LaSalle suffered from health issues in recent months that resulted in the amputation of her right leg after she suffered a fall. Along with "Trapped by a Thing Called Love," she is also well known for the song "Now Run and Tell That." She had a string of successful singles in the 1970s and the early 1980s. LaSalle, a Mississippi native, founded the National Association for the Preservation of the Blues to bring more attention to the "soul/blues" style in 1986. (PageSix)

"Heavyweights" actor Joseph Wayne Miller, who played Salami Sam in the '90s hit has died ... TMZ has learned. Miller's mother, Patricia, tells us her son died in his sleep Tuesday in Chicago. We're told his girlfriend found his body. So far the cause of death is unknown ... but Patricia says he suffered from sleep apnea. Joe's character, Salami Sam, was one of the campers at Camp Hope ... a weight loss camp for kids. Miller's only notable acting credit was "Heavyweights," a classic that also starred Ben Stiller, Judd Apatow and Kenan Thompson. Miller was 36. RIP. (TMZ)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Prince William Suits Up in Scrubs for Robotic Surgery. Dr. Duke of Cambridge reporting for duty! Prince William may not have his MD, but he still got a front seat to the operating room thanks to a recent visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital. The royal future father of three, who serves as the president of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, got the chance to meet with patients and staff at the facilities in Chelsea on Wednesday. Arguably the highlight of the visit was the chance for William to observe a pioneering robotic surgery for a patient battling adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer. For the experience, the royal shed his typical attire for a pair of blue scrubs and surgical cap. All suited up, he headed into surgery to watch Professor Vinidh Paleri and his team perform the minimally invasive procedure. While he couldn't exactly try his hand at the surgery, he did get to use one of the hospital's robotic consoles. He is also expected to observe a second surgery for a patient with a tumor on their esophagus. Later in the day, William is scheduled to pay a visit to CALM, a charity aimed at preventing male suicide. William will try his hand at acting with soccer player Rio Ferdinand, musician Loyle Carner, TV presenter Roman Kemp as they collaborate on a video to be released on Friday in support of the organization's Best Man Project, which celebrates the power of friendship between men. Surgery, acting -- all in a day's work. Right, Prince William? (Eonline)

Serena Williams and Daughter Alexis Olympia Cover Vogue Together. Serena Williams' daughter knows how to strike a pose! The tennis star's 4-month-old baby girl Alexis Ohanian appear on the cover of Vogue's February 2018 issue and in an adorable pictorial. The pics, taken last month, mark the child first magazine cover and also makes Vogue history; Serena's daughter, her and her husband Alexis Ohanian's first child, is the youngest person to grace the cover. Serena appears in a red Versace dress while holding the baby, who is wearing a white bodysuit and touching her mom while making a fist almost victoriously with her other hand. In another photo for the magazine, Serena wears a pink-trimmed lavender satin Valentino dress while lying beside her daughter, who she calls Olympia. Serena also appears in another picture with her child, her mother Oracene Price and sisters, Isha Price, Venus Williams and Lyndrea Price. All the women are wearing light blue pajamas. In a fourth photo, Serena appears with her husband. During the interview, Serena, who has graced the cover of Vogue solo in the past, also talked about the harrowing aftermath of giving birth to Olympia, who was born via an emergency C-section. She said that she later experienced blood clots in her lungs, had her C-section incision pop open and underwent surgery to remove an abdominal hematoma that was caused by a blood thinner they had administered for the clots. Serena returned home after a week and was unable to get out of bed for six weeks. "Sometimes I get really down and feel like, 'Man, I can't do this,'" Serena said about motherhood. "It's that same negative attitude I have on the court sometimes." Serena has documented the great and not-so-great parts of motherhood on social media; last month, she posted about how teething is "the devil" -- for both child and mom. The cover pictorial was posted online on Wednesday, more than a week after Serena suffered an exhibition loss in her first competitive tennis match since giving birth. Last week, the tennis champion announced she is withdrawing from the annual Australian Open, saying, "After performing in my first match after giving birth I realized that although I am super close I'm not where I personally want to be." "There's something really attractive about the idea of moving to San Francisco and just being a mom," Serena told Vogue. "But not yet." She said she wants to win at least two more Grand Slams to total 25. "And actually, I think having a baby might help," she said. "When I'm too anxious I lose matches, and I feel like a lot of that anxiety disappeared when Olympia was born. Knowing I've got this beautiful baby to go home to makes me feel like I don't have to play another match. I don't need the money or the titles or the prestige. I want them, but I don't need them." (Eonline)

Angelina Jolie Brings Daughters Shiloh and Zahara Jolie-Pitt to Gala. Family night out! Angelina Jolie stepped out Tuesday evening with two special people by her side, children Zahara and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. The trio was all smiles at the National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York City, where Jolie is set to accept the Freedom of Expression Award for First They Killed My Father. The A-list movie star looked particularly elegant in a black sheer gown, while Zahara, 13, and Shiloh dressed for the occasion in black suits. The 11-year-old wore a sling on her right arm, a result of a snowboarding injury, People reports. According to the outlet, Shiloh broke her arm last month on a family vacation but is "fine." Loung Ung, who penned the memoir that inspired First They Killed My Father, also joined Jolie and her children for the event. Just days ago, Jolie called upon yet another one of her and Brad Pitt's six children to accompany her at the 2018 Golden Globes. 14-year-old Pax Jolie-Pitt, who worked as a still photographer on set, attended the star-studded ceremony on Sunday evening. A source told E! News that Pax and Angelina enjoyed the unforgettable night surrounded by some of Hollywood's brightest, including fellow nominees Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet and even Chris Hemsworth. We're told the duo then continued their celebration at Netflix's after-party. With Jolie expected to attend other events throughout the 2018 award season, fans can only hope for more red-carpet moments capturing the super proud mom and her children together. After all, it's just another day in the life for the Jolie-Pitt kiddos! (Eonline)

David Beckham's Ad Campaign for His New Grooming Products Is H-O-T. In the words of the great Derek Zoolander, "Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?" Based on David Beckham's new ad campaign, we don't have an answer to that question. This campaign is an endless supply of #MCM (read: Man Crush Monday) Instagram posts. And, here's the best part ladies and gentleman, unlike Zoolander, David isn't into competition. He wants the men in your life to be just as ridiculously good looking, and we are certainly here for that. Today, the former professional soccer player announced the launch of his new grooming line, in partnership with L'Oreal Lux: House 99. "I'm so excited to finally share House 99 with everyone around the world," the new owner stated in a press release. "I created House 99 to give people the inspiration as well as the right products to experiment and feel completely at home doing so. House 99 is here to support men, to give them the tools they need to create whatever look they are going for. Welcome to the house." The collection includes 13 products to "upgrade every step of the modern-man's routine," including David's must-haves: The Seriously Groomed Beard & Hair Balm, Smooth Back Shaping Pomade and the Greater Look Face Moisturizer. The Seriously Groomed Beard & Hair Balm is inspired by the influencer's full beard in 2015. It's a lightweight cream to condition, style and keep unruly hair in place. It can be used on hair, whether it's short or long and facial hair. Since David's pompadour has become his signature look, he's spent years looking for the right pomade. Now, he's made his own: The Smooth Back Shaping Pomade. This beauty product ensures hold and texture, designed for men with action-packed schedules. Perfect for a guy, it also promises to be humidity-proof and sweat resistant. Then, there's the Greater Look Face Moisturizer, the athlete's answer to hydrated skin. The product is loaded protein-rich spirulina and quinoa extracts to control oil production in the skin, promising a natural radiance. "For me, grooming is not only about how you look, but how you feel. It's about being comfortable trying new things and shaping your next look," he said. If ridiculously good looking is the next look for the man or woman in your life, take the gentleman's invite, and go to House 99! Products are available for purchase on March 4, exclusively at Ulta. (Eonline)

Oprah's Montecito estate caught in deadly mudslides. Oprah Winfrey's 65-acre Montecito estate has been impacted by California's devastating mudslides. "What a day!" the recent Golden Globe Cecile B. DeMille award recipient captioned an Instagram video Tuesday showing flames caused by a gas fire ravaging a nearby property. "Praying for our community again in Santa Barbara... Helicopters rescuing my neighbors. Looking for missing persons. 13 lives lost." Follow-up videos show Winfrey, 63, attempting to march through mud, which nearly rose to her knees. "The house in the back is gone," she's overheard saying as the camera pans up. The final video shows a helicopter circling above recusing people. According to Vogue, Winfrey purchased the home in 2001 and soon dubbed it the "Promised Land." It's been featured in books and on television for its lush landscape and a special dozen oak trees, which she calls the Apostles. As the Los Angeles Times reports, the deadly mudslides come weeks after the same community battled the Thomas Fire. Roughly 25 people were injured this week while some 50 people were rescued by air and several more rescued on the ground. Gigi and Bella Hadid, who hail from Santa Barbara, also shared gripping images of Montecito covered in mud and submerged under water. "My beautiful hometown of Montecito... Where my roots were placed, where my mother raised me and my family," an emotional Hadid, 21, shared. "Completely under water. I really can't believe it. I am praying and thinking so much for our friends in the hospital and their families that are still missing." (PageSix)

Leslie Jones was not happy with slow fast food order. "SNL" star Leslie Jones was in no laughing mood when a fast food burger she ordered to her swanky LA hotel was instead devilishly slow -- making her wait for over an hour, during Golden Globes weekend. Spies outside the Sunset Tower Hotel on Friday noticed a delivery guy lackadaisically moseying up to the celebrity hot spot with a bag of grub and large soda from Jack in the Box. As the guy stopped and stared skyward, Jones suddenly popped her head out of the hotel's lobby and began berating the fast food footman. Jones -- who also looked to be in her PJs -- snatched the sustenance, turned and yelled loudly through the lobby, "Stupid! Stupid!" The hotel's known as one of Hollywood's hottest haunts: Later that night at its Tower Bar, stars and VIPs gathering included Emma Stone, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Allison Williams, Avril Lavigne, Aaron Sorkin, Seth MacFarlane, newly single Jack Antonoff, Tiffany Trump with a Secret Service detail, Rev Run, power agent Richard Weitz and Laura Dern. The delivery dude told an onlooker that Jones' order was messed up because it was sent under the name "Annette Jones" -- which is Jones' given name. But a source told us Jones was only flustered because the food went to two incorrect addresses -- including the Comedy Store -- before arriving and was an hour late, even after she'd called the food delivery service and the guy four times. Low blood sugar! Jones didn't appear at the Golden Globes -- hosted by her former "SNL" co-star Seth Meyers -- but had appeared at a Scottsdale, Ariz., comedy show. Her reps did not get back to us. (Eonline)

O.J. Simpson seems pretty convinced he's NOT Khloe Kardashian's real father -- and he's banking on you buying those two magic words ... "Trust me." Juice finally addressed the conspiracy theory that's been floating around for decades ... that he secretly knocked up Kris behind Robert Kardashian's back 34 years ago -- and the family has been covering it up ever since. So, when he was out in Vegas over the weekend -- a photog asked if a congratulations were in order regarding Khloe's pregnancy. Simpson clearly understood the subtext -- and replied, "Well, for Bob, God bless his soul, yeah. I don't know for me. I don't think for me I have nothing to do with it. He added, "I would be proud ... but trust me, I had nothing to do with it." Meanwhile, watch O.J.'s daughter, Sydney, in the background -- she's CONVINCED her dad's no Kardashian creator. (TMZ)

Bethenny Frankel on Luann de Lesseps' Recent Arrest: ''We All Have Our Flaws.'' Bethenny Frankel is responding to Luann de Lesseps' current bout of personal turmoil. E! News caught up with the Real Housewives of New York City fixture at the launch of her Skinnygirl Jeans line in New York City, where she discusses her co-star's recent arrest and the hope she holds for Luann's future. Frankel says she's "been texting" Luann, adding, "She's taking care of herself. She said she's in a good place, so you know like I said, we all have our flaws. Luann's no different." She adds, "We all have high points, low points, times we feel confident, times we feel less confident and so... but I'm sorry she's not here." Over the holidays, the reality TV personality was taken into custody after allegedly kicking a police officer while intoxicated at a hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. According to a police report obtained by E! News, authorities responded to a report of an intoxicated female at the hotel who had trespassed in someone's room with a man. A friend who spoke to Page Six identified that individual as de Lesseps' ex-boyfriend. She has since entered a not guilty plea on charges of battery on an officer, disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest with violence and corruption by threat against a public servant. Luann issued an apology following the incident, and announced her plans to enter an alcohol treatment center. To that detail Frankel tells E! News, "I don't talk about anybody else's stuff. I appreciate my privacy, so i appreciate hers." "This was my first time in Palm Beach since my wedding, and being here brought up long-buried emotions," Luann had said in a statement to E! News after being released from custody. "I want to offer my sincere apologies to anyone I might have offended with my behavior. I am committed to transformative and hopeful 2018." A source previously told E! News that Bravo and de Lesseps' cast mates have reached out with offers of support and to see how they can help. (Eonline)

G-Eazy Ends Partnership With H&M Over Racially Insensitive Advertising. Rapper G-Eazy has taken to social media on Tuesday to announce that he's cut ties with ended with Swedish clothing manufacturer H&M over an advertisement and item of clothing labeled by many as racially insensitive. Over the weekend, the retailer sparked outrage after an ad depicting a black child model in a sweatshirt that read "Coolest Monkey in the Jungle." The "No Limit" performer proved he had at least one when he released a statement on Tuesday condemning H&M's choice and also to say that his upcoming collab with the company had been called off. "Over the past months I was genuinely excited about launching my upcoming line and collaboration with H&M," wrote the rapper. "Unfortunately, after seeing the disturbing image yesterday, my excitement over our global campaign quickly evaporated, and I've decided at this time our partnership needs to end." The music man added, "Whether an oblivious oversight or not, it's truly sad and disturbing that in 2018 something so racially and culturally insensitive could pass by the eyes of so many (stylist, photographer, creative and marketing teams) and be deemed acceptable." The outspoken star made his stance clear: "I can't allow for my name and brand to be associated with a company that could let this happen. I hope that this situation will serve as the wakeup call that H&M and other companies need to get on track and become racially and culturally aware, as well as more diverse at every level." In a statement obtained by E! News on Monday, H&M Media Relations apologized for the advertisement as well as the product: "We understand that many people are upset about the image. We, who work at H&M, can only agree. We are deeply sorry that the picture was taken, and we also regret the actual print. Therefore, we have not only removed the image from our channels, but also the garment from our product offering globally." "It is obvious that our routines have not been followed properly," H&M concluded. "This is without any doubt. We will thoroughly investigate why this happened to prevent this type of mistake from happening again." The sweatshirt is no longer available online. G-Eazy x H&M was slated to be available in stores and online on March 1. G-Eazy joins The Weeknd, Diddy, LeBron James, and many more who have spoken out about H&M's "disrespectful" choice. (Eonline)

Patty Hearst was a rape victim and it's deplorable to run a movie or television show viciously attacking her ... this according to her family. Hearst family sources tell TMZ ... Patty's relatives are beside themselves over the upcoming film and TV docuseries based on the book, "American Heiress" by Jeffrey Toobin. The film and TV series paint Patty as a woman who embraced her captors and then tried to manipulate the system during her trial. The family says Toobin's sources for the book are sketchy ... notably Bill Harris, one of Patty's captors, and Steve Weed, her former fiance who himself was disgraced. Our sources say the best evidence that these projects are hit pieces is how they downplay Patty Hearst's rape ... which set the stage for a harrowing 19 months of captivity. To minimize rape, they say, is appalling but not surprising in a project driven by men. According to family sources, "When you strip it away in the midst of all this #TimesUp, #MeToo and 'listen to the victim' they are essentially saying she loved it. She was asking for it." We're told the family's stance is this -- "They are making a victim who suffered, and still suffers, culpable for her trauma while showing a blatant disregard for the victim and the human aspect of the story. This is another example of men trivializing women." (TMZ)

One of Donald Trump's attorneys claims the so-called "dossier" that attempts to tie him and the Prez to Russian officials is total BS ... so much so, he's suing the news outlet that posted it. Michael Cohen is suing Buzzfeed over its Jan. 10, 2017 article headlined, "These Reports Allege Trump Has Deep Ties to Russia." The reports, purportedly gathered by a former British intelligence agent, were referred to as the infamous dossier. According to the suit, obtained by TMZ, Cohen is particularly pissed about the dossier claim he used his wife's and her father's Russian ties -- she was born in the Ukraine -- in order to set up a meeting with a Russian property developer. Cohen denies the allegations. He also refutes the dossier report claiming he met with Russian officials while in the Czech Republic. Cohen says he's never even been to the country. In docs, Cohen says even though Buzzfeed admitted the "collection of memos" contained unverified information ... it still defamed him merely by republishing the bogus information. Cohen calls the reports a collection of "muckraking statements" designed to harm his reputation, and connect him to alleged criminal contact between the Trump administration and Russian officials. (TMZ)

Music

Foo Fighters Will Perform at the Brit Awards For the First Time. There goes my hero: Foo Fighters, the multi-platinum, festival-headlining, stadium superstars will perform on the Brit Awards stage next month for the very first time. The Foos will bring the rock to this year's program, which includes previously-announced performers Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Sam Smith and Stormzy. Expect the band to deliver a proper crowd-pleasing moment on the night. Dave Grohl and Co. headlined Glastonbury Festival last year, and they've landed four U.K. chart-topping albums and as many Brit Awards. But, inexplicably, they've never played at Britain's annual industry gala. The band scored another No. 1 album in the U.K. when Concrete and Gold debuted at the summit last September, following chart leaders with One by One (2002), Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) and Wasting Light (2011). The U.S. rockers also collected Brit Awards for international album in 2008 and international group in 2008, 2012 and 2015. "Quite remarkably they have never performed at the Brits, so I am over the moon to confirm a massive Brits exclusive to have them grace our stage," comments Brits chairman & CEO and chairman of Sony Music U.K. & Ireland Jason Iley in a statement issued Wednesday. The 2018 Brit Awards will held Feb. 21 at London's O2 Arena. More performers for the annual industry gala will be announced in the days and weeks ahead, while the full list of nominations will be revealed this Saturday (Jan. 13) during the "BRITs Are Coming" special on ITV. (Billboard)

The show won't go on: Celine forced to cancel another concert. That's the way it is. Celine Dion was forced to cancel her show at Caesars Palace on Tuesday for the second time this week while she recovers from "inflammation of the throat." "Her doctor has instructed her to take one more day of rest in order to fully recover," a statement from the venue reads. We were told on Monday, after the singer canceled her Saturday show, that she was just feeling "under the weather." She's expected to be back on stage for her performance on Friday night. Fans took to Twitter to wish her a speedy recovery. "Get well my queen. We love u!" one fan tweeted on Tuesday. Another added, "Get well soon & take all the time you need!" (PageSix)

Bruno Mars & Cardi B, Kesha, Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee to Perform at 2018 Grammys. Music's biggest night just got even bigger, as more performers were announced Wednesday (Jan. 10). Bruno Mars and Cardi B will be bringing their remix of "Finesse" to the Grammy stage when the 60th Annual awards come back to New York City on Sunday Jan. 28. Along with Bruno and Cardi, the Recording Academy revealed that 2018 Grammy nominees Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, Kesha, and SZA will also join the roster. In addition, Alessia Cara, Khalid and Logic will team up for a performance, taking the stage with a group of suicide attempt and loss survivors in a special performance of "1-800-273-8255." Previously announced performers include Childish Gambino, Lady Gaga, Little Big Town, Patti LuPone, P!nk, and Ben Platt. The show will be hosted by award-winning television personality and performer James Corden and will be broadcasted live on CBS at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. (Billboard)

Zedd Shares a Highlight Reel Looking Back on 'Amazing' 2017. As we all get settled into the new year, it's not too late to still look back on how 2017 treated you. Zedd has done just that, posting a year-in-review video Wednesday (Jan. 9) highlighting some of his best moments of last year. The Russian-German producer tweeted, "Happy belated new year. Here's a little 2017 recap from my side." The accompanying video, directed by Yoder Productions, shows a montage of Zedd's many performances from the last year, featuring his huge stage set. Zedd narrates as the video goes on, first mentioning that it was one of the best years of his life -- but it came with some challenges. "Professionally and personally, 2017 was an amazing year for me. I've played some of the biggest shows of my life, and released some of the biggest songs of my career," he said. "But I've also experienced a lot of challenges along the way, from our stage production not fitting into certain venues, to singers jumping off songs at the last second." He went on to preach that staying positive is one of the most important things you can do, in the good and the bad. Zedd will head off on the Asian leg of his Echo Tour -- with "Starving" collaborator Grey supporting -- in March. He is also set to perform at Shaun White's 2018 Air + Style festival at Exposition Park at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Billboard)

Daya's Dramatic Performance of 'New' on 'The Late Late Show'. Singer-songwriter Daya returned to the Late Late Show stage Tuesday (Jan. 9) night to perform her latest hit "New" for the Stage 56 audience and viewers at home. Starting off on the piano, the singer used her incredible and powerful vocals to swoon the crowd before jumping to her feet and grabbing the microphone to drive the uplifting song to a dramatic finish. "New" marks Daya's first song released under Interscope Records after a split from her independent label Artbeatz. Back in October, Daya told Billboard how she has "grown so much emotionally and mentally," before adding "it's crazy that only a year later, all of these changes are made and all of these new songs are ready, and I'm signed to a major label. It feels like I've lived 10 lives in the past year." (Billboard)

Movies

Michelle Williams was reportedly paid less than one percent of what her costar Mark Wahlberg received for reshoots on their film All the Money in the World. USA Today reported on Tuesday, January 9, that Wahlberg was paid $1.5 million for reshooting his scenes for the film about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, while Williams received less than $1,000. The Washington Post reported back in November that Wahlberg was paid at least $2 million for 10 days of work. Director Ridley Scott did reshoots on the film after Christopher Plummer was hired to take the place of Kevin Spacey, who was dropped from the movie after accusations of sexual misconduct by a number of men. Williams, who plays the kidnapped boy's mother in the film, previously told USA Today that when Scott's team called her to return to the set, "I said I'd be wherever they needed me, whenever they needed me. And they could have my salary, they could have my holiday, whatever they wanted. Because I appreciated so much that they were making this massive effort." The newspaper reports that she was paid an $80 per diem totaling less than $1,000. Scott told USA Today in December that the reshoot, which reportedly cost $10 million, was possible because "everyone did it for nothing." "They all came in free," he said. "Christopher had to get paid. But Michelle, no. Me, no." Williams' close friend Busy Philipps spoke out on Twitter in defense of her pal on Tuesday, retweeting commenters who shared the USA Today story and describing the report as "UNACCEPTABLE" and "SHAMEFUL." (US Weekly)

NY Times cancels James Franco event due to 'recent allegations'. A New York Times event featuring James Franco, who won a Best Actor Golden Globe Sunday, has been canceled, two days after Franco was accused on social media of sexual misconduct. The TimesTalk event planned for Wednesday in New York would have featured Franco and his younger brother, Dave, who both starred in "The Disaster Artist," the film that earned James his Globe. "The event was intended to be a discussion of the making of the film, 'The Disaster Artist.' Given the controversy surrounding recent allegations, we're no longer comfortable proceeding in that vein," the New York Times said in an emailed statement to Variety. Franco on Sunday followed the lead of many actors who wore pins pledging their support for the Time's Up movement, a multi-pronged campaign to address sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The events at the Golden Globes, however, seemed to prompt a few women to accuse Franco on Twitter of inappropriate behavior. Actress Violet Paley wrote on Twitter on Sunday: "Remember the time you pushed my head down in a car towards your exposed penis & that other time you told my friend to come to your hotel when she was 17? After you had already been caught doing that to a different 17-year old?" On Tuesday, she wrote that Franco had called to offer an "an overdue, annoyed, convenient phone 'apology.'" She added: "I don't accept, but maybe some other people's lives would be made easier if he donated all of his earnings from 'The Disaster Artist' to @RAINN01," a nonprofit group that supports survivors of sexual abuse. Another woman, Sarah Tither-Kaplan, accused Franco of exploiting her in a film she made for him. "Remember a few weeks ago when you told me the full nudity you had me do in two of your movies for $100/day wasn't exploitative because I signed a contract to do it? Times up on that!" she tweeted. "I 100% did not feel like I had a choice to say no." Tither-Kaplan was a former student of Franco. A representative for TimesTalks did not immediately respond to a request for clarification. Phone calls to Paley and representatives for Franco were also not immediately returned. (PageSix)

Greta Gerwig has vowed not to work with Woody Allen again-something many stars have avoided taking a definitive position on. The Lady Bird writer and director, 34, spoke out about working with Allen, 82, and the controversy surrounding him after decades of sexual misconduct allegations in a The New York Times op-ed on Tuesday. When the Times asked Gerwig and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin if Kevin Spacey, Roman Polanski or Allen would ever work again, Gerwig directed her answer to Allen, who she worked with on 2012's To Rome With Love. "I would like to speak specifically to the Woody Allen question which I have been asked about a couple of times recently, as I worked for him on a film that came out in 2012," the Golden Globe winner said. "It is something that I take very seriously and have been thinking deeply about, and it has taken me time to gather my thoughts and say what I mean to say." She continued, "I can only speak for myself and what I've come to is this: If I had known then what I know now, I would not have acted in the film. I have not worked for him again, and I will not work for him again." A representative for Allen did not immediately PEOPLE's request for comment. Gerwig said she didn't come to the decision lightly, revealing she deeply analyzed the allegations surrounding the director. "Dylan Farrow's two different pieces made me realize that I increased another woman's pain, and I was heartbroken by that realization," she said. "I grew up on his movies, and they have informed me as an artist, and I cannot change that fact now, but I can make different decisions moving forward." Farrow, Allen's daughter, responded to Gerwig's statement on Twitter, writing, "Greta, thank you for your voice. Thank you for your words. Please know they are deeply felt and appreciated." Gerwig recently tried to side-step a question about working with Allen in the press room at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night. When asked if she regretted working with Allen on the 2012 film To Rome with Love, Gerwig said, "It's something that I've thought deeply about." "Well, you know, I'm so thrilled to be here tonight as a writer and director and creator, and to be making my own movies and putting that forth," she said, visibly flustered. "You know, it's something that I've thought deeply about and I care deeply about, and I haven't had an opportunity to have an in-depth discussion where I come down on one side or the other." In 2014, Farrow-who is one of the star's three children with ex Mia Farrow -- publicly claimed that Allen molested her as a child. Allen adamantly denied Dylan's claims at the time. His son Ronan Farrow also penned an explosive column for the Hollywood Reporter, which addressed the sexual abuse claims and condemned the media for not asking Allen about the allegations and stars for working with him. In response, Allen told The Guardian, "I have no interest in all of that. I find that all tabloid stupidity." Gerwig's costar in To Rome with Love, Ellen Page, published a lengthy Facebook post in November, saying working with Allen was the "biggest regret" of her career. "I did a Woody Allen movie and it is the biggest regret of my career," Page, 30, wrote. "I am ashamed I did this. I had yet to find my voice and was not who I am now and felt pressured, because 'of course you have to say yes to this Woody Allen film.' Ultimately, however, it is my choice what films I decide to do and I made the wrong choice. I made an awful mistake." (People)

Vin Diesel stiffed the producer of the latest chapter of his 'xXx' movies ... according to a new lawsuit filed against the movie star. George Zakk says he was hired as an executive producer for "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage" ... which was released in January 2017. Zakk says he was supposed to get an on-screen credit for his work on the film, plus a salary of $200k. However, he says when the movie was released he got no credit, nor was he paid a dime. Zakk had sued Vin for this before the movie came out, but the judge sent him packing ... saying the lawsuit lacked necessary details. Looks like Zakk is back. He's now suing for more than $2 million. (TMZ)

How the #MeToo Movement Could Kill Some Sexy Hollywood Movies. With 'Fifty Shades Freed' poised to hit theaters as the town navigates the post-Harvey Weinstein landscape, an early casualty of the climate shift may be big-screen erotica -- unless it has a feminist spin: "With this current climate, I don't think the appetite is ripe." When Universal releases Fifty Shades Freed on Feb. 9, it will close the final chapter on the S&M trilogy that already has earned nearly $1 billion worldwide. The third installment marks a happily-ever-after ending for kinky couple Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. But it also may prove to be the finale for studio-financed sex-fueled films. As Hollywood begins to navigate the #MeToo landscape, one of the first casualties appears to be big-screen erotica. In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, studios are steering clear of sex. The Bradley Cooper-helmed A Star Is Born remake at Warner Bros. has morphed from steamy to something far more chaste, say insiders. The Hugh Hefner biopic that once was set up at Warner Bros. is all but dead -- even without the now-disgraced Brett Ratner at the helm. ("What's going to happen to the poor girls when they go in for that audition?" asks Rae Dawn Chong, one of several actresses who came forward accusing Steven Seagal of sexually harassing her. "What carnage and sexual trauma?") And lit agents and managers, who typically have their finger on the pulse of what is in demand at the majors, are telling their clients, "Not now," when it comes to overtly sexual material. ("With this current climate, I don't think the appetite is ripe," says one.) Even the indies -- long the bastion of edgy material -- are getting skittish. A24 was poised to begin production in February on a $5 million James Franco-produced stripper/prostitute travelogue titled Zola Tells All(complete with a 15-year-old Russian prostitute), but it is currently described by an A24 spokesperson as "in development." The pendulum is swinging so far, some fear, that it will create artistic repercussions. "My concern in this zero-tolerance climate is that there can be a chilling effect on creativity because individuals may become unwilling to put themselves in situations that could be misinterpreted or misconstrued," says Marc Simon, an entertainment attorney who produced After Innocence, about wrongful conviction, but also advocated for his clients like sexual-assault doc The Hunting Ground's Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering. Even before Weinstein's epic fall in October, studios had become more wary of sex onscreen, given that China balks at such content (neither Fifty Shades of Grey nor Fifty Shades Darker was released in the all-important market) and onscreen copulation is a nonstarter in many places from the Middle East to Indonesia to India (the latter nixed Fifty Shades of Grey, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Magic Mike XXL). When it comes out Feb. 9, Fifty Shades Freed, starring Jamie Dornan, will close the book on the S&M trilogy -- and perhaps on sex-fueled studio films. Back in 2012, when Fifty Shades of Grey was optioned by Universal in a bidding war, the losing studios were clamoring for their own edgy property to rival EL James' best-selling trilogy. Sony nabbed L.S. Hilton's Maestra, which features a heroine with a penchant for X-rated sex, for producer Amy Pascal, but has more recently jettisoned the project to its TV division. Audrey Carlan's novel Calendar Girl, about a woman who becomes a high-priced escort to help pay off her father's gambling debts, was dubbed the next Fifty Shades but went straight to the small-screen development pool at ABC Signature. "The studios and the financiers are going to be conscientious of putting something out there that could alienate audiences and restrict the potentiality of the film," says producer David Permut (Hacksaw Ridge), referring to both #MeToo and international box-office considerations. Permut, who made movies within the studio system for decades, couldn't find traditional financing for two of his upcoming films that deal with sexual storylines (I Am Chippendales with Ben Stiller and Dev Patel and Russ & Roger Go Beyond, which chronicles the unlikely friendship between sexploitation director Russ Meyer and film critic Roger Ebert, a Meyer devotee who wrote the screenplay for his Beyond the Valley of the Dolls). Instead, both are being financed independently. As the studio film world becomes less welcoming of even a hint of sexual content, indie financiers like Bold Films, which is backing Chippendales and a Gary Hart-Donna Rice scandal pic, are picking up the slack, as are TV networks like HBO (porn industry drama The Deuce was renewed for a second season in September). Material that features empowered participants -- like Maggie Gyllenhaal's prostitute turned entrepreneur Deuce protagonist -- are particularly attractive in the post-Harvey environment. Chippendales and Russ & Roger also offer a spin on the victimized-female motif in their depictions of sexuality. "[Meyer] was a feminist director," Permut explains. "There were strong women in his movies, and they were empowered. So I think there's an advantage in telling that story in this climate. Same for the Chippendales story. It's the birth of the first strip club exclusively for women." And at least one writer, All the Money in the World's David Scarpa, is hoping to bring sexy back to the majors. He tells THR that his script for Sony's long-gestating Cleopatra remake will feature an old-school bacchanal. "Dirty, bloody, lots of people swearing and having sex and all of that," he says. "Just going the opposite direction from the way we think that movie is going to go." And perhaps the opposite direction from the way the industry is going in general. (Hollywood Reporter)

Russia Box Office: Patriotic Basketball Drama Scores, Beats 'Jumanji'. 'Going Vertical' focuses on the Soviet team's 1972 Olympic basketball victory over the U.S. Patriotic Russian drama Dvizheniye Vverkh (Going Vertical), focused on the 1972 Olympic basketball victory of the Soviet team in the final against the U.S., became the box-office champion of the long New Year's holidays in Russia, beating Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and other Hollywood releases. Released by Central Partnership on Dec. 28, Going Vertical has grossed 1.4 billion rubles ($24.5 million) through Tuesday and, according to local trade journal Exhibitor's Bulletin, has the chance to become the highest-grossing homemade movie of all time. The basketball drama beat Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, which brought in $21.5 million since Dec. 21, as well as the most recent installment in the New Year's-themed Yolki franchise, produced by Timur Bekmambetov's Bazelevs ($15.4 million). Rounding out the top five films in Russia for the Dec. 21-Jan. 8 period were homemade animated film Three Knights and the Egyptian Princess ($12.6 million) and Star Wars: Episode VIII-The Last Jedi, which was released earlier in December and ended up with $16.2 million. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales was 2017's highest-grossing movie in Russia ($40.3 million), followed by Disney's Russian-language movie The Last Knight ($29.5 million) and Fate of the Furious ($29.1 million). Going Vertical would currently be seventh in the total box-office ranking for films released in Russia in 2017, although in the country's official rankings, it will only be on the list for 2018 as most of its run falls into the current year. A homemade movie that made the country's official top 10 for 2017 was Fyodor Bondarchuk's Attraction, which landed in eighth place with $18.6 million. (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

The Walking Dead deals with another major loss: This week's cover. The Walking Dead concluded its midseason finale with the show's biggest shocker yet. As if the Saviors escaping, the Kingdom getting wiped out, and Alexandria being blown up wasn't bad enough, it was revealed in the episode's final moments that Carl had been bitten by a zombie, signaling his imminent death and actor Chandler Riggs' departure from the show. The decision to kill Carl is certainly the greatest deviation yet from the comic on which the show is based. Not only is Carl one of just five original characters still on the AMC hit -- and another one of those, Lennie James' Morgan, will be leaving by the end of the season to move over to Fear the Walking Dead -- but he remains a major figure in the comic book. EW looks at the decision to kill Carl and what it means for those who live on -- like Rick, Daryl, and Maggie -- in our latest Walking Dead cover story. While Carl's journey will end with the Feb. 25 midseason premiere, the character's influence on the survivors will linger long after he's gone. "He's definitely leaving behind a really long-lasting legacy," says Riggs, "which was the coolest part about playing those final moments -- knowing that Carl was going to have such a lasting impact on the story." Showrunner Scott M. Gimple concurs, noting that, "Carl's presence is felt very deeply throughout the story. It's a critical aspect of the season." Especially when it comes to Carl's father Rick. "The back half [of the season] is him trying to live through the unbelievable pain, in the middle of a war, and trying to reconcile this loss with what he's fighting for," says Andrew Lincoln of his character. "This is his worst nightmare being realized." And expect the evolution of Daryl Dixon -- who repeatedly went rogue in the first half of the season -- to continue as well. "There's some really good Daryl stuff coming up with some of the characters he's been going toe-to-toe with," promises Norman Reedus. "I love the way some of those stories get wrapped in the end. There's a real beauty to it. It's not exactly the way that you think. It wraps up in a very poetic way." To read all about what's in store when The Walking Dead returns -- as well as get your first photos and intel on the four new characters on Fear the Walking Dead (including Morgan) -- pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly. (Entertainment Weekly)

Inside This Is Us' "Explosive" Therapy Session and What Comes Next. Phew, anyone else feel like they just left an intense therapy session? This Is Us' winter return on Tuesday night proved to be one of the NBC hit's most emotional and raw outings yet. And you know that's saying something when every single episode makes us cry as it is. Following Kevin's (Justin Hartley) DUI in the fall finale, we learn he was ordered to go to rehab, with the Pearsons visiting him at his treatment center after 30 days. But Rebecca (Mandy Moore), Randall (recent Golden Globe winner Sterling K. Brown) and Kate (Chrissy Metz) soon find themselves in an intense therapy session that gets downright ugly...and it was beautiful to watch. During the therapy session, led by Scandal's Kate Burton as Kevin's therapist, Kevin admits to always feeling like the family's fifth wheel and like he wasn't "enough," leading to his various addictions to try and fill that void. "I always saw him as this guy that tried to fill that void, that very real void, you know, not having been paid attention to or the love or the loss of his father," Hartley says in the This Is Us Aftershow, "he fills it with all these ridiculous things that of course are not going to do much for him. I always saw him as a much deeper person. Sometimes it looks like a cry-baby or a complainer, in my opinion, it's more like he's a tough guy." Of course, addiction runs in the Pearson family, as viewers have seen Jack (Milo Ventmiglia) struggle with alcoholism. Still, Rebecca is "totally blindsided" when Kevin brings up his late father's issues, Moore says. "I think Rebecca is totally blindsided by the whole experience," she explains. "I don't think in her wildest imagination that she ever thought Jack would be brought into it and alcoholism and addiction. I think that was just beyond her scope of understanding of what the actual situation was." The intense therapy session reaches its breaking point when Kevin calls out Rebecca for loving Randall the most, and after some pressure, Rebecca admits he was "just easier," and then drops a bombshell: she feels Randall was her only child that didn't abandon her after Jack's death. "That's family, man," Hartley says of the way the Pearsons spoke to each other in the episode, while the episode's writer Vera Herbert adds, "The air needed to be let out. They had to say those things and then from that they can pick up the pieces and now they have a better understanding of each other." Viewers can expect the therapy session's revelations to impact the rest of the season, as Herbert previews, "It's a family that always has the best of intentions. They root for each other. So now that they know what these issues are it's going to be, the rest of the season, watching them try to navigate those relationships with each other and try to do the best by each other that they can." This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC. (Eonline)

Gianni Versace's family is livid and disgusted at everyone who contributed in the TV re-creation of the bloody murder scene. Our Versace family sources say they can't believe the current owners of Gianni's Miami Beach mansion -- now the Villa Casa Casuarina -- gave full access to producers of "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." In particular they're appalled the show was able to dramatize the death scene on the very steps Gianni was gunned down. We're told Donatella is still devastated over her brother's death and believes Gianni was so private he never would have wanted the grizzly murder exploited for a TV movie. As we reported ... filming began at the now luxury hotel back in May where 'ACS' set up shop for almost an entire month. The family tells TMZ they didn't sign off on the project and had no involvement in the production, and they feel there are enough inaccuracies that the miniseries should be considered a work of fiction. Donatella has already said she will NOT watch the show. That said, we're told family friends have already screened the first episode and were APPALLED to watch the horrifying murder. The family plans no legal action ... fact is, it's virtually impossible to win a case like this. We have reached out to the Villa Casa Casuarina ... so far no word back. (TMZ)

Sean Hayes stars as the hilarious and confident gay man Jack McFarland on NBC's Will & Grace. In the sitcom's second go-around, his character attempted to break out his gay grandson from conversion camp, and coached the child on embracing his true self. But growing up, Hayes didn't always have that kind of support from his own family. "I kept it hidden, the fact that I was in high school plays, from my brothers and my family because this is 1986, being gay then was different," the actor, 47, tells PEOPLE's Editor-in-Chief Jess Cagle in the latest episode of The Jess Cagle Interview (streaming now on People TV). "I kind of knew I was, but not quite yet. I associated, like society taught me, that theater was for gays, and it was for sissies, and things like that. Things that you were taught to be ashamed of." It wasn't until Hayes was 18 that he told his family he's gay. "It was 1988 when I came out," he recalls. "It's so cliche that it was during Thanksgiving weekend. My mom said I needed to go see a therapist. She wrote me a 10-page letter, both sides on legal pad size paper. 'This is not what God ... ' You know, the whole uneducated view of it." But eventually, she came around. "She became educated and had friends who [were] gay people," Hayes says. "She was like, 'Oh I see. You're just like me,' and all that. It became fine and wonderful, and then she became so supportive and awesome." Now, Hayes -- married to composer Scott Icenogle since 2014 -- feels glad that LGBTQ youth can use his show as a frame of reference. "If you don't have the words to explain it to your family, you can say, 'Like Will & Grace,' or 'Like Ellen DeGeneres,' " or whosever out in a public," the Chicago native says. "There's so many more examples now to help people and give them tools to communicate to kids and their families that being gay is as normal as being straight. There's no difference." Will & Grace airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. (People)

"American Idol" producers are making a HUGE mistake by cutting bad auditions from the new version of the show ... so says the king of bad auditions, William Hung! We spoke to Hung shortly after news dropped of the new format ... to go with the all-new judges panel of Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. While producers feel those ear-splitting, glass-cutting attempts at singing make the show seem fake ... William says it's AI's calling card. In fact, he says 'Idol' lost one of the few things that makes it stand out from all the other singing talent shows -- and the proof will be in the ratings. Hung. Still banging ... on TV producers. (TMZ)

Mary Hart Reveals Her Own Pay Disparity Dispute: "I Lasted, He Didn't." Decades before Catt Sadler exited 'E! News' after learning that her male co-anchor was earning nearly twice her salary, the longtime 'Entertainment Tonight' host faced a similar situation, she tells THR. Catt Sadler's headline-making exit from E! News on Dec. 19 -- quitting after she learned that co-anchor Jason Kennedy was earning nearly twice her salary -- isn't the first time pay-equity issues have landed on an entertainment news anchor desk. Mary Hart, who had a legendary 29-year run on Entertainment Tonight from 1982 to 2011, tells THR she had a similar experience early on in her career. "I had one male counterpart who really wanted to make sure I knew he made a lot more money than me," says Hart, 67, who would only reveal that this situation occurred in the '70s or '80s. "But we didn't work together for long." So what happened? "I lasted and he didn't," Hart explains, adding that what did linger was questions about how men and women were treated differently in the workplace. "Once he was gone, I felt like it was pretty even-steven after that. But there were lots and lots of conversations that you need to have. Nice, civil conversations. It's still a huge issue across the board, and gender equality is something that we are finally addressing in a very honest, and kind of painful way." When Hart retired from ET, she reportedly was earning $5 million a year, which would have made her the highest-paid host in the entertainment news biz. (Hollywood Reporter)

As 'Modern Family' Hits 200 Episodes, Creators Plot the End (and Maybe a Spinoff) Showrunners Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd talk getting political, when the show will end, potential spinoffs and more. As the number of shows on television increases year after year -- more than 400 series aired in 2017 -- episode orders are getting shorter and shorter. Which makes it all the more remarkable that Modern Family, ABC's longest-running comedy, has been on the air for nine seasons. The series is celebrating its 200th episode on Jan. 10, and it could be one of the last comedies to ever reach that milestone. "I often joke to cast members as we introduce our 198th episode that if we were on Netflix, we would be in our 25th season and Manny would be in his early 40s by this point," co-creator Christopher Lloyd told The Hollywood Reporter at the cake-cutting ceremony for the landmark episode. "I think it's a point of pride for us that we can still do quality work in a 24-episode season. In fact, I think there's been a little bit of maybe a rush to reject network television in favor of the Netflix and Amazon series and cable series, as though network stuff is nothing but commercial. I think we still do put out a good product and we challenge ourselves to keep the quality of the show up." "It's thrilling for us. When we made the first one, if we were expressing our wildest dreams, we'd get to 100, not 200, so it's very exciting," he adds. "When we had our table read for the 200th, I felt there was a genuine sense of pride and excitement and achievement that we have made it this far and everybody still cares and wants to keep the show good." After 11 seasons and more than 250 episodes of Fox's Married...With Children, star Ed O'Neill never expected to join a new series -- especially not one that could last another decade. "I was the only actor on the show that did every single episode," he told THR of his time on the Fox comedy. "I said many times after Married I would never do another half-hour situation comedy. I wasn't going to do it. When I first had a meeting with [Lloyd and co-creator Steve Levitan], I said, 'I'm not doing it. I wish you all the best of luck.'" Obviously, O'Neill relented, and the ensemble cast -- featuring the Emmy-winning Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet and the Emmy-nominated Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sofia Vergara -- came together. When the show premiered in 2009, it was lauded for its diversity -- it featured a married gay couple -- and Lloyd said he hoped if he and Levitan pitched the show in 2017, it would come together in the same way. "You know, things have come pretty far, pretty fast. It's amusing to me that a show that was sort of celebrated for pushing diversity -- we had a gay couple, my god! in the same show with a mixed marriage, etc. -- now we get accused for not being diverse enough. Well, that changed fast. We were the poster children for the way to do it right only a few years ago, and now we're the demons in some people's eyes," he says. "But I think really what makes the show work is that there's careful writing that's a good mix of earned comedy moments and earned emotional moments, and it's performed impeccably. That never goes out of fashion." Something else that's timeless is the universality of the stories. "The one thing that never fails to amaze me is that we're in 200 countries around the world. I've heard from people in the farthest stretches of the earth, and they say, 'Oh my god, I love that story when -- ,' and that was a story that's taken directly from my life or one of our writers' lives," Levitan says. "It just goes to show you that families are families, and that you may live in different sized houses or drive fancier cars or you may live in a big city or in a small town, but families are families. We all want what's best for our kids. The world is changing, our kids are struggling with some of the same things all over the world. So, the more specific you can make it to your own unique experiences, the more it resonates with people because they're going through the same exact thing." After a year in which political comedy has transformed the television landscape thanks to an unprecedented administration in the White House, there is a temptation to get a little more overtly political. But Levitan and Lloyd said it's not something they think is in the cards for Modern Family. "Our mission here has always been to make people laugh and to make them feel something," Levitan says. "But if our mission had been to change hearts and minds, then I think would do it exactly the same way -- get an audience to fall in love with these characters. Show an audience that people like Mitch and Cam, for example, are more like them than they realize, get them to fall in love with them, and suddenly, they realize, 'Oh, it's harder for me to hate or discriminate against people who are different than me.'" And while it's tempting to address something like, say, a tax bill that would eliminate the adoption tax credit -- an issue that would directly affect Mitch and Cam if they were to decide to have another child, and Levitan has said he's thought about it -- it's not something people look for in Modern Family. "We try to be really subtle with that. There are films that are wonderful for that. We just try to be a little bit more universal, a little bit more timeless, and a little bit subtler," he says. "It would nice for people to be able to watch the show in 20 years and they're not saying, 'Oh my god, there's a Trump joke.'" While ABC renewed the show for a 10th season, Levitan and Lloyd confirmed that, as of now, that will be its last. (ABC and producers 20th Century Fox Television would have to ink the large cast to new, expensive deals should they want the show to go on to an 11th season.) "Our plan is to end it at 10. If we can leave with most of our audience wanting more, I think that's the right way to do it. Never say never, but I just can't imagine that we'd go past that," Levitan says. The idea of a spinoff has been posed -- ABC toyed with the idea in 2013 but nothing came of it -- and the showrunners say it's not something they have had "substantive conversations about," Levitan says. Lloyd, however, can see the benefit of doing a spinoff thanks to the audience interest in many members of the show's ensemble cast, it's something they will address as the show begins to wrap up. And while it's still more than a year away, Lloyd says they have begun to form some "loose ideas" about how to end the series. "We went through these questions on Frasier, when we brought that around after 11 seasons and sort of said, 'Well, the Shakespearean route on that is a birth, a death or a wedding,' and we managed to effectively do all three in the final episode," Lloyd says. "So it may be some conversation that starts there, but we haven't figured out the episode we're doing three weeks from now. It's just a little over a year and a half from now. We've got time to think about that." Modern Family airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC. (Hollywood Reporter)

Netflix Orders Supernatural Drama 'Chambers'. The 10-episode series was created by Leah Rachel and developed at Super Deluxe. Netflix is getting into business with digital-centric media company Super Deluxe. The streamer has given a 10-episode order to supernatural drama Chambers, which was developed by the Turner Broadcasting-owned brand. Chambers will tell the story of a heart attack survivor who becomes focused on the mystery of the heart that saved her life. The more she learns about her donor's sudden death, the more she starts to take on the characteristics of the deceased. The series was created by Leah Rachel, who will also executive produce alongside Stephen Gaghan for Super Deluxe. Akela Cooper (Grimm, The 100) will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Turner relaunched the Super Deluxe brand in 2015. The company, which is run by Wolfgang Hammer, operates independently out of a downtown Los Angeles office and has focused on shortform and live video for its own website as well as platforms including YouTube and Facebook. Super Deluxe has helped Branden Miller turns his Joanne the Scammer Instagram character into a series on YouTube and worked with Parenthood star Sarah Ramos on web series City Girl. Meanwhile, it has begun to push into more traditional TV formats with projects such as This Close, about a pair of deaf best friends who navigate life together, for streaming service Sundance Now. It also recently teamed with TBS to create a late-night block of programming. Rachel is repped by WME, Anonymous Content and Greg Slewett of Bloom Hergott; Gaghan is repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson; and Cooper is repped by ICM Partners, Rise Management and attorney Gregg Gellman. (Hollywood Reporter)

'Snowpiercer' Reboot Scores Series Pickup at TNT. Jennifer Connelly stars in TNT's 'Snowpiercer' reboot. 'Hamilton' Tony winner Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly star in the drama from Tomorrow Studios. More than a year after it was picked up to pilot, TNT is moving forward with its Snowpiercer reboot. The Turner-owned cable network on Wednesday handed out a series order for the reboot from showrunner Josh Friedman (Avatar 4, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). A premiere date and episode count have yet to be determined. Hamilton Tony winner Daveed Diggs stars in the reboot alongside Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind). Based on the 2013 film starring Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, Snowpiercer is set seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, and centers on the remnants of humanity, who inhabit a gigantic, perpetually moving train that circles the globe. The series explores class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival. Snowpiercer is a co-production of Tomorrow Studios and Turner's Studio T, along with CJ Entertainment. Scott Derrickson directed the pilot, which was written by Friedman. Tomorrow Studios' Marty Adelstein (Prison Break) and Becky Clements (TNT's Good Behavior) and the original film's Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, Lee Tae-hun and Dooho Choi executive produce. "I'm a personal fan of Bong Joon-ho's epic film and jumped at the chance to honor his original vision, yet expand upon the world and characters with a diverse, award-winning cast," said Sarah Aubrey, executive vp original programming at TNT. "Science fiction is the perfect genre to examine issues of race, class, gender and natural resources with thought-provoking and exciting storytelling. Snowpiercer will explore those relevant issues while embarking on a wild, action-filled ride." Added Tomorrow Studios CEO Adelstein: "Given the exceptional global appeal of the original film, we have a tremendous obligation to ensure the TV adaptation is exceptional in scope and magnitude. We have found that with TNT and with our talented cast. Now we are excited to work together in creating a world unlike any other on television." Snowpiercer joins a roster of scripted dramas at TNT that includes the Animal Kingdom reboot, Claws, Good Behavior, The Last Ship, The Librarians as well as the upcoming The Alienist and One Day She'll Darken, from Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and starring Chris Pine. The pickup comes as TNT on Tuesday wrapped up its long-running procedural Major Crimes as network topper Kevin Reilly turns his attention to rebuilding the drama-focused cable network with edgier and more premium content. TNT's pilot slate now consists of Deadlier Than the Male, which is awaiting word on its future. (Hollywood Reporter)

I Was Ousted From Netflix for a Comment on a Soccer Field: An Executive's Mea Culpa. After making an offhanded remark about an accused actor while coaching his daughter's game, Andy Yeatman quickly regretted it. And he was blindsided when the exchange got him axed from the job he loved. I always tell my daughters that words have power. And last month -- on the sideline of a kids' soccer game -- I got a brutal reminder of just how much they do. Soccer is a family affair: I coach our 9-year-old's team. My wife, Lilly, coaches our 7-year-old, and our 4-year-old is the No. 1 fan. On the weekend of Dec. 3, I took a flight home after a business trip to coach my oldest daughter's playoff game. Just as the game was starting and I was making sure the girls knew their positions, a woman I didn't know approached me and asked if I worked at Netflix. She then inquired about The Ranch, a show that I had nothing to do with -- I was director of kids and family content. At first, I assumed she was another soccer parent wanting to discuss a show she either liked or disliked. For Netflix employees, this is common. However, the conversation turned when she asked why Netflix hadn't canceled the show after one of the actors, Danny Masterson, had been accused of sexual assault. I never worked on the show, did not know him and had no insight. At that point, I should have excused myself and referred her to someone at the company who was authorized to discuss the show. Unfortunately, I didn't. My reply, which I hoped would end the conversation so I could refocus on coaching, came out horribly wrong. I said: "Netflix takes these things very seriously. Maybe in this case we don't believe them [the accusations]." I immediately regretted it. When she told me that she was one of the victims before walking away, my heart sank. 2017 was a difficult year on many fronts, but one extremely positive development is that women (and men) are stepping up to fight the sexual harassment and abuse that has gone on for far too long. This movement is starting to lead to the right kind of change, and I believe that men who abuse their power to hurt women should be held fully accountable. I never imagined, however, that the positive social movement we are seeing would cost me my job -- the result of a careless, offhanded comment. I realize now that my words on that Los Feliz soccer field inadvertently reinforced the widely held and well-founded belief on the part of sexual assault victims that people in power presumptively do not believe them. I have always strived to be thoughtful and conscientious. But in that brief moment, I came up short and unintentionally spilled salt on some very real wounds. I apologized for this at the time and take full responsibility for it today. The repercussions of that 30-second conversation came swiftly: I received a call from a Huffington Post reporter while still on the field. Within a day, online commenters were calling me names I won't repeat. I was completely blindsided. Seeing my name associated with stories about sexual assault made me sick to my stomach as each new Google alert came through. Within a week, I lost the best job I'd ever had, and the headlines started all over again -- headlines that might follow me throughout the rest of my career. I don't blame anyone for this except myself, but it does hurt me that the media mischaracterized my comments and the incident. For example, after I sought the woman out to apologize after the game, the reporting mischaracterized my apology as condescending and rude. When I was asked to write about what happened, I was conflicted. I had already relived the incident so many times. More importantly, I had experienced firsthand how a single comment can take on a life of its own online. I was nervous (and still am) but ultimately decided there was value in sharing what I have learned. For me, the most important lesson is that the pain caused by sexual assault and other forms of abuse is far more widespread than I had imagined. Some of my oldest friends, in reaching out after this incident, have shared their own experiences as victims. In the moment, I was shocked to hear that the person who approached me was a victim; I see now that I shouldn't have been. I also learned the hard way that in the age of mass communication, we're always wearing our company moniker. We are always on the record, whether we like it or not. But I've also learned that even in the era of social media, it is your personal relationships that still matter most. Admittedly, the anonymous online attacks and headlines shook my family and me. Especially because we have always stood with those fighting to end sexual abuse and harassment. But the support we have received from friends kept our outlook positive. So, with that support, I'm moving forward, hopefully wiser and part of the solution. Netflix fired Masterson from The Ranch on Dec. 5. The actor has denied all rape allegations. (Hollywood Reporter)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Fall Book Discussion and Movie Series

Book discussion group to meet

City Page Survey