ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

When it comes to Amy Schumer's new husband Chris Fischer, one of her favorite qualities about the chef and James Beard Award-winning cookbook author is the fact that he's out of the spotlight. "He's totally not into the celebrity world and she likes how off the grid he is," explains one source of their relationship. "He's a really genuine guy who's very close to his family." Just three months after Schumer, 36, and Fischer, 38 -- who once worked for Mario Batali before taking over his family's Beetlebung Farm in Martha's Vineyard -- were first photographed together, the couple exchanged vows in front of 80 guests at a surprise outdoor ceremony in Malibu on Feb. 13. Finding love with Fischer has been a dream come true for Schumer. "When two people really love each other and they really mean it, it shows," says the bride's pal Jennifer Lawrence, who joined other A-list guests like Chelsea Handler, Larry David, Jake Gyllenhaal and Jennifer Aniston to watch the pair walk down the aisle. "It was a beautiful ceremony and an amazing time," she adds. "I couldn't be happier for them." Most of all, friends say, they're happy to see Schumer get her happily-ever-after. "They're over-the-moon," says her stylist Leesa Evans. (People)

January Jones Addresses Nick Viall Dating Rumors. Is January Jones getting a single red rose tonight? Maybe! But it won't be from Nick Viall! On Tuesday, the former Mad Men actress set the record straight about what exactly is going on with the Bachelor alum after the two ignited dating rumors last month with some flirty social media behavior. Jones spoke to ET at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Variety and WWD's inaugural launch of Runway to Red Carpet Initiative at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles and finally addressed the gossip. "He's a friend of mine. He's super sweet," said. "No, I'm single. But, he's a friend of mine and tells me lots of inside scoops." The Bachelor buff also told the outlet that she was less than titillated at the latest season of The Bachelor staring Arie Luyendyk Jr. "As I was getting ready, I was watching last night's episode. I know who the final three are... I don't know," she revealed. "There hasn't been enough drama this season to entice me. It's been a little too boring, I'm sorry to say. I guess they're too normal or whatever. We need some [drama]. There was that one girl, Krystal. She was Cracker Jacks. Yeah, she was weird." There you have it: January Jones thinks season 22 of The Bachelor is a snoozefest! Just in case you're vaguely remembering Jones talking about Viall recently, you'd be right. In November, Jones went on the Late Late Show with James Corden and told the British funnyman that out of the blue Viall challenged the Bachelor superfan to a Lip Sync Battle. "He asked me to battle him on Lip Sync Battle," the actress revealed, adding that he had gotten in touch with her team to send her the request. "Is that his way of asking me out or does he have a problem with me?" she said, reacting to the ask. "I don't know what that was, but I declined because I don't need to be humiliated." While she said she wasn't interested in battling him on air, she was kind of into his whole deal. "You don't know if you like him or if he's a scumbag and I think that's why I'm attracted to him, maybe?" she explained. Ya know -- but only in a friend way. Jones previously dated Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis. Viall was engaged to Vanessa Grimaldi after his season of The Bachelor. The two split in August 2017. (Eonline)

Fans have always longed for '90s golden couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston to get back together -- something Justin Theroux became keenly aware of two years ago when he found love notes Aniston had saved from the heartthrob, a source recalls in the new issue of Us Weekly. "He stumbled upon old Post-it notes Brad had written," a source tells Us. "Sweet little Post-its like, 'You looked nice tonight' or 'Miss you already.'" The source explains that impact of those little notes was huge. "Jen assured him they weren't a big deal, but Justin wasn't thrilled ... Justin had moments of insecurity like that." As previously reported, Aniston, 49, and Theroux, 46, announced their separation on Thursday, February 15, via a joint statement: "In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation. This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year. We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship." The duo, who started dating in May 2011, tied the knot in August 2015. While it was Theroux's first marriage, Aniston was married to Pitt, 54, from 2000 to 2005. He infamously moved on from the Friends alum with his Mr. and Mrs. Smith costar, Angelina Jolie. Pitt and Jolie, who share Maddox, 16, Pax, 14, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 11 and 9-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, called it quits in September 2016 after two years of marriage and 12 years together. "Jen has struggled with the perception that she is this pathetic woman after the divorce from Brad," the insider tells Us. "It played a role in her wanting to marry Justin." (US Weekly)

Jennifer Aniston is "sad and disappointed" that her marriage to Justin Theroux didn't work out, a source close to the actress tells PEOPLE in the magazine's new cover story. "She didn't expect to be single again." Still, while she's not looking forward to dating again, the actress, 49, ultimately believes in love. The 49-year-old actress and the Leftovers actor, 46, announced their split last Thursday after seven years together and two and a half years of marriage. The two met to make the final decision on Valentine's Day. As for her future, "she isn't a fan of dating, and she never was. She always found dating awkward and unpleasant," an Aniston source explains. "She hates all the media attention that she knows she will get now. But she is a big believer in falling in love and spending her life with a partner that loves sharing hers." In the new issue, sources close to the pair detail how Aniston and Theroux's clashing lifestyles drove them apart -- and how powerful chemistry first drew them together. They wanted to start a family early in their relationship, but it didn't work out. And longtime L.A. dweller Aniston's attempts to adapt to Theroux's New York City-based lifestyle "made her miserable," says the source close to her, while Theroux was never comfortable in her luxurious but insular L.A. world. "They couldn't find common ground that made them both happy. It became exhausting and frustrating." Still, despite all the time they spent apart, they tried to save their marriage. "For many months they tried to make it work. They even had therapy," says the source. And while "it seems Justin gave up many months ago," says the source, Aniston only "very recently started telling friends that they were over." Still, Aniston "seems okay" in the wake of the split, says the source. "She has an amazing life that she loves and is very grateful for. Jen would be the first one to say that she is a lucky girl." (People)

Inside the Forgotten Film Career of Ellen Pompeo. Before she was knocking boots with McDreamy, before she'd ever uttered the indelible "Pick me. Choose me. Love me." speech, and way before she became television's highest paid dramatic actress, Ellen Pompeo was an actress on the cusp of breakthrough with a burgeoning film career. But as a new generation continues to find Grey's Anatomy on Netflix 14 years after the show premiered on ABC, they'd probably be surprised to know that the woman responsible for bringing Meredith Grey to life has any film credits to her name. After all, she hasn't appeared in any since stepping foot in Seattle Grace (now known as Grey Sloan Memorial) Hospital. And that's what happens when your breakthrough role lasts over a decade, coming to define your career. Everything that came before tends to fall a bit by the wayside. Let's change that, shall we? As Old School, one of her most high-profile films, celebrates its 15th anniversary, let's take a look back at the forgotten film career of Ellen Pompeo. Though she began her acting career in 1996 with an appearance on Law & Order, followed by some guest appearances on Friends, Strangers with Candy, Strong Medicine -- and yes, a second appearance on L&O -- in the lead-up to landing the role of Meredith Grey, Pompeo would make her big screen debut in 1999 with a small role of "Upset Girl" in gender-flipped American Pie-esque comedy called Coming Soon. Aside from having the designation of being Ashton Kutcher's first film, the film, which inexplicably also starred Ryan Reynolds, Gaby Hoffman and Mia Farrow (all at very fallow points in their respective careers), did nothing at the box office and has largely been forgotten from everyone's collective memory. After she popped up in a few small films so forgotten by time they don't even have Wikipedia pages (In the Weeds and Mambo Cafe), Pompeo got her big screen big break with director Brad Silberling's Moonlight Mile, which was released in 2002. In the film, a drama loosely based on its director's experiences when his girlfriend, actress Rebecca Schaeffer, was murdered by an obsessed fan, Pompeo starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon as Bertie Knox, the love interest for Gyllenhaal's grieving Joe Nast. (Fun fact: Silberling's suggested inspiration for Pompeo's character, a fictional addition inserted to his story, was his wife Amy Brenneman. She would later join Pompeo at Shondaland as one of the stars of Private Practice.) The film was only mildly received, but Pompeo's performance managed to grab the attention of several prominent critics who would, in turn, single her work out for praise. While Entertainment Weekly would note her "sun-dazed appeal" and Variety proclaimed she'd made a "vivid first impression," it would be the late Roger Ebert who spoke of her debut with the deepest affection. "Pompeo, a newcomer, plays Bertie with a kind of scary charisma that cannot be written, only felt," he gushed. "She is so vulnerable in this movie, so sweet as she senses Joe's pain and wants to help him." As the actress admitted in a recent interview, it wasn't just the critics who were suddenly paying her attention. "Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg, Warren Beatty," Pompeo told The Hollywood Reporter last month. "They were all, 'We were blown away by this performance' and 'You're a superstar.'" She wasn't lying. Her very next film appearance was a minor role in Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can, popping up to be romanced by Leonardo DiCaprio as stewardess Marci. Though the film would go down as the most critically and commercially successful of her career, the brevity of her story would keep her from factoring into the conversation surrounding the film upon its release. That wouldn't be the case with her next role. As Nicole, love interest to Luke Wilson's sad sack Mitch in director Todd Phillips' ultimate frat bro comedy, Old School, Pompeo was once again finding herself singled out by critics, though this time around as an act of sympathy for being saddled with what they perceived as a thankless role. The New York Times opined that she and the rest of the female cast had been "mostly delegated to standing around and shaking their heads at the antics," while Ebert didn't pass up the opportunity to praise her earlier work. "One of the cute co-eds is played by Ellen Pompeo, who was so absolutely wonderful in Moonlight Mile," he wrote in his one-star review of the film upon its release exactly 15 years ago. "She should not be discouraged by this sophomore effort. Even Meryl Streep had to make a second movie after Julia." While the esteemed critic was offering the actress encouragement, her next few gigs seemed to argue in direct opposition. A blink-and-you'll-miss-it gig in Marvel's ill-fated first attempt at adapting Daredevil for the screen as Matt Murdock's secretary Karen Page (a role that would be beefed up considerably in the hit Netflix series) in 2003 led to a pair of forgotten films (Undermind and Art Heist) and, ultimately, her work in the 2004 Michel Gondry stunner Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind being left on the cutting room floor entirely. It was at that moment, with her promising film career seemingly stalled, that her agent presented her with the script for a pilot written by a then-unwritten talent, Shonda Rhimes. At first, Pompeo rejected the notion out of hand. "I was like, 'I'm not going to be stuck on a medical show for five years,'" she recalled to THR. " 'Are you out of your f--kin' mind? I'm an actress.'" But, as she told Good Housekeeping in 2016, with the assurance from her agent that the show would likely never make it to series, and in need of the paycheck the pilot would provide her, she submitted for the role. And the rest, as they say, is history. As Grey's Anatomy became an irrepressible hit, it became clear to its star that there would be no returning to film in her future. At the show's three-year mark, as she told Good Housekeeping, she signed on for future seasons knowing that no film role she'd be offered would compare to the meaty work Rhimes was providing for her week after week. And now, with 14 seasons under her belt, there's a pretty good chance that by the time she finally decides to hang up her scrubs, she walks away from acting altogether. "Acting, to me, is boring. An actor is the least powerful person on set, so I don't care about chasing roles," Pompeo, whose begun directing episode of the ABC hit and launched her own production company, Calamity Jane, admitted to THR. "Plus, at my age, it's pretty unrealistic. Not that I can't do a cool cable thing, but I'm not going to have this whole second life as a movie star. I'm not f--kin' Julia Roberts." While she may not fancy herself a Julia Roberts, we have no doubt that whatever she chooses to do when Grey's does reach its inevitable conclusion, it'll be a second act worthy of her history-making run on network TV. And though Meredith Grey will likely always tower over her other achievements, we'll always have a soft spot for the brief film career that started it all. Grey's Anatomy returns on Thursday, March 1 at 8 p.m. on ABC. (Eonline)

Jennifer Lawrence's latest photoshoot has been called out for gender inequality. The pictures have sparked outrage on social media. From her Dior Couture ball gown at the London Premiere, to her sleek black Versace number at the photocall, Jennifer Lawrence is proving her fashion credentials while promoting her new movie, Red Sparrow. But the photocall pictures have gone viral for all of the wrong reasons. J-Law is seen showing a lot of skin, while her three male co-stars and male director wrap up in coats, boots and trousers, sparking controversy on social media. Taken outside on a cold February morning, it doesn't reflect well on the recent equality movement in the film industry. Women are often expected to compromise their comfort for beauty, and it's as if the pictures have been taken to highlight where we're still going wrong. Some people are defending Jen, she can wear whatever she wants afterall (and she looks incredible), but the 27-year-old actress admits she's been called difficult for standing up for herself in the past. We hope she made the call. She was seen looking equally on point wearing a long black coat as she made her way into the London hotel for the shoot. Why not leave it on? (British Glamour)

Wendy Williams is taking several weeks off from her TV show -- on doctor's orders -- to deal with a medical crisis related to hyperthyroidism. Wendy announced at the top of Wednesday's show that she's suffering from Graves' disease ... an immune system disorder. She says one of the symptoms effects the muscles behind her eyeballs ... which she tried to turn into a joke. Sounds like she'll be okay, but her doctor says she immediately needs to take 3 weeks of vacation. Wendy says she's only taking 2 weeks. UPDATE: A rep for "The Wendy Williams Show" says they'll be running reruns of her show during her 3-week hiatus after Wednesday's episode ... while going on to call her a "true champion" whose health comes before all else. (TMZ)

Jennifer Lawrence Insists She Wasn't "Rude" During the BAFTA Film Awards 2018. Sometimes, there's a lot more than what meets the eye. During Sunday's 2018 BAFTA Film Awards, viewers watched host Joanna Lumley introduce Jennifer Lawrence as the "hottest actress on the planet." Soon after, The Hunger Games star would reply, "That was a bit much, but thank you Joanna." While some viewers watching at home were quick to critique the moment and make fast assumptions, Jennifer set the record straight the morning after and insisted there was no drama or shade. "Everybody thought that I was being rude," the actress told Ronan Keating on the Magic Radio Breakfast show. "But to be fair, I couldn't have just walked out after she was like, 'biggest movie star in the world!!' I'd just walked out and gone 'thank you Joanna.' It would have been like, 'so you agree? You think you're really pretty!'" Jennifer continued, "She went on and said all these really nice things about me and then when I got up to the podium, I was like, 'that was a bit much,' after I just spent all backstage telling her how to be really nice to me. I wasn't being rude, it was an inside joke.'" Case settled wouldn't you agree? While Jennifer wasn't nominated at this year's show, the actress was in attendance to present the Outstanding British Film award. Oscar favorite Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri would ultimately take home the top prize. And ultimately, the show must go on and Jennifer continued her latest London visit by supporting the European premiere of Red Sparrow. In the movie, ballerina Dominika Egorova (Jennifer) is recruited to a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. But her first mission, targeting a CIA agent, threatens to unravel the security of both nations. The film hits theatres on March 2. (Eonline)

Snoop Dogg pulled a Bruce Wayne Sunday when he went from rescuing a stranded driver on a busy freeway to sitting courtside at the NBA All-Star Game like it was no big deal. Katrina Graham tells us she was driving back from church Sunday morning when her car broke down on the freeway in Riverside, California. Katrina says, as she waited for her brother, she heard a knock on the window ... and when she turned her head, she found herself staring at the Doggfather himself. Katrina says Snoop offered to give her car a push since he thought she was in an unsafe spot. He even parked his own ride off the exit and ran back to help her get out of the way of moving traffic. Katrina not only got the push but also a pic with Snoop, who still made it on time for the All-Star Game. (TMZ)

Wendy Williams Slams Fergie's National Anthem Performance and Says She "Needs Auto-Tune." Not all risks are worth taking! Fergie had the honor of performing the "Star-Spangled Banner" at the beginning of the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday evening, but sadly, not everyone was a fan of her take on the classic song. The musician attempted a sultry blues rendition of the song, and Wendy Williams had a lot to say about it on her talk show. "There are only a few people who can sing raw dog, and Fergie is not one," Wendy shared on her show. "She needs auto-tune. Jen Lopez needs auto-tune. Janet [Jackson] needs auto-tune. Beyonce needs auto-tune." She did not hold back! (Eonline)

Georgina Chapman Has Been "Incredibly Strong" Since Leaving Harvey Weinstein: "She Doesn't See Herself as a Victim." It's been four and a half months since Harvey Weinstein was first accused of sexual misconduct in joint New York Times and New Yorker exposes -- and since then, dozens of women have come forward to accuse the disgraced film producer of assault, harassment -- and, in some cases, rape; Weinstein, through his legal team, has vehemently denied all claims of sexual misconduct. Five days after the first report was published, Weinstein's wife of nearly 10 years, Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman, announced she was leaving him. At the time, the 41-year-old fashion designer said her "priority" is the wellbeing of her children, adding, "My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions." Chapman eschewed the spotlight after the scandal erupted, even canceling Marchesa's recent runway presentation at New York Fashion Week. "Marchesa is looking forward to presenting their Fall '18 collection in an updated format this season," a rep for the label assured E! News. In an interview with Grazia published this week, Chapman's best friend and business partner, Keren Craig, revealed how the fashion icon is doing and what to expect from Marchesa's future. "Everything you see here today Georgina sketched while she was out of the office and going through a very, very tough time. George was just sending sketches through. It was unbelievable. This collection is the result of that time. I feel emotional about it because I actually couldn't believe how incredibly strong she was. She threw herself into her work. She threw herself into protecting her kids," Craig said while previewing Marchesa's Fall/Winter 2018 collection. "Marchesa is her life. It is her passion. You see it here: even though she was going through all that, these beautiful things have somehow come out of such a hard time." When Craig read the reports about Weinstein, she said, "I felt incredible sadness. I was just thinking about Georgina and my goddaughter and their son and helping however I could. [But] there was nothing I could do." Calling the allegations a "total shock," she said her "heart was broken" for Chapman, whom she'd known since age 18. "I just feel immense sadness for the victims, for the women who have spoken out so brave. I'm very glad he's getting some help." Craig noted how "incredibly strong" Chapman is. "She doesn't see herself as a victim," she said. "That's very important. She's just trying to get on with her life. You've got to realize George is such a strong woman. Don't get me wrong -- it's a very hard time. But she's quite inspirational." Weinstein was "helpful" in getting Marchesa started in 2004 ("He helped us with meeting people, arranging contacts," etc.), but he has no financial investment or involvement with the label, Craig said. Learning that Weinstein had pressured actresses including Jessica Chastain and Felicity Huffman to wear Marchesa designs on the red carpet "was difficult to read, and shocking," Craig said, adding that it made her "very sad." Since the Weinstein scandal broke, no prominent actress has worn Marchesa to a major event. "In the future, I am sure you will see our dresses on the red carpet, but right now it's time to step back from that," she told the magazine. "That's always been a great marketing tool for us, but it's not our core business." Craig said she and Chapman are now discussing how their label can help support the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements -- which started, in part, as a response to the culture Weinstein created and fostered during his reign in Hollywood. "We want to support them. We want to make a gesture," Craig said. "We need to properly process how it can be the most beneficial." (Eonline)

NCIS' Pauley Perrette Living in Fear After Alleged Attacker Is Released. Pauley Perrette is fearful of her safety after learning a homeless man is back on the streets. According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, a transient named David Merck was recently released from a state psychiatric institution after he allegedly attacked the NCIS star in November 2015. Fast-forward to today and the actress is concerned that David is free and could harm another individual. "It changed my life forever. I don't walk outside my house," Pauley told Fox 11 this week. "I think it's entirely possible that the next word I hear about this guy is that he'll kill a female." Pauley chose not to speak on camera because she wanted to protect her privacy. Back in 2015, Pauley came forward on social media with her frightening encounter in her Hollywood neighborhood. "I was walking across my street to a new guest house I bought to meet my architect on my street, I was jumped by a VERY psychotic homeless man," she wrote to her Twitter followers. "He grabbed me so forcefully, pinned my arm, punched me in the nose, forehead repeatedly telling me he was going to kill me. Then he showed me how he was going to kill me." David was later charged with felony criminal threats and imprisonment by violence for allegedly attacking Pauley. He pled not guilty at his arraignment and was found incompetent to stand trial on the charges. The court ordered David to be sent to Patton State Hospital. In 2016, Pauley wrote an advice piece for Motto where she forgave the homeless man who allegedly attacked her. "My heart broke for him. My tears that night were for him. I had looked into his eyes. There was nothing there. It seemed like his soul and his humanity were gone," she wrote. "He was out on the street without resources. It was a consequence of our failure as a society to take care of our mentally ill and impaired homeless community." Pauley continued, "Of course I forgive him. I have no anger, only sadness. He didn't know who I was, he didn't know who he was. He is very confused, he's homeless and he needs help." According to Fox 11, the LAPD is well aware that David is back out and will respond to any calls of an alleged crime. (Eonline)

How to Get Away With Murder Star Karla Souza Alleges She Was Raped by a Director. Karla Souza claims that a director in Mexico raped her during the early stages of her career. The How to Get Away With Murder star opened up for the first time about the incident during an interview on Tuesday with CNN en Espanol. The actress said that a director attacked her, she did not disclose the name. "I had just started my career, and they introduced me to all of these producers, and that's where the manipulation began of 'You owe me one,'" the actress explains on Aristegui. "So they start to put that in your head, they'll tell you things like, 'Oh, you know, I'm having to push for you. You haven't made a name for yourself, but I know that you're great. I know that you're going to show me that you're great.' I'm saying it like this but it's all said in a very relaxing setting, but they're little seeds that are red flags that back then I wasn't educated on this to know what this person was doing. This is a very charismatic person, who has a great career." Souza says she noticed something wasn't right when she and the director were placed in one hotel, while the rest of the cast and crew were in a separate hotel. This made her feel uncomfortable because for all meals at the hotel it would just be them two. The alleged "inappropriate" behavior began when the director would knock on her door at 2 AM to go over lines or because he had thought of something to add to the film or simply because he wanted to talk to her. She says she felt that she didn't have the option to reject him, she says that on the nights that she didn't open the door, the next day he'd manipulate her by not filming her scenes or treating her badly on set as a form of retaliation. "He would insult me in front of the cast. This was his form of psychological control that he had with me. At the same time, he was charming and if I opened the door he was great with me. But he was very insistent and would even send me messages," she explains. "After a month of his abuse and under his control, I sort of gave up and I let him kiss me and touch me in ways that I didn't want him to. "In one of the instances, he violently attacked me, and yes, he raped me. I'm sorry it's hard for me," the actress says as she wipes away her tears. Today, co-star Viola Davis tweeted her support for Souza by writing, "Love to @karlasouza7...for our courage, your heart and for standing in your WORTH!" (Eonline)

Natalie Portman Regrets Signing Petition in Support of Roman Polanski's Release: "My Eyes Were Not Open." A signature has come back to haunt Natalie Portman. In 2009, director Roman Polanski was arrested and detained in Switzerland, more than three decades after he was arrested and pleaded guilty to engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with then-13-year-old Samantha Geimer. He initially had been charged on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, and sought a plea bargain. After pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse, he underwent psychiatric evaluation and spent 42 days in jail. However, when it seemed like he would be sentenced to more time in prison, Polanski fled to France. 31 years later, he was arrested near Zurich, where he traveled to accept a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival, at the request of United States Justice Department. While in custody and awaiting a decision on whether or not he would be extradited, Polanski amassed support from public figures urging his release. According to a petition signed at the time, Portman was among the list of stars, like Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen, to publicly demand Polanski's release. "I very much regret it," Portman told BuzzFeed this week, nearly another 10 years later. "I take responsibility for not thinking about it enough. Someone I respected gave it to me, and said, 'I signed this. Will you too?' And I was like, sure." As the Oscar winner and now prominent figure in the Time's Up movement explained, her blunder proved to be a lesson. "It was a mistake. The thing I feel like I gained from it is empathy towards people who have made mistakes," she continued. "We lived in a different world, and that doesn't excuse anything. But you can have your eyes opened and completely change the way you want to live." As the Annihilation star concluded on the topic, "My eyes were not open." (Eonline)

Chris Cornell's wife, Vicky Karayiannis, blames her late husband's doctor for his suicide, saying the MD never should have prescribed a drug to relieve pain. Vicky appeared on 'GMA' Wednesday and told Robin Roberts Chris was suffering from a shoulder injury and his doctor prescribed a benzodiazepine for relief. She says he was a recovering addict and should never have been given such a drug without close supervision. Vicky says Chris began abusing the drug which then led to a relapse. TMZ broke the story ... Chris hanged himself in a Detroit hotel room last May shortly after a Soundgarden concert. The Medical Examiner said he had a variety of drugs in his system, including a sedative, barbiturates and Ativan. Vicky says Chris would never have killed himself in a sober state ... she says he loved life. (TMZ)

NFL superstar Aldon Smith is begging a judge to drastically reduce his child support obligations immediately ... claiming he can't keep up the high payments while suspended by the league. 28-year-old Smith hasn't played a snap in the NFL since 2015 -- when he was suspended for a hit and run arrest in which cops say he was also drunk. Smith says he's currently awaiting reinstatement. The issue ... back in 2013, Smith was ordered to pay $9,007 per month in child support to his baby mama for their now 5-year-old son. He has since fallen behind almost $79,000 in payments -- and he's concerned it's only going to get worse unless the judge cuts him a break. Smith says, at the time the child support amount was determined, he was making $3 million per year ($250k per month) ... so he could easily afford the payments. But things have changed ... "I have had no income since November 2015," Smith states in court docs obtained by TMZ Sports ... "I have done my best to stay current, but without an income I have fallen behind." One source connected to the case tell TMZ Sports ... Smith is full of crap and continues to live a lavish lifestyle while blowing off child support. It's possible Smith could be reinstated in the next couple of months -- which would definitely be a factor since the case is due back in court in May. (TMZ)

Mark Cuban says he's already begun firing and suspending Dallas Mavericks front office employees over a Sports Illustrated article that paints the company as a nightmare place for female employees. The article came out late Tuesday and contains quotes from several current and former female employees who say they experienced sexual harassment and "predatory sexual behavior" while working with the Mavs. Among the allegations in the article ... former Mavericks president and CEO Terdema Ussery allegedly told one female employee, "You're going to get gang-banged aren't you?" When the woman told Ussery she was actually going to the movies with friends he replied, "No, you're definitely getting gang-banged." Terdema has denied the allegations. Another claim from the article ... a former Mavs website writer committed multiple acts of domestic assault, including against another team employee. Both employees -- Ussery and the writer have since been fired. Cuban has essentially said he didn't know about the alleged incidents -- claiming he would speak with his head of human resources and was assured he didn't have a problem in the Mavs organization. When he learned of the incidents via the Sports Illustrated reporters, Cuban says he immediately took action -- hiring an independent law firm to investigate and a 3rd party company to hire harassment complaints. Cuban says he's also fired his head of H.R. "I want to deal with this issue," Cuban told SI ... adding, "There's a problem in the Mavericks organization and we've got to fix it." He later said the team is bringing in "experts" to educate his staff and will offer a hotline for "counseling and support services as well as personalized services and indepth training for all employees and related staff, including myself." (TMZ)

Cabbie found guilty of stealing John Legend's luggage. A Queens cabbie was found guilty Tuesday of swiping John Legend's Louis Vuitton luggage -- which contained a pricey pair of Cartier cufflinks. Hilario Agustin was convicted of charges of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property following a week-long jury trial. The verdict came after the award-winning singer and songwriter testified against Agustin earlier this month. Legend told Queens Supreme Court jurors his model wife, Chrissy Teigen, bought him the panther cufflinks, which were valued at $25,000 to $30,000 and studded with diamonds. The 64-year-old hack now faces up to seven years behind bars for the March 2017 incident, in which prosecutors said he walked up to a cart carrying the black leather luggage at JFK and wheeled the cart to a discreet area before stealing the bag. The valise alone was worth some $3,000, authorities said. Agustin previously said he'd taken the bag by accident. Yet he was caught on surveillance footage secreting away the satchel and then fleeing, authorities said. Following his arrest, and the return of the luggage, the 64-year-old man told cops: "I know I should not have taken it. I made a mistake." Agustin is scheduled to return to court March 12 for sentencing. (PageSix)

Tavis Smiley says PBS firing him wasn't just about sexual harassment allegations ... he now claims it was racial, and it's costing him millions upon millions of dollars. Smiley filed a lawsuit against his former network -- which aired his talk show for 14 years -- claiming the sexual harassment allegations against him were "trumped up." Immediately after Smiley was suspended in mid-December, he admitted to having relationships with coworkers ... but insisted they were all consensual. He was fired later that month. In his lawsuit, first reported by the Washington Post, Smiley says there was racial tension at PBS. He claims network honchos "hassled Mr. Smiley when he had African American guests who espoused controversial positions, and effectively tried to stop any such guests from appearing." Smiley also says in the docs ... his personal production company has been hemorrhaging "multiple millions of dollars" since he got fired, and he's been forced to lay off roughly 20 employees. PBS calls Smiley's lawsuit a "meritless" attempt to distract the public from his "pattern of sexual misconduct." Jennifer Rankin Byrne, Communications VP for PBS, also reiterated an independent law firm's investigation found Smiley had "multiple sexual encounters with subordinates over many years." Byrne says that's why Smiley was ultimately fired and it's "ridiculous and false" for him to claim it was about anything else. (TMZ)

Steve Wynn has yet another legal problem ... the shareholders of Wynn Resorts have just filed a class action lawsuit against the fallen mogul and other execs, claiming they covered up what they call Wynn's "pattern of sexual misconduct." According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the shareholders say media disclosures about Wynn's alleged sexual impropriety have tanked the stock. They say the first story ran January 26 and the stock has dropped 18% since. The shareholders note in their lawsuit there's a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to Wynn and others and it requires disclosure to shareholders when the Code is violated. The clear intimation -- the company knew of Wynn's alleged misdeeds and buried them. (TMZ)

Trey Songz is being accused of striking a woman he was partying with during NBA All-Star weekend ... TMZ has learned. Law enforcement sources tell us the woman filed a police report claiming Trey hit her in the face Saturday night while they were attending a Hollywood Hills party. She claims Trey got upset because she was talking to another man and hit her during an argument. We're told she left the party on her own to go to a hospital and talked to police soon afterward. We're told her injuries were minor. The case will be reviewed by the L.A. City Attorney to determine if Songz will be charged. We've reached out to his reps ... so far, no word back. The singer was sued in December for allegedly smacking a phone out of a woman's hand in a Philly strip club. (TMZ)

Harvey Weinstein wants one of the class action lawsuits against him dismissed, and says Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lawrence prove the case has some major holes. Weinstein filed docs responding to the suit ... which claims he -- along with the board of TWC -- used his power to intimidate women and cover up his pattern of sexual misconduct. In his new docs Weinstein says his experience with Gwyneth shows he did NOT intimidate women. He says even though Gwyneth has accused him of harassing her in 1994, while filming "Emma," he points out she went on to star in other Weinstein movies, including "Shakespeare in Love" ... which earned her an Oscar. His point ... her career clearly didn't "suffer as a result of her rebuffing his alleged advances." In the docs, Weinstein also says J Law and Meryl Streep show the plaintiffs are trying to drag too many people into the class action suit. It seeks to include "all women who met with Harvey" about Weinstein projects. But Weinstein says Jennifer has spoken glowingly about him, and he quotes, "he had only ever been nice to me." He adds Meryl also echoed her praise, calling him respectful in their working relationship. Weinstein wants the suit tossed for those reasons, and also because he says the sexual misconduct allegations fall outside the statute of limitations. (TMZ)

Reverend Billy Graham, Dubbed "America's Pastor," Dead at 99. "I would like to be remembered as a person who was faithful to God, faithful to my call -- did it with integrity and with love." People all over the world are remembering famed preacher Reverend Billy Graham, who died at his home on Wednesday morning of natural causes, a family spokesperson has said. He was 99 years old. Dubbed "America's Pastor" by former President George W. Bush, Graham was widely known for decades as an influential minister preaching the gospel to all who would listen. He reached people in a variety of ways, initially hosting a radio program, later serving as president of Northwestern Bible College and launching his national and international religious crusades. (Eonline)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Countdown to the Royal Wedding: Why Meghan Markle Could Become the Next Princess Diana. There's something a little bit different about the British royal family nowadays. Sure, 2018 is going to bring us some extra family members: Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be getting a new sibling and we have a wedding to look forward to. But with Meghan Markle in the mix, it feels like we may also be gaining a new People's Princess. Meghan Markle's influence has jokingly been referred to as the "Markle Sparkle," a phrase that seems particularly fitting considering her glamourous past. But as we edge closer to her May wedding date, it's becoming clear she's having a much bigger impact on the House of Windsor than any of us could have possibly predicted. It's been less than three months since Prince Harry got down on one knee and yet already his bride-to-be is winning over public hearts and evoking memories of another former Kensington Palace resident, Harry's mom, Princess Diana. The comparisons became glaringly obvious last week when it emerged Meghan has been making a number of top-secret visits to comfort victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. Undercover charity operations such as this are highly unusual considering Royal schedules are planned weeks, if not months, in advance. "Meghan's visits mean so much to us. She has a special place in our hearts," said one community member who was lucky enough to meet her. Her actions are reminiscent of the days when Diana would sneak out of Kensington Palace to visit hospital patients and the homeless, unannounced. She even took a then 12-year-old Prince William on one of her trips to visit a shelter so he could understand how different life really was on the other side of the palace gates. At first it might have seemed as though Meghan and Harry's brief courtship would have ill prepared her for the level of attention Meghan will undoubtedly receive in the decades to come. It's no secret that getting engaged after just 12 dates was not enough time to brace a young Diana Spencer for life as a queen-in-waiting. And it's certainly one of the reasons why Kate and William dated for almost 10 years before they felt ready to settle down without repeating the mistakes of the past (while at the same time earning Kate the unflattering nickname of "Waity Katie"). After her wedding, it took Kate an entire year before she undertook her first solo royal appearance. In contrast, Meghan and Harry were together just 18 months before they announced their engagement (and Meghan spent most of that time on the Toronto set of Suits, fulfilling the last of her professional obligations to the series). And yet, in retrospect, Meghan's lack of guidance about life within the royal fishbowl may actually have set her up to become the biggest game changer in the family for decades. Being an inexperienced outsider has become an asset, allowing her to maintain the same sense of authenticity as Diana. During the handful of joint appearances, she has made with Harry so far, Meghan has come across as approachable and even greeted fans with a very normal, "Hi, I'm Meghan." She's dominated headlines by hugging fans, taking selfies and she even gave an autograph. It's a level of intimacy that's so rarely exhibited by her future family members that it's helping to win over the often-cynical British public in record time. When Meghan's not interacting with the droves of well-wishers that are turning up at her official appearances, she's breaking other royal traditions by showing affection toward her husband-to-be. From holding hands to snuggling up to him in the cold, or giggling over an inside joke, she's coming across as a confident young woman in love. No matter how much we adore seeing William and Kate out together, their PDA moments, in their now almost seven-year marriage, can be counted on one hand. The similarities between Meghan and Diana don't seem to be lost on Harry, either. As he admitted during their first post-engagement interview, if Diana was still alive she'd likely have been best friends with Meghan. "Oh, they'd be thick as thieves, without question," he admitted joyfully. Seeing Harry so happy on camera, sitting alongside the woman of his dreams, who is now wearing a ring containing two diamonds that used to belong to his mother, it's clear he's feeling more confident compared to some of his previous media appearances. Naturally both William and Harry have a complicated history with the press. And who can blame them? Whether it was the tabloid intrusion into what became the bitterest break up in modern royal marriage history, between Charles and Diana, or the paparazzi's role in Diana's tragic car crash, learning how to handle that dynamic has been difficult for the boys. But Meghan is someone who is used to dealing with the attention. As a Hollywood star who has walked many red carpets and sat down for countless interviews, she's used to that give-and-take relationship with the media that celebrities have. It was a balance that Diana also had to learn how to handle, especially as she and Charles both began to tell their respective sides of the story in their ugly divorce battle. Right now, it's that understanding of the power of celebrity that is helping Meghan navigate her new role to her full advantage. There is no doubt that Meghan and Harry are the current superstars of the royal family, so much so that some of the press pack covering William and Kate's official tour of Scandinavia earlier this month ended up leaving the future King and Queen to fly back to Britain to report on a Meghan and Harry appearance instead. The Cambridges might be closer to the throne but right now Harry and Meghan have bigger star power (don't feel too sorry for William and Kate, this is likely a welcome relief after years of being hounded by the newspapers). And yet Harry, as fifth (soon to be sixth) in line to the throne, has more freedom than his older brother, and that also extends to Meghan. The couple, while never able to fully avoid inquiring minds, will always be less scrutinized than William and Kate. But they can have just as much impact. Getting to capture the hearts of the British public is a gift for Meghan who, as a family friend once noted, has always looked up to the charity work Princess Diana carried out. As Meghan herself once wrote, in an article for Elle magazine, "With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility -- to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings." Diana did just that. Single-handedly she helped break down the stigma of HIV and her work to eradicate landmines saved thousands of lives. She was a true heroine of her generation. And as Meghan becomes more comfortable with her new power and influence, who knows, maybe one day she too will be able to say she's done her best to make just as much difference in the world. (Eonline)

Princess Grace's Grandson Is Engaged to His College Girlfriend. Another royal wedding is on the way! Louis Ducruet, the grandson of Princess Grace of Monaco, is engaged to Marie Chevallier. According to People, which broke the news, his mother Princess Stephanie announced the news "with joy" on Wednesday in a statement issued via the Prince's Palace. According to the couple's Instagram accounts, Ducruet proposed on a beach at the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An in Vietnam. The two have been vacationing in the country. Dressed in an all-white suit, Ducruet got down on one knee and popped the question underneath a white-draped canopy. He also kissed his bride-to-be. "Let me introduce you the future madame Ducruet," he wrote alongside the photos. "She said yes and we are now engaged #withlove #engagement #proposal #iloveyou @mariehoachevallier." Chevallier also shared the good news via her Instagram account. "Proud to announce that, I said YES to the love of my life @louisducruet," she wrote. "I love you so so so much." According to People, the couple met four years ago at Western Carolina University in North Carolina, where he received his bachelor's degree in sports management and she earned a degree in marketing. Louis is the son of Princess Stephanie and her ex Daniel Ducruet. According to People, a wedding date has yet to be announced. (Eonline)

Kate Middleton Gets a "Tattoo" During Sunderland Visit With Prince William. Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Sunderland on Wednesday. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled about four and a half hours north of London to Sunderland for their latest royal visit, where they were able to see the city's arts and engineering endeavors. The first stop on the couple's visit was the opening of The Fire Station, which, according to the royal website, is the "the city's new hub for theatre, music and dance." During the couple's visit to The Fire Station, Kate and William watched performances and had the opportunity to talk with many kids involved in programs there. Also during the visit, a local artist gave Kate a henna tattoo! Kate was seen smiling as 18-year-old Shajida Begum drew a flower design on her hand. The couple was also photographed greeting a 101-year-old woman outside of The Fire Station on Wednesday. After their visit to The Fire Station, William and Kate went to see the new Northern Spire Bridge. The bridge is set to open this spring and William was seen helping to tighten a bolt on the bridge during their visit. Spring 2018 is going to be an exciting time in the U.K. In addition to the bridge opening, Kate is due to give birth to the couple's third child in April and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to tie the knot in May. (Eonline)

Oprah Winfrey Matches George Clooney's $500,000 March for Our Lives Donation. Oprah Winfrey is doing her part to help end gun violence once and for all. After George Clooney and Amal Clooney pledged $500,000 to March for Our Lives -- a protest organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Parkland, Fla. -- the media mogul took to Twitter with a generous announcement. "George and Amal," Winfrey wrote on Tuesday, "I couldn't agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to 'March For Our Lives.' These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we've had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard." On March 24, students and supporters of March for Our Lives will march through Washington D.C. to call for stricter gun laws in the face of mass school shootings across the nation. The organization has encouraged others to establish marches in their own communities. Like Oprah, George and Amal said in a statement to E! News they were "so inspired by the courage and eloquence" exhibited by Marjory Stoneman Douglas' students, and said they plan to "stand by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country" during the event. Other familiar faces that have raised awareness for the student-led movement include Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Morgan Freeman, Steven Spielberg and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, who Deadline reports both donated $500,000. Similarly, Amy Schumer asked donations be made to Everytown for Gun Safety in lieu of wedding gifts. Seventeen students were killed last week after a 19-year-old gunman walked into school and allegedly opened fire. Help March for Our Lives reach their $1.5 million fundraising goal by donating here. (Eonline)

Carrie Underwood donates $10K to cop injured in horrific crash. Carrie Underwood donated $10,000 to the GoFundMe page for an Oklahoma police officer, who was injured last week in a rollover crash that left him with a broken neck. Underwood made the donation under her married name, Carrie Fisher, on the GoFundMe campaign Saturday for Checotah Assistant Police Chief Justin Durrett. The officer was heading to work on Feb. 11 when his truck slid off the road and crashed. Durrett was ejected from his vehicle. He suffered a broken neck, bruised spine and multiple gashes on his head, according to the GoFundMe page. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit and can't feel anything from his chest down. Underwood is a childhood friend of Durrett's, and they attended church together, KOMO News reported. The 34-year-old singer's donation will help Durrett's family pay for medical bills. The generous donation all helped push the fund to $12,965 as of Tuesday. The campaign's goal was set to $20,000. (PageSix)

Miley Cyrus elevated Shaun White to Almighty status (holy hell ... check out that candle!!!). Just some of the perks of winning a gold medal. Miley hung out with the Flying Tomato a week after he brought home gold for crushing the halfpipe event in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Dude landed back-to-back 1440s on his final run to help the U.S. clinch its 100th all-time gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Shaun also seems to have bounced back after getting slammed with questions surrounding a 2016 sexual harassment lawsuit against him. Helps when his old pal refers to him as an American legend. (TMZ)

Heidi Klum and Adrien Brody? A spy at Mr. Chow's 50th anniversary celebration tells us Oscar-winner Brody showed up at the LA fte solo, "but spent a lot of the night flirting, mutually, with Heidi." Other guests at the bash, held at Chow's 57,000-square-foot art studio, included Quincy Jones, Anjelica Huston, Billy Idol, Olivia Wilde, Chris Rock, Stevie Wonder, and artists Alex Israel, Paul McCarthy, Sterling Ruby and Kenny Scharf. Al Pacino was spotted sneaking in a side door to avoid photographers. "The side was manned by the LAPD and fire marshal," says a witness. "They were all fans of his since 'Heat,' and asked for selfies. He complied with all of them, including the fire marshal." (Page Six)

Kylie Jenner's BFF Jordyn Woods Reveals Weight Loss Secrets: ''So Much Has Changed.'' Jordyn Woods' future has never looked brighter. Those keeping up with the Kardashians have become acquainted with Kylie Jenner's right-hand woman over the years, but there's so much more to this 20-year-old rising star than meets the Snapchat selfie. Case in point: Jordyn's newfound commitment to her health. Upwards of 5 million Instagram followers are inspired by the model's daily gym grind, which she admits helped her become the "happiest [she's] been in a long time." Speaking to E! News at the New Era NBA All-Stars Party, Woods dishes on the workout regimens she's found most effective for weight loss, in addition to what motivates her to create change from the inside out. Jordyn says she's "addicted" to the gym, adding, "I have a love-hate relationship with cardio... Weights, squats, I feel like it all plays an important role." But if there's one secret Jordyn wants to share, it's the importance of consistency in a routine. As she explains, "Just staying consistent and doing something everyday whether it's walking, jogging, squats, weights at home or going to the gym. I feel like a little bit of something every day is very helpful." Woods adds, "I look back to videos of me working out five months ago or two months ago and I'm like, 'Wow!' Because I do it everyday, so much has changed so fast." By documenting her personal training sessions on social media, Jordyn says she wants to inspire others "to get up and do something." For her, she tells us, the enthusiasm comes from seeing her mom and "people on Instagram" doing "something they love to do." So what's next for Woods? She's set her sights on creating her very own collection of gym-ready clothes. "My workouts have inspired me to make an activewear line because it's so difficult to find supportive clothing and clothing that's cute and actually inspires you to get up," Jordyn reveals. "By the end of this year, I'm going to have my own activewear line!" (Eonline)

Just when you thought the sale of the "Dumb and Dumber" mini bike couldn't possibly be any dumber, it was. The hog featured in the classic 1994 comedy and used to get Lloyd and Harry to Aspen ... hauled in $50,000 for the Houston man who sold it on eBay to fortify his kid's college fund. Considering the opening bid was $8,500 ... nice work, Dad. The new owner is Todd Lyons from New York, who tells us one of his friends told him he wanted to bid on it, but his wife lowered the boom. Todd had no one dissuading him, so he went for it. Three cheers for bachelorhood! As we reported ... the mini bike was one of 2 used in the film, specifically in all the close-up riding scenes with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Todd tells us he was 13 when he first saw the flick with his buddy, so he's thrilled to own a piece of it ... which he will proudly display on his wall. Just when you thought the sale of the "Dumb and Dumber" mini bike couldn't possibly be any dumber, it was. The hog featured in the classic 1994 comedy and used to get Lloyd and Harry to Aspen ... hauled in $50,000 for the Houston man who sold it on eBay to fortify his kid's college fund. Considering the opening bid was $8,500 ... nice work, Dad. The new owner is Todd Lyons from New York, who tells us one of his friends told him he wanted to bid on it, but his wife lowered the boom. Todd had no one dissuading him, so he went for it. Three cheers for bachelorhood! As we reported ... the mini bike was one of 2 used in the film, specifically in all the close-up riding scenes with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Todd tells us he was 13 when he first saw the flick with his buddy, so he's thrilled to own a piece of it ... which he will proudly display on his wall. (TMZ)

Music

BRIT Awards 2018: Sick Ariana Grande Cancels Manchester Tribute Performance. Ariana Grande has been forced to pull out of a surprise tribute performance at the 2018 BRIT Awards, a source confirms to E! News. The "One Last Time" singer recently fell ill and was planning to attend the event regardless, but she was ordered by her doctor to not fly overseas. Though the 24-year-old pop star had not been publicly named as one of the night's performers, The Mirror first reported Wednesday morning that she had secretly agreed to participate in a tribute to the 22 victims of last summer's Manchester terror attack. "It was utter chaos when the call came in that Ariana couldn't do it," a source said. "It's race against time to get someone to do what is very much the centerpiece of the entire show." The tribute is expected to "be the biggest talking point of the night," the source added. "The whole industry wants to come together to pay their respects to the victims. The effects of that terrible night resonated far and wide in the music industry and it's only right everyone comes together to pay their respects." E! News has reached out to a rep for the BRIT Awards for additional comment. Confirmed performers include Rita Ora, Liam Payne, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake and Sam Smith, among others. Jack Whitehall is hosting the show live from London's O2 Arena. Liam Gallagher is rumored to be replacing Grande. "Liam has saved the day by stepping in at the last minute. It's a perfect choice," a source told The Mirror, adding that he may sing "Live Forever" from Oasis' hit album Definitely Maybe. "It's going to be the moment of the evening." After 22 of her fans were killed in 2017, Grande organized the One Love Manchester concert. The benefit was televised worldwide and included performances from Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Niall Horan, Little Mix, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and other musicians. After the special aired, the British Red Cross announced it'd received nearly $13 million in donations. (Eonline)

Sade to sing original song for Ava DuVernay's 'A Wrinkle in Time'. Sade is releasing her first new music since the 2010 album "Soldier of Love." The icon is contributing an original song to Ava DuVernay's "A Wrinkle in Time." DuVernay tweeted Monday, "I never thought she'd say yes, but asked anyway. She was kind + giving. A goddess. We began a journey together that I'll never forget .?.?. [The song's title] is 'Flower of the Universe.'" Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Storm Reid are among the cast of the film, coming out March 9. (PageSix)

GOT7 Announce World Tour, Becoming First K-Pop Group to Headline Barclays Center. K-pop group GOT7 announced their upcoming world tour on Wednesday (Feb. 21), starting in Seoul on May 4 and stopping through cities in Europe, Asia, Canada and the U.S. through Aug. 24. The GOT7 World Tour will also make its way to Brooklyn's Barclays Center, which makes the boy band the first K-pop group to headline the 19,000-person arena. The group will be making three other North American stops on the trek, hitting Toronto's Air Canada Centre, Los Angeles' The Forum and Houston's NRG Arena. GOT7 released two EPs last year, Flight Log: Arrival and 7 For 7, which reached No. 1 and No. 2 of Billboard's World Albums chart respectively. The group has yet to unveil any new material in 2018. (Billboard)

Former French First Lady Carla Bruni Hits L.A. With New Album. The supermodel and singer-songwriter, whose collection of cover songs in English was conceived and produced by legend David Foster, spoke to THR about music, family and #MeToo ahead of her Feb. 21 Orpheum concert. The final stop on Carla Bruni's whirlwind North American tour to support her album French Touch, a collection of cover songs in English, will be at L.A.'s Orpheum Theatre Wednesday night (Feb. 21). The show is a homecoming of sorts for the former first lady of France, since her album was produced here at Capitol Records by 16-time Grammy winner David Foster, who lit on the idea after seeing Bruni in concert in L.A. in 2013. He wanted to work with her but lamented that her lyrics were in French, which would limit the audience. "I told him I could never manage to write in English and had tried," says the prolific singer-songwriter, whose five albums have sold more than 3?million copies worldwide. "He said, 'OK, let's make a covers album.'" The 11 songs they picked at a rendezvous in Paris include ABBA crowd-pleaser "The Winner Takes It All" and The Rolling Stones' "Miss You," but fans scream just as loud for "Quelqu'un m'a dit" ("Someone Told Me"), the title track from her 2002 debut, which was featured on the soundtrack of 2009's (500) Days of Summer. (Bruni's other big brush with Hollywood: a brief turn as a museum guide in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.) Bruni, 50, keeps up with new music via Spotify, Deezer and iTunes (in heavy rotation is Rwandan-Belgian rapper Stromae -- "a mix of hip-hop and Jacques Brel"). But she doesn't follow politics closely anymore -- she and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy celebrate their 10th anniversary this year -- and has mostly steered clear of the conversation about sexual harassment in the worlds she knows best: entertainment and fashion. The mother of two (Giulia, six, with Sarkozy and a son, 16, from a previous relationship) spoke to THR about her music, her family and her impressions of #MeToo. (This interview has been edited and condensed.) (Billboard)

Emilio Rojas Delivers Timely Pro-Immigrant Audiovisual In 'Walk Through Fire' Video. Venezuelan rapper Emilio Rojas makes an apt return to the scene with a timely musical offering in "Walk Through Fire," a brand new audiovisual that stands as a response to the repeal of DACA and the current threat against the livelihoods of so many immigrant families. "The US is being torn apart by racism, extreme nationalism, and xenophobia. This is a country built on the backs of immigrants," Rojas told Billboard. "My father is an immigrant from Venezuela, my niece and nephew are half Moroccan and have a Muslim father. The stories I told in this song are real. I wrote it because no one is speaking for us. And it is important that we aren't marginalized, especially in times like these. Our voices deserve to be heard." The visual premiere details the journey of two different men: One who crossed the Mexican border, and another who is a Syrian refugee. Emilio Rojas Delivers Timely Pro-Immigrant Audiovisual In 'Walk Through Fire' Video: Premiere Venezuelan rapper Emilio Rojas makes an apt return to the scene with a timely musical offering in "Walk Through Fire," a brand new audiovisual that stands as a response to the repeal of DACA and the current threat against the livelihoods of so many immigrant families. "The US is being torn apart by racism, extreme nationalism, and xenophobia. This is a country built on the backs of immigrants," Rojas told Billboard. "My father is an immigrant from Venezuela, my niece and nephew are half Moroccan and have a Muslim father. The stories I told in this song are real. I wrote it because no one is speaking for us. And it is important that we aren't marginalized, especially in times like these. Our voices deserve to be heard." The visual premiere details the journey of two different men: One who crossed the Mexican border, and another who is a Syrian refugee. (Billboard)

First the national anthem, and now THIS?? In an interview with the Daily Star published on Sunday, will.i.am says Fergie will NOT be featured on the Black Eyed Peas' seventh studio album. The 42-year-old rapper explains: "We are now a trio. I don't know why Fergie isn't on the project. You will have to ask Fergie that." When asked how the new line-up would work on tour, the producer defensively shot back by exclaiming: "You know we are actually capable of doing it without Fergie... There's so much shit to talk about bro. But you guys just like meddling... We performed as a trio before and if you had done your research properly you would know how we would do it as a three." Yikes! That question struck a nerve! Last year, there were several rumors that Fergie was going to be replaced by Nicole Scherzinger. As we reported in June 2017, will.i.am said the Pussycat Dolls star "is on the new BEP project" but didn't reveal her exact involvement. While it's still unclear if Scherzinger is in the group, she is considered "family" and is a member of their WhatsApp message chain. "We have a chat group called Black Eyed Peas family. It has nothing to do with making music or money. It's about friendship. It's the three of us and Nicole. It's about family. Nicole is Black Eyed Peas. She is family." Oh, and don't ask him if PCD are coming back or not. "Are Pussycat Dolls coming back? I speak to Nicole every day and she hasn't mentioned it. But anything Nicole asked me to do I would do it though. I love that girl." First the national anthem, and now THIS?? In an interview with the Daily Star published on Sunday, will.i.am says Fergie will NOT be featured on the Black Eyed Peas' seventh studio album. The 42-year-old rapper explains: "We are now a trio. I don't know why Fergie isn't on the project. You will have to ask Fergie that." When asked how the new line-up would work on tour, the producer defensively shot back by exclaiming: "You know we are actually capable of doing it without Fergie... There's so much shit to talk about bro. But you guys just like meddling... We performed as a trio before and if you had done your research properly you would know how we would do it as a three." Yikes! That question struck a nerve! Last year, there were several rumors that Fergie was going to be replaced by Nicole Scherzinger. As we reported in June 2017, will.i.am said the Pussycat Dolls star "is on the new BEP project" but didn't reveal her exact involvement. While it's still unclear if Scherzinger is in the group, she is considered "family" and is a member of their WhatsApp message chain. "We have a chat group called Black Eyed Peas family. It has nothing to do with making music or money. It's about friendship. It's the three of us and Nicole. It's about family. Nicole is Black Eyed Peas. She is family." Oh, and don't ask him if PCD are coming back or not. "Are Pussycat Dolls coming back? I speak to Nicole every day and she hasn't mentioned it. But anything Nicole asked me to do I would do it though. I love that girl." (Perez Hilton)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA ripped off an artist by taking her famed artwork and using it to promote the soundtrack for "Black Panther" ... according to a new suit. Lina Iris Viktor claims her fine art titled "Constellations I," "Constellations II" and "Constellations III" are being used in the official music video for the musicians' song "All the Stars" ... despite her refusing permission. The artist claims reps for the movie contacted her twice -- in 2016 and as recently as January -- asking her to lend her work to the movie or create new work for it ... but she said no. According to the docs, they did it anyway, which she calls "both an egregious violation of federal law and an affront to the artist, her livelihood, her legacy and to artists everywhere." Viktor claims the vid tries to mimic the "unique look and feel" of her works, but also uses "specific copyrightable elements" such as "stylized motifs of mythical animals, gilded geometric forms on a black background, and distinctively textured areas and patterns." In an added twist of irony ... Viktor says the movie promotes themes of black and female empowerment, yet ignored her wishes ... and she's a black, African woman. She's suing for damages and she wants an injunction prohibiting Kendrick and SZA from using her artwork to promote the soundtrack. (TMZ)

Movies

Just when you thought the sale of the "Dumb and Dumber" mini bike couldn't possibly be any dumber, it was. The hog featured in the classic 1994 comedy and used to get Lloyd and Harry to Aspen ... hauled in $50,000 for the Houston man who sold it on eBay to fortify his kid's college fund. Considering the opening bid was $8,500 ... nice work, Dad. The new owner is Todd Lyons from New York, who tells us one of his friends told him he wanted to bid on it, but his wife lowered the boom. Todd had no one dissuading him, so he went for it. Three cheers for bachelorhood! As we reported ... the mini bike was one of 2 used in the film, specifically in all the close-up riding scenes with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Todd tells us he was 13 when he first saw the flick with his buddy, so he's thrilled to own a piece of it ... which he will proudly display on his wall. (TMZ)

Jessica Chastain in Talks to Join It Sequel. Jessica Chastain may be joining the Loser's Club. The Oscar nominee is in talks to join the cast of the upcoming It sequel, the actress' rep confirmed to E! News. Chastain, who earned a Golden Globe nomination this year for her performance in Molly's Game, is reportedly being considered for the adult version of Beverly Marsh, according to Variety, which first revealed the news. As the only female member of the friend group, Beverly was played by Sophia Lillis in the 2017 silver screen adaptation. Slated for release in September 2019, the sequel is also expected to star Bill Skarsgrd again as the menacing clown, Pennywise. While, per Variety, the negotiations are early, returning director Andy Muschietti did not knock the idea of reuniting with his former Mama star. "Jessi is an amazing actress and very good friend and I would love her to play Beverly," he told Variety back in September 2017. "She loves the movie and it feels like the planets are aligned in that sense, but we still have to make that happen." As we wait to see if Chastain ultimately appears in Chapter 2, don't count out cameos from the kids in the upcoming installment, which will feature the youngsters' return to their hometown 27 years later. "We are going back to the summer of 1989 and if people love these characters and actors the way I do, it's going to be a blast to go back to 1989 in the second one," Muschietti told the outlet. "I don't want to go back just for that. I want to make those flashbacks essential in the plot where in order for the Losers to figure out the clues to defeat Pennywise, they have to retrieve their memories from the past." (Eonline)

Tom and Grant: The Flash stars debut inept bank robbers in first official trailer. Fans of The Flash will soon get an extra dose of Tom Cavanagh and Grant Gustin in their upcoming short film Tom and Grant -- and EW has an exclusive first look at the trailer. The short film, which was written and directed by Cavanagh, stars The Flash actors as two brazenly inept thieves who attempt to rob a bank without a plan, a clue -- or even a gun. "Part of the subtext to all of this thing that I wrote and directed is political, about the political times that we're living in, but the presentation is completely comic; it's dark comic," Cavanagh tells EW. "The thing that appeals to both Grant and I, and it's not something that we get to do often, but the idea of somebody who thinks they're really, really smart, but in truth is really, really dumb. I find that to be extremely appealing, character-wise. In this scenario, we play Tom and Grant, the two most inept bank robbers ever. It's R rated; it's not for the family. It's got blood and gun-play and heists and car chases, and I think that it's something that both Grant and I are phenomenally excited about putting before the public." A release date for Tom and Grant will be announced in March. (Entertainment Weekly)

Game Night's Star-Studded Cast Produce 'Comedic Bliss'. 3 stars (out of 4) It's not whether you win or lose, it's how well you can execute an edgy R-rated comedy that seems ridiculous on paper. In that respect, Game Night is all aces. Snappily paced and cleverly plotted with a few innovative twists, this is the rare farce that exceeds low-ish expectations. Big advantage to the appealing Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, who play to their comedic strengths. Their chemistry is palpable and their relationship is believable. Whether hashing out fertility issues or giddily toying with the bad guys or vying at Pictionary, they nail it. Though Bateman continues to plays a variation of the same vaguely smarmy, dry-as-yesterday's-toast character in many of his films, he and the goofy McAdams are ideally and evenly matched. They play Max and Annie, a married couple that take pride in their ultra-competitive game nights with their friends. To quote Chandler Bing, they majored in lightning rounds, all right? But while Max rules the school at trivia, he forever feels inferior to his fun-loving, hot shot brother, Brooks (Kyle Chandler, playing it broad for a change). When Brooks tells the group that he wants to "take game night up a notch" and plots a murder-mystery complete with thespian thugs and faux FBI agents, Max and Annie are in it to win it. No strangers to elaborate staging, the group -- which also includes Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury -- are unfazed when masked men storm Brooks' swanky pad. Same when they beat the snot out of him then kidnap him. (Bateman nonchalantly eats off a cheese plate and makes a clever aside that the strangers should win an Independent Spirit Award.) Little do they realize they're dealing with legit goons and Brooks is in real trouble. Mercifully, they catch on fairly quickly. The whodunit portion of events is of little consequence. This isn't a David Fincher movie. The concept is a familiar one: Privileged, nondescript suburbanites are pushed beyond their comfort zone and their misadventures spiral out of control. Everything goes awry!!!! What makes Game Night work is the cast's collectively smart sensibilities. They're all in tangential danger and no females ever behave like a cliched damsel in distress. Horgan is not above going through Brooks' wallet and duping a credit card company into giving her crucial information. You'll also go along with the silly shenanigans because the ensemble throws down serious laughs. Believe it: A crusty older male critic sat behind me at the screening and giggled throughout. McAdams jumps at the chance to play a Pulp Fiction-esque scoundrel and dance to a little Third Eye Blind. Morris and Bunbury, also coupled up, add spice to a running joke about her possible infidelity with a celebrity. Magnussen goes full himbo. Most delightful of all, Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad, Fargo) wholly commits to his role as the monotone, possibly creepy police officer next door. He's beyond desperate to rejoin the group's weekly fun and games in the wake of his divorce. I'm hesitant to toss out an overused phrase like "he steals every scene!" yet guess what? Plemons steals every scene. Between this and his stand-out episode of Black Mirror, I'm convinced the actor is hiding something very sinister beneath his wholesome looks. These actors deliver so much natural comedic punch that it's disappointing that screenwriter Mark Perez (Accepted) relies on a truckload of pop-culture references and punchlines. Too easy. For every sly shade at Skeet Ulrich (!!) and the Hulk franchise, there's a groaner about Morgan Freeman and Fight Club. No surprise that directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (Horrible Bosses, Vacation) are Judd Apatow disciples. The characters' snazzy teamwork yields comedic bliss, even when the action sequences reach peak chaos. Because of them, this is one Night to remember. Or at least a Night to enjoy for 100 minutes. Game Night opens in theaters on Friday, February 23. (US Weekly)

Robert Rodriguez, 'Kong: Skull Island' Writer Team for Sci-Fi Thriller 'Hypnotic'. Max Borenstein will rewrite the original script by the 'Sin City' filmmaker for Studio 8. Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez has teamed with creature feature writer Max Borenstein for Hypnotic, a sci-fi thriller for Studio 8. Borenstein, whose credits include Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island and the upcoming Godzilla: King of Monsters, will rewrite an original script by Rodriguez, the filmmaker behind the Sin City movies. Rodriguez is attached to direct and produce the project. Details are being kept secret, but Hypnotic is being described as a grounded cop thriller with sci-fi elements. Studio 8 sees franchise potential with the project. Studio 8 is prepping its first two releases for later this year: Drama White Boy Rick, starring Matthew McConaughey and directed by Yann Demange, is set to open Aug. 17, while prehistoric adventure movie Alpha, directed by Albert Hughes, will bow Sept. 14. Rodriguez is currently in postproduction on Alita: Battle Angel, the James Cameron-produced sci-fi thriller starring Rosa Salazar. The pic is set to be released Dec. 21. Borenstein has one of his old scripts, What Is Life Worth, on the runway to production. Michael Keaton is in negotiations to star, while David Frankel will direct the drama whose rights are being sold at Berlin's European Film Market. Rodriguez is with WME; Borenstein is repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and lawyer Eric Feig. (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

"Faith Hill" Scares Kellie Pickler on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Kellie Pickler is the latest victim of Ellen DeGeneres' pranks. The talk-show host spooked the singer on Wednesday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show by having Pickler's boss Faith Hill jump out from a side table. Of course, it wasn't actually the country superstar. DeGeneres recruited one of her staff members to dress up in a blonde wig and Tim McGraw T-shirt and scream at Pickler. While the 31-year-old singer covered her mouth in shock she didn't have the same frightful reactions as some of DeGeneres' other guests. When DeGeneres asked Pickler if she knew the prank was coming, the singer replied, "Well, I took a shot before I came out here. I gotta have my liquid courage." She did, however, do a double-take to make sure nobody else would scare her. Pickler stars alongside Ben Aaron on CMT's talk show Pickler & Ben. Pickler admitted she has yet to scare anyone on her show out of fear someone might have a heart condition. "I look at it as we're giving them aerobic activity," DeGeneres said. Hill is one of the show's producers, and Pickler described her as a "really wonderful" boss. "She's so real and down to earth," Pickler raved. "She's comes to the studio and she's in jeans and a T-shirt and a ball cap and no makeup. And she's rearranging the set and brought pieces from her own home -- from hers and Tim's home. They have no furniture or pictures on the wall or anything because it's all in our studio." (Eonline)

Why the Roseanne Revival Isn't as Political as You Think It Will Be. When ABC announced their plans to revive Roseanne, the groundbreaking blue-collar family comedy that ruled the airwaves on the network for nine seasons from 1988 to 1997, much attention was paid to two pressing issues: How would the show welcome back star John Goodman in light of the original series finale's revelation that his Dan Connor was dead? And how would star and creator Roseanne Barr's real-life support of President Donald Trump play into the new episodes? With the story behind Goodman's return already partially revealed thanks to an effective trailer released by the network last week, the question of the revival's political leanings remains, though those involved want you to know it might not be exactly what you think. Though there will be a Hillary Clinton dig in the premiere -- at Barr's insistence, no less -- and the fictional Roseanne will be as steadfast in her support of the 45th president as her real-world counterpart, returning star Sara Gilbert, who also serves as executive producer this time around, is offering some assurances. "People think this show is more political than it is," she said in a recent roundtable discussion with The Hollywood Reporter. "It's more about how a family deals with a disagreement like that." For Barr, the decision to make Roseanne a Trump supporter was in service of a greater story idea. "I wanted to do it this way. It's the conversation everybody is having," she said. "Families are not speaking to each other. People are still shocked and upset about it. It's the state of our country." Much like its original run, the revival will tackle some serious issues that most other sitcoms tend to ignore like the plague, including health care, the opioid crisis, gender and illegal immigration. "We wanted to make sure that all sides were represented in the show, which seems to be taboo today," co-showrunner Bruce Helford, returning after running the show in season five, said. "We did an episode about a Muslim neighbor. I can tell you that the hair of the standards and practices people went on end." The episode touching on opioids looks to be one of the revival's most dramatic, co-showrunner Whitney Cummings revealed. "But what I've always loved about Roseanne is the show's ability to have these incredible dramatic moments in a multicamera sitcom with an audience sitting there, not laughing 'cause an incredible dramatic moment is playing out, whether it was when DJ wouldn't kiss the black girl at the school play or Jackie's domestic abuse," she said. "We thought maybe this could be one of those episodes." Despite the heady subject matter, everyone involved hopes that what made the series so irresistible in its original run -- the notion of watching a working-class family trying to keep their heads above water while reacting to the ever-changing world around them -- will remain true this time around. "The Conners are good people, though, and they're also trying to adapt to the world," Goodman noted. "They're learning." Roseanne returns with a special hour-long premiere on Tuesday, March 27 at 8 p.m on ABC. (Eonline)

The Lost in Space Reboot Trailer Has One Sinister Robot Voice Warning "Danger, Will Robinson." Reboots, Will Robinson, reboots! Netflix's long-awaited Lost in Space reboot is officially taking off on April 13 with stars Molly Parker, Parker Posey, Ignacio Serricchio, Toby Stephens, Taylor Russell, Mina Sundwall and Maxwell Jenkins and the first look above is out of this world. "The rest of human history begins now," Parker says in a voiceover. The Robinson family is off to start a new human colony, but fans of the classic 1960s science fiction show know things don't always go as planned. The video sneak peek features the iconic line, "Danger, Will Robinson," but it's a far more deeper and almost sinister voice than the original. Here's how Netflix describes the new series: "Lost in Space is a Netflix original dramatic and modern reimagining of the classic 1960's science fiction series. Set 30 years in the future, colonization in space is now a reality, and the Robinson family is among those tested and selected to make a new life for themselves in a better world. But when the new colonists find themselves abruptly torn off course en route to their new home they must forge new alliances and work together to survive in a dangerous alien environment, light-years from their original destination." Stranded with the Robinson family are outsiders Dr. Smith (Posey) and blue-collar contractor Don West (Serricchio). Lost in Space is just the latest TV reboot heading to the screen. For more on what's ahead, check out our handy guide. Lost in Space drops Friday, April 13 on Netflix. (Eonline)

Maisie Williams Knows How Game of Thrones Ends...And So Does Her Mom! "I do, I know the end of Game of Thrones," Maisie Williams triumphantly said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. She said this after admitting she lives her life in fear of revealing something not yet announced by HBO. But wait, does Williams, who plays Arya Stark on the Emmy-winning fantasy drama, actually know the ending since there are reports of fake endings and scripts being produced in an effort to maintain the final season's plot a secret? "Well, I heard this and I immediately thought, 'I don't think we've got the budget to shoot lots of different endings,'" Williams said. Host Jimmy Kimmel did his best to get any kind of details out of Williams, but now eight seasons in, Williams is an expert at evading topics. Williams did divulge she was in her bed when she read the end of Game of Thrones and said the whole thing is "just surreal, to be honest." "Being with this show for so long and then it also having the following that it does, everyone is just waiting for this moment and you read it... and it's incredible," she said. She's kept the lid on the ending too... for the most part. Despite teasing her mother with the scripts, she eventually relented and let her see them. Was that allowed? "Probably not, actually," Williams laughed. Williams advised Kimmel how his reactions would be compared if he watched the ending vs. if she told him. Game of Thrones returns in 2019. (Eonline)

Southern Charm's Season 5 Trailer Is Here...and So Is Thomas Ravenel's New Girlfriend. If only it was as easy as the birds and the bees and the 1-2-3's... Break out your calendars, people, because E! News can officially reveal that Southern Charm will return for its fifth season on Thursday, April 5, at 9 p.m., reuniting us with our favorite Southern gents and ladies for another season of waterproof vibrators and accusations of people being hookers. Anyone else miss the Charleston chatter?! And E! News is also debuting the first trailer for the new season, which officially welcomes new full-time cast member Chelsea Meissner...as well as Thomas Ravenel's new girlfriend, Ashley, whose introduction definitely shakes things up, especially with Kathryn Dennis, who has two children with Thomas. Can their new custody agreement last when Kathryn is seen yelling "F--k you!" at his new love?! Other highlights from the super-tease? We've got the breakdown of Craig Conover and Naomie Olindo's relationship, with the latter even dissing the former's "sewing." But will they be able to remain friends? Also attempting to stay friendly after a break-up are Chelsea and Austen Kroll...but things get complicated when he starts dating one of her closest friends. Fans will also get to see Cameran Eubanks prepare for impending motherhood ahead of the birth of her first child with husband Jason Wimberly. Even Whitney Sudler-Smith is helping her prep for baby Palmer's arrival, which happened in November 2017. Finally, Shep Rose will be questioning whether or not he's meant for marriage and romance after failing to find love on his spinoff, RelationShep, but will a dream of Kathryn's that found the two of them together change all that?! MIA from the trailer is Landon Clements, who announced she would be leaving the show after two seasons. Season 5 of Southern Charm premieres Thursday, April 5 at 9 p.m. on Bravo. (Eonline)

Celebrity Big Brother could become an annual event. Could what started off as counter-programming to the Olympics end up as an annual event? That's what executives at CBS must be asking themselves in the wake of the solid ratings posted by Celebrity Big Brother over the past two weeks. The abbreviated celebrity installment of the summer competition series has been averaging more than 5 million viewers against the ratings juggernaut that is PyeongChang. This is not the first time CBS has pushed back the Survivor premiere date a few weeks for another reality entry. Last year, the network debuted Hunted in late January, but the bounty hunter competition series shed viewers every single episode. Could the steady Celebrity Big Brother -- currently a hit with fans and posting healthy numbers against the Olympics while allowing the network to cut down on repeats of other programs -- be a permanent solution, or would its multiple-nights-a-week airing format cause too much scheduling chaos for other CBS programming? (Entertainment Weekly)

'Murphy Brown' revival is shooting in New York. Candice Bergen is coming to a CBS-TV station near you. Remember 30ish years ago? "Murphy Brown"? A 10-year run before streaming, Netflix, digital, cable, fake news? "Can you believe it?" she says. "We've talked about this for years because of revivals lately. We even met with Warners, the show's creators. CBS said they'd give us whatever we wanted, even our old time spot back. "We start shooting July. Only 13 episodes. A whole season's too much. And they agreed to film in New York. My life's here. My husband's here. We'll work in Queens. Kaufman Studios in Astoria. "It's lots of work, but I'm excited. In those days, we had the biggest guests. Bette Midler, Julia Roberts did cameos. George Clooney acted as a surgeon. When John Kennedy Jr. played a secretary, every real secretary tried to get on our Stage 4 in Burbank, Calif. Ellen DeGeneres taped across from us. "We're no political party flinging politics around. We had a Dan Quayle tangle. With threats. We hired security. We'd written in a child-out-of-wedlock, right-to-life issue. Campaigning with Bush for president, he wanted this deleted. The press went nuts. "It became a family-values platform. Headlines. Front-page photo of me above the fold with the baby. Quayle called Murphy a slut. "And today in terms of wardrobe, I'm not exactly the sample size I was. I'm like hundreds of sizes different now. Then we bought everything. In bulk. Blitzkrieg. I'd order from designers' incoming lines. Six a show. Armani, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan. These days, it'll be more affordable wardrobe." And with all these revivals, what might viewers expect next? Yet another "Lone Ranger"? Tonto with long blond hair over one ear? (PageSix)

Bill Gates to guest star on 'Big Bang Theory'. Geek god Bill Gates is set to drop by "The Big Bang Theory" -- and in doing so, cause quite a commotion. The Microsoft founder will make a special guest-starring appearance as himself in a late March episode of TV's No. 1 sitcom, when he attends a work function at Penny's (played by Kaley Cuoco) pharmaceutical company. Getting wind of the VIP visit, Leonard, Sheldon et al do everything in their power to meet the computing icon. Gates thus becomes the latest in an ever-longer line of nerd-tastic castings on the CBS hitcom, following in the footsteps of "Star Trek's" Leonard Nimoy and George Takei, "Star Wars'" Carrie Fisher and James Earl Jones, Apple's own Steve Wozniak, Tesla founder Elon Musk and physicist/cosmologist Stephen Hawking, among many others. "The Big Bang Theory" resumes its 11th season on Thursday, March 1 at 8/7c. (PageSix)

Jenelle Evans' Husband David Eason Fired From Teen Mom After Alleged Homophobic Tweets Surface. UPDATE: MTV has made a decision regarding their future with David Eason. "David Eason's personal comments do not reflect the views of MTV," a network spokesperson said in a statement to E! News. "With six weeks left of production on Teen Mom 2, effective immediately, we are ending our relationship with him."

Jenelle Evans is speaking out as her husband David Eason continues to face headlines for his alleged homophobic tweets. Earlier this week, the Teen Mom 2 star raised eyebrows for his controversial messages on the LGBTQ community. While his Twitter has been taken down, screenshots of the messages remain throughout social media. It all began when a Twitter user suggested the MTV star limit the exposure of unnecessary weaponry around the house and "teach your children to be aware of their surroundings at school." The message apparently hit a nerve with David who reportedly fired back in a reply. "And just what makes you think you have the right to tell me how to be a parent? Because you think you know me? LMAO why don't you go tell the homo and transgender parents to start teaching their kids better morals?" he reportedly wrote. "Oh I forgot, that's supposed to be normal." Another user chimed in asking, "Who are you to say what's normal or what's moral? Are you going to teach your children to hate gay and transgender people?" David reportedly responded, "No, I'm going to teach them not to associate with them or be that way... if you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas." Ultimately, the tweets would cause some viewers to demand MTV fire David. A Change.org petition has been created that already has more than 8,000 signatures demanding the couple's firing. According to TMZ, even co-star Kailyn Lowry wants David off the show. Jenelle, however, issued a statement to the outlet where she appeared to defend her husband from the social media posts. "David didn't understand how offensive people would get or how Twitter even works. Now that he realizes his voice is very strong within media/tabloids he has deactivated his account. He agrees he will keep his comments to himself from now on," she said. "David doesn't hate people from the LGBT community. My old manager was gay and used to be one of me and Davids close friends. We attended Farrah [Abraham]'s birthday in Miami with a lot of LGBT people there and he didn't act in any type of way. We went had a good time and left. We are sorry for the comments that were made." (Eonline)

Sky U.K. Orders Weekly 'Late Late Show With James Corden' Highlights Program. The one-hour show will air each Tuesday on flagship network Sky One, beginning in early March. Sky in the U.K. will get an exclusive weekly highlights series of The Late Late Show with James Corden under a licensing deal with CBS Studios International. The one-hour show will air each Tuesday on flagship network Sky One, beginning in early March. Produced by CBS Television Studios and Fulwell 73, the new series will bring together the best parts of the week from the talk show, including interviews with celebrity guests, musical acts, games, sketches and popular viral segments "Carpool Karaoke," "Drop The Mic" and "Crosswalk The Musical." The agreement, financial details of which weren't disclosed, includes access for subscribers of Sky TV and Sky's Now TV streaming service to full episodes of the talk show on demand, one day after it airs in the U.S. "The Late Late Show with James Corden has redefined late-night television, producing incredible broadcast and social content that have helped turn the series into a global success," said Stephen Tague, executive vp, Europe, CBS Studios International. "This agreement builds on our terrific partnership with Sky, bringing the best of CBS content to U.K. audiences." "We are delighted to be able to make a 'best of week' highlights show for the U.K. and continue our great relationship with Sky," said Ben Winston, executive producer of the talk show and co-director of production company Fulwell 73. (Hollywood Reporter)

Will Ryan Murphy's All-Star Collaborators Follow Him to Netflix? Exiting 20th TV for a deal worth as much as $300 million, the mega-producer could lure his stable of top writers, but not without a fight. Like any divorce where children are involved, Ryan Murphy's split with 20th Century Fox Television is poised to get messy. The studio has been his longtime partner, after all, and together they've birthed such hits as FX's American Horror Story, Feud and Fox's 911. But on Feb.?13, Murphy announced he'd be moving on, having found a new partner in Netflix, which lured him with a five-year deal worth as much as $300?million. What's left to be hashed out is not only the focus of his attention with seven active series through 20th TV but also the longer-term fate of his superstar collaborators, at least some of whom sources expect he'll try to recruit to Netflix pacts once their own multiyear 20th TV deals expire. Among them: Tim Minear, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, each of whom has shared creator credits on several Murphy shows. It won't happen without a fight, however. 20th TV, insiders say, will look to hold on to as many of those upper-level writer-producers beyond their current commitments as possible. Of course, what the studio historically would have been able to offer those creatives in shared history -- to say nothing of the opportunity to sell to multiple outlets and break out on their own in a post-Murphy era (something some have toyed with in the past, say sources) -- is now clouded by uncertainty ahead of Disney's acquisition of Fox assets including the studio. Similar circumstances already are at play in Shondaland, where a handful of Shonda Rhimes' top writers are said to be considering their own?futures, be it at ABC Studios, Rhimes' former home, or Netflix, her current one. Insiders say ABC Studios brass has been busy pitching certain key players on staying put, while Rhimes, rather than the streaming execs who lured her, is making the?case for Netflix. (To date, the service hasn't been in the business of signing mid-level producers to development deals but that could soon change, particularly as it looks to services its nine-figure producers.) Among the perks of remaining at ABC, as How to Get Away With Murder's Pete Nowalk is expected to do: shots across the TV dial and the chance at success on one's own rather than as part of the Rhimes machine. The counter-argument: That machine, like Murphy's, has a strong track record of success and is now even better funded than before. Fortunately for Murphy's soon-to-be-ex studio, it is expected to get a generous custody agreement. In fact, per sources, Murphy is incentivized to keep churning out his stable of 20th hits, in the form of more money if he makes additional seasons. And, to that end, the first two bites that the streamer -- which, say those same sources, plans to pay him regardless of whether he generates a Netflix-owned hit -- will have at a Murphy creation will be his One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest prequel Ratched and his hourlong comedy The Politician, which he sold while still at 20th. (Hollywood Reporter)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Fall Book Discussion and Movie Series

Book discussion group to meet

City Page Survey