ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Food Network Star Duff Goldman Is Engaged. Duff Goldman is officially off the market. The 43-year-old pastry chef and Food Network star announced his engagement to Johnna Colbry on Instagram on Monday. "I woke up yesterday and it felt like any other day. Sun was shining, birds was chirping. I made some coffee, ate a little breakfast, and got in the shower. I was shaving my head when like a mule kick to the heart I realized that I am absolutely in love with Johnna ( @letushear) and I can't imagine living another day without her in my life," he wrote. "She is kind, funny, smart, beautiful, cool, wise, and sexy. She's a tempest of feeling. " The Spring Baking Championship judge admitted he "didn't plan this out" and that the engagement "just happened." However, the Worst Bakers in America star claimed he "couldn't have stopped it if I wanted to." "I asked her to marry me. She said yes," he wrote. "I cannot imagine a state of happiness that is more intense than whatever I'm feeling right now. My heart just might burst." He then expressed his love for his bride-to-be. "I love you muffin," he wrote. "I love every scar. I love the way you smell." While Goldman said he didn't have a ring at the time of the proposal, he managed to get a little creative. "I'm sorry I didn't have a real ring," he wrote. "I hope you don't mind butcher's twine, I am a chef, after all." The Ace of Cakes star shared a picture of his fiance showing off her string ring. Johnna also shared the news via her Instagram account. "Officially my ride or die. My forever muffin. My buffalo," she wrote. "I'm so crazy about you @duffgoldman and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life going on adventures with you! hnnnnggg." Goldman received congratulatory shout-outs from his fellow chefs and Food Network stars. "AWWWWWWWWWWWW DUUUUUUUFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!" wrote Sunny Anderson, co-host of The Kitchen. Goldman isn't the only Food Network star to recently get engaged. Katie Lee also accepted a proposal two weeks ago. Congratulations, Duff and Johnna! (Eonline)
Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan 'Have Lovingly Chosen to Separate' After Nearly 9 Years of Marriage. Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum are separating after nearly nine years of marriage. The former couple announced the split in a joint statement exclusive to PEOPLE: "Hey world! So... We have something we would like to share. First off, it feels odd that we have to share this kind of thing with everyone, but it's a consequence of the lives we've chosen to lead, which we also happen to be deeply grateful for. We're living in an incredible moment in time, but it's also a time where truth can easily get distorted into "alternative facts" ?? So we want to share the truth so you know that if you didn't read it here then it's most certainly fiction. We have lovingly chosen to separate as a couple. We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now. There are no secrets nor salacious events at the root of our decision -- just two best-friends realizing it's time to take some space and help each other live the most joyous, fulfilled lives as possible. We are still a family and will always be loving dedicated parents to Everly. We won't be commenting beyond this, and we thank you all in advance for respecting our family's privacy. Sending lots of love to everyone, Chan&Jenna." The actors, both 37, have one child together -- daughter Everly -- who will turn 5 in May. The couple most recently attended the Kids' Choice Awards together where Tatum hit the stage to promote his new animated movie Smallfoot. They first met on the set of their 2006 movie Step Up and began dating shortly after before tying the knot in 2009. Buzz about a split began when Dewan Tatum attended the annual Vanity Fair Oscars after-party solo, but she told ET at the bash that Tatum was on daddy duty and "so happy to have a night off." And in mid-March the former couple shared sweet snaps from a face painting session with their daughter. "When you fall asleep around a toddler," Dewan Tatum captioned a silly shot of Tatum before sharing a solo selfie of her own look. In February, the actress opened up to Health about the perception that she and Tatum had a "perfect life," saying instead that they worked hard to keep their relationship going. "When people say you guys have such a perfect life, I want to scream and tell them no one's perfect," she said. "I think there are such things as great fits. It is a great fit as long as you are growing together, and I think up until this point we've really grown together. Even if one starts to grow, the other catches up and vice versa." Dewan Tatum said while they always made sure to make time for one another, they still had days where they didn't get along. "But I think a couple needs to be conscious and to want to do the work and be willing to look at the parts of you that need work. Both of us have been pretty aware and willing to do that," she continued. "We've always had the same values. But we're not perfect! Are you kidding? We fight like other couples, we disagree about things, we have days where we don't really like each other." In December, Tatum wished his wife a happy birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post. "This creature is one more year beautiful. The transformation she invoked this year has been something they only write about in books of fairytale and magic. Your strength and grace ever-evolving," he wrote. "By doing so you make everything around you grow- everything. And I am so very grateful for your lessons. Happy life day my love." (People)
Ryan Sweeting almost ruined marriage for Kaley Cuoco. Time has done little to heal Kaley Cuoco's wounds. The star of "The Big Bang Theory" made clear that she and ex-husband Ryan Sweeting still aren't on the best of terms in a new interview with Cosmopolitan. "I honestly thought I wouldn't get married again," she told the magazine. "My ex ruined that word for me. I married someone the first time who completely changed. The person I ended up with was not the person I originally met. And that wasn't my fault -- that was his." Cuoco and Sweeting called it quits in September 2015, after just 21 months of marriage (the divorce wasn't finalized until May 2016). The actress and tennis star tied the knot after three months of dating. In comparison, Cuoco's current relationship has moved at a snail's pace. In December, the actress announced with a tearful Instagram video that equestrian Karl Cook had asked her to marry him after two years of dating. "I knew how much I had to give and how much I wanted to receive," she told Cosmo. "I knew I just had to be patient ... I had to go through a lot of things, but it brought me to Karl." (PageSix)
Mark Burnett's son is on the mend following his hospitalization a week ago. The reality TV producer shared a photo Monday, which was taken in the hospital, of his son, Cameron, 20, with wires hanging from his chest as he lifted his shirt. "Cameron Burnett. In every challenge you have the toughest mental attitude I've ever seen," the proud father, 57, wrote in the caption. "Stoic, Thoughtful, Grateful and Affirmative All at once and every day. Seriously son... you are amazing. The Holy Spirit is always with you. ???." Cameron also shared the same image and captioned it, "Bionic or antifragile?" Burnett's wife, Touched by an Angel actress Roma Downey, shared the news that something was wrong on Instagram when she asked people to pray for her stepson. In a statement to PEOPLE last week, the couple said, "Our family is so thankful for all the prayers over the last few days. We are relieved to have Cameron back home with us and we are so incredibly grateful for the amazing care he received at UCLA." Mark shares Cameron and his oldest son James with his ex-wife Dianne J. Burnett. He married Downey in 2007 in their Malibu home. Cameron celebrated Easter on Sunday with his family and appeared in photos shared by both his mother and Downey. "My Everything ??mothers love is endless #sons #love#eastersunday ??," Dianne shared on Instagram. Downey also posted multiple photos of Cameron on her Instagram Story, including him alongside James and his father. His recent hospitalization comes four years after he underwent brain tumor surgery in 2014. At the time, Pastor Rick Warren tweeted and asked people to pray for the then-teenager following complications from the operation. Cameron was a student at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and has directed short films such as The Bench. His project received Official Selections at more than 35 film festivals around the world and won at eight of those, according to his website. Burnett has executive-produced multiple hit shows such as Shark Tank, The Apprentice, Survivor and The Voice. (People)
Ryan Reynolds denies split rumors with a hilarious tweet. Let's be honest, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are pretty much the only classic loved-up couple we've got left. First, we lost Anna Faris and Chris Pratt and now Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have announced their separation, so to hear that Blake and Ryan are still going strong is music to our ears. Despite rumors flying around this weekend, Ryan took to Twitter to bat away the fake news in the only way he knows how - by being totally hilarious. Responding to an article that suggested they were 'struggling' to spend 'quality time' together, he said: "I wish. I could use a little "me time"". Thanks for supplying us with a little comic relief, Ryan. The pair are notoriously private about their relationship, but Ryan's previously explained why this is. "I don't intentionally try to be evasive about that stuff," he explained. "If you ask me to describe my relationship, I mean -- words are too clumsy to accurately describe how I feel in that regard, particularly in an interview. It's a strange thing. I understand the climate we live in and why people are curious. But it's just tough and almost emotionally violent - for anyone, I think - to see your personal life summarized in a sentence." We're SO glad to hear they're still going strong. (British Glamour)
Jay-Z Recalls Crying the Moment His Mother Came Out to Him: "I Was So Happy for Her That She Was Free." Jay-Z doesn't know what happy tears are, but he certainly shed them when his mother came out to him. In a newly released clip from his upcoming interview on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, the award-winning rapper got candid with host David Letterman about an unforgettable conversation he had with his mom Gloria Carter. During the chat, she confirmed to her son that she felt like she was in love with her partner. "I cried because I was so happy for her that she was free," he told Letterman of their chat just eight months ago. The next day, he wrote "Smile" off of his latest album, 4:44, in which Carter riffed about "living two lives." "Imagine having to live your life as someone else and you think you're protecting your kids," Jay-Z contemplated. "For my mother to have to live as someone that she wasn't and hide and protect her kids and didn't want to embarrass her kids for all this time and for her to sit in front of me and tell me I think I love someone." According to the rapper, he had known, but had never spoken directly with his mother. "This was the first time we had the conversation and the first time I heard her say that she loved her partner," he continued, noting that she used the phrase "I feel like." "She held that little bit back still," he noted. "She didn't say 'I love...I'm in love.' She said, 'I feel like I love someone.'" Still, the moment struck an emotional chord with Jay-Z. "I don't even believe in crying because you're happy," he quipped. "I don't even know what that is. What is that?" (Eonline)
Is Anna Wintour out at Vogue? It is almost beyond the fashion world's wildest imagination, but the chatter coming out of Conde Nast and the publishing industry has reached a deafening crescendo -- Anna Wintour could be on her way out of Conde and Vogue as artistic director. A host of stunned sources have told Page Six that Wintour -- the grand high priestess of both the fashion and publishing industries since she became editor in chief of Vogue in 1988 -- is to exit her all-powerful role at the publishing house this summer after the July wedding of her daughter, Bee Schaffer, to Francesco Carrozzini, the son of former Italian Vogue Editor Franca Sozzani. The move would also allow Wintour, 68 -- who has for three decades been fashion's ultimate power broker -- to step aside on a high after closing Vogue's all-important September issue. But Conde Nast strongly denies Wintour is going. A Conde corporate spokesperson told Page Six on Monday, "We emphatically deny these rumors," but declined to comment more specifically on Wintour's plans. However, we're told Vogue UK's editor, Edward Enninful, is the likely replacement as the editor of US Vogue. It's unclear who -- if anyone -- might replace Wintour as the artistic director of Conde Nast, the title she ascended to in 2013, giving her oversight over all Conde magazine titles. Longtime Conde chairman Si Newhouse, who died in October 2017, was Wintour's biggest cheerleader. But there are rumors that his presumed successor Jonathan Newhouse -- who is chairman of Conde Nast International and has been in London running the company's international arm -- is coming back to New York. Jonathan, "doesn't like [the amount of power] Anna has" and favors Enninful, one source tells us. Reps for Conde Nast declined to comment on Jonathan Newhouse, and pointed us to reps for their international arm, which didn't immediately comment. Other insiders tell Page Six that consultants are currently in the Conde offices reviewing the firm's financials to identify how the company moves forward in the current media climate, identifying cuts and changes. But they insist this is a regular, yearly process. The news comes as Conde struggles amid a shift in the publishing industry. Under Wintour's watch as artistic director, Conde has closed the print editions of Teen Vogue, Self and Details and it has fought to compete online after closing down Style.com. Sources told The Post that the company is about $100 million a year in red ink. And while many fashion insiders say that Vogue without Wintour is unimaginable, other Conde Nast grandees have been toppling left and right. Within the last year, Graydon Carter (who presided over Vanity Fair for 25 years) was replaced by Radhika Jones and Cindi Leive (who oversaw Glamour for 16 years) was traded out for digital guru Samantha Barry. Meanwhile, Linda Wells was ousted from Allure in 2015 after 14 years and replaced by 42-year-old Michelle Lee. But well-connected Wintour won't be short of other offers -- she may be eyeing a big fashion position back in England, such as leading the British Fashion Council, which in reflection makes her front row seat next to Queen Elizabeth II at London Fashion Week in February an incredibly effective personal PR move. It was previously reported Wintour had hoped to land an ambassadorial position in London had her friend Hillary Clinton won the presidency. There's even buzz that Wintour's exit interview has already been arranged and granted to the New York Times � the newspaper that also smoothed over the edges of Carter and Lieve's departures, insisting that both had left entirely of their own volition. The Gray Lady's headline for Leive was "How to Quit a Magazine, by Cindi Leive." (PageSix)
Prince Philip Admitted to Hospital for Hip Surgery. Prince Philip is heading for surgery. The 96-year-old royal was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London Tuesday afternoon ahead of a "planned surgery" on his hip, Buckingham Palace confirmed to E! News. The Duke of Edinburgh will undergo the surgery on Wednesday. Queen Elizabeth II's husband seemed to be experiencing health problems when he pulled out of an annual pre-Easter church service last Thursday, reportedly because of an issue with his hip. Prince Philip, who announced his retirement from royal duties last May, was expected to make a rare public appearance at the Royal Maundy Service at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel and then attend a reception and lunch. His 91-year-old wife ultimately attended the event without him. "The Order of Service was printed some weeks ago when it was hoped the Duke would be able to take part," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told E! News. "His Royal Highness has since decided not to attend." (Eonline)
Police rushed to Verne Troyer's home Monday night after getting a report the 'Austin Powers' star was suicidal ... TMZ has learned. Law enforcement sources tell us a friend of Verne's made the call around 7:30 PM, and described him as being extremely upset, drunk and suicidal. We're told cops and fire department paramedics responded, and Verne was transported to a hospital for possible alcohol poisoning. We're told he's being held for 72 hours for evaluation. Verne's been battling alcoholism -- and it was almost exactly a year ago when he was admitted to a hospital for it. He later checked into a rehab treatment program. (TMZ)
The Kardashians' 'Biggest Concern' Is Baby Dream's Safety After Blac Chyna Throws a Stroller. In the wake of Blac Chyna being thrown out of an amusement park for a verbal and physical altercation, her ex-fiance Rob Kardashian's loved ones are focused on the wellbeing of his baby daughter Dream. "She is just drama all the time," a source tells PEOPLE about 29-year-old Chyna, who welcomed 16-month-old Dream with Rob, 31, in November 2016. "The family's just relieved Rob isn't involved with her anymore." The source adds that the Kardashians' "biggest concern is that Dream is safe." Over the weekend, a video surfaced of Chyna allegedly involved in a public altercation at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The reality star and mom of two -- she also shares 5-year-old son King Cairo with ex Tyga -- was filmed allegedly getting into an argument at the amusement park on Easter Sunday. In the video, she is seen removing her jacket before grabbing a pink stroller shaped like a miniature car and swinging it around wildly. Chyna, donning a skin-tight body suit, then appears to pace angrily before attempting to grab the stroller again, but she is held back by others. Neither of her children were in the stroller or appeared in the video. She later posted a message to her Instagram story alluding to the incident, suggesting that she acted out in response to a fellow park patron trying to touch one of her kids. "Being famous is hard enough dealing with scrutiny but when someone feels comfortable to come and touch your child it's a whole other story," she said. "I do not condone violence nor am I a violent person but shout out to all of the amazing mothers out there that will protect their children at all cost." A Six Flags representative told PEOPLE, "Last evening, a verbal and physical altercation broke out among two visiting groups. Our security department responded immediately and both groups were escorted out of the park. The safety and security of our guests and employees is our top priority and we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior." Since Rob and Chyna split early last year, the father of one has distanced himself from his ex, who has had an infamously difficult relationship with his family. (Kardashian's sister Kylie Jenner used to date Tyga.) "As soon as he realized his family was right about Chyna and removed himself from all the drama, Rob started doing much better," a source recently told PEOPLE about Rob. "He is on good terms with the family again and everyone is happy about it." "Rob is eating better and has a trainer -- he wants to stay healthy for his daughter's sake," the insider added about Rob, who is finally "in a good place" after years of struggling with depression, weight gain and type 2 diabetes. "He's focused on what he should be focused on: Dream and his health," the source said. "He wants to stay healthy for his daughter's sake. Dream was a huge wake-up call for Rob. He wants to be the best dad possible." (People)
Rob Kardashian is livid at Blac Chyna for putting 1-year-old Dream in harm's way over the weekend at Six Flags ... so he's taking her back to family court, and this one's gonna hurt. Sources connected to Rob say he has been watching Blac Chyna's antics in horror for months and is increasingly worried for his daughter's health and safety. The last straw was turning Dream's stroller into a weapon as she attacked a woman who dared to touch the kid. We're told Rob and his lawyers will file legal docs asking for a hearing to set clear rules for Blac Chyna ... what she can and cannot do when the child is present. On that subject, Rob is also concerned Chyna is bringing new men -- the latest of which is her 18-year-old bf, YBN Almighty Jay -- into her home when the child is present. He wants an order similar to the one in the Jesse Williams custody case ... where neither parent can introduce a boyfriend or girlfriend to the child unless the relationship lasts longer than 6 months. And then there's the issue of money. Rob is currently paying Chyna $20,000 a month in child support, which he thinks is ridiculous for several reasons. First, they have 50/50 joint custody so the monthly paying is absurd. More to the point, she makes way more than him. In fact, his earning power has been reduced to zero since he was banned from Instagram -- the platform that fueled his online business. We're told Rob will be going to court any day asking for a massive reduction in child support. (TMZ)
Another one of Eliza Coupe's husbands wants out -- 'cause he just filed for divorce ... TMZ has learned. Eliza's hubby of almost 4 years, Darin Olien, filed legal docs Monday seeking to end their marriage. It's unclear for now if he's seeking spousal support -- the couple had no children together. Darin and Eliza got married in December 2014 right on the heels of her first divorce from Randall Whittinghill -- whom she had to pay $7,000/month in spousal support for 2 years. She also had to shell out a lump sum of $306,000 at the time. Only time will tell if this ending will be any happier ... money-wise, we mean. (TMZ)
Safaree Samuels broke down into tears during a radio interview in New York, where he says he'd just been robbed at gunpoint hours prior. The "Love & Hip Hop" star made the shocking revelation Monday while sitting for an interview with Power 105.1's Angie Martinez. She introduces him as her guest, but then asks what's wrong ... seeing that he's visibly upset. Safaree then says he'd been robbed. Safaree says he got ran up on by two guys with two guns a couple hours before the show, and that they had him face down with a gun at his head. He says they took "everything." The rapper is clearly shaken from the experience -- the rest of which will be released in the full interview Tuesday afternoon. We've reached out to Safaree ... so far, no word back. (TMZ)
While Viola Davis was teaching us how to get away with murder on TV, would-be burglars were attempting a break-in at her real-life home ... TMZ has learned. We're told that Viola and her husband, Julius Tennon, were fast asleep in their bedroom on the second floor, when they were awakened by the sound of glass breaking ... glass from a door in their bedroom! Turns out the burglars climbed a ladder to the second floor and jumped on the balcony that was off the master. The couple flipped on the lights and that sent the prowlers running. When police arrived, the bad guys were long gone. But cops have a lead ... surveillance video shows three men wearing hoodies and gloves. Same old story ... cops still say celebs aren't being specifically targeted, even though Viola joins a long list of stars who have been hit in 2018 alone. (TMZ)
Logan Paul still doesn't know how to behave. Logan Paul may be a year older, but he isn't necessarily wiser. The embattled YouTube star, who celebrated his 23rd birthday Sunday, was busted over the weekend for allegedly riding atop a school bus with pals in California's Yosemite National Park. A ranger from the U.S. National Parks Service is said to have spotted Paul and friends on the vlogger's blue "Cool Bus," sitting in tents that were strapped to the vehicle's roof, according to The Blast. "Wasn't the smartest or safest thing to do," an official told the website. While Paul ultimately accepted responsibility for his party's actions, the site reported he was cited for an "illegal operation," which results in a small fine. He was also apprehended for parking the "Cool Bus" across multiple parking spaces. In a video uploaded online, Paul claimed he did not receive a ticket. Paul ignited a firestorm of controversy earlier this year, after posting a video on YouTube from Japan's Aokigahara forest near Mount Fuji, laughing and giggling after coming across what appeared to be a dead body hanging from a tree. Paul later issued an apology, claiming he wanted to raise awareness about suicide. "I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity," Paul said on Twitter. As of late February, YouTube has resumed serving ads on Paul's channels following a temporary suspension as a result of the controversial clip. The National Parks Service did not immediately return a request for comment. (PageSix)
Drew Brees claims he was scammed out of MILLIONS by a jeweler who sold him an $8 MILLION diamond ring ... but the jeweler is saying Brees has no one to blame but himself. The New Orleans Saints QB has filed a lawsuit against Vahid Moradi -- who runs the CJ Charles jewelry shop in San Diego, the city where Brees began his NFL career. Brees claims he's been buying jewelry from Moradi for years -- and has dropped roughly $15 MILLION on some insane pieces ... including watches, earrings and rings. Problem is ... Brees claims he recently had his jewelry independently appraised and was told his collection is worth $9 MILLION less than he paid. In his suit filed Monday ... Brees says Moradi had insisted his jewelry was a solid investment that would definitely go up in value over the years -- and feels he was lied to the entire time. Brees claims the biggest hit he took was on a 4.09 carat blue diamond ring he bought in 2015 for $8.18 million ... which recently appraised for only $3.75 million. But Moradi's high-powered attorney, Eric M. George, says Brees shouldn't be pointing the finger at Moradi ... he can only blame himself. "Drew Brees aggressively purchased multi-million-dollar pieces of jewelry. Years later, claiming to suffer 'cash flow problems,' he tried to bully my client into undoing the transactions." "Mr. Brees's behavior and his belief that he was wronged because the jewelry did not appreciate in value as quickly as he hoped both demonstrate a lack of integrity and contradict basic principles of both economics and the law." "He should restrict his game-playing to the football field, and refrain from bullying honest, hard-working businessmen like my client." Brees is seeking at least $9 million in damages. (TMZ)
"Melrose Place" star Jamie Luner has been sued for allegedly seducing a 16-year-old boy into a sexual act, and according to the lawsuit he was not her only victim. And ... he's suing for $250 million. Anthony Oliver claims back in 1998, he attended a house party thrown by Luner to celebrate the success of the show. He ended up at the party because Luner's makeup artist knew Anthony's brother and the makeup artist developed a crush on Anthony. Anthony says Luner saw him and called him "adorable." He says Luner asked if he wanted a drink, and he said he was only 16 but she had the makeup artist pour Anthony a Jack and coke. They drank and talked for 3 hours, went to her room, and he says she removed a small plastic bag of crystal meth from her purse. He says she told him, "It's going to make you real horny." He protested using the drug but instead asked for 2 Tylenols, which he says was laced with the crystal meth. His head began spinning and he says he became sexually aroused. The makeup guy told Luner, who was 26, to go to her room and put on her kitty cat outfit and went to a couch, and he says she began licking his neck, chest and arms and removed his belt, underwear and socks. He says she performed oral sex on him and took his penis out of her mouth and put it in the mouth of the makeup artist. He claims he ended up having sex with Luner multiple times, who said, "come bend me over the couch and ram me." And there's this ... the plaintiff's brother had left the party, and when he returned he recorded Anthony and Luner having sex. Anthony says the experience messed up his life. The lawsuit says, "Plaintiff is left not knowing if he is attracted to men, women or both." He blames the experience for turning him into an alcoholic. According to the lawsuit, various young men came forward to the LAPD, claiming they were also sexually assaulted by Luner. He says 2 other men accused her of drug-induced sex. He's suing for sexual battery and emotional distress. Anthony has already filed a police report. We've reached out to Luner's rep ... so far, no word back. (TMZ)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Kathy Griffin says she hopes to make her U.S. comeback by laughing about the disturbing photograph that got her in hot water with the feds and almost killed her career. But she also has this warning amid the jokes: "If it happened to me it can happen to you." Griffin is embarking this summer on a North American tour that kicks off a year after she was widely condemned for posing for a picture in which she gripped a bloodied rendering of President Donald Trump's head. Ten months on, she is unbowed. "I'm the same girl I've always been -- just a hardworking, obnoxious, red-haired comedy girl. The whole time I've been consistent in just trying to make you laugh," she told The Associated Press. "Am I shocking sometimes? For sure. Do I go too far? I hope so. That's my job." The "Suddenly Susan" and "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" star lost income, received death threats, was denounced by Trump, landed on an Interpol criminal list and was afraid to leave her home. She said she was under investigation by the Department of Justice for two months. "It shouldn't happen to an American citizen," she said. Griffin said she understands if people don't like the photo, but it is protected speech. "If there's one amendment I'm familiar with it's the First Amendment. I know it back and forth and it's how I make my living." The comedian's life changed radically last May when the image came out: "I really never thought that photo would take off at all. Like I've been doing 'shocking' things my whole career." She called the fallout "faux-outrage." She said there were a few missteps, including a hastily put-together apology video followed by a "disastrous" press conference with attorney Lisa Bloom in which she called Trump a "bully" and only worsened the still-spiraling disaster. "My social media was so flooded that I really thought, 'OK, I am the most reviled person in the world right now,'" she said. "It's been a long time to sort of process that and figure out what's real and what isn't." She added: "I really do believe if it happened to me it can happen to you." During those dark days, Griffin said many colleagues like Anderson Cooper turned away but one celebrity reached out -- Jim Carrey, someone she didn't know that well. He advised her to find the comedy in her absurd situation. "It was really meaningful to me that he called," she said. "Jim's advice was right on, which is, 'Lean into this topic and you'll find the comedy.' And luckily I found a lot of comedy while hibernating." Some funny stuff inadvertently came from her mom, who said she was watching TV with the sound off and believed her daughter had joined ISIS. "I don't think they're recruiting 57-year-old Irish-American comedians," Griffin cracked. "I don't think I would do very well in the training camps. I've seen those videos." Unable to tour in the United States, Griffin went overseas, performing in 23 cities in 15 countries. This summer she plans to tour in Mexico, Canada and the United States, including stops in San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Chicago and a sold-out gig at Carnegie Hall in New York. The tour name alone is defiant -- "The Laugh Your Head Off World Tour." "I'm trying to sort of get people to forgive me and get people to come back to me or give me a chance. And it's interesting. It's really like I'm starting all over again," she said. Griffin, who said many people still send her Bibles, acknowledges there are some places in America where she will never be welcomed again and that some TV shows won't ever invite her back. "I still haven't won over the entire cast of 'The View,'" she joked. The initial revulsion and aggressive reaction to the photos has softened lately, especially in the wake of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements spotlighting sexism and misogyny in the entertainment industry. But Griffin said those movements haven't reached out to her and she hasn't felt included. "I know I've been a silence breaker long before that phrase and I'm proud of that," she said. "I'm cheering those women on and I'm with them, whether they know it or not." She compared her experience to that of Eartha Kitt, who was blacklisted after raising concerns about the Vietnam War. Some have suggested Griffin's situation was similar to that of the Dixie Chicks, who denounced the Iraq war, but Griffin doesn't buy that. "They had the entire entertainment community wrap their arms around them, put them on the cover of Time, put them on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. And my situation was the opposite. I had everyone turning on me." One of the ways Griffin has released stress has been as the new owner of two rescue puppies -- Elliot and Olivia, named after the lead characters on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." "I figured after this ordeal I should have real New York detectives living in my house," she said. "Sometimes I'll just lay down and I'll watch my extremely progressive news and I'll just put one puppy here and one puppy here and I feel their heartbeats and, I know it sounds corny, it works wonders." (Page Six)
David Hogg might not be good enough for the University of California -- despite his activism -- but he's now got something in his back pocket ... a possible full ride in New Mexico! TMZ has obtained an acceptance letter from the Dean of the Honors College at New Mexico State University. Dr. Miriam S. Chaiken was pleased to inform Hogg he was welcome at the campus ... and so are all the other Parkland student leaders. In the letter, Chaiken says she's been inspired by the work David and his fellow students were doing in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shootings ... taking to the streets and demanding new gun control laws. She writes, "Please tell David, Emma (Gonzalez), and any other of your student leaders, that they are welcome at the William Conroy Honors College and at New Mexico State University." Chaiken goes on ... "I can assure them that they will be admitted to our university, and I will personally make it my commitment to raise as much funding as I can to support them with scholarships." Sounds like a full ride for Hogg and co. Then again, the specifics are a little vague. He's also got at least three other options on the table to consider. Always nice to have a safety school. (TMZ)
Rocker Ted Nugent says a Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor who's become an outspoken advocate for gun safety is "so brainwashed" he probably can't be fixed. Nugent says high school student David Hogg and his classmates are "not very educated" and "wouldn't know an AR-15 from a pterodactyl." The longtime member of the National Rifle Association's board of directors spoke Monday on the "Curtis and Cosby" show on New York's WABC Radio, continuing a tirade against the students. Parkland students say Nugent hasn't seen "the tears" they've shed and want an apology. Nugent defended Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who mocked Hogg online and lost advertisers. Nugent says Ingraham is "great." Ingraham later apologized. Hogg says it's "time to love thy neighbor, not mudsling at children." Hogg and other student activists haven't responded on Twitter to Nugent's latest comments. (Page Six)
Music
Jared Leto Is Hitchhiking Across America in Honor of Thirty Seconds to Mars' New Album. Jared Leto is going on a cross-country trip. The 46-year-old actor announced he's hitchhiking across America in honor of his band Thirty Seconds to Mars releasing its new album: America. "Yeah, it's a pretty adventure," the Oscar winner said on Monday's episode of On Air With Ryan Seacrest. "I'm going to hitchhike among other things across the country from New York City to Los Angeles. I'm going to jump on a donkey in a Grand Canyon or take a hot air balloon." One of his first pit stops was 30 Rockefeller Center in New York, where he wondered onto the set of The Tonight Show and hitched a ride with rapper A$AP Rocky. Leto also stopped by Times Square to greet some of his fans and gave performances in Grand Central and Times Square. He even sang with a gospel choir in Penn Station. The Suicide Squad star is continuing on to Cleveland, where he will visit the Rock of Roll Hall of Fame, and also stopping in Chicago to see the famous Skydeck. During the interview with Seacrest, the radio host likened Leto's journey to Tom Hanks' cross-country jog in Forrest Gump. "I already got the beard," Leto teased. However, this isn't Leto's first cross-country road trip. In fact, the Dallas Buyers Club star said he used to hitchhike "quite a bit" as a kid. He also talked about the perks of hitting the open road. "You see a lot of unity. You see a lot of things that are very different from what we might expect from what we see on the news," he told Seacrest. "You see a lot of people getting along. You see a lot of beauty. You see a lot of inspiration." The album debuts April 6. (Eonline)
Ed Sheeran's not taking another lawsuit accusing him of ripping off music without fighting back ... and he insists there's ZERO evidence he stole when he wrote a hit for Tim McGraw. In January, Ed got sued over "The Rest of Our Life" ... the Ed-penned tune that was a huge hit last year for Tim and Faith Hill. Sean Carey and Beau Golden think Sheeran jacked their melody for a 2014 song -- "When I Found You" -- that they wrote for Jasmine Rae. On Monday, Ed fired back with his own docs ... denying there's any similarity in the sound of the songs. He admits he never sought Carey and Golden's permission because "The Rest of Our Life" is an "originally and independently created musical composition." He calls their claim baseless and wants the judge to back him up ... by tossing the whole lawsuit. The judge has yet to decide but take a listen to the songs ... and make your own ruling. Ed's been down this road -- back in 2016, he was sued by a co-writer of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" ... who claimed Ed's hit, "Thinking Out Loud" was a carbon copy. That suit was eventually dismissed. (TMZ)
Cardi B has an answer to the guy who's suing her for lifting the tattoo on his back for her album cover -- she says the dude on her album is black, and the plaintiff is lily white. The album cover shows a guy giving Cardi B oral sex ... his back prominently displayed on the cover. Cardi B says the male model on the cover is a "young, dark-skinned male." The plaintiff is a middle-aged white dude from Newport Beach. She also notes the model on the cover has no neck tattoo while the plaintiff has a prominent "Born to Lose" tat on the back of his neck. Cardi's hoping the plaintiff's neck tattoo is an omen for what will happen in court. (TMZ)
Movies
Owen Wilson impersonator fools society crowd. Owen Wilson's movie "Wedding Crashers" seemed to be the inspiration for a Wilson impersonator who "crashed" a fancy Palm Beach, Fla., fund-raiser for Cristo Rey Brooklyn HS. During the benefit for the school at the oceanfront home of Lisa and James Cohen, the faux Owen posed for pictures and chatted up guests including Leonard Lauren (brother of Ralph Lauren), Jean Shafiroff and Christine Schott, who all thought they were talking to the real "Butterscotch Stallion." Sharon Bush, the mother of Lauren Bush Lauren, even posted a photo on Instagram of herself with the fake Wilson -- real name Daniel Hartwell -- who was brought by another guest as an early April Fools' Day joke. Police arrived at 9?p.m. to ask the hosts to have bandleader Alex Donner turn the music down. "Next time, you might want to invite your neighbors!" one cop advised. (PageSix)
Ted Kennedy Scandal Pic 'Chappaquiddick' Tracking for Lowly Nationwide Debut. It looks to be the latest film about one of America's most famous political families to underperfom at the box office. At the Toronto Film Festival last September, Bryon Allen's relatively new independent film company plunked down $4 million -- plus a $16 million marketing commitment -- for U.S. rights to Chappaquiddick, about the 1969 car accident that engulfed the late Ted Kennedy in scandal. Months later, the indie movie may not clear $4 million in its nationwide debut over the April 6-8 weekend, according to tracking. If so, Chappadquiddick will become the latest film about one of the members of America's most famous political families to get voted out of office by moviegoers. Chappaquiddick recounts how Kennedy -- then a 38-year-old U.S. Senator from Massachusetts -- drove off a small bridge on the eponymous Massachusetts island and left political staffer Mary Jo Kopechne, 28, to drown. The accident would forever haunt Kennedy, who subsequently announced that he wouldn't run for president in the 1972 election. He made the same decision when it came to the 1976 race. John Curran, whose credits include The Painted Veil and We Don't Live Here Anymore, directed the film, which stars Jason Clarke as Kennedy and Kate Mara as Kopechne. The supporting cast includes Ed Helms, Bruce Dern, Jim Gaffigan and Taylor Nichols. Originally, Curran's film was set to open in theaters Dec. 8, the heart of awards season. But the release date was subsequently pushed to April 6. "The truth is, if it was Oscar-caliber, it would have been released last fall," says box-office analyst Jeff Bock with Exhibitor Relations. "Chappaquiddick would barely resonate on a streaming platform, let alone in theaters." The film does, however, have a fresh 73 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. In a review when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Hollywood Reporter chief critic Todd McCarthy called the film "a detailed but less than gripping account of a dicey Kennedy family incident." Political movies are always a tough proposition, but movies about members of the Kennedy clan have suffered in particular. Oliver Stone's controversial JFK, released in 1991, fared the best on paper when earning $70.4 million domestically and $205.4 million worldwide, but it was never considered a box-office hit (it opened at No. 5 and finished at No. 17 for the year). It earned numerous Oscar nominations, including best picture and best director, and won for best cinematography and best editing. Kevin Costner, star of JFK, also appeared in Thirteen Days in 2000. That film, which recounted how President John Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy handled the Cuban missile crisis, only earned $34.6 million domestically despite a major nationwide push. In 2006, the historical drama Bobby -- a fictionalized account of the hours leading up the assassination of then presidential candidate Robert Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles -- topped out at $11.2 million in the U.S. and $20.2 million at the worldwide box office. Emilio Estevez directed and wrote the movie, which had a high-wattage ensemble cast including Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Fishburne, Ashton Kutcher, Shia LaBeouf, Lindsay Lohan, William H. Macy, Elijah Wood and Demi Moore. More recently, Parkland -- about the hospital where President Kennedy was taken after being shot in Dallas -- topped out a mere $654,000 in its limited box-office run in 2013. Produced by Tom Hanks' Playtone, Parkland's cast included Zac Efron. Then there was Jackie, Pablo Larrain's prestigious Jackie Kennedy biopic starring Natalie Portman. The Fox Searchlight film, released in select cinemas in the latter part of 2016, earned less than $14 million in its box-office run, even after Portman was nominated for a best actress Oscar. Peter Sarsgaard, Great Gerwig, Billy Crudup and John Hurt co-starred. (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
The creators of "Stranger Things" did not have an original idea for the paranormal show ... instead they allegedly ripped off a writer who handed the idea to them on a silver platter. Charlie Kessler claims in a new lawsuit, he produced a short film called "Montauk," which premiered in 2012 and even won an award at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The centerpiece of the flick involves top secret government experiments ... a key plot point in "Stranger Things." Kessler says in April 2014, he and his agents pitched the concept to the Duffer Brothers as a full-blown series, but the idea seemed to die right there. Kessler says he was shocked when "Stranger Things" came out in July 2016 and claims the brothers used his script, idea, story and film to make the hit show. He even claims the show was initially sold with the name of his short film -- "The Montauk Project." Kessler wants money and destruction of all materials that were allegedly ripped off from his concept. (TMZ)
Hugh Laurie Joins George Clooney in 'Catch-22' at Hulu. Ellen Kuras also has boarded the miniseries and will produce and direct two episodes. Hugh Laurie is returning to Hulu. Following two seasons of the streamer's Chance, the House alum has joined the cast of the George Clooney-led miniseries Catch-22. Based on Joseph Heller's novel, Catch-22 is the story of the artful dodger, Yossarian (played by Christopher Abbott), a U.S. Air Force bombardier in World War II who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him. But his real problem is not the enemy, but rather his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to avoid his military assignments, he'll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule that specifies that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind; a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty. Laurie will take on the role of Major de Coverley, the squadron executive officer on Pianosa air base. A noble, leonine presence, like some Civil War general, de Coverley dances to the beat of his own drum. Regarded with awe by the men. He spends his time pitching horseshoes, listening to jazz on his phonograph, mixing himself martinis and hiring apartments for the officers in every new city the Americans take. Clooney, in his first series regular role since ER, will take on the role of Col. Cathcart, originally played by Martin Balsam. Clooney and his Smokehouse Pictures producing partner Grant Heslov (Good Night, and Good Luck, Argo, The Ides of March) will direct and executive produce. Ellen Kuras (Legion, Ozark) has also boarded the closed-ended miniseries as a producer and will direct two episodes. Luke Davies and David Michod will co-write and exec produce the series along with Anonymous Content's Richard Brown and Steve Golin. A premiere date has yet to be determined. Laurie, whose credits include House and The Night Manager, is repped by WME and Christian Hodell. (Hollywood Reporter)
Cardi B to co-host 'Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon. Cardi B will co-host "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday, April 9. After chatting with host Fallon, and performing, in support of the April 6 debut of album, "Invasion of Privacy," she will stick around to interview the evening's other guests with Fallon. It's the first time the show has named a "co-host," NBC says. It's Cardi B's third visit to Fallon's NBC late-night show; she was on last year on December 20 as a guest, and performed "No Limit" with G-Eazy in September. The 2017 release of her single "Bodak Yellow" spent three weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, making it the first solo No. 1 by a female hip-hop artist in nearly two decades. She then became the first female rapper to land her first three entries in the chart's top 10, and she surpassed Beyonce as the first woman to have five top 10 singles simultaneously on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. (PageSix)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Ending With Season 4 Lets the Show Go Out on a High Note. Don't cry for them, West Covina, the truth is, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ending with season four is not just OK, it's great. Please forgive this poor attempt at Evita humor, it seemed right with Crazy Ex being a musical comedy and all. The CW isn't saying this upcoming season will be Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's last, but series star and co-creator Rachel Bloom told all of Twitter the fourth season will be the last. This is something Bloom and co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna have been saying for years, basically since the show started. Letting the creative forces behind the show dictate its end is the best scenario for any TV show. Period. "Just turned on my wifi on our flight to Chicago and found out that #CrazyExGirlfriend has been renewed for a final season," Bloom tweeted. Bloom is on tour, performing with her Crazy Ex-Girlfriend cast. The CW declined to comment on her tweet and only confirmed a fourth season was coming. Bloom told E! News in November 2016 that the show would be "four at most." "It's a series that lives in being finite," she said. "It's because [Aline Brosh McKenna] is a screenwriter. She was like, 'I just want to map out the whole series.' We spent months just marinating the characters and really mapping it out. Our ratings aren't amazing, so I don't think CW would be like, 'Please give us 10 seasons!' It works to our advantage in that sense." With an ending in mind, the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend team has been able to craft a smart story for Rebecca Bunch and her friends. The lead character, which is played by Bloom, has grown significantly (for both good and bad) over the already completed three seasons. In fact, Rebecca Bunch and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend have depicted more character growth than most long-running shows do in their lifetime. How were they able to do this? They're gifted writers and storytellers and... they planned. They had a vision that wasn't, "How much money can we make?" or "How many episodes do we need before we reach syndication?" This is TV at its best, when it's a medium for entertaining stories what can leave the audience satisfied and wanting more. If previous seasons have taught viewers anything, it's that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend will go out on top, smarter, funnier and more subversive than ever -- the way it should end, the way every TV show should end: strong. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ending with season four is the best thing the show can do. (Please note: Should it return for season five in 2019 or as a revival, well, cool, I guess? But let's stick with what Bloom said.) The story of Rebecca Bunch, the crazy ex-girlfriend, will go down in TV history as one of the greatest TV character arcs because Bloom and Brosh McKenna were able to tell the story on their terms, including ending when they want to. Will TV be a little less fun without the weekly songs of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend? Yes. Will the show be missed? Yes. But it's better to miss a show that ends with dignity than miss a show because it's a shell of its former self. There's one season left of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, cherish it. (Eonline)
Kristen Doute Denies James Kennedy Hookup Rumors: "I'm Telling the Truth!" There are three sides to every story and Kristen Doute's side is that she did not hook up with ex James Kennedy. Such was the subject of speculation during Monday night's episode of Vanderpump Rules. As E! News recapped, thanks to seeing the two drinking together by the pool and some "oddly arranged" pillows by a hot tub the next morning, Jax Taylor came to the curious conclusion that the two hooked up during the cast's July trip to Mexico. Doute and Kennedy, both currently in relationships with other people, denied the claims during the episode, but a bad game of telephone ensued when Kennedy said they did hang out "a little bit but not really" on the night in question and Taylor somehow interpreted his answer as "yeah, so what, we hooked up." As fans of the show know by now, that miscommunication and a heated group dinner the next night led to Doute throwing her drink on Kennedy. While Kennedy insisted he's "over" his ex, Doute also shot down the allegations. "I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever cheat on Carter [Brian]," she told her gal pals, later adding, "I did not have sexual relations with that boy." Doute doubled down on her denial during a post-show interview with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live! "My brain exploded," Doute described seeing the episode. "Sandoval started it and Jax spread the rumor." Answering a fan on Twitter, Doute said she wants to "claw" her skin off when she has to defend herself against cheating allegations. Later, a fan called into the show asking Doute why viewers should believe her now when she's acting similarly to when she was accused of hooking up with Jax (which she later admitted to doing.) "That's so unfair," she responded. "I'm like -- because I'm telling the truth, that's why." As the reality star added, "Did you see the scene? That's why." (Eonline)
Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan 'Have Lovingly Chosen to Separate' After Nearly 9 Years of Marriage. Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum are separating after nearly nine years of marriage. The former couple announced the split in a joint statement exclusive to PEOPLE: "Hey world! So... We have something we would like to share. First off, it feels odd that we have to share this kind of thing with everyone, but it's a consequence of the lives we've chosen to lead, which we also happen to be deeply grateful for. We're living in an incredible moment in time, but it's also a time where truth can easily get distorted into "alternative facts" ?? So we want to share the truth so you know that if you didn't read it here then it's most certainly fiction. We have lovingly chosen to separate as a couple. We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now. There are no secrets nor salacious events at the root of our decision -- just two best-friends realizing it's time to take some space and help each other live the most joyous, fulfilled lives as possible. We are still a family and will always be loving dedicated parents to Everly. We won't be commenting beyond this, and we thank you all in advance for respecting our family's privacy. Sending lots of love to everyone, Chan&Jenna." The actors, both 37, have one child together -- daughter Everly -- who will turn 5 in May. The couple most recently attended the Kids' Choice Awards together where Tatum hit the stage to promote his new animated movie Smallfoot. They first met on the set of their 2006 movie Step Up and began dating shortly after before tying the knot in 2009. Buzz about a split began when Dewan Tatum attended the annual Vanity Fair Oscars after-party solo, but she told ET at the bash that Tatum was on daddy duty and "so happy to have a night off." And in mid-March the former couple shared sweet snaps from a face painting session with their daughter. "When you fall asleep around a toddler," Dewan Tatum captioned a silly shot of Tatum before sharing a solo selfie of her own look. In February, the actress opened up to Health about the perception that she and Tatum had a "perfect life," saying instead that they worked hard to keep their relationship going. "When people say you guys have such a perfect life, I want to scream and tell them no one's perfect," she said. "I think there are such things as great fits. It is a great fit as long as you are growing together, and I think up until this point we've really grown together. Even if one starts to grow, the other catches up and vice versa." Dewan Tatum said while they always made sure to make time for one another, they still had days where they didn't get along. "But I think a couple needs to be conscious and to want to do the work and be willing to look at the parts of you that need work. Both of us have been pretty aware and willing to do that," she continued. "We've always had the same values. But we're not perfect! Are you kidding? We fight like other couples, we disagree about things, we have days where we don't really like each other." In December, Tatum wished his wife a happy birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post. "This creature is one more year beautiful. The transformation she invoked this year has been something they only write about in books of fairytale and magic. Your strength and grace ever-evolving," he wrote. "By doing so you make everything around you grow- everything. And I am so very grateful for your lessons. Happy life day my love." (People)
Ryan Sweeting almost ruined marriage for Kaley Cuoco. Time has done little to heal Kaley Cuoco's wounds. The star of "The Big Bang Theory" made clear that she and ex-husband Ryan Sweeting still aren't on the best of terms in a new interview with Cosmopolitan. "I honestly thought I wouldn't get married again," she told the magazine. "My ex ruined that word for me. I married someone the first time who completely changed. The person I ended up with was not the person I originally met. And that wasn't my fault -- that was his." Cuoco and Sweeting called it quits in September 2015, after just 21 months of marriage (the divorce wasn't finalized until May 2016). The actress and tennis star tied the knot after three months of dating. In comparison, Cuoco's current relationship has moved at a snail's pace. In December, the actress announced with a tearful Instagram video that equestrian Karl Cook had asked her to marry him after two years of dating. "I knew how much I had to give and how much I wanted to receive," she told Cosmo. "I knew I just had to be patient ... I had to go through a lot of things, but it brought me to Karl." (PageSix)
Mark Burnett's son is on the mend following his hospitalization a week ago. The reality TV producer shared a photo Monday, which was taken in the hospital, of his son, Cameron, 20, with wires hanging from his chest as he lifted his shirt. "Cameron Burnett. In every challenge you have the toughest mental attitude I've ever seen," the proud father, 57, wrote in the caption. "Stoic, Thoughtful, Grateful and Affirmative All at once and every day. Seriously son... you are amazing. The Holy Spirit is always with you. ???." Cameron also shared the same image and captioned it, "Bionic or antifragile?" Burnett's wife, Touched by an Angel actress Roma Downey, shared the news that something was wrong on Instagram when she asked people to pray for her stepson. In a statement to PEOPLE last week, the couple said, "Our family is so thankful for all the prayers over the last few days. We are relieved to have Cameron back home with us and we are so incredibly grateful for the amazing care he received at UCLA." Mark shares Cameron and his oldest son James with his ex-wife Dianne J. Burnett. He married Downey in 2007 in their Malibu home. Cameron celebrated Easter on Sunday with his family and appeared in photos shared by both his mother and Downey. "My Everything ??mothers love is endless #sons #love#eastersunday ??," Dianne shared on Instagram. Downey also posted multiple photos of Cameron on her Instagram Story, including him alongside James and his father. His recent hospitalization comes four years after he underwent brain tumor surgery in 2014. At the time, Pastor Rick Warren tweeted and asked people to pray for the then-teenager following complications from the operation. Cameron was a student at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and has directed short films such as The Bench. His project received Official Selections at more than 35 film festivals around the world and won at eight of those, according to his website. Burnett has executive-produced multiple hit shows such as Shark Tank, The Apprentice, Survivor and The Voice. (People)
Ryan Reynolds denies split rumors with a hilarious tweet. Let's be honest, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are pretty much the only classic loved-up couple we've got left. First, we lost Anna Faris and Chris Pratt and now Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have announced their separation, so to hear that Blake and Ryan are still going strong is music to our ears. Despite rumors flying around this weekend, Ryan took to Twitter to bat away the fake news in the only way he knows how - by being totally hilarious. Responding to an article that suggested they were 'struggling' to spend 'quality time' together, he said: "I wish. I could use a little "me time"". Thanks for supplying us with a little comic relief, Ryan. The pair are notoriously private about their relationship, but Ryan's previously explained why this is. "I don't intentionally try to be evasive about that stuff," he explained. "If you ask me to describe my relationship, I mean -- words are too clumsy to accurately describe how I feel in that regard, particularly in an interview. It's a strange thing. I understand the climate we live in and why people are curious. But it's just tough and almost emotionally violent - for anyone, I think - to see your personal life summarized in a sentence." We're SO glad to hear they're still going strong. (British Glamour)
Jay-Z Recalls Crying the Moment His Mother Came Out to Him: "I Was So Happy for Her That She Was Free." Jay-Z doesn't know what happy tears are, but he certainly shed them when his mother came out to him. In a newly released clip from his upcoming interview on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, the award-winning rapper got candid with host David Letterman about an unforgettable conversation he had with his mom Gloria Carter. During the chat, she confirmed to her son that she felt like she was in love with her partner. "I cried because I was so happy for her that she was free," he told Letterman of their chat just eight months ago. The next day, he wrote "Smile" off of his latest album, 4:44, in which Carter riffed about "living two lives." "Imagine having to live your life as someone else and you think you're protecting your kids," Jay-Z contemplated. "For my mother to have to live as someone that she wasn't and hide and protect her kids and didn't want to embarrass her kids for all this time and for her to sit in front of me and tell me I think I love someone." According to the rapper, he had known, but had never spoken directly with his mother. "This was the first time we had the conversation and the first time I heard her say that she loved her partner," he continued, noting that she used the phrase "I feel like." "She held that little bit back still," he noted. "She didn't say 'I love...I'm in love.' She said, 'I feel like I love someone.'" Still, the moment struck an emotional chord with Jay-Z. "I don't even believe in crying because you're happy," he quipped. "I don't even know what that is. What is that?" (Eonline)
Is Anna Wintour out at Vogue? It is almost beyond the fashion world's wildest imagination, but the chatter coming out of Conde Nast and the publishing industry has reached a deafening crescendo -- Anna Wintour could be on her way out of Conde and Vogue as artistic director. A host of stunned sources have told Page Six that Wintour -- the grand high priestess of both the fashion and publishing industries since she became editor in chief of Vogue in 1988 -- is to exit her all-powerful role at the publishing house this summer after the July wedding of her daughter, Bee Schaffer, to Francesco Carrozzini, the son of former Italian Vogue Editor Franca Sozzani. The move would also allow Wintour, 68 -- who has for three decades been fashion's ultimate power broker -- to step aside on a high after closing Vogue's all-important September issue. But Conde Nast strongly denies Wintour is going. A Conde corporate spokesperson told Page Six on Monday, "We emphatically deny these rumors," but declined to comment more specifically on Wintour's plans. However, we're told Vogue UK's editor, Edward Enninful, is the likely replacement as the editor of US Vogue. It's unclear who -- if anyone -- might replace Wintour as the artistic director of Conde Nast, the title she ascended to in 2013, giving her oversight over all Conde magazine titles. Longtime Conde chairman Si Newhouse, who died in October 2017, was Wintour's biggest cheerleader. But there are rumors that his presumed successor Jonathan Newhouse -- who is chairman of Conde Nast International and has been in London running the company's international arm -- is coming back to New York. Jonathan, "doesn't like [the amount of power] Anna has" and favors Enninful, one source tells us. Reps for Conde Nast declined to comment on Jonathan Newhouse, and pointed us to reps for their international arm, which didn't immediately comment. Other insiders tell Page Six that consultants are currently in the Conde offices reviewing the firm's financials to identify how the company moves forward in the current media climate, identifying cuts and changes. But they insist this is a regular, yearly process. The news comes as Conde struggles amid a shift in the publishing industry. Under Wintour's watch as artistic director, Conde has closed the print editions of Teen Vogue, Self and Details and it has fought to compete online after closing down Style.com. Sources told The Post that the company is about $100 million a year in red ink. And while many fashion insiders say that Vogue without Wintour is unimaginable, other Conde Nast grandees have been toppling left and right. Within the last year, Graydon Carter (who presided over Vanity Fair for 25 years) was replaced by Radhika Jones and Cindi Leive (who oversaw Glamour for 16 years) was traded out for digital guru Samantha Barry. Meanwhile, Linda Wells was ousted from Allure in 2015 after 14 years and replaced by 42-year-old Michelle Lee. But well-connected Wintour won't be short of other offers -- she may be eyeing a big fashion position back in England, such as leading the British Fashion Council, which in reflection makes her front row seat next to Queen Elizabeth II at London Fashion Week in February an incredibly effective personal PR move. It was previously reported Wintour had hoped to land an ambassadorial position in London had her friend Hillary Clinton won the presidency. There's even buzz that Wintour's exit interview has already been arranged and granted to the New York Times � the newspaper that also smoothed over the edges of Carter and Lieve's departures, insisting that both had left entirely of their own volition. The Gray Lady's headline for Leive was "How to Quit a Magazine, by Cindi Leive." (PageSix)
Prince Philip Admitted to Hospital for Hip Surgery. Prince Philip is heading for surgery. The 96-year-old royal was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London Tuesday afternoon ahead of a "planned surgery" on his hip, Buckingham Palace confirmed to E! News. The Duke of Edinburgh will undergo the surgery on Wednesday. Queen Elizabeth II's husband seemed to be experiencing health problems when he pulled out of an annual pre-Easter church service last Thursday, reportedly because of an issue with his hip. Prince Philip, who announced his retirement from royal duties last May, was expected to make a rare public appearance at the Royal Maundy Service at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel and then attend a reception and lunch. His 91-year-old wife ultimately attended the event without him. "The Order of Service was printed some weeks ago when it was hoped the Duke would be able to take part," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told E! News. "His Royal Highness has since decided not to attend." (Eonline)
Police rushed to Verne Troyer's home Monday night after getting a report the 'Austin Powers' star was suicidal ... TMZ has learned. Law enforcement sources tell us a friend of Verne's made the call around 7:30 PM, and described him as being extremely upset, drunk and suicidal. We're told cops and fire department paramedics responded, and Verne was transported to a hospital for possible alcohol poisoning. We're told he's being held for 72 hours for evaluation. Verne's been battling alcoholism -- and it was almost exactly a year ago when he was admitted to a hospital for it. He later checked into a rehab treatment program. (TMZ)
The Kardashians' 'Biggest Concern' Is Baby Dream's Safety After Blac Chyna Throws a Stroller. In the wake of Blac Chyna being thrown out of an amusement park for a verbal and physical altercation, her ex-fiance Rob Kardashian's loved ones are focused on the wellbeing of his baby daughter Dream. "She is just drama all the time," a source tells PEOPLE about 29-year-old Chyna, who welcomed 16-month-old Dream with Rob, 31, in November 2016. "The family's just relieved Rob isn't involved with her anymore." The source adds that the Kardashians' "biggest concern is that Dream is safe." Over the weekend, a video surfaced of Chyna allegedly involved in a public altercation at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The reality star and mom of two -- she also shares 5-year-old son King Cairo with ex Tyga -- was filmed allegedly getting into an argument at the amusement park on Easter Sunday. In the video, she is seen removing her jacket before grabbing a pink stroller shaped like a miniature car and swinging it around wildly. Chyna, donning a skin-tight body suit, then appears to pace angrily before attempting to grab the stroller again, but she is held back by others. Neither of her children were in the stroller or appeared in the video. She later posted a message to her Instagram story alluding to the incident, suggesting that she acted out in response to a fellow park patron trying to touch one of her kids. "Being famous is hard enough dealing with scrutiny but when someone feels comfortable to come and touch your child it's a whole other story," she said. "I do not condone violence nor am I a violent person but shout out to all of the amazing mothers out there that will protect their children at all cost." A Six Flags representative told PEOPLE, "Last evening, a verbal and physical altercation broke out among two visiting groups. Our security department responded immediately and both groups were escorted out of the park. The safety and security of our guests and employees is our top priority and we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior." Since Rob and Chyna split early last year, the father of one has distanced himself from his ex, who has had an infamously difficult relationship with his family. (Kardashian's sister Kylie Jenner used to date Tyga.) "As soon as he realized his family was right about Chyna and removed himself from all the drama, Rob started doing much better," a source recently told PEOPLE about Rob. "He is on good terms with the family again and everyone is happy about it." "Rob is eating better and has a trainer -- he wants to stay healthy for his daughter's sake," the insider added about Rob, who is finally "in a good place" after years of struggling with depression, weight gain and type 2 diabetes. "He's focused on what he should be focused on: Dream and his health," the source said. "He wants to stay healthy for his daughter's sake. Dream was a huge wake-up call for Rob. He wants to be the best dad possible." (People)
Rob Kardashian is livid at Blac Chyna for putting 1-year-old Dream in harm's way over the weekend at Six Flags ... so he's taking her back to family court, and this one's gonna hurt. Sources connected to Rob say he has been watching Blac Chyna's antics in horror for months and is increasingly worried for his daughter's health and safety. The last straw was turning Dream's stroller into a weapon as she attacked a woman who dared to touch the kid. We're told Rob and his lawyers will file legal docs asking for a hearing to set clear rules for Blac Chyna ... what she can and cannot do when the child is present. On that subject, Rob is also concerned Chyna is bringing new men -- the latest of which is her 18-year-old bf, YBN Almighty Jay -- into her home when the child is present. He wants an order similar to the one in the Jesse Williams custody case ... where neither parent can introduce a boyfriend or girlfriend to the child unless the relationship lasts longer than 6 months. And then there's the issue of money. Rob is currently paying Chyna $20,000 a month in child support, which he thinks is ridiculous for several reasons. First, they have 50/50 joint custody so the monthly paying is absurd. More to the point, she makes way more than him. In fact, his earning power has been reduced to zero since he was banned from Instagram -- the platform that fueled his online business. We're told Rob will be going to court any day asking for a massive reduction in child support. (TMZ)
Another one of Eliza Coupe's husbands wants out -- 'cause he just filed for divorce ... TMZ has learned. Eliza's hubby of almost 4 years, Darin Olien, filed legal docs Monday seeking to end their marriage. It's unclear for now if he's seeking spousal support -- the couple had no children together. Darin and Eliza got married in December 2014 right on the heels of her first divorce from Randall Whittinghill -- whom she had to pay $7,000/month in spousal support for 2 years. She also had to shell out a lump sum of $306,000 at the time. Only time will tell if this ending will be any happier ... money-wise, we mean. (TMZ)
Safaree Samuels broke down into tears during a radio interview in New York, where he says he'd just been robbed at gunpoint hours prior. The "Love & Hip Hop" star made the shocking revelation Monday while sitting for an interview with Power 105.1's Angie Martinez. She introduces him as her guest, but then asks what's wrong ... seeing that he's visibly upset. Safaree then says he'd been robbed. Safaree says he got ran up on by two guys with two guns a couple hours before the show, and that they had him face down with a gun at his head. He says they took "everything." The rapper is clearly shaken from the experience -- the rest of which will be released in the full interview Tuesday afternoon. We've reached out to Safaree ... so far, no word back. (TMZ)
While Viola Davis was teaching us how to get away with murder on TV, would-be burglars were attempting a break-in at her real-life home ... TMZ has learned. We're told that Viola and her husband, Julius Tennon, were fast asleep in their bedroom on the second floor, when they were awakened by the sound of glass breaking ... glass from a door in their bedroom! Turns out the burglars climbed a ladder to the second floor and jumped on the balcony that was off the master. The couple flipped on the lights and that sent the prowlers running. When police arrived, the bad guys were long gone. But cops have a lead ... surveillance video shows three men wearing hoodies and gloves. Same old story ... cops still say celebs aren't being specifically targeted, even though Viola joins a long list of stars who have been hit in 2018 alone. (TMZ)
Logan Paul still doesn't know how to behave. Logan Paul may be a year older, but he isn't necessarily wiser. The embattled YouTube star, who celebrated his 23rd birthday Sunday, was busted over the weekend for allegedly riding atop a school bus with pals in California's Yosemite National Park. A ranger from the U.S. National Parks Service is said to have spotted Paul and friends on the vlogger's blue "Cool Bus," sitting in tents that were strapped to the vehicle's roof, according to The Blast. "Wasn't the smartest or safest thing to do," an official told the website. While Paul ultimately accepted responsibility for his party's actions, the site reported he was cited for an "illegal operation," which results in a small fine. He was also apprehended for parking the "Cool Bus" across multiple parking spaces. In a video uploaded online, Paul claimed he did not receive a ticket. Paul ignited a firestorm of controversy earlier this year, after posting a video on YouTube from Japan's Aokigahara forest near Mount Fuji, laughing and giggling after coming across what appeared to be a dead body hanging from a tree. Paul later issued an apology, claiming he wanted to raise awareness about suicide. "I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity," Paul said on Twitter. As of late February, YouTube has resumed serving ads on Paul's channels following a temporary suspension as a result of the controversial clip. The National Parks Service did not immediately return a request for comment. (PageSix)
Drew Brees claims he was scammed out of MILLIONS by a jeweler who sold him an $8 MILLION diamond ring ... but the jeweler is saying Brees has no one to blame but himself. The New Orleans Saints QB has filed a lawsuit against Vahid Moradi -- who runs the CJ Charles jewelry shop in San Diego, the city where Brees began his NFL career. Brees claims he's been buying jewelry from Moradi for years -- and has dropped roughly $15 MILLION on some insane pieces ... including watches, earrings and rings. Problem is ... Brees claims he recently had his jewelry independently appraised and was told his collection is worth $9 MILLION less than he paid. In his suit filed Monday ... Brees says Moradi had insisted his jewelry was a solid investment that would definitely go up in value over the years -- and feels he was lied to the entire time. Brees claims the biggest hit he took was on a 4.09 carat blue diamond ring he bought in 2015 for $8.18 million ... which recently appraised for only $3.75 million. But Moradi's high-powered attorney, Eric M. George, says Brees shouldn't be pointing the finger at Moradi ... he can only blame himself. "Drew Brees aggressively purchased multi-million-dollar pieces of jewelry. Years later, claiming to suffer 'cash flow problems,' he tried to bully my client into undoing the transactions." "Mr. Brees's behavior and his belief that he was wronged because the jewelry did not appreciate in value as quickly as he hoped both demonstrate a lack of integrity and contradict basic principles of both economics and the law." "He should restrict his game-playing to the football field, and refrain from bullying honest, hard-working businessmen like my client." Brees is seeking at least $9 million in damages. (TMZ)
"Melrose Place" star Jamie Luner has been sued for allegedly seducing a 16-year-old boy into a sexual act, and according to the lawsuit he was not her only victim. And ... he's suing for $250 million. Anthony Oliver claims back in 1998, he attended a house party thrown by Luner to celebrate the success of the show. He ended up at the party because Luner's makeup artist knew Anthony's brother and the makeup artist developed a crush on Anthony. Anthony says Luner saw him and called him "adorable." He says Luner asked if he wanted a drink, and he said he was only 16 but she had the makeup artist pour Anthony a Jack and coke. They drank and talked for 3 hours, went to her room, and he says she removed a small plastic bag of crystal meth from her purse. He says she told him, "It's going to make you real horny." He protested using the drug but instead asked for 2 Tylenols, which he says was laced with the crystal meth. His head began spinning and he says he became sexually aroused. The makeup guy told Luner, who was 26, to go to her room and put on her kitty cat outfit and went to a couch, and he says she began licking his neck, chest and arms and removed his belt, underwear and socks. He says she performed oral sex on him and took his penis out of her mouth and put it in the mouth of the makeup artist. He claims he ended up having sex with Luner multiple times, who said, "come bend me over the couch and ram me." And there's this ... the plaintiff's brother had left the party, and when he returned he recorded Anthony and Luner having sex. Anthony says the experience messed up his life. The lawsuit says, "Plaintiff is left not knowing if he is attracted to men, women or both." He blames the experience for turning him into an alcoholic. According to the lawsuit, various young men came forward to the LAPD, claiming they were also sexually assaulted by Luner. He says 2 other men accused her of drug-induced sex. He's suing for sexual battery and emotional distress. Anthony has already filed a police report. We've reached out to Luner's rep ... so far, no word back. (TMZ)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
Kathy Griffin says she hopes to make her U.S. comeback by laughing about the disturbing photograph that got her in hot water with the feds and almost killed her career. But she also has this warning amid the jokes: "If it happened to me it can happen to you." Griffin is embarking this summer on a North American tour that kicks off a year after she was widely condemned for posing for a picture in which she gripped a bloodied rendering of President Donald Trump's head. Ten months on, she is unbowed. "I'm the same girl I've always been -- just a hardworking, obnoxious, red-haired comedy girl. The whole time I've been consistent in just trying to make you laugh," she told The Associated Press. "Am I shocking sometimes? For sure. Do I go too far? I hope so. That's my job." The "Suddenly Susan" and "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" star lost income, received death threats, was denounced by Trump, landed on an Interpol criminal list and was afraid to leave her home. She said she was under investigation by the Department of Justice for two months. "It shouldn't happen to an American citizen," she said. Griffin said she understands if people don't like the photo, but it is protected speech. "If there's one amendment I'm familiar with it's the First Amendment. I know it back and forth and it's how I make my living." The comedian's life changed radically last May when the image came out: "I really never thought that photo would take off at all. Like I've been doing 'shocking' things my whole career." She called the fallout "faux-outrage." She said there were a few missteps, including a hastily put-together apology video followed by a "disastrous" press conference with attorney Lisa Bloom in which she called Trump a "bully" and only worsened the still-spiraling disaster. "My social media was so flooded that I really thought, 'OK, I am the most reviled person in the world right now,'" she said. "It's been a long time to sort of process that and figure out what's real and what isn't." She added: "I really do believe if it happened to me it can happen to you." During those dark days, Griffin said many colleagues like Anderson Cooper turned away but one celebrity reached out -- Jim Carrey, someone she didn't know that well. He advised her to find the comedy in her absurd situation. "It was really meaningful to me that he called," she said. "Jim's advice was right on, which is, 'Lean into this topic and you'll find the comedy.' And luckily I found a lot of comedy while hibernating." Some funny stuff inadvertently came from her mom, who said she was watching TV with the sound off and believed her daughter had joined ISIS. "I don't think they're recruiting 57-year-old Irish-American comedians," Griffin cracked. "I don't think I would do very well in the training camps. I've seen those videos." Unable to tour in the United States, Griffin went overseas, performing in 23 cities in 15 countries. This summer she plans to tour in Mexico, Canada and the United States, including stops in San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Chicago and a sold-out gig at Carnegie Hall in New York. The tour name alone is defiant -- "The Laugh Your Head Off World Tour." "I'm trying to sort of get people to forgive me and get people to come back to me or give me a chance. And it's interesting. It's really like I'm starting all over again," she said. Griffin, who said many people still send her Bibles, acknowledges there are some places in America where she will never be welcomed again and that some TV shows won't ever invite her back. "I still haven't won over the entire cast of 'The View,'" she joked. The initial revulsion and aggressive reaction to the photos has softened lately, especially in the wake of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements spotlighting sexism and misogyny in the entertainment industry. But Griffin said those movements haven't reached out to her and she hasn't felt included. "I know I've been a silence breaker long before that phrase and I'm proud of that," she said. "I'm cheering those women on and I'm with them, whether they know it or not." She compared her experience to that of Eartha Kitt, who was blacklisted after raising concerns about the Vietnam War. Some have suggested Griffin's situation was similar to that of the Dixie Chicks, who denounced the Iraq war, but Griffin doesn't buy that. "They had the entire entertainment community wrap their arms around them, put them on the cover of Time, put them on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. And my situation was the opposite. I had everyone turning on me." One of the ways Griffin has released stress has been as the new owner of two rescue puppies -- Elliot and Olivia, named after the lead characters on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." "I figured after this ordeal I should have real New York detectives living in my house," she said. "Sometimes I'll just lay down and I'll watch my extremely progressive news and I'll just put one puppy here and one puppy here and I feel their heartbeats and, I know it sounds corny, it works wonders." (Page Six)
David Hogg might not be good enough for the University of California -- despite his activism -- but he's now got something in his back pocket ... a possible full ride in New Mexico! TMZ has obtained an acceptance letter from the Dean of the Honors College at New Mexico State University. Dr. Miriam S. Chaiken was pleased to inform Hogg he was welcome at the campus ... and so are all the other Parkland student leaders. In the letter, Chaiken says she's been inspired by the work David and his fellow students were doing in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shootings ... taking to the streets and demanding new gun control laws. She writes, "Please tell David, Emma (Gonzalez), and any other of your student leaders, that they are welcome at the William Conroy Honors College and at New Mexico State University." Chaiken goes on ... "I can assure them that they will be admitted to our university, and I will personally make it my commitment to raise as much funding as I can to support them with scholarships." Sounds like a full ride for Hogg and co. Then again, the specifics are a little vague. He's also got at least three other options on the table to consider. Always nice to have a safety school. (TMZ)
Rocker Ted Nugent says a Parkland, Florida, school shooting survivor who's become an outspoken advocate for gun safety is "so brainwashed" he probably can't be fixed. Nugent says high school student David Hogg and his classmates are "not very educated" and "wouldn't know an AR-15 from a pterodactyl." The longtime member of the National Rifle Association's board of directors spoke Monday on the "Curtis and Cosby" show on New York's WABC Radio, continuing a tirade against the students. Parkland students say Nugent hasn't seen "the tears" they've shed and want an apology. Nugent defended Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who mocked Hogg online and lost advertisers. Nugent says Ingraham is "great." Ingraham later apologized. Hogg says it's "time to love thy neighbor, not mudsling at children." Hogg and other student activists haven't responded on Twitter to Nugent's latest comments. (Page Six)
Music
Jared Leto Is Hitchhiking Across America in Honor of Thirty Seconds to Mars' New Album. Jared Leto is going on a cross-country trip. The 46-year-old actor announced he's hitchhiking across America in honor of his band Thirty Seconds to Mars releasing its new album: America. "Yeah, it's a pretty adventure," the Oscar winner said on Monday's episode of On Air With Ryan Seacrest. "I'm going to hitchhike among other things across the country from New York City to Los Angeles. I'm going to jump on a donkey in a Grand Canyon or take a hot air balloon." One of his first pit stops was 30 Rockefeller Center in New York, where he wondered onto the set of The Tonight Show and hitched a ride with rapper A$AP Rocky. Leto also stopped by Times Square to greet some of his fans and gave performances in Grand Central and Times Square. He even sang with a gospel choir in Penn Station. The Suicide Squad star is continuing on to Cleveland, where he will visit the Rock of Roll Hall of Fame, and also stopping in Chicago to see the famous Skydeck. During the interview with Seacrest, the radio host likened Leto's journey to Tom Hanks' cross-country jog in Forrest Gump. "I already got the beard," Leto teased. However, this isn't Leto's first cross-country road trip. In fact, the Dallas Buyers Club star said he used to hitchhike "quite a bit" as a kid. He also talked about the perks of hitting the open road. "You see a lot of unity. You see a lot of things that are very different from what we might expect from what we see on the news," he told Seacrest. "You see a lot of people getting along. You see a lot of beauty. You see a lot of inspiration." The album debuts April 6. (Eonline)
Ed Sheeran's not taking another lawsuit accusing him of ripping off music without fighting back ... and he insists there's ZERO evidence he stole when he wrote a hit for Tim McGraw. In January, Ed got sued over "The Rest of Our Life" ... the Ed-penned tune that was a huge hit last year for Tim and Faith Hill. Sean Carey and Beau Golden think Sheeran jacked their melody for a 2014 song -- "When I Found You" -- that they wrote for Jasmine Rae. On Monday, Ed fired back with his own docs ... denying there's any similarity in the sound of the songs. He admits he never sought Carey and Golden's permission because "The Rest of Our Life" is an "originally and independently created musical composition." He calls their claim baseless and wants the judge to back him up ... by tossing the whole lawsuit. The judge has yet to decide but take a listen to the songs ... and make your own ruling. Ed's been down this road -- back in 2016, he was sued by a co-writer of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" ... who claimed Ed's hit, "Thinking Out Loud" was a carbon copy. That suit was eventually dismissed. (TMZ)
Cardi B has an answer to the guy who's suing her for lifting the tattoo on his back for her album cover -- she says the dude on her album is black, and the plaintiff is lily white. The album cover shows a guy giving Cardi B oral sex ... his back prominently displayed on the cover. Cardi B says the male model on the cover is a "young, dark-skinned male." The plaintiff is a middle-aged white dude from Newport Beach. She also notes the model on the cover has no neck tattoo while the plaintiff has a prominent "Born to Lose" tat on the back of his neck. Cardi's hoping the plaintiff's neck tattoo is an omen for what will happen in court. (TMZ)
Movies
Owen Wilson impersonator fools society crowd. Owen Wilson's movie "Wedding Crashers" seemed to be the inspiration for a Wilson impersonator who "crashed" a fancy Palm Beach, Fla., fund-raiser for Cristo Rey Brooklyn HS. During the benefit for the school at the oceanfront home of Lisa and James Cohen, the faux Owen posed for pictures and chatted up guests including Leonard Lauren (brother of Ralph Lauren), Jean Shafiroff and Christine Schott, who all thought they were talking to the real "Butterscotch Stallion." Sharon Bush, the mother of Lauren Bush Lauren, even posted a photo on Instagram of herself with the fake Wilson -- real name Daniel Hartwell -- who was brought by another guest as an early April Fools' Day joke. Police arrived at 9?p.m. to ask the hosts to have bandleader Alex Donner turn the music down. "Next time, you might want to invite your neighbors!" one cop advised. (PageSix)
Ted Kennedy Scandal Pic 'Chappaquiddick' Tracking for Lowly Nationwide Debut. It looks to be the latest film about one of America's most famous political families to underperfom at the box office. At the Toronto Film Festival last September, Bryon Allen's relatively new independent film company plunked down $4 million -- plus a $16 million marketing commitment -- for U.S. rights to Chappaquiddick, about the 1969 car accident that engulfed the late Ted Kennedy in scandal. Months later, the indie movie may not clear $4 million in its nationwide debut over the April 6-8 weekend, according to tracking. If so, Chappadquiddick will become the latest film about one of the members of America's most famous political families to get voted out of office by moviegoers. Chappaquiddick recounts how Kennedy -- then a 38-year-old U.S. Senator from Massachusetts -- drove off a small bridge on the eponymous Massachusetts island and left political staffer Mary Jo Kopechne, 28, to drown. The accident would forever haunt Kennedy, who subsequently announced that he wouldn't run for president in the 1972 election. He made the same decision when it came to the 1976 race. John Curran, whose credits include The Painted Veil and We Don't Live Here Anymore, directed the film, which stars Jason Clarke as Kennedy and Kate Mara as Kopechne. The supporting cast includes Ed Helms, Bruce Dern, Jim Gaffigan and Taylor Nichols. Originally, Curran's film was set to open in theaters Dec. 8, the heart of awards season. But the release date was subsequently pushed to April 6. "The truth is, if it was Oscar-caliber, it would have been released last fall," says box-office analyst Jeff Bock with Exhibitor Relations. "Chappaquiddick would barely resonate on a streaming platform, let alone in theaters." The film does, however, have a fresh 73 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. In a review when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Hollywood Reporter chief critic Todd McCarthy called the film "a detailed but less than gripping account of a dicey Kennedy family incident." Political movies are always a tough proposition, but movies about members of the Kennedy clan have suffered in particular. Oliver Stone's controversial JFK, released in 1991, fared the best on paper when earning $70.4 million domestically and $205.4 million worldwide, but it was never considered a box-office hit (it opened at No. 5 and finished at No. 17 for the year). It earned numerous Oscar nominations, including best picture and best director, and won for best cinematography and best editing. Kevin Costner, star of JFK, also appeared in Thirteen Days in 2000. That film, which recounted how President John Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy handled the Cuban missile crisis, only earned $34.6 million domestically despite a major nationwide push. In 2006, the historical drama Bobby -- a fictionalized account of the hours leading up the assassination of then presidential candidate Robert Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles -- topped out at $11.2 million in the U.S. and $20.2 million at the worldwide box office. Emilio Estevez directed and wrote the movie, which had a high-wattage ensemble cast including Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Fishburne, Ashton Kutcher, Shia LaBeouf, Lindsay Lohan, William H. Macy, Elijah Wood and Demi Moore. More recently, Parkland -- about the hospital where President Kennedy was taken after being shot in Dallas -- topped out a mere $654,000 in its limited box-office run in 2013. Produced by Tom Hanks' Playtone, Parkland's cast included Zac Efron. Then there was Jackie, Pablo Larrain's prestigious Jackie Kennedy biopic starring Natalie Portman. The Fox Searchlight film, released in select cinemas in the latter part of 2016, earned less than $14 million in its box-office run, even after Portman was nominated for a best actress Oscar. Peter Sarsgaard, Great Gerwig, Billy Crudup and John Hurt co-starred. (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
The creators of "Stranger Things" did not have an original idea for the paranormal show ... instead they allegedly ripped off a writer who handed the idea to them on a silver platter. Charlie Kessler claims in a new lawsuit, he produced a short film called "Montauk," which premiered in 2012 and even won an award at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The centerpiece of the flick involves top secret government experiments ... a key plot point in "Stranger Things." Kessler says in April 2014, he and his agents pitched the concept to the Duffer Brothers as a full-blown series, but the idea seemed to die right there. Kessler says he was shocked when "Stranger Things" came out in July 2016 and claims the brothers used his script, idea, story and film to make the hit show. He even claims the show was initially sold with the name of his short film -- "The Montauk Project." Kessler wants money and destruction of all materials that were allegedly ripped off from his concept. (TMZ)
Hugh Laurie Joins George Clooney in 'Catch-22' at Hulu. Ellen Kuras also has boarded the miniseries and will produce and direct two episodes. Hugh Laurie is returning to Hulu. Following two seasons of the streamer's Chance, the House alum has joined the cast of the George Clooney-led miniseries Catch-22. Based on Joseph Heller's novel, Catch-22 is the story of the artful dodger, Yossarian (played by Christopher Abbott), a U.S. Air Force bombardier in World War II who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him. But his real problem is not the enemy, but rather his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to avoid his military assignments, he'll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule that specifies that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind; a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty. Laurie will take on the role of Major de Coverley, the squadron executive officer on Pianosa air base. A noble, leonine presence, like some Civil War general, de Coverley dances to the beat of his own drum. Regarded with awe by the men. He spends his time pitching horseshoes, listening to jazz on his phonograph, mixing himself martinis and hiring apartments for the officers in every new city the Americans take. Clooney, in his first series regular role since ER, will take on the role of Col. Cathcart, originally played by Martin Balsam. Clooney and his Smokehouse Pictures producing partner Grant Heslov (Good Night, and Good Luck, Argo, The Ides of March) will direct and executive produce. Ellen Kuras (Legion, Ozark) has also boarded the closed-ended miniseries as a producer and will direct two episodes. Luke Davies and David Michod will co-write and exec produce the series along with Anonymous Content's Richard Brown and Steve Golin. A premiere date has yet to be determined. Laurie, whose credits include House and The Night Manager, is repped by WME and Christian Hodell. (Hollywood Reporter)
Cardi B to co-host 'Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon. Cardi B will co-host "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Monday, April 9. After chatting with host Fallon, and performing, in support of the April 6 debut of album, "Invasion of Privacy," she will stick around to interview the evening's other guests with Fallon. It's the first time the show has named a "co-host," NBC says. It's Cardi B's third visit to Fallon's NBC late-night show; she was on last year on December 20 as a guest, and performed "No Limit" with G-Eazy in September. The 2017 release of her single "Bodak Yellow" spent three weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, making it the first solo No. 1 by a female hip-hop artist in nearly two decades. She then became the first female rapper to land her first three entries in the chart's top 10, and she surpassed Beyonce as the first woman to have five top 10 singles simultaneously on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. (PageSix)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Ending With Season 4 Lets the Show Go Out on a High Note. Don't cry for them, West Covina, the truth is, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ending with season four is not just OK, it's great. Please forgive this poor attempt at Evita humor, it seemed right with Crazy Ex being a musical comedy and all. The CW isn't saying this upcoming season will be Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's last, but series star and co-creator Rachel Bloom told all of Twitter the fourth season will be the last. This is something Bloom and co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna have been saying for years, basically since the show started. Letting the creative forces behind the show dictate its end is the best scenario for any TV show. Period. "Just turned on my wifi on our flight to Chicago and found out that #CrazyExGirlfriend has been renewed for a final season," Bloom tweeted. Bloom is on tour, performing with her Crazy Ex-Girlfriend cast. The CW declined to comment on her tweet and only confirmed a fourth season was coming. Bloom told E! News in November 2016 that the show would be "four at most." "It's a series that lives in being finite," she said. "It's because [Aline Brosh McKenna] is a screenwriter. She was like, 'I just want to map out the whole series.' We spent months just marinating the characters and really mapping it out. Our ratings aren't amazing, so I don't think CW would be like, 'Please give us 10 seasons!' It works to our advantage in that sense." With an ending in mind, the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend team has been able to craft a smart story for Rebecca Bunch and her friends. The lead character, which is played by Bloom, has grown significantly (for both good and bad) over the already completed three seasons. In fact, Rebecca Bunch and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend have depicted more character growth than most long-running shows do in their lifetime. How were they able to do this? They're gifted writers and storytellers and... they planned. They had a vision that wasn't, "How much money can we make?" or "How many episodes do we need before we reach syndication?" This is TV at its best, when it's a medium for entertaining stories what can leave the audience satisfied and wanting more. If previous seasons have taught viewers anything, it's that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend will go out on top, smarter, funnier and more subversive than ever -- the way it should end, the way every TV show should end: strong. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ending with season four is the best thing the show can do. (Please note: Should it return for season five in 2019 or as a revival, well, cool, I guess? But let's stick with what Bloom said.) The story of Rebecca Bunch, the crazy ex-girlfriend, will go down in TV history as one of the greatest TV character arcs because Bloom and Brosh McKenna were able to tell the story on their terms, including ending when they want to. Will TV be a little less fun without the weekly songs of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend? Yes. Will the show be missed? Yes. But it's better to miss a show that ends with dignity than miss a show because it's a shell of its former self. There's one season left of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, cherish it. (Eonline)
Kristen Doute Denies James Kennedy Hookup Rumors: "I'm Telling the Truth!" There are three sides to every story and Kristen Doute's side is that she did not hook up with ex James Kennedy. Such was the subject of speculation during Monday night's episode of Vanderpump Rules. As E! News recapped, thanks to seeing the two drinking together by the pool and some "oddly arranged" pillows by a hot tub the next morning, Jax Taylor came to the curious conclusion that the two hooked up during the cast's July trip to Mexico. Doute and Kennedy, both currently in relationships with other people, denied the claims during the episode, but a bad game of telephone ensued when Kennedy said they did hang out "a little bit but not really" on the night in question and Taylor somehow interpreted his answer as "yeah, so what, we hooked up." As fans of the show know by now, that miscommunication and a heated group dinner the next night led to Doute throwing her drink on Kennedy. While Kennedy insisted he's "over" his ex, Doute also shot down the allegations. "I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever cheat on Carter [Brian]," she told her gal pals, later adding, "I did not have sexual relations with that boy." Doute doubled down on her denial during a post-show interview with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live! "My brain exploded," Doute described seeing the episode. "Sandoval started it and Jax spread the rumor." Answering a fan on Twitter, Doute said she wants to "claw" her skin off when she has to defend herself against cheating allegations. Later, a fan called into the show asking Doute why viewers should believe her now when she's acting similarly to when she was accused of hooking up with Jax (which she later admitted to doing.) "That's so unfair," she responded. "I'm like -- because I'm telling the truth, that's why." As the reality star added, "Did you see the scene? That's why." (Eonline)
Comments
Post a Comment