ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Exclusive! Ciara and Russell Wilson Officially Married 3 Days After Star-Studded Wedding. It's officially official! Ciara and Russell Wilson may have held a lavish wedding ceremony on July 6 in Cheshire, England but E! can exclusively report the two were married in King County, Washington on Saturday, July 9. The "I Bet" songstress and her NFL star husband were surrounded by a slew of celebrities as they tied the knot during a breath-taking union at Peckforton Castle just over a week ago. Ciara called on LaLa Anthony and Rowland as two of her eight bridesmaids while longtime BFF Jennifer Hudson also attended the nuptials. Ciara donned a one-of-a kind Roberto Cavalli Couture wedding gown, which was designed by the label's creative director Peter Dundas, and the Seattle Seahawks quarterback sported a custom Giorgio Armani suit of his own. Since becoming husband and wife, the stunning pair turned heads when they made their red carpet debut as a married couple on the ESPY Awards red carpet Wednesday. Just a day later, Wilson caught up with E! News' Sibley Scoles at the 2016 Kids' Choice Sports Award to dish on all things wedded bliss. When asked if Ciara and Russell saved a piece of their cake, the athlete admitted, "It was hard to bring back the cake from Liverpool to America, and I'd truly be a fat kid if I did that. I am one already." "We ate pretty much all the cake already so I don't think there was any more cake toppings at all," he added. Given that Earth, Wind & Fire provided the reception's musical accompaniment, it's no wonder the entire wedding party worked up quite the appetite dancing the night away. (Eonline)

Mick Jagger Expecting 8th Child at Age 72: Hollywood's Oldest New Dads. Congratulations are in order for Mick Jagger! The Rolling Stones front man, 72, is expecting his eighth child with girlfriend Melanie Hamrick, 29, a spokesman for the rocker confirmed. Jagger already has seven other kids, whose ages range from 17-45. He also became a great-grandfather last year when his granddaughter, Assisi Jackson, gave birth to a baby girl. Although Jagger's family addition might come as a surprise given his age, it's hardly the first time a male celebrity has become a dad later in life. Steve Martin became a first-time dad in 2013 when he was 67 years old. He and his wife, Anne Stringfield, kept the birth very secret, and even to this day don't share too many details about their child. Rod Stewart continued to grow his family tree when he welcomed a baby boy, Alastair Stewart, at 60 with now-wife Penny Lancaster. The couple then had another child, Aiden Patrick Stewart, several years later when the crooner was 66. In total, Stewart, now 71, has eight children. Sir Paul McCartney became a dad again at the age of 61 when then-wife Heather Mills gave birth to daughter Beatrice. He also has four other children with ex-wife Linda McCartney, who passed away in 1998. Now married to Nancy Shevell, the couple has not had any children together, but The Beatles alum has eight grandchildren. Alec Baldwin is going to become a dad to his fourth child pretty soon, as his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, is pregnant with their third (he already had daughter Ireland Baldwin with Kim Basinger). The 30 Rock alum, who is 58, also shares son Rafael Baldwin and daughter Carmen Baldwin with the 32-year-old fitness and wellness expert. Larry King has a total of five kids, two of who were born when he was 66 and 67. He and wife Shawn King welcomed sons Chance and Cannon into the family. The "King of Late Night" also was a father to Chaia King, Larry King Jr. and Andy King. Robert De Niro was dubbed a new dad once again when he welcomed a daughter into the family fold at 68 via surrogate. Helen Grace was the sixth child for the Oscar winner, who also has two children with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott and 16-year-old twin sons with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith. He also has one grandchild, Nicholas De Niro.

Did Peta Murgatroyd & Maksim Chmerkovskiy Reveal Sex of Their Baby? Are Maksim Chmerkovskiy and fiancee Peta Murgatroyd expecting a tiny male dancer? The two past Dancing With the Stars winners and dance pros began dating in 2012 and got engaged last December. Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd confirmed last month they are expecting their first child, with a photo of him embracing her bare baby bump. The couple is expecting a baby boy, two sources told E! News exclusively Friday. Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd have not commented. However, they appeared to have been dropping hints about the sex of their child on Instagram. On Friday, Murgatroyd, who recently turned 30, posted a photo of the two kissing behind a giant birthday cake containing the words "Happy 30th Peta" and "I love you both!" written in blue icing, a silver decoration that reads "baby" and a tiny pair of light blue baby slippers with ribbons. On Wednesday, Murgatroyd shared an Instagram pic of Chmerkovskiy holding a black and white baby sneaker. "Someone's getting prepared #babychmerkovskiy," she wrote. Earlier in the week, she and Chmerkovskiy posted pics of them holding a pair of red and gray baby printed onesies -- gifts they received on Good Morning America. One of them read, "Future champ." (Eonline)

Ethan Zohn is Married! The Survivor Winner Says "I Do" to Lisa Heywood. Wedding bells are ringing for Ethan Zohn! The Survivor winner married New York City-based interior designer Lisa Heywood on Saturday during a traditional Jewish ceremony in Vermont, E! News confirms. After meeting at a Clinton Global Initiative charity event, the pair dated for two years before announcing their engagement in July 2015. According to People, bride and groom tied the knot in the gardens nestled within a 35-room mansion built in 1864. Zohn, 42, donned a custom ivory linen and silk suit by Aspetto while Heywood, 47, stunned in a beaded lace mermaid gown by Inbal Dror. For those who might not recall, Zohn rose to reality TV fame when he took home the top prize on the long-running series' third season. He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009, and after battling a second bout just two years later, Ethan became cancer free thanks to a stem cell transplant from his brother. At the time of their engagement, Zohn said, "This is the reason I survived cancer twice... to meet Lisa and start a beautiful and healthy new life together." Ahead of the festivities, the couple let wedding blog The Knot in on a few secrets regarding their upcoming nuptials. As it turns out, Zohn couldn't help but include a tribute to his Survivor stardom, with the cocktail hour set to include a number of "Survivor-style" games for guests to take part in. As for any familiar faces on the pair's attendee list? Ethan teased, "There'll be a little Survivor reunion at the wedding, with a few guests from the show." Congratulations, you two! (Eonline)

Drew Barrymore Files for Divorce From Will Kopelman. Drew Barrymore is closing the book on the final chapter of her marriage. The actress has filed for divorce from Will Kopelman on Friday after four years together, according to The New York Daily News. The former couple, who confirmed their separation in April, share two young daughters, Olive, 3, and Frankie, 2. Following their split, the 41-year-old and her then art consultant beau insisted that despite calling it quits, their family would stay intact. "Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family," the pair said in a joint statement. "Divorce might make one feel like a failure, but eventually you start to find grace in the idea that life goes on. Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority." In the months that followed, the Blended star has done her part in moving upward and onward, her social media presence hallmarked by time spent with her kids and loved ones. But when she appeared on Chelsea in May, Drew offered a remarkably candid glimpse into the struggles she's recently faced. "When you break up with somebody, you're like, 'Yeah, that didn't work,' [but] when you get divorced you're like, 'I'm the biggest failure. This is the biggest failure,'" Barrymore reflected to Chelsea Handler. "It's so shameful and hard to actually go through that, even privately." A source told E! News at the time of their separation the pair choosing to split was a long time coming. "This was a slow burn. It was not a decision that they came to over night," the insider adds. "They worked on things for a long time and have had time to adjust." Barrymore's divorce from Kopelman marks her third marriage. The Never Been Kissed celeb was married to Jeremy Thomas for less than a year until 1995; in 2001 she wed actor and comedian Tom Green before ending their marriage in October 2002. (Eonline)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver have both moved on with their lives since the split in July 2011. He's had a girlfriend for several years, and she's got a boyfriend. He's established a strong bond with 18-year-old son Joseph Baena. She's moved, redecorated, etc. Oh, they're still married. It's one of the weirdest divorces in memory. They didn't have a prenup and we're told they essentially worked out a property settlement several years ago ... splitting up the estimated $400 million fortune. There have never been any custody issues. The kids are now all adults. Yet neither Maria nor Arnold have done anything to move the divorce past the finish line. We're told Arnold and Maria haven't really shared why they continue to stay married. There are theories it's too painful for either to walk away from $200 million, but that really doesn't make any sense. There are others who say it's because Maria is super religious and doesn't believe in divorce, but Arnold could still pull the trigger if he wanted. Our sources say neither is interested in ending the marriage. It just goes on, as they lead separate lives. (TMZ)

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck announced their split in June 2015, yet they haven't moved an inch in ending their marriage ... sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ. Divorce papers have not been filed, and we're told neither side has taken any steps to dissolve the marriage. Ben has been living on the family property since the split, in the guest house. It's unusual for a couple to announce the end of their marriage yet take no action for more than a year ... and still live within eyeshot of each other. We're told the inaction is largely about protecting their kids and creating a structure for co-parenting 10-year-old Violet, 7-year-old Seraphina and 4-year-old Samuel. Our sources say this is not an issue of reconciliation ... although no one's saying that's impossible. As one source put it, "It's just been status quo. Nothing's changed." (TMZ)

Nick Cannon Gushes About TLC's Chilli Amid Dating Rumors: "She's Amazing." Nick Cannon certainly seems like he's diggin' on TLC singer Chilli, days after the two sparked dating rumors. Just don't use the "R word"...yet. The New York Daily News reported this week that the 35-year-old America's Got Talent host, who is in the midst of divorce proceedings with Mariah Carey, and Chilli, whose real name is Rozonda Thomas, were spotted kissing at WDKX's Summerfest Concert in Rochester, New York over the weekend. A source recently told E! News the two started "hanging out romantically" earlier this summer. Cannon was all smiles when asked about Chilli in an exclusive interview with E! News' Carissa Culiner at the premiere of the documentary Gleason in Los Angeles Thursday. "She's amazing," Cannon said about the singer. "She's an outstanding person but you gotta ask her what's going on." "I'm new to this! How does this whole thing work?" he said, joking, "Right now I'm damaged goods, I need to be repaired." When Culiner cited a "relationship" between him and Chilli, Cannon said, "Ooh, you used the 'R word already?" "That is definitely my friend, someone I care dearly for," he said. "I'd be so lucky to be able to...be called dating someone like that." Chilli, 45, has not commented publicly about Cannon, who filed for divorce from Carey in December 2014 after six years of marriage. The two share 6-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe. Since their split, Carey has moved on with Australian billionaire James Packer. The two got engaged several months ago. A source told E! News in January Cannon is "happy for them" and that the twins "like Packer," who "treats them well." Carey, her beau and the kids recently vacationed together on his luxury yacht in Italy. (Eonline)

It's no snap decision! After a year of dating, Snapchat founder and CEO Evan Spiegel is "ready to take the next step" with his girlfriend, Miranda Kerr, a source exclusively reveals in the latest issue of Us Weekly. "They are both completely smitten and Evan's starting to look at rings." Though this won't be the first time the mom of 5-year-oldFlynn walks down the aisle (she was married to her son's father, Orlando Bloom, from 2011 to 2013), there won't be any holding back when it comes to planning their nuptials. The pair, who met in 2014, will have an "extravagant wedding, in true Evan style," adds the pal. "Miranda certainly won't mind!" Until then, the supermodel, 33, and the 26-year-old worth $2.1 billion will spend time settling into their new abode. In May, they purchased a $12 million mansion (which was previously inhabited by Ford for nearly 30 years!) in L.A.'s Brentwood neighborhood. The 7,164-square-foot home has a pool, gym, pool house and guesthouse on a sprawling three-quarter–acre lot. But make no mistake, the duo weren't buying a party house. The former Victoria's Secret Angel gushed to the Edit in January about having "the best of both worlds" in her young but mature man. "He's 25, but acts like he's 50," explained Kerr. "He's not out partying. He goes to work in [L.A.'s] Venice [Beach]. He comes home. We don't go out. We'd rather be at home and have dinner, go to bed early." These are important qualities in a future stepfather for Flynn. The Australian also explained her agreement with Bloom, 39, about bringing significant others into their son's life: "We had to know the person for six months and feel good about them," she said. "Evan met Flynn, so, yeah, things are going well. Orlando thinks he's great. We're just a modern family now!" (US Weekly)

Chris Hemsworth Weighs In on Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston's Romance With Five Sweet Words. Short, sweet and to the point. As Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston reunite in Australia to reprise their roles as Thor and Loki in Thor: Ragnarok, the native Aussie is also getting a front row seat to his pal in the throws of a summer romance fit for the storybooks. While Tom and his off-screen leading lady Taylor Swift have kept rather tight-lipped about their blossoming relationship, Hiddleston's co-star offered just a few simple words to describe how his pal looks while dating pop's biggest star. "He looks happy, mate. Yeah!" the actor said with a chuckle during an interview with Nova 96.9. Like we said -- not so many words, but all of the right ones. Perhaps Hemsworth's description may dampen the naysayers' fire about the legitimacy of this relationship. Even Hiddleston personally confirmed his and Taylor's coupling is no act. "The truth is that Taylor Swift and I are together, and we're very happy," Hiddleston told The Hollywood Reporter after learning of his first Emmy nomination. "Thanks for asking. That's the truth. It's not a publicity stunt." Many have speculated that their one month of dating has been an organized spectacle, noting the possibility of a new album or Hiddleston allegedly aiming to become the next James Bond as reasons for a highly public act. However, according to sources, Swift is really and truly smitten. In fact, she's already used the "L" word and considered what the Night Manager star might be like as a parent. "This is the kind of a man she would want to marry," one source told E! News. "She has said he would make a great dad. They have talked about what they want in the future and kids are something that they would both like down the line." "Tay can't stop talking about Tom," a second source revealed. "It's an ongoing conversation with the girls on how happy she is. Tay has mentioned numerous times how 'in love' with each other they are." Well, that love must be visible because Hemsworth has certainly noticed. (Eonline)

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin Finalize Their Divorce Two Years After Split. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's "conscious uncoupling" is complete. Two years after announcing their split, a Los Angeles judge finalized their divorce on Thursday, according to court papers obtained by E! News. The exes reached a settlement in May with both parties giving up their rights to spousal support while determining child custody, visitation and support in a private agreement, according to court documents previously obtained by E! News. Paltrow, 43, and Martin, 39, have made co-parenting daughter Apple, 12, and son Moses, 10, a top priority, and despite their personal breakup, the exes have remained close friends. "I think, unfortunately, though we couldn't stay in a romantic relationship, we're very, our values are very much around the importance of family and the importance of those relationships and I'm lucky that we're aligned in that way," Paltrow said at a #BlogHer15 conference in New York last year. "And it's been hard, and you know, like, we've gone through really difficult times with it but we've always said these children are our priority." "What that really means is, 'Even though today, you hate me and you never want to see me again, like, we're going to brunch, 'cause it's Sunday and that's what we'll do!' You know, like, 'That's what's happening!'" she explained. "Like, the children are our commitment." Paltrow is currently dating Glee co-creator Brad Falchuk while Martin has been romantically linked to Jennifer Lawrence and Annabelle Wallis post-split. (Eonline)

Sean "Diddy" Combs Apologizes for Acting Like an "A -- hole." Sean "Diddy" Combs has something he wants to get off his chest: He's sorry for acting like an "a--hole." The 46-year-old rapper and producer, also known as Puff Daddy, poured his heart out in a confessional selfie video posted early Saturday on Twitter and Instagram. "All this week I've been really trying to work on being conscious of how I speak to people," he said, walking around shirtless. "Sometimes I'm very, very harsh. At the end of the day, I'm just trying to, you know, get better. I was just on a phone call and I didn't really like the way it was going down...so I said, 'Let me call you back.' And I think that was the best thing." "So I feel like I'm getting better every day and all I can do is try," he added. "And to anybody out there, if I ever talked to you wrong or like an a--hole, I'm sorry. I'm a work in progress and I'm gonna get better. I think that we can all get better. I truly believe that people can change and I want to be a shining example of changing for the better, going up. I'm just sharing all my thoughts...have a beautiful day. Team Love." Diddy did not name anyone in his confession. His video drew praise from many of his fans. "Love u diddy....that shows growth!" one person wrote on Instagram. "It takes a real man to admit when he has an issue and apologize and work on it....I'm proud of you," another person said. (Eonline)

Kylie Jenner Sets the Record Straight: "I'm Not Pregnant." Kylie Jenner wants everyone to know the facts: She is not pregnant. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star took to Twitter Thursday to set the record straight regarding the latest round of rumors plaguing her. "Omg. No I'm not pregnant. It's been the same rumor for years & no baby..." she posted. "So when I decide to go to that next stage in my life...I'll be the first to let you know...Not a weekly blog." She later deleted the tweets. The 18-year-old reality star's rant came after an InTouch Weekly report claimed she was expecting a child with her rapper beau Tyga, with whom she recently got back together. He already raises son King Cairo with ex Blac Chyna. Kylie's admission also took place after she attended an anti-bullying event in Los Angeles with mom Kris Jenner. The event celebrated Kylie's SinfulColors nail polish brand's partnership with L.A.'s LGBT Center's Stomp Out Bullying campaign. Although there's absolutely no truth to pregnancy rumors, Kylie has made it perfectly clear that she and Tyga are back together and are doing very well together. Using her Snapchat and Instagram to document their recent adventures, Kylie and Tyga have packed on the PDA in photos and videos. She also recently shared a photo on Instagram of her and Tyga at the PrettyLittleThing USA launch party that had fans wondering if she and Tyga tied the knot, but she then deleted it. "Mr. and Mrs.," the caption read. Kylie and Tyga also packed on the PDA over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, nuzzling and kissing in the 18-year-old E! star's Snapchat. The social media show took place only a few days after E! News confirmed that they're "definitely, officially 100 percent back on." According to our source, both Tyga and Kylie are happy to be back together. "They needed a reset," the source told us. "Kylie is happy. She feels like she needed the time apart, but it's fate." (Eonline)

Zayn Malik Got a Star Wars Lightsaber Tattoo -- and It Lights Up! The Force is strong with Zayn Malik! The 23-year-old pop star and former One Direction singer has added another tattoo to his collection of body ink and this one's pretty unique; It's a tat of a blue Star Wars lightsaber and it actually lights up. Also, if you want to see it closely in person, well, you may have to piss Malik off, as it's tattooed on his middle finger. New York tattoo artist Jonathan "Jon Boy" Valena recently shared a pic of the singer flipping the bird to show off the creation on Instagram Friday, as well as a pic of him, Malik and two other people. "May the force be with you @zayn #uvink #starwars #jonboytattoo," Jon Boy wrote. A UV tattoo is created with ink that glows under a blacklight. Malik has not commented about his new tattoo. He has several other tats, including images of lips, flowers, a checkered flag and one depicting now-ex-girlfriend Perrie Edwards' face. In March, he shocked fans by appearing with a tattoo of the letters "MOM" -- a tribute to his first solo album Mind of Mine, on his face. It was later revealed to be fake. Jon Boy has also given tattoos to celebs such as Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin and Chloë Grace Moretz. (Eonline)

Lady Gaga has only had her driver's license for a few weeks but she's already gotten a crash course in getting pulled over. Gaga was cruisin' The PCH in Malibu Friday when she got pulled over. It's unclear exactly what Gaga did to warrant the stop ... but things didn't seem to get too serious. One thing's for sure though ... she's drives a pretty sweet throwback truck. Gaga announced earlier this month she'd finally gotten her driver's license -- looks like she's learning pretty quickly -- it ain't all that fun. (TMZ)

Ralphie May's children are about to be right in the path of a massive typhoon that's already killed dozens -- or so he believes, which is why he rushed to court to block his estranged wife's vacay plans. Ralphie's ex, Lahna Turner, was planning to take their 2 kids to China from July 9-18 for what she called an "educational trip." Ralphie wasn't down with that because he says Lahna's been interfering with his custodial parenting time. The comedian also busted out meteorology to sway the court -- referencing super typhoon Nepartak. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, he said the storm was on track to hit Shanghai during the vacation. The court sided with Ralphie and put the kibosh on the Lahna's plans. Probably for the best ... Nepartak destroyed Taiwan last Thursday, killing more than 20 people, and then headed toward mainland China. (TMZ)

Aaron Carter got a sweet new website to market and sell music, all designed by a guy who thought he was getting paid -- until Carter allegedly tagged him as an unpaid intern. In a letter obtained by TMZ, John Cantu's demanding $50k from Aaron for developing and maintaining his website. John says he spent months developing it, but things went south in June when he asked for a paycheck. He says that's when Aaron dropped the bombshell -- dude, you're an intern. John found that laughable, since Aaron didn't teach him a damn thing ... so, the "intern" struck back. John crashed Aaron's site and replaced it with a message instructing AC's fans to "follow a genius" ... and included his own Twitter handle. Aaron fired off his own letter, demanding control of the website. John says he'll hand it over, IF he gets his dough. (TMZ)

Mark Hunt is FURIOUS over Brock Lesnar's potential failed drug test ... DEMANDING half of B.L.'s UFC 200 winnings ... or he's bolting the UFC. Hunt laid it all out on his website Friday night ... saying, "I've told Dana I want half of Brock's purse." FYI -- Lesnar reportedly made $2.5 MILLION ... plus a percentage of the massive pay-per-view take. "This is the third time I've had to fight a cheater in my career. The other two times I didn't ask for compensation, but this is the third time and I'm sick of them getting away with cheating." If he doesn't get Brock's cash, Hunt says he wants out of his UFC deal. "I've told Dana that I want a release from the UFC if they don't sort this out." The UFC has not yet responded to Hunt's ultimatum. Story developing ... (TMZ)

NBA legend and Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond has died at the age of 74. According to reports, the 7-time All Star died in San Francisco Friday after a short battle with leukemia. Thurmond was in the NBA for 14 year seasons, the first 11 were with the San Francisco and Golden State Warriors. Thurmond set an NBA milestone in 1974 when he became the first player to record an official quadruple double with points, rebounds, assists and blocks. Joe Lacob, President of the Warriors released a statement following Nate's death, saying, "We've lost one of the most iconic figures in the history of not only our organization, but the NBA in general." RIP. (TMZ)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Eric Clapton's personal guitar is heading to auction and is expected to raise a ton of cash for a fellow musician. Eric's 2014 Fender Stratocaster -- the one he played at his 70th Birthday Celebration Concert -- is being hawked by Johnny Nicholas, of classic country group Asleep at the Wheel, through Heritage Auctions. We're told it's estimated to go for more than $20,000! The guitar's sale was intended to benefit Johnny's wife, Brenda -- who had been fighting Leukemia -- but, sadly, she passed away a few weeks ago. All proceeds will now go toward Leukemia research. The Strat is signed by Slowhand, and you can put in an online bid now or get to Dallas for the live auction on July 23. (TMZ)

Pitbull Gets Emotional Receiving His Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: "It's About Coming from Nothing to Something." From the 305 to Hollywood's Walk of Fame! Armando Christian Perez, better known as Pitbull, received the 2,584th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this Friday. The ceremony was filled with fans and three people that were essential to the Miami native's life; Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell, Tony Robbins and Lil Jon. The star is located on Celia Cruz square, Cruz is one of Pitbull's idols. As mentioned at the ceremony, Pitbull has 9 billion YouTube Vevo views, 70 million single sales, 6 million album sales, and his social media presence speaks to nearly 90 million people daily. No easy feat. It seems that Pitbull himself felt that it was surreal, and as Tony Robbins described, he beat the odds. "I'd like to honor a young boy Armando, because he's who built Mr. World Wide. A young boy who was a first-generation Cuban American in Miami's Little Havana. In a community that is stressed, in a community where often the most respected people sell drugs. His life could've been completely different, in fact, should've been based on the law of averages," Robbins said. "He's a man where somewhere inside he's got so much love for people that he couldn't hurt anyone. At 17, he did the most important thing that any of us could do, he decided what is life was going to be about. He decided to leave the idea of selling drugs and see how he could light people up with something much more powerful; his music, his heart, his soul, and he's done that." Pitbull's mother introduced the Robbins' program to him at a young age, the motivator explained, "So she played him my audio programs all the time in the car, I think he was irritated initially, but he learned to love them. I'd love to say that he's given me so much credit for shaping him. I didn't shape this man. He went out and got it. He went out and made it happen. I'm just privileged to be a small and tiny part." Robbins spoke on how who Pitbull is behind the music, "You go down to Little Havana and there is no one that he won't stop for. The way he treats a waiter, the way he treats the guy that grabs his car. He brings love, joy and passion to every soul to every moment that you could be around this man. I went down to see his SLAM institute where he's got sports, leadership and management. He's always giving back to his community and he's never forgotten about his roots," Robbins said. "He's making sure that more Armandos have opportunities for the future, their own version of it." Uncle Luke remembered the beginning of Pitbull's career and said, "When I first met him, the first thing he said was, "All I want to do is take care of my mama." And that to me was very important, because I know that is dear to his heart." The 2 Live Crew member recalled the days when he took Pitbull all over Miami and had him rap against the biggest rappers of the city and that's how he earned the respect of his hometown. Once it was Pitbull's turn to speak, things got emotional. "I use these platforms to speak to you all and for you all to understand that for me it's never been about money, it's never been about fame -- It's been about a journey. And that journey being that it's about our culture. It's about coming from nothing to something," the star said. "It's about being the prime example of what the American dream is and what it embodies." Just as we expected, Pitbull thanked his family, but he explained that all though he keeps his six children from the public eye, it doesn't mean that he doesn't love them. "There are people in my life that I love and I keep out of the public eye, I guess you could call it being selfish, because I don't want them to be a part of the life I signed up for, but I love them dearly." After he thank everyone, the "Timber" singer wanted to use this moment to motivate all of those witnessing the ceremony. "To be up here it just goes to show what happens when you're focused, when you work hard, when you believe in yourself, and when you go against all odds," he said. "And if there's on thing I never understood it's no. Losing to me is just another opportunity and failure to me is just another lesson learned." There is one thing about Pitbull that we love....he doesn't forget where he's from. He is constantly talking about his loved city of Miami. "So to be here and go from, La Sawesera, La Pequena Habana, Wynwood, Hialeah, Opa-Locka, Carol City, Liberty City, Allapattah...I mean all these different neighborhoods and to be able to be here in Hollywood getting a star -- it's priceless," he said. The biggest thank you Pitbull gave was to his mother, which he says taught him the most important thing. "I want to say thank you to my mother because she taught me one thing, it's the most important thing in life, she taught me how to survive," he said. "To teach them how to go against all odds and see that nothing could stop them as long as they believe in themselves and do right by others." Then the star switched over to Spanish and spoke about the hard work and sacrifice that Latinos do to help the future of their families. "Of having the liberty of going forward in life, and because there are people out there that spoke s -- t at the end of the day, and they don't know what our struggle is and they don't know what it's like to come from nothing," he said. "Especially coming from a family that came to this country without knowing the language, they didn't know anything... but they fought and always kept moving forward. But when people talk crap about us Latinos and they know nothing...they need to shut up." Mr. World Wide promises that he's just getting started, and we can't see what he'll do next. Congrats, Pitbull! (Eonline)

Mariah Carey Poses for Sexy Clash Magazine Cover and Talks About What She Wants for Her Kids. Like many celebrity children, Mariah Carey and ex Nick Cannon's 5-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe get to live a VIP lifestyle. However, their mom wants the two, often nicknamed "Dembabies," to feel "normal." The pop star made her comments to Clash magazine, which features her on the cover of its 101st issue, striking a sultry pose in a black bodysuit and matching fur jacket, with her hair covering part of her face. Carey dons a slew of sexy outfits during her concerts and often brings the children with her on tour. Earlier this year, the three visited cities such as Paris, where the singer performed at the AccorHotels Arena. They have also stayed with her in Las Vegas, where she has a concert residency show, Mariah Carey #1 to Infinity. The twins have even gotten to get up on stage with their mother. "I want them to still feel normal," Carey told Clash. "So, if they don't like traveling around at some point, they won't have to travel around," she said. "But they love traveling. They love flying. If I keep them home for like five days, they're like, 'When are we going on an airplane?'" "They really love it," she added. "They love doing all these things and seeing places -- they love the Eiffel Tower. It's amazing, you know what I mean? I just have the best time with them." Carey and the twins recently vacationed with her fiance James Packer on his luxury yacht in Italy and this week traveled to Cannes, France. The singer posted several pics of her kids at their hotel on Instagram. Carey is currently on a break from touring and will resume her Las Vegas residency show in August and continue performing there until September. In November, she has three shows in Brazil. (Eonline)

Gwen Stefani still has Blake Shelton head over heels for her 8 months into their relationship if what he's drinking is any indication. Blake took Gwen on a romantic dinner date Thursday night at Trattoria Dell'Arte in Midtown Manhattan. We're told they ordered a 2011 bottle of Silver Oak Cabernet, which goes for $140 with dinner. No biggie, except Blake's usually a whiskey guy ... so he's still smitten, for sure. As for food, he got veal chop parmigiana and she got the dover sole. We're told very few people noticed them until they got up to leave their corner table. Blake picked up the tab. He's just traditional that way. (TMZ)

Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth Are All Smiles as They Make Obscene Gestures After Dinner Date. The couple that flips people off together, stays together... In what marked one of their happiest-looking photographed moments, the notoriously private couple Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth were seen grinning and acting rather naughty as they exited the Malibu restaurant Nobu after a dinner date Friday. With one of the singer's arms around her beau, the two walked together while giving the finger, with the actor even doing a double obscene gesture. Miley, 23, and Hemsworth, 26, were both dressed casually for their date. She wore a blue printed collared shirt and jeans and carried a fuzzy teddy bear handbag, while he sported a gray T-shirt, navy jacket and jeans. The Japanese restaurant is a celebrity hotspot and is one of the couple's favorites; They had also had lunch there last weekend. Miley and Hemsworth ended their engagement and split in 2013. Earlier this year, they rekindled their romance and sources told E! News they had gotten re-engaged. The singer has been spotted several times wearing her ring over the last few months. While neither has confirmed they plan to wed, Miley's father and former Hannah Montana co-star Billy Ray Cyrus, 54, acted coy when asked about the subject in an interview with E! News in May. "Here's what I do know. They're so happy. That's the main thing," he said, adding, "If any of my kids decide that they're gonna have a wedding of any kind, whatever role they want me to play, I'll be there." Hemsworth talked about his relationship with Miley in a rare interview with GQ several months ago. He said their breakup "needed to happen" because "at the time, we were going in different direction." When asked about the current status of their relationship, he too remained coy, saying, "People will figure it out, they already have...They're not dumb." (Eonline)

Ronda Rousey just shared some very interesting advice she got from her mom -- "Winning is a bitch. But revenge is a motherf*****." Ronda was speaking at the Women in Action female empowerment event in Chicago earlier Friday -- when she talked about advice she got from her athlete mom about bouncing back after a loss. The crowd went wild for Rousey -- who was pretty pumped up! Does this mean she wants another crack at Holly Holm? BTW, Ronda was sporting a diamond ring on her finger ... but sources close to the fighter tell us it's NOT an engagement ring, just a piece of jewelry she selected for the event. (TMZ)

It's over. Finally. Tom Brady has announced he's ending his Deflategate fight ... saying, "I have made the difficult decision to no longer proceed with the legal process." Translation -- I'll take my 4-game suspension. In a Facebook post, Brady wrote, "It has been a challenging 18 months and I have made the difficult decision to no longer proceed with the legal process." "I'm going to work hard to be the best player I can be for the New England Patriots and I look forward to having the opportunity to return to the field this fall." Brady has always maintained he did NOT illegally order team equipment guys to deflate several game balls before the AFC Championship game in 2015. Earlier this week, an appeals court rejected Brady's request for a rehearing -- and if Brady wanted to continue the fight, he'd have to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. He cried "Uncle" instead. Your ball, Jimmy G. ... (TMZ)

Olympic Gymnast McKayla Maroney Denies Lip Injection Rumors. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney turned heads when she displayed a noticeably different appearance during the Olympic trials, but she's now going on the record to deny any nips and tucks. After sharing several sultry pictures on Instagram, fans speculated that she had lip injections to give her a plumper pout. But Maroney tells Seventeen that she's had no work done. "First of all, that I haven't," she says when asked if she's had lip injections. "And I've posted a picture on Instagram last night that was like, how do I make my face look like I didn't do anything to my face when I literally have not done anything to my face?" Maroney chalks up her changed pout to over-lining her lips with lip liner and other makeup tools -- not plastic surgery. But with ever-present social media tracking people's every moves, Maroney admits it can be hard to change in front of the camera. "Growing up in the social media world, it's tough. Your face changes, you get older, your face fills out, and you fall into liking makeup and different stuff like that. And for people saying that, for the most part -- it would kind of hurt my feelings when you haven't done anything," she shares with the magazine. "You just kind of have to keep being yourself and move forward with what you love. I just haven't had anything to give to people, so they're almost just picking at anything that they can to find something to talk about me for. It's just one of those things right now and you just have to keep moving forward." Maroney announced her retirement from professional gymnastics in February, admitting that health issues and her dwindling love of the sport made her want to put her "worth and value into something else." These days the former gymnast is working on a music and acting career, having already made appearances in Bones and Hart of Dixie. She also has an upcoming appearance on Superstore. (Eonline)

Music

Katy Perry Releases "Rise," a 2016 Rio Olympics Anthem. Katy Perry has risen to the occasion. The pop star released a new song, "Rise," at 11 p.m. ET Thursday. The track, which is available to download on iTunes and to stream on Apple Music, will be used as an anthem leading up to and throughout the 2016 Rio Olympics. "When, when the fire's at my feet again / And the vultures all start circling," she sings. "They're whispering, 'You're out of time' / But still I rise." "This is a song that's been brewing inside me for years, that has finally come to the surface. I was inspired to finish it now, rather than save it for my next album, because now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite," the singer-songwriter told E! News in a statement. "I know that together we can rise above the fear -- in our country, and around the world. I can't think of a better example than the Olympic athletes, as they gather in Rio with their strength and fearlessness, to remind us how we ALL can come together, with the resolve to be the best we can be. I hope this song can inspire us to heal, unite, and rise together. I am honored that NBC Olympics has chosen to use it as an anthem before and during the Rio Games." NBC Olympics and Perry are also collaborating on an original "Rise" cinema spot that will be seen in more than 20,000 movie theaters. "We are thrilled to have Katy contribute such a powerful and inspiring song to our coverage of the Rio Games," said Jim Bell, Executive Producer, NBC Olympics. "Her music and message speak directly to the spirit of the Olympics and its athletes." An extended version of Perry's cinema spot debuted Friday on NBC's Today during the 8 a.m. ET hour. It is also available to stream on NBCOlympics.com and many other NBCU digital platforms. "Rise" is Perry's her first new music release since 2013's Prism. After the song made its debut, one of Perry's fans tweeted that "Rise" is "definitely relevant with all thats happening in the world." In response, Perry tweeted, "No better time than now." Another Twitter user reminded fans that "Rise" is "NOT the lead single for her next album," but rather an "amuse bouche." The singer agreed, adding, "[it's] yummy to ur tummy tho." (Eonline)

Justin Bieber Isn't Thrilled When One Fan Throws Object on Stage: "You Ruined the Moment." When it comes to attending a Justin Bieber concert, there's some etiquette you just have to follow. You better be a Belieber, willing to dance to "Sorry" and maybe keep your objects away from the stage. During Friday night's concert at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the "Beauty and a Beat" singer was speaking to the crowd when a concert attendee tried to throw something onstage. The moment caused Justin to speak out and make a request to fans. "Take this moment to listen and try not to give me a hat or whatever you're trying to throw onto the stage right now, because I probably don't want that s--t," he shared in a video captured on social media before receiving a huge round of applause. "Sorry that was mean." "But yeah, no I lost what I was going to say," he continued. "I was deep into, like, a mode and a zone. I was -- I was into it. Now I'm out of it. I'll get it back. Just give me a second." After sharing a few words of wisdom with the sold-out crowd, Justin continued his concert with a new song. He also apologized once again if his words came off a little bit too strong. "Sorry for throwing your hat but you ruined the moment," he shared with a fan. "Whatever, let's do it." The Purpose World Tour only has two more dates in the United States before it heads off to Japan, Iceland and other parts of the world. But for Beliebers in select cities, they may be able to wear a piece of the tour for many weeks to come. According to the New York Times, Barney's will be selling an exclusive Justin Bieber Purpose tour capsule collection timed with the pop star's Madison Square Garden shows next week. The 31-piece unisex collection will feature concert T-shirts along with jerseys, jeans and leather jackets that retail for $1,675. Hurry, before the cashier says sorry, we're sold out. (Eonline)

Trace Adkins was 3 sheets during a charity performance which went south, but he's making good by making a big fat donation to a children's hospital. The country star was performing in Seaside Heights, New Jersey Wednesday for a fundraiser benefiting St. Jude Children's Hospital. Trace slurred his way through 3 songs -- obviously drunk -- and it got so bad some people in the audience beelined it for the exit. The singer's had his problems with the bottle ... back in 2014 he got in a fight with a Trace look-alike on a cruise ship. He went to rehab shortly after the ship docked. As for Wednesday night ... St. Jude's got a windfall. Trace donated his performance fee to the hospital. (TMZ)

Britney Spears' "Make Me" Dethrones Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" on iTunes. There's a new contender for Song of the Summer. Britney Spears released "Make Me," the first single off her forthcoming ninth studio album, late Thursday night. The R&B-tinged track features up-and-coming rapper G-Eazy. "I just want you to make / Me move / Like it ain't a choice for you / Like you got a job to do," Spears, 34, sings. "Just want you to raise / My roof / something sensational / And make me ooh, ooh, ooh." Spears' as-yet-untitled album serves as the follow-up to 2013's Britney Jean, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. It's her first release since her "Pretty Girls," her 2015 collaboration with Iggy Azalea. Spears first discussed the album in June during an exclusive interview with E! News' Marc Malkin. "It's very exciting. I've been working on this project for a year and a half now -- almost two years -- so it really means a lot to me," Spears, 34, explained. "It's my baby." The singer described her new sound as "a little melodic, a little more not so poppy. It's kind of chill. Very chill." Another new song, "Private Show," is being used in a commercial to promote her perfume of the same name. In an interview with V earlier this year, Spears called her album "the best thing I've done in a long time. I'm proud of the work, and it's very different; it's not what you would think at all." Spears' "Make Me" is available for purchase on iTunes and to stream on Apple Music. The song shot to the top of the charts, dethroning Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" In response, the pop princess tweeted, "This is an incredible feeling. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!" After the song reached No. 1 in more than 30 countries, G-Eazy tweeted, "Thank you @britneyspears for the opportunity." (Eonline)

Fan Army Face-Off: Lady Gaga's Little Monsters Go 'Claws Up' vs. Fifth Harmony's Harmonizers. Lady Gaga's Little Monsters are having to come out from under the bed to fight off Fifth Harmony's Harmonizers for Billboard's Fan Army Face-Off this week. Five members may mean five times the fans for 5H, but even quintupled, Harmonizers are falling behind against Gaga's Little Monsters. Lady Gaga began her glamorous monster motherhood in 2008 with her No. 2-charting Billboard 200 debut album The Fame. Since then, Gaga's asymmetrical, out-of-the-box costumes alongside her dance/electronica sound, fierce attitude and charitable heart has kept Monsters wanting more. After Gaga's breakout hit "Just Dance" was ingrained in the minds of millennials, the pop star released hit after hit with "Poker Face," "LoveGame" and "Paparazzi." Gaga quickly became "Mother Monster" as her fame skyrocketed; Gaga's monster metaphor stems from her EP The Fame Monster (2009). In the past year, Gaga became engaged, rocked an Oscars tribute and was Billboard's 2015 Woman of the Year. Fifth Harmony brought together their Harmonizers after they formed on The X Factor in 2012. The girl-power group peaked at No. 4 and No. 5 with their albums 7/27 (2016) and Reflection (2015) respectively. Their hits "Bo$$" "Sledgehammer" and "Worth It" have only emphasized the group as pop/R&B diva feminists. The five women's recent hit "Work From Home" featured Ty Dolla $ign and brought a sexy edge to Fifth Harmony. Harmonizers are the girl group's biggest source of power. Billboard's Fan Army Face-Off: Vote! The Little Monsters are leading the Harmonizers with just under 1,000 votes. There are two days left in this round of Billboard's Fan Army Face-Off -- cast your votes for your fave now! (Billboard)

In Wake of Deadly Attack, Nice Jazz Fest Featuring Robert Plant, Massive Attack Canceled. In the wake of Thursday night's horrific attack in Nice, France, the Nice Jazz Festival has been canceled. Hours after a crazed attacker drove a truck through a packed crowd gathered to watch a Bastille Day fireworks display, killing 84 people and injuring more than 100, organizers of the festival slated to kick off on Saturday announced that they had called it off. "Following the tragic events, @VilledeNice is in mourning. @nicejazzfest cancelled. + more info tomorrow. Our thoughts are with the victims #jesuisnice," reads the tweet. The five-night festival (July 16-20) was to feature sets from Robert Plant & the Sensational Shape Shifters, the James Hunter Six, George Clinton, Snarky Puppy, Laura Mvula, Massive Attack, Gallant, the Cinematic Orchestra, Youssou N' Dour and a dozen others. Reps for Rihanna confirmed on Thursday that she was "safe" and that her scheduled show on Friday night at the Allianz Stadium in Nice had been canceled. France's president, François Holland said in a nationally televised address early Friday that the "terrorist character" of the assault was clear and the perpetrator's use of a large truck to plow down the crowds was a "monstrosity." The assault came just hours after Hollande had said the national state of emergency that has been in place since last year's deadly terror assault in Paris was slated to end on July 26; it has now been extended for three more months. "France has been struck on the day of her national holiday," Holland said. "Human rights are denied by fanatics, and France is clearly their target." The attack also caused presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to postpone Friday's planned announcement of his running mate, reported to be Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Thoughts and prayers continued to come in from celebrities overnight as well, including the following from Jessica Alba, Tiesto, Julian Lennon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Khloe Kardashian, Questlove, Chloë Grace Moretz and dozens of others. (Billboard)

5 Seconds of Summer Stay Up Late, Share 'Ghostbusters' Track 'Girls Talk Boys'. The Ghostbusters reboot debuts July 15 in theaters, and 5 Seconds of Summer stayed up all night waiting for the release of the soundtrack, which includes their new song, "Girls Talk Boys." "I'm just so excited.. I can't sleep," tweeted Ashton Irwin, the Australian pop-punk band's drummer. Eric Frederic (aka Ricky Reed) takes production credits on the song, which has a catchy chorus, funky dance beat and some seriously sweet falsetto preceding the chorus. The lyrics, which include the lines "When you're talking to your girls/Do you talk about me?/Do you say that I'm a sweetheart?/Do you say that I'm a freak?" ponder what girls talk about when they, well, talk boys with their girlfriends. Ghostbusters: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack also features Elle King ("Good Girls"), Zayn Malik ("wHo"), G Eazy featuring Jeremih ("Saw It Coming"), Walk the Moon ("Ghostbusters") and tracks by Fall Out Boy, Pentatonix and more. The film stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. The soundtrack is now available for download on iTunes. 5 Seconds of Summer continues their summer tour with an appearance July 15 at Madison Square Garden, New York City. (Billboard)

Foo Fighters Were a Category on 'Jeopardy!' How good is your Foo Fighters knowledge? Would you call yourself a Foos "expert"? If so, you could have cleaned up on Jeopardy!, which devoted an entire category to Dave Grohl's rock icons. It's times like these you learn your Foos history, and these contestants certainly hadn't. They handled the first two questions like pros. But it all came unstuck when host Alex Trebek quizzed the participants on an album title, a lyric and the final song played before David Letterman's retirement. (Billboard)

Zayn Malik Collaborates with Snakehips on Moody Single 'Cruel'. Zayn Malik has been busy fronting an altogether different type of band. The singer collaborated with Snakehips on the British electronic production duo's new single "Cruel," which can be streamed. The former One Direction star performs a moody vocal on the track, which dropped at midnight. "Back where we left off/Watch you take your dress off/I've been by myself remembering you/Your body hurts me/Loopin' 'round like CCTV/In all this bitterness you stay so sweet," he sings. Snakehips, consisting of Oliver Lee and James Carter, is said to be working on a full-length album which will feature the Zayn collab, and other previously-released tracks starring Tinashe, Chance the Rapper, Anderson Paak and others. Zayn, of course, has enjoyed an impressive start to his post-1D career. His debut solo single "Pillowtalk" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year, and its parent album Mind of Mine reached the summit of the Billboard 200. (Billboard)

Movies

Alden Ehrenreich Confirmed as New Han Solo in Star Wars Standalone Film. Meet the new Han Solo! Alden Ehrenreich will play the iconic swashbuckler -- and role made famous by Harrison Ford in the anticipated Star Wars standalone prequel film based on the character, which was announced last year. The casting of Ehrenreich, a 26-year-old Los Angeles native who previously appeared in Blue Jasmine and Hail Caesar!, was revealed at the Star Wars Celebration Europe event in London Sunday, two months following reports that said he would play the part. To the delight of the fans, the actor himself appeared in person onstage. He was greeted by John Boyega, 24, who made his Star Wars debut last year as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the start of a third trilogy, which also saw Ford resuming the his old role. "You're the new Han Solo! Damn!!!" he told Ehrenreich, according to iMDB. Fans learned at the Star Wars Celebration Europe event that Ehrenreich beat out about 3,000 actors who tried out for the role of Han Solo and was the first to audition, iMDB reported. Other contenders included Divergent star Ansel Elgort, his co-star Miles Teller, Scott Eastwood, Harry Potter star Tom Felton, Dave Franco, Colton Haynes, Mr. Robot's Rami Malek, The Walking Dead's Chandler Riggs and Gossip Girl alum Ed Westwick. The new Han Solo standalone film is still untitled and will be directed by The LEGO Movie's Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. The film is set to hit theaters in 2018. In an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ford, 74, had offered advice to the new Han Solo, before Ehrenreich was announced as the actor who will assume his old role. "Don't do it," he joked. (Eonline)

Tom Cruise Films The Mummy Reboot and Bumps into Chris Rock. Tom Cruise is back in action filming The Mummy reboot, where he bumped into an old celebrity friend. The 54-year-old was recently spotted on the London set with co-star and The Tudors alum Annabelle Wallis, 31, filming a scene and doing some stretches before another one. During his time there, he ran into Chris Rock, who traveled to the city with girlfriend and Arrow actress Megalyn Echikunwoke, 33. Rock, 51, posted a pic of him with Cruise on social media Saturday. "Bumped into Tom in London working on the new Mummy," the actor and comedian wrote on Instagram. "Looks good." The two actors have met before; They hung out together, along with Cruise's then-wife Katie Holmes, at the United Nations in 2007 for the Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF event, hosted by Madonna and Gucci. The Mummy reboot was announced last year and filming began in April. Cruise also stars alongside the likes of Kingsman: The Secret Service star Sofia Boutella, 34, who will play the monster, New Girl's Jake Johnson, 38, and Russell Crowe, 52. The Mummy reboot is set for release on June 9, 2017. (Eonline)

Tupac's biopic is in mortal danger ... because of a feud between a rapper and a publishing giant. Rapper Daz Dillinger claims he holds the rights to the track "Ambitionz Az a Ridah" ... prominently featured in the "All Eyez on Me" movie. But Daz claims BMG publishing house begs to differ, insisting only it can green light the song for the flick. Thus, there's now a standoff. The movie release has been pushed from September to November ... we're told so Daz and BMG can resolve the conflict. This is the latest in a series of nasty legal battles between Daz and BMG. The rapper sued BMG back in April, claiming the company owes him more than $75k in royalties. We've reached out to BMG, so far no word back. (TMZ)

Michael B. Jordan Teases Creed Sequel: "You Kind of Want to See How They Turned Out." Grab your boxing gloves because there's (hopefully) going to be another Creed movie! E! News caught up with Michael B. Jordan at the reveal of Piaget's newest timepiece where he dished all about the possibility on a follow up to his hit blockbuster. "I think we're definitely going to see a Creed 2. I'm not sure when or the time frame, but you're definitely going to see a Creed 2," he told us. "The way those characters kind of left off and the way you want to see how they turned out -- that new family between Adonis and Rocky formed with Bianca -- you kind of want to see how that plays out." Kind of? More like most definitely. The Parenthood alum also teased his potential involvement with Black Panther, which stars Chadwick Boseman as the title role. "I can't really comment on that one too much," he answered when asked if he has started filming. But he didn't totally deny it. Jordan joked that we should wait a "few more weeks" but then added, "We try to keep things close to the vest so people can kind of get the information out how it's supposed to be." So we'll just have to wait and see what Jordan has to say in a few weeks! In the meantime, Jordan is going to have to work to get back into boxing shape! He previously told Marc Malkin that he took a much-needed hiatus from all that training to enjoy food after Creed wrapped. "Let me not lie. It was about four or five of straight months rebounding -- Krispy Kreme donuts, fast food. It was hardcore," he admitted. "But now I'm getting back into shape for a couple of projects coming up." Once again, he wouldn't confirm whether one of those "projects" was Black Panther, which is helmed by his Creed and Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler. But the Friday Night Lights alum did open up about his directorial debut, a short film about two brothers, one of whom uses chess skills to navigate through life. "I grew up playing a lot of chess," said Jordan, who will also co-star in the project. "I think it really helped me think and strategize and it gave me some focus and discipline so I'm trying to put that back into some art." (Eonline)

Jennifer Lawrence Was the Inspiration Behind a Star Trek Beyond Character (and Her Name Is Perfect). Jennifer Lawrence can be inspirational in so many ways -- how to conduct a funny interview, how to pick yourself back up when you fall in front of millions, how to manage a successful career and fulfilling life without being on social media... And, apparently, she can also inspire the creation of a movie character. At least, that's the case for Star Trek Beyond. Writer Simon Pegg revealed during a press conference for the film that Lawrence's role in Winter Bone was actually the idea behind a new character that was created for this movie. Which character? Jaylah! (Oooooh, it all makes sense now, right?!) "We were trying to create this very independent character. But we didn't have a name for it. So we just called it 'Jennifer-Lawrence-In-Winter's-Bone.' That's a long name. So it started getting tiring always saying, well Jennifer-Lawrence-In-Winter's-Bone is fighting here. So then we started calling her J-Law. And then she became Jaylah." The fierce character, played by Sofia Boutella, is also a favorite for Pegg. "We love Sofia, she's a nutcase and a golden edition to this group," Pegg said. "There are not a lot of girls in Star Trek. Zoe Saldana as Uhura] has a lot on her shoulders." Chris Pine, Pegg, Zachary Quinto, and Saldana will be back for the third installment of the franchise, which was directed by Justin Lin, while Idris Elba (playing Luther) will join the crew for the first time. Star Trek Beyond will hit theaters on July 22. (Eonline)

Blake Lively Sounds Off on a Possible Third Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Movie. Blake Lively certainly hopes so! The expectant star spilled on whether the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants would become a trilogy in the near future during the red carpet premiere of her new film Cafe Society on Wednesday. "We would love that," Lively told E! News. "You know, we are such good friends. But to bring it back after so many years -- it would have to be something that would really respect and honors the story in a way that makes it worth it to come back after so long." She continued, adding, "It would have to be a story that has grown with our audience." Roughly a year ago, Ugly Betty star America Ferrera also teased the future of the third film. "There's no green light, but it's definitely in the works," she told fans on the Meredith Vieira Show. "There is a script being written. They're my girls, three of my best friends to this day." "We all had such a rich and full friendship after that [movie]," Ferrera further dished to E! News at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. "Amber is one of my best friends, as well as the other Sisterhood girls. We all have been friends for a decade now. We all went through our twenties together. All my Sisterhood girls are very close to me." Throughout the years, these sisters really have remained as close as their onscreen characters. In fact, less than a week ago The Shallows star took to Instagram to post a selfie with her sisterhood squad. Blake's arms are wrapped around costars Alexis Bledel and Amber Tamblyn, with America doing the photo-taking honors (and proving to us she's got the longest selfie arm of them all). The 29-year-old beauty spoke out about her supportive co-stars, telling us, "It's nice to see women supporting each other. You don't see that put out there as much. Women are pitted against each -- more often than not. But that's the reality and we're lucky to have that friendship." Ladies, show them how it's done! (Eonline)

Playing a hoarder/former crack addict with bad teeth might seem less than glamorous, but Chaz Bono says it was just the role he was looking for. "I like to do a lot of charter acting and off-beat stuff, and that's not always easy to find," the actor, 47, tells PEOPLE of his scene stealing new part in the indie thriller Dirty. "It was just a great part, a really juicy moment and scene," he adds. "So when I read something like that I become really motivated to get the part. And that's the way it was for this, I really had to fight." Bono was not the first choice to play Jerry the hoarder, and after a close friend managed to land him an audition, it was up to Bono to win over the producers. "They didn't even want me to audition," he explains. "I think they had a different idea for the part and wanted a more comic take on him." Fighting for roles is something he has gotten used to over the years. As the only child of Sonny and Cher, he is determined to make it in the industry on his own. And despite being transgender, Bono has decided not to take any trans roles in order to avoid being type cast. "It's not something I think about, other than the fact that I don't play transgender parts," Bono says. "It's just a decision that I made at least at this point, until I get established," he adds. "I'm a character actor and I really like to do stuff that's kind of out there and edgy and I don't want to be seen as anything when I'm acting. I want to be able to morph into whatever. I don't want to get pigeonholed." The hard work and determination is starting to pay off. "This has been a good year for me," Bono says. "I've started really for the first time, after just kind of grinding it out and doing a lot of smaller projects, I've been starting to break through a little bit." In addition to his part in Dirty, Bono recently made appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful and is working on a new comedic web-series called Where the Bears Are. "I'm finally starting to get paid to act," he adds. "So it's been a great year." Dirty was released on July 12. (People)

How Spider-Man and Daredevil Inspired the New Animated Feature 'Phantom Boy'. "The heroes invented by Stan Lee ... are like us. They are human and they suffer," says director Alain Gagnol. You won't find Phantom Boy, the titular hero of the new animated film from GKIDS, anywhere in the Marvel Comics universe, but, says Alain Gagnol, who directed Phantom Boy along with Jean-Loup Felicioli, Marvel's very relatable heroes inspired their new movie. A sort of animated film noir, Phantom Boy, which opens in New York July 15 and will arrive in Los Angeles on July 22, tells of an 11-year-old boy, Leo, who is fighting illness and who also has a secret ability to turn into a ghostly apparition. The film follows Leo as he befriends Alex, a cop injured while attempting to capture a dangerous gangster who has taken control of New York's power supply. Leo, with his phantom power, and Alex, with his detective abilities, team up to save the city. A French production, its English-language version has a voice cast headed by Fred Armisen, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jared Padalecki, Marcus D'Angelo, Melissa Disney and Dana Snyder. It's the second feature from Gagnol and Felicioli, whose debut film, A Cat in Paris, received a 2012 Oscar nomination for best animated feature (and is one of eight animated features that Gkids steered to best animated feature Academy Award nominations since 2008). And, says Gagnol of the movie's inspiration, "When I was a child what I immediately liked in the Marvel comics was the human aspect of the characters. You cannot identify with a woman or a man flying in space or lifting buildings. What interests us, as readers or as viewers, is that they live with other characters and what they are feeling. "Spider-Man is obviously the very best example. Despite his powers, his life is like a melodrama: he's an orphan, he has money problems, his girlfriend gets killed. The heroes invented by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, John Romita, Steve Ditko and many others are like us. They are human and they suffer, are happy, in love or depressed. In addition to Spider-Man, I also really like Daredevil. A blind hero who sees more than we do, that's rather poetic as an idea, isn't it?" For its two directors, Phantom Boy is about courage. "Leo's life is in danger both from an external threat, gangsters, and a disease which attacks him from within," Gagnol explains. "His struggles against both are equally fierce and unrelenting. And in both cases, he wins thanks to the help of someone else. Leo is not an all-powerful hero, he is a normal eleven year old boy. And this makes his courage all the more admirable." Gagnol adds that the filmmakers also wanted portraying a character with an illness in a different way -- and that decision impacted the film: "They are usually portrayed in film in melodramas. This is especially true when it's about a child. I wanted to portray a sick child in an action film, with suspense, with gags and with comic scenes. Leo's illness plays a very important role in the story but it does not define him as a human being. What is most important is his courage and his ability to struggle against adversity. "I also liked the idea of portraying a character on screen that we usually prefer not to see: a sick child. Screenings were held in hospitals and the children really liked seeing themselves on screen in the role of hero and conqueror." The film was animated by hand, though the filmmakers also used computer animation to create crowds and city traffic. "This would have taken very long and been very hard to do by hand, due to their number and their small size within the frame," Gagnol explains. "The cars and the pedestrians were created completely by computer which allowed us to multiply them as many times as needed. This solution was possible because they are only details in the shots. They are a bit like decorative elements that move. "This way, they do not break the graphic cohesiveness of the image. We always like to highlight the work the animators do by hand, which is more fragile, less perfect than what is done by computer, but much more sensitive." Felicioli was behind the film's graphic production design -- its city was drawn from photos, then recomposed, sometimes by moving a building or changing perspective completely often in a nod to classic New York cinematic moments and the perspective of comic books. "Depending on the structural lines within the frame, he may have to remove a building in a corner or, on the contrary, add one. The realism counts less than the strength of the image," Gagnol says. "Places like Times Square or Central Park are obligatory passages when you set a film in New York. So that everyone can recognize them, those sets are less modified than other more anonymous places." Phantom Boy was produced by Jacques-Remy Girerd and Annemie Degryse, and is a co-production between Folimage, Lunanime, France 3 Cinema and Rhone-Alpes Cinema. GKIDS' 2016 lineup also includes April and the Extraordinary World, ansther hand-drawn film, which was based on the work of graphic novelist Jacques Tardi and produced by Je Suis Bein Content, which opened this spring, and the recently-acquired Miss Hokusai, from Japan's Production I.G., which will debut in North America in October. (Hollywood Reporter)

Oscars: Will the Academy Embrace Diversity Like the Emmys? (Analysis) THR's awards analyst surveys the field and sees big potential for films about people of color -- from fest favs 'Birth of a Nation' and 'Loving' to upcoming 'Fences' and 'A United Kingdom,' plus 'Hidden Figures," which is moving into 2016. The 68th Emmy nominations, announced July 14, put recent Oscar nominations to shame by shining a spotlight on an incredibly diverse array of series and talent. The TV Academy nominated 21 non-white actors across 16 acting categories, a dramatic contrast to the last two years of Oscar noms, in which all 20 acting nominees were white. However, an early survey of this year's Oscar landscape suggests that the film Academy may be getting with the program sooner rather than later. The next set of Oscar noms, which will be announced on Jan. 24, 2017, will, in my assessment, almost certainly be the first in three years not branded with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. The first half of 2016 produced several films about, and in some cases made, by people of color that are poised to generate serious awards consideration. And there are quite a few more right around the corner. The Birth of a Nation, a drama about the Nat Turner-led slave rebellion in the 1830s, has already laid down a marker. Written, directed and produced by Nate Parker, who also stars as Turner, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where Fox Searchlight picked up its worldwide rights for a record $17.5 million. The savvy distributor now faces the task of opening the movie on Oct. 7 amid an atmosphere of heightened racial tensions across the country, which could fuel interest in it -- but it could also prove divisive and lead to controversy, which would be problematic come awards time. Right now, it seems likely that the film will show up in multiple major categories when nominations are announced. In contrast to the confrontational Nation, Jeff Nichols' Loving, which was unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival, tells a quietly inspirational tale. The writer/director's first fact-based movie, it recounts the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the couple who were at the center of the landmark Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, which legalized interracial marriage and paved the way for marriage equality for same-sex couples. Oscar talk for Ruth Negga, the Ethiopia-born actress who plays Mildred, started at the film's first screening. And Focus Features, which will open the film Nov. 4, is already laying the groundwork for a campaign. On June 12, the anniversary of the high court's decision, the company invited couples and families to share their stories on social media. There are also two films that, sight-unseen, look to me as if they have even more awards potential, although they won't arrive in theaters until December, perhaps following a fall film fest premiere at Toronto or AFI Fest. The first is Fences, Paramount's Denzel Washington-directed/Scott Rudin-produced adaptation of August Wilson's acclaimed Broadway play about a black family living in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. It first hit the Great White Way in 1987 -- winning the best drama Pulitzer and best play Tony -- and was revived in 2010. Two-time Oscar winner Washington and two-time Oscar nominee Viola Davis return to the parts they played on stage in that revival, for which they each won a lead acting Tony. And then there is Fox 2000's Hidden Figures. This film -- an adaptation of a forthcoming book that recounts the true story of three black women mathematicians who worked at NASA between World War II and the Cold War and played an integral part in America's quest to win the space race -- is slated for a 2017 release, but I've heard that the studio is so high on it that it has decided to move the film into 2016, with an awards-qualifying limited release slated for Dec. 25. Directed by Ted Melfi, it stars an ensemble of black women -- led by Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, with Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and singer-actress Janelle Monáe in support -- who are said to be extraordinary. Some smaller films that have already received fest screenings also contain performances that merit attention, even if they are longer shots for awards recognition. In Sony Classics' Miles Ahead, which closed last fall's New York Film Festival and had a modest theatrical run that began April 1, Don Cheadle stars as jazz great Miles Davis. And Miramax and Roadside Attractions' Southside by You generated appreciative buzz for Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter as young Barack and Michelle Obama when it debuted in Park City. It will get an art house bid starting Aug. 26. American Pastoral, Ewan McGregor's adaptation of Philip Roth's novel, is largely about race-related conflict in the sixties. While white performers have the most prominent parts in the Lionsgate film, which hits theaters Oct. 28, Uzo Aduba, the Emmy-winning actress better known as "Crazy Eyes" on Orange Is the New Black, has one killer scene that could thrust her into the best supporting actress race. Although David Oyelowo failed to earn an Oscar nomination for 2014's Selma, he could make another run at a best actor nom thanks to his work in A United Kingdom, an Amma Asante-directed film about a controversial mixed-race couple (his wife is played by Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike) that will open the London Film Festival on Oct. 5 and which is still seeking U.S. distribution. Also screening at that fest (after opening nationwide in the U.S. on Sept. 23) will be Mira Nair's Queen of Katwe, a Disney film about a Ugandan chess prodigy played by 12 Years a Slave best supporting actress Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, who stars alongside Oyelowo. Behind the camera, there are potential nominees, as well. Roger Ross Williams, the first black director ever to win an Oscar (for the 2010 documentary short Music by Prudence), brought to Sundance the feature doc Life, Animated, about a young autistic boy who learned to communicate by watching Disney animated movies, and Williams was awarded the best doc director prize. The film, which is being handled by The Orchard and got a limited release on July 1, seems a slam-dunk to make the best doc feature Oscar shortlist, at the very least. Of course, the fact that there are worthy movies and work featuring diversity doesn't guarantee anything come nominations morning -- in each of the past two years, there were high-caliber options, as well. Some argue, though not everyone agrees, that a more diverse membership, which the Academy is rushing to achieve, increases the odds of a more diverse set of nominees; it depends on whether or not you believe race factored into the results of the past two years. But what is inarguable is that a field with more diverse contenders increases the odds of a more diverse set of nominees. This formidable crop of contenders did not come about as a direct response to the #OscarsSoWhite uproar -- these films were already in motion before that took place. But this year's more diverse hopefuls -- if they live up to their potential and Academy members give them a fair hearing, two big ifs -- could prove very hard to ignore. (Hollywood Reporter)

Taiwanese Star Fired From Alibaba-Backed Chinese Film Over Politics. Chinese actress-turned-director Vicki Zhao removed veteran actor Leon Dai from her film over his alleged support for Taiwanese independence from mainland China. Veteran Taiwanese actor Leon Dai has been dropped from Chinese film No Other Love because of his alleged support for Taiwanese independence. The film is the second directorial effort of actress Zhao Wei, one of China's biggest stars. It is partially financed by Alibaba Pictures Group, the filmmaking arm of Jack Ma's global e-commerce giant. Beijing-based Max Film is the leading production company behind the project. Trouble began brewing around the film last month, when the Communist Youth League, a junior training ground of sorts for the Chinese Communist Party elite, began a coordinated social media campaign bashing Zhao (also known as Zhao Wei) for selecting Dai (Assassin, Double Vision) as her lead. In an widely circulated article entitled "Zhao Wei's New Film Met with Universal Boycott by Internet Users," the nationalist organization alleged that Dai was a supporter of Taiwanese independence and Hong Kong's pro-democracy Umbrella Movement -- political issues of particular consternation among the Chinese government leadership. China views Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory, to be united by force if necessary. On Friday, the production team released a statement announcing that Dai had been removed from the film after he failed to "provide a fuller explanation to the public and state his stance more clearly on important issues." The statement added: "Because Dai remained vague on his stance, the director and investors decided to replace Dai as the lead actor." No Other Love finished principle photography in June and was already in post-production, so the abrupt casting shake-up will entail extensive re-shoots. A new lead actor has not yet been announced. "The director and the entire crew dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to China," the production team's statement continued. "We are all Chinese, and we firmly support the one China policy. Our country's interests are our top priorities." On June 30, Dai posted a statement on Weibo in response to attacks. He conceded that he had spoken out on issues of gay rights and nuclear power in Taiwan, but insisted that he was not a member of any political party. "I am against oppression and respect the views of other people," he added, saying that to characterize him as a supporter of Taiwan's independence was inaccurate. A well-known figure in greater China, Dai has appeared in over a dozen films since 2012, most notably Hou Hsiao-hsien's critically acclaimed Cannes competition entry The Assassin (2015). Chinese nationalists often have tried to exert political influence over Asian entertainment figures. In January, 16-year-old Taiwanese K-pop singer Tzuyu became embroiled in a controversy after waving the Taiwanese flag during a South Korean online variety show. The gesture was promptly characterized as a statement of support for Taiwanese independence, and her Chinese concerts, along with a local endorsement deal, were canceled. Tzuyu later filmed and posted a video apologizing and stating that she believes there is "only one China." (Hollywood Reporter)

'Fifty Shades' Cast "Safe and Sound" After Nice Bastille Day Attack. "Production has confirmed that everyone working on location in the south of France is okay," wrote producer Dana Brunetti on his Facebook page. Fifty Shades Darker, the sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey, was filming Thursday outside of Nice, France, where a truck drove through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day, killing as many as 77 people. The film company, which had been working on a location about 40 minutes outside of Nice, had wrapped production for the day before the attack took place, and in a post on his Facebook page, producer Dana Brunetti wrote, "Production has confirmed that everyone working on location in the south of France is okay. Everyone has been accounted for and is safe and sound." He added: "Thanks for everyone's messages and concerns. Another sad day for France and the world." The cast and crew, which includes Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan and director James Foley, has not been staying in Nice itself, according to sources familiar with the production, which has been filming in the French Riviera. Brunetti, who arrived in France on Thursday, posted an Instagram picture earlier in the evening of himself, fellow producer Michael De Luca and author and screenwriter E.L. James in front of the Casino du Monte Carlo, which is further along the Cote d'Azur. E.L. James, author of the Fifty Shades books, also tweeted on Thursday in response to the "horrendous" Bastille Day attacks. (Hollywood Reporter)

'Edge of Seventeen' Red Band Trailer: Hailee Steinfeld Stars in Modern John Hughes Comedy. Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick and Blake Jenner also star in Kelly Fremon's coming-of-age comedy. "There are two types of people in the world: the people who radiate confidence and naturally excel at life and the people who hope all those people die in a big explosion," explains Hailee Steinfeld in the red band trailer for The Edge of Seventeen. "It was clear which side of the equation I was on." Written and directed by Kelly Fremon, STX's coming-of-age comedy stars the actress as "an especially badly-dressed student," as described by her teacher Woody Harrelson. She's further troubled when her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson) starts hooking up with her "golden boy" brother (Blake Jenner). Still, she's learning to put herself out there more, thanks to a graphic text sent to her classroom crush. Kyra Sedgwick and Alexander Calvert are also featured in the cast of the film, produced by James L. Brooks. It is being compared to a modern John Hughes film. The Edge of Seventeen will be released later this year. (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

Here's the Rumored Shortlist for Michael Strahan's Replacement on Live! With Kelly and Michael. Another day, another person added as an official replacement for Michael Strahan on Live! With Kelly and Michael. Although there have been rumors swirling basically since the NFL star left the morning show for Good Morning America full-time, it seems that there are some names that continuously get mentioned in the rumor mill. The latest name to be thrown into the mix is Nascar driver Jeff Gordon, who said in June that he would enjoy being Kelly Ripa's co-host. "I had a great time co-hosting on that show, and I certainly would welcome it. My priority is Fox and Fox Sports and NASCAR," Gordon said in June. "If there was something that would fit into and around that, great." Fred Savage, who also has appeared as Kelly's onscreen partner, also further churned the rumor mill when he revealed to ET that he had dinner with Live! executive Art Moore. "No, this is just I'm coming in town with my family, they're meeting me here, we're taking vacation in New York, so the timing worked out," he shared with ET. "Whenever they call, I love to come do it. It's always a lot of fun." "I enjoy it so much. I love interacting with the audience. I love sitting beside Kelly -- to work with someone who's just at the top of her field is a thrill, so it's all enjoyable." The West Wing alum Rob Lowe has also been mentioned in the ongoing discussions. Before Strahan was officially hired, Lowe was a conteder. Now, it seems, he's one again. "My kids are out of the house, they weren't then. Who knows...But listen, man, I don't want to go up against Anderson Cooper," he said in an interview. "I don't know if I'm going to go back as an actual guest host yet...You never know! You never know." And speaking of Cooper, he's also rumored to be joining Live!. The BFFs have co-hosted together a couple of times, and the CNN host even called the possibility a "dream," but nothing has been set in stone. A rep for the show would not comment on any co-host rumors, so we'll just have to wait to see who the frontrunner is when it gets announced later. (Eonline)

Menendez Brothers Saga Heading to NBC With Law & Order: True Crime Anthology Series. The People v. O.J. Simpson ripple effect continues. NBC has just announced a new extension of their Law & Order franchise that will model itself after the true-crime anthology that FX's American Crime Story just made so wildly popular, E! News has confirmed. The first installment to go into development of Law & Order: True Crime will be subtitled The Menendez Brothers Murders, focusing on -- you guessed it -- the infamous 1989 double homicide of wealthy Beverly Hills parents by their own sons. Dick Wolf, of course, will be executive produce. The eight-episode installment will focus on brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, 21 and 18-year-old at the time of the crime, who were -- spoiler alert -- convicted of murdering their parents and given life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996. Tried separately, it took a total of three trials to find the brothers guilty, as the first two resulted in hung juries. With a defense that painted the victims, Jose and Kittie Menendez, as violent and unstable, and a prosecution that argued the brothers killed to gain their parents' immense wealth, the case caught the eye of the American public years before O.J. Simpson ever did. "We've been talking with Dick about how to create an event series coming out of the Law & Order ripped-from-the-headlines brand. This case captured the public's attention like nothing before it as it examined taboo issues such as patricide and matricide in gruesome detail, all against a backdrop of privilege and wealth," said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. "We will recreate the cultural and societal surroundings of both the murders and trials when people were not only obsessed with the case but examining how and why these brothers committed these heinous crimes." "Bob, Jen and I have been focused the natural evolution of the Law & Order brand for the last several years and are excited to extend the franchise with a scripted limited anthology series that focuses on a high-profile trial," Dick added. "There is no shortage of compelling real-life criminal cases, and the Menendez trial was more scintillating than most crime fiction." UPDATE: Law & Order: True Crime -- The Menendez Murders is officially a go at NBC, with an eight-episode order, E! News has confirmed. Former Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent showrunner Rene Balcer has been tapped to serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. (Eonline)

Stranger Things Star Winona Ryder Keeps Finding New Shows to Binge Watch...But They're Canceled. Winona Ryder is making her Netflix series debut with the new series Stranger Things, out Friday, July 15, but she's no stranger to binging TV shows. "I tend to binge watch shows that were on a long time ago, but I don't know that, so I start telling everybody," Ryder told E! News' Will Marfuggi at the Stranger Things premiere. "Like I love Damages and I thought it was still on... and I was like, 'There's this great show, Damages,' but it was over a long time ago." We feel you, Winona. Damages, which starred Glenn Close and Rose Byrne, is engrossing TV and well worth a watch. Another show on the Oscar nominee's list? Netflix's The Fall. Ryder praised Gillian Anderson's performance in the crime series about a detective (Anderson) on the hunt for a serial killer (Jamie Dornan). Nobody tell Ryder The Fall just has one more season left. However, from the sounds of it, we'd really like to take a peek at Ryder's Netflix queue because so far she's two-for-two with solid TV choices. In Stranger Things, Ryder goes back to the 1980s. The series follows follows the search for a young boy who disappears under very suspicious circumstances. Ryder plays Joyce Byers, the boy's mother. As she gets deeper and deeper into his disappearance, things start to unravel and top-secret government experiments are discovered. "This is my first series actually and it was great... It was a different kind of role for me," she said. "I've never done this genre... As you get older as an actress you want to try different things. You don't want to keep repeating yourself. I'm 44, so it was nice to play my own age." Stranger Things season one is now streaming on Netflix. (Eonline)

Girl Meets World Revisits Boy Meets World's Dreaded Ski Lodge. Girl Meets World takes another walk down Boy Meets World memory lane in the show's latest episode, but it's not the fondest memory in Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga's (Danielle Fishel) history. In E! News' exclusive sneak peek at the first half of the two-parter episode, "Girl Meets Ski Lodge," airing Friday, July 22 and 29, you can see Mr. Matthews try to prepare his class for their upcoming field trip to the very same ski lodge that was home to one of his and Topanga's worst moments. "The ski lodge was almost the end of Cory and Topanga, America's sweethearts, and now I know something's going to happen there for you, so I'm preparing ya. For nature," he explains. As you'll recall, while on his senior ski trip to Mount Sun Lodge, Cory ended up having a very deep connection with Lauren, an employee there (played by Linda Cardellini). It culminated in a kiss and romantic letter -- all instigated by Lauren, but not turned down by Cory. It was a confusing time for Cory and Topanga, and the trauma of the event means it's still a sore subject in the Matthews household. Explains Riley in the clip, "Those were very bad times for Cory and Topanga. But everything's fine now except we can't ski ever, or say ski, or walk downhill." (Eonline)

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon may be Michael Strahan's replacement on "Live With Kelly," sources said. "I had a great time co-hosting on that show, and I certainly would welcome it. My priority is Fox and Fox Sports and NASCAR," Gordon said in June. "If there was something that would fit into and around that, great." Fred Savage fueled rumors that he would be Strahan's replacement after boasting about a dinner with a show exec. A TV insider, however, told us, "Anderson [Cooper] is still in the lead." (Page Six)

First Look: 'Sherlock' Finds Man's Best Friend in Season Four. Benedict Cumberbatch appears to ditch Martin Freeman in favor of a canine companion. Sherlock may have already battled the Hounds of Baskerville in season two of the hit BBC show, but in the upcoming fourth season it seems the detective has found a less monstrous four-legged friend. In a first-look image from the next outing of Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch crouches alongside a docile-looking dog-which actually appears to be a blood hound-on the streets of London. Martin Freeman's Doctor Watson, however, is nowhere to be seen. Shooting on the fourth season started in April, with Toby Jones having joined the cast of the show, produced by Hartswood Films for BBC One. Jones will star in the second episode of the three-part season, which is due to hit screens in 2017. On Thursday, Christmas special Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, picked up six Emmy nominations, including one for Cumberbatch as lead actor in a limited series. (Hollywood Reporter)

Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden Ready to Tackle 'Monday Night Football' Announcing Duties. MNF kicks off Sept. 12 on ESPN. When ESPN's Monday Night Football premieres in early September, there will be a changing of the guard in the commentators booth. For the first time in about a decade, a new voice will be calling the play by play, and that announcer, Sean McDonough, tells The Hollywood Reporter he is excited for the opportunity and plans to make his part fun for viewers. "Monday Night Football is an iconic sports television package," says the veteran sportscaster replacing Mike Tirico, who left ESPN in early July to join NBC Sports, teeing up McDonough to become only the fifth person to do the play by play for MNF. Joining him in the booth is Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden; Lisa Salters is the sideline reporter. "One of the things that Jon and I have talked about, it should be fun," McDonough tells THR. "I think some levity here and there and ... some banter back and forth and the playful jab as we get to know each other better. I think we'll do a great job with the football part ... what I would like to see is it be a little more fun." Gruden agrees, saying a great broadcast should be "informative, fun, but celebrating the game between the lines." He adds: "And it's getting harder and harder to do, obviously with all the rule changes and instant replay challenges. There's a lot of road blocks in the games that there use to never be, really." Both men have multiple teams they are excited to watch this season. For Gruden, those teams are the Oakland Raiders, whom he once coached, and the Washington Redskins, whom his brother currently coaches. As for McDonough, he will be keeping an eye on the Arizona Cardinals. His brother, Terry, is the director of player personnel for the team. Having grown up in Boston, he also is excited for the New England Patriots, he says. For the first time ever, MNF will broadcast abroad when the Houston Texans play the Raiders in Mexico City on Nov. 21."I'm really excited to make some new friends over there," says Gruden. Both broadcasters had plenty to say about the Tom Brady situation and the fact that the star Patriots quarterback will likely miss four games of the regular season after a federal appeals court this week refused to hear his Deflategate case. "I think he should play. Enough is enough," says Gruden. "We are talking about the icon in pro football. Brady should be the opening-day starter for the Patriots. We're lucky to have him in the league for as long as we have him." McDonough agrees, saying the idea of the case going all the way to the Supreme Court is silly. "I think the court has more important things to do than worry about underinflated footballs," he adds, chuckling. MNF kicks off Sept. 12 on ESPN with a double-header -- the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Washington Redskins and the Los Angeles Rams vs. the San Francisco 49ers. (Hollywood Reporter)