ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Armie and Elizabeth Chambers Hammer Welcome a Son. Armie Hammer's Social Network just grew by one! The actor and his wife, Chief Correspondent of the Human Rights Foundation Elizabeth Chambers Hammer, welcomed their second child on Sunday, Jan. 15, in Los Angeles, his rep confirms to PEOPLE exclusively. "Both Mom and baby are doing great," the rep tells PEOPLE. The baby boy joins the couple's daughter Harper, 2. "Armie and Elizabeth are overjoyed with their growing family and daughter Harper is already embracing the role of big sister," adds a source close to the couple. Hammer, 30, and his journalist wife, 34 -- who stars as a judge on Celebrity Cupcake Wars and recently opened a second Dallas location of her bakery BIRD -- have been married since May 2010. The couple announced they were expecting baby number two on Instagram in September, with the Free Fire star revealing that their newest addition would be a boy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! later that month. "We're thinking Jack," Hammer joked about their name ideas, adding, "[Or] Michael Charles, and he can just go by M.C." "Are you really thinking about that?" asked Kimmel, who is currently expecting his second child with wife Molly McNearney. "I think I just gave away our baby name?" he replied. "I'm in so much trouble!" Hammer added that his daughter was really excited about her upcoming new role as big sister. "She loves it," he said. "I mean, she seems to love it now. If you go, 'Where's the baby?' she'll rub Mama's belly and kiss her stomach. It's really cute." But the actor knows that as sweet as she is, bringing home a newborn won't be easy for his little girl. "I think when the new baby comes out, it's going to be a serious adjustment period," he added. Hammer -- who will next be seen in Call Me By Your Name and Hotel Mumbai -- has kept a refreshing perspective on parenting. "I don't know if our daughter's easy or if we've just been winging it the right way, but we haven't had too much of a plan and it's all kind of gone all right," he told Jimmy Kimmel. "I guess the only reason we're all here is because raising babies works. I think people -- especially new parents, at least I did -- underestimate the resilience of human survivalism. Like, this thing is going to survive. That's the only reason it's here." (People)
Are Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik engaged? Well, she's wearing a ring on *that* finger... Erm, do Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik have something to tell us? Is it something to do with being engaged?! Well, we can't be sure but Gigi Hadid
was* wearing a ring on that finger over the weekend. The model was spotted arriving at New York Airport and later out and about in the city sporting a gold band. Neither Gigi or Zayn have posted anything about it on social media or released statements but we're sure all will be revealed soon. (British Glamour)
Is Ariana Grande engaged to Mac Miller? Her Instagram suggests that she is... Christmas is huge for engagements, and it's not just Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik who are sending the rumor mill into overdrive in the bleak January aftermath. Now, eagle-eyed fans have spotted Ariana Grande has been wearing what appears to be an engagement ring in some of her Instagram pictures. The singer shared several images to promote her Dangerous Woman tour last week, and there's no mistaking that shiny band on her ring finger. Ariana confirmed she's dating rapper Mac Miller on The Ellen Show in September last year, but the pair go way back, collaborating on her track 'The Way', in 2013. The 23-year-old is yet to comment on the rumors, but we think they look pretty happy together. (British Glamour)
All eyes were on Kourtney Kardashian this weekend as she hit the town with former rumored flame, Justin Bieber. The world may have thought that the 37-year-old reality TV star had reunited with her on-again/off-again baby daddy, Scott Disick, judging by their promising Instagram posts over the holidays. But it looks like Kourtney has rekindled another old flame in her life as she stepped out for a night of partying with the Biebs. The mother-of-three looked hotter than ever as she wore a sheer bra and black silk trousers to Hollywood hotspot, The Peppermint Club, with the 22-year-old hit-maker. The pair were first linked together last year, but never confirmed any rumors. Meanwhile, Scott, who spent the weekend in Dubai with Kourtney's sister Kim, reportedly went "MIA" during the trip on Friday. According to Radar Online, a source revealed: "No one knew where he was at. He was supposed to be there to watch over Kim, but no one could find him." "Kourtney flipped out and when she finally got Scott on the phone, he told her that she has trust issues," added the insider. To which she replied to with a tweet, saying: "I've got trust issues." (British Glamour)
Nicole Kidman Says Trump Comments Weren't Endorsement. Nicole Kidman says her comments that Americans should support President-elect Donald Trump were merely a statement of her belief in democracy, not an endorsement of the incoming president. The Oscar-winning actress's earlier remarks sparked both criticism and praise online after they were aired by the BBC earlier this week. Kidman tells Access Hollywood that her comments were misconstrued. She says, "I was trying to stress that I believe in democracy and the American Constitution, and it was that simple." When an interviewer pressed her for more details, Kidman threw up her hands and said she was done commenting on the topic. Kidman was born in Hawaii to Australian parents and holds dual citizenship in Australia and the U.S. Kidman won an Oscar for 2002's "The Hours" and currently stars in "Lion." (PageSix)
George Jung is a lifetime criminal who will never be able to reform, according to his probation officer ... but George's side says otherwise. George's defense team just filed new docs asking for a very light sentence after his latest bust. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, they take issue with the probation officer's scathing testimony -- that Jung's an alcoholic, habitual liar and "no viable vocational or educational treatment programs" can change him. But George's lawyer thinks probation is enough for a 74-year-old who's no threat to society -- and Johnny Depp's movie, "Blow" continues to give Jung a bad rap. Jung wants his probation reins loosened too. He's asking the judge to lift the alcohol ban and allow him to travel without checking in with his probation officer. (TMZ)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
It's time for fans to decide once and for all who tops in the DC superhero world ... by bidding on vintage Batman and Superman movie costumes. Michael Keaton's Batsuit from the 1992 sequel "Batman Returns" and Christopher Reeve's iconic Superman costume from the eponymous 1978 film are both on the auction block. Check out the pics ... there's even an up-close shot of the original tag still intact and labeled for Reeve. The Man of Steel "muscle tunic" has a slight edge with bidding starting at $40k ... bidding starts at $35k for the Batsuit. Fanboys and girls can bid online at Nate D. Sanders Auctions 'till January 26. Fun fact -- Reeve refused to wear an extra muscle suit under his costume, and instead trained with famed bodybuilder and Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse to bulk up. (TMZ)
Peta Murgatroyd Shares Photo of Post-Baby Body Eight Days After Giving Birth: ''Shai Is Worth Every Pound." Peta Murgatroyd is sharing a realer side of life after baby. The Dancing With the Stars pro and new mom took to Instagram on Sunday with a lengthy message for those expecting her to spring back into tip-top shape just over a week after giving birth. In a photo taken eight days after welcoming her first child with fiance and fellow DWTS performer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Peta stands in front of a mirror with an arm perched behind her swollen post-baby belly. "Real life: I took this photo 8 days post birth. I left the hospital looking 5 months pregnant," she wrote, adding, "Many people think a woman should shrink right back to her pre-birth weight immediately. That is just not the truth for most." Peta continued, "The female body is incredible and resilient, but healing and strengthening take time. Now it's time for patience and hard work. Lots of love to all the new mamas out there on the journey. #yesihaveascrunchieinmyhair #shaiiswortheverypound" So while Peta continues enjoying motherhood and heading back to the dance floor, she's also sure to fit in some alone time with the second most important man in her life. For instance, Maks and Peta stepped out Saturday for a well-deserved date night filled with sushi and most importantly, alone time. The proud papa shared a sweet photo of the lovebirds outside the restaurant, calling Peta his "queen." Shortly after becoming a dad, Maks shared his own take on fatherhood on Instagram. "It's been one week plus one day of my fatherhood and I'm the happiest person that's ever lived," he wrote alongside a photo holding their son. "I'm also feeling very protective and now understand what every parent in history have been going through for as long as humans have been giving birth." (Eonline)
Aaron and Jordan Rodgers' Family Opens Up About NFL Star's Estrangement: ''Fame Can Change Things." In a new interview with The New York Times, the Rodgers family patriarch sheds new light on their estrangement from NFL star Aaron Rodgers. Pop culture fanatics first learned of the personal drama when Aaron's little brother, Jordan Rodgers, appeared on JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette last year. The reality star went on to win the 12th season of the ABC series, and while getting to know his future fiance, revealed that the Green Bay Packers quarterback is not close with his family anymore. Ed Rodgers told the publication of the experience, "One in the news is enough for us. Fame can change things." He also confirmed that things turned sour between Aaron and the rest of his family a "few months" after he began dating actress Olivia Munn, and that the football player has not spoken to his mother, father and two brothers since 2014. Ed also recalled feeling "weird" about their private matters turning into a spectacle on national television. "Airing public laundry is not what I would have chosen," he explained, before adding, "It's good to have it all come out." Aaron has remained especially tight-lipped about the drama, and during a recent press conference told reporters when asked about the rift, "I just don't think it's appropriate talking about family stuff publicly." When Jordan became a fan-favorite on the reality competition show, Aaron broke his silence on his brother's newfound stardom with just as much distance on the matter. "I haven't seen the show, to be honest with you, so it hasn't really affected me a whole lot," he admitted. As for Jordan, he too is often reluctant to speak publicly about Aaron's estrangement, but doesn't regret bringing it up while on The Bachelorette. He told E! News in an exclusive interview, "I hadn't seen the show before, so I didn't really have an expectation, which may be naive on my part." "Family things are always tough, and they're always tough to address, let alone on a TV show. But I knew I made a commitment to go on there and be honest with JoJo and make sure that she knew everything because we didn't have any time off-camera and we were going to get to a proposal. So you have to be honest, you have to trust she believes in the person you are," he shared. (Eonline)
Kim Kardashian Meets Kids and Goes Four-Wheeling on Fun-Filled Dubai Trip. Kim Kardashian is slowly getting back into her routine following her traumatic robbery last year, and that means having fun -- while looking glam. And meeting new friends! The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is in Dubai on her first overseas trip since her ordeal. She spent the weekend going four-wheeling, shopping and meeting with dancers, including children. Some of them danced for her while wearing T-shirts with her face on them. Kim was dressed casually in a dark printed T-shirt and ripped jeans. During her four-wheeling adventure, Kim donned a long black fur coat, dark cleavage-baring top and maroon pants. She also met a falcon, the national bird of the UAE. She later chilled out and goofed around with her pals at their hotel. Kim also went glam for a shopping trip. She was photographed wearing a skintight white wool mini dress, paired with calf-high lace-up nude boots and a dark baseball cap, while leaving her 5-star hotel in Dubai Saturday. She then put on a light khaki jacket and headed straight to the Mall of the Emirates, where she shopped at the Givenchy store. She later had lunch at Cipriani Dubai. Kim began her trip last week. She had traveled to Dubai primarily to support and be a model for her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic during his "Master Class" at the MusicHall Dubai. It marked her first official public appearance since robbers held her at gunpoint, tied her up and stole more than $10 million worth of jewelry inside her hotel room in Paris in October. Kim has been spotted out and about a few times since the robbery, mostly wearing casual clothes. She also attended her mother Kris Jenner's annual Christmas party. "Kim is in a really great place right now," a source told E! News last week. Scott Disick also accompanied Kim on her Dubai trip and also traveled to the area for business. He made a public appearance at the grand opening of the Sugar Factory at Dubai Festival City last week. (Eonline)
Did the White House -- or the FBI -- have something to do with it? Nick Cannon joked that he believes ex-wife Mariah Carey's disastrous New Year's Eve performance was a setup by the government during a Monday, January 16, appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Asked about set during the Saturday, December 31, telecast of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, Cannon, 36, told Ellen DeGeneres why he isn't placing blame on the pop superstar. "You know me, I'm a conspiracy theorist. I think the government did that. They set her up," he quipped. "That was a distraction. They just put her out there." As previously reported, Carey and her team claimed that Dick Clark Productions sabotaged the Mariah's World star during her performance due to a faulty earpiece. Because of the technical error, the Grammy winner did not sing -- and mostly didn't even pretend to sing -- as prerecorded vocals for her hits "Emotions" and "We Belong Together" played. Dick Clark Productions denied Carey's allegations that its staff undermined Carey for ratings in a statement to Us Weekly. "In very rare instances there are of course technical errors that can occur with live television; however, an initial investigation has indicated that DCP had no involvement in the challenges associated with Ms. Carey's New Year's Eve performance," the company told Us on January 1. "We want to be clear that we have the utmost respect for Ms. Carey as an artist and acknowledge her tremendous accomplishments in the industry." Kidding aside, Cannon went on to defend the Elusive Chanteuse during his chat with DeGeneres. "But I mean, anyone who knows about performing and having inner ears and stuff like that, things like that can go wrong on live television," the America's Got Talent host explained. "I do live television. I screw up on America's Got Talent all the time. So when there's people in your ear saying things and stuff, I think she kinda got a little flustered." The All That alum continued: "But being the diva that she is, she said, 'I'm just going to walk around and pose for seven minutes.' And like Ryan Seacrest said, she can do no wrong. She worked through it. [The crowd was] like, 'She's amazing and her lips aren't even moving!'" (US Weekly)
More Women Rip Michael Che's Dating App Etiquette. More women have come forward blasting "SNL" star Michael Che for his "rude and arrogant" dating app etiquette after Page Six reported on interactions he had with Married to the Mob founder Leah McSweeney. "When I saw the headline, I totally related .?.?. he was a d?-??-?k to me, too," the source said. McSweeney told us he treated her "like some stupid bitch" and kept texting, "I'm fat. Does that turn you on?" she said. "We matched [on Tinder], and I started up a conversation, and it was really unfriendly .?.?. I felt like I was being punk'd a little bit," she said. Another woman told us she matched with him on the Raya, a private membership dating app for famous people, and he was rude to her, too. "It was a very quick conversation. He came up on my Raya, and we matched. I started the conversation and was like, 'What's the best pizza place in New York?' He responded, 'Go to Zagat.' And I said, 'no,' and he said, 'Yes, white lady,'" she said. The women wanted to be anonymous out of fear that Che would publish their conversations. "I'm a little afraid because I wouldn't want him blasting me and look like another thirsty girl trying to get famous off of him," the first woman said. "That was a long time ago, like June of last year. I have pretty thick skin, but I'm glad it came out. He's a misogynist. Men in the public eye get away with this stuff a lot, and I think it's up to women to stick together. I'm sure he gets women because he's on 'SNL,'" she said. (PageSix)
When you go to the "Today" show with a shirt suggesting Bill Clinton did what Donald Trump said he did ... you gotta be ready for someone to kick your ass ... so says NBC. Mark Gallagher went to 30 Rock before the election and wore a t-shirt with Clinton's face and the word "rape." He claims he was standing there minding his own business when NBC security -- whom he called a "goon squad" -- descended on him and beat the crap out of him. He has sued NBC for $53 mil. NBC has now fired off its answer, saying when someone does something as incendiary as Gallagher did, they assume the risk someone will come after them. NBC does not get specific, but the network disputes Gallagher's version of the facts ... presumably what he did before the incident. And this is the best. NBC says Gallagher had a duty to minimize his damages by getting quick medical help, which he did not do. The legal docs say he could have availed himself of the benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- aka Obamacare. (TMZ)
Music
Mariah Carey and Elton John got hired for a wedding gig over the weekend ... and it wasn't cheap. The singers raked in $4.2 million after a Russian billionaire, Valery Kogan, footed the bill for his granddaughter's wedding over the weekend in London. The astonishing 9 hour reception at The Landmark hotel featured Mimi dedicating "We Belong Together" to the new couple. The bride -- 19 year old Irene Kogan -- and her hubby requested Mariah's appearance. She was flown in from the U.S. Sir Elton John kicked things off with an impressive 12 song set. And listen to Mariah ... she sounds fantastic. Antonio Banderas also was there. (TMZ)
The heart wants what it wants! Selena Gomez fans briefly lost their minds on Sunday, January 15, when the singer teased new music in an Instagram video. The only problem? It wasn't from Gomez's own discography. The "Hands to Myself" songstress, 24, was instead giving a shout-out to friends, fellow musicians Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter. "When the people who changed your life create magic @imjmichaels @tranterjustin I'm so happy for you guys - one of my favorite songs they have ever written," she wrote. Michaels and Tranter are frequent writing partners who have collaborated with artists such as Gwen Stefani, Fifth Harmony, Demi Lovato and Gomez's ex Justin Bieber. Michaels is the songwriter behind Gomez's "Good For You" and Bieber's "Sorry." In the clip, Gomez hugs Michaels while lip-syncing to Michaels' new song "Issues" in a music studio. Michaels and Tranter posted videos with Gomez, too. "When you have the most incredible and supportive friends in the world. I love you both so much. #issues @tranterjustin @selenagomez," Michaels captioned via Instagram. Tranter added: "We got #issues @imjmichaels @selenagomez (I love these two so much I could scream)." Selenators still have good stuff to look forward to, however. Last month, Gomez after her three-month rehab stay. "Music and love," she captioned an Instagram pic of herself applying eyeliner at the time. The former Disney star has had company in her studio. Last week, photographs of her and The Weeknd making out went public. A source told Us Weekly that they have been working on new material together and that Gomez "really likes him and they are just getting to know each other." Gomez and the "Starboy" singer, 26, once shared the stage together when they performed at the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in NYC. (US Weekly)
Ed Sheeran Creates Chart History Down Under. Ed Sheeran has made history Down Under by becoming the first artist to have simultaneous debuts at No. 1 and No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart, while three soundtracks manage a feat never seen before on the national albums chart. Sheeran sets a new record with "Shape Of You" (Asylum/Warner) and "Castle On The Hill" (Atlantic/Warner), respectively, which earn the solo star a return to the market's top 50 as a lead artist for the first time since "Photograph" cracked the top 10 back in June 2015. "Shape Of You" becomes the English singer's third No. 1 on the national singles chart, after "Sing" (May 2014) and "Thinking Out Loud" (October 2014). Sheeran has a special affinity with Australia. His sophomore set X (Warner) spent six weeks at No. 1 in 2014 and finished the year as the market's biggest selling album. And at the 2015 ARIA Awards, Sheeran's album received the inaugural ARIA "Diamond" award in recognition of sales in excess of half a million. In that same year, Sheeran became the first-ever artist to undertake a headline national arena tour completely solo (playing to 190,000 people along the way). He returned with his loop pedal and favorite guitars for a solo stadium tour later in 2015. Meanwhile, X this week leaps 45-9 on the ARIA Albums Chart for its 86th week on the survey, while his debut album + re-enters the top 50 at No. 32 in its 163rd week. "Shape Of You" and "Castle On The Hill" have now done the double-double. The tracks are also No. 1 and No. 2 in the U.K., and "Shape of You" is set to blow into the Billboard Hot 100 chart, possibly with a debut at No. 1 (with "Castle on the Hill" shaping for a top 10 bow). The two new songs dropped Jan. 6 ahead of Sheeran's forthcoming third album ÷ (pronounced "Divide"), due March 3. Sheeran's comeback tracks end Clean Bandit's unbroken chart reign with "Rockabye" (EastWest/Warner) at six weeks. "Rockabye," featuring Sean Paul &Anne-Marie, is now at No. 3 on the Australian chart while Zayn & Taylor Swift's "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" (Republic/Universal) dips 3-4 and Andy Grammer hits the top five for the first time in his career with "Fresh Eyes" (Liberation/Universal), up 9-5. Other notable climbers include Train's "Play That Song," which leaps 23-8 for the American pop-rock outfit's third top ten single and first since "Hey, Soul Sister" reached the top spot in March 2010. And homegrown electronic act Pnau earn their highest charting single with "Chameleon," jumping 22-15. Machine Gun Kelly's much-hyped "Bad Things" collab with former Harmony singer Camila Cabello debuts at No. 31 on the ARIA Singles Chart, marking the first time either artist has hit the top 50 individually. As a member of Fifth Harmony, Cabello last charted with "All In My Head (Flex)" in July 2016 (the song peaked out at No. 19). For the first time ever, soundtracks are 1-2-3 on the latest ARIA Albums Chart, with the Trolls (RCA/Sony) soundtrack holding top spot for a second successive week, Sing (Universal) improving 3-2 and Moana (Walt Disney/Universal) rising 4-3. Adele's nine-times platinum juggernaut 25 (XL/Inertia) is down 2-4 while The Rolling Stones' former chart-topper Blue & Lonesome (Polydor/Universal) is unmoved at No. 5 (Billboard)
Rob Thomas Shows His 'Smooth' Side in Performance for New Series of 'Front and Center': Exclusive Premiere. Rob Thomas turns on the charm and charisma for his "Smooth" performance at the historic Iridium jazz club in NYC. The arena-filling Matchbox Twenty singer switches gears for the show, which was shot for the upcoming nine-part Front and Center series. And he's in fine company. The likes of Kenny Garrett, Jacky Terrasson, Charlie Haden, Kenny Barron and Benny Carter have enchanted audiences at the intimate Iridium venue. "I'm telling stories and stories are better shared when it's a smaller group of people, then when you do it in a room like this, where all these legendary people have played," the three-time Grammy winner tells Billboard. "There's just a funk in this room that you can't get anywhere else. It's pretty cool." The Front and Center series, now in its seventh season, features legends from across many genres. The nine new episodes include performances by Shawn Mendes, Cheap Trick, Southside Johnny, Steve Vai, Kaleo, Dawes and others. Thomas kicks off the new season with a session in which he delivers some of his biggest hits, including "Lonely No More," "3am," his new song "We Are One" and, of course, "Smooth," his global hit collaboration with Santana. (Billboard)
Movies
We didn't think she could pull it off ... but Margot Robbie is shaping up to look A LOT like Tonya Harding. Paps got Margot on the set of the new film, "I, Tonya," and unlike the video we got last week when she hit the ice ... Margot bears a striking resemblance to Tonya. Amazing what some hair styling and poundage can do ... plus those '90s jeans work wonders. (TMZ)
Netflix's 'The Ivory Game' to Screen at Beijing Film Festival. The state-run event's selection of the elephant conservation documentary follows China's recent decision to ban the ivory trade by the end of 2017. Netflix's elephant conservation documentary The Ivory Game has scored an official selection slot at the upcoming Beijing International Film Festival. Shortlisted in the best documentary Oscar category this year, the film has been hailed for its gripping depiction of the dangerous underworld of ivory trading and the urgent threat posed to Africa's wild elephant population. The state-backed Beijing festival's decision to screen the film comes on the heels of China's recent decision to ban ivory trade by the end of 2017. "On Dec. 30, we received the amazing and historic news that China will ban ivory. It was this single most important act that may save the elephants, said the film's directors, Richard Ladkani and Kief Davidson. "We have now received word that The Ivory Game has been invited to screen at the Beijing Film Festival. After four years of production, we had little faith that the Chinese people would ever get to see this film (by legal means at least) so we couldn't be more thrilled." This year's Beijing International Film Festival kicks off April 28 at the China National Convention Center. Conservationist Jane Goodall added her voice in support of China's recent moves against the ivory trade, saying that it also will help end the loss of life among rangers working to protect the elephants from poachers. "They work with few resources and inadequate equipment. More than 100 die every year, many killed by commercial poachers who fuel the ivory trade, others by armed militias who often use poached ivory to fund their wars," said Goodall. "This is yet another reason why ending the ivory trade is so important." (Hollywood Reporter)
How 'O.J.: Made in America's' Director Found a Fresh Angle on the Simpson Murder Saga. Ezra Edelman discovered a whole untold story about race as he put together his epic film amid concerns over competition from FX's 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' and worries about the documentary's eight-hour running time. When Schell, ESPN vice president and ESPN Films executive producer, pitched the idea of a long form documentary about Simpson in early 2014, Edelman's first reaction was negative. "We all had a feeling of having reached our saturation point when it comes to O.J.," he tells THR. But Schell, who co-created ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary series with Bill Simmons, was a fan of Bret Morgen's film June 17, 1994, about the infamous car chase involving Simpson's white Bronco, which was done early in 30 for 30's run. And with the 20th anniversary of Simpson's acquittal approaching in October 2015, he thought the time was right for a multihour film not just about Simpson's trial but about his life. The more Edelman thought about the project, the more he warmed to the idea, seeing it as "a story about race and culture in America. It's a story about celebrity, and it's a story about policing. It's a story about an American city." Adds Schell, the Simpson saga is "the entire journey of race in America." The infamous June 17, 1994, slow-speed white Ford Bronco chase. Instead of surrendering to police, Simpson took off in the Bronco and was pursued across Los Angeles. Edelman, 42, had the right credentials to tackle the project. He had spent seven years at the HBO newsmagazine Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel, co-produced the 2013 Oscar-nominated doc Cutie and the Boxer and won a Sports Emmy for 2007's Brooklyn Dodgers: The Ghosts of Flatbush as well as a Peabody for 2011's Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals. Born in Washington, D.C., to noted law professor Peter Edelman and civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman, he had grown up in a household where the issues of race, justice and civil rights were part of the everyday conversation. But, admits the Yale graduate, "I really didn't know any more how to make a five-hour film than I knew how to make a 50-hour film." So he assembled a team of producers to chart a course. Caroline Waterlow oversaw archival research, a huge task because, she says, "we obviously needed to find every interview O.J. ever did, not knowing if we would ever use it." Tamara Rosenberg headed up the effort to track down those willing to be interviewed on camera. "Once we knew the story points about Los Angeles and the LAPD and the sort of L.A. history context, we needed people who were on the ground," says Waterlow. Rosenberg rounded up a wide array, including Ron Shipp, a policeman who had known Simpson for years; Simpson's manager Mike Gilbert and childhood friend Joe Bell; and Nicole's friend Robin Greer. Edelman wrote Simpson at the Nevada jail but never heard back. Edelman then stepped in to conduct all the interviews himself -- a total of 72, of which 66 appear in the film. Even though the trial wasn't Edelman's main focus -- in the end, it's allotted two of the film's five chapters -- from the very beginning, Edelman knew he needed at least one member of the prosecution team, and that wasn't going to be easy. "A lot of the major players, like the Marcia Clarks and the Chris Dardens, have obviously been really burned and had a very difficult media experience," says Waterlow. So began a slow courtship of former L.A. District Attorney Gil Garcetti, who had never spoken about the case in detail. The first time Edelman reached out, Garcetti said, "You're welcome to come talk to me at my house, but I'm absolutely not doing an [on-camera] interview." But they met and talked for two hours, and Edelman left his previous work for Garcetti to watch. After three visits, Garcetti relented, which opened the door to interviews with deputy prosecutors Clark and Bill Hodgman. (Darden declined Edelman's requests.) The project's extended length allowed Edelman to include such footage as the Rodney King beating video in its entirety, underscoring its brutality in a way that isn't evident in most documentaries that show only a few seconds. He also was able to linger on the footage of Simpson as a USC student and NFL star. And when defense attorney Johnnie Cochran makes his entrance, instead of presenting him as a fast-talking flimflam man (with his rhyming admonition, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit"), Edelman showcases Cochran's history of activism in the fight against police brutality. "You can actually explore the complexities of these human beings because it's never that simple with anybody," he says of the opportunities afforded by the project's running time. About a month after that first screening, Schell submitted the film to the Sundance Film Festival. But looming was a potential roadblock in the form of FX's scripted miniseries about the Simpson trial, which was scheduled to air in February -- after O.J.'s Sundance bow but before Edelman's film would get an awards-qualifying theatrical run and first air on ESPN. Advance word on FX's series was good, and, confesses Edelman, "At that point, I was a little concerned. I thought that if this exists and it's this good, I don't know that anyone is going to watch our film. That was the concern. I can't lie." When his film got an ecstatic reception at Sundance, some of Edelman's anxiety was alleviated. And, after FX's version aired, he realized his fears were misplaced. Praising Murphy's Emmy-winning miniseries for its "high quality," he says it "heightened interest in the story as a whole." (Edelman says he still hasn't watched the FX miniseries.) And though Schell had championed the project from the start, he says O.J., which is winning its own awards (including the International Documentary Association's best feature and the National Board of Review's best documentary), has shown him the larger context of the saga. "I was a freshman in college when the verdict came down," he says. "I'd follow it every single day. But until I got to work with Ezra, I realize I had no idea what was really going on." (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Radcliffe Reveals His Master Plan for May in This Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Sneak Peek. We always had a feeling we couldn't truly trust Radcliffe (John Hannah) and our suspicions were proved correct last week on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. when it was revealed that he'd been pulling Aida's strings all along during her quest to obtain the Darkhold, all a part of his master plan to use the powerful book to unlock human immortality. And in this sneak peek of Tuesday's new episode, exclusive to E! News, the shady scientist reveals that he's got big plans for his Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) decoy now that he's tricked everyone at S.H.I.E.L.D. into thinking that Aida (Mallory Jansen) is out of commission after having her robot head chopped off. If Agent May isn't aware of her mission to retrieve the Darkhold, then she won't be able to reveal herself. Her programming will present as human emotion. She'll instinctively climb the ranks, gain access, and get closer to Agent Coulson -- the man who knows just where this book is," he tells his AI humanoid assistant, who seems unconvinced. "It might be quicker for me to search the base myself," she suggests. But he's not having any of it. "No. I've tried the quick way," he says. "Now, we're playing a longer, more nuanced game -- hopefully with less violence." (He's still a little upset that Aida resorted to homicide with poor Agent Nathanson, after all.) "But isn't the real Agent May already prone to violence?" she replies. Judging from the pained expression on his face, that's not really something he'd worried about yet. Elsewhere in the episode, while separated from the team, Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Mack (Henry Simmons) discover a shocking secret about Mace (Jason O'Mara), leaving all of S.H.I.E.L.D. in a precarious position. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC. (Eonline)
This Is Us Is About to Make You Cry Again, Thanks to Dr. K. Gerald McRaney, start making room on your mantel now 'cause the Emmy for best guest star is all yours. Since This Is Us' very first episode, Dr. K, the doc who stepped in to deliver the Big Three, has been the surprise fan-favorite, making a handful of small-but-oh-so-important appearances that brought us to laughs and tears. And in the NBC breakout hit's Jan. 17 episode, Dr. K finally gets his chance in the spotlight and spoiler alert: you will probably definitely cry. In the episode, titled "The Big Day," viewers will get the backstory on the lovable doctor right around the time of the triplets birth date, during which he was coping with the loss of his wife, and E! News has your exclusive first look at Dr. K's struggle to move on. In the sneak peek, Dr. K's son and daughter-in-law are visiting him and trying to make small talk ("Did you see the new Stars Wars film yet, the Empire Strikes Back?"), before asking him about his dating life since the passing of his wife. "Is there anybody out there you might like to take to a movie?" Peter cautiously asks. Dr. K? Well, he's not having it...in the most Dr. K-way that will break your heart a little bit and make you chuckle. Oh, the power of Gerald McRaney. And Dr. K's backstory isn't the only one fans will be treated to, as we'll learn more about Joe, the firefighter who was the one to deliver baby Randall (Sterling K. Brown) to the hospital on that fateful day, and his fight to save his marriage. Our advice? Stock up on ALL the tissues now, as star Chrissy Metz recently told E! News, "There's a lot of really emotional stuff happening. A lot of decisions to be made, a lot of choices. And you have to really just expect the unexpected, as cliche as that might sound." This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC. (Eonline)
Dakota Fanning to Star in TNT Drama Series 'The Alienist'. The Cary Fukunaga-produced series is set to premiere in late 2017. Dakota Fanning is heading to the small screen. Turner used its semiannual platform at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour on Saturday to make the announcement, which sets Fanning as the lead of TNT's forthcoming drama The Alienist, based on the international best-seller from Caleb Carr. The actress will star as a headstrong secretary at police headquarters by the name of Sara Howard. Together with characters being played by previously cast Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds) and Luke Evans (The Girl on the Train), she will investigate a series of brutal murders in New York during the Gilded Age. Production is set to begin in Budapest, Hungary, shortly, with plans for the series to premiere later this year. Described as a psychological thriller, The Alienist is set in gritty 1896 New York City, a mix of vast wealth, extreme poverty and technological innovation at that time. When a cadre of gruesome murders of boy prostitutes grips the city, newly appointed police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt calls upon criminal psychologist (aka alienist) Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Bruhl) and newspaper reporter John Moore (Evans) to conduct the investigation in secret. They're aided by a makeshift crew of characters, among them the intrepid Howard, a young secretary on Roosevelt's staff who is determined to become the first female police detective in New York City. Using the emerging disciplines of psychology and early forensic investigation techniques, this band of social outsiders tracks down one of the city's first serial killers. Jakob Verbruggen (Black Mirror) is set to direct and executive produce the project, a co-production between Paramount TV and Turner's Studio T. Cary Fukunaga (True Detective), along with Academy Award-winner Eric Roth (Forrest Gump), Hossein Amini (Drive) and Anonymous Content's Steve Golin and Rosalie Swedlin all are attached as executive producers. The project first was announced in April 2015 and is part of Kevin Reilly's ongoing push to make TNT a more premium destination. Alienist marks Fanning's first significant TV foray since her turn in Steven Spielberg's 2002 Syfy miniseries Taken. In the decade and a half since, she has starred in movies including three installments of the Twilight series, I Am Sam, War of the Worlds and The Runaways. She currently can be seen in the 1960s-set film American Pastoral opposite Ewan McGregor, as well as the upcoming films Please Stand By, Brimstone, The Bell Jar and Ocean's Eight. Fanning is repped by CAA, Echo Lake and Hansen Jacobson. (Hollywood Reporter)
Paris Jackson is making her move ... to conquer Hollywood -- with a little help from Lee Daniels. We've learned Daniels met with Paris and discussed a possible role in his new Fox show, "Star," and she's seriously considering it. That's just the beginning. We're told she's already booked 3 covers of major high-fashion mags, the first of which hits the stands this month. And, we're told, the 18-year-old has been approached by multiple modeling agencies which think she's as marketable as any high-end model. Paris has also been approached by several major brands that want her face on their products. It's an amazing transformation for someone who was once shielded from public view and covered with masks and bundles of clothing when she ventured out. Paris had some major issues as a teen, for which she received help, and as a result she wants to use her platform to be an advocate for people dealing with addiction and recovery. God knows she understands tragedy and family drama. But she's coming out on the other end more than ok. (TMZ)
HBO's The Young Pope Is Finally Here -- Is He the Coolest Pope in Town? We wanted to be able to take The Young Pope seriously. We really did. We wanted to be wrong about how silly the concept of a hot young pope really is. -- And then we watched the first episode, and we quickly found it would be utterly impossible. HBO's newest offering -- a drama starring Jude Law as a cool, young, smokin', sexin' pope -- is going to continue to be our favorite TV show that sounds like, looks like, and probably is a show invented by 30 Rock, even if the Catholic Jack Donaghy probably might have publicly balked at the suggestion. The first two minutes of The Young Pope features the young pope himself crawling out of a pile of babies. Then, an iPhone ringtone sounds, and then Jude Law takes a shower and puts on a robe, and then Jude Law ditches his robe and shows us his ass. These are all true, wonderful facts about beginning of The Young Pope, and it only gets better from there. It also just gets weirder, though of course we learn that that opening -- and the "we have forgotten to masturbate" speech that followed -- was just a dream. The young pope's favorite breakfast is a Cherry Coke Zero, and he says things like "There's a new pope now," as he lights up a cigarette. His name is Lenny. He hates tourists. His mind is a gap. He doesn't care if the nun (Diane Keaton) who took care of him as a young orphan has no experience in the papacy -- she's gonna be his special assistant anyway! Basically, he's the inexperienced new guy who's here to buck all the traditions in a place where "it's as if time were dead." Whether that tradition-bucking is a good or bad thing is currently very hard to tell, but we have to admit, it's a hell of a lot of fun to watch the cardinals shudder every time Jude Law proves he's the baddest pope in town. In fact, this entire show is a hell of a lot of fun, in the silliest, gif-iest way possible. The Young Pope is a television treasure, perfectly primed to bring the internet together in a joyful way that hasn't been seen in many months, and we must protect it at all costs. The Young Pope airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO. (Eonline)
Katie Couric's Ready For Her TV Comeback. After three years on the Web, Katie Couric is ready to return to TV. With her contract as "global news anchor" at Yahoo set to expire in the spring, we're told that the veteran journalist wants to go back to broadcast television "on a regular basis." Sources tell Page Six that Couric's brief return to the anchor's chair on NBC's "Today" show last week was intended to function as a "showcase" for Couric, who we're told has already begun "preliminary discussions" with the beleaguered Yahoo about what her role there might be, if any, after the deal runs out. Asked about the end date of her contract, Yahoo said it doesn't "comment on personnel matters." Insiders say that Couric's camp had hoped that her brief spell anchoring alongside Matt Lauer would be a "reminder" of her appeal to TV audiences. We're told that the journalist -- who has worked on all the major cable networks, including anchoring the "CBS Evening News" -- has already been offered a five-days-a-week cable news show, but is trying to decide on "the right balance." "She's already done that kind of thing, and she's learned her lesson from it -- she doesn't want that kind of grind," said a source familiar with Couric's thinking. The source added, "She doesn't necessarily need to be on TV every day, but she does need to be on TV regularly." The source described television as a "piece that's missing from her portfolio," saying that she plans to continue working online in some capacity, as well as producing documentaries through her production company and making her podcasts. Couric's time at Yahoo has been a rough ride. She was hired by CEO Marissa Mayer as part of a now-abandoned attempt to turn the search site into a news and entertainment powerhouse. After shuttering many of its content-producing entities, a deal was struck for Verizon to buy its remaining properties. But that deal is now in jeopardy after a massive breach of Yahoo e-mail addresses left Verizon nervy about the purchase. (PageSix)
TV Ratings: NFL Playoff Tops World Series, Best Telecast Since Super Bowl. Fox's afternoon Packers-Cowboys game brings a stunning 20-year high for a NFC divisional playoff. This robust postseason NFL bears no resemblance to the dampened league seen at the top of the season. Sunday's playoff games were huge, for Fox and NBC, with Fox's earlier showing on track to be the biggest U.S. telecast since the Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers put an end to the Dallas Cowboys' NFC ambitions in a stunning 11th hour victory, and audiences stuck around. The game averaged a 28.2 overnight rating among households. That's a stunning 12 percent boost from even Game 7 of the World Series, which ultimately swung 40 million viewers. The primetime showing on NBC was almost as sweet, and also set a record. With a 21.9 overnight rating among households, it proved to be the best primetime showing on record for a NFL Wild Card or Divisional Playoff Game. Both the NFC and AFC showings bode well for the rest of this especially strong postseason. (Hollywood Reporter)
Are Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik engaged? Well, she's wearing a ring on *that* finger... Erm, do Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik have something to tell us? Is it something to do with being engaged?! Well, we can't be sure but Gigi Hadid
was* wearing a ring on that finger over the weekend. The model was spotted arriving at New York Airport and later out and about in the city sporting a gold band. Neither Gigi or Zayn have posted anything about it on social media or released statements but we're sure all will be revealed soon. (British Glamour)
Is Ariana Grande engaged to Mac Miller? Her Instagram suggests that she is... Christmas is huge for engagements, and it's not just Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik who are sending the rumor mill into overdrive in the bleak January aftermath. Now, eagle-eyed fans have spotted Ariana Grande has been wearing what appears to be an engagement ring in some of her Instagram pictures. The singer shared several images to promote her Dangerous Woman tour last week, and there's no mistaking that shiny band on her ring finger. Ariana confirmed she's dating rapper Mac Miller on The Ellen Show in September last year, but the pair go way back, collaborating on her track 'The Way', in 2013. The 23-year-old is yet to comment on the rumors, but we think they look pretty happy together. (British Glamour)
All eyes were on Kourtney Kardashian this weekend as she hit the town with former rumored flame, Justin Bieber. The world may have thought that the 37-year-old reality TV star had reunited with her on-again/off-again baby daddy, Scott Disick, judging by their promising Instagram posts over the holidays. But it looks like Kourtney has rekindled another old flame in her life as she stepped out for a night of partying with the Biebs. The mother-of-three looked hotter than ever as she wore a sheer bra and black silk trousers to Hollywood hotspot, The Peppermint Club, with the 22-year-old hit-maker. The pair were first linked together last year, but never confirmed any rumors. Meanwhile, Scott, who spent the weekend in Dubai with Kourtney's sister Kim, reportedly went "MIA" during the trip on Friday. According to Radar Online, a source revealed: "No one knew where he was at. He was supposed to be there to watch over Kim, but no one could find him." "Kourtney flipped out and when she finally got Scott on the phone, he told her that she has trust issues," added the insider. To which she replied to with a tweet, saying: "I've got trust issues." (British Glamour)
Nicole Kidman Says Trump Comments Weren't Endorsement. Nicole Kidman says her comments that Americans should support President-elect Donald Trump were merely a statement of her belief in democracy, not an endorsement of the incoming president. The Oscar-winning actress's earlier remarks sparked both criticism and praise online after they were aired by the BBC earlier this week. Kidman tells Access Hollywood that her comments were misconstrued. She says, "I was trying to stress that I believe in democracy and the American Constitution, and it was that simple." When an interviewer pressed her for more details, Kidman threw up her hands and said she was done commenting on the topic. Kidman was born in Hawaii to Australian parents and holds dual citizenship in Australia and the U.S. Kidman won an Oscar for 2002's "The Hours" and currently stars in "Lion." (PageSix)
George Jung is a lifetime criminal who will never be able to reform, according to his probation officer ... but George's side says otherwise. George's defense team just filed new docs asking for a very light sentence after his latest bust. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, they take issue with the probation officer's scathing testimony -- that Jung's an alcoholic, habitual liar and "no viable vocational or educational treatment programs" can change him. But George's lawyer thinks probation is enough for a 74-year-old who's no threat to society -- and Johnny Depp's movie, "Blow" continues to give Jung a bad rap. Jung wants his probation reins loosened too. He's asking the judge to lift the alcohol ban and allow him to travel without checking in with his probation officer. (TMZ)
THE OTHER STUFF . . .
It's time for fans to decide once and for all who tops in the DC superhero world ... by bidding on vintage Batman and Superman movie costumes. Michael Keaton's Batsuit from the 1992 sequel "Batman Returns" and Christopher Reeve's iconic Superman costume from the eponymous 1978 film are both on the auction block. Check out the pics ... there's even an up-close shot of the original tag still intact and labeled for Reeve. The Man of Steel "muscle tunic" has a slight edge with bidding starting at $40k ... bidding starts at $35k for the Batsuit. Fanboys and girls can bid online at Nate D. Sanders Auctions 'till January 26. Fun fact -- Reeve refused to wear an extra muscle suit under his costume, and instead trained with famed bodybuilder and Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse to bulk up. (TMZ)
Peta Murgatroyd Shares Photo of Post-Baby Body Eight Days After Giving Birth: ''Shai Is Worth Every Pound." Peta Murgatroyd is sharing a realer side of life after baby. The Dancing With the Stars pro and new mom took to Instagram on Sunday with a lengthy message for those expecting her to spring back into tip-top shape just over a week after giving birth. In a photo taken eight days after welcoming her first child with fiance and fellow DWTS performer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Peta stands in front of a mirror with an arm perched behind her swollen post-baby belly. "Real life: I took this photo 8 days post birth. I left the hospital looking 5 months pregnant," she wrote, adding, "Many people think a woman should shrink right back to her pre-birth weight immediately. That is just not the truth for most." Peta continued, "The female body is incredible and resilient, but healing and strengthening take time. Now it's time for patience and hard work. Lots of love to all the new mamas out there on the journey. #yesihaveascrunchieinmyhair #shaiiswortheverypound" So while Peta continues enjoying motherhood and heading back to the dance floor, she's also sure to fit in some alone time with the second most important man in her life. For instance, Maks and Peta stepped out Saturday for a well-deserved date night filled with sushi and most importantly, alone time. The proud papa shared a sweet photo of the lovebirds outside the restaurant, calling Peta his "queen." Shortly after becoming a dad, Maks shared his own take on fatherhood on Instagram. "It's been one week plus one day of my fatherhood and I'm the happiest person that's ever lived," he wrote alongside a photo holding their son. "I'm also feeling very protective and now understand what every parent in history have been going through for as long as humans have been giving birth." (Eonline)
Aaron and Jordan Rodgers' Family Opens Up About NFL Star's Estrangement: ''Fame Can Change Things." In a new interview with The New York Times, the Rodgers family patriarch sheds new light on their estrangement from NFL star Aaron Rodgers. Pop culture fanatics first learned of the personal drama when Aaron's little brother, Jordan Rodgers, appeared on JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette last year. The reality star went on to win the 12th season of the ABC series, and while getting to know his future fiance, revealed that the Green Bay Packers quarterback is not close with his family anymore. Ed Rodgers told the publication of the experience, "One in the news is enough for us. Fame can change things." He also confirmed that things turned sour between Aaron and the rest of his family a "few months" after he began dating actress Olivia Munn, and that the football player has not spoken to his mother, father and two brothers since 2014. Ed also recalled feeling "weird" about their private matters turning into a spectacle on national television. "Airing public laundry is not what I would have chosen," he explained, before adding, "It's good to have it all come out." Aaron has remained especially tight-lipped about the drama, and during a recent press conference told reporters when asked about the rift, "I just don't think it's appropriate talking about family stuff publicly." When Jordan became a fan-favorite on the reality competition show, Aaron broke his silence on his brother's newfound stardom with just as much distance on the matter. "I haven't seen the show, to be honest with you, so it hasn't really affected me a whole lot," he admitted. As for Jordan, he too is often reluctant to speak publicly about Aaron's estrangement, but doesn't regret bringing it up while on The Bachelorette. He told E! News in an exclusive interview, "I hadn't seen the show before, so I didn't really have an expectation, which may be naive on my part." "Family things are always tough, and they're always tough to address, let alone on a TV show. But I knew I made a commitment to go on there and be honest with JoJo and make sure that she knew everything because we didn't have any time off-camera and we were going to get to a proposal. So you have to be honest, you have to trust she believes in the person you are," he shared. (Eonline)
Kim Kardashian Meets Kids and Goes Four-Wheeling on Fun-Filled Dubai Trip. Kim Kardashian is slowly getting back into her routine following her traumatic robbery last year, and that means having fun -- while looking glam. And meeting new friends! The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is in Dubai on her first overseas trip since her ordeal. She spent the weekend going four-wheeling, shopping and meeting with dancers, including children. Some of them danced for her while wearing T-shirts with her face on them. Kim was dressed casually in a dark printed T-shirt and ripped jeans. During her four-wheeling adventure, Kim donned a long black fur coat, dark cleavage-baring top and maroon pants. She also met a falcon, the national bird of the UAE. She later chilled out and goofed around with her pals at their hotel. Kim also went glam for a shopping trip. She was photographed wearing a skintight white wool mini dress, paired with calf-high lace-up nude boots and a dark baseball cap, while leaving her 5-star hotel in Dubai Saturday. She then put on a light khaki jacket and headed straight to the Mall of the Emirates, where she shopped at the Givenchy store. She later had lunch at Cipriani Dubai. Kim began her trip last week. She had traveled to Dubai primarily to support and be a model for her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic during his "Master Class" at the MusicHall Dubai. It marked her first official public appearance since robbers held her at gunpoint, tied her up and stole more than $10 million worth of jewelry inside her hotel room in Paris in October. Kim has been spotted out and about a few times since the robbery, mostly wearing casual clothes. She also attended her mother Kris Jenner's annual Christmas party. "Kim is in a really great place right now," a source told E! News last week. Scott Disick also accompanied Kim on her Dubai trip and also traveled to the area for business. He made a public appearance at the grand opening of the Sugar Factory at Dubai Festival City last week. (Eonline)
Did the White House -- or the FBI -- have something to do with it? Nick Cannon joked that he believes ex-wife Mariah Carey's disastrous New Year's Eve performance was a setup by the government during a Monday, January 16, appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Asked about set during the Saturday, December 31, telecast of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, Cannon, 36, told Ellen DeGeneres why he isn't placing blame on the pop superstar. "You know me, I'm a conspiracy theorist. I think the government did that. They set her up," he quipped. "That was a distraction. They just put her out there." As previously reported, Carey and her team claimed that Dick Clark Productions sabotaged the Mariah's World star during her performance due to a faulty earpiece. Because of the technical error, the Grammy winner did not sing -- and mostly didn't even pretend to sing -- as prerecorded vocals for her hits "Emotions" and "We Belong Together" played. Dick Clark Productions denied Carey's allegations that its staff undermined Carey for ratings in a statement to Us Weekly. "In very rare instances there are of course technical errors that can occur with live television; however, an initial investigation has indicated that DCP had no involvement in the challenges associated with Ms. Carey's New Year's Eve performance," the company told Us on January 1. "We want to be clear that we have the utmost respect for Ms. Carey as an artist and acknowledge her tremendous accomplishments in the industry." Kidding aside, Cannon went on to defend the Elusive Chanteuse during his chat with DeGeneres. "But I mean, anyone who knows about performing and having inner ears and stuff like that, things like that can go wrong on live television," the America's Got Talent host explained. "I do live television. I screw up on America's Got Talent all the time. So when there's people in your ear saying things and stuff, I think she kinda got a little flustered." The All That alum continued: "But being the diva that she is, she said, 'I'm just going to walk around and pose for seven minutes.' And like Ryan Seacrest said, she can do no wrong. She worked through it. [The crowd was] like, 'She's amazing and her lips aren't even moving!'" (US Weekly)
More Women Rip Michael Che's Dating App Etiquette. More women have come forward blasting "SNL" star Michael Che for his "rude and arrogant" dating app etiquette after Page Six reported on interactions he had with Married to the Mob founder Leah McSweeney. "When I saw the headline, I totally related .?.?. he was a d?-??-?k to me, too," the source said. McSweeney told us he treated her "like some stupid bitch" and kept texting, "I'm fat. Does that turn you on?" she said. "We matched [on Tinder], and I started up a conversation, and it was really unfriendly .?.?. I felt like I was being punk'd a little bit," she said. Another woman told us she matched with him on the Raya, a private membership dating app for famous people, and he was rude to her, too. "It was a very quick conversation. He came up on my Raya, and we matched. I started the conversation and was like, 'What's the best pizza place in New York?' He responded, 'Go to Zagat.' And I said, 'no,' and he said, 'Yes, white lady,'" she said. The women wanted to be anonymous out of fear that Che would publish their conversations. "I'm a little afraid because I wouldn't want him blasting me and look like another thirsty girl trying to get famous off of him," the first woman said. "That was a long time ago, like June of last year. I have pretty thick skin, but I'm glad it came out. He's a misogynist. Men in the public eye get away with this stuff a lot, and I think it's up to women to stick together. I'm sure he gets women because he's on 'SNL,'" she said. (PageSix)
When you go to the "Today" show with a shirt suggesting Bill Clinton did what Donald Trump said he did ... you gotta be ready for someone to kick your ass ... so says NBC. Mark Gallagher went to 30 Rock before the election and wore a t-shirt with Clinton's face and the word "rape." He claims he was standing there minding his own business when NBC security -- whom he called a "goon squad" -- descended on him and beat the crap out of him. He has sued NBC for $53 mil. NBC has now fired off its answer, saying when someone does something as incendiary as Gallagher did, they assume the risk someone will come after them. NBC does not get specific, but the network disputes Gallagher's version of the facts ... presumably what he did before the incident. And this is the best. NBC says Gallagher had a duty to minimize his damages by getting quick medical help, which he did not do. The legal docs say he could have availed himself of the benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- aka Obamacare. (TMZ)
Music
Mariah Carey and Elton John got hired for a wedding gig over the weekend ... and it wasn't cheap. The singers raked in $4.2 million after a Russian billionaire, Valery Kogan, footed the bill for his granddaughter's wedding over the weekend in London. The astonishing 9 hour reception at The Landmark hotel featured Mimi dedicating "We Belong Together" to the new couple. The bride -- 19 year old Irene Kogan -- and her hubby requested Mariah's appearance. She was flown in from the U.S. Sir Elton John kicked things off with an impressive 12 song set. And listen to Mariah ... she sounds fantastic. Antonio Banderas also was there. (TMZ)
The heart wants what it wants! Selena Gomez fans briefly lost their minds on Sunday, January 15, when the singer teased new music in an Instagram video. The only problem? It wasn't from Gomez's own discography. The "Hands to Myself" songstress, 24, was instead giving a shout-out to friends, fellow musicians Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter. "When the people who changed your life create magic @imjmichaels @tranterjustin I'm so happy for you guys - one of my favorite songs they have ever written," she wrote. Michaels and Tranter are frequent writing partners who have collaborated with artists such as Gwen Stefani, Fifth Harmony, Demi Lovato and Gomez's ex Justin Bieber. Michaels is the songwriter behind Gomez's "Good For You" and Bieber's "Sorry." In the clip, Gomez hugs Michaels while lip-syncing to Michaels' new song "Issues" in a music studio. Michaels and Tranter posted videos with Gomez, too. "When you have the most incredible and supportive friends in the world. I love you both so much. #issues @tranterjustin @selenagomez," Michaels captioned via Instagram. Tranter added: "We got #issues @imjmichaels @selenagomez (I love these two so much I could scream)." Selenators still have good stuff to look forward to, however. Last month, Gomez after her three-month rehab stay. "Music and love," she captioned an Instagram pic of herself applying eyeliner at the time. The former Disney star has had company in her studio. Last week, photographs of her and The Weeknd making out went public. A source told Us Weekly that they have been working on new material together and that Gomez "really likes him and they are just getting to know each other." Gomez and the "Starboy" singer, 26, once shared the stage together when they performed at the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in NYC. (US Weekly)
Ed Sheeran Creates Chart History Down Under. Ed Sheeran has made history Down Under by becoming the first artist to have simultaneous debuts at No. 1 and No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart, while three soundtracks manage a feat never seen before on the national albums chart. Sheeran sets a new record with "Shape Of You" (Asylum/Warner) and "Castle On The Hill" (Atlantic/Warner), respectively, which earn the solo star a return to the market's top 50 as a lead artist for the first time since "Photograph" cracked the top 10 back in June 2015. "Shape Of You" becomes the English singer's third No. 1 on the national singles chart, after "Sing" (May 2014) and "Thinking Out Loud" (October 2014). Sheeran has a special affinity with Australia. His sophomore set X (Warner) spent six weeks at No. 1 in 2014 and finished the year as the market's biggest selling album. And at the 2015 ARIA Awards, Sheeran's album received the inaugural ARIA "Diamond" award in recognition of sales in excess of half a million. In that same year, Sheeran became the first-ever artist to undertake a headline national arena tour completely solo (playing to 190,000 people along the way). He returned with his loop pedal and favorite guitars for a solo stadium tour later in 2015. Meanwhile, X this week leaps 45-9 on the ARIA Albums Chart for its 86th week on the survey, while his debut album + re-enters the top 50 at No. 32 in its 163rd week. "Shape Of You" and "Castle On The Hill" have now done the double-double. The tracks are also No. 1 and No. 2 in the U.K., and "Shape of You" is set to blow into the Billboard Hot 100 chart, possibly with a debut at No. 1 (with "Castle on the Hill" shaping for a top 10 bow). The two new songs dropped Jan. 6 ahead of Sheeran's forthcoming third album ÷ (pronounced "Divide"), due March 3. Sheeran's comeback tracks end Clean Bandit's unbroken chart reign with "Rockabye" (EastWest/Warner) at six weeks. "Rockabye," featuring Sean Paul &Anne-Marie, is now at No. 3 on the Australian chart while Zayn & Taylor Swift's "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" (Republic/Universal) dips 3-4 and Andy Grammer hits the top five for the first time in his career with "Fresh Eyes" (Liberation/Universal), up 9-5. Other notable climbers include Train's "Play That Song," which leaps 23-8 for the American pop-rock outfit's third top ten single and first since "Hey, Soul Sister" reached the top spot in March 2010. And homegrown electronic act Pnau earn their highest charting single with "Chameleon," jumping 22-15. Machine Gun Kelly's much-hyped "Bad Things" collab with former Harmony singer Camila Cabello debuts at No. 31 on the ARIA Singles Chart, marking the first time either artist has hit the top 50 individually. As a member of Fifth Harmony, Cabello last charted with "All In My Head (Flex)" in July 2016 (the song peaked out at No. 19). For the first time ever, soundtracks are 1-2-3 on the latest ARIA Albums Chart, with the Trolls (RCA/Sony) soundtrack holding top spot for a second successive week, Sing (Universal) improving 3-2 and Moana (Walt Disney/Universal) rising 4-3. Adele's nine-times platinum juggernaut 25 (XL/Inertia) is down 2-4 while The Rolling Stones' former chart-topper Blue & Lonesome (Polydor/Universal) is unmoved at No. 5 (Billboard)
Rob Thomas Shows His 'Smooth' Side in Performance for New Series of 'Front and Center': Exclusive Premiere. Rob Thomas turns on the charm and charisma for his "Smooth" performance at the historic Iridium jazz club in NYC. The arena-filling Matchbox Twenty singer switches gears for the show, which was shot for the upcoming nine-part Front and Center series. And he's in fine company. The likes of Kenny Garrett, Jacky Terrasson, Charlie Haden, Kenny Barron and Benny Carter have enchanted audiences at the intimate Iridium venue. "I'm telling stories and stories are better shared when it's a smaller group of people, then when you do it in a room like this, where all these legendary people have played," the three-time Grammy winner tells Billboard. "There's just a funk in this room that you can't get anywhere else. It's pretty cool." The Front and Center series, now in its seventh season, features legends from across many genres. The nine new episodes include performances by Shawn Mendes, Cheap Trick, Southside Johnny, Steve Vai, Kaleo, Dawes and others. Thomas kicks off the new season with a session in which he delivers some of his biggest hits, including "Lonely No More," "3am," his new song "We Are One" and, of course, "Smooth," his global hit collaboration with Santana. (Billboard)
Movies
We didn't think she could pull it off ... but Margot Robbie is shaping up to look A LOT like Tonya Harding. Paps got Margot on the set of the new film, "I, Tonya," and unlike the video we got last week when she hit the ice ... Margot bears a striking resemblance to Tonya. Amazing what some hair styling and poundage can do ... plus those '90s jeans work wonders. (TMZ)
Netflix's 'The Ivory Game' to Screen at Beijing Film Festival. The state-run event's selection of the elephant conservation documentary follows China's recent decision to ban the ivory trade by the end of 2017. Netflix's elephant conservation documentary The Ivory Game has scored an official selection slot at the upcoming Beijing International Film Festival. Shortlisted in the best documentary Oscar category this year, the film has been hailed for its gripping depiction of the dangerous underworld of ivory trading and the urgent threat posed to Africa's wild elephant population. The state-backed Beijing festival's decision to screen the film comes on the heels of China's recent decision to ban ivory trade by the end of 2017. "On Dec. 30, we received the amazing and historic news that China will ban ivory. It was this single most important act that may save the elephants, said the film's directors, Richard Ladkani and Kief Davidson. "We have now received word that The Ivory Game has been invited to screen at the Beijing Film Festival. After four years of production, we had little faith that the Chinese people would ever get to see this film (by legal means at least) so we couldn't be more thrilled." This year's Beijing International Film Festival kicks off April 28 at the China National Convention Center. Conservationist Jane Goodall added her voice in support of China's recent moves against the ivory trade, saying that it also will help end the loss of life among rangers working to protect the elephants from poachers. "They work with few resources and inadequate equipment. More than 100 die every year, many killed by commercial poachers who fuel the ivory trade, others by armed militias who often use poached ivory to fund their wars," said Goodall. "This is yet another reason why ending the ivory trade is so important." (Hollywood Reporter)
How 'O.J.: Made in America's' Director Found a Fresh Angle on the Simpson Murder Saga. Ezra Edelman discovered a whole untold story about race as he put together his epic film amid concerns over competition from FX's 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' and worries about the documentary's eight-hour running time. When Schell, ESPN vice president and ESPN Films executive producer, pitched the idea of a long form documentary about Simpson in early 2014, Edelman's first reaction was negative. "We all had a feeling of having reached our saturation point when it comes to O.J.," he tells THR. But Schell, who co-created ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary series with Bill Simmons, was a fan of Bret Morgen's film June 17, 1994, about the infamous car chase involving Simpson's white Bronco, which was done early in 30 for 30's run. And with the 20th anniversary of Simpson's acquittal approaching in October 2015, he thought the time was right for a multihour film not just about Simpson's trial but about his life. The more Edelman thought about the project, the more he warmed to the idea, seeing it as "a story about race and culture in America. It's a story about celebrity, and it's a story about policing. It's a story about an American city." Adds Schell, the Simpson saga is "the entire journey of race in America." The infamous June 17, 1994, slow-speed white Ford Bronco chase. Instead of surrendering to police, Simpson took off in the Bronco and was pursued across Los Angeles. Edelman, 42, had the right credentials to tackle the project. He had spent seven years at the HBO newsmagazine Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel, co-produced the 2013 Oscar-nominated doc Cutie and the Boxer and won a Sports Emmy for 2007's Brooklyn Dodgers: The Ghosts of Flatbush as well as a Peabody for 2011's Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals. Born in Washington, D.C., to noted law professor Peter Edelman and civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman, he had grown up in a household where the issues of race, justice and civil rights were part of the everyday conversation. But, admits the Yale graduate, "I really didn't know any more how to make a five-hour film than I knew how to make a 50-hour film." So he assembled a team of producers to chart a course. Caroline Waterlow oversaw archival research, a huge task because, she says, "we obviously needed to find every interview O.J. ever did, not knowing if we would ever use it." Tamara Rosenberg headed up the effort to track down those willing to be interviewed on camera. "Once we knew the story points about Los Angeles and the LAPD and the sort of L.A. history context, we needed people who were on the ground," says Waterlow. Rosenberg rounded up a wide array, including Ron Shipp, a policeman who had known Simpson for years; Simpson's manager Mike Gilbert and childhood friend Joe Bell; and Nicole's friend Robin Greer. Edelman wrote Simpson at the Nevada jail but never heard back. Edelman then stepped in to conduct all the interviews himself -- a total of 72, of which 66 appear in the film. Even though the trial wasn't Edelman's main focus -- in the end, it's allotted two of the film's five chapters -- from the very beginning, Edelman knew he needed at least one member of the prosecution team, and that wasn't going to be easy. "A lot of the major players, like the Marcia Clarks and the Chris Dardens, have obviously been really burned and had a very difficult media experience," says Waterlow. So began a slow courtship of former L.A. District Attorney Gil Garcetti, who had never spoken about the case in detail. The first time Edelman reached out, Garcetti said, "You're welcome to come talk to me at my house, but I'm absolutely not doing an [on-camera] interview." But they met and talked for two hours, and Edelman left his previous work for Garcetti to watch. After three visits, Garcetti relented, which opened the door to interviews with deputy prosecutors Clark and Bill Hodgman. (Darden declined Edelman's requests.) The project's extended length allowed Edelman to include such footage as the Rodney King beating video in its entirety, underscoring its brutality in a way that isn't evident in most documentaries that show only a few seconds. He also was able to linger on the footage of Simpson as a USC student and NFL star. And when defense attorney Johnnie Cochran makes his entrance, instead of presenting him as a fast-talking flimflam man (with his rhyming admonition, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit"), Edelman showcases Cochran's history of activism in the fight against police brutality. "You can actually explore the complexities of these human beings because it's never that simple with anybody," he says of the opportunities afforded by the project's running time. About a month after that first screening, Schell submitted the film to the Sundance Film Festival. But looming was a potential roadblock in the form of FX's scripted miniseries about the Simpson trial, which was scheduled to air in February -- after O.J.'s Sundance bow but before Edelman's film would get an awards-qualifying theatrical run and first air on ESPN. Advance word on FX's series was good, and, confesses Edelman, "At that point, I was a little concerned. I thought that if this exists and it's this good, I don't know that anyone is going to watch our film. That was the concern. I can't lie." When his film got an ecstatic reception at Sundance, some of Edelman's anxiety was alleviated. And, after FX's version aired, he realized his fears were misplaced. Praising Murphy's Emmy-winning miniseries for its "high quality," he says it "heightened interest in the story as a whole." (Edelman says he still hasn't watched the FX miniseries.) And though Schell had championed the project from the start, he says O.J., which is winning its own awards (including the International Documentary Association's best feature and the National Board of Review's best documentary), has shown him the larger context of the saga. "I was a freshman in college when the verdict came down," he says. "I'd follow it every single day. But until I got to work with Ezra, I realize I had no idea what was really going on." (Hollywood Reporter)
TV
Radcliffe Reveals His Master Plan for May in This Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Sneak Peek. We always had a feeling we couldn't truly trust Radcliffe (John Hannah) and our suspicions were proved correct last week on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. when it was revealed that he'd been pulling Aida's strings all along during her quest to obtain the Darkhold, all a part of his master plan to use the powerful book to unlock human immortality. And in this sneak peek of Tuesday's new episode, exclusive to E! News, the shady scientist reveals that he's got big plans for his Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) decoy now that he's tricked everyone at S.H.I.E.L.D. into thinking that Aida (Mallory Jansen) is out of commission after having her robot head chopped off. If Agent May isn't aware of her mission to retrieve the Darkhold, then she won't be able to reveal herself. Her programming will present as human emotion. She'll instinctively climb the ranks, gain access, and get closer to Agent Coulson -- the man who knows just where this book is," he tells his AI humanoid assistant, who seems unconvinced. "It might be quicker for me to search the base myself," she suggests. But he's not having any of it. "No. I've tried the quick way," he says. "Now, we're playing a longer, more nuanced game -- hopefully with less violence." (He's still a little upset that Aida resorted to homicide with poor Agent Nathanson, after all.) "But isn't the real Agent May already prone to violence?" she replies. Judging from the pained expression on his face, that's not really something he'd worried about yet. Elsewhere in the episode, while separated from the team, Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Mack (Henry Simmons) discover a shocking secret about Mace (Jason O'Mara), leaving all of S.H.I.E.L.D. in a precarious position. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC. (Eonline)
This Is Us Is About to Make You Cry Again, Thanks to Dr. K. Gerald McRaney, start making room on your mantel now 'cause the Emmy for best guest star is all yours. Since This Is Us' very first episode, Dr. K, the doc who stepped in to deliver the Big Three, has been the surprise fan-favorite, making a handful of small-but-oh-so-important appearances that brought us to laughs and tears. And in the NBC breakout hit's Jan. 17 episode, Dr. K finally gets his chance in the spotlight and spoiler alert: you will probably definitely cry. In the episode, titled "The Big Day," viewers will get the backstory on the lovable doctor right around the time of the triplets birth date, during which he was coping with the loss of his wife, and E! News has your exclusive first look at Dr. K's struggle to move on. In the sneak peek, Dr. K's son and daughter-in-law are visiting him and trying to make small talk ("Did you see the new Stars Wars film yet, the Empire Strikes Back?"), before asking him about his dating life since the passing of his wife. "Is there anybody out there you might like to take to a movie?" Peter cautiously asks. Dr. K? Well, he's not having it...in the most Dr. K-way that will break your heart a little bit and make you chuckle. Oh, the power of Gerald McRaney. And Dr. K's backstory isn't the only one fans will be treated to, as we'll learn more about Joe, the firefighter who was the one to deliver baby Randall (Sterling K. Brown) to the hospital on that fateful day, and his fight to save his marriage. Our advice? Stock up on ALL the tissues now, as star Chrissy Metz recently told E! News, "There's a lot of really emotional stuff happening. A lot of decisions to be made, a lot of choices. And you have to really just expect the unexpected, as cliche as that might sound." This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC. (Eonline)
Dakota Fanning to Star in TNT Drama Series 'The Alienist'. The Cary Fukunaga-produced series is set to premiere in late 2017. Dakota Fanning is heading to the small screen. Turner used its semiannual platform at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour on Saturday to make the announcement, which sets Fanning as the lead of TNT's forthcoming drama The Alienist, based on the international best-seller from Caleb Carr. The actress will star as a headstrong secretary at police headquarters by the name of Sara Howard. Together with characters being played by previously cast Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds) and Luke Evans (The Girl on the Train), she will investigate a series of brutal murders in New York during the Gilded Age. Production is set to begin in Budapest, Hungary, shortly, with plans for the series to premiere later this year. Described as a psychological thriller, The Alienist is set in gritty 1896 New York City, a mix of vast wealth, extreme poverty and technological innovation at that time. When a cadre of gruesome murders of boy prostitutes grips the city, newly appointed police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt calls upon criminal psychologist (aka alienist) Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Bruhl) and newspaper reporter John Moore (Evans) to conduct the investigation in secret. They're aided by a makeshift crew of characters, among them the intrepid Howard, a young secretary on Roosevelt's staff who is determined to become the first female police detective in New York City. Using the emerging disciplines of psychology and early forensic investigation techniques, this band of social outsiders tracks down one of the city's first serial killers. Jakob Verbruggen (Black Mirror) is set to direct and executive produce the project, a co-production between Paramount TV and Turner's Studio T. Cary Fukunaga (True Detective), along with Academy Award-winner Eric Roth (Forrest Gump), Hossein Amini (Drive) and Anonymous Content's Steve Golin and Rosalie Swedlin all are attached as executive producers. The project first was announced in April 2015 and is part of Kevin Reilly's ongoing push to make TNT a more premium destination. Alienist marks Fanning's first significant TV foray since her turn in Steven Spielberg's 2002 Syfy miniseries Taken. In the decade and a half since, she has starred in movies including three installments of the Twilight series, I Am Sam, War of the Worlds and The Runaways. She currently can be seen in the 1960s-set film American Pastoral opposite Ewan McGregor, as well as the upcoming films Please Stand By, Brimstone, The Bell Jar and Ocean's Eight. Fanning is repped by CAA, Echo Lake and Hansen Jacobson. (Hollywood Reporter)
Paris Jackson is making her move ... to conquer Hollywood -- with a little help from Lee Daniels. We've learned Daniels met with Paris and discussed a possible role in his new Fox show, "Star," and she's seriously considering it. That's just the beginning. We're told she's already booked 3 covers of major high-fashion mags, the first of which hits the stands this month. And, we're told, the 18-year-old has been approached by multiple modeling agencies which think she's as marketable as any high-end model. Paris has also been approached by several major brands that want her face on their products. It's an amazing transformation for someone who was once shielded from public view and covered with masks and bundles of clothing when she ventured out. Paris had some major issues as a teen, for which she received help, and as a result she wants to use her platform to be an advocate for people dealing with addiction and recovery. God knows she understands tragedy and family drama. But she's coming out on the other end more than ok. (TMZ)
HBO's The Young Pope Is Finally Here -- Is He the Coolest Pope in Town? We wanted to be able to take The Young Pope seriously. We really did. We wanted to be wrong about how silly the concept of a hot young pope really is. -- And then we watched the first episode, and we quickly found it would be utterly impossible. HBO's newest offering -- a drama starring Jude Law as a cool, young, smokin', sexin' pope -- is going to continue to be our favorite TV show that sounds like, looks like, and probably is a show invented by 30 Rock, even if the Catholic Jack Donaghy probably might have publicly balked at the suggestion. The first two minutes of The Young Pope features the young pope himself crawling out of a pile of babies. Then, an iPhone ringtone sounds, and then Jude Law takes a shower and puts on a robe, and then Jude Law ditches his robe and shows us his ass. These are all true, wonderful facts about beginning of The Young Pope, and it only gets better from there. It also just gets weirder, though of course we learn that that opening -- and the "we have forgotten to masturbate" speech that followed -- was just a dream. The young pope's favorite breakfast is a Cherry Coke Zero, and he says things like "There's a new pope now," as he lights up a cigarette. His name is Lenny. He hates tourists. His mind is a gap. He doesn't care if the nun (Diane Keaton) who took care of him as a young orphan has no experience in the papacy -- she's gonna be his special assistant anyway! Basically, he's the inexperienced new guy who's here to buck all the traditions in a place where "it's as if time were dead." Whether that tradition-bucking is a good or bad thing is currently very hard to tell, but we have to admit, it's a hell of a lot of fun to watch the cardinals shudder every time Jude Law proves he's the baddest pope in town. In fact, this entire show is a hell of a lot of fun, in the silliest, gif-iest way possible. The Young Pope is a television treasure, perfectly primed to bring the internet together in a joyful way that hasn't been seen in many months, and we must protect it at all costs. The Young Pope airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO. (Eonline)
Katie Couric's Ready For Her TV Comeback. After three years on the Web, Katie Couric is ready to return to TV. With her contract as "global news anchor" at Yahoo set to expire in the spring, we're told that the veteran journalist wants to go back to broadcast television "on a regular basis." Sources tell Page Six that Couric's brief return to the anchor's chair on NBC's "Today" show last week was intended to function as a "showcase" for Couric, who we're told has already begun "preliminary discussions" with the beleaguered Yahoo about what her role there might be, if any, after the deal runs out. Asked about the end date of her contract, Yahoo said it doesn't "comment on personnel matters." Insiders say that Couric's camp had hoped that her brief spell anchoring alongside Matt Lauer would be a "reminder" of her appeal to TV audiences. We're told that the journalist -- who has worked on all the major cable networks, including anchoring the "CBS Evening News" -- has already been offered a five-days-a-week cable news show, but is trying to decide on "the right balance." "She's already done that kind of thing, and she's learned her lesson from it -- she doesn't want that kind of grind," said a source familiar with Couric's thinking. The source added, "She doesn't necessarily need to be on TV every day, but she does need to be on TV regularly." The source described television as a "piece that's missing from her portfolio," saying that she plans to continue working online in some capacity, as well as producing documentaries through her production company and making her podcasts. Couric's time at Yahoo has been a rough ride. She was hired by CEO Marissa Mayer as part of a now-abandoned attempt to turn the search site into a news and entertainment powerhouse. After shuttering many of its content-producing entities, a deal was struck for Verizon to buy its remaining properties. But that deal is now in jeopardy after a massive breach of Yahoo e-mail addresses left Verizon nervy about the purchase. (PageSix)
TV Ratings: NFL Playoff Tops World Series, Best Telecast Since Super Bowl. Fox's afternoon Packers-Cowboys game brings a stunning 20-year high for a NFC divisional playoff. This robust postseason NFL bears no resemblance to the dampened league seen at the top of the season. Sunday's playoff games were huge, for Fox and NBC, with Fox's earlier showing on track to be the biggest U.S. telecast since the Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers put an end to the Dallas Cowboys' NFC ambitions in a stunning 11th hour victory, and audiences stuck around. The game averaged a 28.2 overnight rating among households. That's a stunning 12 percent boost from even Game 7 of the World Series, which ultimately swung 40 million viewers. The primetime showing on NBC was almost as sweet, and also set a record. With a 21.9 overnight rating among households, it proved to be the best primetime showing on record for a NFL Wild Card or Divisional Playoff Game. Both the NFC and AFC showings bode well for the rest of this especially strong postseason. (Hollywood Reporter)
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