ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Macklemore Reveals Wife Tricia Is Pregnant With Baby No. 2. Macklemore is going to be a dad again! The 34-year-old rapper, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, revealed on Instagram Thursday via a promo video for his Gemini tour that his wife Tricia Davis is pregnant with their second child. The clip shows them at a baby sex reveal party with their daughter Sloane Ava Simone Haggerty, 2. "Tricia is pregnant and today we are going to find out the gender of our child," Macklemore says, as their daughter kisses her mom. But after he cut a blue and pink-frosted cake, the inside shows up in plain white. He then reveals a piece of paper showing that he is adding an additional concert in December in his native Seattle. "Tricia really is pregnant, though," Macklemore says in the end. Macklemore had also announced Tricia's pregnancy with Sloane in January 2015 via a heartwarming, emotional video of the two watching an ultrasound at their OBG/YN appointment. The following August, he revealed that the child was born the previous May and Davis revealed, via an Instagram photo of the proud dad with their baby, that she and the rapper wed in June after a more than two-year engagement. (Eonline)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Diagnosed With Breast Cancer. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been diagnosed with breast cancer, she tweeted Thursday. "One in eight women get breast cancer," the 56-year-old star told her followers. "Today, I'm the one." "The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union," the actress added. "The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let's fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality." Actress Christina Applegate, who battled breast cancer in 2008, immediately offered Louis-Dreyfus some support. "Mama, find me," the Bad Moms star tweeted. "Let's talk if you want." Louis-Dreyfus made her last public appearance Sept. 17 for the 2017 Emmys, where she took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work in Veep. In doing so, she made Emmys history with sixth consecutive wins in the same category for the same role. "We have a great final season that we're about to start filming -- a lot of surprises that our fabulous writers have cooked up," Louis-Dreyfus said during her acceptance speech. "We did have a whole storyline about an impeachment, but we did abandon that because we were worried that someone else might get to it first. This is and continues to be the role of a lifetime and an adventure of utter joy. Thank you so, so much." The actress, who famously played Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, has two children with Brad Hall. Louis-Dreyfus did not offer additional details related to her diagnosis. In a statement to E! News, her rep says, "Julia is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and well wishes." Veep recently announced that the upcoming seventh season of the HBO hit will be its last. (Eonline)

Debra Messing has been told to "cut it out" by NBC bosses after she bad-mouthed fellow NBC star Megyn Kelly after appearing on her show. The "Will & Grace" star was so put off by Kelly's question to an audience member -- "Is it true that you became a lawyer, and you became gay, because of Will? .?.?. I don't know about the lawyer thing, but I think that 'Will & Grace' thing and the gay thing is going to work out great" -- that Messing posted on Instagram, "Regret going on. Dismayed by her comments." While NBC insiders defended Kelly's comments as "tongue-in-cheek," Messing got a stern warning. One exec told us, "Debra was told to cut it out by someone high up in the NBC Entertainment division run by Bob Greenblatt, via her agent or publicist." Messing's rep declined to comment, but a source close to the actress said, "NBC has been nothing but supportive of Debra .?.?. No one asked us to do anything." Kelly also got on the wrong side of Wednesday's guest, Jane Fonda, who snapped when the host turned the topic to plastic surgery. "We really want to talk about that now?" a displeased Fonda shot back. NBC didn't comment. (Page Six)

Family Feuds. A reconciliation between Ariel Winter and her mother, Crystal Workman, doesn't seem likely after the latter fired back at her daughter in a new interview with Inside Edition, airing on Wednesday, September 27. "She continues to attack me. It's heartbreaking," her mother said. "I think she wants the headlines. I think she craves attention. If that means throwing your mother under the bus and hurting her and breaking her heart, she's going to do it." The interview was in response to accusations the Modern Family star made about her mother in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Winter, 19, told the publication that she was oversexualized since she was just 7 years old, by being dressed in "the smallest miniskirts, sailor suits, low-cut things, the shortest dresses you've ever seen." In regards to those allegations, Workman said, "No, I didn't. I don't know what she is talking about. I really don't." When Inside Edition showed her photos of a 10-year-old Winter wearing a mini-dress and high-heels at a red carpet, Workman said: "She's one of the stars of the premiere. She is wearing a dress that's adorable. You don't see any parts of her body except her cute little legs." Winter also said, "People thought I was 24 when I was 12. If there was going to be a nude scene when I was that age, my mother would have a thousand percent said yes," but her mother fired back saying, "No, never. Not in a million years." On whether she purposely tried to restrict the actress' food intake to keep her slender, Workman said: "Absolutely not. The only dietary restriction was dairy. We found out as an infant that she was very allergic to dairy." As previously reported, Winter officially emancipated from her estranged mother in 2015, after first being removed from Workman's home in November 2012 amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse. Her sister, Shanelle Workman, was named her legal guardian in May 2014. Check your local listings to tune into Inside Edition for the full interview on Wednesday, September 27. (US Weekly)

The mastermind, according to cops, behind Kim Kardashian's Paris robbery is trying to extend an olive branch by writing her an apology letter ... but Kim ain't buying what he's selling. Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Kim's legal team in France received a letter from Aomar Ait Khedache -- the alleged architect of the brazen October 2016 heist. We're told the letter was handwritten in French, and translated by Kim's attorneys. It reads, in part, "After observing your emotion and realizing the psychological damages I inflicted ... I decided to write to you, not to obtain from you some sort of indulgence." He continues, "I want to come to you as a human being to tell you how much I regret my gesture, how much I have been moved and touched to see you in tears." It's been nearly a year since Kim was held at gunpoint, and feared she'd be raped during the robbery of more than $10 million in jewelry. She's tearfully opened up about the ordeal since then, and Khedache says he's seen clips on French TV. In the letter he says, "Know that I fully sympathize with the pain you are enduring, your children, your husband, and your close ones." Might seem heartfelt, but our sources tell us Kim found his words hollow, and thinks Khedache's only trying to appear remorseful before trial. Case in point, we're told the letter was first sent to the judge ... who forwarded it to Kim's lawyers. Khedache also wrote, "I hope that this letter will allow you to forget little by little the trauma that you suffered by my fault." Don't count on it. (TMZ)

Josh Malina's smack in the middle of a real-life scandal with a neighbor -- who says the actor's accusing him of having a vendetta ... against Josh's landscaping. Malina, who plays David Rosen on "Scandal," has allegedly been harassing one of his Malibu neighbors ... accusing the guy of poisoning trees on his property. It's gotten so nasty ... the neighbor, Jarod Lam, just filed for a restraining order against Josh. According to the docs, Malina once came to Lam's door and cussed at Lam's wife, saying ... "You better not f**king cut my tree!" Lam claims the actor got in his wife's face and started to come into their home. On another occasion, Lam says most recently, Malina called from a private number, again claiming Lam had poisoned his trees. In the docs, he says Malina's even taken the grudge match digital -- stalking Lam on the Nextdoor app. Lam denies laying a finger on Malina's horticulture. The judge granted a no-contact order, forcing Malina to cut off all communication with his neighbor. Get Olivia on the horn ... this one is NOT handled. (TMZ)

Rob Kardashian got his ass beat by Blac Chyna while she was high on drugs and booze ... according to a new lawsuit he's filed against his baby mama. According to the docs, Rob says Chyna went on the rampage in December 2016 by first trying to choke him with an iPhone charging cable -- and then repeatedly struck him with blows to the head and face. He also claims she trashed the house, which he was renting from Kylie Jenner. In the docs, Rob says she broke a door, damaged walls and a TV ... doing more than $100k of damage. He says he tried to make a break for it in his Bentley, but Chyna threw a chair at his ride ... and then struck Rob with a metal rod. She even smashed a holiday season gingerbread house, according to Rob. In the docs, Rob says the melee played a factor in E! canceling his and Chyna's reality show ... because execs thought the situation was way too volatile. Rob's suing her for assault, battery and vandalism. We've reached out to Chyna, so far no word back. Side note: Rob's suit includes her contract for "Rob & Chyna," which says she was making $92,500 for each hour-long episode. (TMZ)

Hugh Hefner Dead at 91; Playboy Founder and Publishing Legend Stoked the Sexual Revolution With Iconic Magazine. Sex sells and Hugh Hefner found a way to sell it perhaps better than anybody in the 20th century. The founder of Playboy and the publishing house built up around the pioneering men's magazine, which combined sex and intellectual stimulation, has died. He was 91. "Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine and built the company into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones," Playboy confirmed in a statement to E! News. "He was 91 years old." Information regarding memorial services is not available at this time.

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

A devastated Kendra Wilkinson has paid tribute to her ex-boyfriend Hugh Hefner, whom she described as "an angel" in her life. "Hef changed my life. He made me the person I am today. I couldn't be more thankful for our friendship and our time together. I will miss him so much but he will be in my heart forever," Wilkinson said in a statement to PEOPLE. Hefner peacefully passed away on Wednesday from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement from the Playboy founder's rep. He was 91. Wilkinson, who was 18 when she first moved into the Playboy Mansion while Hefner was 78, spoke highly of the Playboy founder in her 2011 memoir, Sliding into Home. "Staring into his eyes, I didn't see a man four times my age with ten times more girlfriends than most," said the former Girls Next Door star, who was featured on the E!'s reality series from 2005 to 2010. "Even though I hardly knew him yet, I saw a sweet man who made me feel really good about myself-a true gentleman. It was weird, but in my heart, I felt like he was someone I could possibly trust." In October 2016, Wilkinson admitted how she worried daily about the thought of losing Hefner. "I mean, I worry every day. He's at that age and I'm not going to lie, every day I open up my social media and I pray that I don't see what we think might happen," she told E! News. "He honestly is my family. I don't even know how to say it. He's an angel to me in my life. The day that comes will be devastating for me and my family," she said. (People)

Bridget Marquardt is speaking out following the news of her ex-boyfriend and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's death. "So sad but forever grateful for all the wonderful memories and amazing experiences #RIPHef #Playboy," the former Girls Next Door star, 44, shared on Twitter and Instagram along with a broken heart emoji as well as a photo of her and Hefner. Hefner peacefully passed away on Wednesday from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement from the Playboy founder's rep. He was 91. In October 2002, Marquardt moved into The Playboy Mansion at age 29 and was featured on the E! reality show with Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson from 2005 to 2010. The six-season series documented the lives of the Playmates and their relationship with Hefner inside the mansion. The three ladies also posed together for three Playboy cover pictorials: the November 2005, September 2006 and March 2008 issues. In July, Marquardt revealed that she hadn't seen Hefner for a few years. "I was still going back to some of the parties. Occasionally, my boyfriend [Nick Carpenter] I would go back," she said on Australia's The Morning Show. "I was still in touch with Hef -- and then we kind of lost contact." Marquardt's tribute was made public shortly after Wilkinson released her statement to PEOPLE. "Hef changed my life. He made me the person I am today. I couldn't be more thankful for our friendship and our time together. I will miss him so much but he will be in my heart forever," Wilkinson said. (People)

The world is reeling after news of Hugh Hefner's death. Celebrities and former Playboy cover models expressed their condolences and shared moving tributes to Hefner on social media. "RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! I'm so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo," Kim Kardashian shared on Twitter. "RIP #Hef Thank you for being a revolutionary and changing so many people's lives, especially mine. I hope I made you proud," Jenny McCarthy tweeted along with a photo of her January 2005 Playboy cover. "A great man, entrepreneur and innovator. Your legacy lives on. #Hef," wrote Gene Simmons. "Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace," said Jesse Jackson. "RIP @hughhefner thank you for making me part of the Playboy family. Sending lots of love and prayers to @crystalhefner," said Heidi Montag. A rep for the Playboy Enterprises founder confirmed the tragic news in a statement to PEOPLE: "Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine and built the company into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones." Hefner's son Cooper, who is also the Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises, also released a statement. "My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom. He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history. He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises," said Cooper. Hefner quickly rose to fame after the first issue of men's magazine Playboy published in December 1953, which featured a nude Marilyn Monroe. The same year, Hefner launched media and lifestyle company Playboy Enterprises, Inc., on which he served as a board member until the time of his death. In an August 2017 interview, Hefner's son Cooper, who took over as chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, admitted that it was hard to watch his father get older. "It's tough to watch him struggle," he told The Hollywood Reporter of his father getting older. "But I'm just happy it's physical and not mental. He is survived by his wife Crystal Harris and four children. (People)

Kylie might pay for her pregnancy with her lips. Kylie Jenner's trademark lips could be no more. The 20-year-old reality star, who is expecting her first child with boyfriend Travis Scott, admitted to getting "temporary lip fillers" on a 2015 episode of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," but now that she's expecting, doctors say she may have to leave her plump pout behind. "I recommend that women stop getting lip fillers as soon as they learn they are pregnant," Dr. Simon Ourian, a cosmetic and plastic surgeon who has worked with Jenner, told Page Six. "No one knows the implications of lip fillers on pregnant patients since dermal fillers haven't been tested on pregnant women." Although he may be approached by pregnant women looking to have work done, Ourian has a strict policy about not giving lip injections to those with child. "I would never knowingly administer lip injections to a pregnant patient," he said. "In fact, it is my policy not to perform any procedures at all on pregnant women." Despite not being able to visit Dr. Ourian while she's expecting, there's a good chance Jenner's pucker will stay put. "If a woman receives lip fillers before becoming pregnant, the results can last several months into her pregnancy, especially if she received one of the newer longer-lasting fillers," he said. "Additionally, many women experience naturally increased lip size during pregnancy due to increased levels of estrogen, blood flow, fluids, and swelling caused by pregnancy, regardless of whether they ever received lip fillers previously." (PageSix)

The role of Scott Disick will now be played by Kourtney Kardashian ... who, for once, is the one jet-setting in Europe while Scott stays home with the kiddos. Scott was on dad duty Wednesday in Calabasas, taking all 3 of his little ones out for seafood and froyo. Meanwhile, Kourtney was in Paris taking in a soccer game with BF Younes Bendjima -- right behind Robin Wright, btw. The exes are co-parenting like a charm -- last weekend Scott was in Miami smooching his new GF, Sofia Richie, and Kourt had the kids. As we previously reported, Kourt didn't want Scott near the kids till he cleaned up his act. Guess we can consider that act clean. (TMZ)

Tiffany Trump's Inheritance from Dad Donald Trump Is 'Not Necessarily Guaranteed': Source. As newly leaked Howard Stern footage reveals that President Donald Trump once said his children Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka tried to boot their half-sister Tiffany Trump from his will, a source says Tiffany's financial future is in no way guaranteed. A source who knows Tiffany Trump -- Donald Trump's only daughter with second wife Marla Maples -- says the 23-year-old has no promises from the former business mogul about what she could inherit after his death. "She says she is not guaranteed anything, which is one of the reasons Tiffany and Marla have been so respectful of her dad and tiptoed around so much," says the source. Tiffany, who just began her first year at Georgetown Law School, made headlines this week when a 2005 recording obtained by Newsweek of her dad speaking to Stern on his radio show had Donald Trump admitting that his two eldest children tried to "bump" Tiffany from the inheritance. And a source tells PEOPLE that Tiffany does not receive much financial assistance from her father. "Donald paid for her college and gave her an apartment, but she did not get any allowance," says the source. "She did ask her sister to talk to him about changing that though. Ironically enough they're very close now." Growing up in Calabasas, California, after her parents split in 1996 and officially divorced in 1999, Tiffany "never lived the life of a rich person," says the source. "People assumed she was rich because of who her father was, but she always lived a very modest lifestyle. School was always covered but that was pretty much it." (President Trump has previously insisted he was "very generous" with Marla and Tiffany.) President Trump has always seemed to have a complicated relationship with his younger daughter. For instance, in a phone call with Fox & Friends on Election Day, Trump said he was proud of Tiffany "to a lesser extent" than his adult children. "I'm very proud of my children. I mean, I'm just looking at them right now, as an example for your show," he said, according to Mediate. "But I'm very proud, because Don and Eric and Ivanka and -- you know, to a lesser extent 'cause she just got out of school, out of college -- but, uh, Tiffany, who has also been so terrific." Meanwhile, the source tells PEOPLE Trump and Tiffany were not close during her childhood. "She had very little to even do with him. And that makes everything about her financial situation really weird and awkward." A spokesperson for the president and a spokesperson for the Trump Organization did not respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. (Eonline)

After a complex past with Milan fashion week, Anna Wintour was full of praise this year. "I think sometimes Milan gets swallowed up between the creativity of London and the magic of design that we see in Paris," Wintour says in a Vogue.com video, referring to Milan's spot between London and Paris fashion weeks. "But I think this time they really threw down the gauntlet and sort of said, 'Welcome to Italy!'" Wintour also applauded shows by Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Versace and Prada before Milan fashion week ended on Monday. But designers have slammed her in the past for snubbing Milan with abbreviated trips in order to skedaddle to more important Paris. Giorgio Armani told WWD in 2014: "There are some who prefer to snub the [Armani] show and go to Paris. Why should I always be .?.?. penalized because of a person, who, for better or for worse, like or dislike it, is powerful?" And the Italian Fashion Chamber said in 2010: "If she only comes for a fleeting visit, perhaps it would be better if she stayed at home." An insider summed up of the about-face: "Anna s?-?-?t on Milan and tried to make it shorter. They fought back, now she's like, 'Milan's amazing!'?" (Page Six)

Cardi B isn't the only one benefiting from "Bodak Yellow" hitting No. 1 -- her dentist is also balling out since getting a shout-out in the lyrics. Dr. Catrise Austin's famous clientele include DJ Khaled, Common, Toni Braxton, Omarosa and Busta Rhymes, but she tells TMZ ... her biz has tripled since 'Bodak' was released. Those who've been following Cardi since 'Love & Hip-Hop' know she got a serious dental fix-up last year. As she raps ... "Got a bag and fixed my teeth / Hope you hoes know it ain't cheap." It's not just a good rhyme, Dr. Austin says Cardi's porcelain veneers cost as much as a luxury SUV. Now that the song is on top, Doc's phone's blowing up -- which means Cardi's not the only one making money move. (TMZ)

Kourtney Kardashian and Boyfriend Younes Bendjima Share Steamy Kiss at Paris Soccer Game -- But He Appears Distracted. That's amour! On Wednesday, Kourtney Kardashian and boyfriend Younes Bendjima packed on the PDA at the Parc des Princes in Paris where Bendjima's favorite soccer team, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., defeated FC Bayern Munich. The couple, who first sparked dating rumors in May, were spotted passionately kissing in the stands near other celebrity guests Lenny Kravitz and Naomi Campbell. While Kardashian, 38, appeared to be embracing the moment with her eyes closed, Bendjima, 24, kept his eyes open and on the field. Bendjima shared videos from the match on his Instagram Story including footage of PSG player Neymar Jr. and Bayern's Arjen Robben. On Tuesday, Kardashian returned to Paris for the first time since her sister Kim Kardashian West was held at gunpoint in her hotel room by masked men dressed as police officers during Paris Fashion Week last October and robbed of $10 million worth of jewels (including her $4 million engagement ring). Her trip came less than 24 hours after it was revealed that her sister Khloe is pregnant with her first child. And Khloe is not the only one expecting, last week news broke that younger sister Kylie Jenner is also pregnant. Kim is expecting a new addition to her family too via surrogate. (People)

The Legends Football League -- made up of women playing in lingerie -- have taken an official position on the national anthem ... "WE STAND"! The LFL just issued a video statement on the issue taking over the country -- saying the flag, "symbolizes all the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed so that we as Americans can raise our flag across our nation." "The LFL salutes all those who make this the greatest the country in the world, and we stand in salute of our flag." (TMZ)

Music

Cher musical coming to Broadway in 2018. Do you believe? "The Cher Show," a new musical based on the life and career of the singer and actress, is Broadway-bound. The show will first open in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre. Previews begin on June 12 of next year, and the limited engagement will run through July 15. Then, in fall of 2018 "The Cher Show" plans to open at the Neil Simon Theatre in Manhattan. "My life as a musical on Broadway. It seems crazy, exciting and bizarre -- but that's probably how my life seems to most people," Cher said in a statement. Cher has a decades-long, multi-faceted career in the entertainment industry, earning a Grammy, Emmy, Academy Award, and three Golden Globes. She's known for hit songs including "Believe," "I Got You Babe," and "If I Could Turn Back Time." She made her own Broadway debut in 1982 in "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean." "The Cher Show" comes courtesy of a number of Broadway veterans. Rick Elice ("Jersey Boys") wrote the book, Jason Moore (Avenue Q) is the director, and Christopher Gattelli ("Newsies") handled choreography. Daryl Waters ("Memphis") is responsible for orchestrations, arrangements, and musical supervision. The new musical is produced by Flody Suarez ("What's New Pussycat") and Jeffrey Seller ("Hamilton"). (PageSix)

Miley Cyrus has come a long way since her "Wrecking Ball" days. Though the star recently admitted she's "never living down" the music video for the 2013 hit -- which featured her licking a sledgehammer while swinging on a wrecking ball naked -- her feelings aren't so harsh when it comes to the song behind it. "I should be grateful every f -- ing day for that song, and I am," Cyrus, 24, said in an interview for the new issue of NME Magazine, on stands Friday. "I think people look at things that they've done and there is this sense of shame, or 'I wish I wouldn't have done that' -- not because I'm naked, by the way. It's because I feel like I'm in a deeper songwriting place." "Lyrically, I'm less impressed with that song right now," she continued. "I feel like it doesn't reflect who I am now, but that's fine because it's not supposed to. I'm sure I'll say the same thing about this record at some point." After releasing the pop-heavy Bangerz in 2013 and trippy Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz in 2015, Cyrus' forthcoming new album Younger Now (out Sept. 29) sees the star in a new era and embracing her Nashville roots. "For Bangerz I was so one way, and I did that on Dead Petz too," she said. "'Malibu' and 'Younger Now' are obviously two very different visuals in a way, but what binds them together is that they are both me. Now, I think I have more of an open mind." She added: "I don't have to be so locked into myself because then I'm putting those walls and borders around myself that I tell everyone else not to give in to." Cyrus recognizes that Dead Petz isn't "a record for everyone," and she made sure not to make "people less mentally available to listen" to her music this time around. Miley Cyrus' New Song 'Malibu' Reveals How She and Fiance Liam Hemsworth Had to 'Refall in Love' Miley Cyrus' Upcoming Untitled Album: "[It's] unlike anything she has recorded before" Not only is Younger Now meant to make a statement on ageism and sexism in Hollywood, but the album will also get political with tracks like one that Cyrus and her godmother Dolly Parton co-wrote, "Rainbowland." "One line is such a Dolly lyric-it says, 'We are rainbows, me and you, every color, every hue,'" she said. "It's about all these different races and genders and religions, if we all did come together to create and said, 'Hey, we're different, that's awesome, let's not change to be the same, but let's come together anyway.' Because a rainbow's not a rainbow without all the different colors." One track on the album, "Inspired," was even written for Hillary Clinton. "I'm not fighting fire with fire, hate with hate -- I'm fighting hate with love," she said. "I'm doing a concert this week in Vegas and for 'Party In the USA' the screens will say 'education,' 'healthcare, 'equality', 'justice', 'freedom', 'liberation', and 'expression.' These things are what make up our country. It's not a party in the USA if it's filled with hate, discrimination, walls, [and] violence." Cyrus was one of the many to say she would leave the country if Donald Trump were to be elected president, but despite the outcome, she's standing firmly by her decision not to. "I'm not leaving the country, that's dumb," Cyrus says. "Because that's me abandoning my country when I think I've got a good thing to say to my country. And trust me, I hear every day on my Instagram, 'Just leave already! When are you going to leave?' Wherever I am, my voice is going to be heard, and I'll make sure of it." (People)

Pink Drops Jack Antonoff-Produced 'Beautiful Trauma' Title Track. Pink has just released the title track of her forthcoming album Beautiful Trauma, which she co-wrote with Jack Antonoff. "Tomorrow I'm releasing the title track to BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA," she tweeted on Wednesday evening (Sept. 27). "I wrote the song with a very awesome person @jackantonoff and named the album after it (because) life is f*cking traumatic. But it's also incredibly beautiful, too. There's a lot of beauty still and beautiful souls. Enjoy." Fans didn't have to wait long as the song was released at 8 a.m. Eastern time Thursday morning (Sept. 28). Pink gets straight to the point in the first verse as she sings over piano, "We were on fire/I slashed your tires/It's like we burned so bright we burnt out/I made you chase me, I wasn't that friendly/My love, my drug, we're fucked up." The beat picks up and Pink explains that her love is the "pill I keep taking" and her "beautiful trauma." Prior to "Beautiful Trauma," Pink released the empowering lead single "What About Us" in August. Beautiful Trauma is due out on Oct. 13 and is the singer's first album since 2012's The Truth About Love. She was given the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs in August. In her acceptance speech, she detailed a recent time when her young daughter came to her upset because she felt she was ugly. "We help other people to change so they can see more kinds of beauty," she said. (Billboard)

Harry Styles Releases Pair of Gorgeous 'Spotify Singles' Featuring Little Big Town Cover. Harry Styles recently headed to Metropolis Studios in London to record the UK version of Spotify Singles. The two-track session included an acoustic version of his ballad "Two Ghosts" from his self-titled debut album, as well as his rendition of Little Big Town's "Girl Crush." The new stripped down version of "Two Ghosts" pairs well with Styles' new attempt at a folk sound, especially as he leaned into a country vibe a bit more on the next track. Two days before the Sept. 27 release, Styles performed the Little Big Town cover for the first time at the Nashville stop of his current tour. The same venue, the legendary Ryman Auditorium, also was home to a Little Big Town residency that ended earlier in September. At the time, Styles noted that the Ryman show was "kind of the reason" he booked the tour, referring to "Girl Crush" as "one of my favorite songs recently that's come out of this place." The singer continues on his sold-out tour, with the American leg coming to a conclusion on Oct. 14 in Phoenix before heading overseas, wrapping up in Tokyo on Dec. 8. View all of Styles' upcoming tour dates here. (Billboard)

Tamar Braxton's husband and business partner just took a huge hit to his bank account -- he's been ordered to pay Sony almost $4 million ... TMZ has learned. Music exec Vince Herbert has to cough up the dough after a judge sided with Sony in their legal battle over a 2013 advance. According to the suit ... Sony paid Herbert to find new talent, and part of the deal required payments back from Interscope Records. However, Sony sued Herbert, claiming he started intercepting the money from Interscope in October 2015 ... thereby screwing Sony out of recouping the advance. Herbert failed to respond to the lawsuit, and the judge issued a default judgment. Now, including interest, Vince has to pay $3,738,515.93 to Sony. Interesting note -- Tamar recently announced her upcoming album, "Bluebird of Happiness," will be her last before retiring to focus on her marriage. Maybe the family checkbook too. We reached out to the couple ... no word back, so far. (TMZ)

Movies

Box-Office Preview: Tom Cruise's 'American Made' Takes on 'Flatliners,' 'Kingsman 2'. Elsewhere, Emma Stone and Steve Carell's 'Battle of the Sexes' expands nationwide, while Watergate drama 'Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House' opens in select cinemas. Tom Cruise could have trouble grounding a group of cheeky spies at the box office this weekend. American Made, starring Cruise as a real-life pilot who smuggled cocaine for an infamous Columbia cartel in the 1980s before turning CIA-informant, flies into more than 3,000 theaters on Friday, including a major play in Imax houses. Pre-release tracking suggests the action-drama will open in the $15 million range, likely not enough to beat holdover Kingsman: The Golden Circle, which debuted to $45.5 million last weekend. Universal says a launch in the low- to- mid-teens would be fine since American Made is likely to have lasting power thanks to stellar reviews and positive word of mouth. Also, American Made has already earned $60 million internationally, where Cruise arguably remains a bigger star. The actor could use a win at the North American box office after his last two movies, The Mummy (2017) and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016), turned in soft performances. American Made reunites Cruise with his Edge of Tomorrow director, Doug Liman. Cross Creek financed the film, with the budget reportedly brought down to $50 million after tax rebates and incentives. Cross Creek produced alongside Imagine Entertainment and Quadrant Pictures. American Made currently boasts an 88 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, one of the best scores of Cruise's career. Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, E. Roger Mitchell, Jesse Plemons, Lola Kirke, Alejandro Edda, Benito Martinez, Caleb Landry Jones and Jayma Mays co-star. Cross Creek will have a busy weekend, between American Made and its Flatliners remake, from Sony. The horror pic, rolling out in 2,200 locations, is tracking to debut domestically to $10 million-$12 million (Sony is being much more conservative in suggesting $7 million-$8 million). The horror genre has been doing terrifying business at the box office this year between such R-rated hits as It and Annabelle: Creation, whose success is in part attributed to a strong turnout by younger moviegoers. Flatliners, rated a friendlier PG-13, is likewise expected to appeal to teens and young adults. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the 1980 Flatliners starred Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt and Kevin Bacon as five medical students who conduct near-death experiments by stopping their hearts for short bursts of time. Ellen Page, Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev, James Norton and Kiersey Clemons star in the $19 million remake, directed by Niels Arden Opley. Indie psychological horror film Til Death Do Us Part, starring Annie Ilonzeh, Stephen Bishop and Taye Diggs, also opens nationwide this weekend, while Christian pic A Question of Faith goes out in 661 theaters with hopes of debuting to $1 million to $1.5 million. A Question of Faith's cast includes Richard T. Jones, Kim Fields, C. Thomas Howell, Renee O'Connor, Gregory Alan Williams, T.C. Stallings and Jaci Vaassquez. Elsewhere, Fox Searchlight's awards contender Battle of the Sexes, starring Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs, expands across the country into a total 1,200 theaters after launching in 21 cinemas last weekend. Opening in select markets on Friday is Sony Pictures Classics' Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House. The Watergate biographical drama stars Liam Neeson as "Deep Throat," the anonymous source who fed information to The Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Diane Lane, Maika Monroe and Tony Goldwyn also star in Felt, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in early September. (Hollywood Reporter)

Tiffany Dupont Joins Greg Kinnear in Brian Banks Drama 'Exonerate'. Aldis Hodge stars as the titular football player in the Tom Shadyac film. Tiffany Dupont has joined the cast of Exonerate, the drama recounting the true story of the wrongful imprisonment and exoneration of Brian Banks, the one-time high school football prodigy. Tom Shadyac is directing the feature, making it his first directorial project since 2003's Bruce Almighty and 2007's Evan Almighty. Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear and Nathalie Emmanuel are also among the cast, and Doug Atchison wrote the script. The project, was originally incubated through Amy Baer's development fund Gidden Media, and Baer will produce alongside ShivHans Pictures' Shivani Rawat and Monica Levinson. Banks, Atchison, Justin Brooks and Neal Strum are executive producers. Exonerate centers on Banks, the high-school football player who was committed to USC by his junior year. His life was upended in 2002 when falsely accused of rape. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was railroaded through the system and sentenced to a decade of prison and parole. With the help of the California Innocence Project, his conviction was overturned in 2012 and he achieved his NFL dream with the Atlanta Falcons' pre-season squad in 2013. Dupont will portray the role of Alissa Bjerkhoel, a junior lawyer at the California Innocence Project who, along with other associates, finds Brian's long, handwritten letter in the mailroom and becomes deeply committed to his cause. Dupont, who starred in the ABC Family's hit series Greek, most recently had a recurring role on the TNT series Murder in the First, and has also appeared on various shows including Anger Management, Mom and The Big Bang Theory. She has also been seen in the films One Night with the King, The Work and the Glory and Cheaper by the Dozen. She is repped by APA and Good Fear Films & Management. (Hollywood Reporter)

'Blade Runner' Sequel a Make-Or-Break Moment for Producer Alcon. "This is a chips-in-the-center-of-the-table exercise," says producer Andrew?Kosove of the long-awaited (and risky) film follow-up to the iconic sci-fi drama. Producers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove -- who met at Princeton University before convincing FexEx founder Fred Smith to help them launch the film company Alcon Entertainment 20 years ago -- are candid. They admit that Alcon's future depends on Blade Runner 2049, the sequel to Ridley Scott's sci-fi epic that hits theaters Oct.?6. "This is a chips-in-the-center-of-the-table exercise," says Kosove. After a string of box-office wins -- most notably, The Blind Side in 2009 -- Kosove, 47, and Johnson, 50, arrived at a moment of reckoning. Alcon, with a staff of 45, no longer wanted to subsist solely on smaller, one-off movies, however successful (Alcon's past slate includes Insomnia, P.S. I Love You, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Dolphin Tale and Prisoners). The company, which has a long-term distribution deal with Warner Bros., needed to be in the tentpole franchise business. "We were sitting on a substantial balance sheet," adds Kosove. "Normally, we would have refinanced the business and taken the shareholder money off the table. We would then make new movies with other people's money. But the high-water mark coincided with the financial crisis. The capital markets were tied up. We had two options -- go home or take the company to the next level." That meant bigger but riskier bets. "If you don't have repetitive cash flow, which is a fancy way of saying being in the sequel business, you are going to be in trouble eventually." Alcon missed its first target -- a $100?million redo of Point Break. The 2015 remake earned just $28.8?million domestically and $133.7?million globally. Alcon sold off international rights, mitigating losses, but it was a disastrous experience. "Point Break was fundamentally rejected. If we had decided to do a sequel, it would have been perceived differently," says Johnson. Adds Kosove, "Most people who have a degree of success say they were more shaped by their failures than their successes. We learned a lot of lessons from Point Break. I never want to be involved in a remake again. We were pure of heart, but we offended a lot of people." Remaking Blade Runner was never an option, since the remake rights weren't available. Instead, Kosove and Johnson bought all other rights to the property from the late Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin, including sequel rights. Next, they put together an impressive team to make the movie, including enlisting the guidance of Scott and hiring Villeneuve, who helmed Prisoners, to direct. Ryan Gosling was cast in the lead role, followed by the announcement that Harrison Ford would reprise the role of Rick Deckard. Blade Runner 2049 cost a net $150?million to make, and was co-financed by Alcon and Sony (each committed to spend $90 million before rebates and tax incentives brought down the budget). Alcon owns the film; Sony will release it overseas and get a slice of the profits. Warners is handling the film domestically and will get a fee per its deal with Alcon. "We're confident Alcon has delivered another hit," Warner Bros. chairman-CEO Kevin Tsujihara says in a statement. Insiders say the movie will need to clear $400 million at the worldwide box office to be considered a win. Kosove, Johnson and Smith, who put up the initial investment, remain Alcon's only shareholders, meaning unlike many other film financing companies, they don't have to answer to numerous investors. Alcon has a 32-title library that has generated more than $2?billion in revenue. Alcon has also diversified into television -- including Syfy series The Expanse -- music and talent management, while its interactive and merchandising units will rely on Blade Runner?2049 to build their portfolios. Is it a winning strategy? Says Johnson: "If it works, it transforms what we do." (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

Empire Loses a Leg But Gains So Much (Demi) Moore. Was that an episode of Empire or was it an incredible Lifetime biopic about a music mogul with amnesia? When last we saw the Lyon family, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) had just narrowly escaped the car bomb set by Andre (Trai Byers) and Shyne (XZibit), but Lucious (Terrence Howard) wasn't quite as lucky. He ended up with amnesia and, as we learned Wednesday night, a missing leg. He's now got a limp and no idea who he is, so it makes a ton of sense that the Lyon family would set up a big concert to celebrate 20 years of Empire and promise everyone that Lucious would be there to speak. So Lucious and Cookie arrived at the event, ran into Carlotta (Queen Latifah/Star crossover alert!), had an awkward exchange, and then Lucious freaked out about all the people screaming at him. Flashback to 24 hours earlier, when Lucious had apparently just arrived home from the hospital, with creepy nurse Claudia (Demi Moore) in tow. She hasn't done anything totally evil yet, but Cookie suspects her of being up to something fishy, and so do we. She was always right there, hiding in the shadows whenever Cookie tried to talk to Lucious, shutting down difficult conversations to protect her good friend "Dwight," and taking dresses out of closets to wear to events she wasn't invited to. She was irritating, and Cookie was rightfully irritated. After a tense family dinner that brought up old memories and revealed that the new Lucious is much nicer, much more considerate, and much happier about Jamal's (Jussie Smollett) sexuality, Lucious did end up speaking very briefly at the anniversary concert, and he faked it pretty good before walking off with Claudia and declaring that Lucious wasn't him anymore. Elsewhere, Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) continued to be blackmailed(?) by Diana (Phylicia Rashad), Diana's son continued to try to seduce Jamal, and Andre was in over his head with Shyne. All that was Empire as usual, but the real concern as far as we're concerned is this new Lucious. Could this be permanent? At what perfect moment do we think Lucious will suddenly get his memory back? And how long do we think he'll pretend he still remembers nothing? What do we think Claudia is up to? Please head to the comments to discuss! Also: Fox sent an alert that the first eight minutes of Wednesday night's premiere were "shocking." Were they?? Were you shocked? Please let us know. Empire airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox. (Eonline)

Meghan McCain Joins The View As a Regular Co-Host. Meghan McCain is about to have a very new view... Less than two weeks after her departure from Fox News, the political personality has just signed on to The View as a regular co-host, reports Variety. The new addition comes nine days after Jedidiah Bila's abrupt departure from the ABC daytime talk show after one year. McCain is the daughter of U.S. Senator and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain. The 32-year-old Dirty Sexy Politics scribe is a self-described "Blonde Republican," who has liberal views on several social issues. It's been a big day for the outspoken personality. On Wednesday, McCain lashed on Twitter over a report that President Trump had been "physically mocking" her father, who has diagnosed with a brain cancer. She called the treatment "abhorrent." It's likely that her fiery and opinionated tongue is what landed her the gig on The View. E! News previously reported that McCain was on the short list of people to fill Bila's spot. According to a source close to the show, The View had been looking for a conservative voice to join the table ever since Candace Cameron Bure left. In fact, bosses believe it's important to have diverse points of view on the show. In recent years, The View has played musical chairs with its co-hosts. The show added back Joy Behar, and said goodbye to Nicolle Wallace, Rosie Perez Raven-Symone, Michelle Collins, Cameron Bure and most recently Bila. On Monday, Sept. 18, the libertarian announced she was leaving during the "Hot Topics" portion of the show. "So this is my last day at The View," she shared. "I want to thank these ladies. What you don't know about us is that we're really friends...I want to thank you because I'm a little eccentric, and you put up with me, and this has been an amazing journey. And I appreciate all of you." At the time of the exit, ABC released a statement to E! News regarding Bila's decision: "We want to thank Jed very much for all of her contributions and wish her great success with the next step in her career. She will always be part of The View family, and we'll welcome her back to talk about her new projects." As for today's news, ABC declined to comment on McCain's new co-hosting gig. (Eonline)

Amazon Takes BBC/AMC Drama 'McMafia' Outside of North America, U.K. Amazon Prime Video takes the eight-part series, set in the international world of organized crime, for more than 200 countries and territories, excluding the U.S., Canada, Britain and China. BBC Worldwide said Thursday that it has completed a multi-territory deal with Amazon Prime Video for McMafia, the upcoming eight-part BBC and AMC series set in the international world of organized crime. The deal will see Amazon Prime Video premiere the series in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, excluding the U.K., the U.S., Canada and China, where Amazon doesn't offer its streaming service, when it launches in 2018. Created by Hossein Amini and James Watkins, McMafia is inspired by the best-selling non-fiction book of the same title by Misha Glenny. Featuring an international cast, it tells the story of Alex Godman (James Norton), an English-raised son of Russian exiles with a mafia history, who has spent his life trying to escape the shadow of that criminal past. As he starts building his own legitimate business and forging a life with his girlfriend Rebecca (Juliet Rylance), his family's past murderously returns to threaten them. "McMafia is a compelling international story that our Prime Video customers around the world are going to love," said Brad Beale, vp of Prime Video TV content acquisition. "With a fascinating premise, talented writers and distinguished cast, McMafia will be a great addition to our stable of high-quality hit shows that are available exclusively to Prime members." Said Paul Dempsey, president global markets at BBC Worldwide: "With a stellar cast, brilliant writing and huge international appeal, McMafia has all the makings of a modern-day classic and we're delighted that Amazon will be taking the series to its audiences around the world." (Hollywood Reporter)

Canadian Streamers See U.S. Rivals Avoiding Sales Tax as Threat. Ottawa says it won't tax local subscribers of U.S. digital services as Netflix is expected to announce $500 million in investment over five years in local series like 'Alias Grace.' As Canada rolls out a new digital strategy, the government has decided against imposing a sales tax on U.S. streaming video and digital services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and iTunes operating in the country. "We are absolutely not committed in any way to raising taxes on the middle class," Sean Casey, parliamentary secretary to the Canadian heritage minister, told the Hollywood Reporter while attending the annual Canada Media Fund content showcase in Ottawa on Wednesday night, which brought together on- and off-screen talent, broadcasters and local politicians. "But there will be some news coming, and it won't be a Netflix tax," Casey added, pointing to expectations that Netflix would on Thursday unveil that it will invest $500 million over five years to help produce Canadian content. Justin Trudeau's government had been weighing forcing U.S. online services, including Netflix Canada with its 5.2 million subscribers, to collect federal or provincial sales tax from monthly subscribers streaming imported content. But as heritage minister Melanie Joly later on Thursday will unveil the government's vision for the future of Canadian media and broadcasting, deciding to forgo tax revenue from U.S. video streamers, while getting promises of inward investment, has reopened a debate about how to fund homegrown digital content. Canadian video streamers already collecting the HST goods and services tax on behalf of Ottawa aren't happy. "Foreign video providers like Netflix and foreign digital advertising platforms like Google and Facebook, despite competing in Canada and earning millions of dollars in revenue from Canadians every month, pay no sales tax at all," said Rob Malcolmson, senior vp regulatory affairs at Bell Media, which operates the CraveTV streaming service. "This is obviously not tax fairness, and Canada must maintain the ability to address this inequity with new modernized tax laws," he added. And ACTRA national executive director Stephen Waddell, head of Canada's actors union, also renewed calls for Netflix and other U..S. digital platforms operating locally to be regulated. "Foreign internet broadcasters are generating hundreds of millions in Canadian revenue, but they're exempted from that system. This isn't sustainable or fair," Waddell said. ACTRA members were out in force at the Parliament Hill showcase, including Orphan Black's Kevin Hanchard, Mohawk Girls' Brittany LeBorgne, Heather White and Maika Harper, and Cindy Sampson and Samantha Wan from Private Eyes. The Canadian government in recent years has rejected such calls to regulate and tax U.S. online giants to help fund Canadian programming. Netflix in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter said the U.S. video streaming giant "collects and remits tax wherever we are legally obligated to do so" in Canada. Danny Cisterna, a partner at Deloitte Canada, based in Toronto, explains Netflix Canada, as an offshore business, doesn't have to register to collect the so-called harmonized sales tax (HST) as part of the country's sales tax regime. It is a consumption tax, which is included in cable TV and local streaming subscription bills. "Selling into Canada in and of itself does not necessarily make a provider 'carrying on business' in Canada," Cisterna said. At the same time, Valerie Creighton, president and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, a major investor in local TV and digital content, said increasingly popular web-based media giants like Netflix, Amazon and others, while not regulated directly by the federal government, are increasingly investing in original Canadian series and shooting their own U.S.-originated shows in Canada. "These companies are interested in Canadian talent and Canadian investment," Creighton argued. The Canada Media Fund develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content series for all digital platforms. Creighton pointed to Netflix and the CBC co-producing the mini-series Alias Grace, written by Sarah Polley and directed by Mary Harron from a crime novel penned by Margaret Atwood. "That's the model," she said after Netflix and the CBC also worked together on Anne, a TV drama based on the Anne of Green Gables book series, and Netflix and Rogers Media, which operated the now defunct domestic streamer Shomi, teaming up on the Canadian thriller series Between. Generous tax credits and other local subsidies, including from the Canada Media Fund, explain why Canadian TV series get made in the country before they travel well overseas, including into the U.S. market. BBC America's Orphan Black, Lifetime's Mary Kills People and Syfy's Killjoys are just a few of the Canadian series to land U.S. network slots as local producers eye foreign markets and financing partners for their projects. Scott Garvie, senior vp business and legal affairs at Shaftesbury, which sold its supernatural mystery series Houdini and Doyle from House creator David Shore to Fox, the U.K.'s ITV and Canada's Shaw Media, said Netflix and other U.S. streamers are new platforms to sell to, but not the best business model for local players to build long-term and strong companies. "If the OTT service fully funds a series, then it's not unlike a U.S. broadcast deal -- they own the IP and may share revenues at the back-end," Garvie said. (Hollywood Reporter)

Larry David on Why 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Hasn't Changed. For Larry David, there is no such thing as being politically correct. "I don't think the fans who watch the show want me to be politically correct or do anything differently," the creator and star told The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the premiere for the ninth season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. "So I haven't done anything differently. It's the same." After a five-year hiatus, David makes his return as Larry when the HBO comedy premieres another 10-episode season on Sunday night. Ahead of the highly anticipated launch, HBO feted its most-famous curmudgeon with a New York City premiere event on Wednesday, where attendees were treated to two episodes of the upcoming run. Before the screening, a voiceover from TV Larry beckoned through the speakers at the SVA Theater. "Thanks for coming -- actually, you should be the one thanking me. Do you have something better to do on a Wednesday night? Eh, I don't know so," said David in character. He explained the premiere sets up the entire plot and that the second episode of the night would be a stand-alone airing later in the season, in a bid to not give away too much of Curb's master plan. Larry then had two specific requests: Don't spoil the episodes and please keep the hand-shaking to a minimum at the afterparty. "The only thing Larry cares about with doing this premiere in New York is that everyone who is watching the show tonight doesn't tell anybody what happens until Sunday," executive producer Jeff Schaffer told THR ahead of the screening. "He wasn't worried about what to wear or the guest list, all he was saying is, 'Isn't everybody going to tell everybody?'" Of the two episodes -- which were greeted to big laughs and several rounds of applause inside the theater, kicking off with the show's signature opening tune -- Schaffer said they were methodical when it came to picking which episode to screen after the premiere. To keep the season hush-hush, no screeners will be sent to press after the show launches. "Sometimes in the middle of the season there are some stand-alone ones," he explained of their choice, which is the fifth episode. "We do setup something that's crazy and we didn't want to give more of it away -- and when I say we, I mean he." The main returning players -- Jeff Garlin, also an executive producer, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman and J.B. Smoove -- were all in attendance as celebrities and comedians from Amy Schumer and John Oliver to Aziz Ansari descended upon the theater to see what Larry and the gang had been up to in the last five years. The eighth season ended with Larry and Leon (Smoove) escaping to Paris and although Lauren Graham has been added to the cast as a love interest for Larry, one of the biggest questions heading into the season is whether he and Cheryl will reconcile. But mainly, Larry and the cast are all back to doing what they do best. "Basically, I make a living telling people to go fuck themselves," Essman told THR. "Not only do they pay me, they love me for it! I never planned on this being my life, I just wanted to make people laugh. But Larry gave this part and the rest is history. The first day on set was like we were there yesterday, like we were there last year." Despite the show taking place in current time, Susie Greene isn't a political person. "She's a Beverly Hills housewife and she's all about her family," she says. "What she really cares about is making sure Jeff Greene (Garlin) keeps his money. Why do you think she stays with him? A lot of women have arrangements." That sentiment, for once, is where David and Susie agree: Trump's election hasn't changed anything. "It doesn't impact the show at all," the creator plainly says. Essman has seen eight of the 10 episodes and says the finished product is some of David's best work. The season trailer features Larry shushing a crying woman at a funeral, shoving a pushy perfume saleswoman and proudly accepting a comment from Richard Lewis that he is devoid of anything empathetic. "Larry is so funny this season that I think people are just going to be tickled to have him back," she adds. After the screening, guests were shuttled to TAO downtown where Garlin surprised attendees for welcoming photos and the cast, led by David, spent the majority of the night posing for pictures with fans. Though David and his team have remained tight-lipped on what's in store for the remaining episodes, Schaffer has said the finale "goes to this really strange, fun, crazy place" that viewers won't expect. "It is one of the most ambitious things we've ever tried -- and it worked!" he told THR when recounting his all-time favorite Curb episodes. "It is going to be a classic." The hyped ending begs the question -- is a 10th season of Curb already set in motion? "If I do another season, I'm not going to wait five years -- that I can tell you," David told THR with a smile. (Hollywood Reporter)