ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Serena Williams Marries Alexis Ohanian. Serena Williams is a married woman! The tennis all-star tied the knot with Alexis Ohanian, her Reddit co-founder beau of two years, in front of their closest family and friends, sources confirm to E! News. The newlyweds' star-studded guest list included Serena's sister Venus Williams, Ciara, Russell Wilson, La La Anthony and more. Also in attendance was Serena and Alexis' little girl, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., who was born a little over two months ago. Just last week, the 23-time Grand Slam winner kicked off the wedding festivities with a bachelorette party in New York City. Serena was joined by her famous gal pals at the Baccarat Hotel & Residences for a weekend of five-star spa treatments, trapezing, tea brunches, dinner and dancing. On Wednesday evening, the couple enjoyed a star-studded rehearsal dinner at Emeril Lagasse's Meril restaurant. A source tells E! News about 100 guests were in attendance at the dinner, including stars Colton Haynes, Eva Longoria and husband Jose Antonio Bastón as well as Cynthia Erivo. And the insider also shares that Cafe Du Monde provided their famous beignets for dessert. Before the rehearsal dinner Wednesday, Williams' Galia Lahav wedding gown was spotted arriving to her in New Orleans along with a masseuse and nail polishes. On Thursday before the ceremony, flowers and alcohol were spotted arriving at the venue. As for Mr. and Mrs. Ohanian, their love story began back in May 2015 when Alexis sat himself down at a table near Serena and her friends at a hotel in Rome. They tried to get Alexis to leave by telling him there was a rat under his chair, but the charming tech mogul remained unfazed, and Serena asked him to join the group for breakfast. A month later, Williams invited Ohanian to watch her play at the French Open. By April 2016, he told Vanity Fair in their joint cover story that he knew Serena was "the one." "I felt like a door had been opened to a person who made me want to be my best self," he gushed. "I find myself just wanting to be better by simply being around her because of the standard she holds." To the surprise of fans unaware of their low-key romance, Alexis proposed to Serena in December 2016 at the same table they'd met a year and a half prior. A source told E! News at the time that the athlete's friends and family had "never seen Serena this happy before with a man. It sounds cheesy, but it was love at first sight." "They laugh non-stop and that really fuels their relationship," the insider continued. "They are on the same page in life and are excited to start something great with each other." And starting something great together happened a bit sooner than expected, as Serena announced her pregnancy in April 2017. As Williams, 35, reflected to Vanity Fair, "If you would have told me last year in October or November that I would have a baby, not be pregnant but have a baby, I would have thought you were the biggest liar in the world. This is kind of how I am right now. This is happening sooner than later, and it's going by so fast." The pair embraced parenthood with open arms, and love sharing moments from their time at home with baby Olympia on social media. "Serena is doing beyond perfect," a source shared with E! News exclusively shortly after the celeb gave birth. "She feels great and is just glowing about being a mother for the first time. Her baby girl is healthy and beautiful." Our source added, "Her fiance is the nicest man alive. He really is so in love with Serena and is really supportive not only as a new dad but also as a partner. He is a busy man but puts Serena first in everything he does." And it shows! We can't wait to see how Serena and Alexis' life together continues to unfold. Now on to the honeymoon! Congratulations to the entire family. (Eonline)

Olympic Volleyball Star Misty May-Treanor Gives Birth to Twins. Misty May-Treanor is serving up some wonderful news! The three-time Olympic gold medalist announced via Twitter on Thursday that she's given birth to twins, her second and third child with husband Matt Treanor. "The @lbccvikings women's team got to meet the latest [addition] of Treanors earlier this week," the volleyball pro wrote alongside a photo of her babies meeting the Long Beach City College women's volleyball team she coaches. "Lots of babysitters!" Sports fanatics will remember Misty from the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Summer Games, where she and teammate Kerry Walsh Jennings dominated the beach together. In 2014, Misty and her MLB star hubby welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Malia Barbara. The athlete went on to compete on season seven of Dancing With the Stars, and just last year, May-Treanor was inducted into Volleyball Hall of Fame. As for her road to twins, the new mama has remained relatively quiet online save for a few baby bump photos shared just prior to giving birth. It appears her newest bundle of joys arrived sometime after November 6, as she tweeted then, "Could this be the last day of Monitoring????#ComeOnBabies" Congrats, Misty! Here's hoping the 2032 Olympics is ready for a few more competitors! (Eonline)

Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale Welcome Baby No. 2. It's officially a party of four! Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale received an early holiday surprise when they welcomed their second child together, E! News confirms. Most details remain top-secret as the couple has tried to maintain privacy during their latest pregnancy journey. Ultimately, Rose couldn't help but reveal the news that she was expecting again on DavidJones.com. "I'm a little tired but feeling good," she told the site. "Everyone was very sweet on set today, and you always get a little bit more attention when you're pregnant, which is fabulous." Since the announcement, the couple has stayed away from red carpet and major public events. At the same time, fans know that both Hollywood stars love their titles as parents. "I'm feeling good. I'm not getting that much sleep, but that's alright! It goes with the territory," Rose told E! News after welcoming her first child. "I'm nearly there. I went to the gym yesterday, which was exciting. I haven't done that for a while!" Bobby also revealed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that "we're just really, really over the moon." With winter right around the corner, the famous family has a whole lot to look forward to. And if the past is any indication, it will just make the holiday season more special. "You have this huge responsibility you didn't have before -- there's someone you have to keep alive," she told the Daily Telegraph. "I also like to think Rocco has brought out better qualities in me." Congratulations to the couple on their family news. People was first to report the news. (Eonline)

This Is How You'll Know When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Engaged. Ever since Prince Harry whisked Meghan Markle away to Africa for her birthday in August, two questions have been on everyone's minds: Is he about to propose? Or has he already done so? Yes, fans are a tiny bit excited about the possibility of Harry slipping a ring on Markle's finger, but PEOPLE Royals is here to tell you exactly how you'll find out -- if and when it happens. How will you know? Well, for starters, the palace will make the announcement. No one else. If Harry and Markle are engaged and keeping it under wraps, the only people who will be privy to such information will be their nearest and dearest -- people they'd trust not to leak the information. If you want a more clear idea of how a potential royal engagement announcement will go, take a look back almost seven years ago, when Prince William and the then-Kate Middleton shared their own engagement news on November 16, 2010. At the time of their engagement, the couple had been together for eight years, during which countless wedding bell rumors and false claims had circulated. But when the news hit, you knew: The palace made an early morning announcement. Social media, even back in 2010, was in a frenzy. (Imagine what it would be like in 2017!) Soon after the official announcement was made, William and Kate attended a photo call at St. James's Palace. Then, they did an on-camera interview with Sky News -- the first time the public heard Kate speak. In the interview, William said that he popped the question while the couple was on vacation in Kenya in October -- a month prior to the public announcement. William and Kate had been seen together in public after the engagement -- most notably at the wedding of their friends Harry Meade and Rosie Bradford. Kate didn't, however, wear her new ring to the occasion. Until the palace had given the official word, there were no signs, no hints from the couple that it was time for an engagement. It was a whirlwind of a day, and all of it was publicly broadcast -- and dictated by the palace's terms. An engagement between Harry and Markle can be expected to follow a similar pattern. So, how can you be the first to know? Keep your eye on the royal family's official Twitter feeds, @KensingtonRoyal, @RoyalFamily and @ClarenceHouse, for one. And of course, head to PEOPLE Royals. Though the palace themselves will be the first ones to give the word, we'll be ready! (People)

Meghan Markle's Thanksgiving Plans Revealed. Meghan Markle is heading to California for the upcoming holiday. The Suits actress and Prince Harry's leading lady is going to Los Angeles to spend Thanksgiving with her mom, Doria Radlan. Early next week Meghan "is planning to fly to L.A. to spend Thanksgiving with her mom," a source tells E! News exclusively. Markle is currently in Toronto filming Suits, but "today is the last day on set for the entire cast" for the seventh season, according to the insider. This might explain why Markle couldn't make it to pal Serena Williams' wedding Thursday in New Orleans. "Meghan was supposed to wrap by the end of Wednesday but, for whatever reason, she ended up having to work Thursday morning in Toronto," the insider tells us. "So I think that's why she didn't show at Serena's." Markle was spotted on the set of the USA series last weekend, the first sighting of her in a month. The pictures surfaced amid speculation that Markle and her Suits co-star Patrick J. Adams might be exiting the series before season eight. While nothing has been confirmed or announced just yet, Markle's body double on the series, Nicky Bursic, shared a post Thursday evening, wishing Markle happiness. "It's been an absolute pleasure and honour being your 'STAND-IN' for the last 2 seasons @meghanmarkle," she wrote alongside a photo with Markle. "Though I've been on @suits_usa for 6 years, the latter 2 has been my most memorable. Wishing you all the happiness in the world Bella." After enjoying some time off for the holiday, the insider shares "it'll then be time for Meghan to move to London and into Harry's place." In early October, a source told us that Markle and Harry are "as good as engaged." "While Meghan may not be wearing a ring or a formal engagement announced, it's fair to say they're as good as engaged now," the insider shared with us. "They've spoken about their marriage plans openly with each other and friends and family around them are pretty much thinking about wedding attire already!" (Eonline)

Tim McGraw Meets His Daughter's Boyfriend -- With a Bloody Knife. As the father of three girls, Tim McGraw is very protective. So, when his eldest daughter Gracie McGraw began dating, he wanted to ensure her boyfriend was a gentlemen. "I was on the road working," he recalled on NBC's The Tonight Show Thursday. "They gave me a call and they said, 'You know, Gracie's going out on a date. Do you mind if she goes before you meet the guy?' I said, 'I've met him. He's a really nice guy. We've done all our research -- everybody. He's a really nice guy. We put our Secret Service guys on it. They checked him out. Everything's good. They can go out tonight, but I'll be home tomorrow.'" Tim ended the call with one caveat: "Around noon, I want him to come by the house so I can say hi to him -- look him in the eye." The singer got home in the wee hours of the morning, so Gracie's boyfriend wasn't on his mind the next morning. "We're doing a barbecue, so I'm in the kitchen and I forget that he's coming. I have a white apron on and a knife and I'm trimming meat up, so I've got chunks of meat all over this white apron, blood everywhere," he recalled. "The doorbell rings and I go and answer the door, and here's this kid who's dating Gracie standing there. I've got a knife in my hand and a bloody apron on...It worked out really well!" The singer joined his wife, Faith Hill, on the show to promote their new album, The Rest of Our Life. "We've wanted to do a record for a long time together. We've been married 21 years. We've done a handful, but not quite as many songs as people think we've done together... So, this time around, when we decided we were going to do a tour together, we thought, 'We have to do an album together. It may be the only album we ever get to do together,'" he said. Best of all, he admitted to Jimmy Fallon, "We both turned 50 this year, which was a cool year for it." In April, the couple kicked off their Soul2Soul: The World Tour. The second North American leg will begin in the spring of 2018. "It was frightening at first, because I had the pleasure of performing with one of the greatest performers in the business of music -- period. Honest to God, he is," Faith said of singing onstage with her husband. "I was nervous at first. It'd been a while -- 10 years -- but once I got out there, after a few shows, I'm like, 'Bam! I love it! I love it!'" (Eonline)

Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga Break Up, Singer Receives Protective Order Against Ex-Fiance. Jennifer Hudson may not have her fairytale ending with David Otunga after all. The couple have broken up and ended their relationship after 10 years, E! News confirms. "[They] have been in the process of ending their relationship for a number of months," Jennifer's rep tells E! News. "Today, Jennifer requested and received a protective order against her ex-fiance. Jennifer's actions are solely taken in the best interest of their son. Please respect her privacy at this time." David's attorney would also release a separate statement to E! News. "David Otunga has been trying to negotiate the terms of an amicable parenting agreement with Ms. Hudson for several weeks now. However, when it became apparent to Ms. Hudson that Mr. Otunga would be the parent granted residential care of the child, as a result of Mr. Otunga being the child's primary caregiver while Ms. Hudson pursues her career all over the world, Ms. Hudson decided to file a meritless Petition for Order of Protection in an effort to gain an unfair advantage in the custody dispute," Tracy Rizzo explained. "As a result of Mr. Otunga's career in the WWE, Ms. Hudson felt that she could give an award-winning performance in court to portray herself as the victim. Mr. Otunga has never abused or harassed Ms. Hudson or their son, and it is unfortunate, especially in today's climate, that she would feel the need to make these false allegations against him. Mr. Otunga looks forward to his day in court and in being awarded the residential care of the parties' only child." Jennifer and David are parents to an eight-year-old named David Daniel Otunga Jr. Fans of the couple remember when the former pro wrestler proposed to Jennifer in September 2008 after less than a year of dating. And while the couple rarely talked about wedding plans, the pair appeared to be a strong Hollywood couple. "I'm not in a hurry. He's not going anywhere," Jennifer previously told Ellen DeGeneres when asked about saying "I Do." That doesn't mean the thought hasn't crossed her mind. After attending Ciara and Russell Wilson's wedding in Italy, the Oscar winner admitted that the event caused her to imagine her very own special day. "It's been a thought obviously," she told Essence magazine in August 2016. "After being at Ciara's wedding, I'm like, OK. I don't know, it inspired something. I just loved her dress. It was so beautiful. So that made me say, OK, all [of] my friends and peers are married now. You know what I mean?" And when sitting down with Oprah Winfrey for Oprah's Next Chapter, the pair couldn't help but show off their affection for one another when expressing their desire to have more kids. "We definitely want to have at least one of each," David shared. Jennifer added, "That is the next part of my dream and goal." People first reported news of the couple's split. (Eonline)

SNL's Bill Hader and Wife Maggie Carey Divorcing After 11 Years of Marriage. Bill Hader and Maggie Carey have called it quits after 11 years of marriage. His rep confirms to E! News that the couple, who tied the knot in 2006, are getting a divorce. According to People, the actor and former Saturday Night Live star and writer-director Carey have been separated since July. Hader and Carey have three children together. They welcomed their first child, Hannah, in 2009. Three years later they had a second daughter named Harper in 2012, followed two years later by a third daughter, Hayley in 2014. Carey recently directed episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Last Man on Earth and Making History. While Hader is currently filming the TV show Barry, for HBO. Back in 2014, Hader talked to Conan O'Brien about being a parent. "It's hard, it's great, it's beautiful," he shared. "I don't sleep." He went on to tell the host, "They're very young. We'll be watching and she's really into the movie and stuff, and I'll go, you know, that's daddy and she kind of looks at me and she's like, that's a cartoon." (Eonline)

Jennifer Hudson is dreaming when she says she's the primary caregiver of 8-year-old David Jr., and she's lying when she says her baby daddy was physically abusive ... so says baby daddy David Otunga. Otunga's lawyer sent a statement to TMZ, in which David "denies each and every allegation" Hudson has made against him. TMZ broke the story, cops removed David from the family home Thursday night after Jennifer got an order of protection claiming David was a threat to her and their child. Otunga's lawyer says the breaking point was Wednesday night, when Jennifer brought the 8-year-old to their recording studio until 12:30 AM. David felt it was irresponsible, especially since it was a school night. The statement goes on to say "At no time did Mr. Otunga 'physically push' Ms. Hudson as she has alleged." As we reported, we're told David broke up with Jennifer several months ago after he confronted her and claimed she was cheating on him. The 2 tried reaching a custody arrangement but negotiations broke down Wednesday. David says he's been their child's primary caregiver since birth because Jennifer's on the road a lot, and he scoffs at her new claim in legal docs that she's the primary caregiver. David's lawyer says they're going to court to undo the order of protection so he can spend Thanksgiving with his son. (TMZ)

Janet Jackson a 'stronger woman' after split from husband. Janet Jackson brought out all her hits at the Brooklyn stop of her "State of the World" Tour for an adoring crowd including Naomi Campbell, Questlove, Alexander Wang, Maxwell, Gabrielle Union and more. "So many hits," she told the crowd before belting out "When I Think of You." The singer honored her late brother Michael with "Together Again." "Miss you, Mike," she said as she looked skyward. But Janet broke down after her domestic-violence tune "What About," the song that's brought her to tears at other stops on the tour. A source told us that despite her recent split from husband Wissam Al Mana, "she's a stronger woman and is very happy with her show. It's who she is. She's herself again, owning the stage." Jackson reunited with VIPs including her former "Good Times" co-star Ralph Carter at Barclays Center's Billboard Lounge after the show. Jackson and Union appeared to be in deep conversation, and Union boogied and schmoozed with Jackson's dancers when she wasn't gabbing with the pop star. At the bash, Union even got in on the "for the d?-?-?k" challenge -- the Internet trend that has artists such as Erykah Badu, Cardi B and Issa Rae posting dirty ditties about the male member online. "I moved to Cleveland for that d?-?-?k," giddy Union said, presumably referencing her NBA-star hubby Dwyane Wade. (PageSix)

Liam Neeson to undergo shoulder surgery. "Taken" franchise hero Liam Neeson -- who became an action star late in his career after high-end fare such as "Schindler's List" -- will spend Thanksgiving recovering from the action. Pals say Neeson, who does his own stunts, needs shoulder surgery as a result of wear-and-tear. "The action hero is being repaired," joked a pal. Neeson said in September that he's retiring from the genre, quipping, "They're still throwing serious money at me... I'm like, 'Guys, I'm sixty-f–king-five.' Audiences are eventually going to go, 'Come on.'" Sources say Neeson will catch up on screeners of other stars' films while he's recovering. (PageSix)

David Cassidy Hospitalized: He Is "Conscious and Surrounded by Family." Partridge Family alum David Cassidy was recently hospitalized and his family has rushed to his side. The 67-year-old actor, singer and former 70s teen idol is "currently conscious and surrounded by family," his rep told E! News on Saturday. TMZ had reported that David was admitted to a Florida medical center three days ago and was suffering liver and kidney failure. His rep has not confirmed this. "He is in the hospital and it's not looking good," a source told E! News exclusively on Saturday. His family has rushed to his hospital bedside. David has two children -- Arrow actress Katie Cassidy and son Beau Cassidy. In February, David revealed he is battling dementia. His comments came days after a video showing him slurring his words, forgetting lyrics and falling onstage at a Los Angeles show went viral. The clip spurred speculation he had fallen off the wagon; David had battled substance abuse in the past and has been to rehab. David rose to fame playing Keith Partridge on the hit TV show The Partridge Family in the '70s. He helped perform hits such as "I Think I Love You." His daughter released a cover single in 2002. David acted sporadically over the past few decades. In 2009, he appeared in ABC Family-now-Freeform series Ruby & the Rockits with fellow brother Patrick Cassidy and Alexa PenaVega. The series was co-created by one of his other brothers and fellow former '70s heartthrob Shawn Cassidy. David recently made an acting comeback with the new movie Forgiven This Gun4hire, a western also starring comedian and Baskets star Louie Anderson. The film is set for release in May. (Eonline)

David Cassidy's condition has deteriorated and he's now in ICU and the family is preparing for the end ... TMZ has learned. TMZ broke the story ... David was rushed to a Florida hospital earlier this week. His organs were failing and he was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Sources now tell us David has taken a turn for the worse ... he now has a breathing tube and doctors say David's prospects are grim. As one source puts it, "There's really no issue anymore for a transplant. It's futile." We're told doctors have summoned David's immediately family -- his son and ex-wife -- back to the hospital for what could be their final visit. (TMZ)

Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett Rushes to Emergency Room, Cancels Las Vegas Shows. Get better soon, Kendra! On Saturday, Kendra Wilkinson took to Twitter to tell fans that she was cancelling the late performance of Sex Tips for Straight Women From a Gay Guy tonight because she was "super sick." Soon after the post, the mother of two alerted fans that she was headed to the emergency room and cancelling both performances of her Las Vegas show, which is at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. On Saturday, Kendra tweeted, "Super sick. Going to have to cancel the late show tonight. My heart couldn't cancel both. Sorry late show." Almost two hours later, things seemed to go from bad to worse. The reality star shared that she was cancelling both shows and now going to the E.R. to seek medical care for an undisclosed reason. The 32-year-old wrote, "Sooooo sorry guys gotta cancel both shows tonight. Going to ER. Hurtin bad. I'll make it up to you." In April, the Girls Next Door stopped by E! News to share the big news that she'd be starring in the sexy Vegas production. "I am going to play a lead role in a play called Sex Tips for Straight Women From a Gay Man and it will be in Las Vegas. I am going to Vegas!" Kendra confirmed to E! News' Sadler "Being a lead role in a play in Vegas? Like, come on! How much bigger can it get?" At the time of the announcement, Kendra told E! News, "Just when I think it's over for me in this world, new opportunities present themselves," Kendra shared with us. "I'm still here and it's getting bigger and I'm so thankful for these opportunities and to be able to explore life like this." The hit New York City production hit up Las Vegas in May, when Kendra joined Queer Eye for the Straight Guy alum Jai Rodriguez. Based on the novel of the same name, the show goes on nightly, except Wednesdays (and when the star goes to the emergency room). (Eonline)

Simone Biles is publicly attacking her former Team USA gymnastics teammate Gabby Douglas -- and it's all over comments Gabby made insinuating some women invite sexual abuse by the way they dress. It all started with Aly Raisman ... their 2016 U.S. Olympic teammate who recently went public with allegations she was sexually assaulted by ex-Team USA doctor Larry Nassar. Raisman -- who famously posed nude for the ESPN Body Issue -- received hate from people who shot down her story because of the provocative pics. Raisman clapped back with a message on social media Friday morning saying, "Just because a woman does a sexy photoshoot or wears a sexy outfit does not give a man the right to shame her or not believe her when she comes forward about sexual abuse." That's when Gabby got involved ... saying: "However it is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and be classy. Dressing in a provocative/sexual way entices the wrong crowd." Biles saw Gabby's comment and went scorched-earth ... saying: "Shocks me that I'm seeing this but it doesn't surprise me... honestly seeing this brings me to tears bc as your teammate I expected more from you & to support her." She continued, "I support you Aly ?? & all the other women out there! STAY STRONG. We reached out to Douglas for comment -- so far, no word back. (TMZ)

David Otunga will no longer be a part of WWE's coverage of 'Survivor Series' on Sunday ... TMZ Sports has learned. Otunga is a regular as a host/commentator for WWE events and he was scheduled to work the pay-per-view event Sunday ... one of the biggest WWE events of the year. But sources close to Otunga tell us he wants to focus on the intense child custody fight with Jennifer Hudson ... and decided to pull out of 'Survivor Series' coverage. As we previously reported, Hudson has declared legal war on Otunga -- accusing him of domestic abuse -- and making a play to have majority custody of their 8-year-old son. We're told Otunga is denying the allegations and vows to fight for the right to co-parent their child. (TMZ)

Norma Gibson's restraining order request against Tyrese denied. A judge has denied Norma Gibson's request for a restraining order against ex-husband Tyrese Gibson, according to The Blast. The judge ruled there wasn't an ongoing pattern of harassment by Tyrese against Norma. Afterwards, the judge cleared the courtroom so the parties could discuss Tyrese's daughter, Shayla. Tyrese was seen after the ruling, crying, the website reported. Norma had been battling Tyrese in court for weeks over custody of their 10-year-old daughter Shayla. Norma claimed the "Fast & Furious" actor had beaten their daughter, hitting her between 10-12 times and leaving her unable to sit. The Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services launched an investigation into the claims but ultimately dropped the case after it was unable to find sufficient evidence of the allegations. (PageSix)

Tyrese just scored a big victory in court after a judge denied his ex's request for a permanent restraining order which would have severely restricted the actor's access to his daughter, Shayla. The judge ruled Tyrese and Norma Gibson will get 50/50 joint custody beginning in January. Until then, we're told both sides have worked out a visitation schedule that will allow Tyrese to see Shayla over the holidays. After court, he didn't have much to say about the ruling ... but made it clear he will eventually. As we reported ... Norma claimed Tyrese physically abused the 10-year-old, claiming he beat her 12 to 16 times. Tyrese says he only struck her once on the bottom, and that Norma is simply vengeful. Over the course of the 3-week court battle, Tyrese has posted multiple videos chronicling his own personal turmoil. Tyrese had an online meltdown that he blamed on a Rx drug he was taking for depression. He also claimed Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith gave him $5 million to dig himself out of a financial hole, but that turned out to be false. Nonetheless ... the restraining order is now history, opening the door to a renewed relationship between father and daughter. (TMZ)

Ryan Seacrest Denies Misconduct Accusations From Former Stylist. Ryan Seacrest has disputed misconduct claims brought against him. In a statement obtained by E! News, the daytime talk show host responds to an alleged incident a former wardrobe stylist says occurred while she was employed at E! News almost 10 years ago. "Recently, someone that worked as a wardrobe stylist for me nearly a decade ago at E! News, came forward with a complaint suggesting I behaved inappropriately toward her. If I made her feel anything but respected, I am truly sorry. I dispute these reckless allegations and I plan to cooperate with any corporate inquiries that may result," Seacrest said. An E! Spokesperson confirms in a statement, "We can confirm that we have started an investigation." Seacrest, 42, continued, "I treat all my colleagues with kindness, dignity, and understanding, as this is a principle that's core to who I am. Throughout my 25 years in the entertainment industry, the majority of my co-workers have been women, and I've endeavored to foster a positive work environment of mutual respect and courtesy, as that's how I believe it should be." "I'm distraught that anyone or any situation would call that into question. I'm proud of my workplace reputation, and believe my track record will speak for itself. I'm an advocate for women. I will continue to support their voices." According to The Hollywood Reporter, who broke the news, the allegations were reported approximately one week ago. The details of the alleged incident have not been made public. Over the past month, a flood of sexual misconduct claims have been leveled against prominent figures in Hollywood including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Piven and others. (Eonline)

Usher's $20 Million Genital Herpes Lawsuit Dismissed. Usher continues to fight back against accusations that he allegedly gave genital herpes to Laura Helm. In court documents obtained by E! News, the Grammy winner's attorney has asked the court to dismiss Laura's $20 million lawsuit in part because the plaintiff assumed her own risk when sleeping with a partner. "With a one in six chance that any given partner could have genital herpes, plaintiff assumed the risk of contracting an STD each and every time she chose to have unprotected sex with a casual, consensual party," Usher's attorney Steve Sadow stated. "To be perfectly clear, [Usher] is not asking the court to pass moral or societal judgment on plaintiff," the documents state. "[Usher] is only seeking the correct application of the legal doctrine of assumption of risk as interpreted and construed in Georgia's appellate decisions." In Laura's verified tape, she alleges to being a participant in two casual, consensual sexual encounters with a celebrity. According to Usher's attorney, Laura "made the free choice to engage in unprotected sexual activity. In doing so, she failed to exercise ordinary care for her own safety." Usher has never confirmed that he has an STD or had sex with Laura. And when three accusers came forward in August claiming the "Yeah" singer had sexual relations with them in the past without telling them he had the herpes virus, his legal team denied the allegations. Usher "general and specifically denies each and every allegation contained in the complaint and the entirety thereof, including each purported cause of action contained therein," his lawyers said in a statement. TMZ was first to report the legal development. UPDATE: Usher scored a major legal victory in the $20 million lawsuit filed against him. E! News has confirmed Laura Helm, who accused the singer of giving her genital herpes, filed court documents on Friday to dismiss the case. Usher's attorney said in a statement to E! News, "It's our sincere hope that this dismissal will bring an end to the opportunistic litigation against Usher in Georgia." (Eonline)

Meek Mill's been sprung from solitary confinement and moved to another prison with greener pastures ... literally. An official at the State Correctional Institution in Chester, PA tells TMZ ... the rapper was just transferred to their prison and out of Camp Hill. He's now in general population and he has his own cell. We broke the story ... Meek wanted out of solitary because he feared it would take a severe toll on his mental state. Meek can now hit up the yard in the morning or afternoon. He can ball out on the court or go for a jog. Should he fancy himself with a book, he can read it at the on-site library or in his cell. Gym time will depend on which job he ends up taking ... which, by the way, pays 19 cents an hour. He'll be assigned a job and has 2 choices -- cleaning cells or cooking. (TMZ)

Ric Flair claims he was supposed to pocket $25,000 for the ESPN "30 for 30" special on his life -- but his manager stole the money ... and now he's out for legal justice. Nature Boy is suing Legacy Talent and Entertainment -- the management company he used from 2009 until October 2017. Flair says he had a feeling something fishy was going down behind the scenes so he hired a lawyer to investigate his finances ... and realized he was missing huge amounts of cash. Among the missing money ... Flair says he learned Legacy Talent had received $25,000 from First Row Films, the production company behind Flair's "30 for 30" special. Flair claims he was never informed of the payment nor was given his cut. He also noticed a $12,000 royalty advance from Jake's Fireworks -- a company he signed an endorsement deal with earlier this year. Flair says he reached out to Legacy to find out why he never got the money and was told they were using the funds to pay legal bills. Flair is calling BS, saying he never authorized Legacy to do that. Flair says he's owed at least $46,000 -- and he wants his money back, asap. (TMZ)

Miami Dolphins linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested for battery in Miami, FL early Saturday morning ... TMZ Sports has learned. The details surrounding the arrest are unclear -- but according to ProFootballTalk, the Dolphins are planning to release him as a result of the incident. TMZ Sports obtained Rey's booking information -- 6'2 inches, 350 lbs. (guessing this is supposed to be 250) -- and he was booked at 12:46 PM. His bond has been set at $1,500. Maualuga's been in trouble with the law before -- he pled guilty to drunk driving stemming from a 2010 incident. UPDATE: According to the arrest report ... Maualuga was confronted by an employee at club E11EVEN about an outstanding $40 tab around 8:20 AM. Rey allegedly became upset and refused to pay. The employee claims he asked him to pay again, and Rey grabbed him by the throat and shoved him. Rey was then kicked out by security and detained by cops, who arrested him. (TMZ)

Model claims Russell Simmons forced her into sex while Brett Ratner watched. A former model claims she was just 17 when hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons forced her into sex -- and all while his pal, embattled moviemaker Brett Ratner, sat by and watched, according to a bombshell report on Sunday. Keri Claussen Khalighi said the scary casting-couch incident happened in 1991 in New York when she and Ratner were at Simmons' New York home to allegedly watch a music video the men had been doing, according to the Los Angeles Times. That's when Simmons allegedly made aggressive sexual advances and removed her clothes, as Ratner sat nearby. "I looked over at Brett and said, 'help me' and I'll never forget the look on his face," the then-Nebraska teenager recalled. "In that moment, the realization fell on me that they were in it together." She continued: Ratner "just sat there and watched." The Simmons, who is 60, would have been 33 or 34 at the time. "I fought it wildly," said Khalighi, who claimed she was eventually coerced into performing oral sex. "I guess I just acquiesced." Khalighi the experience was "disgusting" and she went to take a shower -- where Simmons allegedly followed her and penetrated her. "It hurt so much," she said. The famed music executive Simmons insisted his relations with Khalighi were also consensual. "I know Keri Claussen Khalighi and remember the weekend in 1991 that she has referenced," Simmons said in a statement. "Everything that happened between us 26 years ago was completely consensual and with Keri's full participation." The Def Jam records co-founder Simmons insisted he's on the right side of Hollywood's burgeoning debate on sexual harassment. "Let me be crystal clear and very direct. Abusing women in any way shape or form violates the very core of my being," he said. "I have always spoken out regarding my life experiences, women's issues and the need to bring a faster and more decisive shift in the collective consciousness that will help bring about true women's equality." Ratner's attorney Martin Singer told the LA Times that his client has "no recollection" of Khalighi asking for help against Simmons' moves. A half-dozen women, including Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, recently accused Ratner of sexual misconduct. Ratner and Simmons were investigated for an alleged sexual battery in 2001 in Beverly Hills, California, but prosecutors declined to press charges, Variety reported earlier this month. The entertainment and political worlds have been rocked by accusations of sexual harassment and assault, following allegations against Tinseltown titan Harvey Weinstein. Since allegations -- dozens, spread over decades -- emerged against Weinstein, other powerful men such as actor Kevin Spacey, US Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Senate candidate Roy Moore (R-Ala.) have been confronted by accusers.(PageSix)

'Girls' producer accused of raping teen actress. An actress claims a writer and executive producer for the TV show "Girls" raped her when she was 17, according to a new report. Aurora Perrineau -- the 23-year-old daughter of "Lost" star Harold Perrineau and an actress in her own right -- filed a police report Friday alleging that filmmaker and screenwriter Murray Miller sexually assaulted her in LA in 2012, The Wrap reports. "I woke up in Murray's bed naked. He was on top of me having sexual intercourse with me. At no time did I consent to any sexual contact with Murray," she said in a statement for a polygraph test she took in September, the site reports. Perrineau, who most recently appeared in "Passengers" with Jennifer Lawrence, claims she met the then-35-year-old Miller while out drinking at a bar with friends -- and that he was well aware she was underage. "He was flirting with me. I told him repeatedly that I was 17 years old," she said in the statement, per The Wrap. They all went back to Murray's place, and she later woke up in his bed, she said. Murray, who has also worked on "American Dad!" and "King of the Hill," promptly denied the allegations -- and accused Perrineau of trying to extort him for a pay day. "After being contacted several weeks ago by lawyers who -- on Ms. Perrineau's behalf -- sought substantial monetary damages from him, Mr. Miller's legal team gathered overwhelming evidence directly contradicting these false and offensive claims. Only after her demands for money were rebuffed did Ms. Perrineau go to the police," his attorney Don Walerstein said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. (TMZ)

Mel Tillis, the country music legend who wrote and sang dozens of chart-topping hits, is dead. Tillis died Sunday morning of respiratory failure. Tillis recorded more than 60 albums and scored 3 dozen top 10 singles in his decades-long career. He wrote the classic, "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love to Town)," "Detroit City" and "Mental Revenge." Tillis also recorded "Coca Cola Cowboy," featured in the Clint Eastwood flick ""Every Which Way but Loose." Tillis was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was 85. RIP. (TMZ)

Three's Company Actress Ann Wedgeworth Dead at 83: Reports. On Thursday, Ann Wedgeworth -- who was best known for her role on Three's Company -- died at the age of 83, according to multiple reports. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Diánna Martin -- one of Wedgeworth's daughter -- said her mother passed away in a nursing home close to New York City following a long illness. Variety also reported that she died peacefully and surrounded by her family. Before making a name for herself in TV and film, Wedgeworth performed on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for best performance by a featured actress in a play for her work in Neil Simon's Chapter Two in 1978. One year later, she joined the cast of Three's Company as Lana Shields, but was written off after nine episodes. In 1980, Wedgeworth told PEOPLE that she was abruptly dropped from the show two weeks before the holiday hiatus. "It was horrifying," she said. "I had no warning or explanation. Suddenly everyone was very cold to me. I went to tell John [Ritter] goodbye, and he was shocked -- no one had told him. Joyce DeWitt, at least, called to say something to me about it." Deadline reported that Wedgeworth is survived by her husband Ernie Martin and daughters Danae Torn and Diánna. Previously, Wedgeworth was married to actor Rip Torn. In 1980, Wedgeworth briefly told PEOPLE about the differences between her two husbands. "We both had violent tempers; two Aquariuses, you know. There was no way," she said about her five-year marriage to Torn. But she revealed that her second husband, director and acting coach Ernie Martin -- who asked her to marry him on their first date -- was the perfect match for her. "He's so good to me. He's a Sagittarius -- fire -- and I'm air." (People)

Project Runway's Wendy Pepper Dead At Age 53. Wendy Pepper, who competed on the first season of Project Runway, died earlier this week. She was 53. The Washington D.C. area-based artist, whose real name was Anne Eustis Pepper Stewart, passed away peacefully on Sunday surrounded by her family, according to a Washington Post obituary published on Friday. The cause of her death was not revealed. She is survived by her daughter Finley, her parents, three brothers, a sister and several nieces and nephews. Wendy competed on the first season of the reality show in 2004 and placed third. She also appeared on the second season of Project Runway All Stars, which aired in 2012 and 2013. "Her wit and humor were unmatched, as was her generosity of spirit," her obituary states. Wendy was born in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from Potomac School, the Madeira School, and the University of Washington. She designed and hand-sewed clothes for children and adults and was also a chef and a writer. "I realized I was a designer when I was living in Nepal," she said in a Project Runway All Stars video. "Dyeing some yarn, I suddenly turned to these people that I was living with and I started to drape the yarn. Oh my gosh, this is so much fun, I am creating this whole sort of experience with these women. For me, fashion is communication...That's when I knew this was my life's work." She said Project Runway taught her that "if you really want to succeed, you've gotta be willing to throw yourself into the arena." She is set to be laid to rest at a Georgetown church on December 1. (Eonline)

Malcolm Young, the co-founder of the legendary rock group AC/DC has died. Young had been suffering from dementia for several years and it appears the condition contributed to his death. The band says Malcolm died Saturday peacefully with his family by his bedside. Malcolm was the rhythm guitarist who founded the group with his brother Angus Young in 1973. The legendary band produced a string of monster hits, including "Highway to Hell," "Back in Black," "Thunderstruck" and "Hells Bells." The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Malcolm was replaced in 2014 by his nephew Stevie Young ... this after his health began to deteriorate. He's survived by his wife, 2 kids and 3 grandchildren. RIP. (TMZ)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Release New Royal Portrait in Honor of 70th Wedding Anniversary. Their platinum wedding anniversary is fast approaching! In honor of the upcoming 70th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Buckingham Palace released new royal portraits to mark the momentous occasion on Nov. 20. On Nov. 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth, 21, and Philip Mountbatten, 26, were wed at Westminster Abbey in London. Seventy years later, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh is 91 and 96 years old (respectively) and have been married longer than any other royal couple. The new portrait, taken by British photographer Matt Holyoak earlier this month, shows Elizabeth II and Prince Philip standing in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. For the official image, the monarch opted to wear the cream dress by Angela Kelly, along with a yellow gold, ruby and diamond "Scarab" brooch, designed by Andrew Grima and gifted to the couple in 1966. Seven decades ago, the couple had a headline-making wedding ceremony in front of 2,000 invited wedding guests. The nuptials were recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio to 200 million people around the globe. It is reported that the royal couple received over 2,500 wedding presents and around 10,000 telegrams congratulating them on their nuptials. The royals have four children, Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. (Eonline)

Prince Albert's Toddler Twins Steal the Show at Monaco's National Day Ceremony. Monaco's littlest royals, 2-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, joined their parents Prince Albert and Princess Charlene to celebrate National Day on Sunday, appearing twice to the joy of the gathered crowd. Jacques' blond head was visible just above the balustrade as the windows opened amid the ceremony. Beside him, his sister Princess Gabriella danced to the military band, occasionally throwing kisses and waving to the crowd. While Prince Albert took salutes in the palace forecourt below from the carabineri -- Monaco's soldiers, celebrating their 200th anniversary -- Princess Charlene doted on Jacques, primping his new haircut. Princess Charlene was dressed for the occasion in a deep blue coat with a wide-brimmed hat, while her mini-me Gabriella sported a dress decorated in flowers. When Prince Albert joined his family in the balcony window, he lifted Gabriella up into his arms while Princess Charlene held Jacques. The children then disappeared from the window and the period military cortege passed by. After the ceremonies ended, the crowd below waved flags and banners and cheered "Hip hip hoorary" to call for the royal family to return for another appearance. Prince Albert and a smiling Princess Charlene returned to wave to the crowd. When a call went up imploring "les enfants" come back to the window, Albert put his hands to the side of his head in mime, indicating the children had gone for a nap. The twins will celebrate their third birthday next month, on December 10th. (People)

Miss World 2017 Winner Is Miss India Manushi Chhillar. And the winner of the 2017 Miss World pageant is...Miss India Manushi Chhillar. Stephanie Hill, Miss England, was the first runner up and Miss Mexico Alma Andrea Meza Carmona was second runner up in the 67th Miss World contest. It's believed that 126 women from all around the globe took part in the pageant which occurred in the Sanya, China. But only one lucky lady could walk away with the crown, which eventually went to a 20-year-old medical student from Haryana, India. Stephanie Del Valle, the last year's Miss World winner from Puerto Rico, presented the honor at the Sanya City Arena. The big win for Miss India comes after the country's 17-year dry spell in the pageant. In 2000, Quantico star Priyanka Chopra won the crown. The TV and film star took to Twitter to congratulate Chhillar, writing, "And we have a successor! Congratulations @ManushiChhillar on becoming #MissWorld2017. cherish and learn, and most importantly enjoy it. Bravo." Chhillar is the sixth Indian woman to win the coveted title. Reita Faria was the first, claiming the title back in 1966. Film star Aishwariya Rai Bachchan won in 1994, Diana Haydon in 1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999 and Chopra in 2000. During the final five question and answer section, Chhillar was asked which profession she believes deserved the highest salary. According to Economic Times, she said, "I think a mother deserves the highest respect and when you talk about salary it's not always about cash but I feel it's the love and respect that you give to someone. My mother has always been the biggest inspiration in my life." She added, "All mothers sacrifice so much for their kids. So, I think it is the job of a mother that deserves the highest salary." We bet her mom liked that one! (Eonline)

Taylor Swift's literally putting up walls all around her, turning an historic landmark home into her own personal fortress that will be impenetrable to cameras -- if all goes according to her plan. Taylor obtained permits to block visibility to her Beverly Hills mansion ... including putting up a 6.5 ft tall cinder block wall by her front porch and a 7 ft high retaining wall by her tennis court. She also upgraded and remodeled her front gate -- emphasis on "up." Normally, this would be no big deal, but Taylor's crib -- purchased in 2015 -- was designated a historic landmark by the city of Beverly Hills. That means she gets a HUGE tax break, but it also means she has to jump through hoops to make the slightest alteration. Phil Saveni, president of the Beverly Hills Historical Society, tells us Tay Tay's changes are all good though because the walls won't "impact the integrity" of the home. Translation: It's full steam ahead at Chateau Swift! (TMZ)

Victoria's Secret staff thinks the Chinese are spying on their lingerie show. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debacle in China is becoming increasingly bizarre. While staffers for the lingerie giant scramble to get Monday's show in Shanghai back on track after a string of problems obtaining visas for models and performers such as Katy Perry and Gigi Hadid -- both of whom were denied -- as well as permits for press, they've been even more hampered by the fact that e-mails of VS show staffers and production crew are apparently being monitored by Chinese authorities. TV and media-industry insiders who are desperately trying to figure out what's going on amid the production chaos are getting frustrated by messages from colleagues in China simply saying that they can't speak frankly about the issues with the government because their communications are being watched. As The Post has reported, Perry -- who was booked to perform during the glitzy annual show -- had her visa application declined because she once showed support for Taiwan (which is in an independence struggle with China) during a Beijing concert. Victoria's Secret Angel Hadid has been rebuffed by officials because she once drew criticism for posing insensitively with a cookie shaped like the Buddha. Plus, fellow Angel Adriana Lima's visa application has been imperiled by an unknown "diplomatic issue." Said a source about the VS undie surveillance, "They want to discuss what's going on as far as replacements for those denied visas and alternative arrangements, but they have to be tight-lipped because it seems that the government is watching their e-mails," said a source. Media traveling to China for the event have also been thwarted by the authorities. We're told that many fashion bloggers have been denied visas, and TV producers have discovered that they need permits to shoot outside of the Mercedes-Benz Arena, where the show -- which will, fingers-crossed, air on CBS later this month -- is taking place. As one source put it, "If you're going to China you want to show that you're in China!" Victoria's Secret didn't get back to us. (PageSix)

Chrissy Teigen Joins Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2017 With Fans' Help. Just announced: Chrissy Teigen will not only take part in the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, but she will also close the show...according to Chrissy Teigen. The model and Lip Sync Battle host joked on several social media accounts on Saturday that she is in China for the show and will be the last to walk the runway. Teigen, known for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit pics, has never appeared at the annual event and is not one of numerous models confirmed to participate at this year's show, which takes place on Sunday U.S. time, "Hey guys, I'm in Shanghai, getting ready for the Victoria's Secret Fashion show," Teigen said in an Instagram Stories video posted on Saturday morning, the night after she cooked dinner for her husband John Legend and friends at home. "I'm nervous, but I think I'm gonna kill it." "Hey guys, here in Shanghai still, almost show time. I can't believe I am here. I get to walk in Victoria's Secret. It's like a dream come true. Thanks for coming to supporting me in Shanghai!" Teigen said in a Snapchat video, pointing her phone at a shirtless Legend, who wore just a towel. "Closing the show, baby! Closing the show, baby!" She joked on Instagram that she just squeezed in a last gym session for the show. She also showed a vase of flowers, joking, "Gisele Bündchen and Justin Bieber just sent me these to congratulate me on the show. All they're doing is making me nervous, I'm so nervous." "@chrissyteigen's troll level of the VS fashion show this morning is giving me life #mostlyabwork #VSFS2017," tweeted a fan, @user marisaewitter. Teigen retweeted her, writing, "No one is answering my phone calls or emails but I am here in Shanghai and ready for my fitting !!!!!!" On Twitter, Teigen posted a pic of several Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2017 models in Shanghai that was shared on the company's Instagram page, writing, "Can someone photoshop me into this?" A few fans heeded the call. Teigen retweeted some photos. One fan went the extra mile. "DON'T ASK ME WHY, i just edited your face in all of them bc why not? KJHJKAHSJKHKJH K," tweeted user @mileyisworth. (Eonline)

Lena Dunham Slammed on Social Media for Defending Girls Writer Accused of Rape. Lena Dunham faced heavy criticism on Twitter Friday night after she came to the defense of Girls writer Murray Miller, whom actress Aurora Perrineau alleged sexually assaulted her in 2012 when she was only 17. The Girls creator and star had released a statement earlier in the evening alongside series co-creator Jenni Konner, in which they voiced their support for Miller and insinuated that Perrineau "misreported" the rape. "While our first instinct is to listen to every woman's story, our insider knowledge of Murray's situation makes us confident that sadly this accusation is one of the 3% of assault cases that are misreported every year," the pair said in the statement. "It is a true shame to add to that number, as outside of Hollywood women still struggle to be believed. We stand by Murray and this is all we'll be saying about this issue." Dunham continued on Twitter: "I believe in a lot of things but the first tenet of my politics is to hold up the people who have held me up, who have filled my world with love." Critics of Dunham lashed out at the Golden Globe winner and outspoken feminist, many calling back to a tweet of hers in August when she made the claim that women don't lie about rape. "'Believe women, unless they say something about a friend of mine, in which case they are liars,'" one user wrote." "Never call yourself an advocate for women again because you've just proven that you are NOT," another critic said. Reps for Dunham, Miller and Perrineau did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Perrineau, daughter of Lost star Harold Perrineau, filed a complaint Friday about the alleged attack with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, according to The Wrap, which first reported the news. The 23-year-old claimed that she was 17 when she met Miller at L.A.'s Standard Hotel with friends. Admitting she "consumed some alcoholic beverages," she alleged Miller, then 35, asked them for a ride home, where they all went inside, reluctantly on her part, after arriving. In her statement for a polygraph test taken in September, she claimed she awoke naked in his bed where he was "having sexual intercourse with me," against her consent. Miller's attorney, Matthew Walerstein, told The Wrap he "categorically and vehemently denies Ms. Perrineau's outrageous claims," adding that his legal team had "gathered overwhelming evidence directly contradicting these false and offensive claims." (People)

Lena Dunham Apologizes for Defending Girls Writer Accused of Rape. Lena Dunham is used to causing a stir on social media, but the past couple days may have been more than the Girls creator, star and writer bargained for... On Saturday, Dunham issued an apology after taking to social media the day before to defend a former Girls writer Murray Miller after TheWrap reported that actress Aurora Perrineau had gone to police in Los Angeles on Friday and accused the writer of raping her in 2012 when she was 17 years old. The day before, the controversial star caused some intense Internet ire after defending Miller and seemingly attacking the accuser, who is the daughter of Lost star Harold Perrineau. But on Saturday, Dunham backpedaled on her and Jenni Konner's joint statement from Friday voicing their public support of Miller, sharing a remorseful post. Dunham wrote, "As feminists, we live and die by our politics, and believing women is the first choice we make every single day when we wake up. Therefore I never thought I would issue a statement publicly supporting someone accused to sexual assault but I naively believed it was important to share my perspective on my friend's situation as it has transpired being the scenes over the last few months." The lengthy apology continued, "I now understand that it was absolutely the wrong time to come forward with such a statement and I am so sorry. We have been given the gift of powerful voices and by speaking out we were putting our thing on the scale and it was wrong. We regret this decision with every fiber to our being..." "Every woman who comes forward deserves to be heard, fully and completely, and our relationship to the accused should not be part of the calculation anyone makes when examining her case. Every person and every feminist should be required to hear her. Under patriarchy, 'I believe you' is essential. Until we are all believed, none of us will be believed. We apologize to any woman who have been disappointed." On Friday, Dunham and Konner released a very different statement via The Hollywood Reporter in defense of their friend, writing, "While our first instinct is to listen to every woman's story, our insider knowledge of Murray's situation makes us confident that sadly this accusation is one of the 3% of assault cases that are misreported every year." They added, "It is a true shame to add to that number, as outside of Hollywood women still struggle to be believed. We stand by Murray and this is all we'll be saying about this issue." "Mr. Miller categorically and vehemently denies Ms. Perrineau's outrageous claims," attorney Don Walerstein said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "After being contacted several weeks ago by lawyers who -- on Ms. Perrineau's behalf -- sought substantial monetary damages from him, Mr. Miller's legal team gathered overwhelming evidence directly contradicting these false and offensive claims." The statement continued: "Only after her demands for money were rebuffed did Ms. Perrineau go to the police. Mr. Miller looks forward to sharing all evidence and information with any and all authorities seeking the truth in this matter." (Eonline)

Kathy Griffin Releases Damning Letter About Andy Cohen 'Rather Assertively' Having His Way With A Fling In The '80s. Kathy Griffin has just put Andy Cohen on blast for sexual misconduct. As you surely know, the two TV personalities have been feuding ever since Anderson Cooper replaced Kathy with Andy for CNN's New Year's Eve Live special. The decision came after the comedienne posed with a faux decapitated head that looked like Donald Trump. While the twosome's feud has consisted mostly of shady shots, Griffin escalated things by sharing a fan's claim that Cohen "rather assertively had his way with" the man around 30 years ago. The industry vet took to Twitter on Friday and posted: Kathy's tweet is a direct retaliation to Andy's "I Don't Know Her" comment from October. Andy really should've just admitted that he knew her. Smh. Anywho, the letter in question was penned by a man named Forrest (Griffin chose to protect the complainant's anonymity by blacking out his last name). According to the accuser, he met Cohen at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989 through a mutual friend. Although the sexual experience he had with Andy was an unsavory one, Forrest went along with it since he felt he had "met someone special." He wrote to Kathy: "It was very one-sided, and I was a sensitive idealistic young gay guy who thought, quite mistakenly, of course, that I might have met someone special. We didn't talk for more than a few minutes, and suddenly without a word he pushed [me] down on my bed. It was much more gratifying for him than it was for me as the interaction seemed entirely directed toward getting off. Like a spoiled kid with a new toy." Ugh. Following the encounter, Forrest felt used as Andy totally ghosted him. He added: "It was clear to me then that his interest in me was momentary, and I felt used." Cohen has yet to respond to this allegation. Nonetheless, we're certain he'll weigh in on this damning story sooner rather than later. We mean, how can he not??? (Perez Hilton)

Music

Harry Styles and 3 Others Confirmed as Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2017 Performers. Harry Styles has been officially confirmed to perform at the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, after main act Katy Perry's visa was denied. Ed Razek, executive producer of the annual event and the lingerie company's chief creative officer, said in a statement to People on Saturday that the male singer signed on months ago. "Also appearing are Grammy award-winning artist Miguel, Tony award-winning star of Hamilton Leslie Odom Jr., and Chinese sensation Jane Zhang," he said. "We are incredibly thrilled to have them with us." In early October, rumors swirled that both Styles and ex Taylor Swift would perform at the Victoria's Secret show after Swift fans circulated what many believed to be a press release from the Shanghai Culture, Radio, Film and Television Administration Bureau that stated that the singers had been issued administrative licenses to perform four songs in Shanghai on November 20 -- the date of the event. A couple of weeks ago, Perry was rumored to be a performer after a letter that she appeared to have sent requesting permission to perform in China was posted by the Chinese press and also circulated on Twitter. Rumors about Miguel performing also circulated on social media in recent days. None of the singers nor Victoria's Secret commented on the rumors. E! News learned on Friday that Perry would not be able to make it to China. A source said the singer "was looking forward to being the main star of the show, being able to promote her new album, and is bummed that her visa did not get accepted." The insider also said Perry and Styles "even talked about doing a few songs together." PageSix said Perry was initially was informed that she'd be able to gain access but that the decision was reversed after the Chinese government found out about her wearing a sunflower dress and a Taiwanese flag at a 2015 concert in Taipei, which China had perceived as a show of support for Taiwanese anti-China protesters. Perry and Victoria's Secret have not commented. Several models who were set to take part in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show were also denied entry to China. Gigi Hadid was supposed to return to the runway and announced earlier this week she wouldn't be able to make it to the country. She did not provide a reason. Her statement comes months after a video of her squinting purposely was criticized on Chinese social networks and spurred accusations of racism. Gigi apologized on China's site Weibo, saying, "I have learned to be very careful of how my actions can come off or be portrayed, and I'm hopeful you'll accept my apology." Her sister Bella Hadid was granted a visa and will be walking the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway for the second time. She and several other models who did make it to China for the event, including Victoria's Secret Angels Alessandra Ambrosio and Candice Swanepoel, posted pics upon their arrival. "Best brunette sandwich ever," wrote Swanepoel, alongside a photo of her standing in between Adriana Lima and Lily Aldridge. "Just a 'little' excited to see my girls and the venue for the next #VSfashionshow #shanghai," Ambrosio wrote on Instagram, alongside a selfie with several fellow models. #VsFashionShow Shanghai Countdown begins," wrote Lily Aldridge, alongside the same photo. (Eonline)

Meghan Trainor will fill the remaining seat on FOX's new singing competition "The Four" ... TMZ has learned. Production sources say FOX execs were noodling on 3 female candidates for the final spot -- Trainor, Fergie and BeBe Rexha. She'll be joined by some superstar talent on the panel ... DJ Khaled, Diddy and music honcho Charlie Walk. The show -- which has an emphasis on hip-hop -- features 4 contestants who will face challengers throughout the course of the season who try and knock them off their spots. The winner will start a music career mentored by "The Four" judges. We're told Meghan will actually tour with the winner and help launch the singer's career. The show is set to premiere in January. (TMZ)

Taylor Swift and her crew gave the world the finger ... WE'RE NUMBER 1!!! Swifty and the execs from Republic Records mugged for this shot ... released on the heals of the big news that her latest album, "Reputation," broke her personal best ... selling 1.29 million units in the first week. Taylor's also the first artist in history to have 4 albums debut north of 1 million copies in the first week. Adele has only done it once, the Backstreet Boys and N-Sync both did it twice. FUN FACT: Taylor and the folks at Republic clearly knew this was coming ... we're told the photo was taken a week ago in Nashville. (TMZ)

The global hit "Despacito" was the big winner at Thursday's Latin Grammy Awards, making good on all four of its nominations, including record and song of the year. Singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi dedicated his awards to his native Puerto Rico, as did several other artists throughout the three-hour show, which opened with a moment of silence for the storm-ravaged island. "I'm here because of Puerto Rico, and this song is a hymn to Puerto Rico," Fonsi said backstage. "Everything I do, and everything I will do, now more than ever, is to continue celebrating my island, my culture, my homeland and my music, and to make sure the public knows that Puerto Rico needs help." Lin-Manuel Miranda received the President's Merit Award at the ceremony, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and broadcast live on Univision. After giving an acceptance speech in Spanish and English, Miranda dedicated the award again and again to Puerto Rico. He thanked his wife, parents and many collaborators, and paid homage to his Puerto Rican roots. Miranda said he intended to remind the U.S. government that the residents of its island territory "are human beings, too." Rapper Residente, who topped all nominees with nine nods, opened the show with a tribute to his homeland, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the Puerto Rican flag as he performed his song "Hijos del Canaveral" ("Sons of Canaveral"). He also won two awards: urban album for his self-titled solo debut and urban song for "Somos Anormales" ("We Are Abnormal"). Ruben Blades won the top prize, album of the year, for "Salsa Big Band." Other winners included Shakira, who won for contemporary pop album, Juanes, who claimed the pop-rock album prize, and Vicente Garcia, who was named best new artist. Alejandro Sanz also received a special award. Juan Luis Guerra described him as "one of the most important composers in the Spanish-speaking world" as he presented Sanz with a golden gramophone statuette. As the Latin Recording Academy's 2017 Person of the Year, Sanz was feted during a starry ceremony earlier this week. On Thursday, he dedicated his award to the "dreamers" affected by President Donald Trump's suspension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. "These are our children," Sanz said, "the children of our community." He followed by performing a medley of his hits, closing with a group of young people onstage wearing T-shirts that read, "We have one dream." Most of the awards were presented during a pre-telecast ceremony, while the live broadcast is dominated by performances. Performers included Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Juanes, J Balvin, Lila Downs, CNCO, Mon Laferte, Nicky Jam and Carlos Vives. (Page Six)

Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line Team up for Bouncy Run Through 'Meant to Be' On 'Late Show'. You're probably used to seeing Bebe Rexha alongside rappers like Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz and Gucci Mane, but on The Late Late Show on Thursday night (Nov. 16) the songwriter who has penned hits for Eminem and Selena Gomez got her Nashville on when she joined Florida Georgia Line for the twangy "Meant To Be" from Rexha's recent All Your Fault: Pt. 2 EP. To begin, the performance featured FGL's Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard sitting on barstools, with Kelley sporting ripped jeans, boots, a wide-brimmed hat and a long kimono, while Hubbard rocked jeans and a jacket with a matching dark paisley pattern. And then, just as in the song's official video where Rexha is coaxed to join in on the guys' Wild West A Go-Go set, she waltzed on stage to sing the soothing hook. Throughout the song, a collage of images of the men as young children and what looked like baby Bebe, too -- scrolled by behind them. Rexha -- dressed in thigh-high boots and a flannel shirt over a snakeskin dress accentuated with dangling earrings and a chunky choker -- added energy to the laid-back performance, inspiring the guys to get up from their seats and bounce along with her. And if you were expecting a more choreographed performance, then you really weren't listening to the song as it is clearly stated over and over again that "If it's meant to be, it'll be." (Billboard)

Sia's New Album 'Everyday Is Christmas' Has Arrived. Christmas came early for Sia fans. The gift-giving season started Friday (Nov. 17), to be exact, with the release of the Aussie singer-songwriter's first holiday album, Everyday Is Christmas. Written by Sia and Greg Kurstin, Everyday Is Christmas is stuffed with 10 original tunes, including the previously released jazzy number "Santa's Coming For Us" and the ballad "Snowman." Sia recently explained the origins of the "accidental" album to Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe. "I thought we had a bit of a shortage of good Christmas music. There's obviously the classics and stuff, but anything new, I wasn't vibing that much on it," she said. Everyday Is Christmas, the follow-up to 2016's This Is Acting, was "easy and fun. So, we did it in two weeks," she recalled. "And I couldn't stop writing new songs -- so, I ended up with an original album by accident." Sia recently completed the North American leg of her headlining arena trek Nostalgic For The Present. Next up: a string of summer stadiums shows in Australia and New Zealand. (Billboard)

Stream Morrissey's New Album 'Low In High School'. Former Smiths frontman Morrissey has finally shared his new album Low In High School in full. Allegedly a "louder" and more "truthful" album with "a rage in the blood," the release promises to continue Morrissey's starkly sharp lyricism, now paired with tamer songs about the mundane. So far, we've heard "When You Open Up Your Legs," "I Wish You Lonely" and "Jacky's Only Happy When She's Up On The Stage." (Billboard)

Katy Perry Pays Tribute to Warped Tour As It Enters Final Year: 'Can't Skip the Steps, Gotta Pay Your Dues'. Katy Perry got right to the heart of Warped Tour's rich history with her throwback photo posted to Instagram early Friday (Nov. 17). Back in 2008, Perry sang on the same stage as many of pop punk's greatest acts during Warped Tour, a move which many artists consider to be the first step in the career of an alt-artist. The "Hot n Cold" singer was part of the Warped lineup for all but two dates of the trek, performing on the Hurley.com Stage in support of her album One Of the Boys, which had dropped earlier that summer. In her throwback photo, Perry is shown kneeling down on the Warped Tour stage, 2008 black locks thrown back as she sings her heart out to the presumably punk crowd. Perry captioned the photo, "Can't skip the steps, gotta pay your dues... Warped Tour 2008 #fbf." Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman had much to say about the not-so-typical Warped veteran during his recent interview with Billboard, adding to his list of hopefuls for the 2018 lineup, "Maybe Katy Perry wants to get back to her roots! That'd be awesome, huh? We'd have a spot for her. Thirty minutes, you know? [Laughs.]" Lyman added that she was the textbook definition of a good Warped Tour artist. "She exemplified the person that I so loved working with on tour," he explained. "She worked so hard. She was kind. Also, she's been an exemplary citizen with all her work for MusiCares and other charities. Maybe in a small way, Warped Tour helped with that." Will Perry hit the Warped Tour stage for old time's sake as it goes out for one last round during the summer of 2018? We'll have to wait and see. (Billboard)

Movies

Incredibles 2 Trailer Released by Disney-Pixar: Oh, Baby! Oh baby! The first Incredibles 2 trailer is here! Disney-Pixar finally dropped a teaser trailer for the sequel to the 2004 animated film on Saturday morning, thirteen years after the original movie hit theaters. The footage shows baby Jack-Jack demonstrating his new superpowers; he can move through walls and also shoots green lasers out of his eyes. "You have powers!" his dad, Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible, says as he picks the infant up. "Yeah, baby!" Incredibles 2 is scheduled to hit theaters in June 2018, one year earlier than originally planned. Last October, Disney announced that the Incredibles 2 release date had been moved up from June 2019 to June 15, 2018. "Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) is left to care for Jack-Jack while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world," a synopsis for the animated film reads on IMDB. Samuel L. Jackson has returned to voice Lucius Best/Frozone, Holly Hunter is back to voice Helen Parr/Elastigirl and Craig T. Nelson has returned to voice Mr. Incredible once again. Director Brad Bird also returned for the sequel and wrote the movie as well. The movie is set for release on June 15, 2018. Then tell us, how excited are you for the Incredibles 2? (Eonline)

Annette Bening prepped for her new movie in the middle of the night. Annette Bening prepped for her latest role as "It's a Wonderful Life" actress Gloria Grahame by asking Grahame's real-life, decades-younger paramour Peter Turner questions .?.?. in the middle of the night. Turner penned the tome on which the upcoming "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool" is based. He met Grahame when they were neighbors in London, and near the end of her life in the late '70s, Hollywood star Grahame requested to spend her final years at his parents' Liverpool home. "He really loved her in a way that we would all want to be loved," Bening said at Le Cirque. "He was very open. I would think of something in the middle of the night and get up and e-mail him a question." Jamie Bell plays Turner. (PageSix)

8 Mile Is Coming to Netflix in December. Get ready to lose yourself. E! News can confirm that 8 Mile is coming to Netflix this December. The Oscar-winning film starring Eminem will be available to stream Dec. 1. For those who don't remember the 2002 film, 8 Mile is inspired by Eminem's life. Aspiring rapper Jimmy "B-Rabbit" (Eminem) moves back to Detroit's 8 Mile district and faces a number of life challenges. Even though his situation seems grim, Jimmy begins to compete in local rap battles and works to overcome these hurdles to make his dreams come true. Besides Eminem, the movie features Kim Basinger Mekhi Phifer, and the late Brittany Murphy. The rapper also created the song "Lose Yourself" for the film. Both the movie and the song experienced great success. "Lose Yourself" ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003, as well as a Grammy for Best Rap Song. Eminem also won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor in a Drama or Action Adventure, as well as Choice Breakout Star. He also took home an MTV Movie and TV Award in the category for Best Male Performance. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the film's debut. Watch the video to see some of the film's cast members talk about the film. (Eonline)

Marvel Names New Editor-in-Chief as Axel Alonso Exits. C.B. Cebulski has been named as new boss of the company's comic book line. In a surprise move Friday, Marvel Entertainment announced that C.B. Cebulski has been named the new editor-in-chief of its comic book line, replacing Axel Alonso, who had served in that position since 2011. Cebulski has spent recent years headquartered in Shanghai, negotiating publishing deals with Japan, China and South Korea for Marvel. Speaking to the New York Times, he described his new role as "an honor," adding, "I'm blown away by the opportunity." He was previously the company's SVP of Creative & Creator Development and international brand manager following stints as an editor and writer for Marvel. Marvel describes Alonso's departure from the company as a mutual decision, but it should be noted that his tenure as editor-in-chief coincided with a dip in Marvel's comic book sales, culminating in the recent Legacy relaunch that has both underwhelmed fans and underperformed in terms of sales numbers. The shakeup also comes as superstar writer Brian Michael Bendis left Marvel for DC earlier this month. In a statement, Marvel President Dan Buckley said, "C.B. is one of the most well-known, liked and respected editors and personalities in the comics industry. He has a keen understanding of the Marvel brand, and knows the importance of publishing within the larger Marvel ecosystem." Possibly hinting at new directions for the company's publishing program, Buckley continued, "As our characters continue to reach unprecedented levels of global popularity, we need to ensure our core comic business sets the standard with fresh and compelling graphic storytelling that excites both our longtime fan base and new fans. Marvel has set a high bar for super hero stories for over 75 years, and we believe C.B. is perfectly positioned to take Marvel Comics to new heights." (Hollywood Reporter)

Weekend Box Office: 'Justice League' Earns $13M in Thursday Previews. DC's superhero mashup opened behind Marvel's 'Thor: Ragnarok.' Justice League flew to $13 million in Thursday-night previews. Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment's long-in-the-making superhero mashup -- teaming Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash -- opened behind Thor: Ragnarok, which pulled in $14.5 million in previews two weeks ago for Marvel Studios and Disney. The preview numbers beat that of Wonder Woman, which earned $11 million in previews in June earlier this year. Justice League, which is projected to clear $110 million in its U.S. debut from 4,501 theaters, stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Amy Adams, J.K. Simmons, Jesse Eisenberg and Willem Dafoe. The movie is also unfurling internationally for an expected global launch upwards of $325 million. Earlier this year, Zack Snyder turned over directing duties to Avengers helmer Joss Whedon to deal with a family tragedy. Whedon penned the Justice League script with Chris Terrio. The movie has divided critics, and currently sports a rotten 37 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The story picks up after the events in Snyder's 2016's Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, as Batman and Wonder Woman assemble a team to defeat a new villain. The family drama Wonder, starring Julia Roberts Owen Wilson, also debuts nationwide this weekend. Wonder stars Room breakout Jacob Tremblay as a young boy with a facial deformity who attends a mainstream school for the first time. Stephen Chbosky directed the adaptation of R.J. Palacio's acclaimed novel. Lionsgate, Participant Media, Walden Media and Mandeville Films partnered on Wonder, which is tracking to open in the $9 million range from 3,096 theaters. Rolling out in more than 2,800 locations is faith-based animated family movie The Star, which is projected to open to roughly $7 million. Steven Yeun, Gina Rodriguez, Keegan-Michael Key and Oprah Winfrey lend their voices to the Sony/Affirm title. The movie, directed by Timothy Reckart, tells the nativity story through the eyes of animals. Affirm produced The Star with Sony Pictures Animation, Walden, Franklin Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company on the film. New openers at the specialty box office include Sony's Roman J. Israel, Esq. Denzel Washington stars in the thriller as a legal savant and Los Angeles attorney who is offered a job at a prestigious law firm after the death of his longtime partner. He then takes on a case that has life-altering repercussions. Nightcrawler helmer Dan Gilroy directs. (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

Nashville to End (For Real) After Season 6. The song has come to an end. Again. Nashville has been canceled by CMT, with the upcoming sixth season serving as its last. The country drama's final outing, which will be 16 episodes, will premiere Jan. 4, with the show set to air its series finale in summer 2018. "All of us on Nashville are so incredibly grateful to the show's fans, who convinced CMT to give us a chance to keep telling the story of these remarkable characters," executive producer Marshall Herskovitz said in a statement. "And we want to return the favor with a final season that celebrates all the joys and passions, twists and turns -- and amazing music! -- that made Nashville such an exciting journey for the last six years." "After more than 120 episodes of unforgettable television, we believe that creatively it is time for the series to come to its triumphant close at the end of the upcoming season" Kevin Beggs, chairman of Lionsgate Television Group, said in a statement. "We're very proud of our incredibly talented cast and crew, the creative brilliance of our showrunners, and the loyal support of our great partners at CMT, Hulu and ABC Studios. Most importantly, we owe a special debt of thanks to the Nashville fans who propelled the series to an incredible run. We owe it to them to make the sixth season the most exciting and memorable of all." Not returning for the final season is Rachel Bilson, who joined the show in season five. In May 2016, Nashville was axed by ABC after four seasons, but CMT swooped in to save the show soon after. Though most of the original stars made the transition to the new network, Connie Britton was killed off the show in season five. "Thank you Rayna Jaymes," Britton wrote on Instagram after the shocking episode aired, "For your magic and your dignity. And thank you to all the creators of Rayna Jaymes, for there were many." Nashville's sixth and final season will premiere Jan. 4 on CMT. (Eonline)

Did Scandal's Fall Finale Really Just Kill [Spoiler]? "Wanna see the body?" Those weren't exactly the words that Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) wanted to hear in the final moments of her biggest showdown yet with that nasty Papa Pope (Joe Morton), but they were the ones he uttered after calling her bluff in the Scandal fall finale and seemingly murdering (off-screen, of course) Quinn (Katie Lowes) and her unborn baby. Yes, after Quinn went missing last week, our biggest suspicion was proven true when Eli let his daughter know he was holding her hostage in order to get his damn bones back. That's right, this whole thing was about dinosaur bones! "You have a soul left, Olivia. You will not let that girl die," Eli told his daughter after pulling a gun on her. However, she wasn't backing down. She called in a kill order for Eli, gives him 20 minutes to live. "You think there's a soft chewy center in here. You do think that. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why." She read him the riot act for how he continuously destroyed her life, and honestly, she wasn't wrong. 'You made me in your own image. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, poisoned as it may be...So why would you think I would choose Quinn over the Republic?" "If Quinn has to die for the Republic, then she has to die," she reiterated. Of course, Liv was bluffing and expected her father to fold. Until he didn't. She didn't handle hearing those gunshots well, but composed herself well enough for her dad to return to the room and offer the cruel taunt to show her the body. So, is Quinn really dead? Normally, without seeing the body without own eyes, we err on the side of caution before presuming a main character has been offed. But Lowes and creator Shonda Rhimes' tweets immediately after the finale finished have us thinking that really may have been the end of the road for ol' Quinn Perkins. "It's the final season you guys, you know we had to go all out. We are happy that @KatieQLowes can have this time with her baby," Rhimes told her followers. Lowes sent out a couple of messages on the social media site. "Thank you to the @ScandalWriters @shondarhimes for this time with my baby. And for Quinn," she wrote. "Can't even tell you how much I miss my #Scandal fam...and most of all. You #gladiators. Thank you. Love you. Thank you." So we turn to you, Scandal fans: Is Quinn really dead? Or are they trying to pull a fast one on us? Scandal returns to finish up its final season on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. on ABC. (Eonline)

'True Detective': Carmen Ejogo to Star Opposite Mahershala Ali in Season 3. She's the second person cast in the upcoming cycle of Nic Pizzolatto's anthology. The third season of HBO anthology True Detective is beginning to take shape. Carmen Ejogo (Selma) has been tapped to star opposite Mahershala Ali in the forthcoming cycle of the Nic Pizzolatto drama. Season three will tell the story of a macabre crime in the heart of the Ozarks and a mystery that deepens over decades and plays out in three separate time periods. Ejogo will play the female lead, Amelia Reardon, an Arkansas schoolteacher with a connection to two missing children in 1980. Ali (Moonlight) stars as Wayne Hays, a state police detective from Northwest Arkansas. Ejogo will next be seen in Dan Gilroy's Roman J. Israel, Esq., opposite Denzel Washington. She currently stars in the second season of Starz anthology The Girlfriend Experience. Her feature credits include It Comes at Night, Alien: Covenant and the upcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald. She's best known for her role as Coretta Scott King in Ava DuVernay's Selma and Born to Be Blue. Ejogo is repped by WME, Anonymous Content and Conway Van Gelder in the U.K. Pizzolatto, who created the series, will serve as showrunner and direct alongside relative newcomer Jeremy Saulnier. Executive producers include Pizzolatto, Saulnier, Scott Stephens and season one stars Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey as well as original director Cary Joji Fukunaga. Anonymous Content's Steve Golin, Bard Dorros and Richard Brown will also be credited as exec producers. (Hollywood Reporter)

Rev. Run Family Comedy Nabs Netflix Series Pickup. It's a success story for the comedy, passed over for pilot at ABC and filmed as a presentation because producers Amblin and ABC Studios believed in the concept. ABC's pass is Netflix's gain. The streaming giant has handed out a 10-episode series pickup to an untitled comedy starring Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons and his wife, Justine Simmons. The multicamera comedy stars Rev. Run as a legendary rapper whose plans for slowing down are thwarted when his wife Justine (played by his real-life wife, Justine) decides to pursue her own dreams. While Rev and Justine have starred in several reality shows over the years, this is their first scripted family sitcom playing characters loosely inspired by themselves. (Rev. Run was a founding member of Run-D.M.C. and is a practicing minister.) The Rev. Run comedy has an interesting backstory. ABC landed the script, from ABC Studios and Amblin Television, in October 2016 with a sizable penalty attached after a multiple-network bidding war. The Disney-owned broadcaster then passed on picking up the multicamera comedy to pilot. ABC Studios and Amblin Television believed in the comedy, from creator Jeremy Bronson (Speechless), and asked ABC Studios to divert their individual penalties back into shooting a "guerrilla"-style pilot presentation, similar to what 20th Century Fox Television did with Cristela three years ago. (That resulted in a series pickup.) ABC Studios obliged, offering the extra money to help deliver a competitive budget. The pilot took over the Black-ish soundstage after the ABC hit wrapped for the season and filmed a multicamera/hybrid comedy. ABC had the first-look window at the project in May and passed, with the project shopped to broadcast, cable and streaming platforms afterward. That's when Netflix came in. Bronson penned the script for the comedy. Andrew Reich (Friends) will serve as showrunner. The duo executive produce alongside Rev. Run and his manager, Michael Lehmann of Simmons Lehman Productions, Justine Simmons and Amblin Television co-presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey. The comedy hails from ABC Signature Studios. Production will begin in January. Rev. Run has become a staple on television with reality shows including Rev Run's Renovation, Rev Run's Sunday Suppers and MTV's Run's House, the latter of which ran for six seasons and featured Simmons and his family. For Bronson, the Rev. Run comedy is his second series pickup of the year following ABC's single-camera comedy The Mayor, which this week received an order for three additional scripts as it awaits a potential full-season pickup. Amblin TV, meanwhile, next has NBC drama Reverie, starring Sarah Shahi, awaiting a premiere date at NBC. That joins a roster of scripted originals that includes CBS' Michael Weatherly drama, Bull, and FX critical favorite The Americans. The Rev. Run comedy becomes the latest ABC Studios series on Netflix that includes its Marvel dramas. This is the second passed-over pilot from last season's crop to land a series pickup at Netflix. The streaming giant in June picked up Debby Ryan starrer Insatiable to series after the CBS Television Studios-produced pilot narrowly missed a series pickup at The CW. (Hollywood Reporter)