ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Kellan Lutz and Brittany Gonzales Are Married. Kellan Lutz is officially off the market! The actor, best known for his past role of the vampire Emmett Cullen in the Twilight films, and girlfriend Brittany Gonzales, a TV host, posted on Instagram on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, the same photo of the two wearing wedding rings and holding up books that read "Mr." and "Mrs." Brittany is wearing two eternity wedding bands in between a large diamond halo engagement ring. Kellan is wearing a plain, thick gold band. Both are wearing black clothes. Very incognito! Kellan also shared on his Instagram Stories feed a photo of the two appearing as bride and groom emojis. Neither gave any details about when and where a wedding took place. "Thanksgiving by far is my most favorite holiday of all," Kellan wrote. "I try to live a lifestyle of gratitude and appreciate everyone and everything I have every day. This year has been the best year of them all and I am extremely thankful and grateful to go on all of life's adventures with my best friend and dream wife!!! Proverbs 18:22! Thank you God! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH @brittanybg. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! What are you grateful for??" Brittany, who now goes by "Brittany Lutz" on Instagram, shared an almost identical post: "If you know me at all you know Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday of them all!!" she said. "While I try to live everyday grateful for everything and everyone in my life, this Thanksgiving one of the things I'm most grateful for is that I get to do life's adventures with this guy aka my HUSBAND for the rest of our lives!!!!! I love you so much @kellanlutz Happiest Thanksgiving to you all!! What are you thankful for?!" She also wrote on Twitter, "Most thankful for my HUSBAND this year...love you @kellanlutz." "Happy Thanksgiving and a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to this gorgeous couple on your wedding!!" photographer Blake Ballard wrote on his own Instagram page. "So grateful to have been able to work with y'all before the big day! Kellan and Brittany." Kellan and Brittany met in 2016 and first started sharing pics of each other on Instagram last winter. Kellan confirmed their engagement this past October making a guest appearance on Steve Harvey's show Steve. The actor's bride used to work in the audience department for the talk show host's series Family Feud in Atlanta. (Eonline)

Jordin Sparks Expecting Baby Boy With Dana Isaiah. Jordin Sparks has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The former American Idol winner and beau Dana Isaiah announced last week that they secretly wed in July and are expecting their first child together. On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, they announced on her Instagram page that she is pregnant with a baby boy. "IT'S A BOY!!!" she wrote, alongside a photo of her and Isaiah holding blue streamer paper. "We have so much to be thankful for and this is definitely at the top of the list!" she continued. "@_danaisaiah's gonna have a little mini me running around! We can't wait to meet him. We love you lil man!" Sparks, 27, had revealed this past summer that she was seeing Isaiah, a 25-year-old model and fitness enthusiast. Their child is due in the spring. (Eonline)

Seth Meyers and wife Alexi Ashe expecting baby boy. Seth Meyers' family is growing. The late-night host made the announcement a family affair as he revealed the happy news during Thursday night's "Late Night with Seth Meyers," with his parents and brother as guests. "A couple years ago on this show, we announced that we were having Ashe," Meyers said of when he and his wife, Alexi Ashe, 33, were pregnant with their first son. "So I wanna take this opportunity now ... my wife and I are expecting a second baby," he told the audience. The 43-year-old's mother, Hillary, immediately chimed in and told the story of how she heard the news. "I have to say I get the phone call, and my Seth is sometimes a crier, so he's crying on the phone and he can't catch his breath he's like sobbing and said, 'We're gonna have another baby,'" she recalled, noting that her son was especially emotional because he was hoping for a boy due to the fond relationship Meyers has with his brother, Josh. A source confirmed to Page Six that Meyers is getting his wish as the couple of four years are expecting a boy. Although they're not set on a name yet, Meyers' dad, Larry, is set on Albert after numerous family dogs. Meyers and his wife's first son was born in March 2016. (PageSix)

Larry King rings in 84 without wife amid rumored rift. Tongues began to wag this week after Larry King celebrated his 84th birthday without his wife, Shawn, amid reports that their -- 20-year marriage is on the rocks. But Larry tells us that while the legendary broadcaster did have a birthday dinner Monday with his brother's widow and a longtime pal in New York, Shawn joined him Tuesday night for a big family celebration in LA instead. Larry -- who turned 84 last Sunday -- flew into New York early last week for the International Emmys at the Hilton in Midtown, and we're told that Shawn had been scheduled to join him but instead canceled at the last minute with a sinus infection. When Larry celebrated his big day with dinner at BLT Steak with sister-in-law Ellen Zeiger -- the widow of his recently deceased brother, Marty Zieger -- and the author Herb Cohen, family sources whispered to Page Six that Shawn skipped the celebration and that they were skeptical about her "sinus" excuse. But Larry assures Page Six that Shawn did -indeed stay home because she was sick and that they celebrated together with a big dinner at the Palm in Beverly Hills, Calif., Tuesday night with around 16 family members, some of whom had flown in from Florida for the occasion. The celebration comes amid a tumultuous time for the couple, who have been married for two decades. Multiple publications -- including Page Six -- have reported that the pair have come close to divorce in recent months, in part because of Shawn's 2016 affair with public- speaking coach Richard Greene. On Monday, while presenting the documentary International Emmy, Larry discussed his famous 1994 interview with Marlon Brando. According to the Hollywood Reporter, King said, "At the end of that interview, Marlon Brando kissed me on the lips," and added, "I'd never been kissed on the lips by a man up until that moment, and [I've] got to tell you the truth tonight: I can't stop thinking about it." (PageSix)

Emma Watson and William "Mack" Knight Split: Reports. Emma Watson has called it quits with William "Mack" Knight. The 27-year-old former Harry Potter actress had ended her relationship with her tech entrepreneur boyfriend after two years of dating, according to multiple reports. Watson, who is notoriously private about her personal life, has never spoken about her relationship with Knight publicly. However, the pair have been photographed together multiple times over the past couple of years. The duo sparked romance rumors in early 2016 after reportedly going on a trip to Big Sur together. "Mack is just a normal, down-to-earth guy who has nothing to do with Hollywood, and Emma loves that," a source told The Sun at the time. "She was left really hurt by her break-up with Matthew [Janney] and it's taken her more than a year to feel ready to start again with somebody. They're really happy with each other and see each other whenever Emma does not have work commitments." Watson and Knight were last spotted in public together in the spring. On Thursday, the actress appeared in good spirits as she spent the day with a friend in Paris. E! News has reached out to her rep for comment. (Eonline)

Jennifer Lawrence and Darren Aronofsky Split. Jennifer Lawrence is no longer Darren Aronofsky's muse. The actress, 27, and director, 48, have broken up after a year of dating, a source tells E! News. The exes' last public appearance together was at the Governors Awards in L.A. Nov. 11, and the breakup occurred last month. "It was amicable and they are still friends," the source says. Entertainment Tonight first reported news of Lawrence and Aronofsky's breakup Wednesday. The former couple fell in love while making the movie controversial (and poorly received) movie mother!, co-starring Javier Bardem, Domhhnall Gleeson, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kristen Wiig. Earlier this week, Lawrence spoke about the origins of her romance with Aronofsky in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter's "Awards Chatter" podcast; currently, it's unclear when the interview took place. "I had a crush on him when he pitched to me, and that was a year before we started rehearsing. But he was a professional, which only made it worse for me," the actress said. "We just kind of formed a friendship. He knew how I felt; he never told me how he felt. I mean, I assumed. And then friendship turned into a partnership once we started working. And when the movie was done, I was like, 'Alright, you're my boyfriend.'" As a director, Aronofsky is an "amazing communicator," Lawrence said, "which comes in handy for the relationship." Calling him "incredibly imaginative," she praised the way in which he's able to communicate with actresses, saying, "You completely see it the way he sees it. You're like, 'Oh, OK. I'll do that.' There's amount of control that's comforting...There's also an air of freedom." The exes were first linked in October 2016, but Lawrence didn't speak about their romance publicly until she graced the September 2017 cover of Vogue. "When I saw the movie, I was reminded all over again how brilliant he is," she said of Aronofsky, calling him an "amazing father." As for how they fell for each other, Lawrence cryptically said she had "energy" for him. "I normally don't like Harvard people, because they can't go two minutes without mentioning that they went to Harvard...He's not like that," said Lawrence, who never attending college. "I've been in relationships before where I am just confused. And I'm never confused with him." (Eonline)

Jennifer Lawrence Wants to Take Acting Break and Milk Goats on a Farm. Jennifer Lawrence wants to take an acting hiatus and return to her country roots. The Oscar winner, who grew up on a horse farm in Louisville, Kentucky, says she plans on taking some time off, saying, "I want to get a farm" and "I want to be, like, milking goats." Lawrence made her comments to ELLE in an interview published in the magazine's November 2017 issue and online on Saturday. Suffice to say, the actress -- one of the highest-paid in the world, has been busy, acting continuously since 2006. For the past seven years, she has filmed an average of three movies a year. In recent years, she wowed with her performances as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games films and as Raven, aka Mystique, in the new X-Men movies. She will reprise her role as the mutant in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which is set for release next year. Also in 2018, she can be seen playing a spy in the movie Red Sparrow. ELLE said that Lawrence plans to take an acting break and focus on her work with the political corruption–fighting nonprofit group Represent.Us before filming two more projects: the Adam McKay film Bad Blood -- a biopic of fallen Theranos blood test company founder Elizabeth Holmes, and a comedy film with Amy Schumer. (Eonline)

William Moseley lost his wallet Saturday ... and he's worried about losing his show, "The Royals." We got William at LAX where he was on the hunt for his wallet .. seems he left it on the plane. The actor is reeling from allegations the show's creator and executive producer Mark Schwahn sexually harassed a number of female cast and crew members, including Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz and Alexandra Park. Schwahn has been suspended as the production company investigates. The show is wrapped for season 4 and there's been no word if there will be a season 5. William is angry that someone would abuse their power and trust, and he's concerned the show he loves might now be in jeopardy. (TMZ)

Willow Smith thinks she has a 'terrible' life. Willow Smith genuinely believes she has a tough life due to growing up in the spotlight as the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. "I'm going to be completely and utterly honest, it's absolutely terrible," Willow, 17, lamented to Girl Gaze in an interview released Friday. "Growing up and trying to figure out your life ... while people feel like they have some sort of entitlement to know what's going on, is absolutely, excruciatingly terrible -- and the only way to get over it, is to go into it," she said. "You can't change your face. You can't change your parents. You can't change any of those things." Willow admitted that social media plays a role in her struggle with fame. "I feel like most kids like me end up going down a spiral of depression, and the world is sitting there looking at them through their phones, laughing and making jokes and making memes at the crippling effect that this lifestyle has on the psyche," she said. "When you're born into it, there are two choices that you have: I'm either going to try to go into it completely and help from the inside, or no one is going to know where I am and I'm really going to take myself completely out of the eye of society. There's really no in-between." Will previously revealed that he only realized Willow's ambivalence toward show business in 2012, when she shaved the very hair she rapped about during her "Whip My Hair" tour. "We came downstairs and she had shaved her head bald," Will recalled on Jay-Z's "Footnotes of Adnis," released in August. "She shaved her head bald in the middle of her 'Whip My Hair' tour. I was like, 'Oh, s -- t.' ... I'm looking at that girl and I'm like, 'Got it. I understand. You will not have this trouble out of me ever again. Let's go, baby. We can go.'" (PageSix)

Naya Rivera Arrested for Domestic Battery After Allegedly Assaulting Husband Ryan Dorsey. Former Glee star Naya Rivera has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after an alleged altercation with her husband of three years, Ryan Dorsey. Kanawha County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Brian Humphreys told E! News that a police deputy responded to a call about a domestic violence complaint at a residence in Chesapeake, West Virginia on Saturday and talked to Dorsey, who said Rivera struck him in the head and face. The officer saw minor injuries consistent with Dorsey's statement. Rivera's husband also showed deputies a video made during the incident, which also supported his account of the incident, the spokesperson said. Rivera has not commented. CNN quoted a criminal complaint as saying that Dorsey told officers that Rivera hit him in the head and on the bottom lip while they were taking their 2-year-old son Josey for a walk down a street. The actress was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. She was arraigned in court and then released on bond. E! News has reached out to a rep for the actress, who starred as Santana Lopez on the hit FOX series from 2009-2015. WCHS-TV reporter Kalea Gunderson shared a video of the arraignment on Twitter, which showed the teary actress in front of a judge. "You have been charged with a misdemeanor domestic battery," said the judge. "Do you know what you have been charged with?" "Yes, your honor," the star said quietly. According to Kalea's following tweets, "Criminal complaint states Rivera's husband Ryan Dorsey told police she struck him in the head and bottom lip when they were on a walk with their child." The reporter then tweeted that Naya was released on bond and picked up by her father-in-law. CNN reported that during her brief court appearance, Rivera said she plans to hire an attorney. If convicted, she could be sentenced to a maximum of a year in prison and a fine of up to $500. Last month, E! News can confirm the 30-year-old former Glee star was no longer moving forward with her divorce from Dorsey, who is from West Virginia. She filed a request for dismissal of the divorce paperwork, which she originally filed in November of 2016. On Thanksgiving day, the actress posted a smiling and happy photo of the couple's son. The photo is tagged with Dorsey's name and captioned, "Josey is the cuteeeest!! #joseyhollisdorsey #nayarivera #ryandorsey #thanksgiving." At the time of the reconciliation news, a source told E! News, "She is back together with Ryan Dorsey. They want to make it work for the sake of their son." Meanwhile, Rivera dated the Pitch actor before breaking up and getting engaged to Big Sean in 2013. However, when the rapper called off the wedding a year later, she immediately reunited with Dorsey. They got married three months after getting back together, tying the knot in a secret wedding ceremony in Mexico in July 2014. (Eonline)

Nick Carter Accused of Rape by Dream Singer Melissa Schuman, Says He's "Shocked and Saddened" by the Allegations. Nick Carter is "shocked and saddened" by Melissa Schuman's claims that he raped her when she was 18 years old. After the DREAM singer and actress came forward with the allegations against the Backstreet Boys member in a post published to her website, the 37-year-old pop star claimed in a response that Schuman "never expressed" that anything they did was not consensual and this was the first time he has heard the accusations. "I am shocked and saddened by Ms. Schuman's accusations," he said in a statement to E! News. "Melissa never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual. We went on to record a song and perform together, and I was always respectful and supportive of Melissa both personally and professionally. This is the first that I am hearing about these accusations, nearly two decades later. It is contrary to my nature and everything I hold dear to intentionally cause someone discomfort or harm." The events the allegations stem from date back to the early '90s when Schuman claims they were together at Carter's apartment for a "casual hangout" with his friend and her friend. However, they were not entirely strangers to each other as Carter had allegedly requested a call with her after he had shown romantic interest. "I was transparent with my then boyfriend about the call and assured him I had no interest but needed to at least accept his call out of respect and courtesy to my label." Later single, both starring in the same TV movie and at his apartment, Schuman claimed Carter asked if she wanted to go to his office to listen to some of his new music, to which she agreed, and they soon started kissing. Having abided by "religious conservative Christian values," Schuman was a virgin and wrote "everyone knew about this." However, after she claims he took her into a bathroom, Schuman said she didn't want to go any further, but Carter allegedly unbuttoned her pants and performed oral sex. "I told him to stop, but he didn't. So I turned off the bathroom light so I wouldn't see anything," she alleged. "He kept turning the light back on because he told me he wanted to look at me. I remember thinking at that point that maybe after this he will just stop, but he didn't." After someone needed to use the bathroom, she claims he took her to another bathroom, asked her to perform oral sex on him, which she rejected, and then he allegedly placed her hand on his penis. "My thought was the only way to get out was to get him to finish what he had started. That's where I saw myself, my reflection, watching myself do something that I was sicken by. Watching myself be assaulted, forced to engage in an act against my will," she alleged in her post. Inside another bedroom, she claims he raped her after she said she did not want to have sex and was saving herself for her future husband. Schuman wrote she later signed with Carter's manager, who she thought "could help me make my mark as a recording artist." She wrote she later recorded a duet with Carter as part of a "showcase" for a major label, though they recorded their parts separately. However, they saw each other again when it came time to perform the song at the showcase. As she described, their conversation backstage was terse. "I was uninterested, un-engaging, unappreciative and it upset him further to hear that I was in a relationship that I was happy in," she wrote. Despite what sounded like initial interest, Schuman claims the label no longer wanted to sign her and her manager sounded uninterested in working on her career further. Schuman said she eventually told family, friends, her therapist and manager about the alleged rape. However, her manager allegedly told her Carter had "the most powerful litigator in the country." "I didn't have the money, the clout or access to an attorney who was powerful enough to stand up against my abuser's legal counsel. I was told I would likely be buried in humiliation, accused of being fame hungry, and it would ultimately hurt me professionally as well as publicly," she explained in her post. Schuman was reluctant to relive the pain of the event by coming forward publicly. However, after seeing victim-shaming comments online this year, she felt compelled to share her story. "I feel I have an obligation now to come forward with the hope and intention to inspire and encourage other victims to tell their story. We are stronger in numbers," she wrote. "If you are reading this and you have been assaulted, know you don't have to be silent and you are not alone. I know it's scary. I'm scared." (Eonline)

Russell Simmons' Accuser Tells Megyn Kelly He Privately "Apologized." Just days after Russell Simmons and Brett Ratner were accused by Keri Claussen Khalighi of teaming up to allegedly carry out misconduct, she's sharing more allegations with Megyn Kelly. In a Los Angeles Times report published on Sunday, Nov. 19, model Khalighi claimed that in 1991, when she was 17, Simmons coerced her into performing oral sex on him, while Ratner allegedly watched. Khalighi also claimed that she then went to take a shower and that Simmons then allegedly "walked up behind her in the shower and briefly penetrated her without her consent." Simmons denied the claims in a statement to E! News over the weekend. "I completely and unequivocally deny the horrendous allegations of non-consensual sex against me with every fiber of my being," Simmons said, adding that he is a "supporter of the #MeToo campaign and the victims who were previously terrified to stand up and speak out against sexual misconduct." Ratner's attorney told the L.A. Times that the producer had "no recollection" of Khalighi asking him for help and denied witnessing her "protest." Just days after Russell Simmons and Brett Ratner were accused by Keri Claussen Khalighi of teaming up to allegedly carry out misconduct, she's sharing more allegations with Megyn Kelly. In a Los Angeles Times report published on Sunday, Nov. 19, model Khalighi claimed that in 1991, when she was 17, Simmons coerced her into performing oral sex on him, while Ratner allegedly watched. Khalighi also claimed that she then went to take a shower and that Simmons then allegedly "walked up behind her in the shower and briefly penetrated her without her consent." Simmons denied the claims in a statement to E! News over the weekend. "I completely and unequivocally deny the horrendous allegations of non-consensual sex against me with every fiber of my being," Simmons said, adding that he is a "supporter of the #MeToo campaign and the victims who were previously terrified to stand up and speak out against sexual misconduct." Ratner's attorney told the L.A. Times that the producer had "no recollection" of Khalighi asking him for help and denied witnessing her "protest." Simmons also tweeted a response to the L.A. Times article in which he says, "Everything that happened between us 26 years ago was completely consensual and with Keri's full participation. We spent time in my apartment over a period of two days and one night, as well as at some public places including Nell's Nightclub. Much of the time we were in the presence of other acquaintances. I'm deeply saddened and truly shocked to learn of Keri's assertions as to what happened over the course of that weekend." Khalighi appeared on Megyn Kelly TODAY on Wednesday and shared her thoughts on Simmons' statement. "I don't even know what to say about the everything was consensual, and I had full participation, I almost don't even want to speak against that because it's ludicrous," Khalighi told host Megyn Kelly. "There's so much...Russell and I have actually had a face-to-face confrontation around this, we've had phone conversations where we've had a conversation about what happened where there was no dispute of what we were talking about, we were both talking about what happened on that night." She continued, "And he actually apologized and part of what's so confusing...traumatizing is what he's speaking about privately with me is completely different than what's come out publicly and that's the piece that's been really, really upsetting, disappointing and quite honestly repugnant with the hypocrisy and the lies and the denial." In Sunday's L.A. Times article, Khalighi claimed she saw Simmons a year ago at Soho House in West Hollywood where he "poured his heart out in a really touching, remorseful apology." However, Simmons' attorney Brad D. Rose told the publication that apology was in the "context for the embarrassment and upheaval the weekend caused her" relating to her "infidelity." Simmons tweeted Wednesday morning, "While i am totally devastated that she is hurting and pained by her experience the 'assault' didn't happen." Simmons also penned a response to sexual misconduct allegations on Wednesday, posted on The Hollywood Reporter. In the response he states, "In my case, three witnesses [Anthony McNair and two anonymous witnesses] have signed statements that our experiences that weekend with Keri Claussen Khalighi 26 years ago were consensual. My longtime loathing of any form of violence and abuse has been woven into all of my personal interactions, as most who know me will attest." He continues, "In our meeting many years later, and subsequent conversations, Keri never accused me of what she has said publicly. She insisted I was not violent. She did tell me her boyfriend and many others found out about our long weekend together and she said she was ashamed by that discovery. I am sorry for the embarrassment she recounted to me." (Eonline)

Ethan Cutkosky -- who plays Carl Gallagher on "Shameless" -- has officially been charged with DUI ... but it doesn't look like the kid was boozing. The Burbank City Attorney filed charges against Cutkosky this week. He's facing one count of misdemeanor DUI -- which is only tied to drugs, not alcohol. He also faces charges for traffic violations related to his driving the night he was busted. We broke the story ... Cutkosky was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of DUI. Cops told us they smelled weed on him, and that he even fessed up to smoking. Sources say Cutkosky, who's only 18, is facing up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine and the loss of his license if convicted. If we know Carl ... he's already looking at his legal options. (TMZ)

Oscar Pistorius just got the book thrown at him because South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal more than doubled his sentence. Pistorius had originally been sentenced to 6 years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The Appeals Court just upped the sentence to 15 years ... agreeing with prosecutors that the 6 year sentence was shockingly lenient. Under South African law, the recommended minimum sentence for murder is 15 years. The court gave Pistorius credit for the year-and-a-half already served, so he must now spend 13 years and months behind bars. (TMZ)

Former U.S. Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Pleads Guilty to Seven Counts of Sexual Abuse. Former U.S. Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County (Mich.) Circuit Court on Wednesday. He faces an indeterminate sentence of 25 to 40 years for each of the seven accounts. Nassar, 54, had been accused of molesting young athletes while working with the U.S. gymnastics team and Michigan State University. Some of the victims cited in the accounts were between 13 to 15 years old while others were under the age of 13. U.S. Olympians Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney have all come forward as victims of Nassar's abuse. Victims will be able to give a statement at the time of Nassar's sentencing on January 12, including the 125 people who reported their assault to the Michigan State University police department and those identified on the People's Witness list. Nassar said that he was "horribly sorry" and that he hoped his plea would help "move a community forward and away from the hurting." "I pray the rosary every day for forgiveness," he said at one point. "I want them to heal. I want this community to heal. I have no animosity towards anyone." Judge Rosemarie Aquilina oversaw the plea and responded to Nassar's remarks. She also applauded the victims in the courtroom for "finding their voices." "That tells me they're finding the strength to come here today to show you that they're not victims anymore," she said. She also told Nassar that he "used that position of trust" in the "most vile way to abuse children." "I agree that now is a time of healing," she said, "but it may take them a lifetime of healing while you spend your lifetime behind bars -- thinking about what you did in taking away their childhood, which you were trained as a healer and what you did is harm them. You violated an oath that you took, which is to do no harm, and you harmed them, selfishly." Nassar still faces charges in Eaton County. He also plead guilty to three federal child pornography charges. (Eonline)

Ron Howard's Actor Father Rance Howard Is Dead At 89. Rance Howard, Apollo 13 actor and father to actor-turned-director Ron Howard, has died. He was 89 years old. The Oscar winner took to Twitter on Saturday to share the sad news with his fans on behalf of himself and his brother Clint Howard. Clint & I have been blessed to be Rance Howard's sons. Today he passed at 89. He stood especially tall 4 his ability to balance ambition w/great personal integrity. A depression-era farm boy, his passion for acting changed the course of our family history. We love & miss U Dad." Rance has appeared in several of his famous son's movies, including Apollo 13, Parenthood, Splash, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Beautiful Mind. The character actor also appeared in Alexander Payne's Nebraska. He is slated to appear in the upcoming films The Christ Slayer and Apple Seed. At the Nov. 14 premiere of Rance's film Broken Memories Ron told The Hollywood Reporter how proud he was of his father's performance, which the director called "the role of his career to date." "He has an undying love of the process, which has made him appreciate every day on a film or television set," the proud son said. "And he's never lost the youthful excitement for being a part of a process that tells a story that reaches audiences in different ways and reflects the work of a team of collaborators that shares that excitement, and that always rubbed off on me, that joy of being lucky enough to be among the storytellers." At the same event, his famous granddaughter Bryce Dallas Howard said to THR, "He's had a 65-year career where he has never broken out as a movie star. ... He's never made the money that people dream of, and yet he's carved out this incredibly unique and remarkable and beautiful career of a character actor. He's an example of that stick-to-it-ness and what that adds up to in a life." Hours after news of her grandfather's passing, Bryce shared a poem about death called "Gone From My Sight" by Henry Van Dyke Jr. with the caption, "My grandfather, the patriarch of our family's favorite poem, he could recite it from heart. I think I'll do the same now." Rance's second wife Judy Howard died in January. He was previously married to actress Jean Speegle Howard from 1949 until her death in 2000. Rance is survived by his sons, Bryce and another granddaughter, Paige Howard. (Eonline)

Tommy Keene, singer-songwriter, dead at 59. Tommy Keene, a veteran singer-songwriter of the new wave and power-pop eras best known for his 1984 alternative-radio hit "Places That Are Gone," died Wednesday, according to a post on his website. The post gives no cause of death and simply states: "Tommy Keene 6/30/58-11/22/17. Tommy passed unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep. Thank you to all his friends and family who he loved very much." Over the years he collaborated with a number of stylistically similar artists ranging from Guided by Voices' Robert Pollard -- with whom he released an EP as the Keene Brothers, a joke that would be lost on all but certain people of a certain age -- and T Bone Burnett (who produced one of his early albums) to the Goo Goo Dolls and Matthew Sweet, with whom he toured just a few weeks ago. He generally remained true to the melodic, chiming, harmony-filled, Byrds-influenced rock that launched his career. A native of Maryland, Keene released a dozen albums over the course of a career that stretched back to the late 1970s, yet his biggest hit came from the title track of a 1984 EP on the indie Dolphin Records, "Places That Are Gone." A deal with the major label Geffen Records ensued and he released two albums on the label, "Songs From the Film" in 1986 and "Based on Happy Times" three years later. He signed with indie powerhouse Matador in the mid-1990s and released two albums there as well; the remainder of his catalog was released on smaller indie labels. (PageSix)

Pioneering jazz singer Jon Hendricks dies at 96. Jon Hendricks, the pioneering jazz singer and lyricist who with the trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross popularized the "vocalese" singing style in which words were added to instrumental songs, has died. He was 96. His daughter, Aria Hendricks, confirmed his death to the New York Times. She said he died Wednesday at a New York City hospital. Hendricks found fame in the 1950s and '60s teaming with Dave Lambert and Annie Ross. Their interracial trio became one of the most celebrated jazz vocal groups ever, and among the latter-day stars they influenced were Joni Mitchell and Manhattan Transfer. The trio's first album, "Sing a Song of Basie," won acclaim for its use of vocalese, in which the voices mimic the instrumental parts. Hendricks wrote the lyrics to existing Basie songs, and the three recorded their own voices in layers instead of using backup singers. Others experimented with vocalese before Hendricks, but he is widely regarded as the father of the spirited singing style for popularizing it. In the 1980s, he collaborated with Manhattan Transfer on an album called "Vocalese" that won three Grammys, one for Hendricks himself. Hendricks won a Grammy in 1986 for best male jazz vocal performance of 1985 for his work with Bobby McFerrin on "Another Night in Tunisia," a cut on Manhattan Transfer's "Vocalese." Hendricks wrote all the lyrics for the album, to music by Ray Charles, Quincy Jones and others. It was nominated for a near-record 12 Grammys and won three. In 1997, he was three featured singers to perform Wynton Marsalis' "Blood on the Fields" on a CD and on tour in the United States and Europe. That same year the three-hour work, which tells the history of blacks in America, won the Pulitzer Prize for music. He also directed his own vocalese group in Toledo composed of students and local singers. They performed in France and Italy and with the Toledo Symphony. Hendricks won awards worldwide. The World War II veteran was given France's highest honor, the French Legion of Honor in 2004, at a performance in Normandy to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day. He called that day one of his greatest thrills. (Eonline)

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

Bookie suspends Prince Harry bets amid engagement rumors. A major London bookmaker has suspended betting on whether Prince Harry will marry American actress Meghan Markle in 2018 amid rumors an engagement may be announced soon. Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said Friday that it seems an engagement announcement "is to be confirmed imminently." The bookmaker has stopped taking bets on a 2018 royal wedding after Markle was seen shopping in London this week. The British press has reported that Markle has already met in private with Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The couple has been dating for more than a year and Harry has asked the press to grant them a certain amount of privacy. Markle is believed to be in the process of moving to London. Palace officials say they will not comment on the rumors. (TMZ)

Beyonce creating own line of holiday gifts. Beyonce is getting into the holiday spirit with her own line of gifts this year. She's embellished everything from hoodies to onesies with slogans: "I Sleigh All Day," "Slay Bells," "Holidayonce," "Have a Thicc Holiday" and "Sis the Season" -- to name a few. The items are available on Beyonce.com and range from $35 to $55. The star was just named the highest-paid woman in music by Forbes, beating out Adele and Taylor Swift by earning $105 million from her album "Lemonade" and her "Formation" tour. (TMZ)

Anne Hathaway and husband buy Connecticut home. Anne Hathaway and husband Adam Shulman are spending Thanksgiving weekend in their brand-new seaside hideaway on the Connecticut shore. Locals are buzzing that the couple has bought a $2.8 million, five-bedroom, five-bathroom home near Compo Beach in tony Westport, Conn. A spy spotted the new neighbors picking up Thanksgiving supplies in a local store. The 1920s cottage for the pair -- who purchased a $2.55 million Upper West Side apartment last year -- is 5,000 square feet built on one acre with an AGA range, an outdoor kitchen and "ornamental English gardens," according to a listing. Reps didn't get back to us. (TMZ)

Before Bre Tiesi said "yes" to Johnny Manziel ... she was engaged to another man -- and the backstory involves everything from money to diamonds to the FBI. Bre's ex-fiance is Chris Anzalone -- who was a BALLER in Southern California until he was arrested and convicted for running a $16 million investment fraud scheme. But before he was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, Anzalone showered Bre in riches -- including cars, designer purses, Rolex watches and a 10-carat diamond engagement ring. Their relationship went sour when Chris was locked up -- and Anzalone claims Bre embezzled more than $1.3 MILLION in cash and expensive property. Chris has lawyered up and demanded his stuff back -- but there's one problem ... Bre says he's lying and she doesn't have it anymore. TMZ Sports spoke with Bre's attorney who says Tiesi met with FBI agents and surrendered every item she was asked to give up ... items the feds claim she received from Anzalone's ill-gotten fortune. Bre says none of it was embezzled -- everything she had was given to her as a gift. Bre's lawyers also provided documents to TMZ Sports showing a list of the surrendered items which include Louis Vuitton backpacks, designer luggage, watches and rings. Bre's attorneys say Anzalone also accused Tiesi of letting Manziel propose to her with the ring HE used back in the day. But Bre's team provided receipts showing Johnny's ring was purchased in February. Anzalone has fired off legal letters to Bre's team threatening a lawsuit. Bre's lawyers deny any wrongdoing and have this message for Anzalone ... BRING IT ON. Guess Bre has a thing for bad boys ... (TMZ)

Donald Trump took a break Friday and went from his vacation home at Mar-a-Lago to Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida to play a few rounds with none other than Tiger Woods. Trump and Woods were joined by Dustin Johnson, the number 1 ranked golfer in the world. Trump and Tiger have history ... they've golfed together in the past. The last time they hit the links was just before last XMAS. BTW ... Tiger is bipartisan on the green ... he's also golfed with Obama. (TMZ)

Ronan Farrow trolls NBC with photo from axed Weinstein expose. Ronan Farrow continues to embarrass NBC News for refusing to run his bombshell that would have outed now-disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein as a sexual predator months before he was exposed by more courageous publications. This time, Farrow celebrated Thanksgiving by posting a still photo from an interview he conducted with a Weinstein accuser that never aired on NBC. "Thankful for the women and men who have come forward with painful stories and helped to chip away at a culture of silence. When I sat down for this interview almost a year ago, the world was a different place," Farrow wrote to caption his Instagram post. An NBC News insider told Fox News the photo is "the first frame" of any of Farrow's sit-down interviews with Weinstein accusers that has been seen publicly. Last month the HuffPost reported that "NBC tried to put a stop" to an interview with a woman accusing Weinstein of rape so the celebrity scion "wound up paying out of his own pocket for a camera crew to film an interview." In the Instagram post, Farrow tagged NBC News producer Rich McHugh, who presumably worked on the interview. An early November Twitter storm by Farrow cast shade on NBC News, as he wrote that McHugh was "risking his job" by continuing to report on Weinstein. The accuser in the photo appears to be actress Rose McGowan, who sat down with Farrow in January 2016 and accused Weinstein of sexual assault. However, the HuffPost reported that she later "received legal threats from Weinstein" and got cold feet about airing the interview. Since Weinstein's lewd past has become public knowledge, she now says he actually raped her. NBC News did not immediately respond to request for comment about Farrow's Instagram post. Farrow himself did not respond and McHugh declined to comment when reached by Fox News. Farrow also appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday to discuss his latest Weinstein bombshell, which details secret settlements the shunned mogul used to hide harassment claims. His reporting was again published in the prestigious New Yorker magazine, and did not appear on any NBC News properties. NBC, which has been under fire for weeks since it spiked Farrow's initial Weinstein bombshell (which he later took to The New Yorker), has persistently declined to comment on Farrow's status at NBC News. Farrow's Twitter bio still says he works as an investigative reporter for NBC's "Today" show, which is locked in a ferocious ratings battle with "Good Morning America." Farrow's employment contract with NBC has reportedly expired, though he continues to identify himself as an NBC reporter on his Twitter bio. He is reportedly freelance now and no longer exclusive to NBC, making his appearance on "GMA" a slap in the face to NBC executives. Farrow's current relationship with NBC is unclear, but it is extremely rare for any network to refuse to comment on the status of a staffer-especially one as high-profile as Farrow, who is picking up Pulitzer Prize buzz for his recent Weinstein coverage. Embattled NBC News President Noah Oppenheim faced public pressure to step down after it was revealed that he killed Farrow's long-gestating investigation. NBC News has denied that Oppenheim has ties to Weinstein, but the NBC News president moonlights as a Hollywood screenwriter and the two men recently shared a relatively small table at a swanky media event. Oppenheim, then under siege, contended during a private NBC News event last month that the "incredible story" Farrow published in The New Yorker was "not the story that we were looking at when we made our judgment several months ago." Farrow has essentially accused Oppenheim and NBC of lying, saying The New Yorker had no problem publishing the same story. During an appearance on "The Rachel Maddow Show" when his first Weinstein article was published last month, Farrow said The New Yorker "immediately" realized his story was reportable and "there were multiple determinations" that NBC had enough to run it. The Weinstein debacle is the latest embarrassment for NBC News, which a year ago also sat on the notorious "Access Hollywood" tape of Donald Trump making lewd comments about women to future "Today" co-host Billy Bush. At the time NBC was sitting on the tape, Oppenheim was overseeing "Today." The tape was eventually leaked to The Washington Post's David Fahrenthold, who is Oppenheim's friend from Harvard University. Bush was fired after the tape became public and Oppenheim was soon thereafter promoted to NBC News president. (PageSix)

The widow of a CBS engineer who died accidentally from hanging during an auto-erotic act is suing the network, which denied her life insurance claim. Deborah Conradi claims in a new lawsuit, her husband Lawrence LaFave was in Tarentum, PA in June 2016, when he was found dead in the closet of his hotel room ... the result of hanging while performing an auto-erotic act. He was found in a partial kneeling position and "hanging from a wire closet shelf in his hotel room by a scarf. He was wearing a slip, bra, women's underwear and pantyhose. The medical examiner ruled the death as accidental ... the result of asphyxiation. Turns out the CBS life insurance policy, written by AIG, now has a specific exclusion for auto-eroticism. AIG sent a letter to Deborah, which reads in part, "These actions, which carried the risk of death by hanging, would not constitute an unanticipated accident that resulted in his death, as required by our policy. Rather, they would indicate death resulted in who or in part from ... a natural and probably consequence of intentionally self-inflicted injury, specifically excluded under this policy." Deborah clearly begs to differ, insisting her husband's death was accidental. Deborah is suing CBS and AIG for $1,400,000 in life insurance benefits, as well as punitive damages. (TMZ)

Music

Mariah Carey Further Postpones Christmas Tour Over Health Issues. Mariah Carey is not yet healthy enough to embark on her Christmas tour. The singer announced Friday that she's cancelled three more concerts on her All I Want for Christmas Is You Tour over ongoing health concerns. Just last week, Carey pulled the plug on her first several shows because of an upper respiratory infection. Originally scheduled for a Nov. 17 kickoff, Carey will now officially take the stage Dec. 2 in New York City. She shared on social media, "I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones; it's certainly nice to remember what we are grateful for! Like most, I'm thankful for my overall health... for which I need a bit more time to get right. Doctors have ordered a few extra days of rest before I can finally fly to New York and take the stage for my Christmas Tour." Carey continued, "While this news disappoints me to share, I am grateful to be on the mend and for the support from all of you - it means the world to me! See you from the stage soon darlings! ?, Mariah" Refunds will be available to those who purchased tickets for Carey's shows on Nov. 27, 28 and Dec. 1. Mariah's Christmas Tour will include three performance at the Beacon Theatre in the Big Apple, followed by stops in Paris, Manchester and London, and conclude with a five-show run in Las Vegas. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Carey admitted to feeling "under the weather" but said she was celebrating with family and friends. Meanwhile, ex Nick Cannon took their twins, Monroe and Moroccan, to a charity event benefiting the homeless in Los Angeles. Wishing the Queen of Christmas a speedy recovery! (Eonline)

98 Degrees Bring Nostalgia to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2017. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2017 brought the '90s nostalgia! Famed boy band 98 Degrees recently reunited for a new holiday album, Let It Snow, some 20 years after they first formed, and gave fans a teaser from it at the event. Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons performed a new song, "Season of Love," on top of Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas advent calendar float. "You were a boy band. Are you now a man band?" Al Roker asked the group on NBC's Today show. "We're a gramps band," said Drew. "Twenty years later, we're like the old man band." "We still got it," Justin added. "We still got the moves," Jeff said. The 98 Degrees guys had performed on Good Morning America the day before. They have reunited a few time over the past few years. In 2012, they performed at the Mixtape Festival in Pennsylvania and on the Today Show. In 2013, they released 2.0, their first studio album in 13 years, toured with New Kids On The Block and Boyz II Men and also reunited on NBC's The Sing-Off, which Nick hosts. In 2016, 98 Degrees embarked on their first headlining tour in 15 years, along with supporting acts O-Town, Ryan Cabrera and Dream. (Eonline)

Demi Lovato, Idina Menzel, Disney Sued Over Frozen Song I WON'T LET IT GO!!! The iconic song from "Frozen," "Let It Go," was shamelessly ripped off from a famous international artist, who is now suing everyone even remotely connected with the smash hit. Jaime Ciero claims in a new lawsuit "Let It Go" was obviously inspired by his song, "Volar." Ciero recorded the song in 2008 and it was played globally. Ciero calls the song "a huge international success reaching millions of listeners and landing on numerous charts of the most popular, top-performing songs." Listen to both. Gotta say ... even though "Volar" is recorded in Spanish, there are similarities. The question ... are there enough to make a case? Ciero says the striking similarities include note combinations, structures, hooks, melodies, lyrics, themes, production and textures. He's suing Disney, Idina Menzel who recorded it for the movie, Demi Lovato who recorded the single and others. If Ciero wins, the judgment could be humongous. He wants profits from the movie, the music, the marketing ... you name it. Listen, and judge for yourself. (TMZ)

Post Malone's New 'Rockstar' Music Video is Ultraviolent. Post Malone and 21 Savage's hit song "Rockstar" now has a music video. And be warned: it's a brutal, slice-and-dice affair (the "parental advisory and viewer warning" at the top is a giveaway). Post shows off his non-rap talents as he cuts a swathe through a gang of black-suited badasses, with nothing less than a Samurai sword and a bad attitude. Apparently, no-one told Post to not wear a white suit to a sword fight. It's an ultraviolent romp, fleshed out with snakes, thrones and buckets of blood. Yup, Post Malone is living the dream. Ichi the Killer would be proud. "Rockstar" is the current leader on the Billboard Hot 100. (Billboard)

Michael Buble to Host 2018 Juno Awards. Michael Buble is set to host the 2018 Juno Awards a year after the Canadian crooner pulled out of the Canadian music awards show amid his son's cancer battle. Russell Peters and Bryan Adams replaced him as hosts of the north-of-the-border music event earlier this year, but Buble on Tuesday announced he will be in his hometown of Vancouver to host the 47th edition of the Junos on March 25, 2018. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to host such an iconic night in Canadian music," Buble said in a statement. "To be able to host the Juno Awards in my hometown is both an honor and a privilege." Buble hosted the 2013 Junos just as his wife, Argentine actress and model Luisana Lopilato, was expecting their first child. Then, last year, he had to step down from all hosting gigs, including the 2017 Junos and the Brit Awards, after his 4-year-old son's cancer diagnosis. Buble and his wife first revealed their son Noah was ill in November 2016. The couple and their family attended a gala awards show in June 2017 in Ottawa, where Buble received a career tribute. The pop star's latest Juno gig is part of a career comeback, which will include a few concert appearances in summer 2018. Buble has dominated the Canadian music awards over the years by winning in all 12 categories. The Junos, staged by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, will air on the CBC network. (Billboard)

Movies

Netflix will be hosting its own after-party for 2018's Golden Globes Awards -- 'cause they've cut ties with longtime partner and co-host The Weinstein Company ... TMZ has learned. Our Netflix sources tell us Netflix has opted to take TWC off the billing for their famous party after the awards ceremony in January -- and the allegations against its co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, have everything to do with it. The Netflix-Weinstein after-party is one of the biggest shindigs during the Golden Globes -- they've been hosting it together for the past 3 years, and even held it at The Beverly Hilton in 2017. TWC has been a prominent partner with the streaming service for a while now, having produced a handful of movies and shows for them -- including "Marco Polo" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend." As for the upcoming bash ... we're told Netflix hasn't locked down a location yet for their after-party, but sources say they're eyeing the Waldorf Astoria in Bev Hills. (TMZ)

'Hostiles,' 'Last Jedi' Bookend Dubai Film Festival. Patrick Stewart will receive an honorary award at the Middle East's biggest film fest. The Dubai International Film Festival, the biggest movie event in the Middle East, has unveiled the full lineup for its upcoming 14th edition. Hostiles, the Christian Bale-starring American period piece that first bowed in Telluride, is set to raise the curtain in the beachside Madinat Jumeirah on Dec 6, while Star Wars: The Last Jedi will close the event on Dec 13, two days before its U.S. release. Meanwhile, Star Trek and X-Men legend Patrick Stewart will receive one of the festival's honorary awards, the others going to Egyptian writer Wahid Hamed and Indian icon Irrfan Khan. Films in the 140-strong lineup are set to include Darkest Hour, The Disaster Artist, Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, The Square, Molly's Game, The Death of Stalin, Loveless, Downsizing, The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and I, Tonya, alongside a bumper crop of Arab titles. Among the attendees are Cate Blanchett, Dee Rees, Sarah Jessica Parker, Morgan Spurlock, Rob Reiner, Olga Kurylenko, Vanessa Williams, David Harbour, Haifaa Al Mansour, AMPAS president John Bailey, and Oscar-winning costume designer Alexandra Bryne. For the sixth consecutive year, Swiss watch brand IWC Schaffhausen is teaming with DIFF to grant a regional filmmaker $100,000 towards their project, with Blanchett once again heading up the jury. The Dubai Film Market (DFM), considered the leading industry platform in the region having supported more than 300 filmmakers since its inception, will run alongside the festival. The DFM's co-production market The Dubai Film Connection celebrates its tenth edition with 13 projects in development. "This year, we are presenting a UK Spotlight with the British Film Institute, BAFTA and British Council, to connect film professionals from the U.K. and the Arab world," said festival managing director Shivani Pandya. "We are also partnering once again with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and look forward to welcoming delegations from both parties to the Festival this year. Not only will their presence allow us to showcase the best of regional cinema to a global audience, they will also be sharing their expertise and experience with the local industry through the Dubai Film Market." (Hollywood Reporter)

TV

Teen star Ethan Wacker's Disney Channel sitcom, "Bizaardvark," should be called 'Cash Cow' ... as far as he's concerned -- 'cause the kid's in line to earn way more than half a mil off the franchise. We got a hold of the 15-year-old's contract, filed in court because he's a minor, and for the first 2 seasons alone -- 41 episodes -- he's hauled in more than $375k. If the Mouse House signs up for 2 more seasons, with his raises, Ethan could earn more than another $400,000. The contract also accounts for a potential "Bizaardvark" movie -- Ethan gets $150k for that. He'll bank $75k per movie if Disney opts to use him in any other flicks ... plus some bonus change -- $500 a pop for public appearances. Your parents were right. It pays to study ... your scripts. (TMZ)

How Candace Cameron Bure Became Synonymous With Christmas, All Thanks to Hallmark Channel. The only thing Hallmark Channel seems to love more than Christmas? A nostalgia-inducing female lead. Candace Cameron Bure, Lori Loughlin, andDanica McKellar seem to be the network's holy trinity, with a solid roster of returning players, Lacey Chabert, Alicia Witt, Ashley Williams, among others, all ready to step up to the poinsettia-plate for the network's wildly successful "Countdown to Christmas" programming. But if there were ever a Miss Christmas Pageant at Hallmark (hey, that might not be a terrible idea), Candace Cameron Bure would surely be crowned the winner, with her relationship to the network's beloved holiday programming going back to 2008, and she's starred in one every season since 2013. Speaking to her appeal with the channel's loyal viewers, Bill Abbott, CEO of Hallmark Channel, said Bure, 41, is "the girl next door who represents so much good. Just very, very wholesome." And on a network where most couples don't kiss until the final scene of a two-hour movie, Bure's brand of innocence was a match made in heaven. Bure first teamed with the network in 2008, starring alongside Tom Arnold in Moonlight and Mistletoe, in which she played a woman who reluctantly returns to Santaville, an amusement park dedicated to celebrating Christmas 365 days a year, after her father, the owner, is injured. Aside from a brief guest appearance on the Disney Channel sitcom That's So Raven, it was Bure's first major acting role since 2001. But it was The Heart of Christmas that really tied Bure to the network's holiday programming, as 2011 was the first year Hallmark packaged their original movies as the "Countdown to Christmas." And it also had a plot that perfectly encapsulated the message at the heart of the line-up (and the brand). Based on a true story, The Heart of Christmas starred Bure as a successful business woman who reevaluates her priorities after her encounter with a family taking care of a child with a rare form of leukemia. Bure also served as an executive producer on the film. "She's been so smart about her career and who she is and what she says about who she wants to be," Michelle Vicary, Hallmark Channel's executive vice president of programming, said. "She's been incredibly smart about the role she picks and her participation, as an execute producer, she's really hands on and really smart about it." In 2013, Bure starred in Let It Snow, where she played a -- you guessed it -- successful businesswoman whose icy heart is thawed by the holiday spirit of the small town she's set to try and commercialize. Christmas Under Wraps, her 2014 effort, proved to be the most successful of not only her career but of the network's holiday programming history: The original movie attracted 5.8 million viewers and a 5.0 demo rating (for comparison's sake, an episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta notched a 1.3 rating that same weekend), making it cable's highest rated original movie of the year. And then in April 2015, something magical happened that was out of Hallmark's control but seemed like a gift from Santa Claus himself: John Stamos announced Full House would be returning via Netflix, with Bure as the star of Fuller House. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with the network able to ride the nostalgic wave to their advantage. Following the Fuller House announcement and excitement, Bure's 2015 movie, A Christmas Detour, helped land the network its largest-ever weekly audience as part of a five-night Thanksgiving Weekend Event, now a staple for the network. Abbott acknowledged there is a "nostalgia factor" at play with many of their female leads, and Vicary explained it was the feeling a familiar face can provide to viewers that the network hoped to tap into by casting veteran TV stars that audiences watched grow up. "We're all about creating traditions and celebrating family and celebrating who people want to spend time with, whether it's a romantic relationship or a friendship or a parent or a sibling," said Vicary. "Why couldn't we recreate that as a television experience? We know our audience would like to see these people because they are iconic television stars who they can relate to, who they aspire to be like or that they feel like are family or friends and would like to see more of them. When we strategically cast them that way, our audience said, 'Yes, that's exactly what we want.'" Following in Bure's footsteps, Full House co-star Lori Loughlin has become a favorite at the network, starring in their original series When Calls the Heart, along as well as acting in original movies, while Jodie Sweetin also has a movie that is part of this season's Thanksgiving Weekend Event (Finding Santa premieres Nov. 24). Bure's more recent holiday ventures for the network were a bit more ambitious: In 2016, Journey Back to Christmas, which found Bure playing a time-traveling World War II nurse (breaking more ratings records as part of the second-annual Thanksgiving Weekend Event and marking the highest rated movie of "Countdown to Christmas" that year), and in 2017, she's set to star as estranged twins in Switched For Christmas. "We've got a little special effects things going on and we upped the production value to make sure we really execute," Vicary said of having the star play both roles. And the beloved star was tapped to host The Countdown to Christmas special, with appearances by her Full House co-stars (and fellow Hallmark movie leads) Sweetin and Lori Loughlin, which aired on Oct. 22, and previewed the season's original movie line-up. "It's been not only a privilege but an honor to work with her because she knows how to build her career and her brand, and that's what we do for a living too," Vicary said. Switched For Christmas airs Sunday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel. (Eonline)

Seth Meyers to Host 2018 Golden Globes. It's official: Seth Meyers is your host for the 2018 Golden Globes. The news comes days after trade outlets reported that the NBC's Late Night host was close to a deal to host the annual award ceremony, now in its 75th year. "The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is excited to have Seth Meyers host the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards," HFPA President Meher Tatna said in a statement. "With his natural comedic wit and innate ability to charm audiences, Seth will help us carry on the celebratory tradition of recognizing the best in television and film at the Party of the Year." Meyers follows in the footsteps of past Golden Globe Award hosts such as fellow SNL alumni Amy Poehler and Tina Fey and British funnyman and The Office co-creator Ricky Gervais. Meyers has hosted award shows before -- the 2010 ESPYs and the 2014 Emmys. The 75th annual Golden Globe Awards presentation will air live on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 on NBC at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. Nominations will be announced on Monday, Dec. 11. (Eonline)

"CBS This Morning" wants Oprah Winfrey to save the day and fill in for Charlie Rose after he was axed due to a shocking sexual-harassment scandal, sources exclusively tell Page Six. "They are begging Oprah to fill in," said a TV insider. "Not full time .?.?. But they are hoping she'll do one day, two days, one hour, fill in till Christmas. Anything." Reports have said a rotating cast of CBS News talent will step in. But the network's not exactly known for its deep bench of stars compared to rivals NBC and ABC. Suggested Rose replacements on Twitter have so far included Tony Dokoupil and Bianna Golodryga. Little-known Jeff Glor was just tapped to take over "CBS Evening News." Winfrey joined CBS's "60 Minutes" in September, and she is best friends with "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King. An insider said of the strategy to land Winfrey: "Unless you get a superstar [on the show], it's always going to be, 'Charlie's missing.'" King mentioned Winfrey on the show on Tuesday, saying of Rose: "I really am still reeling. I got an hour and 42 minutes of sleep last night. Both my son and my daughter called me. Oprah called me and said, 'Are you OK?' I am not OK." A CBS rep declined to comment, and King did not get back to us. A rep for Winfrey said Tuesday that the star has not been officially asked to be on the show as of Tuesday. CBS wooed Winfrey five years before she recently agreed to join "60 Minutes." Meanwhile, perhaps kicking himself with Rose's departure is Josh Elliott -- the former "Good Morning America" host who might have been Rose's heir apparent, but bizarrely flamed out at CBS earlier this year. Meanwhile, without Rose, King hosts "CBS This Morning" with Norah O'Donnell, and female anchor duos are having a moment on morning TV. Lori Stokes was named co-host of Fox 5's "Good Day New York" with Rosanna Scotto after Greg Kelly exited in September, and NBC's "Today With Kathie Lee and Hoda" has been on a ratings roll. (Page Six)

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