The Daily Dish Archives

Rebel Wilson reveals she was once kidnapped at gunpoint.

The actress told the story while on the series Straight Talking for Britain’s Sky One and was asked about a time when she experienced the most fear.

The Australian star said, “There was one time in Africa where I got kidnapped.” She said she was traveling in a truck through rural Mozambique with a group of women when another vehicle pulled up beside them. Men with “big guns…poured out” and “started making demands.” They then took Rebel and the women to a “house in the middle of nowhere.”

The actress said she surprised herself, because she was “good in a crisis” and ended up being her group’s team leader. “They sat us down. I said, ‘everybody link arms.’ I’m petrified in the night they might want to take one of the girls or something. Luckily, we weren’t harmed.”

The next day, the women were let go. She recalled that “they came and said, ‘oh, your truck is ready now you can go… So we just didn’t ask any questions, we got back on that truck and just got back out of there and then crossed the South African border a few hours later.”

Looking back, Rebel said she now thinks she knows why they were allowed to leave. “I think maybe those guys used us to smuggle illegal things in the bottom of the truck.”

She didn’t say when this happened.

---

Jason Sudeikis is praying Olivia Wilde is just going through a Harry Styles “phase.”

A source tells Us Magazine, “Jason’s had no option but to step back and let Olivia do her thing, but he [has his fingers crossed] that this is just a phase and that Olivia will snap out of it or that Harry will get bored and move on before too long.”

The insider adds that Jason is “desperate to” win back his ex so they can “repair their family.”

The timeline of Jason’s breakup with Olivia isn’t clear. A source close to Jason says, “Whether Harry knows it or not, he was a reason for the split.” A Styles source, however, inists the former One Direction member “did not break up an engagement.”

---

Jeopardy! has announced more guest hosts.

Journalist Katie Couric, NFL star Aaron Rodgers, executive producer Bill Whitaker and actress Mayim Bialik will follow current host Ken Jennings — who replaced Alex Trebek following his November death.

Couric will be the first woman to host the game show.

Jennings, who holds the record for the longest Jeopardy! winning streak, started his run on Monday.

According to a press release, “As a part of each guest host’s appearance, a donation will be made to a charity of their choice. The amount donated will equal the cumulative winnings of the contestants that compete during the weeks they serve as guest host.”

More guest hosts will be announced later in the season.

While a permanent replacement has not been announced, word has it that Jennings is the frontrunner.

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin are living apart amid her Spanish heritage scandal.

Sources tell Page Six that Alec is staying at a rental house about a mile away from his family’s Hamptons estate. One insider says he’s been quarantining there as he films a project in New York City.

The separation comes as Hilaria has been accused of posing as a Spanish woman for the past decade, although she was born in Boston. Her real name is Hillary Hayward-Thomas.

The couple are said to be “very upset” over the backlash.

---

Is this the end of Jimmy Fallon?

Ratings for Monday’s Tonight Show were bad. Really bad. The episode averaged the smallest TV audience ever for an original episode of the show. Only 947,000 viewers tuned in to watch Jimmy with guests Bill Burr, Rashida Jones and Old Dominion.

By comparison, Stephen Colbert’s Late Show on CBS scored 2.03 million viewers, followed by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! with 1.67 million viewers.

This isn’t new territory for Jimmy. He’s hit record lows twice before in only the last five months. He pulled in 992,000 total viewers on September 25th, 2020 and 1 million viewers on August 18th, 2020.

It seems a long time since Jimmy was the king of late night. Colbert passed him up in November 2018.

---

Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond has been hospitalized in Florida and may have cancer.

TMZ says the 44-year-old actor went to the hospital over the weekend “after feeling pain all over his body and a general sense of unease.”

Sources say doctors are concerned it’s cancer, and they’re conducting a biopsy.

A spokesperson for the actor said, “It’s serious, but we don’t know how serious yet. He’s going for testing. He hasn’t been feeling well. He’s at an undisclosed hospital in Florida. We are hoping for a speedy recovery.”

Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are in talks to play Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in the Amazon movie Being the Ricardos. Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay and will direct.

---

If you ever wanted energy like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, here’s your best chance.

The star is launching his own energy drink. It’s called ZOA Energy and will be available in March.

In a promo video, the Rock says, “Ladies & gents, it’s our honor to introduce you to @zoaenergy. The first of its kind CLEAN & HEALTHY energy drink that champions the everyday warrior in all of us who lives LIFE POSITIVE.”

The drink will come in five flavors and be made with natural caffeine derived from green coffee and green tea, according to a press release.

In March, the Rock launched Teremana Tequila.

---

How did HBO Max get Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis to reunite for a Sex and the City revival? They threw a boatload of cash at them. The stars will each earn more than $1 million per episode for the 10-episode series.

Kim Cattrall, who had said she’d never return to the franchise, won’t be part of the revival or the windfall. But Parker denied a feud on Instagram Sunday, saying, “No. I don’t dislike her. I’ve never said that. Never would.” She added that Kim’s character “Samantha isn’t part of this story. But she will always be part of us. No matter where we are or what we do.”

The revival, titled “And Just Like That…,” will follow Carrie Bradshaw (Parker), Charlotte York (Davis) and Miranda Hobbes (Nixon) as “they navigate love and friendship in their 50s,” according to Variety. Production begins in New York City in late spring.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have “no plans” to return to social media any time soon.

A source tells The Times of London that the couple are “very unlikely” to have an online presence because of the “hate” they’ve received.

Their last post was on Instagram in March 2020. They wrote a goodbye message saying “while you may not see us here, the work continues.”

While they’re done with social media, they’re not done with the royal family. Harry and Meghan will reportedly reunite publicly with the Queen at her annual birthday parade in the spring.

---

Jason Sudeikis isn’t taking Olivia Wilde‘s romance with Harry Styles well.

A source tells ET that the couple wanted to remain close after their split for the “sake of their kids,” but Jason “has been really hurt and somewhat jealous that Olivia has moved on with Harry.”

Jason had hope he and Olivia “would eventually reconcile and get back together,” according to the insider.

There’s been some question about the timing of their breakup, but the source tells ET it was “almost a year ago,” not in November.

The source says Olivia, who directed Harry in upcoming psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling, “is really happy with Harry and they have fun together and have gotten to be really close through spending so much time together both on set and in their personal lives.”

---

Mashable says HBO is bringing back Sex and the City. Ten half-hour episodes will air on HBO Max and will star Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis as Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York. The show will follow the trio as they try to navigate life, friendships and relationships in their 50s  Kim Cattrall will not be returning to the series.

Shia LaBeouf and Margaret Qualley have broken up as the actor faces allegations of abuse from his ex-girlfriend, singer FKA Twigs.

A source tells People magazine, “They broke up on Saturday. They’re just in different places in their lives.”

Another insider says Qualley was aware of the “backlash” she received for dating LaBeouf, who’s been accused of sexual and physical assault.

Shia and Margaret, who starred in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, became an item after starring together in the steamy video for “Love Me Like You Hate Me” in the early fall.

---

A woman was arrested at Johnny Depp‘s Hollywood Hills home after she allegedy broke into the mansion while the actor was away.

TMZ reports the woman, who was possibly homeless, entered the house over the weekend, tripping the security system and alerting police.

The suspect was reportedly found nearby and was connected to another recent burglary.

It’s unclear if anything was taken from Johnny’s home.

---

The Daily Mail says the London Zoo has rejected comedian Ricky Gervais’ request to be thrown to the lions after he dies. They released a statement saying, ”We suspect Ricky may be a bit gristly for our lions. But we are struggling financially because of lockdown so if anyone wants to ‘give something back’ we welcome donations that will help us keep our lions fed on a more suitable diet.”

Ricky told Conan O’Brien: ”It would be good to be fed to lions at London Zoo. It would be good to give something back. We eat animals and destroy habits and at least then I could give something back.”

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have indeed grown apart.

A source tells Us Magazine, “Kanye is jealous of the amount of time Kim has dedicated to prison reform and the kids.”

The insider adds that Kanye “wanted the family to move to Wyoming full-time,” but Kim didn’t want to give up her life in Calabasas.

It seems they’re also not on the same page when it comes to couples’ therapy. The insider says the two “haven’t had a joint session together in a while,” and that “Kim has continued to meet with their marriage counselor in solo sessions.”

Now Kim’s waiting to finalize a settlement before filing for divorce.

---

Parents are celebrating the death of an animated child. The PBS series, “Caillou” has been canceled. Parents took to social media to say how thankful they were with one tweeting, “Caillou was a brat and horrible example for kids.” Apparently a lot of people felt that way. In one clip from the show, Caillou is at the grocery store and asks his mom for cookies. She says no, but he eventually runs off to try and get them anyway. Then he gets lost and blames his mom for it.

---

Katie Couric has been tapped to take over as guest host of “Jeopardy!” for a week. This week the last episodes Alex Trebek taped before his death are airing. Next week, GOAT “Jeopardy” contestant Ken Jennings is guest hosting. He says before Alex Trebek died, he gave him his blessing to take on the gig. Alex Trebek died in November after battling pancreatic cancer.

---

How shallow can you get? Dr. Dre’s home was targeted amid his ongoing hospitalization. The LAPD says four suspects are currently in custody after a car chase with police. The group could not get into the house, so nothing was stolen. The 55-year-old music mogul is currently in the hospital recovering from a brain aneurysm.

Actress Tanya Roberts did in fact die Monday night at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in L.A. after a bizarre turn of events in which she was prematurely reported dead, and then said to be alive.

TMZ now reports that they received word from Roberts’ partner, Lance O’Brien, that the former Bond Girl and star of That ’70s Show passed away Monday night and that a doctor confirmed her death. She was 65. Roberts reportedly collapsed at her home on Christmas Eve. The cause of her death is not yet known.

---

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are getting a divorce.

A source tells Page Six, “They are keeping it low-key but they are done. Kim has hired [divorce attorney] Laura Wasser and they are in settlement talks.”

Other insiders say the “divorce is imminent.”

The writing has been on the wall for awhile. Kim hasn’t been seen wearing her wedding ring, and Kanye is still holed up at his Wyoming ranch, where he stayed over the holidays.

The source adds, “Kim got Kanye to go up there [to Wyoming] so they could live separate lives and quietly get things sorted out to separate and divorce. She’s done.”

The insider says Kim’s “just had enough of” Kanye’s mental health struggles and crazy behavior, including his controversial run for president.

For his part, Kanye is said to be “completely over the entire family” and “wants nothing to do with them.”

Things might not go smoothly in the divorce proceedings. The source said, “Kim is trying to get Kanye to turn over the Calabasas house to her, because that’s where the kids are based and growing up. That is their home.”

Turns out “she owns all the land and adjoining lots around the house but Kanye owns the actual house.”

Kim and Kanye wed in 2014. They have four children: daughter North, 7, son Saint, 5, daughter Chicago, 2, and son Psalm, 1 month.

Jodie Whittaker is reportedly leaving Doctor Who after three seasons. According to The Mirror, producers are now “gearing up for a regeneration,” which will need to be filmed “at some point over the coming months” to introduce the 14th Doctor.

---

Emma Stone is going to be a mom!

The actress is expecting her first child with fiance Dave McCary, Us Weekly reports.

A source says, “She seems very happy and very excited about becoming a mother — she’s constantly oohing and cooing. She looks great, she looks healthy, she’s glowing. She’s been keeping up with friends and work lately, she’s always staying active and gets her daily exercise in.”

The actress and the Saturday Night Live writer and segment director got engaged last month.

---

Good news for Tanya Roberts — she’s not dead. At least according to TMZ, who was also the first to report her death yesterday (Sunday.)

Earlier, the gossip blog said the former Bond Girl had died after collapsing at her home on Christmas Eve and being placed on a ventilator.

Now her rep says she’s alive.

The rep claims that Tanya’s husband, Lance O’Brien, had informed him about Tanya’s passing. Lance even gave TMZ a quote, saying, “As I held her in her last moments, she opened her eyes.”

But the rep, Mike Pingel, tells TMZ, that Lance got a call Monday morning from the hospital saying Tanya was still alive. Pingel insists Lance “truly believed Tanya had died.”

Lance had also reportedly informed Tanya’s friends of the family of her death.

So far, no word from Tanya herself.

Larry King has been hospitalized with COVID-19.

According to Showbiz411, the 87-year-old broadcaster is in isolation and not permitted to have visits from his family.

A source says the “folks at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles are giving King odds of 50/50 or better.” But the insider adds that he’s “improving.”

Larry reportedly caught the virus from a home healthcare worker who initially showed no symptoms.

Larry is no stranger to health problems. He had a major heart attack in 1987, a cancerous tumor removed in 2017, an angioplasty in 2019, and a stroke, also in 2019.

---

A movie based on the invention of the Rubik’s Cube is in the works. According to TheWrap, the film will be about how “Professor Erno Rubik’s toy became a pop culture phenomenon in the ’80s and beyond.”

---

A record number of women directed movies in 2020. According to Variety, women represented 16% of directors on the 100 highest-grossing films last year, up from 12% in 2019.

---

Zoë Kravitz is starting the new year off single.

According to People magazine, the actress filed for divorce from actor Karl Glusman on December 23rd.

The same day the Big Little Lies star posted a meme indicating her mood. The image showed a drag queen dumping a bag of trash into a dumpster. The trash bag was labeled, “People, places, and things that no longer serve my greatest and highest good.”

Zoë and Karl wed in June 2019 at the Paris home of her father, Lenny Kravitz. The couple had met in late 2016 at a bar.

Dave Chappelle is opening his own comedy club.

He’s reportedly finalized a deal to purchase a former fire station in the village of Yellow Springs, Ohio and plans to convert it into a performance space and restaurant.

Chappelle lives on a farm near Yellow Springs, where his late father was a professor at Antioch College. He’s staged outdoor, socially distanced comedy shows in the area throughout 2020. (EW)

---

So much for those reports that Lori Loughlin might get out of federal prison in time to celebrate Christmas with her family.

The Full House star is finishing out her sentence in that college-admissions cheating scandal. A report last month said that because her release date of December 27th falls on a Sunday, she’d be allowed to go home Friday — Christmas Day.

But now TMZ reports “that was never the expectation.” So instead, she’ll be released Monday.

Hubby Mossimo Giannulli is still quarantined because of a COVID outbreak, after entering a prison in California last month. He’s due for release in the spring.

---

Donald Trump announced a batch of 15 presidential pardons on Tuesday, but missing from the list of exonerated men was Joe Exotic.

The incarcerated Netflix documentary star Tiger King star has been lobbying the President for a pardon for several months and is still hoping to hear some good news from Trump before he leaves office. Just last week, Joe Exotic actually sued the Department of Justice in hopes of forcing Trump to pardon him, but he later dismissed his own claim because he believes his request for a pardon is sitting on Trump’s desk.

Joe Exotic is currently serving a 22-year sentence for hiring a hitman to kill Carole Baskin. (TMZ)

Jennifer Lopez may never marry Alex Rodriguez.

On Andy Cohen‘s Deep & Shallow Interviews, J-Lo said that after they canceled their wedding this year, she and A-Rod have thought about staying engaged forever.

Their wedding was supposed to take place in Italy in June, but was canceled because of the pandemic.

Asked if they ever considered following in the footsteps of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who’ve never married, Lopez said, “Oh yeah, we’ve talked about that for sure. I mean at our age, we’ve both been married before, it’s like: Do we get married? Do we not? What does it mean for us? And it’s just, it comes down to like personal [choice], like: What do you want to do?”

J-Lo adds, “There’s no rush. It’ll happen when it happens.”

---

NeNe Leakes is going to war with Bravo.

Three months after leaving The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the reality star tweeted a link to the #BoycottBravo petition.

The petition, on Change.org, said it’s putting the network “on notice,” claiming Bravo has treated its African-American talent unfairly, specifically NeNe and Mariah Huq of Married to Medicine.

The petition adds, “This action by Bravo network is affirmation of systemic racism and inequality that the African American community faces and struggles with currently in society.”

NeNe has said “systemic racism” played a role in her departure from the show.

She called on her followers to sign the petition, tweeting, “Y’all ready to start this boycott yet? What has happened behind the scenes is WRONG! While others were being promoted, BLACK WOMEN who created shows, created genres, built franchise and built networks were being DEMOTED…TURN OFF YOUR TV’S.”

---

E! News says Leonardo DiCaprio may soon settle down with longtime girlfriend Camila Morrone. A source tells the network, “Leo and Cami are still going strong and doing really well. He’s very cozy with Cami and they’re serious. He is filming right now, but Leo has been settling into this domestic life with Cami, as opposed to all the time he used to spend out with his boys. He does really like his life with her and they’re a lot more coupley than they used to be.”

Who needs a stimulus check when we have Kim Kardashian?

The mogul said on Monday that she’s giving away $500,000.

In a tweet, she wrote, “I know 2020 has been really hard and people are struggling, worried about how they’re going to pay rent, put food on the table, or a gift under the tree for their kids. I want to spread the love by sending $500 to 1000 people.”

For a chance to win, Kim asked fans to reply to her post with their $Cashtag and the hashtag #KKWHoliday.

---

Standup Comedian and former SNL writer John Mulaney has fallen off the wagon.

The comedian has checked into rehab for alcohol and cocaine addiction. According to Page Six, he’ll spend the next 60 days at a treatment facility in Pennsylvania.

The Big Mouth star, who has said he started drinking at 13 years old, didn’t fight rehab. A source says, “John’s friends and family are happy that he’s finally getting some help and focusing on his health.”

John had been sober for the last 15 years, but the lockdown was apparently too much for him. The insider explains that “unfortunately he has struggled again during the pandemic.”

---

OK! magazine claims Lori Loughlin’s daughters, Bella and Olivia Jade, have allegedly been partying while she and her husband are in jail. A source tells the magazine, ”The two have been “partying the pain away and have been treating themselves to ‘five-star spa retreats, drinking wine every night and enjoying fabulous dinners at high-end restaurants. Olivia was downing glassfuls of wine while binge-watching The Bachelorette while Bella was focusing on “R&R. They’re more spoiled than ever. They had nothing to do with their parent’s scandal, and figure they have every right to have fun.”

Miley Cyrus has plans for New Year’s Eve. She’ll perform on ABC’s annual celebration Dick Clark‘s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021.

Ryan tweeted an announcement on Sunday, (quote) “Ready for @MileyCyrus to put the rock in #RockinEve! 11 more days….”

Jennifer Lopez headlines the event from New York City’s Times Square. Cyndi Lauper will duet with Billy Porter from the Kinky Boots songbook. Ciara hosts the celebrations in Los Angeles, where Miley might be on New Year’s Eve. (Billboard)

---

Mossimo Giannulli has been placed in solitary confinement, but the fashion mogul didn’t do anything wrong.

A source tells People magazine that Lori Loughlin‘s husband has been put in “COVID-19-related protective custody as he continues to serve his five-month prison sentence for his involvement in the high-profile college admissions scandal.”

On Friday, his son Gianni revealed that his father “has been locked in solitary confinement for one full month” and has been “only let out every 3 days for a few moments to shower.”

Mossimo was booked into Lompoc federal prison, which reported hundreds of COVID-19 cases in the summer, on November 19th.

---

George Clooney finds it physically painful to watch ‘Batman And Robin’. The New York Post quotes him as saying, “The truth of the matter is, I was bad in it. Akiva Goldsman wrote the screenplay, and it’s a terrible screenplay, he’ll tell you. I’m terrible in it, I’ll tell you. Joel Schumacher, who just passed away, directed it, and he’d say, ‘Yeah, it didn’t work.’ We all whiffed on that one”. People magazine, citing ‘The Howard Stern Show’, claims George Clooney told Ben Affleck not to play ‘Batman’. George says, “Ben called me up and said he’d been offered ‘Batman’ and asked if he should take it. I told him no to go near the role. Ben didn’t listen to me, and he ended up doing a great job and I was wrong. But hey, I can only impart my wisdom from my experience and I just said, ‘Don’t have nipples on the suit.’ “

Tom Cruise has had enough on the Mission: Impossible set. He’s shutting down production early.

A source on the movie set revealed, (quote) “Tom decided he’s ready for a break. They will wind up filming for 2020 on Friday. Then Cruise flies to Miami over the weekend on his private jet to spend Christmas with his son, Connor.”

This was an abrupt change in the schedule after tensions flared this week on the movie set. Cruise had back-to-back days with outbursts. At least five crew members abruptly quit rather than work under abusive conditions.

Cruise decided in his role as producer to give the cast and crew an early Christmas break. The hope is that everybody returns in a better mood. (The Sun, UK)

---

Ellen DeGeneres is recovering from COVID with severe back pain. Meanwhile, one of her previous guests chose to quarantine far away from his pregnant wife and their three-year-old toddler.

Leslie Odom Jr. appeared on The Ellen Show just one day before she tested positive. He’s not taking any chances in spreading the infection to his family.

Odom Jr. won a Tony Award for playing Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical Hamilton. This winter, he stars in the movie One Night in Miami. On Friday, Odom will tell The Today Show in a pre-taped interview, (quote) “The virus can affect pregnant ladies differently. We’re doing our best. I got my mask in the house — double-masking in the house.”

Odom could be free for Christmas, if he remains virus-free, after a 10-day quarantine. He taped with Ellen on December 9th. (E! News)

---

OK! magazine says a romance may be brewing between former SNL cast member Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston. A source tells the magazine,  “Jennifer always says Jason makes her laugh the way no else can. Oh, Jason would love to ask her out. But so many folks in their inner circle think they’re perfect for each other, and they’ve already done kissing scenes to know the lay of the land.” Jason recently separated his engagement from actress Olivia Wilde. The two have starred in several movies together in the past 10 years, including their roles in Mother’s Day, and We’re the Millers.

One day after Tom Cruise exploded in a temper tantrum, five crew members walked off the movie set.

Rather than take abuse from Cruise, they took an early Christmas break. In Tom’s immortal words, they’re “freakin’ gone.”

A source on the set said tensions had been running high. Then Cruise erupted with anger under the stress of trying to finish Mission: Impossible 7 under strict regulations established by the British government. And, more importantly, before Christmas Eve.

The insider claimed, “Since Tom’s outburst became public, there has been more anger. He’s upset others aren’t taking it as seriously as him.” (The Sun, UK)

Three months ago, Cruise reportedly chartered a docked ship so that the movie crew could isolate in relative comfort.

The Lizzie McGuire revival is dead at Disney Plus. Star Hilary Duff broke the news on Instagram on Wednesday, saying, “I know the efforts and conversations have been everywhere trying to make a reboot work but, sadly & despite everyone’s best efforts, it isn’t going to happen. I want any reboot of Lizzie to be honest and authentic to who Lizzie would be today. It’s what the character deserves.”(Variety)

---

In more reboot news,  NBC is developing a sequel series to Night Court, according to Variety. Original series star John Larroquette will return as Dan Fielding, while Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch will executive-produce. The sitcom will follow “unapologetic optimist judge Abby Stone, daughter of the original series character Harry Stone.”

Meanwhile, Seth MacFarlane is producing a reboot of Revenge of the Nerds. Keith and Kenny Lucas, the identical twin brothers best known for co-starring in 22 Jump Street, are set to write and star.

According to Variety, the movie won’t be a remake. “Instead, the contemporary reimagining will pontificate about today’s nerd culture and what even constitutes a geek in the 21st century.”

---

Christopher Walken is a bit behind the times. The 77-year-old says he’s never owned a cellphone or a computer.

Appearing virtually on The Late Show, Walken said he doesn’t do many video chats because he avoids technology. He explained, “Yeah, somebody had to come and set this up because I don’t have a cell phone or a computer.”

Stephen Colbert asked if he was “morally, philosophically or emotionally opposed” to such things. But Walken said, “No, no I just got to it too late. I think I‘m right at a certain age where it just passed me by. I never got involved in it because it would be strange to have any 10-year-old be much better at it than I am.”

What if Walken needs to make a call? “People are nice about letting me borrow things,” he says.

Jennifer Lopez will headline Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021 on ABC.

Ryan’s co-host will be, for the second straight year, Lucy Hale.

Joining J-Lo on stage in New York City’s Times Square will be performances by Billy Porter, Cyndi Lauper and country singer Jimmie Allen.

In Los Angeles, Ciara will introduce performers, who often pre-record their act. ABC promised to release details of more performances from different locations very soon. (Just Jared)

---

Tom Cruise let the expletives fly after two crew members were found breaking COVID-19 protocols during filming of Mission: Impossible 7.

The Sun published an audio recording from the set. In the three-minute clip, Tom shouted, “If I see you do it again, you’re [bleeping] gone. And if anyone in this crew does it, that’s it.”

According to sources, the outburst happened because Tom saw two crew members not adhering to proper social distancing on the set.

Tom also argued that the entire film industry hinges on them following the protocols. The star said, “We are creating thousands of jobs, you [bleeps]. That’s it. No apologies. You can tell it to the people that are losing their [expletive] homes because our industry is shut down.”

Mission: Impossible 7 is set to open on November 19th, 2021.

---

Lily James and Sebastian Stan will play Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee in a new limited series for Hulu.

While their infamous sex tape will play a major part in the show, according to Deadline, the story will also chronicle their “relationship going back to their whirlwind romance that started with them marrying after only knowing each other for 96 hours in 1995.”

Seth Rogen will play the man who stole the tape, which was at the center of a huge legal dispute.

The Baywatch star and Mötley Crüe drummer are not involved in the production, which has the working title Pam & Tommy.

Forbes magazine ranked the highest-paid celebrities for the year. Kylie Jenner made the most with $590 million based on the sale of majority stake in her cosmetics company. The 23-year-old also happens to be the youngest and the only woman in the top 10.

Kylie’s bother-in-law, Kanye West, ranked second with earnings of $170 million in 2020, due to his partnership with Adidas. (E! News)

Five athletes are ranked among the Top 10: Tennis champion Roger Federer, soccer studs Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar and NBA All-star LeBron James.

---

Sharon Osbourne revealed on social media Monday that she’s tested positive for the coronavirus. The Talk host said she’s self-isolating away from husband Ozzy Osbourne, and that she was hospitalized for a time. (Deadline)

---

Pippa Middleton is pregnant with her second child, according to Page Six. The younger sister of Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, already has a 2-year-old son named Arthur with husband James Matthews. A source says, “Pippa and James are thrilled, it’s fantastic news amid a difficult year. The entire family is delighted.”

---

The NY Post says George Clooney’s admission that he cuts his hair with a Flowbee has resulted in Flowbee’s selling out. The newspaper quotes Clooney as saying, “I should have gotten stock in that company before I told that story. I really screwed up on that one. So now I know: Next time I endorse something, I’m going to own some stock before I do.”

Pop singer FKA Twigs isn’t the only woman who has a beef with Shia LaBeouf. Fellow pop singer and songwriter Sia has accused the actor of tricking her into an illicit relationship.

In a tweet, the 44-year-old singer says, “I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single. I believe he’s very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims. Just know, if you love yourself – stay safe, stay away.”

In a follow-up tweet, she writes, “Also I love you ⁦@FKAtwigs This is very courageous and I’m very proud of you.”

On Friday, Twigs filed a lawsuit against Shia accusing him of physically, mentally and emotionally abusing her during their relationship in 2018.

Sia didn’t give any details on her relationship with Shia, but he did appear in her 2015 music video for  “Elastic Heart.” At the time, he was dating Mia Goth.

---

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are trying to have a baby. A source told Entertainment Tonight (quote) “They always wanted kids. They’ve been talking about having children in their near future.”

They’re camped in London while she films a movie. Like most of us this year, their Christmas plans are rather “simple.”

Priyanka and Nick recently celebrated their second anniversary. She’s turning 39 years old in 2021. And without the possibility of Nick touring next year, so it seems to be a convenient time to start a family.

Priyanka has said that she wants “as many babies as God would give us.” (Entertainment Tonight)

---

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West “very much live separate lives,” a source tells People magazine.

The couple had a rocky year as the rapper ran for president. The insider says, “Kim has work and projects that are important to her, and Kanye has his. Their lives don’t overlap much.”

But the couple doesn’t plan to divorce. The source says that “Kim seems happy” and is “very focused on work and causes,” namely prison reform.

Though their relationship seemed on the brink of disaster after Kanye took up residence in Wyoming, the two reconnected in August. Just a few weeks ago Kim wished her hubby a “happy 10 year anniversary.”

On Thursday, The Talk co-host Carrie Ann Inaba called in sick to work with COVID symptoms.

Carrie Ann posted a video from bed. She warned her followers that despite being vigilant about safety protocols, she still caught the coronavirus. Carrie Ann said on Instagram Stories (quote) “I just tested positive for COVID-19. So I am home. I am following the guidelines. I have a fever and bad cough and lots of aches and pains.”

Carrie Ann Inaba added a reminder from the CDC to wear a mask to protect yourself and others. Keep your distance when possible. Wash your hands frequently. (People)

---

Keeping Up With the Kardashians has a new home. The family’s reality series will move to Hulu after the 20th season airs on the E! Network.

Three months ago, Kris Jenner announced the finale season, which starts early next year. At the time, it sounded as if the show had run its course. The sisters, in particular Kourtney Kardashian, appeared exhausted by the constant intrusion of cameras. Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner reportedly threatened to quit.

Disney must have offered them a sweet deal, though details are scarce. About a year from now, new Keeping Up With the Kardashians episodes will stream on Hulu. Disney’s announcement said the family would create “global content” for Hulu. (E! News)

---

Things just keep getting uglier in Kelly Clarkson‘s split from estranged husband Brandon Blackstock — now that she’s accused him of stealing millions of dollars.

Kelly, who filed for divorce earlier this year, went to the California Labor Commission, claiming her ex, who also served as her personal manager, overcharged her in a big way and she wants him to pay her back. Brandon’s company, headed up by his dad, previously filed a suit against Kelly claiming she owed the company $1.4 mil in commissions.

This is the latest in a series of divorce squabbles: Kel won custody of the couple’s kids, but Brandon now wants $300,000 a month in spousal support. (TMZ)

Johnny Depp’s reputation took a big hit during his U.K. defamation case. Now he’s poised to take an even bigger hit in his American defamation case.

According to The Hollywood Reporter the case has uncovered shocking details about Johnny’s life. The big rumor? He was allegedly “romantic” with co-stars Angelina Jolie, Marion Cotillard and Keira Knightley. Even worse: He’ll have to turn over “all responsive communications” with the actresses as part of the case.

Johnny’s seeking $50 million in the suit over a December 2018 essay by ex-wife Amber Heard in the Washington Post in which she wrote about  abuse, but never named Depp.

In July, the actor argued against involving his past romantic partners in the case, claiming documents related to them would be “irrelevant, immaterial, or unnecessary.”

The new defamation case will go to trial in early 2021 in Virginia.

---

Jessica Simpson is producing not one but two TV shows based on her best-selling memoir.

The star has signed a deal with Amazon Studios to executive produce a “fictionalized” series and an unscripted docuseries inspired by Open Book.

On Instagram, the singer wrote, “I am humbled and honored to partner with @amazonstudios to bring my story and heart to life on the screen and executive produce a fictionalized coming of age series about my mid-twenties, a new intimate unscripted docuseries with music as a key component and 2 essays where I will share my soul and perspective while holding your heart close to mine.”

Open Book, which came out in February, details Jessica’s past relationships as well as her struggles with addiction.

---

George Clooney lost 28 pounds for his role in The Midnight Sky — and it landed him in the hospital.

According to the U.K.’s Mirror, the 59-year-old developed pancreatitis a few days before filming was set to begin and was hospitalized with stomach pains.

George tells the Mirror, “I think I was trying too hard to lose the weight quickly and probably wasn’t taking care of myself.”

Clooney, who also directs the film, adds, “It took a few weeks to get better and as a director, it’s not so easy because you need energy. We were out on this glacier in Finland, which made it a lot harder work. But it certainly helped with the character.”

In the movie George plays a scientist who races to contact a crew of astronauts in the Arctic to warn them not to return to Earth.

The Midnight Sky comes out December 23rd.

For those paying attention, there have been a few different iterations of Spiderman over the last 20 years in the movies. And now it looks like they all might converge into one movie, somehow. MovieWeb News says Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and Andrew Garfield are all going to star in the next Spider-Man movie with the most recent Spiderman star, Tom Holland. Emma Stone is also in talks to join the trio. No word on how the producers are going to use Maguire and Garfield alongside Holland. Jamie Foxx is also returning as Electro.

---

Olivia Jade Giannulli appeared on Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk to talk about the college admissions scandal.

The 21-year-old daughter of Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli admitted she was “ashamed” by the case that put her parents behind bars.

Olivia told co-hosts Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield-Norris: “I felt so ashamed and embarrassed … although I didn’t really 100 percent understand what had just happened because there was a lot that, when I was applying, I was not fully aware of what was going on. When I got home [from spring break], I just felt so ashamed.”

Olivia said she was “too embarrassed” to go back to the University of Southern California, where she and her sister, Isabella Rose, were accepted as rowing recruits, even though they never played the sport.

Olivia said she doesn’t deserve pity and only wants a chance to own her mistakes publicly.

---

Dionne Warwick was crowned Queen of Twitter this week. She went viral after she joined and began roasting celebs like Chance the Rapper and The Weeknd over their stage names. But some haters were speculating that it wasn’t actually the 79-year-old music legend tweeting. So, she posted a video to set the record straight.            She says her  niece set up her account, and she’s been having a blast ever since.

The Kardashian–Jenner family’s famous Christmas Eve party has been canceled.

Khloé Kardashian writes, “The Covid cases are getting out of control in CA. So we decided that we’re not doing a Christmas Eve party this year. It’s the first time we will not be having a Christmas Eve party since 1978 I believe.”

The reality star added that they plan to put “health and safety first,” and that “taking this pandemic seriously is a must.”

---

Brookline, Massachusetts police recently arrested a man for breaking into Tom Brady’s Brookline mansion. The home is currently for sale. No word on if the man took anything. TMZ says the suspect, Zannini Cineus, was previously arrested for stealing a Tom Brady jersey from the New England Patriots Hall of Fame exhibit. Officers found Zannini laying on a couch in Tom’s home.

---

Carole Baskin tells The Observer newspaper that she was shocked after watching ”Tiger King” because she has never spoken to Joe Exotic. “At the end of it. I just sat there with my [current] husband, looking at each other, like: ‘What was that?’ Such a missed opportunity. Because there was so much they could have shown people about the egregious abuse that these animals suffer. Instead, they just glamorized this yahoo in Oklahoma, and tried to create a feud. I’ve never even spoken to Joe Exotic. I’ve seen him in person I think four times. It was like watching a dumpster fire, you just couldn’t turn away from it. It was just mesmerizing that there could be this many crazy people doing so many wretched things to animals.”

David L. Lander, who played Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley, has died at 73.

The actor passed away Friday evening from complications related to multiple sclerosis at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

He went public with his diagnosis in 1999, and later worked closely with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Director Kevin Smith tweeted, “This funny man made my childhood happier with his work on Laverne & Shirley and his guest appearance on The Simpsons as himself still makes me laugh today.”

Lander’s other credits include A League of Their Own, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Used Cars and Scary Movie.

---

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have taken their relationship to the next level.

The couple are shacking up in Ben’s Los Angeles home. A friend of Affleck also says “their relationship continues to be strong.”

Ana sold her place in Venice, California before making the big move.

The two have been romantically linked since early this year after they met shooting the thriller Deep Water.

---

The Sun says Tom Cruise wants to film some upcoming scenes for Mission Impossible 7 and 8 in space. A source tells the newspaper, “Tom is well known for doing his own stunts and the Mission films have had some of the ­biggest and most elaborate movie moments ever shot. But he’s keen to push things further than anybody has ever done before — and, obviously, the big unknown is can you actually film in space. He’s pretty certain he can make something work and has spoken to Nasa about it, too.”

Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special is now streaming on Apple-plus. Invited guests for a sing-a-long on her original Christmas song “Oh Santa!” are Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande.

Magical Christmas Special guest stars include Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Snoop Dogg, ballerina Misty Copeland, Mixed-ish star Mykal-Michelle Harris and Mariah’s 9-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe. (Billboard)

And, soon you can hear Mariah share inside secrets about her holiday special when she appears on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Their annual holiday episode features Mariah for the hour.

Live with Kelly and Ryan @ Home for the Holidays airs on Tuesday, December 22nd. (Walt Disney TV)

---

Good news if you have a subscription to HBO Max. All of Warner Bros.’ 2021 movies are heading to the streaming service next year on the same day they hit theaters.

Earlier, Warner Bros. made the same announcement for Wonder Woman 1984. Now The Matrix 4, the Dune remake and The Suicide Squad sequel, among others, will follow suit.

The movies will be released in 2021 on HBO Max for 31 days. After that, they’ll only play in theaters, until they return to home rental platforms video.

---

Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert developed an “irritating medical condition.” It’s called benign positional vertigo.

Abrupt movement of his head can cause intense dizziness. Typically, benign positional vertigo lasts several weeks to months. Colbert confessed, “It’s almost entertaining, until I forget. I go to stand up, and then I just fall down.” (Vanity Fair)

Benign positional vertigo is commonly caused by blows to the head or damage to the inner ear, which controls balance. A childhood tumor forced doctors to remove Colbert’s eardrum. (People)

People magazine has named George Clooney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Selena Gomez and Regina King as their “2020 People of the Year.”  Clooney is being honored for his advocacy work while Fauci is being honored for his work on the coronavirus. Gomez is being honored her mental health initiatives while King has helped marginalized communities

---

A judge granted movie director Steven Spielberg a restraining order against a stalker.

Spielberg said he’s been taunted by Sarah Char for several months. She’s sent harassing messages and even threatened violence. She told Spielberg, “If I have to personally MURDER people for stealing my IPs‚ I WILL. Get me?”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles law enforcement warned Spielberg that Sarah Char recently tried to purchase a gun. She must now stay at least 100 yards away from Spielberg and his family members. (TMZ)

---

Jessica Simpson has a best-selling audiobook, but it wasn’t without difficulty.

In an Instagram post about the success of her memoir Open Book, Jessica revealed she has dyslexia, a learning disorder that makes it hard to read.

She says the first time she read aloud “without hesitation” was during the taping of the audiobook, which was just named one of the best audiobooks of 2020 by Apple Books.

---

US Weekly Magazine claims Blake Shelton has allegedly built a chapel for Gwen Stefani on the grounds of his Oklahoma estate. A source tells the magazine,  “He did it himself with help. They are going to get married in the chapel, most likely early next year.”

Bill Cosby‘s lawyers were in a Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court yesterday asking the judge to throw out the 83-year-old’s sex assault conviction.

Lawyers for Cosby, who is more than two years into his prison sentence for drugging and molesting a woman, believe there was certain evidence and testimony in the 2018 trial that the judge should not have allowed, including testimony from five other accusers. Arguments in court are streaming live on YouTube. (KYW-TV)

---

Kelly Clarkson won custody of her kids in a court battle with estranged husband Brandon Blackstock, but that’s not stopping him from asking for a huge monthly check.

Brandon, who’s agreed to have River Rose and Remington live with Kelly in Los Angeles, wants $436,000 per month in spousal and child support. A source close to Clarkson tells People magazine that Brandon “has been equally unreasonable in his requests for child and spousal support, as well as attorney fees. Kelly’s offered to pay for all the kids’ expenses, but Brandon seems to think he is entitled to and needs $301,000 in spousal support and $135,000 in child support per month.”

For those keeping score at home, Brandon’s dad, who’s Kelly’s former manager, is also suing her and asking for $1.4 million in unpaid fees.

---

Juno star Ellen Page has just come out as transgender, changing his name to Elliot.

He posted a lengthy statement on social media Tuesday, saying, “I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self… I also ask for patience. My joy is real, but it is also fragile… To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you, and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”

Elliot currently stars in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy.

In a matter of three months, skateboarder Nathan Apodaca has gone from living in an RV to paying cash for a five-bedroom house in Idaho Falls.

Nathan’s social media handle is DoggFace. He became an overnight sensation on TikTok for skateboarding, sipping on Ocean Spray and chilling to Fleetwood Mac‘s ’70s hit “Dreams.”

That fame translated to endorsement deals and corporate gifts like a truck to replace his long-board. DoggFace spent the money on engagement ring for his longtime girlfriend. He also paid $320,000 in cash on their first home. (People)

---

Melissa Gilbert, best known as the star of Little House on the Prairie, is recovering from major spinal surgery, as she revealed on Instagram on Thanksgiving Day.

Gilbert shared some operating room footage along with her health update, in which she said, “Nothing too gross or gory here but I wanted to share with all of you. Especially if anyone out there is dealing with spine issues. On this Thanksgiving Day, though I am isolated from all of my loved ones, I am so filled with gratitude. Be well and safe everyone. I send you all oceans of love.”

The 56-year-old has had a series of spine issues dating back to when she broke her back in 2001. She also suffered whiplash from a fall she suffered while competing on Dancing With the Stars, and a few months later the balcony of a house she was renting collapsed on her head.

---

Kelly Clarkson has been granted her holiday wish — “primary custody” of her two children with estranged husband Brandon Blackstock.

People magazine reports that a Los Angeles County judge ruled in Kelly’s favor, settling one part of the couple’s increasingly bitter divorce. The court decision says that joint custody of River Rose and Remington was ruled out because “the level of conflict between the parents has increased. The parties have a difficult time co-parenting due to issues of trust between them.”

Blackstock, who plans to live in Montana, will be allowed visitation at Kelly’s L.A. residence. The judge also divvied up holiday time between the two parents.

Star Wars fans are mourning the loss of one of its biggest stars — who never said a word on screen.

David Prowse, who actually wore Darth Vader’s black suit and mask, has died at age 85.

The six-foot-seven British actor played Vader in the original three movies. His other credits include portraying Frankenstein’s monster three times — most notably in the early James Bond spoof Casino Royale. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2000.

Prowse died Saturday following a short illness. (Hollywood Reporter)

George Lucas paid tribute over the weekend, saying, “He made Vader leap off the page and on to the big screen, with an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader’s presence.” (Hollywood Reporter)

---

Friends star Matthew Perry is engaged for the first time.

The 51-year-old actor told People magazine (quote) “I decided to get engaged. Luckily, I happened to be dating the greatest woman on the face of the planet at this time.”

He proposed to 29-year-old Molly Hurwitz. They started dating about two years ago, though they briefly split during the pandemic.

A close friend said that Molly has been a grounding influence on Matthew, who has struggled for decades with addiction. The unnamed source said, (quote) “He’s sober and doing better than he has in a long time with Molly in his life. She literally gave him something to live for.” (People)

---

And, Comedian Rebel Wilson lost weight over the Thanksgiving Day break.

She entered a wellness retreat, VivaMayr, rather than indulge over the long holiday. On Sunday, she proudly announced how she reached her goal weight of 165 pounds. She arrived one-month ahead of schedule.

Rebel wrote at Instagram Stories, (quote) “Hit my goal with one month to spare! Even though it’s not about a weight number, it’s about being healthy, I needed a tangible measurement to have as a goal and that was [165 pounds].” (People)