Here's the Scoop...
President Barack Obama bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 21 recipients at the White House Tuesday afternoon.
Among the activists, scientists, philanthropists, athletes and artists being honored were Tom Hanks, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, Lorne Michaels, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross and Cicely Tyson.
Former athletes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan, as well as longtime Dodgers baseball broadcaster Vin Scully, were recognized, while posthumous awards were granted to Blackfeet Tribal community leader Elouise Cobell and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.
Other recipients included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, architect Frank Gehry, sculpture and landscape artist Maya Lin, and polymath physicist Richard Garwin.
Ellen DeGeneres was especially moved by the award. It was sweet to see.
Congrats to all the esteemed recipients! What an honor.
Be Well,
Steve
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Brad Pitt cleared by the FBI, no charges to be filed in child abuse case
Brad Pitt has been cleared by the FBI with no charges to be filed regarding an alleged child abuse incident involving his 15-year-old son Maddox.
"In response to allegations made following a flight within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States which landed in Los Angeles carrying Mr. Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI has conducted a review of the circumstances and will not pursue further investigation. No charges have been filed in this matter," a spokesperson for the FBI said in a statement to E! News.
The actor was also cleared by the Los Angeles Country Department of Children and Family Services recently who were also conducting an investigation.
Originally, the accusations alleged that Pitt was verbally and physically hostile towards Maddox while mother Angelina Jolie was onboard.
Shortly afterwards, Jolie, 41, filed for divorce from Pitt, 52, citing irreconcilable differences after being together for over a decade. The actress has also requested sole custody of their children including Maddox, 12-year-old Pax, 11-year-old Zahara, 10-year-old Shiloh and 8-year-olds Knox and Vivienne
Pitt however is requesting joint legal and physical custody of the children and in a statement on the divorce noted,"I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids."
LOOSE LIPS:
"For us, sex became so much more intimate, beautiful and passionate when we were trying. Suddenly the realization hits you: 'Oh my God, we could be starting another life!' That brought us so much closer."
--Alexa PenaVega, on trying for a baby with husband Carlos, to Fit Pregnancy and Baby
??? Guess Who ???
Which actor and television personality will host the 2017 Grammy Awards?
Shannen Doherty set to appear in 'Heathers' TV reboot
Shannen Doherty is set to make an appearance in TV Land's reboot of the 1980's film Heathers, in which Doherty starred as one of the eponymous mean girls.
Doherty shared a photo from the set and said, "Sneak peek from the #Heathers set..... Jealous much?"
Doherty played Heather Duke in the original film, which also starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.
While she won't be reprising her role for TV Land's upcoming series, the network said she will play a "pivotal, unnamed character."
Starring in the reboot are Brendan Scannell, Jasmine Matthews, Melanie Field, James Scully and Grace Victoria Cox.
??? Guess Who ???
Which actor and television personality will host the 2017 Grammy Awards?
James Corden has landed his next big hosting gig.
The 38-year-old Late Late Show host will host the Grammy Awards for the first time in February 2017, the Recording Academy and CBS announced in a press release Tuesday.
"I am truly honored to be hosting the Grammys next year," Corden said in a statement. "It's the biggest, most prestigious award show in music and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such an incredible night."
Corden, who has previously hosted the Brit Awards and Tony Awards, will host the 2017 Grammys ceremony Feb. 12. He replaces rapper and actor LL Cool J, who has hosted the awards show since 2012.
"James Corden's remarkable range of talents make him a star on any screen and every stage," CBS Entertainment executive vice president of specials, music and live events Jack Sussman said.
"We look forward to bringing James' exceptional showmanship, infectious energy and his undeniable kinship with music to the Grammy stage. At the same time, everyone involved with the Grammys tips their hat with gratitude and respect to LL Cool J," he added.
Corden succeeded Craig Ferguson as The Late Late Show host in March 2015. He is known for his Carpool Karaoke segment, which features him singing with celebrities in the car, along with Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts.
"Thanks to Carpool Karaoke, we've all been on some incredible rides with James, and the Recording Academy couldn't be more excited to welcome his passion and enthusiasm for music, both as an entertainer and a fan, to the Grammy stage," Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said.