Here's the Scoop...

There's nothing to fear...because 'Fear Factor' is coming back!

Rapper and actor Ludacris has signed on to host MTV's revival of the reality-competition series Fear Factor.

The cable network said it has ordered 12, one-hour episodes for the new season, which is scheduled to premiere May 30.

"MTV is about celebrating youth culture, and with the reinvented Fear Factor, we are putting the power in our audience's hands to face and overcome their biggest fears," Chris McCarthy, president of MTV, VH1 and Logo, said in a statement Wednesday. "We are thrilled to partner with Ludacris, one of the biggest global stars who has a rich history with MTV, to energize this franchise for a whole new generation."

"I am excited to kick off my partnership with MTV, starting with the relaunch of which will be even more insane and ludicrous than what you remember," added Ludacris. "This will be the first of many great projects together!"

The show originally ran on NBC 2001-06, with comedian Joe Rogan as host.

Ludacris will soon be seen in the action picture Fate of the Furious.

I think I'm more scared of the Fast and Furious movies rather than 'Fear Factor'. But that's just me.

Be Well,
Steve

Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve



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Chris Pratt thanks Anna Faris: 'I'm grateful to have you'
Chris Pratt says he's "grateful" to have wife Anna Faris by his side.

The 37-year-old actor dedicated a sweet post on Instagram to Faris and 4-year-old son Jack after the pair joined him in Tokyo for his "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" press tour.

"Thank you for the support honey! You look so beautiful. These press tours can be such a whirlwind. I'm grateful to have you and the boy with me on this one," Pratt captioned a photo of himself with Faris.

"Although it's 3:00am right now, I was just awakened by a square kick to the back as little man climbed into bed and then must have had a karate dream or something and now I can't sleep. I'm on insta instead. All you dads and moms know what I'm talking about," he added.

Pratt, director James Gunn and co-stars Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista promoted the Guardians sequel Monday at Brillia Running Stadium in Tokyo. The actor shared a picture earlier in the day of himself and Faris joking around at their hotel.

"My favorite outfit so far. #gotgvol2 #tokyo," he captioned a snapshot of himself standing behind a mirror with Faris' reflection.

Pratt and Faris married in 2009 after two years of dating, and welcomed Jack in August 2012. The actor surprised Faris in December with an enormous engagement ring upgrade, which she showed off at the Los Angeles premiere of Passengers.

"He's an incredibly romantic man and I'm very, very lucky," the actress gushed to E! News at the time.

Pratt plays Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which opens in theaters May 5. Faris portrays Christy Plunkett on the CBS sitcom Mom, which was renewed for a fifth season in March.


Corden's next 'Carpool Karaoke' special to air May 22 on CBS
The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Prime-Time Special 2017 is set to air May 22.

The program will also include a new edition of the Late Late Show's popular "Toddlerography" segment and highlights from recent episodes of the chat show.

Featured guests and additional details will be announced at a later date, CBS said.

Last year's edition of the prime-time special won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special.


LOOSE LIPS:
"How the world feels about me has nothing to do with me."
--Anne Hathaway, addressing negative stories about her, to Jezebel



??? Guess Who ???
Which actor, recording artist and talk-show host will sing the national anthem at the Kentucky Derby?


'The Daily Show' comedian Hasan Minhaj to host White House Correspondents' Dinner
Daily Show correspondant and comedian Hasan Minhaj will host the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

WHCA president and Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason announced Tuesday Minhaj will host the annual event to celebrate the First Amendment and the freedom of the press.

"I am thrilled that Hasan will serve as our featured entertainer at this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner," Mason said. "Hasan's smarts, big heart and passion for press freedom make him the perfect fit for our event, which will be focused on the First Amendment and the importance of a robust and independent media."

Minhaj will be performing for a group consisting of press corps, celebrities and White House staff, as President Donald Trump announced in February that he will not attend the dinner in Washington D.C. on April 29.

Minahj expressed his honor to be chosen to host the event while also poking fun at the format of Trump's tweets when discussing the fact the president will not be in attendance.

"It is a tremendous honor to be a part of such a historic event even though the president has chosen not to attend this year. SAD!" Minahj said. "Now more than ever, it is vital that we honor the First Amendment and the freedom of the press."

Mason said Minahj's experience with "fake news" on The Daily Show would help him provide an important perspective, outside of making joke's at Trump's expense in his absence.

"It's a different dinner. President Trump has said that he will not be coming, but we will still be celebrating the First Amendment and the importance of a free press," Mason said. "I was looking for somebody who is funny and who is entertaining because I want the dinner to be entertaining."

Minahj previously spoke at the 2016 Radio and Television Correspondents' Dinner.


'General Hospital' veteran Peter Hansen dead at 95
Longtime General Hospital cast member Peter Hansen has died in Santa Clarita, Calif., his family confirmed. He was 95.

The Daytime Emmy Award-winner began his role of Lee Baldwin in 1965 and he played the lawyer/volunteer addiction counselor on the ABC soap opera on and off through 2004. He also appeared in the GH spinoff Port Charles, which aired 1997-2003.

"God Bless #PeterHansen. A talented actor, and adventurer and pilot, + wonderful person. #GH @GeneralHospital," tweeted Jackie Zeman, the actress who has played Bobbie Spencer on the serial for decades.

His film credits include When Worlds Collide, Branded and The Savage.

SoapOperaDigest said the actor is survived by two children, and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

No cause for his Sunday death has been disclosed.


??? Guess Who ???
Which actor, recording artist and talk-show host will sing the national anthem at the Kentucky Derby?

Harry Connick Jr. is to sing the national anthem at the 143rd Kentucky Derby on May 6, the Churchill Downs Racetrack announced.

"We are excited for Harry Connick, Jr. to perform our national anthem for the millions of Derby fans across the globe," Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack, said in a statement Wednesday. "He's one of the finest entertainers in the world and his performance will help make 2017 another great year at the Kentucky Derby."

Connick Jr. is the ninth artist to perform the national anthem since Churchill Downs began this tradition in 2009. Lady Antebellum, Josh Groban, Jo Dee Messina, Martina McBride, Mary J. Blige, Jordin Sparks, Rascal Flatts and LeeAnn Rimes previously sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the high-profile horse race.