Here's the Scoop...

I was sad to hear that veteran character actor Michael Parks had passed away. Most people my age remember him from the opening scene in 'From Dusk Till Dawn,' but I first saw Parks in a 1987 TV movie called
'Stamp of a Killer' starring Judith Light and Jimmy Smits. I don't remember much about the movie other than Parks' scary performance as a menacing killer.

Let me put it this way, as a kid, before I went to sleep my mom had to make sure Michael Parks wasn't hiding under my bed. He certainly left an impression on me.

And everything of his that I saw showed a true performer. He was always amazing. I don't check under the bed for him anymore, but I do check my DVD collection to remember his stellar body of work. RIP Michael Parks.

Be Well,
Steve

Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve



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Michael Parks, 'Twin Peaks,' 'Kill Bill' star dead at 77
Michael Parks, a character actor best known for starring in Twin Peaks and films from directors Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith, has died at the age of 77.

Parks' agent Jane Schulman confirmed the actors death on Wednesday to The Hollywood Reporter. The cause of death has not been revealed.

Parks began acting on television shows such as The Asphalt Jungle, Route 66, The Real McCoys and Gunsmoke and in B-movies such as Wild Seed and Bus Riley's Back in Town. His first starring role came in the 1969 TV series Then Came Bronson for which he sang the theme song. The track reached No. 20 on the Billboard charts which lead to side career as a recording artist.

Other television roles included appearances on Perry Mason, Sam Benedict and Dynasty spinoff The Colbys. In David Lynch's Twin Peaks, Parks portrayed Canadian drug runner Jean Renault.

In film, Parks starred in From Dusk Till Dawn, Argo and in Kill Bill and Django Unchained from Tarantino. He portrayed villains in Smith's horror films Red State and Tusk.

On Instagram, Smith paid tribute to Parks calling him "my cinematic muse."

"Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I've ever known. I wrote both #RedState and @tuskthemovie FOR Parks, I loved his acting so much," Smith wrote. "He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. And Parks brought out the absolute best in me every time he got near my set."

Parks is survived by his wife Oriana and his son, the actor James Parks.


Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy cast in 'X-Men' spinoff film 'New Mutants'
Maisie Williams and Anya Taylor-Joy have signed on to star in upcoming X-Men spinoff film New Mutants from director Josh Boone.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Williams (Game of Thrones) is set to portray Scottish X-Men character Wolfsbane who can transform into a wolf and is struggling to reconcile her religious beliefs while Taylor-Joy (Split, The Witch), will be seen as Magik, a sorceress who uses teleportation discs to travel and is the sister of mutant Colossus who recently appeared in Deadpool.

The film, written by Boone and his writing partner Knate Lee, is set to begin production in July and will release on April 13, 2018. Simon Kinberg and Karen Rosenfelt are producing.

New Mutants will follow a young group of teenaged mutants and will also include characters such as Mirage, a Native American who can create illusions; Cannonball, a Kentucky native; Sunspot who can absorb sunlight and Warlock, an alien being who can shape shift.

Williams had previously shared her desire to star in the X-Men film, noting in April 2016, "I would absolutely love to be a part of it, [and] to be a part of the Marvel family."


LOOSE LIPS:
"As a professional selfie taker, I know my angles ... If Instagram wants to tell me I've lost 60 lbs. in one week, then damn I look good."
--Ashley Graham, addressing her critics, to Good Morning America



??? Guess Who ???
Which Oscar winning actress spit out Giada De Laurentiis' food on 'Ellen'?


Dwayne Johnson on running for president: 'It's a real possibility'
Dwayne Johnson has said he is giving more thought to running for president in 2020 in a new interview with GQ magazine.

"I think that it's a real possibility," the actor said, noting that he started thinking more about running for president following the release of an op-ed piece in The Washington Post that suggested he could win an election based on his likability and ancestry.

"A year ago, [the idea] started coming up more and more," the former WWE star said. "There was a real sense of earnestness, which made me go home and think, 'Let me really rethink my answer and make sure I am giving an answer that is truthful and also respectful.' I didn't want to be flippant - 'We'll have three days off for a weekend! No taxes!'"

Johnson also explained how he was hesitate to give an endorsement to either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election but said he opposes Trump's campaign call for a ban on Muslims entering the country.

"I believe in our national security to the core, but I don't believe in a 'ban' that bans immigrants," he shared. "I believe in inclusion. Our country was built on that, and it continues to be made strong by that. And the decision felt like a snap judgment."

Johnson had previously responded to the Washington Post piece on Instagram writing, "I care DEEPLY about our country... and the idea of one day becoming President to create real positive impact and global change is very alluring. Buuuuut until that possible day, the most important thing right now is strong honest leadership from our current and future leaders of this country."

Johnson is the latest celebrity that has mentioned they would like to run for president following Oprah Winfrey and Kanye West.


Report: 'Scandal' to end after Season 7
Popular political drama Scandal is coming to an end, sources say.

The Shonda Rhimes series starring Kerry Washington will come to a close with a seventh season on ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The network is expected to announce the news at its upfront presentation next week.

Sources told TV Line Rhimes "made the call" to end Scandal, and that ABC accepted her decision. The producer told Entertainment Weekly at the drama's 100th episode party in April that she had an end point in sight.

"I know how long the show is going to run, and I know how it's going to end, and I'm excited about it," she said.

Scandal is in the midst of a sixth season that will conclude May 18. The series was renewed for another season in February, along with Rhimes' shows Grey's Anatomy and How to Get Away with Murder.

"Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder continue to keep viewers on the edge of their seats and wanting more," ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said at the time. "I'm thrilled to bring back these shows and the OMG moments that come with them."

Scandal stars Washington as Olivia Pope, a crisis manager based on real-life former White House press aide Judy Smith. The actress described the series as "the best ride of [her] life" in an interview with THR in April.


??? Guess Who ???
Which Oscar winning actress spit out Giada De Laurentiis' food on 'Ellen'?

Nicole Kidman spit out celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis' food Wednesday on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The 49-year-old Australian actress criticized Laurentiis' focaccia pizza as "a little tough" during an awkward cooking segment on the morning talk show.

"It's a little tough," she admitted after taking a bite. "I know I'm not supposed to criticize, but..."

De Laurentiis attempted to teach Kidman and DeGeneres how to make arancini balls and focaccia pizza. Kidman initially struggled to form her arancini, prompting De Laurenttiis to chide, "Nicole, have you made meatballs or anything?"

Kidman ultimately made a "perfect" arancini to De Laurentiis' surprise. The actress later confessed she gets anxious while cooking because she doesn't know how "to time everything" properly.

"Well, then don't make so many things!" De Laurentiis responded.

Kidman, who shares daughters Sunday and Faith with husband Keith Urban, described herself as a "terrible" cook in an interview with Access Hollywood in 2010. She recalled a kitchen disaster for Event Magazine in January.

"I am the world's worst cook. I can ruin anything," the star said. "The girls were watching me incinerate an egg and Keith, who had his back to us, was completely oblivious."