Here's the Scoop...

It's been rough in the entertainment arena with each day being filled with more allegations, more sexual harassment, and more misconduct accusations. I'm glad that these awful things are coming to light and exposing the hypocrisy of Hollywood. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

Be Well,
Steve

Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve



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Brett Ratner accused of sexual harassment by Olivia Munn, Natasha Henstridge
Filmmaker Brett Ratner is facing sexual harassment and misconduct accusations from six actresses including Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge.

The group of women, which also includes actresses Jaime Ray Newman, Katharine Towne, Eri Sasaki and Jorina King, shared their experiences dealing with Ratner in a piece published by The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.

The women state that Ratner's sexual misconduct occurred inside private homes, at Hollywood events and on movie sets including the director's 2001 action-comedy, Rush Hour 2. None of the allegations were reported to police.

"He strong-armed me in a real way. He physically forced himself on me," Henstridge said and explained that Ratner forced her to perform oral sex on him in the 1990s after a get together with friends had ended.

Henstridge says she fell asleep and when she awoke, the other guests had left while Ratner blocked the exit and began touching himself. "At some point, I gave in and he did his thing," Henstridge said.

Henstridge stated that she felt compelled to come forward with her story as women in Hollywood have continued to speak out about their experiences with sexual harassment from the likes of producer Harvey Weinstein and director James Toback in recent weeks.

Munn stated that Ratner masturbated in front of her on the set of the 2004 film After the Sunset when Munn delivered a meal to his trailer. The incident was detailed in the Newsroom star's 2010 collection of essays which was followed by Ratner stating in 2011 that he shared an intimate relationship with Munn.

Ratner would later apologize on The Howard Stern Show stating that he was lying about having sex with Munn.

"It feels as if I keep going up against the same bully at school who just won't quit," Munn said. "You just hope that enough people believe the truth and for enough time to pass so that you can't be connected to him anymore."

Ratner who is also a producer and has worked on a number of hit films including X-Men: The Last Stand, The Revenant and Horrible Bosses, has denied all the claims of sexual harassment and misconduct through his attorney Martin Singer.

"I have represented Mr. Ratner for two decades, and no woman has ever made a claim against him for sexual misconduct or sexual harassment," Singer said in a 10-page letter to The Los Angeles Times. "Furthermore, no woman has ever requested or received any financial settlement from my client."

Ratner is also a partner in the RatPac-Dune Entertainment production company which has worked on a number of films with Warner Bros. including Wonder Woman. When asked about the allegations by The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. stated that they are "reviewing the situation."


'House of Cards' production halted after Spacey allegations
Production on "House of Cards's" sixth and final season was halted Tuesday amid sexual abuse allegations against star Kevin Spacey.

On Monday, online distributor Netflix and Media Rights Capital, an independent film and television studio, announced that the sixth season of Emmy-acclaimed political drama would be the last. Season 6 was expected to consist of 13 episodes and debut mid-2018 on Netflix.

The companies wrote in a statement: "MRC and Netflix have decided to suspend production on 'House of Cards' Season 6, until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew."

Netflix and MRC executives arrived Monday in the Baltimore, where the series is filmed, "to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported" after the allegations.

Spacey, who plays former President Francis Underwood in the Netflix series, was not scheduled to be on set Monday.

On Monday, he issued an apology on Twitter after Anthony Rapp said Spacey made sexual advances toward him at a party more than three decades ago when the Star Trek: Discovery actor was 14. Spacey said he didn't remember the incident but acknowledged "deeply inappropriate drunken behavior".

On Sunday, Rapp told BuzzFeed that he decided to come forward after many women reported sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry.

Less than two weeks ago, a mass shooting took place a mile from the House of Cards set but it did not affect production.

Season 5 of the show ended with Robin Wright's Claire Underwood now in the Oval Office as America's first female POTUS after Underwood resigned during his second term for his role in the money-laundering scandal that also brought down his predecessor. He also wanted to avoid a murder rap.

House of Cards, which is based on a BBC program, debuted in 2013.

Variety reported Netflix and MRC are in the early stages of a potential spinoff.


LOOSE LIPS:
"I don't think you have to get married. I don't think you have to have children. But once I got married and had kids, my level of empowerment grew to another level."
--Kelly Clarkson, on how marriage and motherhood changed her, to PEOPLE



??? Guess Who ???
Which Forrest Gump star will serve as the 2018 Tournament of Roses grand marshal?


Wendy Williams faints during live broadcast, recovers
Wendy Williams fainted live on air Tuesday during the broadcast of her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show.

The 53-year-old passed out 48 minutes into her one hour show during her "How You Doin'" segment that was going to feature the winner of a Halloween costume contest.

"We do it every year. It's always a lot of fun," she began before she started to appear uneasy. "Let's get started. Our first guest...." Williams continued before she paused and staggered before falling to the floor.

Williams was immediately cared for by staffers and producers as the show quickly cut to a commercial.

Following the break, Williams returned on-air. "That was not a stunt," she said. "I overheated in my costume and I did pass out. But you know what? I'm a champ and I'm back."

"Is that the end of the show? Was I passed out that long?!" she joked as the show came to a close.

Williams has not commented on the incident. A spokesperson for the New York City Fire Department confirmed to Us Weekly that they responded to a medical episode call at the location the show is filmed.


'Creed 2' receives November 2018 release date
MGM has announced that their upcoming boxing sequel Creed 2 will arrive in theaters on November 21, 2018.

The film, which will bring back stars Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone, received its release date Tuesday as MGM announced a new joint venture with Annapurna Pictures to distribute films theatrically in the United States, Heroic Hollywood reported.

The joint venture will see MGM and Annapurna share funding while still retaining creative control over their individual projects, Collider reported. The two studios have also formed Mirror to pursue theatrical releasing opportunities with third party films.

Creed, released in November 2015, centered around Adonis Creed (Jordan), the son of Rocky series regular Apollo Creed, who enters the boxing world by training with Stallone, who reprised his role as Rocky Balboa.

The film, from director Ryan Coogler based on a script he co-wrote with Aaron Covington, earned $173 million worldwide. Stallone was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and won the Golden Globe in the same category for his return as Rocky.

Stallone announced in October that he would be directing and producing Creed 2. The actor wrote the screenplays for all six Rocky films and directed Rocky II, Rocky III, and Rocky IV, which featured the death of Apollo at the hands of boxer Ivan Drago and Rocky Balboa.


??? Guess Who ???
Which Forrest Gump star will serve as the 2018 Tournament of Roses grand marshal?

Actor, musician and humanitarian Gary Sinise has been chosen to serve as the 2018 Tournament of Roses grand marshal.

The Forrest Gump and CSI: NY alum -- who is also famous for his advocacy for U.S. veterans and first responders -- is expected to ride in the 129th Rose Parade and participate in the pre-game celebration of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game.

Both events are to take place Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif.

"The 2018 theme, 'Making a Difference,' is a way to honor and celebrate all of the people in our communities, who quietly and without desire for reward or recognition, act in selfless, generous and kind ways to aid or benefit others. Gary Sinise is absolutely one of those people. Gary's humanitarian work with our defenders, veterans, first responders and their families over the years, embodies our theme to the fullest," Tournament of Roses President Lance Tibbet said in a statement Monday. "As members of a community, a country and a planet, we all have the ability, power and responsibility to help one another and as Gary likes to say....we can always do a little more."