Here's the Scoop...

'Jumanji' plays the game and wins big!

The family adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $36 million in receipts this weekend, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday.

Coming in at No. 2 is Insidious: The Last Key with $29.3 million, followed by Star Wars: The Last Jedi at No. 3 with $23.6 million, The Greatest Showman at No. 4 with $13.8 million and Pitch Perfect 3 at No. 5 with $10.2 million.

Rounding out the top tier are Ferdinand at No. 6 with $7.7 million, Molly's Game at No. 7 with $7 million, Darkest Hour at No. 8 with $6.4 million, Coco at No. 9 with $5.5 million and All the Money in the World at No. 10 with $3.6 million.

Looking forward to any 2018 film releases?

Be Well,
Steve

Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve



************************
'Coach' scene-stealer Jerry Van Dyke dead at 86
Comic actor Jerry Van Dyke has died at his Arkansas ranch. He was 86.

Shirley Van Dyke told TMZ Saturday she and her husband were involved in a car crash more than two years ago and Jerry's health had since deteriorated.

Jerry Van Dyke appeared with his older brother -- Mary Poppins icon Dick Van Dyke -- on The Dick Van Dyke Show and was a popular guest on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Judy Garland Show, TVGuide.com noted.

He also co-starred with Craig T. Nelson on the sitcom Coach 1989-97, and popped up occasionally on The Middle and Yes, Dear.


'Outlander' star Caitriona Balfe is engaged: 'I'm very happy'
Outlander star Caitriona Balfe is "very happy" to be engaged.

The 38-year-old Irish actress, who plays Clare Fraser on the Starz series, confirmed her engagement to Tony McGill at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.

"It happened over the break. I'm very happy," she told People on the red carpet.

Balfe wore her engagement ring on her left hand and another diamond sparkler on her right. She was one of several stars to dress in black as a sign of solidarity with the Time's Up equality and anti-harassment campaign.

"#TimesUp @TIMESUPNOW," the star tweeted alongside a Time's Up post reading, "Why I Wear Black Today: For equity and parity across all industries. For safety among every worker in every occupation. For inclusion of all women and marginalized people."

E! News reported Balfe, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Television Series -- Drama, has been dating McGill for years. The couple were first linked in 2015 after a friend shared an Instagram video of Balfe sitting on McGill's lap.

Outlander is based on the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. The show co-stars Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser and completed a third season in December.


LOOSE LIPS:
"As an actor, I'm masked by characters, protected by them. But as a musician, it's my story, my voice, my face."
--Hailee Steinfeld, on what makes her feel vulnerable, to Marie Claire



??? Guess Who ???
Which actor bid $120K to watch 'Game of Thrones' with Emilia Clarke?


Ray Thomas, Moody Blues flautist, vocalist, dies at 76
Ray Thomas, a flautist and vocalist for band the Moody Blues, has died at age 76.

The musician's label, Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records, announced Thomas' death on Facebook Sunday. A cause of death was not disclosed.

"It is with profound sorrow and sadness that Cherry Red Records and Esoteric Recordings regret to announce that Ray Thomas, founder member, flautist and vocalist of the Moody Blues, passed away suddenly at his home in Surrey on Thursday 4th January 2018," the label said.

"We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humor and kindness. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and his wife, Lee, at this sad time."

Thomas formed the band in 1964 with keyboardist Mike Pinder, drummer Graeme Edge, bassist Clint Warick and guitarist Denny Laine. The Moody Blues would soon replace Laine with Justin Hayward and Warwick with John Lodge to form the group's most well-known lineup that was recently selected to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"Ray and I have been on this magical journey through life together since we were 14...two young kids from Birmingham who reached for the stars...and we made it together. El Riot you will always be by my side #moodyblues @rockhall #Moodiescruise," Lodge wrote on Twitter Sunday, referring to the band El Riot, which Thomas and Lodge first performed in.

Thomas appeared on all of The Moody Blues' albums including Days of Future Passed, In Search of the Lost Chord, A Question of Balance and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour among others until he retired from the band in 2002 due to health issues.

Thomas wrote and provided vocals on tracks such as "Twilight Time," "Legend of the Mind," "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume," "Dear Diary" and "And the Tide Rushes In."

He also released two solo albums, 1975's From Mighty Oaks and 1976's Hopes, Wishes and Dreams.


'X-Files' star Gillian Anderson receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Gillian Anderson reflected on her role as the "fiercely independent" Dana Scully on The X-Files as she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday.

Anderson said she moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990s with the hope of transitioning from stage to film, but had the "good fortune" of meeting X-Files creator Chris Carter who ultimately gave her the role of the FBI special agent.

"A woman who wasn't just the object of man's desire but a strong-willed, smart, brave woman who was career-driven and fiercely independent," Anderson said of Scully. "A young woman yet to be depicted on TV and, as the fan response would soon prove, a desperately needed role model for women of all ages everywhere, who it turns out were simply not seeing themselves represented."

Star Trek actor Bryan Fuller and Joel McHale, who appeared in 2016's X-Files revival also spoke at the ceremony.

"Nobody is as good of an actor, her success is uncanny, she's a cultural icon," McHale said.

Anderson thanked her co-star David Duchovny, whose star is located next to hers, for being a "perfect platonic partner to spend 25 years of my life."

"Who would've guessed that when we sat side by side in the hallway of Fox during that ghastly audition process 25 years on we'd not only still be filming, but that we'd be permanent concrete neighbors on the Hollywood Walk of Fame."

Anderson said she was "incredibly humbled and grateful" to receive the 2,625th star.

"I never imagined I'd be honored with a star and next to some of the greatest names in the industry," she said.


??? Guess Who ???
Which actor bid $120K to watch 'Game of Thrones' with Emilia Clarke?

Actor and producer Brad Pitt bid $120,000 to watch an episode of Game of Thrones with Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen on the fantasy drama.

TMZ said the bidding at the charity auction started at $20,000 and went back and forth between Pitt and a non-celebrity bidder, who has not been identified in media reports.

Pitt bowed out of the competition when the other bidder offered $160,000 for the experience.

"During the first auction, Brad was on his phone. When the auction announced Emilia Clarke, they called her out in the crowd and Brad literally turned his whole neck to find and look at her and enthusiastically clap," a witness told Us Weekly.

"He offered $80,000 in the auction to watch Game of Thrones with Emilia," the source continued. "Emilia was covering her mouth and giggling. Leo [DiCaprio] enthusiastically watched the whole auction, turning his head back and forth between Brad and Emilia. [Pitt] later offered $120,000 and raised his arms in excitement, but was out at $150,000. He laughed hysterically when he gave up and they called him out for it. ... He clapped and cheered when someone else took it for $160,000."

Sean Penn's gala dinner and auction to benefit the J/P Haitian Relief Organization took place at Milk Studios in Los Angeles Saturday.