September 10, 2019
Here's the Scoop...
Lifetime's fact-based movie The College Admissions Scandal is set to debut on Oct. 12.
The drama stars Penelope Ann Miller, Mia Kirshner and Michael Shanks.
"When charismatic college admissions consultant Rick Singer offers a side door into the prestigious institutions of their dreams, Caroline and Bethany willingly partake with visions of coveted acceptance letters in their heads. But when Singer cooperates with the FBI and pleads guilty, the mothers who risked everything for their kids, must face the consequences of their crimes and the loss of trust and respect from their families," the cable network said in a press release last month.
A teaser released Friday shows the lengths some parents went to to get their teens into prestigious universities.
In the minute-long preview, Miller's character can be heard telling her child, "We did this because we thought we were helping you," before she was led away in handcuffs by police.
In real life on Friday, federal prosecutors in Massachusetts lowered their recommended sentence for actress Felicity Huffman from four months to one month for her guilty plea in the college admissions scandal.
Huffman pleaded guilty in May to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud for agreeing to pay Singer thousands of dollars to help her daughter with her college admissions process.
I do enjoy me a "good-bad" movie. Thanks, Lifetime!
Be Well,
Steve
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'Survivor: Island of the Idols': Meet the Season 39 contestants
CBS has announced the 20 contestants who will be competing on Season 39 of Survivor titled Island of the Idols.
The new season, which arrives on Sept. 25, will feature former champions 'Boston Rob' Mariano and Sandra Diaz-Twine returning as mentors who can answer questions and offer assistance on strategy and shelter building.
The new contestants consist of 10 women and 10 men with ages ranging from 23 to 60.
The women include 26-year-old Olympic Medalist Elizabeth Beisel, 24-year-old Air Force veteran Missy Byrd, 37-year-old personal injury lawyer Karishma Patel, 41-year-old factory worker Elaine Stott, 26-year-old digital content creator Chelsea Walker, 28-year-old nanny Lauren Beck, 27-year-old law student Molly Byman, 59-year-old chief lifeguard Janet Carbin, 29-year-old MBA student Kellee Kim and 36-year-old entrepreneur Noura Salman.
The men include 35-year-old pro poker player Ronnie Bardah, 28-year-old tech sales rep Dean Kowalski, 60-year-old former NHL player Tom Laidlaw, 36-year-old gym owner Aaron Meredith, 27-year-old admissions counselor Vince Moua, 32-year-old personal injury lawyer Jason Linden, 23-year-old graduate student Jack Nichting, 26-year-old elementary school teacher Tommy Seehan, 33-year-old college administrator Jamal Shipman and 48-year-old talent manager Dan Spilo.
"We have a new [casting] team in place, and we've come up with the most diverse cast we've ever had no compare," host and executive producer Jeff Probst said to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Even the cast noticed it when they were all together at Ponderosa and we met with them. They all said, 'Oh my god. There are so many different people from so many different walks of life,"' he continued.
'Joker,' Roman Polanski's 'J'accuse' win top prizes at Venice Film Festival
Todd Phillips' Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic DC Comics villain, won the Golden Lion for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.
"I feel a lot of emotions, I wasn't sure if people would have understood what we were trying to do with @jokermovie. Now I'm sure everyone here has understood. We are very proud of this film," Phillips said as he accepted the award with Phoenix by his side.
The movie is set for release in the United States on Oct. 4.
Roman Polanski's J'accuse won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, Roy Anderson won the Silver Lion Award for Best Director for About Endlessness, Ariane Ascaride was named Best Actress for Gloria Mundi and the Best Actor honor went to Luca Marinelli for Martin Eden.
Variety said Polanski's wife, Emmanuelle Seigner, accepted his award on his behalf.
Polanski has been a fugitive from the U.S. justice system since 1978 when he pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl, then fled the country before he could be sentenced.
He was last year expelled -- along with convicted sex offender Bill Cosby -- from Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
LOOSE LIPS:
"I love kids. She's great with kids. It would be a wonderful thing. We are shooting for that."
--Orlando Bloom, revealing his and fiancée Katy Perry's future family fans, on Howard Stern's Stern Show
??? Guess Who ???
Which actress will receive the BET Icon Award?
Wendy Williams on life after divorce: 'I really like the new me'
Wendy Williams discussed her divorce and dating life while appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
"I really like the new me," Williams said on Sunday after Cohen asked her if anything positive has happened from her split from husband Kevin Hunter.
"I don't know who I've become, but I like her. She's smart, she's strong, she makes good choices," the television personality continued.
Williams filed for divorce from Hunter after 21 years of marriage in April. Williams and Hunter share 19-year-old son Kevin Hunter Jr. together. The divorce happened amid rumors that Hunter fathered an illegitimate child.
Williams confirmed to Cohen that she is still friendly with Hunter.
"Well you have to be," she said. "He messed up, but hey, life moves on."
Williams also said that if she ever got married again, she would absolutely get a prenuptial agreement.
Bruce Springsteen, John Oliver to perform at Stand Up for Heroes 2019
Bruce Springsteen and John Oliver will take the stage at the 2019 Stand Up for Heroes event.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation, which presents the annual event with the New York Comedy Festival, announced this year's lineup in a tweet Monday.
Springsteen, Oliver, Jon Stewart, Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng will perform at the fundraiser Nov. 4 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tickets go on sale to the general public Tuesday.
"Check out the incredible entertainers taking the stage on Monday, Nov. 4 at the 13th Annual Stand Up for Heroes!" the Bob Woodruff Foundation wrote.
Stand Up for Heroes raises awareness and funds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports military veterans and their families. The event has raised more than $50 million for the foundation since 2007.
"Even after 13 years of Stand Up for Heroes, the event continues to inspire our audience and our nation," Bob Woodruff said in a statement. "We can't forget that these brave individuals stand up to serve in our military, and we need to show our support by standing up for them in return."
Stand Up for Heroes is the annual kickoff to the New York Comedy Festival, which runs Nov. 4-10 this year. Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, Jenny Slate and dozens of other comedians will perform at the festival this year.
??? Guess Who ???
Which actress will receive the BET Icon Award?
Angela Bassett discussed how portraying strong women throughout her career has been a part of her life's purpose while receiving the BET Icon Award at the 2019 Black Girls Rock! ceremony.
"We all have purpose, even if we're still striving to understand what that is. When I decided as a teenager that acting would be my path, whether I recognized it or not, I was walking towards my purpose," the actress said during the event which was aired on Sunday.
Bassett encouraged the audience to seek out their purpose in life and to keep fighting.
"When they say send her back home, you tell them I am home," she said. "When they tell you that you're angry or nasty, you tell them they're mistaken, This is me. This is me being resolute and standing firmly in my truth."
"Now is not the time to be silent," Bassett continued. "Find your purpose, pursue it relentlessly, passionately and loudly. Be persistent and win."
BET's Black Girls Rock! ceremony is an awards show that honors and highlights black women across entertainment and philanthropy.
Regina King, who had introduced Bassett, won the Star Power Award. Other winners included Ciara winning the Rock Star Award and H.E.R. winning the Young, Gifted and Black Award.