How Disney Will Use ‘American Idol,’ ‘The Simpsons’ and More to Promote This Year’s Oscars (EXCLUSIVE)

Not even Netflix could have predicted just how popular Shonda Rhimes’ “Bridgerton” would become when it was released last year. Shortly after its debut, the period drama series shot up the popularity charts on the streaming service to become the most-watched show the platform had released.

For years, after the series finale of “The Sopranos” aired on HBO, fans were anxiously awaiting news about whether or not we’d get more stories in that world eventually. Well, if “The Many Saints of Newark” is any indication, perhaps you should be careful what you wish for, as ‘Sopranos’ creator David Chase is starting to prove he’s willing to milk his franchise for all its worth, even if it takes away the “specialness” of the original.

Yesterday, the world found out that legendary filmmaker, Ivan Reitman passed away at the age of 75. The filmmaker behind some of the most iconic comedies of all time, including “Ghostbusters,” “Stripes,” and “Kindergarten Cop” (I’ll fight you about that last one), touched millions with his work over the decades.

Say what?! Leave it to Lizzo to oh-so subtly reveal that she received at least one — and maybe multiple — piercings on her “coochie.” And yes, you read that right. 

A major moment. Scheana Shay‘s fiancé, Brock Davies, claims that he paid off his child support for his two children in Australia.

Howard Grimes was a drummer with the Memphis soul session band the Hi Rhythm Section, who backed singers including Al Green and Ann Peebles.Grimes grew up in Memphis, where he was inspired to be a drummer after watching Gene Krupa (1909–1973) play on TV. After learning to play drums – he was largely self-taught – Grimes attended school with Isaac Hayes (1942–2008). The two played together in a combo when they were young.

CBS Sunday Morning, Chase explained how it didn’t bother him when he heard that his former costars had bad experiences while working with him.“I guess you’d have to ask them. I don’t give a crap!” he laughed.“I am who I am. And I like where — who I am.

South Beach Wine & Food Fest (SOBEWFF) — the nation’s largest wine and food event, which turns Miami into foodie central during the last week of February — is celebrating its 21st birthday. And like any newly legal-to-imbibe adolescent, the annual four-day festival is going big this year.Not only will the festival boast an impressive lineup of chefs and culinary personalities, but a red-carpet’s worth of celebrities (many of whom have brands to showcase) will be in attendance.With so many talent-packed events to choose from, here is a how-to guide when it comes to eating, drinking and maybe even rubbing elbows with the sun-kissed stars of this year’s SOBEWFF.The award-winning actress, entrepreneur and activist will present her new ultra-premium female-powered tequila, Casa Del Sol, at an al fresco dinner on Friday evening at Verde, the Pérez Art Museum Miami’s picturesque restaurant overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Deep Water, an erotic thriller from director Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, Indecent Proposal). After nearly two years of sitting on a shelf somewhere, the film—which was supposed to come out in 2020—finally has a release date: It will premiere on on March 18, and the first trailer just dropped. In the—very erotic, you've been warned—teaser, Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck sit in a park and stare into each other's eyes while discussing their love for each other.

George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth have one of the most successful and loving marriages in the entertainment industry right now, and their love transfers to their daughters as well.MORE: Ali Wentworth admits to surprising challenges while working from homeThe two appeared on the recent Valentine's Day episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan to talk to the two hosts about their marriage and relationship.WATCH: George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth’s love storyThey told Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest about their whirlwind romance, comprising of a blind date, followed by an engagement two months later, and then a wedding six months after that.The Good Morning America host and his comedian wife then started talking about their daughters, Elliott, 19, and Harper, 16, and how they benefited the most from Valentine's Day, receiving roses and candy from their father and pajamas from their mom.MORE: Ali Wentworth shares emotional tribute to husband George StephanopoulosKelly then excitedly posed the question: "A guy meets Elliott at school, and two months later says 'I'm in love with your daughter, I want to marry her'."A post shared by LIVE with Kelly and Ryan (@livekellyandryan)George and Ali talked about their relationship and family on LIVE!"Now?!" George incredulously asked, to which Kelly responded: "Now. At the Jefferson Hotel.

RUTH Langsford has opened up about being stepmum to husband Eamonn Holmes' children. She and Eamonn, 62, share son Jack, 19, but he is also dad to Declan, 32, Rebecca, 30, and 28-year-old Niall with from his marriage to first wife Gabrielle. Recalling the moment she met her future stepchildren for the first time during Monday's Loose Women, Ruth, 61, said: "I was very nervous.

THE Masked Singer champion Natalie Imbruglia was almost foiled by her own son as they travelled to the UK together. The singer, who took home the winning title as Panda over the weekend, revealed her two-year-old nearly gave it away before she was unmasked. Natalie, 47, told fans on This Morning that her young son Max was the only member of her family that knew the truth about Panda.

DANCING On Ice fans all had the same complaint about the judges - as they called for Mr Nasty Jason Gardiner to return. They took to Twitter to complain after being left 'baffled' by the judges' scoring last night.

PIERS Morgan has revealed he's a huge fan of rapper 50 Cent after attending the Superbowl with his sons. The 56-year-old posted several clips from the event on social media and told his followers that 50's hit In Da Club is his "favourite rap song".

DANCING on Ice fans have threatened to switch off as the "weakest contestants" make it through after Liberty Poole's exit. They were shocked to find Love Island's Liberty and Olympic champ Kye Whyte in the skate-off.

CALL the Midwife fans have rumbled the sneaky way how BBC bosses hid Helen George's pregnancy in its latest episode. Fans of the show bid an emotional farewell to midwife Trixie Franklin in a recent episode of the BBC show, as the nurse flew to Portofino to look after her sick aunt.

CORONATION Street actress Alexandra Mardell has gushed about her new job after quitting the soap. Alexandra, 28, who plays barmaid Emma Brooker, will film her exit scenes later this month but will remain on screen until April. However she has already landed a new job teaching acting workshops to youngsters in Leeds.

GOOD Morning Britain bosses are desperate to hold on to Ranvir Singh after she secretly quit her role as political editor. Insiders said Ranvir, 44, was sick of the cold mornings standing on the doorstep of Number 10 and handed in her notice at the end of last year under the premise she would be move into a more substantial role on the flagship ITV show.

A CONTESTANT on The Chase has revealed behind-the-scenes secrets from the show - including how long the process takes and the prize you get for participating. Joanna Tweedale appeared on the beloved ITV quiz show in 2020 and was soon faced with the stiff task of taking on one of the UK’s most knowledgeable quizzers.

THE actor who became world famous for playing the butler on Fresh Prince of Bel Air has a surprising new gig. Joseph Marcell, 73, has juggled his career between the UK and US since shooting to fame in 1974. He's most known for playing the Banks' family butler Geoffrey Butler.

THE Fresh Prince first graced our screens over three decades ago and some of its cast look completely unrecognisable since appearing on the show. The beloved series followed the life of Will, who moved from West Philadelphia to Los Angeles to live with his aunt and uncle, after getting into trouble.

FREDDIE Flintoff has quit A League of Their Own after 12 years and fans aren't happy. The 44-year-old announced the news on Instagram, posting a snap of him in drag on the show and one showing him with his co-stars Jamie Redknapp, Jack Whitehall and James Corden.

EASTENDERS Dotty Cotton could struggle to learn from her parents' mistakes as she is set for some heart-breaking events. Actress Milly Zero has teased her character will be at the core of a new addiction storyline on the BBC One soap.

Is there anything more fraught than dating? Some of us really like it, some of us really don’t. Many people like the adventure that dating can be. That can be the most positive experience of it, in a sense. You never know who you’ll meet, the things you’ll experience, the things you’ll learn along the way. It can be a lot of fun and a rush of thrill and excitement and enthusiasm. You feel alive. For others of us, however, dating is nothing but a complete state of botheration.

In September 2021, the Atlanta City Council voted to approve the new police training facility for the Atlanta Police Department. The Atlanta Police Foundations, who are largely sponsoring the $90 million dollar project, have referred to the planned facility as a new “Public Safety Training Center.” Activists in the Atlanta area have dubbed it “Cop City” and have been protesting for months to stop the project. 

 -- and for millions of viewers, it is. But for stars Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula, reliving the months leading up to their wedding last September is proving  so fun.«It's been challenging,» Amanda confesses to ET, Zooming in alongside Kyle from the New York City apartment they share.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterWhoopi Goldberg returned to her co-host seat at ABC’s “The View” on Monday following a two-week-long suspension due to remarks she made on the program last month about the Holocaust that drew backlash.“Well, hello, hello, hello and welcome to ‘The View.’ And yes, I am back… And I missed you all, too,” Goldberg said to viewers and her co-hosts at the top of Monday’s show. “I’ve got to tell you, there’s something kind of marvelous about being on a show like this, because we are ‘The View” and this is what we do.

Valentine's Day may have fallen on Monday but many showbiz couples spent the weekend celebrating.

Is something finally about to give in the long impasse between Cannes and Netflix?

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeStop me if you think you’ve heard this one before: Benedict Cumberbatch guest stars as a moody 80s-era UK crooner who becomes Lisa’s imaginary friend on this Sunday’s episode of “The Simpsons.” Variety has a first look at this Fauxissey as he gives his take on the citizens of Springfield; scroll down to watch.In the episode “Panic on the Streets of Springfield,” Cumberbatch plays “Quilloughby,” described as Lisa’s “new imaginary friend — a depressed British singer from the 1980s.” Also in the episode, “Homer becomes a truck guy in the all.”Of course, it doesn’t take much to realize “Quilloughby” looks, sounds and acts like noted moody vegan (and lately, controversial right-winger) Morrissey.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large“The Amber Ruffin Show” is swiftly expanding its roster of writing talent, adding Corin Wells and Patrick Rowland to its staff. The hires come after “Amber Ruffin” added three other writers to the mix: Ashley Nicole Black, Ian Morgan and Michael Harriot.