By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:16am PDT, Jun 8, 2018
Sara Gilbert supports ABC's decision to cancel "Roseanne," pitches spinoff centered around her character
On the June 4 episode of "The Talk," Sara Gilbert addressed ABC's decision to cancel the "Roseanne" revival following star Roseanne Barr's racist Valerie Jarrett tweet: "This has been a very difficult week. A lot of people have been hurt by this," said the actress, who also executive produced the revival. "I will say I'm proud of the show we made. The show has always been about diversity, love and inclusion, and it's sad to see it end in this way. I'm sad for the people who lost their jobs in the process. However, I do stand behind the decision that ABC made," she continued. The following day, Variety reported that Gilbert and two fellow "Roseanne" executive producers met with Channing Dungey, the president of entertainment at ABC, to pitch a spinoff centered around her on-screen alter ego, Darlene. Co-stars John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf, as well as showrunner Bruce Helford and most of the "Roseanne" revival writing staff, would reportedly return for the project if ABC gives it the greenlight. According to Variety, the new show could debut as early as November. But a major roadblock to the plan is the fact that because Barr created the original iteration of the sitcom, she has a stake in any spinoffs — ABC is reportedly opposed to any deals that would see her benefit financially from the network.
RELATED: "Roseanne" cast: How their lives have changed
Anthony Bourdain commits suicide at 61
Famed chef, author and "Parts Unknown" host Anthony Bourdain was found unresponsive in his hotel room in France on June 8. Authorities classified his death at 61 as a suicide, and his network, CNN, confirmed the sad news. "His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller," the network said in a statement. "His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time."
RELATED: Celebs react to Anthony Bourdain's death
Samantha Bee apologizes on "Full Frontal" for vulgar Ivanka Trump insult
On the June 6 episode of "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee," the late-night host apologized for calling Ivanka Trump a "feckless c—" last week while criticizing the Trump administration's divisive immigration policies. "Sorry for breaking America," she joked before launching into a lengthy monologue. "It is a word I have used on the show many times, hoping to reclaim it. This time, I used it as an insult. I crossed the line. I regret it, and I do apologize for that," she said. "The problem is that many women have heard that word at the worst moments of their lives. A lot of them don't want that word reclaimed. They want it gone, and I don't blame them. I don't want to inflict more pain on them. I want this show to be challenging and I want it to be honest but I never intended it to hurt anyone — except Ted Cruz," she continued. "I hate that this distracted from more important issues. … I should've known that a potty-mouth insult would be inherently more interesting to [the 24-hour news cycle] than juvenile immigration policy," she added. "I would do anything to help those kids. I hate that this distracted from them, so to them, I am also sorry." The hostess concluded by suggesting that her critics "should all worry a little bit more about the niceness of our actions" than the civility of our words.
RELATED: Hollywood's funniest moms
"Soap" star Robert Mandan dead at age 86
Robert Mandan died at the age of 86 on April 29 in Los Angeles following a lengthy illness, his friend, screenwriter Gary Goldstein, told The Wrap, which reported the news on June 3. The actor portrayed the philandering Chester Tate on "Soap" (pictured) from 1977 to 1981. He also starred on "Private Benjamin," "Three's a Crowd" and "Santa Barbara" and appeared in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "The MatchMaker" and "Zapped!" Mandan is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sherry Dixon.
The EPA fined Chip and Joanna Gaines $40K for violating lead paint regulations on "Fixer Upper"
People magazine reported on June 6 that Magnolia Homes, Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines' company, settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after it was determined that they broke rules regarding the removal of lead paint while remodeling homes on "Fixer Upper." According to a June 5 statement on the EPA's website, the agency reviewed footage from several seasons of the HGTV show and discovered multiple violations of regulations meant to minimize risks from exposure to lead paint. Thirty-three home renovations "did not depict the lead-safe work practices normally required," said the EPA. Magnolia Homes will pay a $40,000 civil fine. The Gaineses, meanwhile, reportedly dropped $160,000 on a lead-paint abatement program for homes and child-occupied facilities in their hometown of Waco, Texas. They also demonstrated how to properly remove lead paint in a March episode of "Fixer Upper," which concluded after five seasons in April.
Dane Cook hilariously reacts to question about half-brother's financial crimes on "Jeopardy!"
Dane Cook took to Twitter on June 3 to hilariously react to his family drama making an appearance on a recent episode of "Jeopardy!" In a video of himself watching the game show in bed, the comedian cheerfully enthuses, "I love 'Jeopardy!' I can just watch it and get away from it all." He then flips his camera to face the TV, on which Alex Trebek can be heard prompting, "Dane Cook's half-brother and business manager stole millions from the comic, this crime of misappropriating bank funds." A contestant correctly responds, "What is embezzlement." Cook then stares blankly into his camera before sighing. In 2010, his half-brother, Darryl McCauley, pleaded guilty to 27 counts of larceny of more than $250, three counts of forgery, embezzlement and other charges. (He once reportedly wrote a $3 million check to himself from the "Employee of the Month" star's account.) McCauley served as the funnyman's manager between the early '90s and late 2008. He started stealing from his celebrity sibling in 2004. Ultimately, he was sentenced to five to six years in state prison.
Miss America Organization announces plans to drop swimsuit contest from competition
During a June 5 appearance on "Good Morning America," Gretchen Carlson announced that the Miss America Organization is dropping the swimsuit portion of the competition. "We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance. That's huge," said the former Miss America and current chair of the organization's board of directors. She also said that they plan to make changes to the eveningwear portion of the contest, adding that contestants will no longer be judged on the clothes they choose for the competition.
Kathy Griffin says she can't return to television following Donald Trump photo scandal
Kathy Griffin says she hasn't been able to book TV gigs since she posed holding a bloody mask resembling Donald Trump's decapitated head as part of a controversial Tyler Shields photo shoot last year. "I can't get a television series, even though I have eight [Emmy] nominations and two wins," the former "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" reality TV star told "Entertainment Tonight" as part of an interview that hit the Internet on June 6. "And nobody will let me do a [stand-up comedy] special at this time, even though I hold a Guinness World Book of Records for the most televised stand-up specials of any comedian, male or female, living or dead." (She's starred in a whopping 18 specials over the years.) The funnywoman says that she felt broken for two days after the photo scandal erupted in mid-2017. Then she got back to work, writing and taking meetings — and recording the whole process for a potential docuseries. But no one was interested, she says. "I still feel like the docuseries could've been good because, obviously, I know how to do unscripted, and I know how to produce it," she told "ET," adding that she was partially inspired by Leah Remini's show "Scientology and the Aftermath." For now, she's focused on her "Laugh Your Head Off" stand-up tour. "I'm just so glad to be able to, at least, stand on stage," she said.
Andy Cohen celebrates 50th birthday, jokes about romance rumors with pal John Mayer on "WWHL"
Andy Cohen celebrated his 50th birthday on the June 3 episode of "Watch What Happens Live" with pal John Mayer, who served as a surprise co-host. The Grammy winner serenaded the Bravo star with a rendition of Diana Ross's "It's My House," later joking, "I have done nothing but learn that song in the last 48 hours. I have ate, breathed and slept 'It's My House.'" (As another surprise to the birthday boy, Dolly Parton called in to the show to sing a verse from her song "Me and Little Andy," which she joked is actually about Cohen.) The longtime pals then joked about their friendship and rumors they might be more than friends. "I absolutely cannot believe that you put yourself on a freaking plane [to be here]," Cohen said at the end of the show. "I really do feel like we have had a glorious time together, but this last year has been like a victory lap of love and that you did this for me is blowing my mind."
