By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:25am PDT, Jul 6, 2018
"Last Man Standing" revival moving forward without two original cast members
When "Last Man Standing" returns to television on FOX more than a year after concluding its six-season run on ABC in March 2017, it will be without two familiar faces. Molly Ephraim, who portrayed Mandy, the middle daughter of Tim Allen's Mike Baxter, and Flynn Morrison, who played Mike's grandson Boyd, have both declined to return to the revived sitcom. Their roles will be recast. (According to TVLine, Kaitlyn Dever, who portrayed youngest daughter Eve, is still in negotiations to determine whether or not she'll appear on the show on a recurring basis.)
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Richard Harrison, The Old Man from "Pawn Stars," remembered by friends and family at private funeral
Richard Harrison's friends and family remembered the late "Pawn Stars" personality, who was known as The Old Man, in Las Vegas on July 1. Clips from the History channel series featuring Harrison, as well as tributes from his colleagues, played during the private memorial service. According to The Associated Press, Harrison's casket was draped with an American flag to honor his 20 years of Navy service, and a photo of the reality star with his wife of 58 years, JoAnne, was stationed nearby. He died at 77 on June 25 following a fight with Parkinson's disease.
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NBC cancels Mindy Kaling comedy "Champions," series looking for new home
NBC has cancelled "Champions," which Mindy Kaling created, executive produced and wrote, following its 10-episode first season, which concluded in late May. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix passed on picking up the sitcom, on which Kaling also had a recurring role as the mother of J.J. Totah's ambitious theater kid, for a second season, though it will continue streaming the show internationally after its debut on June 12. Universal Television, which produces "Champions," is reportedly looking for a new home for the series. According to THR, it's unclear if Hulu — which has in-season stacking rights to the comedy and previously saved Kaling's "The Mindy Project" after it was canceled on FOX — is among the options being discussed.
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CBS responds to "inappropriate behavior and offensive comments" by "Big Brother" cast members
In response to a swift fan backlash, CBS released a statement addressing inappropriate behavior and offensive comments made by cast members on Season 20 of "Big Brother" during the show's 24/7 digital feed. "'Big Brother' is a reality show about watching a group of people who have no privacy 24/7 — and capturing every unfiltered moment and conversation in their lives. At times, the houseguests reveal prejudices and exhibit behavior that we do not condone," the network said. "The producers have addressed two such incidents that were seen recently on the 24/7 online feed. In both cases, those involved have been warned about their inappropriate behavior and offensive comments, as well as future consequences. These events will not be part of any future 'Big Brother' broadcast on CBS." On July 2, cast members Angela Rummans and Rachel Swindler outraged fans when they used the word "ghetto" while comparing their tans. A few days earlier, fans called for "Big Brother" to give cast member JC Mounduix the boot after he inappropriately touched and made lewd comments to his fellow contestants. Season 20 just debuted on June 27.
Jenna Dewan musical drama "Mixtape" heading to Netflix
Nearly two months after FOX passed on "Mixtape" after ordering a pilot of the musical drama, Netflix committed to a 10-episode first season of the series, which was created by former "Smash" and "Quantico" showrunner Josh Safran. According to Netflix, the show "looks at the love stories connecting a diverse group of people in Los Angeles." Jenna Dewan, Madeleine Stowe, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Callie Hernandez are set to star.
"Dallas" actor Daniel Pilon dead at 77, MSNBC Host Ed Schultz dead at 64
Actor Daniel Pilon — who portrayed Jenna Wade's ex-husband, villainous oil tycoon Renaldo "Naldo" Marchetta on "Dallas" — died at age 77 on June 26 after a battle with cancer. His agent confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
Netflix reviewing deal with director Nicolás López following sexual harassment allegations
Netflix is reviewing its licensing deal with Nicolás López, one of Chile's most successful filmmakers, in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against the producer-director from at least eight women. "Netflix has licensed several of Nicolás López's films in the past and we have an agreement for one of his new projects, which is now currently under review," the streaming giant said in a statement. An attorney representing some of the women said, "This is a case that will reverberate because we have a director who works in the U.S. and who produces for the North American market, so we are not only going to apply Chilean legal standards, but also North America's. And that's why Netflix and any other company that has a presence in the U.S. are in a complicated position: They cannot sponsor nor support behavior of abuse or mistreatment of artists." López, who has frequently collaborated with horror director Eli Roth, has denied the allegations against him.
Ed Schultz, former MSNBC host, dead at 64
Political commentator and former MSNBC host Ed Schultz died of natural causes at the age of 64 at his home in Washington, DC, on July 5.
