For those who haven’t gotten their fill of Barbie, Hasbro has announced preorders for its forthcoming Monopoly: Barbie Edition.
Coming on the high heels of the record-setting film’s release, the special edition of the beloved board game gets a pink makeover — and the game’s traditional game tokens are getting an upgrade, too.
Gone are the iron, the thimble and the like; in their place, there’s a game piece shaped like Barbie’s head, a puppy, a speedboat, a Dream Car, a roller skate and of course a high-heeled shoe, all done up in “signature Barbie pink.”
The usual “Chance” and “Community Chest” cards are swapped out for “Dream Career” and “Dream Closet” cards, to boot, among other gameplay changes. Players can “purchase famous locations in the Barbie dream world” and “build [their] own DreamHouses,” according to the ad copy.
The game is expected to hit store shelves on October 1, retailing for $24.99.
Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth MacFarlane has donated $1 million to The Entertainment Community Fund, the charity dedicated to actors who are struggling financially.
The organization notes that with the addition of MacFarlane’s gift, the group formerly known as The Actors Fund has raised more than $6.3 million from more than 7,500 donors.
With the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes crippling Hollywood production, there is a growing need to provide.
The Entertainment Community Fund noted in its announcement, “As of July 28, 2023, the Fund has provided more than $2.7 million to more than 1,500 people affected by the current work stoppages.”
The strikes come, of course, just as the industry was finding its footing after the pandemic closures.
It adds, “Thanks to these substantial donations, the Fund is helping film and television workers in need with emergency financial assistance to cover basic living expenses (rent, groceries, health insurance, medical bills, etc.), mental health support and more.”
The organization said other notable donors included: actress and Entertainment Community Fund Chair Annette Bening; former Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron; Rosanne Cash, in memory of her late father, Johnny Cash; Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan; TV producer Greg Berlanti, Michelle Pfeiffer and her TV producer husband, David E. Kelley; Bridgerton and Grey’s Anatomy producing mogul Shonda Rhimes;and Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg and his actress wife, Kate Capshaw.
In a statement, Bening noted the group is “overcome with gratitude,” adding, “Each day, the calls for help increase; these gifts will immediately assist so many in our industry who are still struggling to recover after the pandemic.”
Actor Stephen Amell, famous from CW’s so-called Arrow-verse of superhero shows and now on the STARZ wrestling show Heels, has taken a heel turn of his own, in the eyes of those supporting the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild strikes.
While speaking at a fan Q&A session at GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, over the weekend, Amell was asked about the ongoing Hollywood strikes. According to video at the event, the actor said, “I support my union. I do, and I stand with them,” then added, “I do not support striking. I don’t. I think it’s a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating.”
The actor who played Oliver Queen/Green Arrow also called the strikes “myopic” because SAG-AFTRA rules specifically forbid actors to promote the shows they’ve worked on.
Amell’s comments drew flak from his fellow actors. Matt Letscher, who played the villain Eobard Thawn/Reverse Flash on the CW show The Flash and others, sniped, “Still waiting on that comprehensive list of totally non-reductive negotiating tactics we get to employ now. Thank god for superheroes!…”
This led one of his followers to snark in reply, “…Reverse Flash was actually a lesser villain than Green Arrow. Who knew????”
Many fans — some struggling actors among them — used a gif from Arrow, with Amell’s own character expressing, “You have failed this city.”
While Amell hasn’t explained his comments on Instagram, followers let him have it there, too, shredding him in the replies to a thank you post to con attendees.
L-R: Adams, Rick Hoffman, Macht in 2015 — NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment/Theo Wargo
If you’re a Netflix subscriber, chances are you’ve seen a trailer for the former USA Network legal drama Suits. Given Nielsen numbers, there’s a better chance you’ve clicked on it, either to rewatch the series that ran from 2011 until 2019 or — more likely — to watch it for the first time.
According to data from the company, it’s currently among the most-watched shows between Netflix and Peacock, with some 3.1 billion viewers across the platforms — a Nielsen record, according to TVLine.
The series was centered on Patrick J. Adams‘ Mike Ross, a brilliant college dropout with a photographic memory who is hired by Gabriel Macht‘s Harvey Specter, an ace attorney in one of New York City’s most prestigious law firms.
Even if you’ve never seen an episode, you probably have heard Meghan Markle was on the show, too. She played paralegal Rachel Zane, leaving two seasons shy of the ninth and final season, which only runs on Peacock.
The show’s executive producer Gene Klein tells TV Line he’s just surprised as anybody about the resurgence.
“I, obviously, had a sense…it would probably get another burst of viewing and that kind of thing, but I did not think this would happen,” he admitted, explaining as the numbers racked up, he texted creator Aaron Korsh, “and it was something on the order of, ‘Holy s***.'”
With reboots all the rage — and considering its streaming resurgence — is a Suits reboot in the offing?
“…I’m expecting a call at some point,” Klein says. “But I’m not aware of any serious conversations,” adding he “wouldn’t be surprised” if that call does come.
However, getting the cast back together might be difficult, he admits, particularly Markle. “I would assume that’s just not possible,” he contends of her return.
Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, have some thrilling news to share — they’re expecting a baby girl!
The couple, who are already doting parents to their adorable 5-year-old daughter Olympia, documented the moment in a YouTube video showcasing the fabulous baby shower-slash-gender reveal party to share the exciting news in style.
Decked out in a lovely pink and white ensemble that showcased her growing baby bump, Serena made it clear that she was firmly “team pink.” In the video posted online, she expressed a hint of nervousness, admitting she had no backup plan in case it turned out to be a boy. But rest assured, it was all pink galore at the celebration!
The outdoor bash was a rainbow of colors, with a stunning balloon arch taking center stage, proudly displaying the sign, “Our Next Great Adventure.” The vibrant ambiance included long white sticks with multi-colored balloon bouquets, imitating trees, and comfy blankets scattered across the lush grounds for guests to relax.
As the party heated up, Ohanian decided to add a dash of fun and surprise. Instead of the usual pink or blue cake, he threw a curveball and opted for a yellow cake, playfully intending to troll Serena and Olympia. But his plan took a hilarious turn when Serena saw the yellow cake and playfully smooshed it into Alexis’ face. Shortly after, drones above spelled out “Girl!”
Amidst cheers, applause, and sheer joy, the family celebrated the upcoming addition to their lives.
Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval will compete on the second season of Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, according to Variety. The series tasks celebrities from all genres to take on — and try to survive — demanding training exercises led by directing staff agents, an elite team of ex-Special Forces operatives. The season 2 cast, per the outlet, “will be tested with submerging themselves into a frozen lake, trekking a 4,700 ft tall snowcapped mountain and embarking on an emergency escape out of a helicopter submerged deep in icy waters of New Zealand. Other celebrity recruits include Bachelor Nation’s Tyler Cameron, Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Brian Austin Green and American Pie and Sharknado vet Tara Reid…
Deadline reports Betty Ann Bruno, who played a munchkin in the 1939 classic The Wizard Of Oz and went on to become a TV producer and longtime reporter in the San Francisco Bay area, died Sunday in Sonoma, California, according to her family. She was 91. No cause of death was given. Bruno had no other screen credits until 2021 when she was tapped as a contestant on the game show To Tell the Truth. Bruno also published a book in 2020 called The Munchkin Diary: My Personal Yellow Brick Road…
CBS’ Big Brother on Monday announced the 16 cast members who will compete for the $750,000 prize, including the first hearing-impaired houseguest, the first Sikh houseguest, the first female houseguest over 60, the first Australian houseguest and the first houseguest from Appalachia. Big Brother, hosted by Julie Chen Moonves, returns with a 90-minute premiere event on Wednesday, August 2, and three weekly episodes thereafter airing Sundays and Wednesdays at 8:00 PM, ET/PT and Thursdays at 9:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT…
Following Euphoria breakout Angus Cloud‘s sudden death at 25 years old on Monday, July 31, the acting community took to social media to pay tribute to the actor.
“Rest easy brother,” Javon Walton, who played Ashtray, the brother of Cloud’s Euphoria character Fezco on the HBO series, wrote on Instagram alongside a still from the show. “Forever family.” he captioned another photo in his Instagram stories.
“There was no one quite like Angus. He was too special, too talented and way too young to leave us so soon,” Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said in a statement obtained by ABC News. “He also struggled, like many of us, with addiction and depression. I hope he knew how many hearts he touched. I loved him. I always will. Rest in peace and God Bless his family.”
Colman Domingo shared a snap with Cloud and fellow Euphoria cast member Jacob Elordi in his Instagram Stories captioned, “Couldn’t be more real, original and sweet. I loved this kid. Always smiles. I hope this sensitive soul is at rest. Check on loved ones. Check on them.”
Other celebrities included West Side Story‘s Rachel Zegler, who shared on Twitter; X, “please remember how loved you are. this world is so quick to make you feel otherwise. there are reasons to stick around. and this world needs you. oh, angus. we celebrate you.”
“You will be deeply missed. Rest in Power,” addedKerry Washington.
“Fez was the spiritual center of Euphoria and definitely my fav character on the show. Love to his entire family and to those who knew him,” The Roots drummer Questlove wrote on his Instagram.
Chlöe Baileytweeted, “wow angus cloud gone too soon.. rest in peace angel.”
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Top Gun: Maverick actor Danny Ramirezexpressed, “Angus… rest easy. Sending you and your family all my love.”
Cloud had recently completed production for his role in an upcoming monster thriller, alongside Kathryn Newton, Dan Stevens and Melissa Barrera, among others. The as-yet-untitled film from Scream filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett is set for an April 2024 release, according to Variety.
It was time for hometowns on Monday’s episode of The Bachelorette, and with just four men left, Charity faced her toughest rose ceremony yet, ending with Aaron being sent home in the season’s most heartbreaking elimination.
Before meeting Aaron’s family in his hometown of Houston, Charity confessed that after getting off to a strong start, their relationship had cooled off somewhat, and she hoped the day would get their courtship “back on track.” Charity seemed to find the clarity she needed from discussions with Aaron’s family and from Aaron himself, who declared that he was falling in love with her.
Charity’s date with Joey, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction when, during her conversation with Joey’s uncle Joe in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, he expressed his concern that Joey, who has a tendency to become someone he believed people wanted him to be, wasn’t showing Charity his “true self.” That raised a red flag with the Bachelorette who, after going into the date feeling confident about their relationship, left with a little uncertainty.
Over in Cleveland, Xavier, who’d previously struck Charity as being a little uncertain of his readiness to get down on one knee, eased her doubts by confidently saying that he was falling in love with her. Meanwhile, the outpouring of love and support she received from Dotun‘s family in Fresno, California, solidified his place as a frontrunner in the competition.
Back in Los Angeles, Charity revealed to host Jesse Palmer that she was falling in love with all four men, and the hometown dates only left her more confused.
At the rose ceremony, she chose Joey over Aaron, despite her concerns over his authenticity. In an emotional goodbye, she tearfully told Aaron that she wasn’t sure she’d made the right decision.
“I’m falling in love with someone, yet and I just them home,” she said in a confessional, adding, “What if I just made the absolute wrong decision?”
Here are the men going to fantasy suites:
Dotun, 30, an integrative medicine specialist from Brooklyn, N.Y.
Joseph “Joey,” 27, a tennis pro from Lawai, Hawaii.
Xavier, 27, a biomedical scientist from Carrboro, N.C.
Angus Cloud, known for his role as Fezco in the hit HBO show Euphoria, has died, his family confirmed in a statement obtained by ABC News on Monday, July 31.
“It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,” the statement reads. “As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways.”
“Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss,” the statement continues. “The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental heath and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.”
Cloud was born on July 10, 1998, in Oakland, California. He attended the Oakland School for the Arts.
When he was living in Brooklyn, New York, he was scouted by Euphoria’s casting director, Jennifer Venditti.Cloud became a breakout star for his pivotal role in the first two seasons of Euphoria. Season 3 of the series has not yet begun production.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud,” an HBO spokesperson wrote in a statement obtained by ABC News. “He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1- 800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Control, a live-action thriller in which Kevin Spacey voiced a character while his career was stalled in Hollywood, could see the light of day in theaters after the Oscar winner’s acquittal on sex assault charges.
The Hollywood Reporter notes exclusively that a distributor for the film, TriCoast Worldwide, is now looking at getting the movie into theaters in the U.S. and U.K., as opposed to just streaming platforms.
Shot in London in 2022, the movie has Spacey voicing an off-camera hostage taker: Using a hacked vehicle, he kidnaps an English politician and goes on a “rampage” throughout the city, while terrorizing her through the car’s speakers.
In a lengthy interview in the German publication ZEITmagazinin June, Spacey insisted he was “ready” for a career comeback when and if he was cleared in the U.K. case, and working on Control was a way to stay sharp. “Just because I was being benched for a while, I’m not going to stop working,” he explained. “I don’t want to get rusty. I’m ready.”
He also reportedly worked on smaller movies bound for Italian and Russian theaters, according to the article.
The former House of Cards star maintained, “I know that there are people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges in London. The second that happens, they’re ready to move forward.”
