Go jump in the canal. Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera is refusing to row back on his decision to invite Hollywood real-life villains Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, and Luc Besson to the late summer event, which will take place in spite of the potentially party-pooping SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. “Luc Besson has been … Read more
Oppenheimer is an explosive movie — and not just because of the bomb. The hotly-anticipated Christopher Nolan blockbuster contains a controversial — and steamy — sex scene, which “The Dark Knight” director was “nervous” to film. “Any time you’re challenging yourself to work in areas you haven’t worked in before, you should be appropriately nervous and … Read more
Jason Aldean defended himself Tuesday after CMT pulled the controversial music video for his song “Try That in a Small Town” from its rotation amid accusations it is pro-lynching and racist. “In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was … Read more
Fran Drescher, head of the SAG-AFTRA union, defended herself for attending a publicity event in Italy over the weekend while contract negotiations between thousands of actors and film studios crumbled. During a Thursday press conference announcing the official start of the first actor strike in decades, “The Nanny” star was asked about the bashing she received … Read more
Sky Sports Formula 1 reporter Martin Brundle has yet another awkward incident to add to the file. While on the grid at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, Brundle –– former driver and commentator since 1997 –– was denied an impromptu interview with model and actress, Cara Delevingne. Brundle is known for his pre-race interviews … Read more
Don’t slice me up! The lawmaker responsible for passing the 2015 law requiring pollutant-spewing coal-and-wood-fired pizzerias to dramatically curb emissions said Mayor Eric Adams should enforce the controversial edict. That would be Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who was then a councilman who authored the bill. “Tell the pizza lobby please don’t slice me up. … Read more
“The Idol” has become infamous for its controversial sex scenes and nudity — and Lily-Rose Depp is defending the “nasty” scenes after viewers branded it as “torture porn.” The HBO series — created by Sam Levinson (“Euphoria”), Reza Fahim and Abel Tesfaye (a k a The Weeknd) — follows pop star Jocelyn (Depp, 24, daughter of Johnny … Read more
You’re gonna hear him “Roar.” “American Idol” finalist Oliver Steele lashed out on Instagram Saturday to defend controversial judge Katy Perry, claiming that she never bullied or shamed any contestant. Throughout the singing competition’s 21st season, the 38-year-old pop diva has been the subject of several teenage nightmares and social media rants about the judge’s … Read more
Paige Spiranac is expressing support for club pro Michael Block, whose Cinderella story on the golf circuit took an unfortuante turn this week. Days after Block finished tied for 15th at this year’s PGA Championship, the 46-year-old scored an invite to this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge, where he finished Thursday’s opening round in last place … Read more
He’s whipping nay-sayers into shape. Harrison Ford slammed critics who complained about his de-aged appearance in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” stating that it wasn’t “photoshop magic,” reports Entertainment Weekly. “I know that that is my face,” Ford, 80, said at a Cannes press conference last week. “It’s not a kind of Photoshop … Read more
He’s got no troubles, life is the bubbles. The voice of Flounder in the upcoming live-action “The Little Mermaid” addressed the backlash that has spread across the Internet about his character’s appearance. Jacob Tremblay defended Flounder’s portrayal at the world premiere of the movie in Los Angeles Monday, saying that it “works out perfectly.” “I … Read more
Stephen A. Smith sent a message to everybody who was upset that he had Clay Travis on his podcast. Smith hosted the OutKick founder on his Audacy “Know Mercy” podcast earlier this week, and the two opinionists had a wide-ranging conversation that included their thoughts on cancel culture and whether or not Donald Trump would … Read more
An OnlyFans star is defending a large billboard ad she commissioned to promote her channel amid outcry from the local community. In what is understood to be an Australian first, Savannah – also known as WC Savage – currently, has herself displayed across a super-sized billboard near an intersection in the Perth suburb of Osborne … Read more
Pat Sajak could have a new career working for the WWE. The “Wheel of Fortune” host, 76, shockingly wrestled with contestant Fred Jackson on Tuesday’s episode of the long-running game show. During the wild moment, Sajak jokingly put Johnson, who is a pro wrestler and a drama teacher, in a chokehold and twisted his arm … Read more
Adam Sandler defended his friend Chris Rock Sunday, saying he “never” thought his fellow comedian went too far with the Will Smith jokes after he was infamously slapped at last year’s Oscars. A reporter for People interviewed Sandler on the red carpet for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center about … Read more
Jamie Lee Curtis has entered the chat. The 64-year-old actress jumped to Ariana DeBose’s defense following the infamous BAFTAs rap that drew criticism last week. But Curtis didn’t see “what the f–k people are on about” when slamming the “West Side Story” actress’ lyricism. “For me, it was joyous, celebratory, sisterly, hot, spicy, and she’s … Read more
Ben Stiller isn’t sorry about “Tropic Thunder.” The 2008 film has drawn criticism for its portrayal of disability, as well as for the fact that Robert Downey Jr. wore blackface in it. Stiller, 57, responded to a tweet that asked him to “please stop apologizing for doing this movie.” “It was and still is funny … Read more
These father-son disagreements are not just for show. “Succession” star Brian Cox is doubling down on his stance that the acting style embraced by Jeremy Strong, who plays his mercurial middle son on the HBO series, is “f–king annoying.” “He’s a very good actor. And the rest of the ensemble is all okay with this. … Read more
Actress and director Elizabeth Banks defended a controversial scene depicting 12-year-olds doing cocaine in her upcoming R-rated flick “Cocaine Bear,” telling Variety’s Adam B. Vary in a recent interview that the scene was all about testing their “innocence.” “It was definitely controversial,” she said. “There were conversations about, should we age up these characters? We all kind … Read more
It was a dangerous game show. Netflix is defending their reality series “Squid Game: The Challenge” after it allegedly became too close to the fictional source material — with players allegedly getting stretchered away as the set turned into a frigid “warzone.” The scandal broke while the streaming platform was in the UK secretly filming … Read more