Elizabeth Wagmeister-Senior Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAs reboots, remakes and reimaginings continue to dominate Hollywood, “The O.C.,” one of the most popular teen dramas of all time, would certainly be ripe for a revival.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentA buzzy TV series based on the book “An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination” is currently in the works — but the social media giant is now warning the production company behind the project for “recklessly” proceeding with development of a “false and defamatory” adaptation.In a legal letter sent on Monday, high-powered attorney Mathew Rosengart, who is repping Facebook, puts Anonymous Content on notice with an email addressed to CEO Dawn

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBritney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, is switching up his legal team following his suspension from his famous daughter’s conservatorship.The change in counsel indicates that the elder Spears is readying for a fight leading up to the pop star’s next hearing on Nov.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentMost reality TV stars don’t juggle press tours with creating lesson plans — but most television personalities aren’t elementary school teachers.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentKatie Couric’s upcoming memoir has made waves for shocking excerpts that have ruffled feathers in TV news circles.Now, in her first interview about the new book, Couric gives more detail on some of the headline-making pieces — most notably, her former “Today” show co-anchor, Matt Lauer — saying that her words have been “cherry-picked and twisted” by leaked excerpts.Couric no longer speaks to Lauer, she reveals in a new cover story with People magazine,

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentTimothée Chalamet has addressed the sexual assault allegations against his “Call Me by Your Name” co-star Armie Hammer.Asked about Hammer in a new interview, Chalamet made his first comments on the widely publicized scandal, giving a brief response.In March of this year, Hammer was accused of rape.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentDwayne “The Rock” Johnson has conquered the box office, the wrestling ring, TV ratings and tequila sales — now, is he about to dominate the charts?In an unexpected career pivot, Johnson is about to make his rap debut as a feature on Tech N9ne’s new single, “Face Off.”Speaking to Variety exclusively, Johnson says, “I love music.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent“Ummm.” Monica Lewinsky takes a long pause. “I know this is going to sound weird.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentInterior designer and television personality Bobby Berk has a new gig at Netflix: hosting the holiday edition of “Blown Away,” Variety has learned exclusively.“Blown Away” Christmas” is a holiday season on the glass-blowing competition series that has aired for two seasons on Netflix. The four-part special will launch on Friday, Nov.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentDuring the season finale of “Bachelor in Paradise,” ABC dropped even more drama: a sneak peek at Season 18 of “The Bachelorette.”The upcoming season will star Michelle Young, a contestant who emerged as a fan-favorite from Matt James’ season of “The Bachelor” in early 2021.Young, a school teacher, was announced as the future star of “The Bachelorette” earlier this year, concurrently with Katie Thurston, who led the most recent season of the

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAfter 13 years of being in charge of his daughter’s life, Britney Spears’ father has been suspended from her conservatorship.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBritney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, has been ousted from her conservatorship, following a long, drawn-out legal battle that has persisted since the pop star was placed under the court-ordered arrangement in 2008.Judge Brenda Penny ruled that Spears’ father will no longer serve as the conservator of his daughter’s estate, immediately removing him from the conservatorship altogether.CPA John Zabel will temporarily replace Spears’ father in the role of

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentRumors that Netflix was at work on a Britney Spears documentary had been swirling around for years — not through buzz in the industry, but on Twitter where #FreeBritney fans were hard at work speculating about the project.On Tuesday, the hotly anticipated project, dubbed “Britney Vs. Spears,” finally dropped — the third documentary to do so in as many days.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentJesse Palmer will step into Chris Harrison’s shoes to hand out roses on ABC’s “The Bachelor,” as Variety has learned that Palmer has been named the new host of the hit dating show.Palmer, a television broadcaster and former NFL quarterback, starred as “The Bachelor” himself in Season 5, which aired in 2004.Palmer has a longstanding relationship with The Walt Disney Company, as a sports commentator on ESPN, and former special contributor on “Good Morning

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentIn light of allegations that Britney Spears was under surveillance with her conservators monitoring her phone and bugging her home, the pop star’s attorney has filed a supplemental motion to remove and suspend her father, Jamie Spears, from her conservatorship.In the new court filing, the singer’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, calls for the immediate suspension of Spears’ father “no later than” this week’s hearing on Sept.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentWhen “Framing Britney Spears” was released earlier this year, the pop star’s world was much different.Before the New York Times-produced documentary launched on FX and Hulu this past February, Britney Spears had not yet testified publicly in court.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentRobert Redford and Bruce Springsteen are teaming up for the documentary, “The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses,” Variety has learned.“The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses” tells the story about America’s wild horses from their turbulent history to their uncertain future.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBella Thorne is set to star opposite Aaron Eckhart in the action thriller, “Rumble Through the Dark.”“Rumble Through the Dark” is based on Michael Farris Smith’s novel, “The Fighter.” Smith adapted his novel into a screenplay, which will directed by Graham Phillips and Parker Phillips.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentExactly one week ahead of her next conservatorship hearing, Netflix has released a trailer for its upcoming Britney Spears documentary, which will launch the day before the pop star heads to court.“Britney Vs. Spears” will debut on Netflix on Sept.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentNetflix has renewed “My Unorthodox Life” for a second season.The show stars fashion executive Julia Haart, who left the ultra-Orthodox community in which she was raised to conquer the modern world.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentThe next star of “The Bachelor” will be an unfamiliar face — but not for long.Sources tell Variety that ABC’s new leading man for Season 26 of the hit dating show is Clayton Echard, though the network and studio declined to comment for this story.If Echard’s name doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because Bachelor Nation hasn’t met him yet. Echard will be introduced to America as a suitor on the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” which premieres on Oct.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentWendy Williams has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19, as the talk show host is fully vaccinated.In light of Williams’ diagnosis, her daytime show is pushing back its fall return. Season 13 was originally set to premiere next week, but is now slated for Oct.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentOscar winner Octavia Spencer has apologized to Britney Spears after making a joke about how she should get a prenuptial agreement.When Spears announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend Sam Asghari this past weekend, Spencer commented on the social media post: “Make him sign a prenup.”After Spencer’s Instagram comment went viral, the actor is now publicly apologizing for the joke and any misunderstanding.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentWhen Britney Spears testified this past June, she told a judge that her conservators had prevented her from getting married and having a baby.Fast-forward nearly three months, and not only has the pop star endured dramatic changes nearing the possible termination of her conservatorship, but she is also newly engaged to her longtime boyfriend, actor Sam Asghari.However, with restrictions that come with a conservatorship, will Spears be able to make her

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentAfter 13 years of overseeing the conservatorship he placed his famous daughter under in 2008, Jamie Spears abruptly asked a judge to terminate Britney Spears’ court-ordered arrangement. But why now?“As Mr.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent“Dancing With the Stars” is gearing up for its 30th season with a jam-packed mix of reality stars, athletes, musicians, performers and quite a few contestants who will certainly make headlines.Former lead of “The Bachelor,” Matt James, is among the upcoming cast, which was announced Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”Who else is ready to put on their dancing shoes? Influencer Olivia Jade, who is now perhaps best known for her parents’ (“Full

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentLance Bass is a lifelong fan of “The Bachelor” and this summer, he landed his dream job hosting a show from the franchise, as one of the rotating guest hosts on the current season of “Bachelor in Paradise.”The former boy-bander ends his three-episode run on Tuesday, and Bass had such a good experience on the show, he wants to do it again.In fact, he has an idea for a new series: “If you want the most dramatic season ever, do an LGBT version,” Bass says

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentOnline gaming makes up one of the largest and most plugged-in communities in the world, and now, some of the biggest celebrity gamers are using their reach to have their fans join in on great cause: the “CausePlay IRL” charity fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.Launching on September 1, gaming influencers like Dr.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentFollowing Tina Tchen’s departure, Time’s Up has named Monifa Bandele the interim CEO, Variety has learned.Bandele, a political strategist and activist, was previously chief operating officer for Time’s Up, which she joined in October 2020.Prior to Tchen stepping down yesterday, Time’s Up was in the process of bringing on an outside consulting firm to conduct an internal assessment, given the slew of controversies the women’s advocacy group had been

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentFor those who have been watching “Bachelor in Paradise” this season, things look different down in Mexico.For the first time ever, the summer series is not being led by Chris Harrison.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBritney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, has agreed to step down from his daughter’s conservatorship.The turn of events is a massive win for the international pop star, who has been under a conservatorship for 13 years, ever since Mr.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentPolice are monitoring death threats being made to Judge Brenda Penny, who’s overseeing Britney Spears’ conservatorship case.“LASD continues to monitor the social media chatter regarding the ongoing Britney Spears civil court case,” a media spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department told Variety in a statement.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentSPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead, if you have not watched the season finale of Katie Thurston’s season of “The Bachelorette,” which aired Monday, Aug. 9 on ABC.When “The Bachelorette” started this season, the drama was off-screen, surrounding the now-departed host Chris Harrison.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentNearly two years from the date of Jeffrey Epstein’s death in prison, one of the most outspoken accusers against the mysterious billionaire has filed a lawsuit against Epstein’s friend, Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, for rape.Virginia Roberts Giuffre filed a suit in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, claiming that Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, sexually abused her when she was 17 years old.Previously, Giuffre has repeatedly made

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentA judge has denied the request from Britney Spears’ attorney to expedite her next hearing, regarding the suspension and removal of the singer’s father, Jamie Spears, from her conservatorship.The hearing is still set for September 29.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentBravo is postponing its fan fest BravoCon to 2022, amid a staggering rise in nationwide COVID-19 cases.In a statement, the network shares its disappointment about canceling the 2021 fan convention. In 2020, BravoCon was also canceled, as all live events were shut down during the global pandemic.“Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing BravoCon 2021 until next year,” reads a network statement.