Category: Entertainment Daypop

Gregg Leakes, the husband of former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes, has died from colon cancer at the age of 66.

Publicist and longtime family friend Ernest Dukes confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Gregg died peacefully in his home while surrounded by his family. Said Dukes: “Today the Leakes family is in deep pain with a broken heart. After a long battle with cancer, Gregg Leakes has passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by all of his children, very close loved ones and wife Nene Leakes. We ask that you pray for peace and strength over their family & allow them to mourn in private during this very very difficult time.”

NeNe just recently shared a somber update on Gregg’s health over the weekend in a video circulating on social media, telling patrons of The Linnethia Lounge in Duluth, Georgia, “My husband is transitioning to the other side.” The following day, she also shared an image of the word “Broken” on Instagram with the prayer and heartbroken emojis. Gregg was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in 2018, and had been in remission for two years. In June, NeNe revealed he was hospitalized and recovering from surgery following the return of his cancer.

The couple, who wed in 1997, divorced in 2011 before remarrying in June 2013. They share one son together, Brentt Leakes, 22.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Apple TV+ shared a teaser and premiere date for Jon Stewart’s new late-night series ‘The Problem with Jon Stewart,’ set to debut on the streaming service this fall. The series marks Stewart’s first hosting gig since the Comedy Central late-night show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which he hosted from 1999 to 2015.

The teaser features close-up shots of Stewart dressing as he gets ready to go on air, with the camera zooming out to show the comedian seeing his face in a mirror – “Ahhh! What the hell happened to my face?” Stewart says before adding, “Why would I go back to a visual medium? I could have done a podcast.”

‘The Problem with Jon Stewart’ will premiere Sept. 30, with subsequent episodes to air every other week. Stewart will host and executive produce the series, which will also feature a companion podcast.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

34-year-old journalist and author Elaine Welteroth is leaving CBS’s ‘The Talk.’ Welteroth becomes the second co-host to exit ‘The Talk’ in as many weeks, following the Aug. 20 announcement that Carrie Ann Inaba would be departing the show after having taken an extended leave of absence. ‘The Talk’ now has three co-hosts at the moment: Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots and the recently hired Jerry O’Connell.

Said Welteroth: “It is an absolute honor for anyone, but especially a young Black woman, to occupy space on-air where our perspectives are largely underrepresented. It was gratifying to be able to show up as my authentic self in front of a live national audience every day in a world as divided as ours and to stay true to myself and what I stand for. I came to The Talk to break out of my own echo chamber and to join a diverse cast in helping to bridge some of the divides in our world through conversation and empathy. I’m proud of how I represented myself and my community. But as I always say: When the music changes, so must your dance! I will miss my talented co-hosts and crew and I wish them the very best. Thanks to all those who tuned in every day. I’m excited to continue these necessary conversations in my work and to share my upcoming creative projects soon.”

The show’s executive producers said in a statement: “We wish Elaine all the best. We are grateful for her passion, enthusiasm, and insight she brought to the show daily. Her openness and meaningful conversations were attributes we admired and always appreciated.”

Elaine Welteroth Exits ‘The Talk’ After Just 1 Year: ‘When The Music Changes, So Must Your Dance!’

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Netflix announced that it has renewed Cobra Kai for a fifth season; season 4 of the series will premiere on the streaming service this December.

Production on Season 5 will begin this fall in Atlanta, where all four previous seasons have filmed. Netflix previously announced that Season 4 of Cobra Kai will reintroduce Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver, the villain from ‘The Karate Kid Part III.’

Cobra Kai premiered on YouTube in 2018, and moved to Netflix after two seasons. William Zabka, Ralph Macchio and Martin Kove reprise their roles from the Karate Kid movies. Johnny Lawrence (Zabka) reopened the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso (Macchio).  New students, including Johnny and Daniel’s teenaged kids, begin training and fighting over their love triangles and high school drama. Season 3 ended with Daniel and Johnny combining their dojos to challenge John.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Universal Pictures “Candyman,” starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, earned more than $22.3 million at the box office this weekend, despite concerns over the delta variant. Co-written by Jordan Peele and directed by Nia DaCosta, “Candyman” delves into an urban legend that believes if someone repeats “Candyman” five times in front of a mirror, that person would summon the hook-handed killer. The sequel is a follow up to the original “Candyman” in 1992.

“Candyman” took over the No. 1 spot from “Free Guy,” which scored first place at the box office the previous two weekends. The action comedy starring Ryan Reynolds as a background character in a video game, earned more than $13.5 million. In third place, “PAW Patrol” earned $6.6 million. Based on the popular kids TV show, “PWE Patrol” has garnered more than $24 million since its debut. “Jungle Cruise” placed fourth with $5 million. whioe “Don’t Breathe 2” earned $2.8 million, “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson brought in $2.2 million and “The Suicide Squad” tallied just over $2 million.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Netflix announced on Twitter over the weekend that it has renewed the sci-fi drama Manifest for a fourth and final season.  NBCs had announced back in June that it would not be making more episodes of the show, which follows passengers of a plane who arrived more than five years after they took off, but in possession of mysterious super powers. The fourth season on Netflix will consist of 20 episodes.

Showrunner Jeff Rake said in a statement: “What started years ago as a flight of fancy deep in my imagination has evolved into the jet engine journey of a lifetime. Never in my wildest dreams could I have envisioned the worldwide outpouring of love and support for this story, its characters, and the team who work so hard to bring it all to life. That we will be able to reward the fans with the ending they deserve moves me to no end. On behalf of the cast, the crew, the writers, directors, and producers, thank you to Netflix, to Warner Bros., and of course to the fans. You did this.”

The cast of Manifest includes Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, Athena Karkanis, J.R. Ramirez, Luna Blaise and Jack Messina.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Hollywood legend Ed Asner has passed away at age 91. Asner’s death was confirmed by his family on his Twitter account Sunday morning in a statement which read: “We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.”

Asner, a seven-time Emmy-winner, is the most decorated male performer in Emmys history; he received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2001, and is also the winner of five Golden Globe Awards.

Asnwer was best known for playing Lou Grant on both The Mary Tyler Moore Show as well as the TV series Lou Grant. He was also the former president of the Screen Actors Guild. His other notable works include Roots, Elf, Up, CSI: NY, The Good Wife, and Rich Man, Poor Man; recently, the actor appeared in guest roles on hit shows like Modern Family, Grace and Frankie, Dead to Me, and Cobra Kai.

Asner is survived by his four children: twins Matthew and Liza, daughter Kate, and son Charles.

Ed Asner Dead: ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ ‘Elf,’ & ‘Up’ Star Passes Away At Age 91

Game of Thrones actor Jacob Anderson — who played Grey Worm — has been cast in a leading role in AMC’s adaptation of Anne Rice’s Gothic vampire novel Interview With the Vampire. Anderson will play Louis, a young man who is seduced into the world of the undead by the amoral vampire Lestat (played by Sam Reid). The casting will reunite Anderson with GoT director Alan Taylor, who is helming the show’s first two episodes.

Anderson has previously appeared in Showtime’s Episodes, The Mimic and Broadchurch, plus was recently announced for a recurring role in the upcoming season of Doctor Who.

Interview With the Vampire is expected to air on AMC in 2022, and will launch a franchise universe based on Rice’s novels.

Editorial credit: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com

Focus Features announced on Twitter that the second ‘Downton Abbey’ movie will be called ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era.’  The film, set for theatrical release on March 18, 2022, will continue the saga of the wealthy Crawley family and those who serve them at their English country estate. Downton creator Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay and My Week with Marilyn director Simon Curtis is helmed it.

The Downton Abbey franchise began as an ITV/PBS drama series in 2010, and ended its six-season run in 2015. The show’s original stars Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle and Joanne Froggatt returned for a big-screen follow-up in 2019, and will return for the sequel. In addition, Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West have been added to the cast.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

The Emmy-award winning drama ‘The Morning Show,’ starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Billy Crudup, is back for a second season on Apple TV+ this September.  Ahead of its return, the streaming service shared a new trailer for what’s to come in Season 2 for Alex Levy (Aniston), Bradley Jackson (Witherspoon) and Cory Ellison (Crudup).

The trailer also previews new cast members coming to the series this season, including Greta Lee, Ruairi O’Connor; Hasan Minhaj; Holland Taylor; Tara Karsian; Valeria Golino; Julianna Margulies; and Will Arnett. They will be joining returning cast members including Steve Carell, Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell, Karen Pittman, Bel Powley, Desean Terry, Janina Gavankar, Tom Irwin and Marcia Gay Harden.

The Morning Show season 2 will premiere on Friday, Sept. 17 on Apple TV+.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com