celebrity
- The Wrap
Russell Baker, Pulitzer-Winning Author and ‘Masterpiece Theatre’ Host, Dies at 93
Russell Baker, a two-time Pulitzer-winning writer and longtime host of PBS’ “Masterpiece Theatre,” died Monday in his Lessburg, Va., home at age 93, his son Allen Baker told the New York Times. Baker rose to prominence as a humorist, penning the wry “Observer” column for the New York Times for 36 years beginning in 1962. He won his first Pulitzer for commentary in 1979, and followed that with another for his best-selling 1982 memoir, “Growing Up,” about his boyhood in Depression-era Virginia. In 1993, he took over for Alistair Cooke as host of PBS’ weekly “Masterpiece Theatre” — introducing adaptations of classic novels and stories until giving up the gig in 2004. Also Read: Kevin Barnett, Comedian and 'Rel' Co-Creator, Dies at 32 Baker began his career as a news reporter in the 1940s, first for The Baltimore Sun and then as a Washington, D.C.-based writer for the New York Times, where he covered the White House, Congress and the presidential campaigns of 1956 and 1960. In 1962, he began writing his “Observer” column, which evolved into a wry and often satirical send-up of news of the day as well as cultural phenomena such as Christmas fruitcake. He published more than 15 books, including collections of his widely syndicated column. “Thanks to newspapers,” he wrote in his final column, published on Christmas day in 1998, “I have made a four-hour visit to Afghanistan, have seen the Taj Mahal by moonlight, breakfasted at dawn on lamb and couscous while sitting by the marble pool of a Moorish palace in Morocco and once picked up a persistent family of fleas in the Balkans.” Read original story Russell Baker, Pulitzer-Winning Author and ‘Masterpiece Theatre’ Host, Dies at 93 At TheWrap
- Erin Donnelly
Presidential candidate Kamala Harris dances to Cardi B in new video
The song is off Cardi B's “Invasion of Privacy” album, which is fitting since it appears to partially reveal the Wi-Fi password for Harris's office in the background.
- People
Offset Opens Up About the Government Shutdown After Cardi B's Rant: 'That's Some Slave S—'
Offset Opens Up About the Government Shutdown After Cardi B's Rant
- Pitchfork
Erykah Badu Feuds With “Surviving R. Kelly” Producer, Denies That She Was Asked to Participate
Erykah Badu to dream hampton: “I WAS NOT EVER contacted by anyone to be in [the] documentary.”
- PopSugar
Lady Gaga Reveals She "Burst Into Tears" After Waking Up to Her Oscar Nominations
Nothing will stop Lady Gaga from a good night's rest, not even her Oscar nominations. The 32-year-old A Star Is Born lead made history on Jan.
- Variety
Chinese Stars, Entertainment Companies Pay $1.7 Billion in Back Taxes
Chinese film and TV stars and entertainment companies have forked over an additional $1.7 billion (RMB11.7 billion) in taxes in the wake of last summer's scandal surrounding actress Fan Bingbing and a subsequent government crackdown. The figure was announced late Tuesday by China’s State Tax Administration. Chinese authorities launched a probe into the tax affairs […]
- Carla Herreria
Chris Brown Plans To Sue Rape Accuser For Slander
Singer Chris Brown, who was detained Monday by police in Paris after a woman
- Entertainment Tonight
Taraji P. Henson Receives Backlash After Comparing #MuteRKelly Movement to Harvey Weinstein
The 'Surviving R. Kelly' showrunner also expressed her anger and confusion on social media.
- Hope Schreiber
William Shatner hopes to stop man who claims to be his son from his 'birthright,' the Shatner name
Peter Sloan has, for decades, claimed that the star of "Star Trek" is his father.
- Raechal Shewfelt
'A shocking, horrible loss': Comedy world reacts to the unexpected death of Kevin Barnett
Tuesday's news that comedian Kevin Barnett has died shocked and saddened fans.
- Taryn Ryder
Savannah Guthrie, NBC slammed for upcoming interview with Covington Catholic student: '#RacismEnabler'
Guthrie announced the interview on Twitter Tuesday along with a photo of her sitting across from the Kentucky high-schooler.
- Complex
R. Kelly Fined for Illegally Building Saunas, Bars in Chicago Studio
R. Kelly is on the hook for up to $66,000 a day.
- Suzy Byrne
Chris Brown, accused of rape in Paris, has a decadelong history of legal troubles
In 2009, he was convicted of felony assault after beating Rihanna — and since then, it's been one thing after another.
- Deadline
Comedian Kevin Barnett Dies: ‘Rel’ Co-Creator Was 32
Kevin Barnett, co-creator/executive producer of Fox's comedy series Rel, has died suddenly while vacationing in Mexico. The writer-comedian was 32. Cause of death is not known at this time. I will update with more information when I get it. Barnett's last post on social media was two and a half days ago from Mexico (you can see it below). Barnett, a rising comic in New York City, recently co-created and executive produced fellow comedians Lil Rel Howery and Josh…
- Raechal Shewfelt
Celebs speak out against Supreme Court's decision to allow transgender military ban to go into effect
Sarah Silverman, Josh Gad and others quickly made their feelings known, as "Supreme Court" trended on Twitter following the Tuesday ruling.
- Taryn Ryder
Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky expecting baby No. 3
Clinton, the only child of Bill and Hillary Clinton, announced she is pregnant and due this summer.
- Taryn Ryder
Cardi B claps back at conservative columnist: 'If I twerk... does that mean I deserve to get raped'
Rapper Cardi B had choice words for a Daily Caller columnist who says she doesn't empower women.
- Entertainment Tonight
Taylor Swift Confirms Her 'Cats' Movie Role With Sweet Selfie
Taylor Swift is getting psyched about her role in 'Cats.'
- Entertainment Tonight
Travis Scott to Perform at Super Bowl Pre-Party Ahead of Halftime Show (Exclusive)
The 26-year-old rapper is giving a special concert before he takes the stage with Maroon 5 on Super Bowl Sunday.
- USA TODAY
Oscar nominations: See the full list of nominees
All the stars and films who are up for an Academy Award on Feb. 24. "Roma" and "The Favourite" lead the field with 10 nominations each.
- Entertainment Tonight
Maria Shriver Says Daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger Is 'Super Happy' After Getting Engaged to Chris Pratt
Maria Shriver is keeping it tight-lipped when it comes to her daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger's engagement to Chris Pratt.
- USA TODAY
Alyssa Milano blasted for 'MAGA hat is the new white hood' tweet
In a tweet, Alyssa Milano likened the "Make America Great Again" hat worn by Trump supporters to the hood worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan.
- Entertainment Tonight
Food Network Star Duff Goldman Marries Girlfriend Johnna Colbry While Surrounded by Dinosaurs
The newlyweds tied the knot at the Natural History Museum!
- USA TODAY
Tom Arnold confirms split from wife Ashley Groussman: 'It's a long time coming'
Tom Arnold and his wife Ashley Groussman have split after 10 years of marriage. Arnold was previous married three times, including to Roseanne Barr.
- Suzy Byrne
Azealia Banks goes off on 'ugly' flight attendant after fight
The rapper took to her Instagram Stories to detail another incident over the weekend after she boarded an Aer Lingus from London to Dublin for a show.
