If you tuned in to NBC’s Today for the first time Friday and observed Savannah Guthrie alongside Matt Lauer, you’d never have known Ann Curry existed. The morning show opened with Guthrie and Lauer behind the desk, minus the usual voiceover announcing the anchors or graphics identifying them. Matt and Savannah simply launched right into the news. Even at 9 a.m., when Savannah Guthrie typically handles the bulk of the show’s content, there was zero mention of the shakeup, which became official with Ann Curry’s farewell speech on Today not even 24 hours prior. Instead, she, Lauer and Al Roker segued from a Maroon 5 performance to local news, weather and Guthrie running solo on the first segment of the hour. She later was joined by Roker and Natalie Morales, who was reportedly in the running to replace Curry (which could have led to Matt Lauer’s divorce ). Though Guthrie (pictured) is presumed to be Curry’s successor, especially after what we witnessed today, NBC has yet to make an official announcement. [Photo: WENN.com]
With multiple stints in jail from failing to adhere to terms of her probation, followed by a five-year prison sentence, Amber Portwood has had a rough 2012. The Teen Mom star’s downward spiral makes Jenelle Evans look stable. But is she really barred from seeing her daughter until 2017, as rumors suggest? Fortunately, Amber’s brother Shawn tells E! she’s in a “mandatory reception period” where she can’t see Leah , but after that, visitation should resume. “They are in the process of transitioning her from one place to another,” Shawn Portwood said . “After that, it’s only a matter of time before she sees Leah.” The Indiana Department of Corrections concurred, saying Amber is “currently going through an intake and diagnostic process and is not allowed visitors.” There will be no exceptions during this period, typically 2-3 weeks, even those permitting Amber to see her daughter, due simply to “normal protocol.” “The purpose of this is to get them ready for the facility that they will be assigned to,” he adds. “Once she is there she will then be allowed visitors.” Shawn notes that his sister “has to undergo therapy” and reiterates that “when she is done with processing then she will be able to see Leah.” “She is not being treated any differently than anyone else.” As it turns out, Amber might not have to serve out her entire five-year sentence. With good behavior, it could be cut in half with parole. Here’s hoping?
She may be behind bars, but Teen Mom star Amber Portwood is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain a relationship with her 3-year-old daughter, Leah. Or at least she was, before she chose prison over her child. It’s this sad turn of events that makes the final season of Teen Mom so gut wrenching. On tonight’s episode, her time in rehab in Malibu, Calif., is chronicled. Gary Shirley’s ex-fiancee receives a visit from Leah and her father, but their reunion doesn’t exactly go off without a hitch, thanks in part to a court order. The Aeropostale-shirt-wearing Gary was shocked to find out that he’s barred, legally, from being in the same room with his ex and daughter simultaneously. “I brought Leah with me but I guess we can’t be together,” he says, and after an embrace, the couple part ways so Amber Portwood can visit with Leah. “This is where Mommy’s been living for a while,” Portwood tells her. Despite her recent legal troubles, Portwood has vowed to keep up her relationship with Shirley and their little girl as much as possible while behind bars. Good luck with that, given your five-year sentence. Hopefully Jenelle Evans and Gary Head take note, because they’re heading down the same road.
She may be behind bars, but Teen Mom star Amber Portwood is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain a relationship with her 3-year-old daughter, Leah. Or at least she was, before she chose prison over her child. It’s this sad turn of events that makes the final season of Teen Mom so gut wrenching. On tonight’s episode, her time in rehab in Malibu, Calif., is chronicled. Gary Shirley’s ex-fiancee receives a visit from Leah and her father, but their reunion doesn’t exactly go off without a hitch, thanks in part to a court order. The Aeropostale-shirt-wearing Gary was shocked to find out that he’s barred, legally, from being in the same room with his ex and daughter simultaneously. “I brought Leah with me but I guess we can’t be together,” he says, and after an embrace, the couple part ways so Amber Portwood can visit with Leah. “This is where Mommy’s been living for a while,” Portwood tells her. Despite her recent legal troubles, Portwood has vowed to keep up her relationship with Shirley and their little girl as much as possible while behind bars. Good luck with that, given your five-year sentence. Hopefully Jenelle Evans and Gary Head take note, because they’re heading down the same road.
Catelynn Lowell has cleared the air, once and for all, that she’s not pregnant. Which we already knew, but now there’s a new magazine cover to prove it! According to Us Weekly, which reports the ultimate non-story below, the Teen Mom star is “hurt” by rumors that she was pregnant again last week. The reality star tells the celeb gossip mag that it “wouldn’t be fair” to her daughter Carly, whom she gave up for adoption, to have another so fast. Catelynn and Tyler Baltierra graduated on this week’s Teen Mom, and the young lovers / step-siblings say they are planning a fairy tale wedding for next year. They hope Carly, who they’ve worked hard to maintain a relationship with after making the decision to allow someone to adopt her, will be there too. Here’s hoping she will, and that Tyler and Cate make good on their plans to continue their education so they’re better prepared to support baby #2! If she ever lacks for inspiration as far as formulating a life plan, she need not go far. All she needs to do is look at Amber Portwood and do the opposite.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the richest of them all? The answer might surprise you. In its annual list of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, Forbes has revealed that the new Snow White herself sits atop the rankings. Come on, Kristen Stewart, there’s a reason to smile! According to the magazine, Stewart has pulled in $12.5 million for each of the last two Twilight Saga films, the same amount as co-stars Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner . Combine that figure with her turn this summer in Snow White and the Huntsman and Stewart made $34.5 million between May 2011 and May 2012. Factoring in upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work, here is a look at the top 10 highest-paid female stars in that time period: Kristen Stewart, $34.5 million Cameron Diaz. $34 million Sandra Bullock, $25 million Angelina Jolie, $20 million Charlize Theron, $18 million Julia Roberts, $16 million Sarah Jessica Parker, $15 million Meryl Streep, $12 million Kristen Wiig, $12 million Jennifer Aniston, $11 million
Teen Mom continued its depressing final season last night by delving deeper into the struggles of the fab four we know, love, love to hate, and sympathize with. It’s a very complicated relationship … something they all know plenty about. Come along for THG’s +/- recap! Catelynn and Tyler receive their caps and gowns for the big graduation. Plus 20 for these two. They’ve battled through a lot and deserve due credit. Especially since that rumor that Tyler got Catelynn Lowell pregnant again is false. Tyler wonders if Butch will be able to attend … does he really want that? Minus 5 . Poor kid. Talk about being dealt a bad hand but playing it well. Maci surprisingly agrees to let Bentley go with Ryan Edwards’ family on vacation. Ryan surprisingly agrees to let Maci come too … with girlfriends. Plus 5 . Spoiler alert: There’s no way that’s going to end well. None. Take it to the bank. Farrah’s dad moves her stuff to Florida, then notes that he’d consider moving there too if he could get a job. Farrah? Not happy with this. Minus 17 . Amber Portwood calls Gary Shirley to find out if he and Leah are coming out to visit in rehab. He tells her it’s up to the courts. Weak. Minus 14 . Catelynn’s dad and brother came up for graduation, but sadly Butch won’t be out of jail until the following Monday. #TeenMomProblems. Minus 6 . They hung out with friends to discuss college plans. It’s amazing they’re even thinking about it, and says a lot about the merits of adoption. Plus 12 . Farrah starts interviewing part-time nannies for Sophia, to be paid for by who knows what. Then she hangs up on her mom after a fight. Minus 5 . Is it just us or is Farrah seeming awfully bratty and entitled these days for a girl who gets everything she wants as it is? Just an observation really. Maci Bookout, just to really cover her bases, goes over to Ryan’s parents’ to make sure they’re okay with her coming down to the beach as well. They are completely fine with it. Relations thawing! Plus 10 . Amber’s counselor pleads with her that she should not get involved with Gary again, because they have a toxic relationship. Best advice ever. Plus 10 . But you know she doesn’t take any advice, so Minus 30 . After Farrah’s dad dejectedly headed home, she took Sophia to the pet store. Even though Sophia told her she wanted a fish, they got a puppy. Minus 4 . The dog takes five minutes to start defiling things. Minus 4 . Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra graduate!!!!!! They were the stars of the season premiere and continue to be the lone bright spot this week. Plus 35 . Maci had her friends talk about Ryan’s new girlfriend and the maternity pictures still up in his parents’ house. It’s an awkward situation to be sure. Gary and Leah are actually going to meet Amber the next day. Plus 10 for him making the effort, but knowing what we do, it’s hard to be hopeful. We harp on Maci and Farrah and their respective problems, but when you choose prison over your kid , as Amber did, you’ve really got issues. Minus 20 . EPISODE TOTAL: +3. SEASON TOTAL: -76.
Media coverage surrounding Amber Portwood ‘s decision to go to prison because she can’t hack it in rehab has more or less ignored one key component: Her daughter, Leah. The Teen Mom star was sentenced to five years in prison last week after she dropped out of a drug-treatment program the court ordered her to complete. She could’ve toughed it out, though; Portwood is off to prison because she felt rehab was simply too hard and thinks going to jail is the only way to get clean. Portwood said in her jailhouse interview last week that an overdose drove her to take the five-year sentence – handed down because of her repeated drug arrests, but initially suspended pending completion of the program. The saddest part of this saga, which has become an afterthought, is that she effectively chose to be locked up and away from her three-year-old girl. With the final season of Teen Mom starting tomorrow, this is unlikely to be swept under the rug any longer. The premiere shows Amber going to rehab. In the second episode, she’s in treatment and thinks she’s making some real progress, making her downward spiral even more depressing to endure. Maybe Gary Shirley having custody of Leah isn’t the worst thing, but why would you choose to go to prison and not be a part of your child’s life? Like everything else in Amber’s world, it defies comprehension.
Season will be last to feature original castmembers Amber, Catelynn, Farrah and Maci. By John Mitchell Farrah in the trailer for season 4 of “Teen Mom” Photo: MTV The ups and downs that come with growing up and being a young parent have captivated viewers of MTV’s ” Teen Mom ” for three seasons, but the upcoming fourth season, which premieres with two back-to-back episodes June 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, will be the last to feature the original cast — Maci Bookout, Farrah Abraham, Amber Portwood and Catelynn Lowell. While the televised story of these four young mothers, who first shared their stories in the first season of ” 16 and Pregnant ,” and their struggle to navigate their teens and early twenties with toddlers in tow is coming to a close, the franchise will continue, with premiere dates for “Teen Mom 2” and “Teen Mom 3” to be announced at a later date. “We’re incredibly thankful to these young women for bravely sharing their stories with our audience to help make an impact on teen pregnancy prevention,” said Lauren Dolgen, MTV’s senior vice president of series development. “This season will be an intense rollercoaster as we say goodbye to the cast who started it all — since the first season of ’16 and Pregnant,’ millions have tuned in to see the difficulties, joys and sorrows these young mothers have faced.” The final season of “Teen Mom” promises to be as captivating as those that preceded it as Farrah strives for independence, moving with her daughter Sophia to Florida, Catelynn and her fianc
It’s the beginning of the end for Teen Mom’s fabulous foursome – Maci Bookout, Farrah Abraham, Amber Portwood and Catelynn Lowell – on MTV this summer. Though the Teen Mom franchise is sticking around on the network with its second (and soon-to-be third) ensembles, the four who started it all are bowing out. The final season, premiering next month, promises big things for Amber, Maci, Farrah and Cate. Take a look at the trailer for their upcoming swan song below: Teen Mom Trailer Among this season’s new challenges: Amber Portwood’s suicide attempt , 911 calls, meltdowns in front of Gary, loss of custody of Leah, and ongoing legal woes (she’s in jail right now). Catelynn and her fiance Tyler Baltierra wonder if putting daughter Carly up for adoption really was the right decision … EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. Farrah moving to Florida with little Sophia. Maci fighting with Ryan Edwards a lot. It all starts June 12! Yeah, baby!
