WENN Donald Trump’s Administration Just Cut $200 Million From Teen Pregnancy Programs In not so surprising news, Trump and his administration have cut a huge amount of money from funding for teen pregnancy programs, $213.6 Million to be exact. These budget cuts amount to two years’ worth of funding from five-year grants that were given to these same programs by the Obama administration two years ago, designed to help find scientifically proven ways to help teens avoid unwanted pregnancy. The annual grant letter sent to the Federal Office of Adolescent Health this year began with the following sentence: “this award also shortens the project period to end June 30, 2018, at the end of this budget year,” though the initial end date when rewarded was said to be 2020. Those affected by these cuts include the Chicago Department of Public Health, the University of Southern California, and the Healthy Teen Network in Baltimore. Though teen pregnancy rates have been steadily declining since 1990, and were at a record low in 2016, the U.S. teen pregnancy rate is still the highest among developed countries. So shoutout to Trump and his administration for taking a step in the wrong direction and cutting spending when we really need it. Is his term over yet???
TLC is the cable home to many little people, a lot of kids, some Amish folks and a slew of wedding dresses. The network airs more reality programs than any other network we can think of on television, which means it's time to determine the very best TLC has to offer… … and the very worst. Do you agree with the following reality show countdown? Scroll down and all around the find out! 15. Say Yes to the Dress We’re rolling all versions of this show into one for the purposes of this countdown… and we’re slamming them all as well! For starters, each episode is exactly the same (you won’t believe this, but the bride-to-be wants a dress she maybe can’t afford). Moreover, there are few bigger First World Problems in the world than a woman worrying over just how many thousands to dole out on a gown she’ll wear once. 14. Counting On We would not argue with anyone who wants to slot this show in to last place instead. It was creepy enough to watch The Duggars on 19 Kids and Counting. But it’s downright messed up that the network continues to make money off this family after that sordid Josh Duggar molestation scandal. 13. Long Island Medium Psychics are fake. And psyches on TV are even more fake, if that’s possible. 12. My 600-lb. Life Could you argue that this series is exploiting the severely obese? Yes, of course. But nearly all reality shows exploit one type of person or another. In this case, the medical, emotional and physical obstacles that folks weighing over 600 pounds encounter on a daily basis really does take us inside a world we know little about. 11. Kate Plus 8 No, really! This show is still on! That douchebag Jon Gosselin may be gone, but often-angru and always-controlling Kate Gosselin is still irritating us on a weekly basis. 10. 90 Day Fiance We don’t expect dating shows to be realistic or anything. But this one seems especially out there. The couples don’t really know each other well and even sometimes the prospect of one half being deported. View Slideshow
(WENN) Lamar Odom Blasts Stephen A. Smith For “Jokingly Disparaging” Crack Addiction Stephen A. Smith is backing down from comments he made about Lamar Odom this week, following a response from Odom Saturday. As BOSSIP previously reported, Smith blasted Phil Jackson on the air this week for making poor decisions as the President of the Knicks. Smith specifically said, Jackson’s first executive move was to sign Odom “who was on crack!” SMH. Mind you, he couched it with the comment that he “loves Lamar Odom the person, and God bless him and we’re wishing nothing but the best.” Still… Odom wasn’t going to let Smith off that easy. He got right to business and had his lawyer draft a letter which he posted on twitter with the hashtags #slander #ihopewearebetterthanthis #slander #ihopewearebetterthanthis pic.twitter.com/rcG1mPFTKR — LAMAR ODOM (@RealLamarOdom) June 23, 2017 “Let’s put aside the fact that Lamar passed all the required physicals and medical tests necessary to play in the league,” Odom’s attorney, Saam Zangeneh wrote. “Let us look at what this statement does, not only to Lamar, but to any and all professional athletes that are struggling with addiction.” Mr. Smith chose to jokingly disparage Lamar for having a disease. Mr. Smith chose to shout out the fact that Lamar was sick, and to use his disease as the butt of a joke. To say that his conduct was outrageous and unacceptable does not scratch the surface. Think about the others that are battling addiction. Those that have not had the strength or opportunity to share their struggle like Lamar. Imagine the effect this grotesque statement would have on any young athlete who is privately fighting this disease. To become the punch line of a vulgar joke.” “Since his release from the hospital Lamar has been actively working within the addiction community. On June 20, the day before the show, Lamar traveled to a rehab facility in Davie, Florida. Here he spoke to the patients at Live Free Institute and shared his story with young impressionable minds.“We hope that those at ESPN will actively voice their disdain for Mr. Smith’s inappropriate statement and take the proper action to support those that are fighting this disease. We would hope that your network would use this situation as an opportunity to become more actively involved in this case.” A lot of truths in this right? Do you agree that addiction is a brain diseas and that Lamar shouldn’t be ridiculed for what he’s gone through with drugs? According to US Weekly reports, Stephen A. responded to Lamar’s response, but tell us if this statement, which he issued via ESPN sounds like an apology to you: “Because of my personal affection for Lamar Odom — and only for that reason — I want to return to my comments about something I’ve repeated quite often over the last few days: the flagrant ineptitude that I feel has been on continual display by New York Knick’s President Phil Jackson,” he said in the statement. “My comments were NOT to put any more focus on Lamar Odom’s much-publicized drug use and addiction. He was not the target of my ire,” he continued. “Lamar Odom is simply one of the nicest athletes any of us have encountered, and has always been a gentleman to everyone in NBA circles — including me — which is something I’ve repeated throughout the years.” “That’s why it’s worth repeating: Lamar Odom was not the focus of my ire. My comments were entirely, totally, meant for Phil Jackson. Anyone who loves the NY Knicks, who’ve witnessed what has been transpiring over the last three years, know exactly who I was directing my comments to. And Why!” Do you think Stephen A. entiredly missed Lamar’s point? Does he deserve a fade from Odom and Phil Jackson now?
Getty Images This has been ruled as a homicide, rightfully so. We don’t know if the man in the video and his deputy killer-girlfriend have been arrested, as of yet. http://abc13.com/
FayesVision/WENN WELP… Oprah Says OWN Can’t Afford To Pick Up “Underground” Another day, another setback. Fans of “Underground” woke up to some bad news this morning courtesy of Oprah who was recently asked about the WGN canceled series. As previously reported the show starring Jurnee Smollet and Aldis Hodge about the Underground Railroad was unceremoniously canceled after the network decided to “go in a different direction.” Now a #SaveUnderground hashtag has taken off on social media from fans desperate to see the show brought back to TV. According to Oprah, however, while she’d like to see it return, it will NOT be on her OWN network. Patricia Schlein/WENN Oprah recently talked with reporter Soraya McDonald of TheUndefeated and candidly told her that the show’s just too expensive. “I can’t afford Underground,” said Oprah. “It’s like $5 million an episode—can’t afford it. It’s not cheap.” Full text of Oprah’s answer about not picking up #UndergroundWGN : pic.twitter.com/bfs5aj0pUR — Soraya N. McDonald (@SorayaMcDonald) June 6, 2017 This comes after BET also passed on picking it up because they “couldn’t work out a deal.” “I was… I am very interested… we had conversations before it was announced that WGN was canceling it… We couldn’t work out a deal…,” said Debra Lee, Chairman & CEO of BET Networks according to EBONY . Fans are still hopeful that the show could up on Netflix. FayesVision/WENN Do YOU think “Underground” will find a new home???
Christina El Moussa may no longer be married to Tarek El Moussa. But she’s still all about family. Or two members of her family at least. On Thursday, the Flip or Flop co-host shared a photo to Instagram of some fresh new ink she now has on her wrist. The two tattoos are in honor of six-year old daughter Taylor and one-year old son Brayden and El Moussa wrote the following as a caption to the snapshot: “Been wanting this for a long time. No time like the present. #taylorreese #braydenjames.” As you can see here, Christina has honored her children by permanently etching their birthdays in roman numerals on her skin. On Snapchat, she also took fans behind the scenes of the tattoos by posting the following image: Christina shares custody of Taylor and Brayden with estranged husband Tarek. The two separated last May and filed for divorce in December. Most fans presumed HGTV would cancel Flip or Flop in light of this development, but the network recently ordered additional episodes of the series ; it will now run all the way through 2017. Despite (or maybe because of) the awkward status of its co-hosts, the program has seen its ratings shoot up over the past couple months. Tarek and Christina, meanwhile, have tried to maintain an amicable relationship. They’ve said all the right things in public about putting their children first and leaving the past behind them and wishing the best for their former other halves. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, for example, Christina said in March of Tarek: “Tarek and I are in a good spot. We have a lot of things that we’re working on, cool things coming in the future, so we’re just looking forward.” And then Tarek went ahead and paid tribute to Christina on Mother’s Day this month. “I’m a day late and a dollar short… but… I want to wish Christina a happy Mother’s Day Tay and Bray love her to the moon and back!” he wrote as a caption to the picture below. Very nice sentiment, right? But while we’re sure Tarek meant well, cracks in the facade of kindness between him and Christina do show up on occasion. A few days ago, for example, Tarek made a joke about the time last spring when he grabbed a gun and stormed into the woods following an argument with Christina. And Christina basically responded to it by calling Tarek out on his BS and telling him to shut up. Not in so many words. But she was clearly annoyed that he made fun of a rather serious incident; one that involved her calling 911 because she was afraid of what Tarek might do with a gun . This passive aggressive bickering isn’t great for raising two kids. But it’s really great for viewers of Flip or Flop and even better for editors of a celebrity gossip site! Keep it going, Tarek and Christina! Never stop! View Slideshow: Christina El Moussa Photos: Flip or Flop Hotness!
So much for all that Idol chatter. A few days after rumors surfaced that Kelly Clarkson would be a judge on the revamped version of American Idol, the original winner of has come out and stunned the television universe: She will, indeed, be a judge on an upcoming season of a beloved, long-time running singing competition. But it will not be the show that made her famous. It will be The Voice. Clarkson made the unexpected announcement on Thursday afternoon alongside Blake Shelton on his Facebook page as part of a live video. The two artists will joined on season 14 by fellow longtime coach Adam Levine, while a fourth coach will be confirmed at a later date. “I’m so excited to join The Voice at NBC,” Clarkson said in a statement. She added: “We’ve gone back and forth about a role as a coach for years, but the timing hasn’t been right until now. “I have always loved appearing on the show as an adviser or performer and established an amazing relationship with the network during my Christmas special. “I can’t wait to turn my chair and see the faces of up-and-coming artists and provide them with the help and support they’ve needed to break into the industry.” Proving she’s ready for the typical weekly trash talk among panelists, Clarkson concluded as follows: “Watch out Shelton, I’m comin’ to win!” There’s also been talk, meanwhile, that Jennifer Hudson will come on board The Voice Season 13 as a judge. Said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment, in a statement of his own: “Kelly has been a part of The Voice family for many years as an adviser and performer. We are thrilled she has chosen to join us as a coach to mentor the next generation through our unique vocal boot camp. “Every time Kelly Clarkson sings you are reminded what an incredible voice really is. “We are looking forward to the sound of Kelly Clarkson on The Voice.” It was announced on Tuesday that ABC has agreed on a deal to revive American Idol. It will most likely air on Sunday nights next spring, with Ryan Seacrest most likely returning as host. “American Idol on ABC…that has a nice ring to it,” Disney co-chairman Ben Sherwood said about this move, adding: “Idol is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. America, get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol. The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Watch Clarkson and Shelton have a blast making the big reveal here… Kelly Clarkson Breaks The Voice News … and then join us in welcoming Clarkson to The Voice!
If you've been anywhere near social media in the past month then you've probably heard about June Shannon's remarkable weight loss . The former Here Comes Honey Boo Boo star recently underwent several surgical procedures in order to slim down by more than 300 pounds! Shannon has posed for a number of racy photos in the weeks since unveiling her trim new figure, but her latest photoshoot could be her most eye-catching to date. It's not that Shannon is showing a lot of skin in her latest pics. Rather, it's that she's highlighting just how far she's come in her weight loss journey. Before she began the long process of shedding all those pounds, “Mama June” posed for a Baywatch-themed photoshoot in July of 2015. At the time, Shannon was in on a joke at her own expense. These days, she's having the last laugh. After $75,000 in surgeries, June has now gone from a size 18 to a size 4, and she wouldn't look so out of place running in slow motion next to David Hasselhoff. (Or The Rock and Zac Efron, for that matter.) When discussing her dramatic transformation, June is careful to note that it wasn't just medical intervention that allowed her to make such a radical change in her appearance: “I've worked my ass off, working out, getting healthy,” she recently told E! News. “And now I feel like becoming the person on the outside that I always felt like on the inside.” Check out June in full Pamela Anderson mode in the video below:
Feeling like it’s been a Westerosi winter since the Game of Thrones Season 6 finale ? Wondering how you’ll survive once the show wraps up after just 13 more episodes? Well, if you’re jonesing for more GoT to the point that you’re looking into direwolf adoption and considering moving to the Mexican border just to be near a giant wall, then have we got good news for you. HBO announced today that it’s exploring four different options in terms of Westeros-based spinoffs. The network hasn’t revealed how many of the four premises will be picked up, but considering the massive budget required to produce shows like GoT, execs will probably only green light one at a time. Still, Game of Thrones junkies (or Throners, as we like to call them) are holding out hope that there might be multiple spinoffs on the way. The announcement marks the first time that HBO has pursued a follow-up to one of its series. According to Entertainment Weekly, the network will evaluate four scripts by four different writers: Stories by Max Borenstein (Kong: Skull Island, Fox’s Minority Report); Jane Goldman (Kingsman: The Secret Service, X-Men: First Class); Brian Helgeland (A Knight’s Tale, L.A. Confidential); and Carly Wray (Mad Men) have already been commissioned. Goldman and Wray will both be working in tandem with George R.R. Martin, which will likely put them at an advantage. Network execs assure fans that no matter which direction they choose, Martin and current showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will all be involved in some capacity. “Weiss and Benioff continue to work on finishing up the seventh season and are already in the midst of writing and preparing for the eighth and final season,” HBO said in a statement. “We have kept them up to date on our plans and they will be attached, along with George R. R. Martin, as executive producers on all projects. We will support them as they take a much-deserved break from writing about Westeros once the final season is complete.” HBO has offered few details about the nature of the projects except to say that each will “explore different time periods of George R. R. Martin’s vast and rich universe.” Hopefully, they’ll soon issue another statement to quash those rumors about a Game of Thrones-Westworld crossover . As much as we love both series, there’s pretty much no way than could not be corny. If you’re still itching for your fix of dragons and gratuitous nudity, check out the first pics from Season 7 in the gallery below, and don’t forget that you can always watch Game of Thrones online at TV Fanatic. View Slideshow: Game of Thrones Season 7 Photos Are Here!
If you’re a fan of the Duggar clan, by now you’re probably already familiar with the narrative surrounding Jana Duggar. To many viewers, Jana is the “Cinderella Duggar,” forced to remain at home and help care for her parents’ massive brood while her brothers and sisters marry and start families of their own. That characterization might be a little inaccurate (There could be lots of reasons that Jana has chosen not to marry.), but in fairness, Jana doesn’t do much to disabuse fans of the notion that she’s basically a put-upon fairytale character. In an interview with TLC that was recorded several months ago but released this week , Jana offers some insights into what she’s most looking forward to in 2017. “Jessa’s going to be having her little one, so I’ll be at that birth and looking forward to that,” she tells the network. It may seem harmless that Jana’s most anticipated event of the year is Jessa welcoming her second child , but apparently, the remark struck a nerve for some viewers. “So sad. At this age their lives should be full of excitement and promise. The only important things going on for them are projects and Jessa’s new baby,” one fan commented on the Duggars’ official Facebook page. “She has nothing else to do but wait around for another sister to give birth. Jana your killing me. Your young your beautiful, grab some life and live it girl,” wrote another. Look, if Jana wants to leave the house and start her own family and is being prevented from doing so, that’s legitimately very sad. But this might be a case of fans reading a bit too much into an off-hand comment. It’s worth pointing out that Jana’s twin, John David Duggar, is also single , but is not subjected to the same pressures and scrutiny as Jana. Usually, the most common critiques of the Duggars (or at least the ones that don’t their efforts to cover up the Josh Duggar sex scandals ) involve the family’s backwards notions about women and their place in the world. In the case of Jana, however, it’s often the fans who play the old fashioned role and bemoan her lack of a husband and children. See what you did, people? You’ve made us defend the Duggars! We’ll never forgive you for this. View Slideshow: Jana Duggar Photos: Beautiful, Maligned “Cinderella” Duggar Through the Years
