NEW HOUSEWIVES JOIN NEW YORK CAST: The new Real Housewives of New York have been revealed. During a Watch What Happens: Live All-Star party in Manhattan this week, Andy Cohen announced that Aviva Drescher, Carole Radziwill and Heather Thomson will be joining the cast in place of four ladies who were fired at the end of last season. The trio will join surviving cast members LuAnn de Lesseps, Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan.TAYLOR LAUTNER TEAMS UP WITH ADAM SANDLER: Taylor Lautner will reportedly star alongsideAdam Sandler in the sequel to 2010’s Grown Ups. The Hollywood Reporter announced that most of the original cast will return, including Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Maya Rudolph and Salma Hayek. Lautner “will make an appearance in a ‘fun’ role, in which he goes toe-to-toe with Sandler.”

MARK ZUCKERBERG’S SISTER GETS REALITY SHOW: Mark Zuckerberg’s sister will be starring on a Bravo reality show. Randi Zuckerberg — who worked with her brother at Facebook until last August — will star on the show, which will follow young people trying to become “Silicon Valley’s next great success stories.”

 

1614, American Indian princess Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe in Jamestown, Virginia.
1792, President George Washington cast the first ever presidential veto, rejecting a congressional measure for apportioning representatives among the states.
1887, Anne Sullivan achieved a major breakthrough with her blind and deaf pupil, Helen Keller, when the girl learned the word “water” in the manual alphabet.
1900 Actor Spencer Tracy (Captains Courageous, Woman Of The Year, Bad Day At Black Rock, Desk Set, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner) is born. He dies in 1967.
1908 Actress Bette Davis (All About Eve, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?) is born. She dies in 1989.
1916 Actor Gregory Peck (Spellbound, To Kill A Mockingbird) is born. He dies in 2003.
1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were sentenced to death following their conviction on charges of conspiring to commit espionage for the Soviet Union.
1968, violence erupted in many U.S. cities due to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. the day before.
1971, Mrs. Fran Phipps, wife of Canadian pilot Weldy Phipps, became the first woman to set foot at the North Pole.
1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers passed Wilt Chamberlain in the record books by scoring his 31,420th point, becoming the new NBA all-time scoring leader. He finished his career in 1989 with 38,387 points, a record which may never be broken.
1986, An American soldier and a Turkish woman were killed in the bombing of the La Bell discotheque in West Berlin. The incident prompted the U.S. air raid on Libya a week later.
1987, the new Fox television network, headed by Rupert Murdoch, started with two Sunday night offerings — Married… With Children and The Tracey Ullman Show.
1988, A 15-day hijacking ordeal began as gunmen forced a Kuwait Airways jumbo jet to land in Iran.
1994, Kurt Cobain, singer and songwriter for the band Nirvana, committed suicide. He was 27.
1997, Allen Ginsberg, the counterculture guru who shattered conventions as poet laureate of the Beat Generation, died in New York City at age 70.
1998, In Leeds, England, environment chiefs from the world’s top eight industrialized nations announced plans to curb the smuggling of hazardous waste, endangered species and substances that damage the ozone layer.
1999, In Laramie, Wyoming, Russell Henderson pleaded guilty to kidnapping and felony murder in the death of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student.
1999, NATO missiles and aircraft blasted Serbian targets inside Yugoslavia for a 13th straight day.
1999, The United Nations suspended sanctions against Libya after Moammar Gadhafi surrendered two suspected Libyan intelligence agents for trial in the 1988 Pan Am bombing.

 

JEREMY RENNER BLASTS GAY RUMORS: Jeremy Renner is not a fan of the tabloid rumors that circulate when you’re famous. He blasted the reports about his personal life that have surfaced, including one that he’s gay. Renner spewed, “I want my personal life to be personal, and it’s not (bleeping) true! And I don’t care if you’re talking about things that are true, you’re still talking about my personal life.. How about I go peek in your window, take what underwear you wore last night and shove that in the megaphone throughout your neighborhood? How does that feel?” DAN HARMON APOLOGIZES: Community creator Dan Harmon has apologized for releasing the angry voicemail he received from Chevy Chase last weekend. After Harmon led an expletive-filled chant directed at Chevy during the show’s wrap party, Chase blasted him in a message, which Harmon released to TMZ.com. In the wake of massive backlash, Harmon has apologized saying, “I made the horrible, childish, self-obsessed, unaware, naive and unprofessional decision to play someone’s voicemail to me. He didn’t intend for people to listen and giggle at it, and I didn’t intend for millions of people to read angry reports about it. The giant mistake I made was involving someone else in that game of russian roulette, someone that didn’t have an opportunity to say “yeah, hilarious, let’s do this.” That was a dumb, unclassy, inconsiderate move on my part. I’m very sorry it’s reflecting poorly on the show.”

ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO PREGNANT WITH A BOY: Alessandra Ambrosio is expecting a baby boy. The model told E!, “I am having a boy! I am so excited! Because I already have a daughter I know what to expect with a girl, so having a boy means it’s going to be surprising all over again. My fiance is so excited. Now he has company! He won’t be in a house full of girls anymore!” Alessandra and fiance Jamie Mazur have a daughter, Anja, 3.

SHIFY SHELLSHOCK IS OUT OF COMA: Celebrity Rehab star Shifty Shellshock has regained consciousness after falling into a coma last week. TMZ reported that he was taken off breathing tubes this week and is starting to speak again. However he’s still in the ICU and not fully aware of his surroundings. It’s believed that drugs were to blame for his condition, but there’s been no official word.

GREG BRADY WELCOMES A DAUGHTER: Barry Williams — best known for playing Greg Brady onThe Brady Bunch — has welcomed a daughter. Rumorfix.com reported that Williams’ girlfriend Elizabeth Kennedy recently gave birth to a baby girl that they’ve named Samantha Rose. Williams, 57, has a 9-year-old son, Brandon Eric, from a previous relationship.

DREW SHOWS OFF BABY BUMP? Drew Barrymore hasn’t confirmed or denied rumors that she’s pregnant, but her stomach definitely appears to be growing.

‘MODERN FAMILY’ CAST REURNING: The entire cast of Modern Family will reportedly return next season. Although rumors about their status were swirling amid salary negotiations, Jesse Tyler Fergusonconfirmed, “We’ll all be back. It’s going to be very smooth.” BRAVO BANKING ON OLD TALENT FOR NEW SHOWS: Bravo has given the green light to a slew of new reality shows — including several that feature existing “talent” from the network. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump has landed her own spinoff, Sur, which explores the inner workings of her Los Angeles restaurant. Meanwhile, Life After Top Chef will follow the personal and professional lives of the four former Top Chef cheftestants — Jen Carroll, Richard Blais, Fabio Viviani and Spike Mendelsohn.

‘SNL’ STARS LEAVING THE SHOW? Several key players on Saturday Night Live will reportedly leave the show at the end of this season. A source told Us Weekly, “Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and Jason Sudeikis are all leaving after the end of the season. It will be a huge blow to the show. Without Andy’s video shorts and Kristen saving every skit, they’ll need help!” A rep for the stars said that no decisions have been made — but most actors (Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jimmy Kimmel) do depart once their careers get hot.

‘THAT 70’S SHOW’ AND OTHERS WILL REUNITE FOR FOX ANNIVERSARY: Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama and Laura Prepon are getting back together for a reunion of That 70’s Show. Entertainment Weekly reported that the reunion will be part of the network’s 25th Anniversary Special on April 22, which will also feature Christina Applegate, David Faustino, Ed O’Neill and Katey Sagal fromMarried…With Children, Calista Flockhart from Ally McBeal and many more.

KEVIN BACON AND KYRA SEDGWICK ARE COUSINS

Most people are linked to Kevin Bacon in less than six degrees, and it turns out his wife Kyra Sedgwick was too — even before she met him. The couple discovered that they were distant cousins on the PBS genealogy show, Finding Your Roots. 

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr., said that the married couple “are indeed distant cousins. So talk about six degrees of separation, right?”

• Gates explained the message of his show, saying that “I want Americans [to] realize how united we are as a people. There’s so much animosity . . . and one of the things that I want the series to do is to show that, deep down, we are all Americans. We’ve been sleeping together from the very beginning of the country.”

1788, the last of the Federalist essays, a series of 85 public letters written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay urging ratification of the U.S. Constitution, was published in newspapers.
1818, Congress decided the flag of the United States would consist of 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars, with a new star to be added for every new state of the Union.
1850, the city of Los Angeles was incorporated.
1887, Susanna Medora Salter became the first woman elected mayor of an American city, in Argonia, Kansas.
1949, 12 Western democratic nations, including the U.S., signed a treaty forming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a safeguard against Soviet aggression.
1983, the space shuttle Challenger began its maiden voyage.
1964, the Rolling Stones released their first album, The Rolling Stones.
1967, Johnny Carson quit the Tonight Show. He returned three weeks later after NBC gave him a $30,000 per week raise.
1968, civil rights leader and educator Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 39. James Earl Ray was convicted of the murder and spent the rest of his life in jail.
1969, NBC canceled Star Trek.
1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves tied Babe Ruth’s home-run record by hitting his 714th homer in Cincinnati.
1979, actor Heath Ledger is born. He dies in 2008.

 

LINDSAY LOHAN STAYING LOW-KEY: TMZ reported that Lohan appears to be behaving after completing formal probation, having relaxed dinners with friends — and sticking to soda. KEITH OLBERMANN SAYS HE SCREWED UP: The newsman took responsibility for his firing from Current TV — but only by saying that he should have known that the network could not support his show. He told David Letterman, “If you buy a $10 million chandelier, you should have a house to put it in. Just walking around with a $10 million chandelier isn’t going to do anybody a lot of good. And it’s not going to do any good to the chandelier.”

KATE BOSWORTH TALKS NEW LOVE: The actress said of her relationship with Michael Polish, “I had my single moment in my life, but…I’m happily settled now. I think that’s what we all search for, that kind of partner in life. They’re all special rings.”

ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO HAVING A BOY: The pregnant model announced on Facebook, “We really tried to keep it a surprise but we were too anxious! Soon, we will have a little boy to rock our world!!”

NICOLAS CAGE PAYING OFF TAX BILL: TMZ reported that the actor paid off the $6,257,005 he failed to pay in federal income tax for 2007 — but still has a ways to go as he fell $13 million behind to the government.

MINKA AND WILMER ARE DEFINITELY ON: The rumors are apparently true: Minka Kelly and Wilmer Valderrama appear to be a couple. The two were spotted partying at a nightclub and on a cozy walk in Australia this week. They were first linked last month after witnesses saw them “all over each other” at a Los Angeles club. Kelly dated New York Yankees star Derek Jeter for three years before splitting in 2011.

 ‘CELEBRITY REHAB’ STAR IN COMA: Former Celebrity Rehab star Shifty Shellshock is reportedly in a coma. TMZ.com reported that the former Crazy Town singer/reality star was admitted to the ICU last week and is currently unresponsive. Although there’s no official word as to what happened, sources believe it is drug-related. Shifty was due in court this week for a pre-trial hearing regarding his February cocaine possession arrest and insiders say he was anxious about going back to jail.

MOLLY SIMS IS HAVING A BOY: Molly Sims is having a son. The model announced on The Talk, “Everyone has asked me. We are having a baby boy!” Sims and her husband are expecting their first child at the end of June.

JACKIE MASON’S GIRLFRIEND CHARGED: Jackie Mason’s girlfriend has been charged with assault and harassment for allegedly attacking the comedian. According to the complaint obtained by TMZ, Kaoru “scratched and grabbed [Jackie] by the wrist, causing redness, swelling and abrasions to [his] left wrist and substantial pain” last Friday. Mason called the cops and she was placed under arrest and subsequently released on bail.

DAVID LETTERMAN AND CRAIG FERGUSON RETURNING TO CBS: David Letterman and Craig Ferguson are sticking around CBS. Both late night hosts re-signed contracts with the network, keeping them there through 2014. With the new deal, Letterman will become the longest-running, late-night talk-show host in TV history — even though its over two networks. Letterman began on NBC in 1982 with Late Night, before moving to CBS in 1993 after Jay Leno was named host of the Tonight Show after Johnny Carson retired. Carson’s record was a few months shy of 30 years.

 ‘DUMB AND DUMBER’ SEQUEL IN THE WORKS: Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels will reunite for a sequel to their 1994 hit comedy Dumb and Dumber. Director Peter Farrelly told ComingSoon.net, “We’re getting set to shoot Dumb and Dumber 2 in September. It’s the first sequel we’ve ever done and we’ve got Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels back.” Farrelly noted that the new movie will be nothing like the 2003 prequel,Dumb and Dumberer, which he was not involved with.

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS HOSTING TONYS AGAIN: Neil Patrick Harris will be hosting the 2012 Tony Awards for the third time this year. He said in a statement, “I’m thrilled to be a part of this year’s Tony Awards. Not only will I be shining a spotlight on the best that Broadway has to offer, but hopefully I’ll score some free house seats to a show — or five!” The actor, who previously hosted in 2009 and 2011, is also acting as a producer this year.

‘GAME OF THRONES’ HAS BIG PREMIERE: Game of Thrones returned on Sunday with huge ratings.Variety reported that 3.86 million viewers tuned in for the season premiere on HBO, making it the most-watched episode of the show ever.

ASHTON TAKING STEVE JOBS ROLE SERIOUSLY: Ashton Kutcher is taking his new role as Steve Jobs very seriously. The film’s producer Mark Hulme said, “He is already meeting with folks that knew Steve Jobs. He’s working with professionals to get inside the voice. He’s letting his hair grow out. I understand he’s canceled all his meetings and actually canceled all other projects. He believes the role was meant for him.” Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak gave the casting his blessing, telling TMZ, “I’m glad that he’s on board. I think he’ll put a lot into it and that he cares about this particular subject.”

OPRAH PENS LETTER TO HER 19-YEAR-OLD SELF

Oprah Winfrey has written an open letter to her 19-year-old self. In the latest issue of O Magazine, the mogul poses with a photo of her younger self. Inside she advices the “beautiful brown-skinned girl” to “love yourself from your own heart!” 

She wrote, “I look into your eyes and see the light and hope of myself. In this photo you are just about to turn 20, posing outside the television station where you were recently hired as a reporter. You’re proud of yourself for getting the job, but uncertain you’ll be able to manage all your college classes before 1 and arrive at the station by 1:30 for a full day’s work. Even so, your biggest concern is how to manage your love life with Bubba. Yes, you are dating someone named Bubba.”

She continued, “You’ve spent too many days and years trying to please others and be what they wanted you to be. You will have to learn that the wounds of your past – rape, molestation, whippings for ‘stepping out of place,’ and not being allowed to show anger or cry afterward – damaged your self-esteem. Yet through it all, you’ve held on to a belief in God and God’s belief in you.That will be your single greatest gift: knowing there is a power greater than yourself and trusting that Force to guide you.”

• She added, “The trajectory of your life changed the day you answered the call from Chris Clark, the news director at WLAC-TV. Your response was ignited by the words of your then-favorite Bible verse, Philippians 3:14. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. From where I sit now, viewing your journey, there are few regrets. Only months before this picture was taken, you wrote a poem about a ‘woman becoming.’ Even then you understood that success was a process and that moving with the flow of life and not against it would be your greatest achievement.”
• She ended the letter with, “Love you deeply,Oprah.”