Megan Elliott | Showbiz Cheat Sheet Senior Writer

‘Claim to Fame’ Producers Share How Celebrity Relatives Are Selected for the Show

Megan Elliott — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 19:10:00 +0000

Can you guess the celebrity relative? ABC’s Claim to Fame challenges participants – and viewers – to discover the identity of cast members’ famous kin.

Each contestant must use clues scattered around their shared house to ferret out other players’ star relatives. At the same time, they must keep their own identities a secret while also completing challenges that could win them immunity from elimination.

Past Claim to Fame participants have included KeKe Palmer’s sister Loreal Chanel Palmer, who won season 1, and Nick Cannon’s brother Gabriel Ezra Cannon, who bested the competition in season 2. Other contestants have included the sister of Olympian Simone Biles, Donny Osmond’s lookalike son, and – infamously – Tom Hanks’ niece.

So, what does it take to get cast on Claim to Fame? It turns out, just having a celebrity connection isn’t enough.

Is Madonna your third cousin twice removed? That might be a fun fact to share at parties, but it’s not enough to get you the attention of Claim to Fame producers.

“Distant or far-removed relatives (such as second cousins and beyond) are not considered,” Claim to Fame executive producers Eric Detwiler and Scott Teti told People in 2023.

All prospective Claim to Fame cast members should be closely related to a celebrity, usually by blood. That typically means having a famous parent or grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle, or cousin. However, sometimes, someone who is related to a celeb by marriage is cast. That was the cast with Carly from season 2, who was related to Hanks through her aunt Rita Wilson.

While a close celebrity connection is key, that person doesn’t have to be living. For example, Pepper Martin from season 1 is the granddaughter of Rat Pack icon Dean Martin, who died in 1995.

Prospective contestants must complete a lengthy application

Having a close relative who is a celebrity is just the first step to getting onto the show. The Claim to Fame casting application asks prospective contestants dozens of questions, many related to their relationship with the celebrity, including:

“Describe your relationship with your celebrity relative. How close are you? How often do you see each other?”
“Tell us about the best memory you have with your famous family member.”
“Have you ever tried to pursue the same or similar career as your famous family member?”
“How is your personality similar or different from that of your famous relative?”

‘Claim to Fame’ producers also seek out participants

‘Claim to Fame’ Season 3 | Disney/Chris Willard

People can apply to be on Claim to Fame. But producers also proactively seek out potential contestants in order to assemble a group with a diverse array of celeb connections (and to avoid any chance of cast members having crossed paths outside of the show).

There are “different buckets that we’re interested in,” Detwiler told Parade. “We know we’re going to need some actors and some musicians and some athletes and wouldn’t it be great to have a historical figure or a political figure or an author? What’s some kind of wild card category and then we might get specific with her. Wouldn’t it be great to have the relative of a former U.S. president?”

“[F]rom there we do some pretty direct research, trying to dig in to find out who those people are and who might have a willingness to participate in the show and who might have the best personality to be on the show,” he said.

All cast members are required to pass a background check

As with most reality shows, people who make it through the initial screening process must pass a background check to make sure they’re a good fit for TV.

“Once the pool of potential contestants are whittled down by producers, the lucky individuals who are selected to advance in the casting process must clear background checks, as well as both medical and psychological evaluations by licensed medical providers, before they are permitted to film,” Detwiler and Teti explained to People.

Claim to Fame Season 3 airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

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ABC Sets Premiere Date for Joan Vassos’ ‘Golden Bachelorette’ Season

Megan Elliott — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:30:01 +0000

The Golden Bachelorette is ready to step into the spotlight. ABC has announced a premiere date for the first season of The Golden Bachelorette, which will follow new leading lady Joan Vassos as she searches for love.

‘The Golden Bachelorette’ premieres Sept. 18

Vassos’ season of The Golden Bachelorette premieres Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes will stream the next day on Hulu.

In May, ABC announced Vassos, a contestant on Gerry Turner’s inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor, as the first-ever Golden Bachelorette. Although Vassos had a spark with Turner during their one-on-one date, she opted to leave the show in week three because of a medical issue involving her daughter, who had recently given birth.

”It wasn’t a normal, everyday delivery at all. Things go wrong. Even if everything went right, you need your mom,” Vassos explained at the time. “My family will always be first. Once you become a mom, you’re always a mom, even when your kids are older. Nothing is more important.”

While Joan’s Golden Bachelor journey ended prematurely, she hasn’t given up on the idea of finding love later in life, leading to her decision to return as the Golden Bachelorette.

Who is Joan Vassos?

Joan Vassos of ‘The Golden Bachelorette’ | Disney/Ramona Rosales

Vassos is a 61-year-old school administrator from Rockville, Maryland. She’s a widow, having lost her beloved husband after 32 years of marriage to pancreatic cancer in 2021. Vassos is also a mom of four and grandmother to three, and family is all-important to her. She enjoys the music of Elton John, cooking, and spending time with her dog.

Turner is confident that Vassos will have an amazing time as The Golden Bachelorette.

“Congratulations on being named the first-ever Golden Bachelorette,” Turner wrote in an Instagram post. “You will be phenomenal as the new representative of a generation. From one Golden to another … relax, breathe, and enjoy.”

Turner’s own Golden Bachelor season culminated with his televised wedding to Theresa Nist. But their whirlwind romance was short-lived. In April, the couple announced they were divorcing after just three months of marriage.

One reason for Gerry and Theresa’s split? The couple, who lived in different states, had trouble figuring out how to merge their lives once married. Vassos has already said that she has no intention of moving away from her family.

“I think you almost have to live a dual life,” she told CNN. “I’ll never leave my family. They are the most important people in the world to me obviously, and I would expect that to be the same for the person that I end up with because family is so important to me, that would have to be a key part of their personality.”

“You have to be willing to … travel and be with that person and maybe spend a couple of months or a couple of weeks at a time … and then maybe eventually, you figure out a destination that would work for you and your families or have another house where everybody gets together,” she said.

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CBS Is Taking Its Time With Potential ‘Blue Bloods’ Spinoff: ‘We Have to Get It Right’

Megan Elliott — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 23:15:00 +0000

There’s good news and bad news for Blue Bloods fans. Though the long-running CBS cop drama will end this fall after 14 seasons on the air, the network is looking at keeping the show’s universe alive through potential spinoffs. But those new shows aren’t likely to arrive anytime in the near future, CBS Studios President David Stapf recently said.

CBS is considering a ‘Blue Bloods’ franchise extension

The first hints of a Blue Bloods spinoff came during a meeting for Paramount shareholders on June 4.

“We are building tomorrow’s billion-dollar brands right now,” Paramount Global co-CEO Brian Robbins said. “In TV, new franchise extensions are coming for Dexter, Billions, and Blue Bloods, and CBS’ hit Fire Country shows huge promise.”

The news that Blue Bloods might live on in some fashion came after several of the show’s stars, including Tom Selleck, expressed confusion over the network’s decision to cancel the show.

“I will continue to think that CBS will come to their senses,” Selleck told CBS Sunday Morning when asked if the show was really ending.

“We’re the third-highest scripted show in all of broadcast,” he added. “We’re winning the night. All the cast wants to come back. And I can tell you this: we aren’t sliding off down a cliff. We’re doing good shows, and still holding our place. So, I don’t know. You tell me!”

Though the cast and fans have pleaded with CBS to save Blue Bloods, CBS has stressed that the original show will not be uncanceled.

No ‘Blue Bloods’ spinoffs are currently in development

Steven Schirripa as Anthony Abetemarco and Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan in ‘Blue Bloods’ | CBS via Getty Images

While CBS is considering the future of the Blue Bloods brand, there are no concrete plans for a new show at this point.

“We don’t have anything that’s going to be in development soon but it’s a brand, a title, and a show that is beloved,” Stapf recently told Deadline.

“We’ve got to get it right so we’re taking our time and trying to figure it out, OK, what is the next iteration of Blue Bloods?” he added. “We have a whole season to go where we intend to celebrate it all season long as to how good that show is, so there’s still time for us to figure that out.”

One possible Blue Bloods spinoff has reportedly already been shelved. According to Deadline, there was discussion about a series focused on Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan character, but that has not materialized.

The second half of Blue Bloods Season 14 premieres Friday, Oct. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

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Meagan Good Wows in Red While Promoting New Tyler Perry Movie in Los Angeles

Megan Elliott — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 20:21:57 +0000

Meagan Good donned an eye-catching red dress for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday to promote her new Tyler Perry movie. The actor smiled and waved to photographers as she headed into the late-night show’s studios in Los Angeles.

Good stars alongside Cory Hardrict in Divorce in the Black, which is now streaming on Prime Video. She plays Ava, a preacher’s daughter who is desperate to save her marriage to Dallas (Hardrict), who has abandoned their relationship. As Dallas’ true, sinister nature is revealed, Ava finds solace in the arms of her longtime friend, Benji (Joseph Lee Anderson).

Meagan Good is seen at ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on July 15, 2024 in Los Angeles | RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Good was beaming in a fire-engine red strapless minidress from House of CB as she paid a visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on July 15.

Meagan Good is seen at ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ on July 15, 2024 | RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Good was also spotted at the studio wearing the same dress in black and white. The flirty date-night look is available from House of CB for $255.

Meagan Good | PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

On the show, Good chatted with guest host Anthony Anderson about her new movie. “It’s really a story that’s about [Ava’s] journey of exploring and discovering and rediscovering herself,” she explained (via YouTube). “And then it’s got a lot of twists, lot of turns.”

Meagan Good | RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

While Divorce in the Black has some dark moments, the vibe on set was totally positive, Good said. “You know, it was fun to drag Cory down the staircase,” she joked of working with Hardrict, whom she’s known for two decades. “It was fun to throw Cory in the car and slap him.”

Meagan Good | RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Hardrict’s bad-guy character in the movie couldn’t be more different from his real personality, Good added. “Cory’s such a sweetheart … he really created the space for me to feel comfortable, for me to feel safe, to explore the character,” she said.

Good isn’t just navigating romantic drama on the small-screen. Her relationship with controversial star Jonathan Majors has raised some eyebrows. In December 2023, Majors was found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend. Soon after, he was dropped from his high-profile role as the villain Kang the Conquerer in an upcoming Marvel movie.

In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Good said the concern about her personal life is misplaced.

“I’m not a 20-year-old girl. I’ve lived quite a few lifetimes already,” she said. “I appreciate concern when it’s genuine. But I’m also like. ‘I got a mama. I got a big sister. I’ve got very, very close friends of family who do not f*ck around when it comes to me. I’m good.’”

“I know that Jonathan makes me very happy,” she added. “And I love him very much and I feel very, very loved by him. And I’m grateful for even the horrible things that we’ve experienced. I don’t wish that for him. But, for us, I think that it’s produced something different and special and that I’m thankful for.”

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‘When Calls the Heart’ Cast Gets to Work on Season 12

Megan Elliott — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 19:01:00 +0000

It’s been less than a month since the dramatic – and romantic – conclusion to When Calls the Heart Season 11. But the show’s cast is already hard at work on the next installment of the frontier period drama, which is due to air sometime in 2025 on Hallmark Channel.

Erin Krakow, Kevin McGarry are back at work on ‘When Calls the Heart’

Hallmark announced in May that it had renewed its longest-running original series for a 12th season, with production set to begin in July in Canada. Recently, several of the show’s cast have shared social media updates confirming that they’re once again getting ready to bring the world of Hope Valley to life.

Series star Erin Krakow, who plays Elizabeth Thornton, continued her tradition of sharing a photo of herself headed back to set. “#PlaneSelfieNotAPlainSelfie,” she captioned the July 2024 Instagram post.

“It’s time,” commented fellow cast member Andrea Brooks on Krakow’s post. The actor, who plays Dr. Faith Carter, has also shared some behind-the-scenes snaps from her season 12 wardrobe fitting on her own Instagram.

Kevin McGarry, who plays Elizabeth’s love interest, Mountie Nathan Grant, shared a quick look at himself in his trailer on July 15. “It begins…WCTH12,” he captioned the video posted to his Instagram story.

Jack Wagner, who plays Bill Avery, also shared an Instagram update from the airport. “Season 12, When Calls the Heart,” he said, as he prepared to board his flight to Vancouver. “Amazing. Very grateful. Thanks to you. Much love.”

What to expect from ‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 12

When Calls the Heart Season 12 will open immediately after season 11’s finale cliffhanger. That episode ended with a mountie riding into town and telling a stunned Elizabeth – who had just shared a kiss with Nathan – that he had some news regarding her late husband Jack.

“It picks right up from that moment, that scene,” showrunner Lindsay Sturman told TV Guide.

Could the specter of Jack put the brakes on Elizabeth and Nathan’s burgeoning relationship? It will definitely cause some issues, McGarry said.

The message about Jack “leads right into the early problems of what’s going to happen in Season 12,” he told TV Guide. “Finally they get to the honeymoon phase – I don’t want to say it’s cut short because we’re still going to see it blossom – but there’s definitely a big boulder thrown right in their way in the last couple seconds of season 11. We’ll see how Elizabeth takes it, where she stands with it all.”

What about Elizabeth’s former fiancé, Lucas (Chris McNally)? In season 12, he’ll continue to navigate his complicated role as governor. Next season he’ll “step into bigger shoes and [grow] into being a leader,” Sturman said. He might even find time for romance.

“Let’s just say, love may be in Lucas’ future,” Sturman teased.

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’90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?’ Season 8 Tell-All Will Be Unlike Any Other. When Does It Air?

Megan Elliott — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 21:48:00 +0000

This will be a 90 Day Fiancé tell-all like no other. The stars of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? are coming together to rehash all of season 8’s drama. If past tell-alls are any guide, it will be intense. But this year, TLC is upping the ante by following the cast after they leave the reunion stage. All the couples will be living together under one roof, and as seen in the teaser, things soon get heated.

Things get heated during the ’90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?’ tell all

TLC shared the explosive sneak peek at the “no limits” tell-all in a July 15 Instagram post.

The clip opens with a confrontation between Angela and her husband Michael, who is attending his first-ever 90 Day reunion in person. But all is not well with the couple. A suspicious Angela has hired a private investigator to look into her claim that Michael was scamming her for a green card. And he’s waiting backstage to reveal his findings. Cue the gasps.

Angela and Michael aren’t the only couple bringing the drama. Newlyweds Jasmine and Gino argue about his alleged porn addiction, and she’s ready to spill the details about what kind of videos her husband is really watching.

But the biggest fireworks might just happen off-stage at this reunion. The couples are living under one roof while filming, and the show’s cameras are there to capture every moment. That includes the women urging Sophie to share an incriminating voicemail where her husband, Rob, asks another woman to go to dinner. That causes him to blow his top.

“What you’re doing is you’re f*cking manipulative,” he shouts at his wife.

Later, an irate, tiara-wearing Angela screams at Michael while the rest of the cast looks on. “You are the problem here,” she yells.

Big Ed tells Liz he misses her

Big Ed and his ex-girlfriend Liz are also in attendance. But he’s not exactly being welcomed by most of the cast. While sitting in a hot tub with some of the other 90 Day stars, Ed complains that they don’t have his back. Thais doesn’t want to hear it, and she splashes water in Ed’s face. Will Liz be more willing to listen to his sob story? He tearfully tells her that he misses her, leading to an emotional response from Liz.

“Don’t do that,” she says, her voice breaking.

Finally, Angela and Michael might have reached their breaking point.

“I’m hurt from this man,” Angela cries as Michael puts his head in his hands. “No woman deserves to be treated like this.”

“I hate tell-alls. I hate this place,” she says as she storms off-stage.

When does the ’90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?’ Season 8 tell-all air?

Can’t wait for the shenanigans? The multi-part 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? Season 8 tell-all kicks off Sunday, July 28 at 8 p.m. ET on TLC. It will also stream on Max.

TLC hasn’t revealed exactly how long the tell-all will last. But the network’s schedule shows new episodes airing at least through the end of August 2024, with episode descriptions promising plenty of big moments, including an ultimatum for Gino from Jasmine; a confrontation between Loren, Sophie, and Thais; a surprising confession from Manuel; and an exclusive update on Angela and Michael’s messy marriage.

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‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’: Which Survivalists Went Home in the Season 2 Premiere?

Megan Elliott — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:44:02 +0000

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing is back, and the competition in season 2 is tougher than ever. In the July 14 season premiere, 14 survivalists arrived in Africa’s Munzwa Valley for a 45-day challenge. The person who outlasts the competition will walk away with bragging rights and $100,000. But two survivalists didn’t make it past day one of the competition.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for the Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premiere.]

‘Naked and Afraid’ survivalists face a double elimination on day one

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 got off to a running start with a shocking double-elimination challenge.

The contestants are split into two groups based on gender. Each player is tasked with crafting a primitive cutting tool to use to saw through a rope in order to claim a knife. They then must use the knife to fashion a primitive hook, which they need to obtain a map floating on a log in crocodile-infested waters. The map will direct them to their group campsite. The last man and woman to complete the challenge will be eliminated.

“You either have the skills or you don’t,” Jeff Zausch says. “People are really going to have to come out of the gate hard, or they’re going home today.”

As soon as they hear the instructions, the survivalists run off to search for the right rock to complete the first phase of the challenge. As a flintknapper, Darrin Reaay has a natural advantage on the men’s side and is the first to complete phase one. The other men follow, until just Jeff Zausch and Bulent Gurcan remain. Both are strong competitors, so it’s a surprise to see them trailing this early in the game.

Though Darrin finishes phase 1 first, Gary Golding is the first man to snag his map. He casually strolls to the tree to find the message directing him to his camp.

The rest of the survivalists fight to get their map. It soon becomes clear that an early lead doesn’t necessarily translate into a strong finish, and vice versa. Though Jeff was one of the last to get his knife, he doesn’t let that fluster him. He takes his time crafting a hook, and it pays off. He gets his map on the first try.

Meanwhile, the women are fighting just as hard as the men to complete the crucial challenge.

Ky Furneaux is the first woman to claim her knife. She’s followed closely by Trish Bulinsky, who becomes the first woman to reel in her map. Ky is close behind her, and they’re both safe from elimination.

Some of the other women struggle to cut the rope with their makeshift tools. Dani Beauchemin is the last person to get her knife. In the end, she and Lacey Jones are the only two women who’ve yet to claim their map.

Who goes home in the first episode of ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2?

The only men remaining by the water’s edge are Russell Sage and Bulent. An unflustered Bulent gets his map and sets off, leaving a frustrated Russel behind in last place.

“I’m happy, almost,” Bulent says after he completes the challenge.

Russell is disappointed by his loss. But he admits he made some mistakes in the first challenge.

“I put everything I had into it,” Russell says. “I saw a stick I thought was going to work well.” However, he “let his heart get ahead of his head” and didn’t do a good job of crafting his tool, which cost him.

Dani might have been the last person to make it to the water, but she manages to get her map before Lacey. Moments later, Lacey reels in her map. Could she pass Dani and avoid elimination? Unfortunately, no. Dani finishes first, and an exhausted Lacey is knocked out of the competition.

“I literally gave it all, everything. I was really looking forward to showing off my skills,” Lacey says.

Lacey admits she was too focused on speed during the challenge and picked the “wrong tool for the job.” The results? An “embarrassing” elimination.

The cast fights for valuable survival tools

Trish and Fernando in ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 | Discovery Channel

The remaining 12 survivalists are split into four groups:

Gary, Lindsey, and Dani
Trish, Fernando Calderon, and Dan Link
Ky, Darrin, and Bulent
Kate Wentworth, Patrick French, and Jeff

The next morning, they receive information about where to find five valuable hunting and survival tools, including multiple bows, fishing tools, and a pelt. But there’s a twist. They can’t share items with other teams after they find them.

Dan, Trish, and Fernando work together to find one of the bow caches. Meanwhile, Jeff and Kate are facing off against Gary, Lindsey, and Dani for the second bow. Dani embraces the ruthless Last One Standing spirit and steals Jeff’s rope when he leaves it unattended. He’s stunned

“I thought you were vegan. Aren’t you guys nice?” Jeff says. Minutes later, he tries to get his revenge. After Gary, Lindsey, and Dani retrieve the bow, Jeff moves to snatch it. But Lindsey is holding it, so it’s not up for grabs.

Bulent and Ky find one of the fishing assets. A second fishing line and hooks is hidden in the pond, but they decide not to search for it, leaving it for another group. Could that be a mistake? As we’ve already seen, sabotage might be key to winning this competition.

Jeff is disappointed not to get the bow, but he and Kate score an important win when they retrieve an animal hide hidden in an acacia tree.

Only one survival item remains. After a lengthy search, Fernando finds the fishing line and hooks that Ky and Bulent left behind in the pond. He, Dan, and Trsh already have the bow and arrow, and this additional item gives them an edge over the other teams.

The survivalists retreat to their camp and take cover as the weather changes. Everyone struggles to stay warm as the wind picks up, temperatures drop, and night descends. It’s a reminder that in this challenge, they’re facing off not just against each other but also against Mother Nature.

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

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Travis Kelce’s Mom Has Just Been Cast in Hallmark’s Chiefs-Themed Christmas Movie

Megan Elliott — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 13:15:00 +0000

Football’s favorite mom Donna Kelce is taking on a new role: Hallmark Channel actor. The mom of NFL stars Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce will appear in the upcoming Christmas movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.

Donna Kelce joins the ‘Holiday Touchdown’ cast

Donna Kelce | Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video

In June, Hallmark announced Holiday Touchdown, a Christmas rom-com starring Hunter King as a Chiefs superfan and Tyler Hynes as the team’s director of fan engagement. Production on the movie began in July in Kansas City (where Hallmark’s corporate headquarters is located), with some scenes set to be filmed at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium.

Now, Hallmark is revealing that the movie will feature someone with a very personal connection to the Chiefs.

“Look who’s joining @hunterking and @tyler_hynes in #HolidayTouchdown: A @Chiefs Love Story! Please welcome America’s football mom @donnakelce to the cast,” Hallmark captioned an Instagram video sharing the news of Kelce’s casting. “Don’t miss the world premiere later this year during #CountdownToChristmas.”

In the video, Hynes and King stand next to each other before stepping apart to reveal Kelce, who is wearing a No. 87 jersey in honor of her son, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

“Hi, I’m Donna Kelce and I’m in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story…,” she says.

Hallmark Channel stars were quick to welcome Mama Kelce to the Hallmark Channel family.

“The queen out acting us all,” Hynes commented on the post.

“The best surprise!!!” King wrote.

“A+ casting,” chimed in Chesapeake Shores star Robert Earl Buckley.

What is Hallmark’s ‘Holiday Touchdown’ about?

Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story follows Alana Higman (King), who thinks her family of Chiefs superfans has what it takes to win the team’s Fan of the Year contest. To take home the top prize, they’ll have to wow Derrick (Hynes), the director of fan engagement.

As Alana and Derrick spend time together, it’s clear that there’s a spark. But when Alana’s grandfather’s lucky Chiefs hat goes missing, she begins to have doubts about fate, destiny, and her future with Derrick – until a little Christmas magic throws a Hail Mary.

Kelce will play the manager of Kansas City BBQ Restaurant Norma & Nic’s in the movie.

So far, there’s no word on whether Travis Kelce himself will appear in the movie. But Hallmark has confirmed that Holiday Touchdown will feature appearances from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, guard Trey Smith, wide receiver Mecole Hardman, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, defensive end George Karlaftis, and other players. The movie will also feature a special appearance by Taylen Biggs, Chiefs fan and red carpet correspondent.

The Holiday Touchdown cast also includes Diedrich Bader, Megyn Price, Richard Riehle, Christine Ebersole, and Ed Begley Jr.

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Ky Furneaux Explains Why She Signed on for ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’

Megan Elliott — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:41:00 +0000

Ky Furneaux is no shrinking violet. The Australian survival expert and Hollywood stuntwoman has completed five Naked and Afraid challenges and survived 91 days in the wild. But is she prepared for an entirely different kind of challenge?

Ky Furneaux faces off against ‘Naked and Afraid’ legends in ‘Last One Standing’ Season 2

Furneaux is one of 14 Naked and Afraid vets who has signed on for season 2 of Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing. The competition series pits some of the show’s elite participants against each other for a chance to win a $100,000 prize.

In season 2 of Last One Standing, Furneaux will be facing off against N&A legends such as Jeff Zausch, Gary Golding, and Dan Link. They’ll fight to survive in the vast expanse of Africa’s Munzwa Valley, where they must compete against lions, leopards, and hyenas for food while also avoiding threats from their fellow competitors.

“Today I fight,” Furneaux says in a teaser for the new season. “Let the games begin.”

Ky Furneaux has something to prove on ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’

Some Naked and Afraid cast members, such as Last One Standing Season 1 alum Zausch, thrive on competition. (He’s complained that the season 1 cast didn’t take the game seriously enough.) Furneaux doesn’t count herself among those who want to win at any cost, she admits.

“I’m not known for my big group challenges in @nakedandafraid,” she captioned an Instagram video of herself talking about why she agreed to do the show. “I do prefer my survival to be about the skills rather than the drama of group dynamics. But sometimes a Why gets bigger than the need to avoid something and this is my Last One Standing Why.”

In the clip, Furneaux explains that she wants to show that women are just as good as men when it comes to survival.

“I am a passionate believer that women are incredibly capable in the outdoors,” she says. “The last season of Last One Standing was very male-dominant. And I’d really like to change that.”

Furneaux’s survival skills are top-notch, but the Last One Standing competition will be tough. To make things even more difficult Furneaux is basically attempting back-to-back challenges.

“I’m not [100 percent] sure but with only 5 weeks between my @nakedandafraid Colombia Mentoring Challenge and Last ONE Standing, I may have hit some turnaround record,” she wrote on Instagram. “Will such a short time between extreme challenges be a help to my performance or a hindrance?”

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

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‘My Big Fat Fabulous Life’: Whitney Is Intrigued By a New Guy — And His Unusual Pet [Exclusive Clip]

Megan Elliott — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:52:00 +0000

Whitney Way Thore’s romance with the Frenchman may have fizzled, but that doesn’t mean she’s giving up on love. The star of TLC’s My Big Fat Fabulous Life is still hoping to meet that special someone. In this exclusive clip from the show’s July 16 episode, she’s introduced to a new potential love interest — and his somewhat unusual pet. But will lingering feelings for her long-distance ex-boyfriend keep her from moving forward with someone closer to home?

Whitney meets Kenny in the next episode of ‘My Big Fat Fabulous Life’

Kenny is a family friend whom Whitney is meeting for the first time. In an effort to break the ice with Whitney at the family gathering, he’s brought along a surprising companion: a squirrel.

“Oh my gosh,” says Whitney, who is sitting next to Kenny on the couch. “It’s like a hamster with a long tail.”

“My advice? Let her sniff you,” Kenny says as he prepares to hand the frightened squirrel over to Whitney. The squirrel makes a run for it before Whitney can get ahold of her, but the encounter gives her and Kenny a chance to touch hands.

“I don’t even treat her like I should,” Kenny confesses.

“You’ve admitted you don’t treat her like you should,” Whitney says flirtatiously, raising her eyebrows. “So no hope for a human woman?”

“No, no way,” Kenny replies with a laugh.

Whitney is intrigued by Kenny, but she can’t forget the Frenchman

Whitney Way Thore | TLC

In an interview, Whitney’s brother Hunter wonders if there could be a spark between Kenny and his sister.

“I mean, Kenny’s got a good in. You know, ‘Is that a squirrel in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?’ It’s pretty good, I think. It’s an A-game move.”

Her dad Glenn agrees.

“Kenny, I think this is the best pickup line you could have,” he says.

“Women love animals,” Whitney agrees.

While Kenny’s flirting technique might be a bit out-of-the-box, Whitney is intrigued.

“Some people might think it’s strange to bring one’s squirrel. But for me as a pet lover, it’s just extra points in my book.”

But despite her interest in Kenny, Whitney can’t put her elusive Frenchman out of her mind.

“I’d probably be showing more outward enthusiasm if I weren’t still so in love with the Frenchman,” she says. “But I am intrigued. I do want to get to know Kenny better. And one day, I would definitely like to hold his squirrel.”

My Big Fat Fabulous Life airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.

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Megan Elliott | Showbiz Cheat Sheet Senior Writer

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Whitney meets Kenny in the next episode of ‘My Big Fat Fabulous Life’

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