Author: alaskaadmin

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Donna Farizan has been part of The Today Show for 12 years.

Viewers grow close with the hosts and contributors. They follow along with real-life highs and lows, not just updates on news, trends, and more.

Now, Farizon is moving on.

NBC played a powerful tribute to her time on The Today Show, using Farizan’s own words and a dozen years of footage.

Farewell, Donna Farizan!

On Monday, September 8, Donna Farizan joined Jenna & Friends hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie on the couch.

Farizan has been a longtime contributor to and correspondent for the Today segment. This time, however, her message blended the professional and the personal.

“A year ago, I launched a series called Own Your Power, where I challenged myself to speak my truth,” Farizan began. “And now, after 12 years with Today, I’m challenging myself to spread my wings beyond the show.”

Farizan expressed her desire “to see what new and exciting opportunities await me professionally.”

She continued: “But before I do, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my time here and the lessons learned.”

Farizan then read a letter to herself. At the same time, retrospective footage of her 12 years on Today played.

‘The unknown can be scary’

“The time has come to start my next chapter. The unknown can be scary, but it’s also exhilarating, so let’s embrace it,” Donna Farizan counseled herself.

“Since I started college and had my heart set on television internships, I didn’t know where the road would lead,” she acknowledged. “But I knew to follow my curiosity and spark.”

Farizan affirmed: “I created a path that taught me lessons that expanded my growth as a human being.”

“Everywhere I turn surrounding the perimeter of 30 Rock, I’m reminded of ways in which I’ve pushed myself outside of my comfort zone,” Farizan remarked.

“Now it’s time to do that again,” she announced. “Because that’s how you grow — and I yearn to grow.”

“The world of TV and content can sometimes feel overwhelming because there is no roadmap,” Farizan acknowledged.

‘I am so grateful’

“But I am so grateful to have gone to the school of Kathie Lee Gifford, the school of Hoda Kotb, and the school of Jenna Bush Hager,” Donna Farizan expressed.

“Because now, it’s time for me, Donna Farizan, to create my own map,” she affirmed.

We of course wish Farizan the best on her next adventure. Many of Today‘s viewers parasocially bond with hosts and contributors to the program due in part to a sense of loneliness or isolation. These figures provide a sense of companionship. We’re sure that they will miss her.

Donna Farizan Announces Departure from ‘The Today Show’ After 12 Years was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Another day, another unexpected feud between President Donald Trump and a random celebrity.

Last week, Trump lashed out at Rosie O’Donnell and once again threatened to revoke her citizenship (even though she was born in the US).

Prior to that, Trump declared that Taylor Swift was “no longer hot,” incurring the wrath of millions of Swifties for no apparent reason.

Now, the president has set his sights on an equally beloved entertainer: two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

Trump praises West Point for canceling Hanks event

Until very recently, Hanks was set to be honored by West Point’s alumni association for his “service and accomplishments in the national interest.”

The beloved star has been involved in numerous projects highlighting America’s military history, including the modern cinematic classic Saving Private Ryan and the HBO limited series Band of Brothers.

But the academy abruptly rescinded Hanks’ invitation last week, a move that is now being praised by Trump.

“Our great West Point (getting greater all the time!) has smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks. Important move!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform on Monday.

“We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!! Hopefully the Academy Awards, and other Fake Award Shows, will review their Standards and Practices in the name of Fairness and Justice. Watch their DEAD RATINGS SURGE!”

Trump seems to be suggesting that the recent decline in viewership for award shows like the Oscars is a result of the organizers’ “woke” agenda.

The decision not to go forward with the September 25 ceremony honoring Hanks was revealed on Friday by Retired Army Col. Mark Bieger, the president and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates.

“This decision allows the Academy to continue its focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win as officers in the world’s most lethal force, the United States Army,” Bieger wrote, according to the Washington Post.

Hanks had been set to receive the Thayer Award, given to citizens who did not attend West Point but whose “service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify personal devotion to the ideals expressed in West Point’s motto: ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’”

Hanks has not yet publicly responded to West Point’s decision or to today’s provocation from Trump.

The screen legend has successfully steered clear of high-profile feuds throughout his 50 years in the industry.

But this situation might require a rare show of vitriol from America’s Dad.

Donald Trump Blasts ‘Woke, Destructive’ Tom Hanks In Latest Social Media … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen The Real Housewives of New Jersey on our television screens.

And now fans are wondering: Will we ever see some of these Real Housewives on our screens ever again?!?

Back in February, we reported that three women in the cast had been fired, prompting mass speculation over the future of this franchise.

What can we now report? Confirm? Ruminate over?

“Some of The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast have test-filmed,” a source told Us Weekly a few days ago, teasing the possibilities ahead.

“There are potential new cast members who filmed with Margaret Josephs, Dolores Catania and Melissa Gorga in mid-August.”

To be clear, test-filming is a common practice that reality shows do before production officially begins.

This would seem to confirm that Josephs, Catania and Gorga are guaranteed to appear on Season 15.

Network executives “want to see how the new girls work on camera with some veteran cast members from the show,” explained this same insider to this same tabloid, which also claimed one potential newbie producers are looking at is Michelle Barone.

According to social media, the “Michelle Barone RED” podcast host is friendly with original cast member Teresa Giudice and Jackie Goldschneider.

Might this mean that Giudice is NOT a goner?!?

Granted, Teresa, Jackie and Jen Fessler did not test-film… the magazine says they “are still in consideration to be part of the new season.”

As you might recall, Season 14 ended in complete chaos. Not in, like the fun way, either. In the legitimately concerning and crazy and worrisome kind of way.

Heck, at one point, Danielle Cabral hurled a pitcher across the table at Jennifer Aydin, forcing producers to intervene and physically separate the women.

Such tension has left everything is still up in the air, as “no official casting decisions have been made,” an anonymous insider closer to the series has said.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey has been on a hiatus ever since season 14 wrapped up in August 2024.

“It was really on a deep pause, and we are actively there casting and looking at the future of what that will be,” Andy Cohen said during a June episode of The View of the ongoing hiarus. “It’s a great franchise, and we love it. I just have to reiterate that.”

The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 15: Who’s In? Who’s Out? was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

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