Category: Entertainment

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Not too long ago, a group of comedians spoke about an unnamed “TV famous” actor.

The actor allegedly believed himself to be in a “relationship” with a genAI slopbot, though clearly he would phrase it more romantically.

Rumors have circulated, with TikTok cybersleuths naming their suspect: Zach Braff.

He’s addressing it now — and he’s in a state of disbelief.

Which actor is ‘dating’ a genAI chatbot?

Let’s start at the beginning, which is actually a December 16, 2025 episode of the I Need You Guys podcast.

Comedian hosts Max Silvestri, Jenny Slate, and Gabe Liedman had the incomparable Kumail Nanjiani as a guest.

“There’s a well-known actor who is currently in a romantic relationship with his AI chatbot,” Silvestri dished.

He claimed that the actor “brings the chatbot with him places and talks to the chatbot. I think on the phone or computer or whatever.”

When Nanjiani asked how well-known the actor was, Silvestri replied: “Very. As near A-list as TV can get you. This person’s also done films.”

“Is he self-aware about how f–king weird it is, or he thinks it’s okay?” Nanjiani asked.

“From my understanding, the little bit I’ve heard, is that there is a self-awareness, but in kind of like a, ‘Yeah, sorry you’re not on board with the future’ [way],” Silvestri replied.

(That is a common dismissal from people who buy into genAI slop machines — they believe that they are on the cutting edge of technology and that they have not been hoodwinked by a colossal scam.)

Nanjiani was curious, so Silvestri messaged him the name. “Perfect! I will say, good description, not A-list,” Nanjiani replied.

Jenny Slate asked to move on, noting: “We can’t put this on our podcast. It’s not nice.”

‘I can’t believe I have to type these words’

Three months after that podcast episode aired, actor Zach Braff — a man best known for his television work but who has also appeared in film — took to his Instagram Stories to debunk a rumor.

“I’m not dating a chatbot,” he began his message. “I can’t believe I have to type these words.”

Braff added: “It is a storyline in an upcoming ep of Scrubs. Maybe it came from that? Not sure.”

The actor then reiterated: “But not me. Love, The guy not dating his chatbot.”

Braff asked: “Please update all gossip sites.”

Braff then shared screenshots of the podcast episode.

“Also I had no idea until tonight (because I’m not on TikTok) that these folks were the origin of this?” he continued.

“I feel like now is a good time to be kind to people,” the actor suggested.

Just for the record, none of the people in that podcast episode mentioned his name at all. We have no idea what name they typed in private.

However, Braff is right about kindness.

Which actor IS ‘dating’ a slop engine?

Considering that genAI slop propaganda often targets the vulnerable among us, kindness is an especially relevant plea.

Whoever this actor is (if the rumor is even true), this is probably someone who was feeling isolated and vulnerable.

All cons are most effective against people who feel like they are alone. And sycophantic predictive-text programs make these unfortunate individuals feel that they are understood and loved.

It’s an illusion. It’s a lie. These slop engines cannot know people, let alone love them. But they can immitate text messages that can more or less make someone feel loved.

Someone who believes that they are “dating” genAI slop is a victim. They will need care, patience, and understanding to come back to reality.

Zach Braff Dating an ‘AI’ Chatbot? The Rumor & The Truth was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

Love shucking these mollusks? There are two states that duke it out for a coveted title, one in New England and the other in the Mid-Atlantic.

​Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews

Matty Matheson can cook up a storm and has the restaurants to show for it. However, he also wants folks to enjoy a classic snack food they could make at home.

​Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews

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Even in 2026, maybe good things can happen.

As we know, Kelly Clarkson is ending her talk show.

Amidst the hunt for a permanent replacement host, execs are weighing their options.

One strong contender is a duo: Olympics commentators Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir!

This could be perfect

RadarOnline reports that Lipinski and Weir are “in contention” to be NBC’s new daytime hosting duo after Kelly Clarkson’s exit.

“There are actual development conversations happening,” an alleged network insider told the outlet.

“They’re looking at formats,” the source dished. “They’re running numbers.”

Translated, this means that this is more than just a VP going “gee those two are neat” as an offhand comment.

Running numbers means that they’re figuring out what sort of financial offer they could make, possibly event surveying focus groups.

A second inside source spoke to the tabloid, this time about Weir and Lipinski’s qualifications.

“They’re live-TV pros,” this second insider reasoned.

The source described them as “Quick on their feet, visually dynamic, and audiences genuinely like them.”

This second insider summarized: “That’s gold.”

Being charismatic and likable on camera is not automatic. It is a rare gift.

‘NBC isn’t experimenting; they’re positioning’

Someone who RadarOnline refers to as a senior insider sang the praises of both Weir and Lipinski.

“They check every box,” the source raved.

“Polished, experienced,” the insider listed, “and they understand spectacle.”

The source emphasized: “NBC isn’t experimenting.”

Rather, the inside source clarified: “They’re positioning.”

Even so, there haven’t been any contracts signed.

And it’s not clear if any contracts have been negotiated or drawn up, either.

“But make no mistake,” the insider asserted: “This is serious.”

Obviously, we here at THG cannot confirm RadarOnline‘s reporting on this topic.

But we can all agree that Weir and Lipinski are proven entertainers with fantastic chemistry on camera.

Please, let this happen

Weir and Lipinski are NBC mainstays, and this goes back many years.

From comedy skits on Seth Meyers to appearing on The Traitors to, of course, their Olympics commentary, they have a long and healthy relationship with NBCUniversal.

On top of that, these two would basically be fulfilling the fantasy of two best friends having a talk show.

(That’s basically the incentive that drives everyone to create their own podcast, by the way.)

It’s possible that this story has simply been leaked on purpose as a trial balloon or to build up enthusiasm for the idea. But we really hope that it’s true.

Johnny Weir & Tara Lipinski: Taking Over for Kelly Clarkson??? was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

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A strange new scandal is unfolding in Texas this week following the death of a 39-year-old man named Diamon-Mazairre Robinson.

Robinson was killed by SWAT officers in Dallas on Wednesday, and the deadly standoff proved to have unexpected political significance.

Robinson worked as a security guard for Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), who recently lost a US Senate primary to challenger James Tallarico.

According to a police report, Robinson barricaded himself inside a vehicle in the garage of a children’s hospital after Dallas police officers pursued him while investigating an active warrant.

Police say they used tear gas to coerce Robinson out of the vehicle.

The suspect reportedly had a gun, but did not fire it. No one else was injured in the incident.

Police say Robinson had been driving a replica undercover car with stolen U.S. government plates and going by the alias “Mike King.”

“The agencies that he reported to work for do not exist. So dignitaries, basically special dignitary police, that agency does not exist within the federal government,” said Dallas Deputy Police Chief William Griffith in a statement issued on Monday (via Fox News).

“So that’s who he portrayed to be. There was no actual federal agency that he worked for that existed. He was very good at hiding his true identity … He had been living like this for many years.”

In a statement of her own, Crockett expressed her condolences to Robinson’s loved ones.

“As a former public defender, I’ve always believed people are more than the worst thing they’ve ever done. I believe in redemption. The man we knew showed up with respect, care, and commitment to protecting others,” she wrote, adding:

“We’re still learning the full story, but today we mourn a life lost. This is a tragic ending that we wish had been avoided for all.”

Crockett also addressed the fact that Robinson was able to make it through the vetting process despite his extensive criminal history.

“We are saddened and shocked by some of the concerning revelations. Our team followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security,” she wrote.

“We were approved to use this vendor who also provided security services for additional entities in the local community and worked closely with law enforcement agencies including Capitol Police.

“The fact that an individual was able to somehow circumvent the vetting processes for something as sensitive as security for members of Congress highlights the loopholes and shortcomings in many of our systems,” she continued, adding:

“This is incredibly alarming, especially for those members who receive high volumes of credible and sophisticated death threats. This situation reiterates the need for Capitol Police to provide security for members of Congress, especially under this administration’s new normal of inciting attacks on those who dare to speak out.”

We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.

Jasmine Crockett Confirms Her Security Guard Was Killed By Police After Allegedly … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

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Is Demi Lovato okay?

Whether they’re sharing a message of hope in these dark times or making it official with husband Jutes, Demi communicates with fans.

When the beloved singer appeared to tremble on camera, fans expressed concerns.

Demi is assuring them that it isn’t as scary as it seems.

Demi Lovato’s cooking video features a chicken recipe … and trembling hands

In a recent video on TikTok, Demi Lovato showed herself roasting a whole chicken.

They are not the first pop star to try their hand in the kitchen on camera, and it can be a fun way for fans to learn how to cook.

“Today we are making a whole roasted chicken,” she said during the video. “It seems really overwhelming, but it’s not.”

They promised: “We’re gonna have fun, and I’m telling myself this because I feel overwhelmed.”

@ddlovato

On ✨Cooking With Demi✨ we are all about facing our fears. Today we did that by trying out a recipe for a whole roasted chicken. It wasn’t pretty at times, but it wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as I thought it would be and I’m really proud to have this recipe in my back pocket now 🖤 INGREDIENTS: 1 3 3/4 to 4 pound chicken 1 lemon Kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, plus 10 sprigs 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 or 3 carrots, peeled and cut in chunks 1 medium yukon gold potato, cut in chunks 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled ½ small onion 1 stalk celery 5 or 6 ¾-inch slices of a baguette 2 big handfuls of baby arugula 1 tablespoon vinegar

♬ original sound – Demi Lovato

One of the hiccups during the video was Demi Lovato accidentally turning on the stovetop instead of the oven. Whoops!

“I’m just nervous!” she admitted to viewers.

They also expressed a bit of disgust at the raw chicken, particularly while removing the innards.

This is when Demi’s hands seemed to visibly shake.

Is Demi Lovato okay?

Trembling hands can be a sign of many things, including nervousness.

However, given Demi Lovato’s medical history, many fans are inclined to fear the worst.

Several years ago, they nearly died — and had a prolonged stay in the hospital.

Numerous commenters expressed these worries, with one writing: “I’m afraid of seeing her shaking that hard.”

Demi Lovato saw the worries, and wrote a comment of their own: “I’m okay! I promise.”

She added more in the video’s caption:

“On Cooking With Demi we are all about facing our fears. Today we did that by trying out a recipe for a whole roasted chicken.”

Demi acknowledged: “It wasn’t pretty at times, but it wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as I thought it would be and I’m really proud to have this recipe in my back pocket now.”

What causes shaky hands?

Caffeine, stress, sleepiness, and many more extremely common factors can cause hands to tremble.

On the other hand, there are neurological conditions that can cause shaking hands.

So can medications, certain drugs, and even genetic disorders.

But someone filming themselves doing an anxiety-inducing activity like cooking is a very valid cause for anxiety. Especially with so many innards involved. We’re glad to hear that Demi is doing well.

Demi Lovato Alarms Fans With Scary ‘Shaking’ Video was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 4 might not be the best promo for The Bachelorette.

Even before news broke that Season 5 production had paused, Taylor Frankie Paul was ruffling feathers.

The Bachelor alum Sydney Warner condemned Paul for not meeting the “standards” of the franchise.

Calling out the “dying franchise,” she despaired at Taylor’s casting as a desperate bid for ratings.

‘This is so upsetting’

On Sunday, March 15, Sydney took to her Instagram Story to put Taylor Frankie Paul on blast.

As SLOMW viewers are aware, Taylor’s departure for The Bachelorette didn’t exactly go off without a hitch.

Dakota Mortensen claimed that the two of them had slept together the night before.

Taylor and Dakota are exes. He is her baby daddy, as they share young Ever.

Sydney felt incensed, posting her feelings about Taylor taking on the role of leading lady on ABC’s long-running reality franchise.

“This is so upsetting,” Sydney expressed. “I am a result of being on The Bachelor, I owe a lot to that franchise.”

She wrote: “The Bachelor is one of the most iconic shows of all time & was so highly respected because they held the contestants to such a standard.”

(We cannot verify that the Bachelor franchise has been “respected.”)

“It was such an honor to be on the cast, let alone be casted as the LEAD,” she gushed. “That’s life changing.”

Seeing Taylor’s drama play out, she said, was a crushing disappointment.

‘What has happened to morals and values?’

“To watch this and see the soon to be lead completely disrespect the stage that she has been given, the men who put their entire lives on hold to come and meet her is horrible,” Sydney complained.

She then asked: “What has happened to morals and values?”

Sydney didn’t stop there — blasting The Bachelor and all of its spinoffs as “a dying franchise.”

And that, she said, is no excuse for casting Taylor.

“Why not let the show die out with class and dignity and not stoop down & claw and scrape just to get views,” she asked.

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A post shared by Sydney Warner (@sydneywarner)

“I feel so bad for those guys,” Sydney said of Taylor’s suitors.

“Seriously this is hard to watch someone completely not care about something so prestigious,” she lamented.

Sydney claimed that the title of Bachelorette is a role “that so many girls would do anything to be given.”

She despaired: “What is going on???”

A mess is what’s going on.

She paints a very rosy picture of ‘The Bachelor’ in years past …

There’s so much to say about Taylor Frankie Paul — or there will be, once we know more about her fight with Dakota.

But as for Sydney’s complaints … how shall we put this. Is The Bachelor a dignified and “respected” institution?

Or is it a weird human auction in which beautiful people who can afford to take weeks off of work to go through emotional ups and downs in the hopes of landing a doomed-to-fail marriage — or, at least, more Instagram followers and podcast opportunities?

Just for the record, Arie Luyendyk Jr. reportedly only broke up with his (real) girlfriend three days before he was announced as the Bachelor.

People have condemned plenty of members of the Bachelor Fam — including Sydney’s former classmate, Hannah Brown — along similar lines.

That said, Taylor really is a mess. And ABC and Hulu are both Disney properties, clearly trying to transfuse the popularity of Hulu’s relatively new trainwreck into ABC’s longstanding trainwreck.

Sydney Warner Blasts Taylor Frankie Paul & ‘Dying’ Franchise ‘The … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

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In the wake of her husband’s death, Utah resident Kouri Richins wrote a children’s book about processing grief.

Now, she’s been convicted of murder.

On Monday, a jury deliberated for just three hours before returning with a guilty verdict.

Prosecutors say Kouri murdered her husband, Eric Richins, by serving him a Moscow Mule cocktail that had been spiked with the opioid Fentanyl.

According to investigators, the drink contained a dose five times greater than what would normally be considered lethal.

Richins has been convicted on five counts, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder, both of which carry maximum sentences of life in prison.

She was also convicted on charges of mortgage fraud and forgery, after she allegedly signed to close on a massive real estate deal the day after her husband was killed.

Richins pleaded not guilty on all charges, and she’s due back in court on May 13 to be sentenced.

During the trial, prosecutors also alleged that Kouri first tried to poison Eric’s sandwich on Valentine’s Day.

They also claimed that she carried on a years-long affair behind his back.

“I do want a future together. I do want you. Figure life out together,” Kouri texted Robert Josh Grossmann two weeks before her husband died (via CNN).

“If he could just go away and you could just be here! Life would be so perfect!!! I love you.”

Grossmann was a contractor who frequently worked for the real estate company owned by Richins.

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They dreamed of a future together, but prosecutors say the murder was motivated more by money than love.

“The evidence will prove that Kouri Richins murdered Eric for his money and to get a fresh start at life,” Brad Bloodworth, chief prosecutor in the Summit County Attorney’s Office, said in his opening statement.

“More than anything, she wanted his money to perpetuate her facade of privileged affluence and success.”

Kouri’s defense lawyer, Kathy Nester, called for a mistrial, claiming the prosecution had made missteps during his closing — but the motion was rejected by Judge Richard Mrazik.

“They’re going to spend weeks in this trial trying to convince you that Kouri had reasons to kill her husband, because they can’t show you that she did kill her husband,” Nester said in her opening statement.

No word yet on how this conviction might impact sales of Richins’ book for grieving families.

Kouri Richins: Mom Who Wrote Children’s Book About Grief Convicted of … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

Adrian Grenier is hoping to form an entourage of his own in Texas.
Five years after leaving Los Angeles for a farm in the Lone Star State, the Entourage alum revealed what it would take for him to…
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Whitney Leavitt might be dancing away from reality TV.
In fact, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star—who is currently starring as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway—hinted she might be ready to…
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