Newsletter Friday, March 09, 2018

[LaineyGossip.com - Calling all smuthounds!] Friday, March 09, 2018 [Intro for March 9, 2018]( Gossips, Duana and I podcasted [Show Your Work]( early this week, on Wednesday night. The episode will be posted as usual on Monday. Of course we spent some time talking about what Frances McDormand referred to during her Oscar acceptance speech: the Inclusion Rider. And at the end of the discussion, I wondered whether or not there would be an Inclusion Rider equivalent to [the Bechdel Test](. Well that didn’t take long. Yesterday the Kent Test was introduced. Today is [#InternationalWomensDay]( and we are thrilled to launch [@IWriteAllDay_]( eponymous Kent Test. The Kent Test is a set of criteria you can use to evaluate the representation of women/femmes of color in media. [pic.twitter.com/iT70fRyCDE]( — Equality for HER (@EqualityforHER) [March 8, 2018]( The Kent Test applies to “a film or any other piece of media” – does a talk show count as a “piece of media”? For the last 5 seasons, I’ve been one of the cohosts of a talk show in Canada called [The Social](. I’m proud to say that we pass the Kent Test, if indeed it can be applied to us. Today on The Social, we mark our 1000th episode. It’s a major achievement, in any country, and we are celebrating live at 1pm on CTV. We will also be broadcasting [live on Facebook]( with a 360 degree camera that will be shooting our entire studio even during commercial breaks, giving viewers who aren’t there in person a virtual experience of being part of the show. Yesterday, on International Women’s Day, the women who work on The Social gathered on the set for a photo to show our work. (Kathleen would have been there but she was on her way back from LA.) [A post shared by The Social (@thesocialctv)]( on Mar 8, 2018 at 10:59am PST These are the women I collaborate with every day when I’m not here blogging on this site. Speaking of the site, we are now 15 years old. Recently we all got together in Toronto, for the first time as a full team, to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Gossips Assemble! [A post shared by Sasha Tong (@lostandfoundapothecary)]( on Feb 16, 2018 at 6:55pm PST We too pass the Kent Test. But we can do better. Thank you for visiting us through the years as we have worked to do better. We hope that you continue to stay with us as we try to do even better. We have to do better. Per Kathleen: [A post shared by Kathleen Newman-Bremang (@kathleennb)]( on Mar 8, 2018 at 5:30pm PST Have a great weekend! Yours in gossip, Lainey [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 1:30 PM [Charlize Theron and David Oyelowo in Gringo]( [Charlize Theron, David Oyelowo, and Joel Edgerton during an appearance on CBS' 'The Late Late Show with James Corden', March 8, 2018](The advertising for Gringo is somewhat misleading, so realign your expectations now—this is not an R-rated weed comedy a la Pineapple Express. No, Gringo is more like a Coen Brothers movie in which a pot pill is the Macguffin. In fact, pot is so unimportant, beyond being a plot device, it’s not even entirely clear if the Macguffin pill is for medicinal use or recreational consumption. So just know that Gringo is not a stoner comedy. It’s a black comedy in the Coen vein about bad people doing bad things, and good people spiraling when they start compromising what makes them good in the first place. Gringo comes from Nash Edgerton, brother of Joel—who co-stars in the movie—and an accomplished stunt performer and coordinator. You can see those stunt roots in Gringo, which is not over-the-top action but puts together a number of solid action sequences ranging from “visual comedy” to “bone-jarring violence”. The script comes from Matthew Stone, who has a Coen Brothers movie on his resume (Intolerable Cruelty), and Anthony Tambakis, who has previously worked on Warrior and Jane Got a Gun with [Joel Edgerton](. So Gringo is a friends and family affair for the Edgertons, and it shows in the breezy, natural feel of the movie. The tone is dark and wry but there is an overall sprightliness that speaks of people who actually like each other having fun working together. The movie revolves around Harold ([David Oyelowo](), a decent guy whose life is falling apart. He’s about to lose his job at a pharmaceutical company, and his wife is having an affair. So when a business trip to Mexico provides an opportunity to bilk his company for some money, Harold takes it, and thus begins the downward spiral of a good man seduced by easy money. Joel Edgerton is having a ball playing Richard, Harold’s jackass boss-friend, and [Charlize Theron]( stars as Richard’s business partner, Elaine. Theron is also obviously having fun, but Elaine makes some really crass jokes at the expense of deaf people and the mentally challenged, eliciting gasps from the audience. It’s important to note that in context, Elaine is not presented as funny, but is set up as an object of scorn, and her cruel remarks are evidence of bad character. Still, this will undoubtedly be a deal-breaker for some people. As Harold’s trip to Mexico grows ever crazier, a mercenary is hired to retrieve him (Sharlto Copley), and he meets a pretty tourist staying in the same motel, Sunny ([Amanda Seyfried](). This is an excellent ensemble, anchored by Oyelowo. It’s been…forever?...since we’ve seen Oyelowo be funny, and he’s pretty good at it. Gringo has more dramatic heft than you’d expect—again, not a stoner comedy—and Oyelowo balances the grimmer parts of Harold’s experience with a natural buoyancy that makes him a tremendously likeable character even as he is making increasingly bad decisions. Copley has the same ability to land the comedy bits and still present a fully fleshed-out character, and some of the best scenes in the movie are between the two of them. Gringo is a slick dark comedy, not the weed comedy it was originally made out to be, but a decent caper about a bunch of assholes trying to screw each other over. It’s got a nice B-movie vibe, and a bunch of good actors who are obviously enjoying playing lowlifes and scuzzbuckets. It’s dark enough that it will put off some people, but if you like black comedies and are okay with graphic violence, it’s a solid option. Gringo is a Coen Brothers movie for when you don’t want to be bothered with the moral weight of an actual Coen Brothers movie. Here are David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, and Joel Edgerton on The Late Late Show last night. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 7:46 PM [Smutty Social Media, March 9, 2018]( [Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani attend the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 3, 2018 in Santa Monica, California](“I loved you in Slumdog Millionaire!” A day may come when I am not mistaken for another brown actor. But it is not this day. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) [March 8, 2018]( Every time I get recognized for you I think “man I wish it were true:)” — Kunal Nayyar (@kunalnayyar) [March 8, 2018]( I have taken credit for both of your accolades in the last 2 weeks so I guess I owe you each a photo, half a beer, and an awkward extended hug — Kal Penn (@kalpenn) [March 8, 2018]( Kal, you are our alpha. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) [March 8, 2018]( I like how he managed to include two photos of his father on a post about International Women’s Day. That ol’ feminist icon Clint Eastwood. [A post shared by Scott Eastwood (@scotteastwood)]( on Mar 8, 2018 at 5:33pm PST A very low-tier tabloid ran a story about how Teri Hatcher is homeless, broke and living in a van. Not only is it not true and a very offensive way to frame homelessness (along with their implication of mental illness), but it is the antithesis of laziness. There were pap shots of her in a van but if you look at her Instagram for 20 seconds you would see that she films a YouTube series in it. Or they could have had an intern [Google it](. [A post shared by Teri Hatcher (@officialterihatcher)]( on Mar 8, 2018 at 9:52am PST The trailer for the Midnight Summer movie is unintentionally hilarious. You see, Bella Thorne can’t go out in the sun or she will DIE. And Patrick Schwarzenegger is the boy next door who doesn’t know she will DIE if she goes out in the sun. How can we get Sarah to review this? [A post shared by BELLA (@bellathorne)]( on Mar 7, 2018 at 9:57am PST I actually think this is worse than his [Oscars outfit]( because at least the Vanity Fair party is an occasion. This is supposed to be casual and it’s so try-hard. [A post shared by JARED LETO (@jaredleto)]( on Mar 8, 2018 at 10:24am PST [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 6:30 PM [Colin & Livia: an affair and a stalker]( [Livia Firth and Colin Firth attend 'Annie Lennox - An Evening of Music and Conversation' at Sadler's Wells Theatre on March 4, 2018 in London, England](Another reminder of how complicated relationships can be. This was one of the celebrity relationships that was supposed to be drama-free, right? So much drama. Colin Firth and Livia Giuggioli have been married since 1997, over 20 years. She filed a report that a journalist, Marco Brancaccia was stalking her. He says that he was never a threat and that she only made these accusations to cover up their affair, which happened between 2015 and 2016. [Colin]( and Livia have now confirmed that the affair took place and that because of that relationship, Marco is now harassing Livia. This is [their statement](: “A few years ago Colin and Livia privately made the decision to separate. During that time Livia briefly became involved with former friend Mr. Brancaccia. The Firths have since reunited.” The statement continued, “Subsequently, Mr. Brancaccia carried out a frightening campaign of harassment over several months, much of which is documented. For obvious reasons, the Firths have never had any desire to make this matter public.” Marco’s version of the story is much different. Supposedly Livia was so into him, she was ready to leave Colin: Italian prosecutors requested Brancaccia’s indictment, according to ANSA, the publication that Brancaccia remains employed by. Brancaccia, 55, denied the allegations to the newspaper, saying they were “romantically involved.” “She wanted to leave Colin for me,” he said, adding that the marriage had “been over for years.” He continued, “My ‘stalking’ consisted of two messages via WhatsApp after she ended our relationship in June 2016, and an email. I wrote an email to Colin about my relationship with Livia, which I now regret sending, and she filed a complaint against me for stalking out of fear that I could go public with what she had revealed to me about her marriage and work.” Brancaccia said, “In a year she sent me hundreds of messages of love, photos and videos, even a diary,” adding that Firth had shown “understanding.” It’s a mess, yes. Livia and Colin are clearly trying to present a united front with their clarification that Livia’s affair with Marco took place during a “brief separation” which, technically (Ross and Rachel), doesn’t qualify as infidelity. It’s not like they’re going to write a novel for us, detailing what exactly broke down in their marriage and how they came to want to fix it. Or even if they’re fixing it at all and not just trying to clean up the situation as best they can. Here’s how I feel though about the legitimacy of Livia’s allegations – I believe her. If you cheated on your husband or hooked up with someone while you and your husband were on a break, and now you and your husband have reconciled, you’re not bringing the name of the dude you had an affair with into your life, filing documents connecting the two of together, if you don’t have to. In fact, you actively avoid being associated with him. Until you have to. Until you don’t have any other options. Because you are beyond inconvenienced. Because you’re afraid. Agree or disagree? Here are Colin and Livia at an event in London just this past weekend. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 5:10 PM [Alex & Alexa back together]( [Alexander Skarsgard and Alexa Chung arrive in London on the Eurostar from Paris, March 4, 2018](Alexander Skarsgard has had a pretty good year. He played Perry in Big Little Lies. Like Nicole Kidman, he swept the Emmys, Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, and the SAGS, winning Best Supporting Actor, the greatest acclaim he’s ever had in his career. It should be noted that he did this on a female-led series. So, for those white men who are angsting about whether or not their opportunities will be taken away from them as women in Hollywood continue to push for representation, it’s not like Alex is complaining. As for his personal life, [Alex]( and [Alexa Chung]( broke up last summer. But they were seen together the other day arriving in London on the Eurostar, perhaps after spending the weekend at Paris Fashion Week. Looks like Alex’s hair has grown back even more than we saw during award season. He had it cut like this for an upcoming role: Distance was cited as the reason Alex and Alexa broke up. But the hair escape was also a bonus too, right? While they were apart, she didn’t have to look at that hairstyle. That’s a shallow and superficial reason not to want to be with someone, I know. I get it. But it helps when you’re getting back together with someone to have the attraction back, non? So. Alex and Alexa reunited. You into it? [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 4:40 PM [Taylor & Joe go hiking]( [Taylor Swift](A few times the last couple of weeks there have been articles from multiple entertainment outlets like [E!]( and [Grazia]( about how undercover Taylor Swift has been with Joe Alwyn and the lengths they’ll go to to keep their relationship private. Then, yesterday, new photos were released of Taylor and Joe hiking in Malibu. You can see them [here](. "Taylor looked quite exhausted from the hike but she looked very close to Joe, holding on to his arm and holding hands. They seemed very at ease with each other and relaxed. It's a very scenic hike where you can enjoy amazing views over the ocean," an onlooker tells E! News. "They hiked for a total of 90 minutes." "They appeared very comfortable in one another's company and seemed to be enjoying their time together - despite having a bodyguard following their every move," the insider shares. "They were deep in conversation for most of the hike and their attention was focused solely on one another." The onlooker adds that Swift and Alwyn both appeared to be in a "good mood and seemed very relaxed." The “onlooker/insider” is obviously the paparazzo who lucked out with these shots. Lucky and convenient. [Taylor](’s dropping the Delicate video this weekend. Emily, our site manager, listens to Delicate on repeat. Kathleen’s [pretty into the song too](C2%A0should-have-been-her-first-single-on-reputation/48585). It’s the track on reputation that feels most like the vibe Taylor gave us in 1989, a sister song sort of, to Style, especially the beat that kicks in at about the 20 second mark. Delicate is very obviously about [Joe](, perhaps about the early days of their relationship, meeting up in secret at dive bars on the East Side. The video for Delicate was directed by Joseph Kahn, as usual. This is [what he told E!]( about what to expect: "It's going to be unexpected and it's going to be grand," he revealed. "I can't get into too much detail. The need is love and the expression of it. And it's not about flowers. People have been sending me ideas, and generally it's like flowers, or pink dresses or blue skies. And those are all the things you'd think you'd want in a video, but they wouldn't fill what you need out of a song like that. So, I think I have a plan here to address that, but it's completely unexpected." Do you think of Taylor Swift as one of those artists whose known for dropping the “unexpected”? Can you deliver something “unexpected” when your video has been directed by the same director you’ve been working with for several videos in a row? That’s not to say I don’t want to be surprised because I really, really do. Especially since nothing out of reputation so far has lit me on fire. Maybe, though, maybe the video of the song that’s about Joe will be the one? [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 3:42 PM [Grinch Cumberbatch]( [Benedict Cumberbatch attends the Laureus World Sports Awards 2018 Press Conference , February 26, 2018](Everyone loves How the Grinch Stole Christmas, both the original Dr. Seuss book, and the 1966 animated Christmas special that re-runs every year on television. Everyone knows the song, and everyone recognizes the Grinch’s sneering green face, which is why Hollywood will insist on trying to recreate that 1966 magic by remaking How the Grinch Stole Christmas. But let’s be clear—nobody likes the remake. The 2000 live action movie with Jim Carrey is an abomination, and now there is a trailer for an animated version coming from the people who make the Minions, called simply The Grinch. IT LOOKS LIKE A NIGHTMARE. First of all, you can’t get through Illumination’s title card without a f*cking Minion popping up. (How many Minion Easter eggs do you think there will be in The Grinch? 673? Conservatively?) Second of all, the Grinch, when rendered in the Illumination house style, looks like a fuzzy booger with eyes. Thirdly, the trailer boasts that [Benedict Cumberbatch]( is voicing the Grinch, but he’s doing a weird voice. Why is he doing that voice? Why would you hire Benedict Cumberbatch only to make him sound like not Benedict Cumberbatch? Just let the Grinch have a plummy English accent, it’s what the people want to hear. (Same goes for Marvel, who says Doctor Strange has to be American?) And fourth of all, IS THIS A PREQUEL? It looks like a prequel. On the list of backstories we do not need explained, the Grinch is like fourth. It goes like this: The Joker, Dracula, Boba Fett, the Grinch. We don’t need to know the history of any of these characters, we just need to know they’re up to no good right now. What is a Grinch prequel anyway? An entire movie of the Grinch being a dick? The trailer is two minutes of that, I’m good, thanks. This looks like a prequel, and the Grinch has a cute dog, so I am, naturally, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DOG. If the Grinch’s backstory turns out to be that some dumbass Who down in Whoville accidentally kills the Grinch’s cute dog… I don’t even have words for that. It is unspeakable. We don’t need a Grinch prequel and we really don’t need a gritty Grinch reboot. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 3:10 PM [Hugging Meghan Markle]( [Meghan Markle and Prince Harry greet Sophie Richards during a walkabout at Millennium Point on March 8, 2018 in Birmingham, England](Have you seen this video of Meghan Markle hugging 10-year-old Sophie Richards yesterday in Birmingham? Sophie said it was “a dream come true” and that she “will never forget this day”. See the sweet moment Meghan Markle hugs a 10-year-old girl who told Prince Harry she wants to be an actress ❤️ [#InternationalWomensDay]( [pic.twitter.com/xrSS75JlsS]( — People (@people) [March 8, 2018]( In today’s site open, I included a note that Kathleen [wrote on Instagram]( about International Women’s Day and the underrepresentation of women of colour in media. “You can’t be what you can’t see.” This is what I’m thinking about when I see young Sophie seeing [Meghan Markle](. Meghan Markle’s emergence as a royal star has been exciting for everyone. But it’s especially meaningful for girls like Sophie who will have more opportunities to see themselves than the women who came before – not only when royal watching but at the movies, on television, in books, and more. I want to believe that [Prince Harry]( understands this. Because he made a point of bringing Sophie over to speak to Meghan, understanding what a moment like that would mean for both of them. Am I being a corny sap when I say that it’s giving me the squeals? Like, the way I’m reading the situation, Harry is now seeing the world through how he feels about Meghan. It’s undeniable and it’s obvious – he wants to please her. Because he’s desperately in love with her. Jesus. Did I just write that? I did. I’m sorry. How else am I going to describe it?!? A note about the handholding though, since they are handholding every time they step out together, and putting their arms around each other – it sets a precedent. So, if in the future, they don’t hold hands for whatever reason? You know what’s going to happen? We are going to STRESSSSSSS. [Click here for the rest of the photos.]( Posted at 2:35 PM [March 9, 2018 – Smutty Shout-Outs](�€“-smutty-shout-outs) [Keanu Reeves for Rita](Rita! Happy 50th Birthday Weekend! Your sister Mimi tells me you always put others first and you take care of everyone around you. So for the next few days, take up the spotlight all by yourself. “KeKe” would want you to. [Click here for the rest of the photos.](�€“-smutty-shout-outs) Posted at 1:49 PM [Privacy Policy]( - [Unsubscribe](