TV

A fiery showdown ignited on "TMZ Live" when we tackled the explosive new California law banning legacy and donor preferences in admissions at private, nonprofit universities ... with the bill's author in the hot seat to discuss the details.

California Assemblymember Phil Ting threw down the gauntlet ... arguing education is the great equalizer of society, and it's totally unfair for well-off students to get a leg up into elite schools just because of family deep pockets. But our very own Harvey Levin fires back with some solid points from the private university perspective.

You’ve got to hear Harvey’s hot take on the whole donation debate -- but that doesn't sit well with cohost Charles, who questions the fairness of these universities’ DEI admissions policies.

50 Cent's hit series "Power Book II: Ghost" is going out with a bang, but series costar Gianni Paolo has real beef with Hollywood's TV sector ... millions tune into their show while award shows act like they don't exist!!!

Gianni tells us the proof is in the puddin' ... his "Power" series topples critically acclaimed shows like "The Bear," "Succession" and "The Penguin" in terms of ratings, but feels like the Golden Globe and Emmys voters simply don't like -- or get -- hood cinema.

It's not just during award season Gianni says he feels the cold shoulder ... he notes how "Power" cast members missed out on being interviewed by the Jimmy Fallons and Jimmy Kimmels of the entertainment world. Good thing TMZ Hip Hop exists, eh? 😅

Ron Hale, the actor arguably best known to soap fans as Mike Corbin on "General Hospital," has died, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Ron died of natural causes at his home in St. George, South Carolina on August 27. A specific cause of death was not disclosed.

Throughout his decades-long career, the veteran actor appeared in several TV series ... including starring in the popular '70s soap "Ryan's Hope" -- in which he played Dr. Roger Coleridge.

Some moms of celebrities are stepping out from their famous kids' shadows and snagging A-list love of their own -- landing the cover of a national magazine!

Glamour Mag’s special "Women of the Year" issue is shining a spotlight on the powerhouse mothers of Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, and the Kelce brothers ... teaming up for a stunning photoshoot.

Tina Knowles, Donna Kelce, Maggie Baird, and Mandy Teefey are in their element for the shoot, striking poses and flashing smiles like the queens they are -- after all, they’re the proud mamas of some of the biggest stars in entertainment.

Travis Kelce finally made his big "Grotesquerie" debut ... and the takeaway is the Kansas City Chiefs superstar's role is not all that different from his real-life persona -- 'cause the dude's got a way with the ladies!!

The three-time Super Bowl champ hit the screen during the third episode of the Ryan Murphy show on Wednesday ... introducing himself as Ed Lachlan, who works at the hospital where Niecy Nash's character's husband is receiving treatment.

We're not gonna give away all the deets in case y'all want to catch up ... but Kelce's screen time -- and there's quite a lot -- is filled with mackin' on Nash's Detective Lois Tryon.

Before this blue-eyed blondie sittin' on her mama's lap turned into a dancing queen, she was just growing up with her four siblings in Orem, Utah and started moving 'n grooving when she was just 9 years old.

Considering she comes from a long line of family dancers ... no shocker she's taken home the Mirror Ball trophy twice on "Dancing With The Stars" before sitting at the judges table next to Carrie Ann Inaba.

From the dance floor to the big screen ... You may recall seeing her in "Burlesque" or "Safe Haven."

Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi are lifting the veil on their secret wedding ... finally sharing photos from their special day.

The happy couple just posted a slew of wedding pics on their respective social media accounts, offering the first glimpse inside their nuptials.

Millie's wedding dress looks amazing and Jake's holding his own in a white tuxedo ... and there are photos of them kissing in the venue and at the altar.

John Amos died of congestive heart failure, according to his death certificate, and he was cremated more than a month ago ... fueling speculation that a family feud was raging at the time he died.

TMZ has obtained the death certificate filed with L.A. County, and it shows the "Good Times" star died August 21 at 5:18 PM at an Inglewood hospital.

The death certificate says there were no other significant medical conditions other than heart failure.

It seems "MomTok" did survive the scandal after all ... TMZ has learned Hulu's sensational new reality show, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," has been greenlit for a 2nd season.

Sources connected to the docuseries, which has become the streamer's No. 1 unscripted premiere of the year, tell TMZ ... the cast begins filming the new season within the next week ... with pre-production already well underway in Utah.

We're told the season 1 stars -- including Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jen Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, and Whitney Leavitt -- are all set to return for season 2, despite the growing drama among the group.

Late "American Pickers" star Frank Fritz is being remembered by the network that made him famous ... the History Channel is broadcasting a bunch of his shows, a couple days after his death.

Honchos over at the History Channel tell TMZ ... the network is running a TV marathon today featuring Frank's episodes of "American Pickers."

The marathon started at 7 AM and ends at 4 PM ... and History Channel is adding an In Memoriam image every hour to remember Frank.

John Amos' daughter Shannon is grieving alongside fans following the death of the "Good Times" actor ... revealing she too just learned her famous dad passed away.

The medicinal healer, who John welcomed with ex-wife Noel Mickelson, issued a statement after word of the actor's passing broke Tuesday ... claiming she and her family learned about his death more than a month after it occurred.

Alongside a video of herself smiling and laughing with John, Shannon wrote she was "without words" upon the "heartbreaking" discovery that her dad had died on Aug. 21.

Tim Walz was all about spreading the love at the Vice Presidential debate -- rocking a friendship bracelet that gave a massive nod to Taylor Swift's Kamala Harris endorsement.

Walz flashed the accessory during Tuesday's debate with J.D. Vance ... showing a few glimpses of it under his white sleeve as he gestured with his hands on stage.

It's not confirmed if Walz's bracelet is from the $20 Harris-Walz campaign merch that dropped after T-Swift's endorsement last month, featuring both candidates' names. But either way, it had Swifties buzzing with excitement!

"The Apprentice" -- one of the most contentious and sought-after films of the year, depicting the life of a young Donald Trump -- is too spicy for some major TV networks ... at least during presidential and VP debates

Briarcliff Entertainment, the film's distributor, tells TMZ ... a 15-second advertisement for the film was rejected by both ABC and CBS from airing during debate nights.

CBS, which is hosting tonight's debate between Tim Walz and J.D. Vance, told Briarcliff the network doesn't feel comfortable promoting "The Apprentice" in the debate or during national news -- but is open to advertising the film during other parts of the day.

John Amos, who led "Good Times" as patriarch James Evans, has died ... his son Kelly Christopher Amos announced.

Per John's son, the Emmy-nominated actor died of natural causes in Los Angeles back on Aug. 21.

He continued ... "It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned. He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor."

Homer Simpson will continue to strangle Bart on "The Simpsons" ... with the showrunner telling TMZ the "gag" was never really going to end.

Here's the deal ... the iconic cartoon just premiered its 36th season ... and besides confusing fans by calling the episode the series finale -- it wasn't -- the episode peppered in shock value when Homer strangled Bart ... a bit most assumed was purposely ended last year.

In an episode that aired last November ... a character noted Homer's firm handshake -- to which he responded ... "See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off." He then follows up and says ... "Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed."