'The Hills' Reboot Canceled After 2 Seasons ... Conflict with Network and OG Cast
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Those new beginnings are already over for the cast of 'The Hills' -- the reality show's reboot is getting the ax ... TMZ has learned.
Multiple sources connected to the MTV show tell us "The Hills: New Beginnings" is officially not coming back for a third season, and late last week the cast got the bad news from production.
There are a few reasons the reboot met its demise: one source close to the show tells us producers recently explored the thought of bringing younger cast members into the fold to diversify things, but several of the original stars were not on board.
We're told some of those OGs also had major issues with the reboot ... believing it wasn't the show MTV promised them, and feeling like it was, at times, forced with fake storylines and confessionals. Our sources say some of the OGs refused to continue to play along, which ultimately led to the cancelation.
All in all ... we're told many of them said the reboot didn't have the same feel as their first go-round and it created an impasse between some stars and the network.
However, another source blames the cancelation on COVID-19 ... citing all the hurdles in booking filming locations for a big ensemble cast while following social distancing protocols. We're told producers feel like they squeezed as much juice from the lemon as possible, given the dynamics.
"The Hills: New Beginnings" was rebooted in 2019 with Audrina Patridge, Brody Jenner, Heidi Montag, Spencer and Stephanie Pratt, Whitney Port, Brandon Thomas Less, Kaitlynn Carter, Frankie Delgado, Justin Brescia, Jason and Ashley Wahler and former 'O.C.' star Mischa Barton.
But the biggest star was always missing ... Lauren Conrad ... who, as we first told you, was too busy with her other business ventures to join the reboot.
The OG show aired from 2006 to 2010 ... and while the reboot wasn't as impactful, we're told producers were proud of what they were able to do in the middle of the worldwide pandemic.
A source close to production tells TMZ ... 'The Hills' is being reimagined to "unlock and maximize" audiences' love for it and while 'New Beginnings' won't be returning, the IP will live on with new iterations to come.
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'CATFISH' MAX JOSEPH NOT BACK FOR REBOOT ... Despite Nev-Fueled Rumors
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Nev Schulman is not reuniting with his longtime TV partner Max Joseph for the next season of 'Catfish' ... even though Nev made fans think it was happening.
Here's the deal, Nev posted a video on social media Tuesday showing him goofing off with Max and promoting the reality show's upcoming return, leading to a flood of comments from folks freaking out about Max potentially being involved or asking if he was in the fold.
But, our sources tell us Max is NOT returning to the show or appearing on any episodes this season.
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We're told Nev and Max have remained friends over the years and the video was shot Monday night while the duo was kicking it in Los Angeles.
TMZ broke the story ... Max quit the MTV show, which he helped create and host for 7 years, back in 2018 to pursue a career in filmmaking.
It sounds like the door is open should Max ever get the 'Catfish' hosting itch ... our sources say Nev would love to have him back in the future, if that's something Max would ever want to do.
'Catfish' is coming back Wednesday night on MTV ... with Nev and Kamie Crawford as hosts, and -- thanks to the pandemic -- the whole season was produced remotely.
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MTV's Darrell Taylor Arrested At Apartment ... Found Lying Out Drunk!!!
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MTV's Darrell Taylor has been busted for public intoxication, after someone called cops complaining of a very drunk man lying in an apartment hallway ... TMZ has learned.
It all went down earlier this month in Burbank ... when someone in the apartment complex called cops about a man who was allegedly stumbling around and ringing doorbells.
When officers arrived, they found 42-year-old Taylor – a multi-time winner of MTV’s "The Challenge" – flat on the ground in front of one of the units -- so drunk they had to take action to protect him.
Cops arrested Taylor, and he was later booked on a charge of public intoxication and later released.
Darrell tells us he was trying to get back to his hotel and got lost. He says he went down the wrong street and apparently ended up at the apartment complex by accident.
Turns out he was never able to make it back to his hotel. We got that.
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'Are You the One?' Connor Smith Arrested ... Allegedly Raped 16-Year-Old Girl
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Connor Smith -- who once appeared on MTV's "Are You the One?" -- was arrested in Indiana for raping and brutally assaulting a 16-year-old girl ... according to local authorities.
Cops in Cook County Illinois busted Smith on multiple charges last week -- including a count of rape, sexual battery and two counts of criminal confinement ... and the narrative spelled out in the arrest affidavit is insane.
In the docs, obtained by TMZ, the unidentified teen told cops she was kidnapped out of her room back in July after going to visit family members in Indiana. She initially said she'd exchanged Snapchat info with someone selling a cat, and gave them the address of the home where she was staying.
The alleged victim told police, that evening ... a man ripped open her bedroom window screen, yanked her out of the room, threw her into his truck and drove to a motel while sexually assaulting her. In later interviews, she said she'd actually linked with the alleged attacker on a dating app, and voluntarily snuck out to meet him.
In any case, once she met him in the truck she says she "immediately had a bad feeling" ... and he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex while driving to the motel, slapping and choking her multiple times, urinating on her in the motel room and forcing oral sex again.
Once he was finished, the teen claims he drove her back to her home and allegedly told her he'd be back the following night to pick her up again. When they pulled into her neighborhood, cops say her family was out front looking for her ... and as soon as they saw the truck, they all gave chase.
The alleged victim was able to escape, but the witnesses got enough info on the vehicle to relay to cops ... who then pinned it to Smith, who had appeared on the MTV show back in 2015.
The teen identified him in a photo lineup. Cops say he appeared to have traveled from Illinois to commit the crimes. He was arrested there and is awaiting extradition back to Indiana.
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'Challenge' Star Nelson Thomas I Wasn't Flirting Before KO ... Attacker 'Lied To The Cops'
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9:14 AM PT -- Nelson says the guy who knocked him out "lied to the cops" and the MTV star is denying flirting with the woman before being KO'd.
NT tells TMZ ... "The criminal who attacked me lied to the cops because we tried to find her for questioning and he never showed up to a court date. The guy is a criminal. He snuck up on me, attacked me, then robbed me."
Nelson claims the video shows him walking out of ARIA asking someone where Uber is and he says within 10 seconds he was knocked out. Nelson claims that's just not enough time to flirt and says he would never talk to a married woman.
Nelson Thomas was not up to the challenge of a pissed-off husband -- cops say the MTV star got knocked out cold after chatting up a married woman in Las Vegas!!!
According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Nelson -- who's starred on "The Challenge" for years -- says he met a woman at ARIA Resort & Casino and started talking to her at the valet area, and then ... WHAM!!! Next thing he knew, Nelson was being awakend by someone telling him he'd just been punched in the face and had his chain stolen.
Cops say they saw video backing up that account ... showing Nelson talking to the woman before the knockout punch put him on the ground -- and the assailant socked him one more time.
Nelson says he was "sucker-punched" and left with a broken nose so swollen he couldn't get treated by a doctor until the swelling went down.
On social media, Nelson claimed he was attacked because someone was trying to steal his $10,000 chain, but the woman's husband, Kevin Dixon, tells a different story.
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According to the police report, Dixon copped to the punch ... and said Nelson was talking to his wife in an elevator -- but when he walked off, his wife stayed on and kept talking with Nelson.
He says he lost sight of her and was trying to text and call her, then found her at valet talking to Nelson. Cops say he admitted being jealous, mad and drunk -- a bad combo any night in Vegas.
Dixon was arrested for battery and grand larceny.
Nelson's on the mend, and it looks like his nose is fixed after finally getting treatment.
Originally Published -- 12:50 AM PT
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'Darrin's Dance Grooves' 'Memba Him?!
Bronx-based choreographer Darrin Henson was in his mid-30s when he switched roles ... from the guy behind the camera credited with creating some of the best moves in the music industry ... to the instructor on the wildly popular how-to dance DVD's "Darrin's Dance Grooves" back in 2001.
Before his grooves were printed on his signature dance series, Darrin was responsible for the choreography for some of the biggest names in pop including Britney Spears, The Spice Girls and NSYNC.
Darrin can still be spotted on-screen with roles on television shows like "The Family Business" and "Double Cross."
More 'Memba Thems!
Farrah Abraham Yale Law School, Here I Come ... Take That, Harvard!!!
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Farrah Abraham has her heart set on attending law school, possibly in the Ivy League -- on the heels of her Harvard beef -- and she says Harvard's fiercest rival is interested.
We got the former "Teen Mom" star at Debbie Durkin's EcoLuxe Lounge event at the Beverly Hills Hilton, and asked about her law school prospects. The headline here is Farrah's not soured on Ivy schools after experiencing what she calls "educational abuse" in Cambridge, MA ... and she might get the ultimate revenge at Yale.
Farrah says she's a wanted woman now that she's secured her transcript from Harvard, and she told us -- with a straight face -- Yale and several other law schools are recruiting her.
Laugh if you want, but Farrah does have a Bachelor's degree from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale which at least makes her eligible to apply at Yale.
While she seems open to giving the Ivy League another chance, it sounds like Farrah's leaning toward staying close to home in California ... because she thinks she would fit in better on a diverse campus. Plus, what Cali girl wants to brave a New England winter?!?
As we first told you ... Farrah trashed Harvard over what she says was a horrible experience with their online program, and even threatened a lawsuit.
Farrah tells us what type of law she would like to practice one day. Here's a hint: Anything goes!
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As for her Harvard litigation -- sounds like that's on her back burner for now.
Speaking of burning ... Farrah told us why she's holding on to the Harvard sweatshirt she partially torched.
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VMAs 2021 Celebs Keep the Party Going!!!
If an awards show isn't followed up by a slew of celebs hitting up afterparties all over town ... is it even an awards show at all???
Attendees at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards made the night official by celebrating around NYC afterward ... with events hosted by the likes of Travis Scott, Dave Chappelle and Doja Cat.
Other celebs spotted toasting to success included Justin and Hailey Bieber, Madonna, Pete Davidson and the night's big winner -- Lil Nas X, who won Video of the Year for "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)."
There was also a couple's dinner sighting, as MGK and Megan Fox shared a "future baby daddies" meal at Cipriani with Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian ... before MGK and company made it over to Chappelle's party at Lure.
As you'd expect, Dave's event had major star appeal with Colin Jost, Dave Grohl and Jon Hamm joining the festivities.
Looks like a real fun time, and no, it doesn't appear Conor McGregor showed up to disturb the peace ... any further, that is.
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Farrah Abraham Here's My Veritas ... Harvard Sucks and I'm Gonna Sue!!!
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Farrah Abraham has moved on from her feud with Chrissy Teigen ... she's now going off on Harvard -- yes, that Harvard -- claiming she was the victim of "educational abuse" and promising legal action against the University.
We got the former "Teen Mom" star out in Hollywood Thursday, and she rattled off her laundry list of issues with the famed Ivy League school ... which stems from her allegedly being booted from a Zoom course by her teacher, with no follow-up explanation.
Farrah, who may be mad but not angry enough to put her Harvard sweatshirt in mothballs, claims her professor, Patricia Bellanca, played mind games with her by telling her to turn in an assignment without checking it over ... then later used that against her in trying to convince her to drop the course.
She also alleges Harvard's entire online program is a "joke" and a "scam," while insinuating she may have been racially discriminated against as well ... saying she was the "most person of color" in the class.
Farrah adds that she's had no choice but to go public with her Harvard beef, because allegedly neither her professor nor Dean Robert Neugeboren has returned any of her calls or emails.
Finally, she says she's going to file a lawsuit against the school for what she calls "abusive" treatment.
We reached out to the school and a spokesperson for Harvard University told us that due to federal student privacy laws, they do not comment on individual student academic matters.
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'Wild 'N Out' Star Jessie Woo Whitney Houston Joke Sparks Debate ... Too Soon???
Jessie Woo's on the rise as a singer and comedian on "Wild 'N Out," and this Whitney Houston bit she did will either make her way more popular, or draw a ton of hate ... just depends.
So, the segment tasked comedians on the show with creating outgoing voice messages impersonating famous people, and Jessie arguably drew the short straw by getting Whitney.
For her impression, Jessie did new lyrics for "I Will Always Love You," and really got the crowd going at first. Hey, she's got a good voice, but as she cruised into the crescendo of the song's chorus ... Jessie dropped a bomb by cutting the song short and saying, "I'm dead," and walking off.
The crowd was stunned, so it begs the question ... too soon???
Too Soon?
Whitney died of accidental drowning with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors. in February 2012, and, online at least, opinions seem split on whether joking about it should be off-limits.
Many on social media are calling out Jessie's joke for being "lazy," "insensitive," "offensive" and "disrespectful." Others, however, find it hilarious, with one person saying they laugh every time they watch ... even though they're a Whitney fan.
Worth noting -- Jessie posted a tribute to Whitney on her Instagram a few days ago, for what would have been the late singer's 58th birthday. She's really got the pipes to pull it off, too!
Woo's also standing by her joke ... she went live on Instagram, and pointed out it was all in good fun for the show, and she's seen people do much worse.
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Vinny From 'Jersey Shore' I'm Already Selling My L.A. Home ... 9 Months After Buying It
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Vinny Guadagnino is a rolling stone ... we're told the "Jersey Shore" star has a deal in place to sell his new L.A. home less than a year after buying the place.
Sources tell TMZ ... Vinny's Hollywood Hills house is under contract for a cool $3,850,000 only 9 months after he dropped $3,510,000 for the slick pad above Sunset Plaza.
It's worth noting ... the sale is not final yet. It's in escrow with a potential buyer, and as long as that person comes through with the dough it'll be a done deal at $3.85 million.
Of course, if anything goes wrong, Vinny will be open for someone else to make him an offer he can't refuse.
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As we first told you ... Vinny scooped up the 3 bedroom, 2,685-sq.-ft. home back in November, and the place is decked out with a pool, soaking tube in the master suite and panoramic views overlooking West Hollywood, Century City and the Pacific Ocean.
Feroz Taj from The Agency holds the listing.
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Farrah Abraham Slams Chrissy Teigen for Non-Apology ... Mean What You Say & Reach Out!!!
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Farrah Abraham has read Chrissy Teigen's apology for cyberbullying, and says it rings hollow until she backs it up with some specific actions -- and yet, she doesn't want Chrissy canceled.
We got the former 'Teen Mom' star Wednesday in L.A., and asked her if she'd gotten an apology from Chrissy. Remember, the former SI swimsuit model didn't name names when she said she was going to reach out to people she's hurt in the past.
Farrah -- who responded to Chrissy's apology with her own post -- tells us Chrissy has NOT reached out, and she thinks she has an idea why: Farrah says she doesn't think Chrissy "has the emotional or mental capability at this time to apologize properly to anyone."
In fact ... Farrah scoffs at Chrissy's posted apology and says it's just her way out of having to deal with the real problem at hand ... making serious amends.
Farrah's advice ... don't ignore the obvious task at hand and reach out. Farrah says if Chrissy actually did have a breakthrough, she'd do exactly that.
Farrah was one of Chrissy's targets back in the day ... calling her a "w****" in a 2013 tweet while taking shots at her about her sex tape and saying everyone hates her.
When we asked Farrah if she thinks Chrissy should be canceled ... she surprised us by saying no. Instead, she'd like to see something else happen. It's actually a decent take on cancel culture.
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'Floribama Shore' Star Gus Deletes IG After Fight With Fan ... Taking Social Media Break
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"Floribama Shore" star Gus Smyrnios wasn't "banned" from IG after an online feud with a fan -- but he is voluntarily taking a much-needed break from any further social media interactions.
The reality star's manager, Joseph Fazio, tells TMZ ... Gus deactivated his Instagram after a nasty war of words between himself and two people -- a husband and wife -- who he challenged to meet up and fight, and mocked their appearance.
That's putting it lightly, BTW, you gotta read his posted replies to them.
Much of the interaction was captured and reposted ... after which, his account went blank -- leading many to believe Zuckerberg's IG cops had stepped in. However, Smyrnios shut himself down after realizing he let the drama get the better of him.
We're told Gus responded so ferociously because he felt legitimately bullied by the couple, who were apparently harassing him and telling him to kill himself.
Fazio says, "As we all know, Gus doesn’t hold back his thoughts nor does he back down from a fight but he acknowledges that he should’ve handled this situation differently. He is genuinely apologetic for the things he said but is not apologetic for standing up for himself."
All of this back and forth was over the latest episode of the MTV show. Fans were apparently fed up with Gus' antics and pot-stirring, seemingly forgetting that's his job. Everyone plays a role, even on reality shows.
Anywho ... we're told Gus is going to be taking time off the 'Gram to focus on real life.
He's already started some self-reflection and tells us, "As a society we need to stop rewarding those who blatantly and aimlessly attack people (famous or not) simply because they feel like it. There is a double standard and it makes me sick. I just want it to stop."
Gus added, in his defense, "I’m not a violent or negative person by nature but when someone attacks me something triggers inside of me."
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T.I. and Tiny Reality Show on Ice After Sex Abuse Allegations
T.I. and Tiny's reality show is pressing pause as the couple faces allegations of sexual abuse, even though they've vehemently denied the claims.
Production on "T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle" came to a grinding halt Friday as MTV put things on ice. Network honchos said, "We are aware of the allegations, and while they are not connected to our show, we have reached out to T.I. and Tameka Harris, as well as local and state officials."
Last month several women posted allegations on social media -- claiming the couple had drugged or coerced them into having sexual encounters. As far as we know, none of the accusers have reported claims to law enforcement, or filed lawsuits.
Still, MTV says, "Given the serious nature of the allegations, we have decided to suspend production in order to gather more information."
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T.I. has strongly denied the allegations, and threatened legal action against at least one accuser.
The show had been shooting in Atlanta since December, but with this shutdown -- first reported by Deadline -- the fate of the 4th season is up in the air.
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Nick Cannon Hosting 'Wild 'N Out' Again ... Nearly 7 Months After Firing
Well, this is wild ... Nick Cannon has his old job back hosting "Wild 'N Out," almost 7 months after ViacomCBS fired him over anti-Semitic remarks.
Nick's set to return to the VH1 show when season 16 resumes because the network says he's "not only apologized and taken responsibility for his comments, but he has also worked to educate himself and others through engagement with Jewish leaders and on his platforms."
As we reported ... Viacom -- the parent company of MTV and VH1 -- fired Nick last July after he made anti-Semitic remarks on his "Cannon's Class" podcast.
While talking with Professor Griff -- formerly of Public Enemy -- Nick said things like, "You can't be anti-Semitic when we are the Semitic people. When we are the same people who they want to be. That's our birthright. We are the true Hebrews."
Nick later apologized and, as Viacom noted, consulted with Rabbi Abraham Cooper, who said Nick was apologetic upfront, but more importantly ... he listened when Cooper explained how some of his perceived "facts" were actually hateful and harmful propaganda.
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Charlie Balducci Died from Drug Overdose
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Charlie Balducci -- best known for his time on the MTV reality show, "True Life" -- died from a drug overdose ... TMZ has learned.
The New York City Medical Examiner's Office tells TMZ ... Charlie's cause of death is acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone and alprazolam. The manner of his death has been ruled accidental.
TMZ broke the story ... Balducci was found unresponsive in his bed back in July and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. When we spoke to his mom, she told us his death came unexpectedly since he hadn't exhibited any kind of sickness.
For the non-hardcore reality TV aficionados out there ... Balducci is known as a trailblazer of sorts in the reality TV world after appearing in "True Life: I'm Getting Married." He allowed MTV cameras to follow him for 4 months before marrying Sabrina ... which ultimately produced one of the most infamous rants ever caught on TV.
Quick recap ... the limo driver was running late on the day Balducci was supposed to get married, prompting him to threaten the limo driver, "I will gut you like the piece of s*** you are" and "I'll hunt you down like cattle."