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Anthony Ramos has been tapped to play a live-action version of 'Bob the Builder' -- but the move is turning heads ... 'cause his character is apparently going to be Latino, explicitly.

Here's the deal ... AR was announced as the lead of Mattel's newest toy-to-movie offering, meaning he's going to play Bob himself -- although, in the press release that's going around ... it says his character's real name is actually "Roberto."

The official description of the plot reads ... "When Roberto 'Bob' travels to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico for a major construction job, he takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build. Bob’s journey will celebrate the vibrant and colorful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people."

The other big news from this is the fact that Jennifer Lopez's movie company -- Nuyorican Productions -- is helping make this thing ... of course, she herself is also Latina.

So the question ... why are we making 'Bob the Builder' Hispanic all of a sudden???

That's certainly what a lot of people online are asking right now -- not to mention a bunch of memes and jokes about this surprise twist on the cartoon show that's been around for years. The biggest takeaway is that Bob has always been perceived as a white character.

Now, however, it looks like J Lo and co. wanna reimagine that for some reason -- and let's just say there are mixed reactions to the decision. Some are for it, arguing it shouldn't matter what race/ethnicity Bob is ... but others are crying foul and claiming this is "woke" casting.

Worse yet ... some are even suggesting that making Bob Latino might just be a little racist -- playing into stereotypes and turning a character on its head, which nobody asked for.

Funny enough, there are even a handful of folks suggesting Jen and everybody would've been better off developing/adapting another "worker" cartoon character who's already written as a Latino ... namely, 'Handy Manny.' Why not just have Anthony play him?

How people are digesting this is for sure a mixed bag -- and we suppose Bob's racial identity is, technically, in the eye of the beholder. We'll say this ... it does sorta feel like a reach.

An iconic piece of art from Bob Ross' past is up for sale 4 decades after it was made ... and it ain't gonna come cheap.

Bob's painting is titled, "A Walk in the Woods," painted on the first episode of his hit show, "The Joy of Painting" -- where many first discovered his talent.

The piece has Bob's signature in the bottom corner and is listed on Modern Artifact for $9,850,000. People interested can make another offer if they'd like ... but we're assuming it'll sell in that ballpark, given its significance.

Fans of the show know it didn't take Bob long to craft the incredibly detailed oil painting -- his inaugural episode is only 28 minutes long -- but that just goes to show how talented he really was.

As you know, Bob's show debuted in 1983 with this painting, the show aired over 400 episodes on PBS and lasted until 1994, the year before he died due to complications from lymphoma.

His legacy is up there with some of the greats in the world of art, partially thanks to his internet fame long after his death so it's no doubt his first televised painting will make a killing.

Una obra de arte icónica del pasado de Bob Ross está a la venta 4 décadas después de que se hizo y no va a ser barata.

La pintura de Bob se titula, "Un paseo por el bosque", pintado en el primer episodio de su exitoso programa, "La alegría de la pintura" donde muchos descubrieron por primera vez su talento.

La pieza tiene la firma de Bob en la esquina inferior y está listada en Modern Artifact por 9.850.000 de dólares. Las personas interesadas pueden hacer otra oferta si lo desean.

Los fans de la serie saben que no le tomó mucho tiempo a Bob para elaborar la pintura al óleo increíblemente detallada. Su episodio inaugural es de sólo 28 minutos de duración y prueba lo talentoso que era Ross.

Como ustedes saben, el programa de Bob debutó en 1983 con esta pintura, el programa se emitió más de 400 episodios en PBS y duró hasta 1994, un año antes de su muerte debido a complicaciones de linfoma.

Su legado está a la altura de algunos de los grandes del mundo del arte, en parte gracias a su fama en Internet mucho después de su muerte, así que no cabe duda de que su primer cuadro televisado hará fortuna.

LeVar Burton's TV days are far from over, and ditto for expanding people's minds -- 'cause the dude is about to venture out on a Trivial Pursuit ... one that's almost a sealed deal.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... LeVar and his team are close to locking in terms on a new job he's been teeing up for a couple years now -- namely, as executive producer and host of the new Trivial Pursuit game show ... which is going to be aired on the CW.

We're told things are almost finalized between LeVar and the network, and that the series already has a 12-episode order. So, yes ... we're gonna see LeVar on the tube again in due time.

As for how all this came together ... well, our sources tell us that's actually all due to Hasbro -- the toy company that owns the rights to Trivial Pursuit, who initially brought him in.

We're told Hasbro honchos thought of LB after he got snubbed by Sony execs for the highly-coveted "Jeopardy!" hosting job -- which was a whole saga in and of itself. Remember, Sony never even approached him for the gig -- nor did they seriously consider him.

Obviously, Hasbro thought differently ... and the conversations kicked into high gear after the CW became attached to developing Trivial Pursuit into a game show. If you're unfamiliar, TP sees players answering a variety of trivia questions, touching on a bunch of categories.

It's kind of the perfect next chapter for the dude who hosted "Reading Rainbow."

"Arthur" -- the longest-running children's animated series in U.S. TV history -- is coming to an end. And it begs a question ... Hey, what gives?!

Carol Greenwald, executive producer of the PBS kids show, confirmed in an email to IGN that "the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of Arthur will debut." For what it's worth ... she also said the production company and PBS KIDS will "work together on additional Arthur content, sharing the lessons of Arthur and his friends in new ways." Streaming, anyone?

Anyway ... sad to see "Arthur" go away on the small screen. The kids show debuted on PBS back in 1996 and produced over 240 episodes. The show's based on Marc Brown's "Arthur Adventure" book series.

The series -- which in its long run hauled in 4 Emmys and a Peabody Award -- tackled tons of social issues between family and friends in the fictional town of Elwood City.

Most recently, Arthur's longtime classroom teacher, Mr. Ratburn, married a guy in the season 22 debut. No question about it ... the theme was a monumental moment in TV history.

The children's TV show also forever etched its name in pop culture lore thanks to the memorable memes that bridge generations.

"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was no place for gay people ... so says one of the stars.

Francois Clemmons, who played Officer Clemmons from 1968 - 1995, says in his new memoir, Fred Rogers got wind of the fact Clemmons was gay, pulled him aside and said, "Franc, you have talents and gifts that set you apart and above the crowd. Someone has informed us that you were seen at the local gay bar downtown. Now, I want you to know, Franc, that if you're gay, it doesn't matter to me at all."

And, then the other shoe dropped ... "Whatever you say and do is fine with me, but if you're going to be on the show as an important member of the 'Neighborhood,' you can't be out as gay."

Clemmons told People Rogers told him secrecy was the only way ... "You must do this Francois ... because it threatens my dream," adding, "I was destroyed. The man who was killing me had also saved me. He was my executioner and deliverer. But, at the same time, I knew that he would know how to comfort me."

According to Clemmons, whose memoir is titled, "Officer Clemmons," Rogers also told him the audience didn't care who he was sleeping with ... "especially if it's a man."

And, there's more ... according to Clemmons, Rogers urged him to marry a woman, and he obliged. Clemmons married La-Tanya Mae Sheridan. They divorced in 1974 and later Clemmons came out.

Carson Kressley thinks it's incredible a major children's show has finally caught up with the times and showcased a gay marriage ... 'cause it sure ain't 1950 anymore.

We got the 'Queer Eye' legend Tuesday at LAX and he gave us his take on the cartoon series, "Arthur," having its longtime classroom teacher, Mr. Ratburn, marry a guy in the Season 22 premiere ... much to his students' pleasant surprise. It was a HUGE moment in TV history.

Carson tells us it's satisfying to see media gatekeepers realize reality has caught up to us, and you can't really ignore gay people anymore, especially when it comes to kids.

Oh, and check out Carson's attempt at trying to decipher what kind of animal Mr. Ratburn (rat, BTW) -- it's hilarious ... and a little NSFW too. Get this man back in front of a camera!!!

It's interesting ... "Sesame Street" brass came out last year to shoot one of their former writer's notion that Bert and Ernie were, in fact, a gay couple -- to the chagrin of the LGBT community. Weirdly enough though, the company seems to have deleted its statement.

Ex-PBS host Tavis Smiley just got hit with a countersuit from his former employer, and it lays out the allegations of sexual misconduct ... which include sex with employees and sending porn to coworkers.

PBS filed its suit Friday in Washington, DC claiming Smiley engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct over years. The network hired an investigator after Smiley was initially suspended when employees made claims. In the suit, PBS says it discovered Smiley had multiple sexual encounters with subordinates, made unwanted sexual advances and commented on subordinates' body parts.

According to a witness, PBS says Smiley told one female subordinate, he "would like to see her on her back more often." He also allegedly admitted he "may" have sent pornographic photos to coworkers.

Smiley's show was eventually cancelled, and, as we've reported ... he filed suit against PBS for "trumped up" sexual harassment allegations against him that he claims were racially motivated.

Tavis Smiley says PBS firing him wasn't just about sexual harassment allegations ... he now claims it was racial, and it's costing him millions upon millions of dollars.

Smiley filed a lawsuit against his former network -- which aired his talk show for 14 years -- claiming the sexual harassment allegations against him were "trumped up." Immediately after Smiley was suspended in mid December, he admitted to having relationships with coworkers ... but insisted they were all consensual. He was fired later that month.

In his lawsuit, first reported by the Washington Post, Smiley says there was racial tension at PBS. He claims network honchos "hassled Mr. Smiley when he had African American guests who espoused controversial positions, and effectively tried to stop any such guests from appearing."

Smiley also says in the docs ... his personal production company has been hemorrhaging "multiple millions of dollars" since he got fired, and he's been forced to lay off roughly 20 employees.

PBS calls Smiley's lawsuit a "meritless" attempt to distract the public from his "pattern of sexual misconduct." Jennifer Rankin Byrne, Communications VP for PBS, also reiterated an independent law firm's investigation found Smiley had "multiple sexual encounters with subordinates over many years."

Tavis Smiley knows it's hard to find Mr. or Mrs. Right, and insists that's why he never discouraged employees -- including himself, apparently -- from dating co-workers.

The suspended PBS talk show host took a stand for workplace dating Monday night on Tucker Carlson's FOX News show. Remember, PBS benched Tavis last week amid sexual misconduct allegations -- and true to his word, he's now vigorously defending himself.

The way Tavis sees it -- it's wrong to ban employees from dating because it's hard to meet someone when you're working your ass off. He's ignoring the power dynamic -- supervisors, like himself, dating people who work under him.

Still, he's passionate about the issue.

Tavis Smiley says PBS railroaded him during its investigation into claims he was having sex with staffers, and he's vowing to take a stand against the network's "overreaction."

The talk show host, who PBS suspended Wednesday, says he only learned of the PBS investigation through former staffers who let him know they'd been contacted. Smiley says he confronted his bosses, and only then did investigators talk to him ... for 3 hours.

It's clear Smiley isn't happy with what went down -- he says investigators refused to talk to his current staff or accept documentation supporting his side of the story. He insists he "never groped, inappropriately exposed myself or coerced any colleague in the workplace ever in my 30 year career."

Smiley accuses PBS of running a sloppy investigation and says he will fight back.

Tavis Smiley is the next big star under fire for alleged sexual misconduct ... PBS has suspended the talk show host after an investigation uncovered "credible allegations."

Smiley is a veteran talk show host who focuses on politics and current events -- he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Smiley was allegedly banging multiple lower-level staffers who believed their employment status was dependent on their sexual relationship with them, according to Variety.

Now, PBS is taking action ... "Effective today, PBS has indefinitely suspended distribution of ‘Tavis Smiley," the network said in a statement.

"PBS engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation immediately after learning of troubling allegations regarding Mr. Smiley. This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley."

"The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to today’s decision."

Elmo is weighing in on President Trump's plan to cut his salary ... and Elmo ain't tickled. Not at all.

The normally happy "Sesame Street" resident was pretty surly in this spoof reacting to Trump's proposed congressional budget, in which the prez wants to completely eliminate federal funding for PBS.

Unclear if PBS or "Sesame Street" brass signed off on this -- but it's pretty damn funny.

Elmo down on his luck.

Ben Affleck is owning up to coercing "Finding Your Roots" producers to omit the fact one of his ancestors owned slaves -- and admits he was embarrassed by the discovery.

Affleck copped to lobbying the PBS show to hold the slavery -- which it did -- because "the very thought left a bad taste in my mouth." In the apology, posted on Facebook, he says participating in the show makes you vulnerable ... and he assumed it would not "include things you think would embarrass your family."

The cover-up only came to light when WikiLeaks posted hacked Sony emails between Ben and show execs.

Katy shot a segment for the show -- which was supposed to air on New Year's Eve -- in which she sings a cleaned-up version of her song, "Hot N Cold" with Elmo.

The song made its way to YouTube Monday and racked up nearly a million views. But some parents started complaining her cleavage was too front and center. We've learned producers have decided not to air the song on the show.

Among the parental comments:

-- "You can practically see her t*ts. That's some wonderful children's programming."
-- "they're gonna have to rename it cleavage avenue"
-- "my kid wants milk now"

Fact is ... what looks like Katy's bare chest is actually covered in flesh-colored mesh that goes all the way to her neck.