TV

Whoopi Goldberg is coming to Harrison Butker's defense following his controversial college address -- but she's not so much agreeing with what he said ... more so his right to say it.

The TV star came out swinging on Thursday's episode of "The View" ... saying the Chiefs star was technically right to speak his mind during his speech this past weekend, especially since he's a devout Catholic addressing a Catholic college.

WG says that while she doesn't agree with Butker -- noting that the women at the commencement didn't have to either -- she still feels like he was within his right to speak his views.

3:07 PM PT -- Chris just addressed Tony's passing, writing ... "Devastated to hear about the loss of my friend and former stunt double Tony McFarr. We did several movies together. We golfed, drank whiskey, smoked cigars, and spent endless hours on set."

He adds, "He was always a gentleman and professional. He'll be missed. My prayers go out to his friends and family, especially his daughter."

Tony McFarr -- a stuntman who stepped in to double for some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Chris Pratt -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

The daredevil performer's mother, Donna, tells us he passed away Monday at his home just outside Orlando -- and while we're told the family doesn't know the exact circumstances of his death just yet ... Donna does say his passing is unexpected and shocking.

She says Tony was active and healthy ... and we're told the medical examiner's office is running toxicology tests now. The Orange County Medical Examiner confirms to us they have the case ... and that an official cause is still pending.

Dr. Terry Dubrow's giving Kelly Clarkson props for coming clean about using a weight loss drug -- but he's not cool with the half-truths that came before, and he's encouraging others to be more transparent.

We got the "Botched" star out in Bev Hills, where he's tipped his hat to Kelly's incredible transformation but lamented her denial of using Ozempic ... which indirectly put the spotlight on the other option: Mounjaro.

Dr. Dubrow says Kelly's attempt to distance herself from Ozempic is a real bummer 'cause the drug is a huge game-changer -- not only for obesity but tackling other health woes.

DeMarco Morgan -- the 'GMA3' anchor who replaced T.J. Holmes -- has his newsroom in a tizzy over some pics he posted showing himself in bike shorts ... 'cause it left an impression.

The ABC daytime cohost -- who was tapped to fill in for T.J. after his affair with co-anchor Amy Robach -- posted pics late last month in tight biker clothing that left little to the imagination ... and which definitely drew focus below the belt.

While many online cracked jokes at the racy pics or made comments about DM's package, which was clearly on display underneath, sources at ABC say much of the org's rank and file is not amused -- in fact, we're told there are a lot of staffers there who are kinda irked.

Joy Behar said the quiet part out loud while defending Kelly Clarkson hopping on weight loss drugs ... saying nobody wants to be heavier than they need to be, period.

The topic of Kelly copping to the fact she's on medication that helped drop major poundage got brought up on Wednesday's episode of "The View" ... and Whoopi Goldberg was pointing out that Kelly can't win here, getting criticized no matter what she does or says.

The group of hosts debated over whether Kelly should've been more forthcoming early on in her dramatic weight loss -- and eventually, Joy just came out and dropped a truth bomb.

Woke culture has infiltrated "The Simpsons" -- at least that's what Harry Shearer seems to be suggesting after pointing out they replaced his Black character with an actual Black voice.

Shearer -- a white actor who voices over 20 characters on 'Simpsons,' including Dr. Hibbert, who's portrayed as Black on the show -- talked about where things stand with the long-running series and some recent changes they've made ... including accurate casting.

HS says he was notified a few years ago that he'd no longer be voicing Dr. Hibbert as he had for years -- instead, they hired Kevin Michael Richardson, who's Black, to do it.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler is taking aim at all the "perfect" people who are using Ozempic without needing to ... saying they're abusing it, and calling it a setback in body positivity.

While talking on her 'MeSsy' podcast with cohost Christina Applegate, Jamie-Lynn got real about her body image struggles ... explaining how the current fad of relying on weight loss drugs to slim down has left her feeling a bit triggered lately.

JL shared her hot take ... saying the drug had totally been a game-changer for her friends who've battled weight issues for a long time -- but it's also been exploited by many others.

The 'Hard Knocks' cameras are rolling long before training camp this season ... 'cause a new installment of the successful docuseries was just announced -- "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants."

HBO honcho Casey Bloys shared the big news on Wednesday ... saying the popular show has already been following the G-Men as they prepare for the 2024-25 season.

As it turns out, the crews got to work back in January and will stay with the team through July ... meaning the show will feature the NFL combine, draft and minicamps.

Paris Hilton has heard all the online hate she got over her kids' car seat setup -- admitting she's still new to the whole motherhood thing ... and in the same vein, fixing the problem.

The heiress returned to TikTok Monday with a fresh clip -- this after having previously deleted a video which sparked concern for her son Phoenix and daughter London ... as their car seats were notably facing the wrong way.

In the new vid, Paris shows she's readjusted her kids' car seat setup ... thanking her follower for their advice on the situation. She wrote ... "Thanks for the mom advice, I'm new to this☺️ The #CutesieCrew is now ready for take off in the #SlivingMom van."

Robert De Niro was seriously censored on "The View" ... this after he went on an expletive-filled tirade against Donald Trump, meaning the control booth people had their hands full.

The actor doubled down on his dislike for the ex-Prez during Tuesday's episode ... re-expressing his disdain for DT in a very NSFW way -- going on a cussing tirade on TV.

RDN says he's baffled by the fact that more people aren't taking Trump seriously -- with the businessman leading in several presidential polls heading into November's election.

Christina Applegate is getting real for the first time about her eating disorder while filming "Married ... with Children" -- saying everyone on set knew and was worried about her.

The actress opened up to Jamie-Lynn Sigler on their 'MeSsy' podcast ... saying at the height of her ED, she'd deprive herself of food regularly -- eating just 5 almonds a day. If she had 6, she says she'd break down in tears because she wanted her bones to stick out.

Christina said her struggle started at 15 when she took on the role of crop-top-loving Kelly for the 'MWC' pilot ... which left her freaking out, thinking she looked the heaviest she'd ever been.

"All That" alum Lori Beth Denberg claims Dan Schneider acted inappropriately when she was a young adult ... allegations that he says are blown out of proportion, or outright untrue.

In a new interview with Business Insider, Denberg details multiple accusations against Schneider -- including the claim he showed her porn and initiated phone sex when he was the head writer of "All That" -- where she was a cast member between 1994 and 1998.

Denberg says this all started around her 19th birthday ... when she says Dan invited her to a meeting and showed her porn clips -- including one scene where a woman performed oral sex on a donkey. FWIW, similar claims over the porn were also made on 'Quiet on Set.'

Fiona Harvey is eyeing a big payday from Piers Morgan ... this after allegedly being paid chump change for her now-viral interview all about "Baby Reindeer."

The real-life inspiration behind Netflix's new hit series told Daily Record she's hoping for a seven-figure payout after claiming to have only received about $313 for the sit-down seen round-the-world ... in which Fiona suggested Richard Gadd had defamed her in his show.

She says ... "I asked if that was what they paid everyone and, if so, I wanted to see documentation to that effect. That documentation has not been forthcoming. I have not signed a contract for the interview and I will be seeking far more than a piddling £250."

Gayle King is a swimsuit model at the ripe age of 69 -- because she's on the cover of Sports Illustrated ... and even as a senior, she's showing off her rockin' bod.

The CBS News anchor was among 4 women tapped to appear on different covers of an upcoming SI issue -- and she's kinda the odd woman out, since the others are veteran models in the biz ... including Chrissy Teigen, Hunter McGrady and Kate Upton.

All those gals are also a lot younger than Gayle, which makes her shoot all the more eye-popping. Frankly, she looks incredible in her spread ... rocking several different bathing suits.

Sam Rubin's son paid tribute to his late father on the air just 3 days after his untimely death -- and it's heart-wrenching, to say the least ... because he got choked up several times.

Sitting beside his dad's KTLA colleagues Monday ... Colby Rubin held it together pretty well during a letter he read aloud to his dad ... but at times, needed a few seconds to collect himself before reflecting on his dad's profound impact on his life over the last 16 years.

Colby wasn't just speaking to the crowd ... the message was directly to Sam, making it all the more raw as he told SR how much he idolized him -- and how he'd always be his hero.

Tom Brady's taking his talents to northeast Ohio -- the seven-time Super Bowl champion will make his Fox Sports debut during "America's Game of the Week" to kickstart the 2024 season ... a matchup between the visiting Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns.

TB12 made an appearance at Fox's Upfront 2024 event on Monday ... joining Michael Strahan to show off what "TV Tom" looks like.

Brady discovered he was going to provide analysis for America's Team when Strahan revealed the assignment ... and he immediately got to work.