TV

Esta TerBlanche -- a star on the iconic soap "All My Children" -- has died at 51, her family tells TMZ.

Barbie Ashley, her goddaughter, tells TMZ ... Esta died unexpectedly on Thursday in her North Hollywood home ... medical personnel believe the South African actress had been dead for about a day before she was found.

The cause of her death is under investigation, her rep, Lisa Rodrigo tells us ... adding there is no other information at this time.

"Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing" is back with its brown-out episode -- survivalists chowing down on elephant poop-covered seeds.

TMZ snagged the first-look exclusive clip -- nothing triggers the survivalists' gag reflex like what they had to endure to win the $100K grand prize in Africa -- sifting through hardened elephant dung and chewing the seeds out without rinsing.

As you see, they all rush over to the dung piles for the challenge ... extracting the tiny seeds. Then, they ingeniously build a bird trap using the chewed seeds as bait.

Howie Mandel says he's feeling vindicated about being a germaphobe in light of a worldwide rise in penis cancer caused in part by poor hygiene ... 'cause his shaft is clean as a whistle.

We got Howie outside Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show set in Hollywood and our photog asked him about the surge in penile cancer cases happening around the world ... seeing as he's well known for his aversion to germs.

Howie says there's two things he never does ... shake hands, and shake penises!!! 😂

Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift may be healing the divide, Kyle Richards is pissed at Mauricio Umansky and Ingrid Andress is making lemonade ... all this on TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles explain how Ivanka Trump could be easing the thaw between Kim and Taylor.

"Big Brother" is heating up early this year ... 'cause one housemate tore into another just days into the competition -- and, people online are loving it.

Here's the deal ... season 26 of "Big Brother" premiered on Wednesday, and diehards are obviously watching the 24/7 streams -- and, anyone who got up early on Saturday got treated to a verbal brawl between two contestants.

Angela -- who won the first competition, therefore becoming the first head of household -- comes downstairs to breakfast with the other competitors at 8 AM ... and immediately launches into an epic tirade about housemate Matt.

Whitney Rydbeck -- an actor known for his appearance in a 'Friday the 13th' film and several major sitcoms -- has died ... according to his longtime friend.

The actor passed away early last week according to his friend, director Tommy McLoughlin, who just posted the news a couple days ago ... saying the world lost a truly funny comedian and kind-hearted friend.

The Hollywood Reporter spoke with McCloughlin as well ... who told them he died from prostate cancer complications while in hospice care in Chatsworth, California.

7/21 5:47 PM PT -- de Matteo's responding to haters who are calling her son editing her OF content creepy ... posting a pic to her Instagram story with the pic in question, saying it doesn't show anything inappropriate for a 13-year-old.

She adds people need to focus on bigger issues -- like what's going on with America's politics -- instead of her personal parenting choices. Basically, Drea's telling everyone to move right along ... 'cause there's nothing to see here!

When it comes to business, Drea de Matteo's motto is ... you gotta keep it in the family.

The "Sopranos" star revealed on the "Not Today, Pal" podcast her 13-year-old son, Waylon "Blackjack," edits her OnlyFans photos.

Hosts Robert Iler and Jamie-Lynn Sigler were discussing de Matteo's girl-on-girl content when she mentioned her son, and 16-year-old daughter, Alabama, were waiting outside for her.

Bill Maher is fed up to HERE with all the talk that God saved Donald Trump from assassination ... and he's here to tell the world, all this God talk is BS.

The 'Real Time' host launched on all the Republicans who have said God spared Trump, as if God intervenes when leaders are at risk. In fact, Bill notes, Congressman Steve Scalise said right after the shooting, "Yesterday there were miracles, and I think the hand of God was there too." Well, Steve himself was critically shot a few years ago, so BM mused maybe "God was having an off day."

Maher's point seems to be you can like Trump, but don't turn him into a demigod, because historically that never ends well.

Donald Trump reunited with Melania, $2 billion Powerball winner Edwin Castro has a smoking hot girlfriend, and Mike Perry is making big moves ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles break down Melania's interactions with Donald at the Republican National Convention ... including what may or may not have been a smooch.

President Biden ain't throwing in the towel just yet -- 'cause top-level Dems are throwing another big fundraiser for him in the near future ... and David Letterman's going.

The news just came down from AP -- which says Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is hosting the shindig for Joe on July 29 out in Martha's Vineyard ... where they'll be hanging out at a private home that apparently belongs to a friend of Green's.

In terms of DL's involvement ... word is, he's set to headline the get-together -- so, in other words, he'll be the talent ... and probably moderate things as the emcee.

Joy Behar's Sunday schooling Donald Trump on live TV ... slamming the former prez for claiming God was watching out for him during the attempt on his life.

The 'View' cohost ripped the 45th president's RNC speech Friday -- her show's 6,000th episode -- and said it wasn't very Christian of him to say God was watching over him while, just feet away, another man ended up dead.

Check out the clip, Joy -- who says she grew up Catholic -- claims it's not proper for Christians to say God's looking out specifically for them because it's "narcissistic."

Nick Saban is getting another tribute at Alabama -- the school just announced it is renaming the Bryant-Denny Stadium field in his honor.

Bama will hold a ceremony on September 7 ... when the Crimson Tide host the South Florida Bulls.

The university shared a special video to reveal the news ... featuring several memorable soundbites from Saban's historic career.

"Big Brother" winner Dick Donato is sounding off on Paramount+'s decision to axe the live feed's rewind and archive features, and he has a one-word theory on why they did it ... money!

We caught up with Evel Dick after the streaming platform retooled the live feed -- which left fans seriously pissed, because now they can't watch back unfiltered moments. Fans speculated this was a strategy to keep problematic moments in the house from plaguing the show ... but DD isn't sold on this theory, telling us this is likely a money thing.

As Dick put it, Paramount+ and CBS don't care about controversy, as this often captures fans' interest and gets them to tune in. Instead, he points to the fact the show is filmed with HD cameras ... and says archiving that footage likely costs a pretty penny.

Before this blonde dapper boy from Salt Lake City, Utah turned into a big Hollywood star, he was just throwing on his blazer and slacks, hitting the ballroom and having a dance off with his lil' sis.

Before he made a name for himself jiving in the ballroom and showin' off his moves, he spent his younger years studying and dancing in London. Yes, he can groove, but he's also written a New York Times Best Selling book.

The tables turned when he entered as a judge on "World of Dance" with Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo.

Tom Sandoval says he didn't mean to sue his ex, Ariana Madix, and is now withdrawing his lawsuit ... putting the blame on one of his lawyers.

The "Vanderpump Rules" star took to social media Thursday to clear up the legal action he took against AM -- where he countersued her in the case Rachel Leviss brought against him and Ariana regarding alleged revenge porn -- and made it clear ... this was a mistake.

Tom claims one of his attorneys told him about a cross-complaint -- and, allegedly, told him what he was about to file is customary ... with Tom saying he urged him to sign off on it, which Tom says he did ... albeit, unwittingly, or so he insists.

Bob Newhart -- an absolutely iconic figure in stand-up comedy, TV and film -- has died.

Bob passed away Thursday at his Los Angeles home after a series of brief illnesses, according to his longtime rep.

He's perhaps best known for his deadpan delivery, and his 2 successful sitcoms -- "The Bob Newhart Show" came first from 1972 to 1978, and costarred Suzanne Pleshette, Marcia Wallace and Peter Bonerz.