TV

Lee Daniels is opening up on his relationship with Jussie Smollett ... he says the hoax case really made things difficult between them -- but they're back on speaking terms.

The co-creator of "Empire" touched on his relationship with Smollett in an appearance Monday on "The Breakfast Club," telling Charlamagne Tha God things are complicated with Jussie.

Lee says he still doesn't know what to believe in terms of Jussie's hoax hate crime case in Chicago ... but he's not going to cancel Jussie over his criminal conviction.

Phil Donahue, the longtime host of "The Phil Donahue Show," has died ... his family confirmed.

The media personality's death was announced on the "Today" show early Monday morning, where a statement was shared from Donahue's loved ones -- including wife of over 40 years, Marlo Thomas -- who were by his side when he passed away Sunday evening following a long illness. No further details were shared into his cause of death.

Donahue, who hosted his eponymous talk show for 29 years, was known as a trailblazing TV journalist ... as he pioneered the daytime TV format we now know.

"Boy Meets World" actress Danielle Fishel is sharing a major health announcement -- she's been diagnosed with breast cancer, but her bigger message is about how doctors caught it in stage zero.

Danielle says, "I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, which stands for ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a form of breast cancer."

She revealed her diagnosis Monday morning on "Pod Meets World," the show she hosts with her former 'BMW' costars Will Friedle and Rider Strong.

Soap opera/social media star Jessica Serfaty's learning just how invasive tech can be ... after finding out someone's been tracking her every move with a secretly-placed Apple AirTag.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Jessica -- who plays Sloan-Petersen Brady on "Days Of Our Lives" -- was hanging out in Malibu when her phone pinged her about the AirTag in her Range Rover.

We're told Jessica was immediately concerned, because she hadn't put any such device in her SUV, nor had she seen one. She worried someone had stashed it in her car -- perhaps in the engine compartment -- to keep tabs on her.

Rob Lowe's frat class is pretty star-studded ... 'cause he says he's forever part of the "Outsiders" fraternity -- with all his costars from 1983 flick in the brotherhood.

The actor reflected on making the iconic Francis Ford Coppola movie back in the day during an interview with People ... touching specifically on turning 18 around a bunch of other guys his age -- and feeling a special kinship with them.

He says the guys on set with him were all his "homies" and "frat brothers" ... and, they brought out super compeitive sides of one another -- especially Tom Cruise who RL says was simply on another level work ethic-wise.

John Aprea, one of the stars of "The Godfather Part II" and "Full House," is dead of natural causes ... TMZ has learned.

His manager Will Levine tells us ... the actor passed away on August 7, at his home in Los Angeles, with family members by his side.

John called his role as young Salvatore Tessio his greatest career achievement. He had originally auditioned to be Michael Corleone in the OG 'Godfather,' which of course went to Al Pacino. But, Francis Ford Coppola called back Aprea for the 1974 sequel.

Blake Lively is in the middle of more beef, Dr. Dre has a new nickname, and LeBron James is letting loose in France with another NBA star ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles chat with the reporter from the viral Blake Lively interview diss.

Mauricio Umansky's clearly rebounding from his Netflix show getting the axe ... hitting a beach in Mexico with his new GF -- and going for a PDA-packed dip.

The reality television star hit a beach at One&Only Mandarina, Mexico ... a resort outside Puerto Vallarta -- stripping off his shirt and walking around the beach with Nikita Khan, clad in a bikini.

The two head for the shore, taking in the expanse of the Pacific Ocean before hopping in and going for a quick dip.

Drake Bell might be returning to television ... 'cause he says he and Josh Peck have dicussed teaming back up in a couple familiar roles.

The actor discussed the possibility of a "Drake & Josh" reboot in an interview with The Patriot-News ... saying the two have talked reboot -- though it would be more of a buddy comedy then the original family ensemble program.

In fact, Drake says he's not even sure they'd play the exact same characters or if they'd play new versions of Drake and Josh ... adding he's not even sure if Miranda Cosgrove -- who played their little sister Megan in the OG show -- would return.

Matthew Perry's death getting attention amid the numerous arrests made by law enforcement ... but, one of his oldest collaborators wants people to remember his life instead.

Marta Kauffman -- creator of the hit series "Friends" -- discussed the seminal series during a conversation with The Sunday Times ... and, during the convo she reflected on Perry's legacy.

Marta says there are two ways to celebrate Perry ... one being to donate to addiction treatment, an important cause to MP who tried hard during his life to sober up.

Ariana Madix's brother Jeremy is in major trouble with the law ... police say he and an accomplice were busted with suitcases filled with over 100 pounds of marijuana.

According to court documents, obtained by TMZ ...  Jeremy Madix – who has appeared on "Vanderpump Rules" with his famous sis – and Jonah Ahad were scheduled to board a February 16 flight to Frankfurt, Germany, from Orlando International Airport in Florida.

But, the dudes never got past the security checkpoint. The docs say Customs and Border Protection agents searched the pair's three suitcases – two of which belonged to Madix -- and were loaded with ganja. In fact, police say Madix's suitcases contained a total of 64 bags of pot weighing a whopping 76 pounds.

The two physicians charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death not only still have their medical licenses, but they can still -- SHOCKINGLY -- prescribe medication to any of their patients, TMZ has learned.

Last week, Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plasencia were charged with illegally conspiring to supply ketamine to the late "Friends" star.

TMZ then broke the story ... the California State Medical Board launched an investigation into both doctors, but kept their medical licenses active without disciplining them.

Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are still going strong, Taylor Swift is still beefing with Kanye West and boxer Devin Haney is still throwing punches ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles refute reports Dakota and Chris called it quits, explaining why they are very much still together.

Bonjour from behind the scenes of "Emily In Paris!" Whether you've finished binging it or not, the latest season just released and the stars took to the gram to showcase a little bit of what happens off-screen!

Sydney Sweeney’s solidifying her Hollywood sex symbol status with a day out on a lake, and despite all that water ... she's feeling thirsty, and damn proud of it.

The actress rocked a super cheeky athletic swimsuit, zipping it down just enough to flaunt her famous cleavage -- but for once, she's shining the spotlight a little further south ... on her booty!

The pics -- taken during a boat outing with friends -- are pretty freaking hot, and intentionally taken from every angle.

Victoria Jackson says her cancer has returned in the form of an inoperable tumor ... and, it sounds like doctors aren't giving her much more time to live.

The "Saturday Night Live" star announced the news in a video posted Friday ... using her trademark humor to deliver the update to fans that doctors can't operate on a tumor pushing on her windpipe -- which she says "eventually would suffocate me to death."

In the Instagram post, VJ explains she's got "a magic pill" to be delivered to her to help manage the disease ... but, adds people who are prescribed and take those pills only have about 32-34 months to live -- so, she's under the impression her life's coming to an end.