Coronavirus Massive Wedding Cancellations ... Brides and Grooms Seek Refunds

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The wedding industry's in crisis mode as the coronavirus has resulted in mass wedding cancellations throughout the country ... with no end in sight. The big question ... when the bride and groom cancel, will they get their money back?

Wedding planners and reps at a number of prominent wedding venues tell TMZ ... staff from the famed Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC -- a backdrop in Macaulay Culkin's flick, "Richie Rich" -- contacted every couple that has a wedding scheduled at their venue over the next 8 weeks.

We're told the venue's urging couples to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people. So far, that's affected around 15 weddings, which were planned in 2019.

A rep for Biltmore Estate tells us ... they're allowing couples to postpone their weddings at their venue for up to one year from their current wedding date.

Another wedding planner tells us they've had 27 cancellations in just the last 3 days. They tell us some clients just stopped making payments and others have asked for a refund. We've called a number of wedding planners all over the country, and we're hearing the same story from all of them ... cancel, cancel, cancel, postpone, postpone, postpone.

As for those who want to tough it out and tie the knot, we're told some venues are offering closed-circuit viewing so friends and relatives can watch the ceremony without putting anyone at risk.

As for trying to cancel and get your money back, well ... that could be a problem. We've surveyed a number of insurance brokers. You CAN get wedding insurance, but until fairly recently it didn't cover outbreaks. Since the SARS and MERS epidemics, some insurance companies added a provision that said if a pandemic breaks out the bride and groom can cancel.

We're told insurance companies vary wildly when it comes to paying a wedding claim. One agent said the policy he writes would allow cancellation with a refund, but ONLY if the bride and/or groom test positive for coronavirus.

BlocBoy JB Jumps Off Balcony into Pool ... Juuust Dodges Paralysis!!!

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BlocBoy JB is lucky to be alive after a stunt that came incredibly close to disaster -- he jumped from a balcony into a pool ... but nearly smashed into concrete.

Video of the rapper surfaced this week, showing him leap from what appears to be a second-story balcony at an apartment complex or hotel. His plan, if he had one, was to land in the pool. He ended up barely clearing the edge, and did NOT walk away unscathed.

Watch the video ... while he landed in the water, it had to be pretty shallow. His ankle looked a little banged up.

One of his buddies who's recording video even says BlocBoy almost killed himself. Possibly a slight exaggeration -- it was only 2 stories -- but you can tell this could've at least ended in serious injury.

It's unclear when this was shot, but if it was recent, it looks like the rapper is too busy playing daredevil to sweat coronavirus. He might wanna reprioritize.

Idris Elba Coronavirus Got Me, and it Sucks ... I Had NO Symptoms!!!

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Idris Elba got back his coronavirus test, and it ain't good news.

The actor says he's contracted COVID-19, and he's placed himself in self-quarantine. Actually, Idris says he's been on lockdown since Friday. What's interesting about his case is he says he wasn't experiencing ANY symptoms.

Idris says, "I got tested because I realized I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive." He says he's quarantining for now with his wife, Sabrina ... although she hasn't been tested.

He added, "There are people out there who aren't showing symptoms and that can easily spread it ... this is real."

You'll recall, when Tom Hanks announced last week he and Rita Wilson had tested positive ... he said they at least had some indication -- body aches and other common cold-like symptoms.

No such warnings for Idris ... but he says, so far, he and Sabrina are feeling okay. Fingers crossed.

Eric Roberts Quarantine Is Like Vacation ... But Coronavirus Screwed My Movie Opening!!!

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Eric Roberts likes being stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, but there's one thing he's struggling to replace ... his morning gym routine!!!

The veteran actor joined us Monday on "TMZ Live" from the comfort of his own home, where's he's holed up for the next several weeks. Professionally, this is horrible timing for Eric ... we asked him about movie theaters shuttering within days of his new flick coming out.

"Inside The Rain" opened in theaters last week, and Eric told us it ain't great seeing empty theaters after pouring his blood, sweat and tears into a film.

The entertainment shutdown is also impacting his family because his stepson, singer Keaton Simons, was supposed to play Stagecoach. Obviously, that ain't happening until October.

Eric says all of his pending projects -- he has several dozen hanging in the balance -- are on hold for at least the next 2 months. In the meanwhile, he's settling in at home, and actually enjoying the break.

He says he's treating it like a staycation, but the toughest adjustment has been NOT going to the gym every morning. They've all been forced to close their doors in California.

Still, Eric gets it, and says he's being extra careful because he's a granddad.

Coronavirus Weed Delivery Biz Boomin' ... Puff Puff, No Pass!!!

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The coronavirus pandemic is causing folks to get more of their essentials delivered to their homes ... and one major marijuana company is seeing green.

Select Cannabis, one of the biggest retailers of cannabis oils and concentrates, is raking in the dough from deliveries ... the company's marketing reps in Los Angeles tell TMZ the coronavirus has business booming.

The cannabis giant tells us it's seeing 4 times as many delivery orders than normal since the COVID-19 outbreak -- yes, you can get dank delivered in Cali -- and there's also been a 50% increase in customers purchasing vape products. The most popular items -- edible gummies and vape pens.

It's kinda funny, and a telling sign of the times ... Select Cannabis tells us they're pushing a new motto to encourage users to keep themselves safe in the face of a deadly and contagious virus ... "Puff, puff, no pass."

Sage advice, stoners.

LAPD Lady Allegedly Threatens to Cough on Cop ... I'll Give You Coronavirus!!!

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Coronavirus seems to have folks thinking they can do as they please -- one LAPD officer claims he experienced it firsthand with a rogue, and possibly contagious, car parker.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... a cop in L.A. came across a woman this weekend whom he says was parked in a handicap spot without a proper placard, and when he approached her over the violation ... we're told things turned sickly.

Our sources say the woman almost instantly became combative with the officer, threatening to cough on him and give him coronavirus ... something she claimed she'd contracted.

Well, that didn't deter the cop ... we're told he arrested her for felony criminal threats. Unclear if the woman actually had COVID-19, but in any case ... we're told the officer gloved up for the bust and washed up after.

As for whether the criminal threat charge will stick, that's also hard to say for sure -- as we're told something like that is considered a wobbler -- meaning if she's eventually charged, the D.A. has the option to leave it a felony, or reduce to a misdemeanor.

Nonetheless, it's pretty crazy that an alleged parking violation escalated to a viral face-off. Crazy times, indeed.

Nicki Minaj's Husband Judge Cool with Pre-Trial Web Surfing Internet Restriction Lifted

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UPDATE

11:51 AM PT -- A judge just granted Kenneth's request to have internet restrictions lifted as part of the conditions of his pre-trial release. With the court's order now in place, the guy's free to continue surfing the World Wide Web again.

Nicki Minaj's husband really wants to get back to surfing the Internet ... something he's currently barred from doing due to his pending criminal case.

Kenneth Petty just submitted legal docs, obtained by TMZ, begging a California judge to allow him to use the World Wide Web.

As you know ... Kenneth recently registered as a sex offender in Cali after getting arrested for allegedly failing to do so when he moved to the state with Nicki. One of the terms of his pretrial release -- he can't use the web unless approved by a supervisor.

According to the docs, prosecutors have already agreed to Kenneth's request ... so now, it's up to the judge to sign off.

BTW ... Petty's status as a sex offender stems from a 1995 New York conviction for first-degree attempted rape.

Kenneth, who pled not guilty to failing to register as a sex offender, has a curfew and is being required to wear an ankle monitor as he waits for next month's court date. His travel is also restricted to Southern California.

Sounds pretty boring ... especially offline.

Originally Published -- 3/14 12:50 AM PT

'Modern Family' Ed O'Neill's TV Pooch Has Died ... Days After Show Wrapped

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"Modern Family" got some really sad news over the weekend -- Ed O'Neill's TV dog Stella has died.

The French bulldog -- real name Beatrice -- died about a week ago and just days after wrapping the show. It's unclear what led to Beatrice's death. "Modern Family" star Jesse Tyler Ferguson bid her goodbye Sunday ... posting a picture of Beatrice on the set with the caption, "Rest in peace sweet Beatrice. We love you so much," followed by a crying emoji.

Ed's character, Jay Pritchett, reluctantly got a dog in season 2. Beatrice took over the role season 4. Ed ultimately grew to love his Stella ... often showering her with gifts.

Beatrice's owners had said during a 2017 interview that Ed was obsessed with Beatrice in real-life ... often bringing her treats when she was on set and always looking out for her.

The pooch was also no stranger to being on TV. Beatrice also appeared in "Workaholics" and "The Kominsky Method." Beatrice also appeared in commercials for Dunkin' Donuts and Chase Bank.

The news comes just weeks before "Modern Family" -- after 11 glorious seasons -- airs its series finale in April. #RIP #AllDogsGoToHeaven