Talk Shows

Howard Stern's Wack Packer, Big Black, seemed perfectly "fine" and was actually "extra giggly" in the weeks leading up to his death, according to his good buddy, Lawrence Coward.

Coward, a fellow Wack Packer dubbed by Stern as the "King of All Blacks," tells TMZ ... he spoke with Big Black 2 weeks before BB died of natural causes from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The disease causes fatty plaque buildup inside the artery walls. 

Coward says Big Black called him up to see if he would join BB on an upcoming live YouTube discussion for fans of the Stern show. The two friends appeared with Howard and his sidekick, Robin Quivers, on "The Howard Stern Show" back in the day -- and talked about their funny, yet crazy life experiences.

Big Black -- one of Howard Stern's famous Wack Packers -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.

The NYC Medical Examiner's Office tells TMZ ... Big Black died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition in which fatty plaque builds up inside the artery walls, causing them to narrow and harden.

The M.E.'s office declined to say where or when he died, but the condition is considered a natural cause of death.

Jimmy Kimmel's taking aim at President Donald Trump's relationship with his assistant ... bringing in his own "assistant" who bears a striking resemblance to Natalie Harp.

The comedian was delivering his monologue Thursday night when a woman in a red dress, carrying a satchel and golf clubs, sprinted onto the stage to help him with whatever he needed.

Jimmy calls her his "assistant Natalie" ... no last name -- and she replies by calling him her "guardian" and "protector."

Whoopi Goldberg heard the boos raining down at the mere mention of Sen. Ted Cruz ... and told "The View" audience to swallow 'em.

The crowd made its feelings known Wednesday when Whoopi brought up the Republican midterm convention in Texas and noted Cruz would be appearing on the show.

That's when the groans and boos started ... and Whoopi immediately cut them off with an "Ah-ah, no, no."

Jelly Roll bid a fond farewell to the great Dolly Parton ... saying she might be the last universally beloved American we ever see.

The singer-songwriter is guest-hosting on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" ... and on Tuesday night he brought up Dolly's passing in the middle of his monologue ... noting that we lost a "legend" and an "inspiration to so many."

The broadcast showed a photo of Dolly and Jelly Roll together ... and he reflected on going from sitting around the kitchen table with his family and listening to her music as a kid -- to actually learning songwriting skills and business tips from her as an up-and-coming artist.

Jelly Roll called President Trump a fat pig on national television ... and somehow the joke only got more personal from there.

The country star was filling in for Jimmy Kimmel Monday night when he brought up a recent Washington Post report about doctors being concerned over Trump's weight.

Jelly noted Trump is now pushing 240 pounds ... before offering some advice from one big guy to another.

He told Trump ... "From one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. And trust me, you'll be happy to see your penis again."

"The View" cuts Whoopi Goldberg such a fat paycheck, even her fellow celebrities can't imagine the paydays!!!

Whoopi raved about her talk show contract during a guest appearance on Keke Palmer's podcast ... playfully boasting she makes more than Keke could ever comprehend.

They're joking and having a good time ... but Whoopi's laughing all the way to the bank!

She's been on the show since 2007 ... and quipped that the money's so good, she doesn't even mind that she's been "crazy glued to that chair."

Robin Quivers is celebrating the kind of news every cancer patient hopes to hear ... she's officially cancer-free after a nearly 14-year battle!

The longtime sidekick on "The Howard Stern Show" shared the emotional update Monday, revealing doctors found no evidence of disease in her body after years of treatment and setbacks with endometrial cancer.

Take a listen ... Howard Stern couldn't contain his excitement on-air, calling the development "a miracle" and praising Quivers for refusing to give up during one of the toughest fights of her life.

Byron Allen says late nights on CBS are going to look A LOT different when Stephen Colbert steps aside after Thursday's show ... and he says the key to replacing Colbert will be a comedy show that's light on politics and heavy on timeless, inclusive humor.

The billionaire comedian and media mogul joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and told us about his vision for filling Colbert's vacated time slot with a couple new shows.

When Colbert goes dark after his final episode, his weeknight hour on CBS will be replaced by "Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen" and another show Byron produces, "Funny You Should Ask."

It's the first Mother's Day since Savannah Guthrie's mom, Nancy, was kidnapped ... and her family is surrounding her with support.

Her husband, Michael Feldman, took to Instagram to share a photo of the "Today" show host holding their kids tight in an emotional embrace.

He wrote in the caption ... "To the strongest person I know. Surrounding you with love on Mother’s Day."

Sherri Shepherd won't be sitting around and twiddling her thumbs now that she's taped the final live episode of her talk show "Sherri" ... she's weighing her career options -- including turning her show into a podcast.

We caught up with the star in New York City Thursday ... and we had to ask what she's got coming up after she's officially completed "Sherri," which has been cancelled after four seasons.

Shepherd says she's not sure if she would start producing a version of "Sherri" for YouTube or make a podcast ... since the market is saturated with millions of other listening options.

Ryan Gosling and his longtime partner, Eva Mendes, did something they haven't done in over 10 years — make an official public appearance together!

That's right ... the famous couple appeared together Thursday on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" as Eva celebrated her 52nd birthday and Ryan gears up for the release of his upcoming film, "Project Hail Mary."

The actor chatted with Jimmy about the sci-fi film for several minutes before the conversation turned to Eva. Ryan told the audience it was Eva's b-day and revealed she was in the building -- prompting him to ask the crowd to serenade the actress by singing "Happy Birthday."

Eva was then escorted into the studio, where she addressed the crowd -- made up largely of teachers -- telling them how much she loves them and appreciates them, while pointing out they're seriously underpaid.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck had quite the comeback for Whoopi Goldberg after Whoopi said she had a problem with immigration agents hiding their faces ... telling Whoopi her own political party is the "party of masks."

The comment audibly shocked "The View" audience Wednesday during a heated segment about immigration ... with Elisabeth and Whoopi going back in forth.

Whoopi was talking about ICE agents approaching people on the street with their faces covered ... when Elisabeth fired back with a throwback jab.

Chloe Kim might never be able to listen to Pink again -- the Team USA snowboarder was left mortified after telling the singer she LOVES one of her songs ... but there was just one problem.

Pink didn't sing it.

The blunder went down on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" this week ... when Pink -- filling in for the "American Idol" winner -- was chatting with the 2026 Olympic silver medalist.

Actress and comedian Kerri Kenney-Silver tells us Pink would be a great replacement for Kelly Clarkson in NBC's impending daytime TV talk show vacancy ... as long as the singer wants to do it.

Kerri's been best friends with Pink for years ... and when we caught Kerri at LAX yesterday, she gushed, "I think she can do anything!" According to Kerri, Pink is "born for that kind of thing."

Watch the clip ... Kerri details how Pink is just a regular person, and how she'd be ideal for the soon-to-be-open gig.