The TMZ Podcast

Bill Maher ha suspendido su decisión de volver a "Real Time" sin guionistas, dice que ahora hay esperanzas de que ambas partes lleguen a un acuerdo por lo que deja su programa en suspenso hasta que eso ocurra.

Bill dice: "Mi decisión de volver al trabajo se tomó cuando parecía que no pasaba nada y que no había un final a la vista para esta huelga. Ahora que ambas partes han acordado volver a la mesa de negociaciones voy a retrasar el regreso de Real Time, por ahora, y espero que finalmente puedan acabar con esto.

Las palabras, "por ahora", son importantes, si hay un callejón sin salida después de la WGA y los estudios se reúnen esta semana Bill podría volver a su plan de OG.

La decisión de Maher se produce después de que Drew Barrymore también diera marcha atrás tras ser criticada por otras celebridades y personas en las redes sociales. El programa de Jennifer Hudson y "The Talk" también se retiraron del programa durante la huelga.

Bill anunció la semana pasada que quería hacer algo por el personal de su programa que estaba luchando durante la huelga de 5 meses de duración. Él estaba planeando eliminar los segmentos basados en escritores y sólo tener un panel espontáneo, pero ahora todo está en suspenso.

La gran pregunta ... ¿se sentirán presionados los escritores para llegar a un acuerdo, sabiendo que hay productores y presentadores ansiosos por volver al trabajo si las conversaciones fracasan?

Drew Barrymore will not cross the picket line, after all ... she now says she is NOT going back into production on her talk show while the Writer's Guild strike continues.

Drew completed a massive flip-flop Sunday morning when she announced, "I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over. I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today."

The turnaround comes exactly one week after she first said she would start shooting new episodes -- and since then she's faced a wave of backlash and criticism that nearly brought her to tears in a video apology for coming back, but oddly said was still going to return to production.

Perhaps not coincidentally, her change of heart -- to pull the plug on a comeback -- comes hours after Rosie O'Donnell ripped into her.

As we reported, Rosie O’Donnell excoriated Drew on Saturday, posting simple instructions on how she can save face with the union and the public. She wrote, “Stop taping the show. Stop asking audiences to cross the picket line, Then ask someone to help you craft three declarative sentences. They should follow along these lines: I made an error. I apologize to the WGA for disrespecting the work of professional writers. I apologize to all union members who are withstanding real hardship as I live a life of luxury.”

Well, Drew didn't say that word-for-word, but, in essence, it is what she ended up saying.

BTW, the video apology has been deleted, and Drew now seems resolute in not coming back until the strike ends. She says, "We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon."

It will be interesting to see if other shows or hosts bow to pressure to honor the strike -- "Real Time With Bill Maher," "The Talk" and Jennifer Hudson's talk show are also returning without their striking writers.

Drake's new single with SZA is all the rage among his fans, but one person isn't happy about it -- and that would be Halle Berry ... whose image he used to promote the song.

The actress took to IG with a somewhat cryptic post about being the bigger person in certain situations -- this shortly after Drizzy released his new track, "Slime You Out," which just dropped Friday. In the comments of that same post, though, Halle bashes him head-on.

Somebody asked what she thought of Drake using the photo of her from the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards -- where she famously got slimed while sitting in her seat. There's a close-up shot of Halle with all the green ooze on her, and Drake is using that on social media as a cover image. On the official audio upload, there's alternative art.

Anyway, HB isn't pleased. She responded, writing, "didn't get my permission. That's not cool I thought better of him!" She adds in response to another fan, "hence my post today. When people you admire disappoint you you have to be the bigger person and move on!"

There are other comments she made in response to people on her post, including one where she says it's about the principle of the matter -- which might allude to the fact she likely doesn't even own the rights to the picture in question.

And, of course ... there's also the graphic nature of the song itself, which alludes to sex acts -- and which some have taken offense to on behalf of Halle. She, too, questions this ... writing to one fan who commented on what slime refers to, "exactly! What does that mean?"

It's unclear if Drake got this picture of Halle cleared or not, but it's interesting that she's calling him out on it. He was recently caught up in yet another cover art scandal -- with Vogue, no less -- and that one reportedly cost him a bit of cash after they sued.

Former lovers Drake and SZA are giving fans a taste of what's to come from the album "For All The Dogs" ... with the release of their "Slime You Out" duet, a modern-day battle of the sexes!!!

Drake fired off the new song on Friday ... which opens with him scolding women for lacking direction in their lives before belting out all the high notes about being in a low place with his lover.

SZA gets passed the baton midway through the track and holds her own for the women before Drake closes the track with sing-songy rap.

The two megastars have a bit of a testy past ... their dating history was made public after Drake leaked the info on his 2020 "Mr. Right Now" collab with 21 Savage, jeopardizing their potential working relationship ... but it's water under the bridge now!!!

Drake went with a snap of Halle Berry getting slimed at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards for the cover art, which he touched on in his bars ... "I'm slimin' you for them kid choices you made."

Danelo Cavalcante, the convicted murderer who escaped prison only to be captured after a two-week manhunt, is under constant watch behind bars to make sure he doesn't get out again.

Folks with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections tell TMZ ... Danelo is being held in a specialized observation unit at SCI Phoenix for security reasons.

We're told Danelo gets all his meals served in his cell ... and he can only leave for medical services, or to see counselors. In other words, the prison is taking extra steps to make sure Danelo does not escape again.

As we reported ... Danelo kept himself alive and under the radar during his two weeks on the lam by eating watermelon, drinking water from creeks and concealing his poop to avoid detection.

Danelo was ultimately captured by Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) and SWAT teams in the same rural town where he broke into a home and stole a rifle after getting shot at by the person living there ... with a K-9 playing a key role in finding him.

The grub being served in prison sounds a lot better than fruit and creek water ... the menu at SCI Phoenix this week includes eggs and hot cakes for breakfast, sweet and sour chicken for lunch, and salisbury steak for dinner.

*NSYNC fans are finally getting a taste of the group's brand new song that has all 5 guys joining forces in the studio to lay down a track for the new 'Trolls' flick.

The group's song is called "Better Place," and it's teased near the end of the latest trailer for "Trolls Band Together." It dropped Wednesday night, giving folks a glimpse of what's likely to become a new hit ... especially because they last recorded a song in 2002.

The movie, led by Justin Timberlake's character, is all about getting his former boy band back together, so *NSYNC obviously was a perfect choice. Their 1997 song, "I Want You Back," can also be heard in the new trailer.

Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick, all hinted at their song earlier in the day -- lip-syncing to a "Friends" scene about a big secret they can't spill.

Remember, TMZ confirmed rumors the group was jumping back in the studio to record a track for the new movie ... but we were told they don't have any plans to come out with a whole album or go on tour.

You'll recall, *NSYNC whipped fans into a frenzy Tuesday night at the MTV VMAs, where they appeared onstage to present the Best Pop Video award -- which went to Taylor Swift, who was fangirling to the max over the gang's reunion.

Folks wanting to hear the full track will have to wait until September 29, but portions of it are popping up on TikTok ... that's gonna have to satisfy the die-hards, for now!!!

Do you think *NSYNC should release a new album? Let us know by voting in our game below.

6:12 AM PT -- 9/14 -- La WGA emitió un comunicado desaprobando que el programa de Bill Maher regrese durante la huelga diciendo: "La decisión de Bill Maher de volver al aire mientras su gremio está en huelga es decepcionante. Si sigue adelante con su plan, tiene que respetar algo más que 'el espíritu de la huelga'. Bill Maher está obligado como miembro del WGA a seguir las normas de la huelga y no realizar ningún servicio de redacción."

El WGA ha anunciado que estarán protestando poru programa.

El programa de entrevistas de Bill Maher volverá a HBO, pues dice que no puede seguir esperando a que la huelga termine y porque quiere que otros vuelvan a ganarse el sueldo.

El presentador de "Real Time with Bill Maher" anunció el regreso de su programa el miércoles en un post en redes sociales. No dice cuándo se emitirá el programa, pero dice que tendrá un aspecto diferente sin los escritores.

Bill, que también es guionista, dice que simpatiza con los "importantes problemas" de los guionistas en huelga y espera que se resuelvan a su favor, pero que luego de cinco meses de paralizaciones es hora de que los demás vuelvan al trabajo.

Según explica, los escritores "no son los únicos que tienen problemas y preocupaciones. A pesar de cierta ayuda por mi parte, gran parte del personal tiene grandes dificultades".

Últimamente, Bill se ha pronunciado abiertamente sobre la huelga, e incluso ha pedido al gobernador de California, Gavin Newsom, que intervenga y ayude a poner fin al estancamiento.

Bill esperaba que la huelga terminara después del Día del Trabajo, pero esa fecha ya pasó y sigue sintiendo como si nada avanzara.

Y añade: "Quiero a mis guionistas, soy uno de ellos, pero no estoy dispuesto a perder un año entero y ver sufrir tanto a tanta gente por debajo de la línea".

Bill dice que honrará el "espíritu de la huelga" suprimiendo el monólogo escrito, el artículo de fondo, el editorial o su popular segmento New Rules, todos los cuales se apoyaban en los guionistas en temporadas pasadas.

La estrella de HBO también tiene un mensaje para el público: "El programa que haré sin mis guionistas no será tan bueno como nuestro programa normal, y punto. Pero el corazón del programa es la mesa de conversación, que pretende dejar de lado las tonterías y el partidismo predecible, y eso continuará".

Será interesante ver cómo reaccionan los gremios de guionistas ante el plan de Bill. Al menos un gremio tachó a Drew Barrymore de traidora por recuperar su programa de entrevistas en medio de la huelga.

La serie vuelve a HBO el 22 de septiembre.

Bill Maher's talk show is coming back to HBO ... he says he can't keep waiting around for the writers' strike to end and wants to get other folks back to earning a paycheck.

The "Real Time with Bill Maher" host announced his program's return Wednesday in a social media post ...  he doesn't say when the show will air but says it will have a different look without writers.

Bill, a writer himself, says he sympathizes with striking writers' "important issues ... and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction" ... but he says after 5 months on strike it's time to bring others back to work.

As he explains ... writers "are not the only people with issues, problems, and concerns. Despite some assistance from me, much of the staff is struggling mightily."

Bill's been outspoken about the strike recently, even calling for California Governor Gavin Newsom to step in and help end the stalemate.

Bill says he was hoping the strike would end after Labor Day, but that's since passed and he feels "there still seems to be nothing happening."

He adds ... "I love my writers, I am one of them, but I'm not prepared to lose an entire year and see so many below-the-line people suffer so much."

Bill says he will honor the "spirit of the strike" by doing away with a written monologue, desk piece, editorial or his popular New Rules segment ... all of which leaned on writers in past seasons.

The HBO star has a message for the audience too ... "The show I will be doing without my writers will not be as good as our normal show, full stop. But the heart of the show is an off-the-cuff panel discussion that aims to cut through the bulls*** and predictable partisanship, and that will continue."

It will be interesting to see how writers' guilds react to Bill's plan ... at least one guild effectively labeled Drew Barrymore a scab for bringing her talk show back amid the strike.

The show returns to HBO September 22.

The K-9 that subdued escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante -- to end a 2-week long manhunt  -- had a massive area to search, but one law enforcement expert says the pup is the perfect officer for the job.

Michael Gould used to train K-9's for NY police departments, and he joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" to explain the training thsese 4-legged officers go through to locate an escapee -- and he says Cavalcante's capture played out almost perfectly.

Michael says dogs go through a lot of training to learn to pick up on a human scent, and he tells us why Cavalcante waiting out in the woods for an extended period made it possible for the pup to sniff him out.

We also talked with Michael about the potential of a dog subduing a suspect like Cavalcante, and turning to deadly force if its trainer isn't nearby.

While he thinks it's natural for people to resist while being chomped on, a simple voice command from the trainer could call off a dog.

As we reported, Cavalcante, who is a convicted murderer, was arrested Wednesday morning by SWAT teams and a Border Patrol Tactical Unit in Pennsylvania after 14 days of hunting. The K-9 left a minor bite wound on his scalp while he tried to break free.

*NSYNC fans are already itching for a worldwide tour or new album from the group after their reunion at the VMAs ... but it just ain't gonna happen, TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... despite the group's iconic reunion Tuesday night, they have no plans to tour, do a residency, album, or any other pop-up reunions.

After the VMAs, we're told bandmates Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick -- along with their management team and close friends -- all went to dinner at Ambra in NYC ... which was a group close to 50 people.

Our sources say they all had some amazing conversations and laughs during the dinner, which had a menu with the band's name on it. We're told everyone was glad to be back under the same roof all these years later.

BTW, we've confirmed the rumors the group is featured on a song for the upcoming movie, "Trolls Band Together" ... which focuses on Justin Timberlake's character reuniting with his 4 brothers who were all part of a boy band in the past -- pretty meta.

So there might not be an album, but at least a new song is coming soon!

Tuesday night's appearance was the first time they've all been at the VMAs together since 2013. As we reported, a source connected to the group told us they wouldn't be performing but would only be presenting an award ... which ended up going to Taylor Swift.

Pennsylvania escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante has been captured ... this, after a massive, crazy two-week manhunt that put the entire state in fear.

Cavalcante, a convicted murderer, was arrested Wednesday without incident by Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) and SWAT teams in the same rural town where he broke into a home and stole a rifle after getting shot at by the resident.

His condition after 14 days on the lam was not known, but video appeared to show him conscious and alert while in custody.

At one point, a large group of the officers involved in his capture all gathered around Danelo to pose for a pic with the captured fugitive.

The footage also captured officers in military gear handcuffing Cavalcante and leading him into the back of a black armored truck. The truck then took off down the street with its red lights flashing.

The good news comes after a fugitive task force had been looking under every rock in Pennsylvania for Cavalcante. While there were a number of sightings, Cavalcante managed to elude capture ... until today.

Cavalcante made his getaway August 31 when he scaled a wall in the recreational yard at Chester County Prison. He climbed over razor wire, ran across a roof and jumped to the ground below, fleeing the area.

The real fun at the MTV VMAs started when the show was over ... as celebs like Cardi B, Taylor Swift, and many more hit up after-parties to keep the big night going.

It was poppin' at several post-VMA bashes Tuesday night -- a couple big ones in NYC, while the main ceremony went down in New Jersey.

Looks like the stars were divided in the Big Apple -- folks like Taylor, Selena Gomez, Cara Delevingne, Diddy and Ice Spice hit up the MTV party at The Ned NoMad Hotel, while other big names like Lil Nas X, Tiffany Haddish, and French Montana went to Cardi B's party at Somewhere Nowhere.

Of course, Cardi and Offset showed up together to their shindig -- the couple walked inside hand in hand looking like the king and queen of the prom.

Both spots were swarming with celebs ... other artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Saweetie, GloRilla, and Swae Lee were spotted having a blast, too.

The artists had plenty to celebrate after some big VMA wins -- Ice Spice took home the award for Best New Artist, the show's emcee, Nicki Minaj, won Best Hip-Hop for "Super Freaky Girl," Stray Kids secured a W for Best K-Pop, and SZA got a Moonperson statuette for Best R&B.

Taylor Swift certainly came out of the event victorious ... collecting 9 wins overall, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Show of the Summer.

In other words, a great year for Swifties.

With all of the big stars -- Taylor, Nicki, Selena and more -- do you think the MTV VMAs have gained credibility again? Vote below.

The man who escaped prison in Pennsylvania -- and who's currently on the run -- ain't no Robin Hood of the people, and he'll likely be caught soon ... so says a former U.S. Marshal.

We talked to Art Roderick Tuesday on "TMZ Live" and asked the veteran law enforcement official -- who's worked on cases like this one before -- if Danelo Cavalcante is primed to elude the authorities for good, considering he's gone uncaptured for almost 2 weeks.

Roderick tells us he does believe this fugitive will be brought to justice eventually, however ... he does acknowledge it's starting to look a little murky considering their ever-changing perimeters based on where this guy is spotted and where he might realistically be heading.

With that said ... Roderick is confident Cavalcante is going to be apprehended, and that it's just a matter of time.

Of course, the latest development is a concerning one -- Cavalcante snagged a rifle from someone's home in a small PA town. So, now, he's armed and dangerous ... which certainly ups the ante.

Roderick acknowledges the severity of the situation, but says he's confident this guy probably isn't out to hurt anyone -- in all likelihood, he's probably trying to flee the country.

On the question of whether locals might embrace his bandit-esque story -- in the vein of American antiheroes like D.B. Cooper -- Roderick halts that notion in its tracks, saying people in that area know damn well this isn't a good guy, and will not embrace him.

Hollywood's heavy hitters descended on New York City for the men's tennis final between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev at the US Open Sunday ... but there were two locking lips.

The slew of A-listers -- Leonardo DiCaprio, Kylie Jenner, Timothée Chalamet and Nicole Kidman among them -- crammed into their box seats to watch Djokovic beat Medvedev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 on center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens.

Speaking of whom, Kylie and Timothée couldn't keep their hands off each other -- or their lips apart -- as they were photographed kissing throughout the match.

The lovebirds made their romance official at Beyoncé's concert in Los Angeles last week. TMZ obtained video of Kylie and Timothée smooching all night with their arms wrapped around each other.

Coupled with the US Open, their relationship appears to be going full steam ahead.

Other bold-faced names included Nicole's hubby, Keith Urban, Matthew McConaughey, Jake Paul, Eva Longoria, Jon Hamm, Jerry Seinfeld and Martha Stewart -- but Kylie and her new beau, Timothée, grabbed most of the spotlight.

Enjoy, kiddos!!

Do you think Kylie and Timothée are the real deal? Vote below.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have felt all the blowback to their apparent support of Danny Masterson as he was getting sentenced to prison ... and they're clearing the air.

The celebrity couple -- who both starred with Danny on 'That '70s Show' -- have been getting crucified online after it came out they each wrote letters to the judge in DM's sentencing hearing ... in which they said he was of good character, and deserved mercy.

Of course, a lot of people didn't take too kindly to that ... and it seems Ashton and Mila are fully aware of that, 'cause they just posted an apology video explaining their intentions.

Check out how they break this down for yourself -- MK and AK say their letters weren't meant to discredit the verdict reached against Danny, nor was it intended to push back against what his two accusers in this case had alleged against him ... namely, rape.

They say all they were trying to do was lay out who they personally knew Danny as, and what their experiences were like with him -- this after being asked by his family to do so.

Mila and Ashton say they advocate on behalf of victims of sexual abuse, and apologize to anyone who was hurt by their actions. This last point is interesting, Ashton specifically was getting called a hypocrite -- on account of his work combatting human trafficking.

His testimony to Congress a few years ago -- where he passionately laid out his mission to protect victims of abuse -- has been making the rounds anew ... and drawing side-eyes.

It'll be interesting to see how the public takes this mea culpa. Fact is, a lot of the dynamics of the show back then are under a microscope right now in the wake of Masterson's imprisonment -- including a look back at how Topher Grace was portrayed at the time.

BTW, it's worth noting ... Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp -- who played Red and Kitty Forman, respectively -- also wrote letters to the judge on behalf of Danny ... but haven't received nearly as much backlash as Ashton and Mila did over the past 24 hours.

The other prominent cast members -- including Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama -- have remained silent.

Topher Grace was once labeled an outsider on the set of 'That '70s Show' -- but after Danny Masterson's imprisonment this week ... many are saying he was right to steer clear.

There have been a lot of reactions in the wake of DM getting sentenced to 30 years behind bars Thursday -- this after he was convicted of raping 2 women back in the early 2000s ... and one of those is a re-examination of Topher's rep as a cast member on their sitcom.

This was well-documented at the time -- especially on E!'s True Hollywood Story ... essentially, it was known that Topher simply wasn't all that close to the boys in the cast. While Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama and Danny would hit the town together once cameras stopped rolling ... TG kept to himself, and would just go home after work.

The way he was portrayed back then was ... not that great. Topher was often painted as a snob and it sounds like people thought he felt he was too good for Danny and co.

Now, though, after his one-time costar is being sent to the slammer ... Twitter/X is making Topher trend all over again -- pointing out he was, perhaps, wise to keep his distance.

A lot of people also seem to find it funny that him being a mere introvert -- and maintaining a work-life balance -- was met with raised eyebrows by folks on the production ... as if that was abnormal. In 2023, it appears more people can relate to his 9-5 attitude than back then.

Of course, the Topher analysis is also being held in stark contrast to what Ashton and his wife/costar, Mila Kunis, did in this whole saga ... namely, going to bat for Danny in court.

You'll recall -- it was revealed they wrote separate letters to the judge ahead of Danny's sentencing hearing, explaining why he was such a great guy ... and asking for leniency. Take a look online, and you'll see they're getting crapped on big time for sticking by him.

Now, while Topher has yet to publicly comment on the Masterson scandal -- it appears his feelings are being telegraphed elsewhere ... specifically, from his wife Ashley Hinshaw.

She took to IG and wrote, "To every rape victim that is [re-traumatized] by witnessing society debate and focus their attention on what is going to happen to the RAPIST...I see you." Seeing how they're in the same household, it's safe to say Topher might feel the same.

Things sure do come full circle, don't they?