TV

"The Sopranos" prequel movie's on the way, and fans are stoked James Gandolfini's son will play a young Tony ... but perhaps none more than the show's very own "Big Pussy."

We got actor Vincent Pastore, who played Salvatore Bonpensiero on the series, leaving Papa John's Deli in the Bronx ... and he's over the moon about 19-year-old Michael Gandolfini landing the role his dad made famous in the upcoming film, "The Many Saints of Newark."

Vincent tells us the casting choice is beautiful, and his old pal Jimmy is looking down from heaven and smiling. He points out this isn't a case of Hollywood nepotism ... "little Michael" won the role after an extensive interview process.

Pussy says the timing of the news is perfect too, with 'Sopranos' recently celebrating its 20th anniversary. He's still close with his former castmates and tells us they just got together for a reunion ... and he's clearly happy to add Michael to the family.

As for who might play "Little Pussy" in the prequel, Pastore has a couple ideas. They might not be up for the challenge, though.

Andy Cohen's baby shower was wild ... with the help of a few Real Housewives.

Kyle Richards threw the shindig Saturday night in Bev Hills at The Palm restaurant. John Mayer mugged with the dad to be, and a huge number of Housewives were partying hard, including Teresa Giudice, Vicki Gunvalson, NeNe Leakes, LeeAnne Locken, Karen Huger, Stephanie Hollman, Teddi Mellencamp, Jennifer Aydin, Denise Richards, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Candiace Dillard, Sonja Morgan, Phaedra Parks and Danielle Staub.

It looks like Andy and John were the only guys present.

The theme for the evening ... 'A Star is Born.'

The group dined on Chinese Chicken and lobster cobb salad, salmon with mango salsa, filet mignon, asparagus, fried potatoes, spinach, grilled polenta cakes and key lime pie, creme brulee and chocolate chip cookies.

Retired Navy SEAL Kristin Beck is ready to fire up her acting career ... and she's calling on Hollywood producers to start considering more LGBT actors for LGBT roles.

Kristen, a transgender woman and former SEAL Team Six soldier, says she just signed with acting agency Nine9 ... and she's ready to get to work.

Kristin already has a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart from her military service, but she's ready for a new challenge ... and she is throwing her name in the ring for any projects casting a female Navy SEAL.

You might recognize Kristin as the subject of the documentary, 'Lady Valor' ... or from her bashing of President Trump's ban on transgender soldiers in the military.

Kristin says she knows tons of transgender actors ... and she thinks Hollywood should do a better job of at least giving them a chance to land LGBT roles.

Andy Cohen's path to daddyhood wouldn't be complete without a party with the 'Real Housewives' ... and his famous gal pals didn't disappoint.

The 'Watch What Happens Live' host is close to becoming a first-time father and celebrated with several fellow Bravo stars at his baby shower Saturday at The Palms Restaurant in Beverly Hills ... hosted by the 'Housewives.'

We got several of them arriving in style, including Teresa Giudice, Vicki Gunvalson, NeNe Leakes, LeeAnne Locken, Karen Huger, Stephanie Hollman, Teddi Mellencamp, Jennifer Aydin, Denise Richards, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Candiace Dillard, Sonja Morgan, Phaedra Parks and Danielle Staub.

Ramona Singer, Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna and Erika Jayne were also on hand, and all in all ... 'RHONY,' 'RHOBH,' 'RHOC,' 'RHOP,' 'RHOA,' 'RHOD,' 'RHOM' and 'RHONJ' were represented.

Chilli from TLC says R. Kelly has been dead to her for decades ... because she knew he was trouble way back in the '90s when he put a ring on a teenager.

We got Chilli Friday in Atlanta where she told us she's been muting R. Kelly ever since he married Aaliyah in 1994 -- when he was 27 and she was only 15. Chilli says that was the first red flag, and from then on she's considered him a "monster."

While Chilli has always refused to work with Kelly, there ARE some people she's dying to get in the studio with ... Weezer! Turns out she loves the band's new album of covers.

As you know, Weezer covered TLC's smash hit, "No Scrubs" ... and Chilli is totally feeling their version. As she puts it, the guys in the band ain't no scrubs for covering the legendary jam.

"Black Mirror" actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw told cops she's being stalked by a woman in Los Angeles ... and the case took a super dark turn when police found a tracking device under her car.

According to a search warrant obtained by TMZ, the alleged stalker placed a GPS tracker on Gugu's vehicle and has been tailing her around the city for over 2 months.

The details of the case are shocking ... in the docs, investigators say the alleged stalker keeps popping up wherever Gugu goes -- hotels, restaurants, spin classes and even her home.

Even more startling ... the warrant states Gugu's alleged stalker lives on her street.

According to the warrant, Gugu told cops the stalker has been calling her and her boyfriend and then hanging up ... this, in addition to snapping photos of Gugu.

In the docs, Gugu says she's been living in constant fear because she thinks the alleged stalker could show up to her place and become violent.

Danielle Bregoli is the face of a new augmented reality billboard promoting her Snapchat series ... and the interactive ad features Danielle talking all kinds of smack ... on you!

The first of its kind, "Bhad Bhillboard" is a sight to behold -- in the heart of L.A.'s Sunset Strip -- and hear, thanks to the AR technology that brings Danielle to life on your phone.

Here's how it works ... Snapchatters scan the Snapcode at the bottom of the billboard, which unlocks a prompt, the advertisement comes to life and Bhad Bhabie starts running her mouth!

Sources familiar with the production tell us there are more than 15 videos of BB calling out passersby, oncoming traffic, dog walkers and more ... and as you can see in the teaser, Danielle's trash talk is in fine form!

Danielle's Snapchat series "Bringing Up Bhabie" premieres Feb. 4 ... and we're told the 12-episode show gives an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the 15-year-old's rise to stardom.

As for the billboard ... it's great entertainment for anyone walking the Strip, and L.A. traffic should give drivers plenty of time to check it out.

The author of "13 Reasons Why" claims he was expelled from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators over false allegations of sexual harassment ... this according to a new lawsuit.

In the suit, obtained by TMZ, book author Jay Asher claims he was kicked out of SCBWI after 7 anonymous women alleged he was using his status to prey upon other female members of the organization and intimidated them into silence, an allegation he says was completely false.

In the docs, Jay claims he was expelled from the society after the allegations of sexual harassment came out, and says the organization never adequately investigated the allegations against him. In the docs, Jay says he believes his accusers were resentful of his success.

Jay is going after SCBWI for damages, and says he thinks the false allegations could hurt his ability to make money as an author of young adult novels.

Kanye West says he plans to run for President in the 2024 election, and it seems like he's got at least one big supporter who can't wait for his White House bid ... Khloe Kardashian!!!

Khloe and big sis Kourtney Kardashian were filming scenes for "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" Thursday afternoon at Topanga Canyon Mall ... and Khloe showed off a new baseball cap pushing Yeezy for Prez.

Forget Kanye's beloved MAGA hat ... looks like Khloe is jumping in on the political hat game with her "Kanye For President" lid.

As you know ... Kanye is super close with President Trump, and Ye started the new year by teasing his 2024 presidential run.

This is the medical marijuana ad CBS rejected for the Super Bowl, and it's incredibly moving and emotional.

The ad, produced by Acreage Holdings, a marijuana and cannabis investment firm, was willing to pay $5 million for the spot, but CBS turned it down ... because, we're told, they don't allow any marijuana ads on the air.

The ad profiles 3 people -- a boy who had hundreds of seizures a day that were not abated by traditional medicine, a man addicted to opioids, and a veteran who was in severe pain after his leg was amputated. All say medical marijuana made life livable.

Bob Barker has had another health scare at his L.A. home that required another ambulance and paramedics to treat the legendary game show host.

Sources connected to Bob tell us the former 'Price is Right' host slipped and fell at his Hollywood Hills home earlier this month. Someone called 911 and paramedics rushed over, but they didn't take him to the ER.

Our sources tell us Bob was given the all-clear, and that he's currently receiving in-home care for injuries from a prior fall. We're told he's regaining his strength from his 2017 fall, during which he also slipped and seriously hurt himself.

He was transported twice in 2 months toward the tail end of 2018 -- once in October and again in November ... both of which had to do with his back flaring up.

And remember ... Bob suffered a nasty fall in 2015 as well, where he tripped over a sidewalk and split his head open.

During his recovery, we're told Bob isn't taking any new jobs -- including multiple offers for interviews -- and is instead enjoying retirement and focusing on his animal foundation.

Get well and PLEASE take care, Bob. For all our sake.

1:35 PM PT -- The store owners tell us Chris sent them a check on Monday for the full amount he owed them. And yes, this time they made sure the check cleared before informing prosecutors.

Chris Hansen is off the hook for allegedly bouncing checks -- which got him arrested in Connecticut -- because prosecutors dropped the charges ... TMZ has learned.

The former host of "To Catch a Predator" came up with the nearly $13,000 he owed to a mom-and-pop shop in Stamford, CT ... according to the court. As a result, prosecutors decided to drop the whole matter.

As we've reported ... Hansen was arrested and booked for larceny after allegedly bouncing 2 checks to the store owners.

Hansen’s attorney, Philip Russell, tells TMZ … Chris was in court Wednesday for a hearing, but he didn't have to plead to any charges after paying his debt in full.

As for when Hansen settled the tab, we'd assume he paid up after his arrest -- but when we posed that question to the court clerk we got a "no comment."

Skylar Gaertner wanted to be one of the kids solving mysteries in Hawkins, Indiana, but he ended up being the son of a drug dealer in the Lake of the Ozarks ... and he's glad!

We got the "Ozark" star at LAX Tuesday. He plays Jonah Byrde on the show, but tells us that wouldn't be the case if he had not been rejected for another crazy popular Netflix's original series.

Skylar says he actually auditioned for 2 roles on "Stranger Things" -- back when it was called "Montauk" -- but didn't get them.

Silver lining -- he's on another mega-popular show now ... which is also entering its third season.

Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner were just a couple of future sisters-in-law about town this week ... and apparently, Tuesdays are just for the girls.

PC and ST hit up Craig's in WeHo together, where they were swarmed by paps, all of whom were eager to snap a shot and fire off a question.

Gotta say, we haven't seen a reaction like this to a celeb pairing out in Hollywood in quite a while. It just goes to show how much star power these two have racked up since their engagements and wedding(s) thus far to Nick and Joe Jonas over the past year or so.

Speaking of nuptials ... Joe and Sophie are reportedly set to wed sometime this year, as 'Save the Date' boxes have already been sent out to potential guests. Nick and Priyanka already got that part done -- they did it to death, in fact, with 3 ceremonies.

The MAGA hat-wearing high schooler who drew the ire of many for standing and smirking at Vietnam-era vet Nathan Phillips during a protest says he meant no disrespect ... but it doesn't seem like he's planning on saying sorry either.

Nick Sandmann is speaking in public for the first time since the incident went down in D.C. Friday, telling 'Today' show co-host Savannah Guthrie he feels he had every right to do what he did.

Sandmann also tells Guthrie, who asks him if he sees any fault in his actions, he respects Phillips and hopes he can talk to him ... and wishes he could have avoided the situation.

As you know, Sandmann and his classmates from Covington Catholic HS in Kentucky were seen on video surrounding Phillips -- a Native American participating in the Indigenous People's March -- laughing and chanting at him while he was singing and drumming.

Sandmann particularly stood out as he stood face-to-face with Phillips, steadfast with a smirk.

Many believe the vid shows the students harassing Phillips, but others came to the defense of Sandmann and the students later, claiming a longer video shows Phillips was the instigator of the confrontation. Sandmann backed this in a full written statement, claiming Phillips singled him out and he simply stood his ground.