TV

Ashton Kutcher torched one of his doodles, but not because he's a frustrated artist going back to the drawing board ... quite the opposite, and it's all for charity.

Of course, "The Ranch" and "That '70s Show" star is known for being a techie, and he's now involved in a new crypto-technology that creates digital collectibles that can't be forged or destroyed ... a platform called Cryptograph.

Ashton demonstrates the concept by setting his original hand-drawn work of art ablaze, but noting he took the only digital photo of it and added it to the Cryptograph ... thus immortalizing his doodle forever.

So now, much like an original Picasso or Van Gogh on display at a fancy art museum, an original Kutcher's up for grabs on the blockchain platform ... and the proceeds are going to a good cause.

The money for Ashton's doodle will benefit Global Wildlife Conservation and Oxygen Seven, which aims to reforest the planet.

The actor's doodle auction begins Tuesday morning at 10 AM PT and lasts for 3 days ... so get it while it's hot.

"Riverdale" star Lili Reinhart is barely old enough to buy a beer ... but already she's living like a Spanish queen -- just take a look at the 23-year-old's new crib.

Lili -- best known for playing Betty Cooper on the hit CW show -- just dropped a cool $2,715,000 for a 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom house in the San Fernando Valley. The 4,170-square-foot house is a true, Spanish-inspired estate that offers picturesque views.

For starters, there are 10-foot doors that greet guests for one hell of an entrance. In the mood for a little R&R? Grab a bottle from the private, temperature-controlled, 1,300-plus bottle wine room and kick back in either a spa-quality clawfoot tub or in the sprawling grassy area where you can jump in the pool or spa.

Although the house is a bit of a throwback with its Spanish charm, it was remodled in 2017. BTW, buying a house has been on Lili's mind for a while. Earlier this year, we saw her out scoping houses ... and no doubt this house oozing in Spanish authenticity was more than enough to get her to drop a fortune.

Steve-O's up to his old tricks, and though his latest stunt isn't his gnarliest ... it's pretty damn funny.

The 'Jackass' star attached himself to a Hollywood billboard Thursday morning with the help of a bunch of black tape, in what he believed was a super safe publicity stunt rigged by professionals.

As you can see ... Steve-O was covered from his chest to his knees in the duct tape, leaving his arms free to take a selfie for social media -- after all, the whole point of this was to promote his new special.

We got him while he was plastered up there, and he told us he was wearing a diaper underneath. He also confessed he wasn't sure his stunt was legal ... but said he rented the billboard, and just wanted to make people laugh.

The prankster claimed there was zero chance he'd fall while pumping up his upcoming special ... it's called "Gnarly," btw, and we have no doubt the title fits.

Steve-O hoped to not use up any city resources getting him down, but despite his wishes ... the L.A. Fire Dept. showed up rather quickly to get him down safely.

The case of Carole Baskin's disappeared husband, Don Lewis, is going the route of 'Don't F**k with Cats' -- with an online group claiming it's dug up a massive, and crappy, clue about where his body might be.

Jack Smith -- the spokesman now repping Don's family -- tells us he and a group of internet sleuths joined forces earlier this year after the premiere of 'Tiger King' and formed a Facebook group to search for the truth about Don's still-unsolved disappearance in 1997.

Welp, we're told the group believes it discovered a new lead, tied to an existing theory about Don -- namely, that he was allegedly buried on his and Carole's animal sanctuary property under a septic tank system.

According to Jack ... the research team has obtained the actual receipts and permit paperwork for the septic tank's installation. Carole has publicly acknowledged two septic tanks -- one that she claims was installed well before Don's disappearance, and another installed well afterward.

BUT, if you believe what Jack and co. claim these receipts show ... a septic tank system was, in fact, worked on and installed right around the time of Don's disappearance ... 23 years ago this month.

They claim the receipts show a permit to install the septic tank was pulled on August 4, 1997, and that work on such a system was completed by or before the 15th later that same month, with a mound of dirt delivered to Carole's address the day prior.

So, what does that all mean??? According to Don's family and this crack Facebook team of investigators, it points to the possibility that Carole wasn't truthful with her timeline ... and that Don may very well be under the ground, like Joe Exotic himself suggested in the docuseries.

We're told the group will turn this finding and others they claim to have over to the cops, in hopes of cracking the case wide open again.

We've reached out to Carole about the group's new findings ... so far, no word back.

Nick Cannon is NOT planning to file a $1.5 BILLION lawsuit against ViacomCBS for the rights to his show "Wild 'N Out" ... he says those reports are fake news!!!

Nick's reps are clearing the air after reports surfaced this week the comedian was going to sue the media conglomerate over the rights to his hit improv comedy series.

As you know, Viacom severed all ties with him due to anti-Semitic comments on his podcast, "Cannon's Class"

Nick's team tells TMZ the reports of a forthcoming lawsuit are inaccurate. His reps say Nick is focusing on bringing people together and fighting bigotry, racism and hate. They claim a huge payday is the last thing on his mind.

Viacom is MTV's parent company, home to Nick's 'Wild n' Out' gig, and some folks figured Cannon would take legal action to assume control of his creation ... but he says it ain't happening.

First Deion Sanders ... then Charles Barkley?

Maybe!

Barstool Sports prez Dave Portnoy says Sir Chuck is the next big star he's hoping to sign, after inking Prime Time earlier this week.

"Charles Barely is like the best to ever do it," Portnoy told us in NYC ... "He's a guy, who one of the few, he just slings it on TNT and does a great job."

"That's a guy that comes up on top of my list that I would wanna get."

As we previously reported, Deion Sanders ended his 14-year run at NFL Network to join Dave's gang -- he'll be doing podcasts and video projects.

Portnoy says the move is sending a strong message to the rest of the sports media world.

"I think what it says to the rest to the world is ya know, you really can't f**k with us! We're on our way up!"

"I mean to put it bluntly. We can compete with anybody for talent and we're kind of a force to be reckoned with."

We also asked if bringing on Deion could help Barstool repair the relationship with NFL commish Roger Goodell.

And, to put it mildly, don't hold your breath.

Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter have tied up another loose end following their divorce ... but didn't make the dough they'd hoped to on the deal.

The ex-couple finally closed on the sale of their New Jersey mansion -- which they called home for years -- after putting it on the market in August 2019.

Though it was originally listed for nearly $2 million, it sold for $1.475 mil ... quite a significant price cut.

Jamie Silverman, who exclusively repped Wendy and her ex-husband in the sale, tells TMZ ... the reason for the price reduction was the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jamie says the buyers are a young family who are very excited about the property -- calling it the home of their dreams -- and are also fans of Wendy's ... so they were stoked when she dropped by to pay them a visit and wish them well.

Along with a sweet deal, the family's getting an awesome place to live ... the pad's 5,700 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, including a master suite with huge walk-in closets, plus a marble bath, jacuzzi and steam shower.

Donald Trump was not happy with Bill Maher's show last Friday night, and we're guessing it's because Maher delivered a blistering fake eulogy of 45.

Trump tweeted, "Watched @billmaher last week for the first time in a long time. He's totally SHOT, looks terrible, exhausted, gaunt and weak. If there was ever a good reason for no shutdown, check out this jerk. He never had much going for him, but whatever he did have is missing in action."

Well, check out why Trump's so upset. The eulogy was as brilliant as it was biting.

FACT ... Maher and co. have figured out how to do COVID shows better than anyone else in show biz. The show is shot from his backyard, but they've figured out a way to keep it super lively with hysterical, fake audience reactions, great transitions and super interesting convos.

Australia actor Jason Gann gained fame in OZ for his joint-loving leg-humping canine character, Wilfred ... but shot to stardom internationally in 2011 after the show, "Wilfred," was remade stateside on FX.

Jason Gann starred alongside a cool cast of actors on the American version of the show including Fiona Gubelmann as the dog owner and hot blonde next door, Jenna ... and of course, Elijah Wood as the pet-friendly lawyer, who crushes on Jenna and has some hilarious hallucinations with Wilfred, Ryan Newman.

Gann wasn't just an actor on the shepherd show ... Jason was also credited with writing and producing the dark comedy.

Viola Davis is coming full circle for her birthday by buying the house (and property) where she was born -- a place that was formerly inhabited by slaves.

The actress celebrated her 55th Tuesday by posting a photo of what she calls her birthplace -- an old rundown house on what's been said to be a former plantation in South Carolina. She said she not only snapped up the home, but the land surrounding it as well.

Viola captioned her pic with a moving tribute, writing ... "The above is the house where I was born August 11, 1965. It is the birthplace of my story. Today on my 55th year of life....I own it....all of it." She's previously described the property -- saying it's about 160 acres all in all.

Viola followed up with a Cherokee birth blessing, "May you live long enough to know why you were born." In light of all the success she's found, it seems she's done that too.

A bit more history on the former plantation ... Viola described it in an interview back in 2016, and said her grandmother used to live there, and that her house -- presumably the one depicted here -- was a one-room shack, without a bathroom, running water or much else.

Despite sparse conditions ... she recalls her mother telling her that on the day she was born, a bunch of relatives packed in here to honor the occasion, and enjoyed themselves. Viola says she didn't live there long, but came back to visit over the years as she grew up.

Amazing visual of just how far Viola's come from her humble beginnings.

Raymond G. Allen, Sr., a character actor who played Uncle Woody in "Sanford and Son," has died.

Allen's family tells TMZ, he was in a long-term facility in California when he was found unresponsive early Monday morning. EMT's tried reviving him, to no avail.

The family says Allen died as a result of respiratory issues, but not COVID-related.

Allen was a working character actor, who also played Ned the Wino on "Good Times."

"Good Times" was a huge hit in the '70s, and Allen's character was hilarious. In "Sanford and Son" he played Aunt Esther's husband who never turned down a drink.

Allen also had roles in "Starsky and Hutch," playing a mechanic -- Merle the Earl.

And, there were many guest appearances, including "The Jeffersons," "What's Happening!!" and "The Love Boat,"

Allen had been sick for a while ... he was in a health care facility since 2016 ... where he had bouts with pneumonia.

Raymond Allen is survived by 2 children.

He was 91.

Another "American Idol" alum is going to fill Simon Cowell's shoes while he recovers from his broken back -- Kelly Clarkson's stepping into the spotlight for "America's Got Talent."

Kelly herself made the announcement Monday with a mock 'AGT' memo sent to "All Staff." It reads, "My friend, Simon Cowell, is doing better now but was in an accident and won’t be able to make Tuesday and Wednesday’s live shows for AGT, but no worries America, someone far wiser, cooler, and hotter is taking his seat!"

It continues, "The unbelievably amazing Kelly Clarkson 😜 You’re welcome in advance!" Kelly will tape Tuesday and Wednesday's live shows alongside Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum. Sounds like it'll just be 2 days until Simon's able to return to his judge's chair.

As we reported ... the record label exec broke his back this past weekend while riding an e-bike out in Malibu. He underwent a 6-hour surgery and is now recuperating. It's unclear if he'll miss any more live shows -- but if he does, his seat will be in good hands if they have KC fill in again.

Lili Reinhart says there should be more LGBTQ+ representation on TV and in media because it teaches kids to know it's fine to be who you are, and Lili knows from where she speaks.

The "Riverdale" actress was leaving a restaurant Sunday night in L.A. when our camera guy congratulated her on recently coming out as bisexual. We ask if she has any advice for others who might still be in the closet -- and her wisdom is simple but effective.

ICYMI ... Lili announced she was bi back in June before attending a BLM protest in West Hollywood, where LGBTQ+ allies were also marching. Of her decision to finally come out, she said she'd never felt more solidarity or more welcomed -- and simply thought it was time.

Speaking of that, Lili also talks about the fact more gay and bi characters are being introduced to mainstream networks and streaming services, especially on Disney. There's a new show they're rolling out called "Owl House," which features an openly bi character ... and Lili's all for it.

Nick Cannon says America needs another Black man in the White House ... that's why he's team Kanye 2020.

Nick was at LAX Friday when the photog asked him what he thought of Ye's run. Answer: "I love it!"

Now, the photog took it a step further and asked if he'll still be with Kanye when he casts his ballot, and Nick gave the semi-emphatic "Yes." We say semi because there's clearly a slight smirk.

On another subject ... Nick was asked about his recent troubles over some anti-Semitic comments. Nick has been earnest in attempting to educate himself ... even meeting with rabbis.

When it comes to love, Kamal "Chance" Givens is living up to his name ... 'cause he's returning to TV for a dating show, and this time ... he's the star.

Chance -- best known for pursuing Tiffany "New York" Pollard on VH1's "I Love New York" -- is back in the game with his own dating competition reality series dubbed "One Mo' Chance."

And, get this ... Ray J and Princess Love -- despite their break-up -- are executive producers.

The new show premieres this fall on the video-on-demand network, Zeus ... and it gives Chance another opportunity at love and to share how his life has changed since finishing as the runner-up on "I Love New York."

We're told the show is still filming "bubble style" where contestants have been tested and quarantined together.

He'll touch on a bunch of subjects ... from the relationship he has with the mother of his kids to his brother Ahmad "Real" Givens' death from colon cancer in 2015.

You might recall Chance and Real had their own reality dating show, "Real Chance of Love" -- which ran for 2 seasons in 2008 and 2009.