TV

Homer Simpson will continue to strangle Bart on "The Simpsons" ... with the showrunner telling TMZ the "gag" was never really going to end.

Here's the deal ... the iconic cartoon just premiered its 36th season ... and besides confusing fans by calling the episode the series finale -- it wasn't -- the episode peppered in shock value when Homer strangled Bart ... a bit most assumed was purposely ended last year.

In an episode that aired last November ... a character noted Homer's firm handshake -- to which he responded ... "See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off." He then follows up and says ... "Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed."

Travis Kelce put his hosting skills on display in the latest look at the new "Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?" game show ... complete with a jig and a joke about staying out of the slammer -- but whether it's enough to keep the project from flopping is up for debate.

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar's first foray into the genre was revealed on Tuesday ... showing him explaining the rules of the fresh twist on the old Jeff Foxworthy-led show, interacting with contestants and pointing at the camera quite a few times.

Taylor Swift's boyfriend certainly doesn't lack energy ... using a few touchdown celebration-esque moves while on set -- and poking fun at his own smarts (or lack, thereof) in the trailer.

Jussie Smollett is talking Lee Daniels, Kristin Cavallari is single and Dikembe Mutombo is being remembered ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles break down Jussie's comments on "Empire" creator Lee.

American TV personality Justin Brescia AKA Justin Bobby was in his mid-20s when he first rose to fame as the biker bad-boy and Audrina Patridge's on-and-off love interest -- in the long-running MTV reality show "The Hills" back in 2007.

Justin Bobby contributed to the drama along with narrator and star Lauren Conrad as the fashion student who journeyed from Laguna Beach to Los Angeles, Heidi Montag as Lauren's bubbly bestie and party girl, Spencer Pratt as Heidi's "bad boy" boyfriend and Whitney Port as Lauren's intern buddy at Teen Vogue.

"Homeboy wore combat boots to the beach!"

Jason Sudeikis had to beg fans to back off during a recent outing ... telling autograph seekers he'd really gotten freaked out while leaving a club and just wanted to go home.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ ... there were about 15-20 fans seeking autographs outside the Dynasty Typewriter Comedy Club in L.A. to wait for Jason beginning around 6:30 PM. We're told he left the club around 9:30 PM.

When he got outside, he signed one or two autographs -- and, the rest of the fans sorta rushed him, asking him to sign for them too.

Maya Rudolph's bringing the "fun aunt" energy back to "Saturday Night Live" ... appearing in her Emmy-winning role as Vice President Kamala Harris -- and, she wasn't the only show alum jumping into the political satire arena.

The comedic actress pulled up in her best pantsuit for the Season 50 premiere of the legendary comedy variety show ... telling the audience their fun aunt was back in Studio 8H during Saturday's cold open.

During the bit, Rudolph's Kamala cracks jokes about Donald Trump, her viral face during the debate and even her husband, Doug Emhoff before introducing the audience to her running mate Tim Walz ... played by comedian, Jim Gaffigan.

Drake Hogestyn, a mainstay on the long-running soap, "Days of Our Lives" has died.

Hogestyn's family announced the sad news on the "Days of Our Lives" Instagram, saying, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.”

They continued ... “After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. He loved performing for the ‘Days’ audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew, and production team in the business. We love him and we will miss him all the Days of our Lives.”

Travis Kelce's acting career has taken off this past year, but it's NOT the direct result of his relationship with Taylor Swift ... so says "Friday Night Lights" actor Sinqua Walls, who tells TMZ Sports he's gettin' gigs because he's a natural talent -- but being a 3-time NFL Super Bowl champ doesn't hurt, either!!

The 39-year-old actor -- also known for his leading role in the "White Men Can't Jump" remake -- broke it down for us this week ... shortly after he drove by a billboard for "Grotesquerie," a new horror TV series featuring Kelce.

"I think that what we've seen over the last few years of Travis is that he has a natural, innate charisma and personality," Walls said.

Jussie Smollett's always cool with Lee Daniels ... saying he appreciates the director giving him his big break -- and, he'd rather keep their relationship private.

We caught up with the embattled actor in New York City Friday outside a movie theater on the same day "The Lost Holliday" -- a project JS directed -- received it's wide release ... and, we had to ask about Daniels' recent comments about him.

Jussie says he's got a lot of love for LD ... admitting he appreciates the opportunity Lee gave him -- his starring role on "Empire" -- and, he doesn't like to talk about their relationship publicly 'cause it's so special to him.

Attendees at Goldie Hawn's charity gala got front-row seats to a once-in-a-lifetime performance ... watching on as comedian Martin Short and Kate Hudson performed a duet.

MindUP -- Goldie's charity focused on supporting kids' mental health and preventing suicide -- held it's 20th-anniversary gala Saturday night called "Goldie's Love In" where Short and Hudson showed off their pipes for the audience.

After a few jokes about Kate's leggy ensemble, Martin starts up the band ... jumping around like a giddy schoolboy before belting out the opening notes of Frank Sinatra's "The Lady is a Tramp."

Diddy is facing a new lawsuit for sexual assault, Kim Richards is beefing with Kyle Richards over a psych hold, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback controversy brewing ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles break down the new lawsuit against Diddy, in which he's accused of impregnating a woman who says he sexually assaulted her multiple times.

Meanwhile, over on "TMZ on TV," our crew reacts to Kim being put on a psych hold and getting into a heated exchange with Kyle.

And on "TMZ Sports," Michael and Mojo think the Steelers need to formally name Justin Fields the starting QB following a 3-0 start without Russell Wilson.

Check your local listings for when TMZ is on in your area or catch up on past episodes!

Hayden Panettiere is making her big return to acting and she's here to stump you with some minor changes. Examine the two photos and see if you've got what it takes to track 'em down ... Nothing's a shoe-in with these sneaky switcharoos!

Making a stop by the "Drew Barrymore Show" earlier this week, the 35-year-old mama showed off a fresh new blond 'do while promoting her newest movie "Amber Alert". She dressed perfectly for a fall day in NYC, but some things just aren't buttoning up properly ...

Vivica A. Fox says her nephew Jussie Smollett has his career back on track ... claiming fans love the new movie they worked on together -- fully separating art from the artist.

We caught up with the actress at LAX on Friday ... and, we had to ask her about how audiences were receiving her new flick, "The Lost Holliday" -- and, whether opinions about Smollett have contributed to criticism of the movie.

VAF points out "The Lost Holliday" has played in theaters all over the world ... from London to New York to Los Angeles -- and, so far, she says it's only received positive reviews.

Maggie Smith -- a legendary actress who worked professionally for more than 70 years -- has died ... according to a statement from her family.

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a statement ... saying Smith passed away in the hospital peacefully early Friday morning. They did not give a cause of death.

Smith's family thanked the staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and support during their mother's final days ... and asked for privacy during this trying time.

A Fox News meteorologist got more involved in his subject than he originally planned ... dragging a woman from her car on a flooded Georgia street to safety -- and, the camera got it all on video.

Bob Van Dillen who is down in Georgia covering Hurricane Helene -- joined "Fox & Friends" Friday morning for a live report on the floods currently plaguing Atlanta.

During the appearance, the 'F&F' team played a clip from earlier this morning ... showing BVD wading through water up to his chest with a woman on his back and emerging on stable ground.

Kids may say the darndest things, but sometimes they display an impressive understanding of today's political arena ... as proven in a new video making the rounds online.

CNN sat down with a group of 10 and 11-year-old kids from across the country, where they weighed in on the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. There were certainly some divisive opinions shared, especially when the children were asked to share their first thoughts about Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Where one young girl from New Jersey described Trump as "pure evil," a boy from Texas felt Harris was a "liar" ... though, he still thought DT was more likely to do "bad things" given his status as a convicted felon.