'The Baby-Sitter's Club' Reboot It Pays To Watch Babies ... Try $15k Per Episode!!!

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These babysitters are making some serious loot ... 3 of the stars of "The Baby-Sitters Club" reboot are getting huge paydays!!!

14-year-old actresses Shay Rudolph, Sophie Grace and Xochitl Gomez are making quite the bundle to look after babies and hang out with their BFFs on Netflix's new adaption of Ann M. Martin’s coming-of-age novels.

According to the girls' minors contracts -- obtained by TMZ -- Shay, Sophie and Xochitl are each raking in a cool $15,000 per episode for the first season.

Shay, who plays Stacey McGill, and Sophie, who plays Kristy Thomas, are getting paid for 9 episodes in the 10-episode season ... so they're each earning a pretty hefty $135,000 overall. Pretty good babysitting gig.

Xochitl, who plays Dawn Shaefer, is getting paid for 7 episodes ... so she's taking home $105,000. Still, not bad.

If the reboot gets picked up for more seasons, the teen stars are in line for even bigger paychecks. The trio would each earn $16,500 per episode in the 2nd season, $18,150 per episode in the 3rd, $19,965 per episode in the 4th and $21,961.50 per episode if it goes all the way to a 5th season.

This is the babysitting club you want to be in!!!

'Supermarket Sweep' Ex-Host David Ruprecht ... Up for New Gig on Reboot

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David Ruprecht wants in on the new "Supermarket Sweep" fun, but with a different J-O-B -- the former host says he's is in the running to be the announcer.

David, who hosted 'Sweep' from 1990 to 1995 and again from 2000 to 2003, tells TMZ ... he auditioned with honchos at ABC for an announcing position and says he's still on the short list for the role.

If ya hadn't heard, the new host is former 'SNL' star Leslie Jones -- but David says he'd love to carry on the classic game show's legacy by putting on a new hat for the reboot. He even gave us his announcing pitch.

It sounds like he's in game shape ... ready to share play-by-play of shoppers running around grocery stores throwing hams and turkeys into their carts.

While David hosted the show for almost 10 years, he doubts his wealth of experience will help Leslie. While she hasn't reached out to him for hosting tips, he knows she doesn't need it because she's already a pro.

David still wants to connect with Leslie before the reboot though ... and tells us about her unique connection to the show.

Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries' Hot New Tips Flooding In ... Alonzo Brooks Case Could Crack 1st

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Netflix's revival of "Unsolved Mysteries" might need to change its name to "Case Closed" -- because the team's getting inundated with new leads that may very well crack some of these cases.

The show's original creator, Terry Dunn Meurer, is once again heading up the rebooted series ... and she tells TMZ that skyrocketing popularity and renewed interest has yielded some actual tips she and her team believe could lead to more clues -- or, in some cases, arrests.

Terry says 'Unsolved' has received upwards of 1,500 tips over their 6 new episodes up on the streaming service -- and of those ... she tells us about 50 were flagged as possibly legit and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

And, get this ... she says the one that is most likely to get buttoned up first is the case of Alonzo Brooks ... who disappeared from a Kansas party in the early 2000s.

If you're unfamiliar ... 22-year-old Alonzo and a group of friends went to a party in rural Kansas, where he ended up being the only black guy there among what's described as a bunch of rednecks and cowboy types ... with one of whom he almost fought.

His pals eventually dispersed -- and Alonzo never made it home. A month later, his body was found in a creek. He'd been murdered.

The killing was considered a hate crime, but investigators could never link it to anyone -- the case went unsolved for years. Terry, however, says that could change soon -- as her crew has forwarded names to the FBI ... which recently reopened his case.

Here's another thing -- one uber-popular installment in the new 'Unsolved' series chronicles the supposed suicide of Rey Rivera ... whom many fans speculate might have planned and carried out his own death after the '90s flick, "The Game," and its famous rooftop jump scene.

Rey mentioned the movie in a goodbye letter, which is why sleuths have been running wild with the theory. Terry says neither she nor Rey's wife, Allison, believe there's any truth to that. They maintain he was murdered and it was made to seem like he killed himself.

'Big Brother' Season 22 Busting Out the All-Stars This Summer ... Filming Despite Coronavirus

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"Big Brother" is coming back this summer with an All-Star cast for Season 22 ... coronavirus pandemic be damned.

Every year, "Big Brother" shoots during the summer, but due to COVID-19, there was lots of speculation 'BB' would be another casualty of the virus ... but we've learned the reality show is still ON.

Production sources tell TMZ ... "Big Brother" was in the middle of casting for its next season when the coronavirus outbreak hit. We're told casting was completely shut down in May, leaving execs to change the format to an All-Star edition instead.

Our sources say an All-Star cast made the most sense, because those contestants are already familiar with the show and have already been vetted by network execs ... plus it would have been difficult to cast fresh faces for a new season in the middle of a pandemic, a process we're told would have dragged on for weeks.

The coronavirus isn't preventing another season, but it is delaying things a bit ... we're told contestants were supposed to head to Los Angeles at the beginning of July to begin testing and quarantines, but the timetable is being pushed back to the end of the month.

Our sources say, contestants, who are flying in from across the country, will be tested for the virus and then quarantined for 2 weeks before being cleared to enter the "Big Brother" house.

Should be smooth sailing once contestants are in the house ... it's been a bubble-like atmosphere long before COVID-19.

'Shark Week' Did You Know ... Sharks Have 2 Penises?!?

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Shark Week JULY 2020
SHARK ENVY

Here's a fun fact Mike Myers will love ... male sharks have 2 PENISES ... count 'em, TWO!!!

Yes, it's a true scientific fact male sharks are blessed with two members ... and the reasons behind the double dongs are gonna be explored by Discovery Channel when "Shark Week" returns next month.

To get us ready for "Shark Week" and the two-penis episode, Discovery's coming in hot with this hilarious ad ... and ya gotta check it out, because it's straight outta Mike's playbook.

If you've ever seen "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," the shark penis jokes should ring a bell ... and they're still funny, even 21 years later.

Quick science lesson ... male sharks have 2 penises, which are really just 2 grooved organs used to deposit sperm in the genital ducts of a sexually receptive female shark.

The organs are developed alongside the inner part of the shark's pelvic fin, and because there are 2 pelvic fins, there are 2 penises. Oh, and they only use one at a time.

Shark Week runs from Sunday, August 9-16 with more than 20 hours of shark programming through the week. The event will take viewers to oceans around the world to learn about the awesome creatures.

And, if the penis teaser is any hint, Discovery's right ... there's still A LOT you don't know.

Wayne Brady Little Richard Tribute a Family Affair ... Shout Out to My Ex-Wife!!!

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Wayne Brady says he knew he had to nail his Little Richard impersonation for the BET Awards tribute -- and he's giving props to his ex-wife and her BF for helping him pull it off.

Wayne joined us Monday on "TMZ Live" to talk about one of the highlights of Sunday night's show ... which was a virtual/at-home event for the first time. He said it was a blessing to honor the late rock 'n' roll legend, who he absolutely loved.

WB recalled the first time he actually got to meet Little Richard and work with him -- and it's obvious how much admiration they had for each other.

That's why Wayne knew the pressure was on to bring that live performance energy -- worthy of Little Richard -- even though it was pre-recorded ... and he revealed how he did that.

Talk about a progressive production -- Wayne told us how his ex-wife, her boyfriend, his daughter and a few others all came together to record the tribute in a COVID-safe environment.

Wayne says the final product just goes to show the pandemic can't stop him from doing what he loves to do.

He also told us why being a part of this year's award show was extra special to him. As he put it, BET and CBS made a huge statement about black culture's place in America.

'Family Guy' White Actor Who Voiced Cleveland Steps Down

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Mike Henry, the white actor who has voiced Cleveland on "Family Guy" for 20 years is stepping down from the role ... saying the black character should be voiced by a person of color.

Henry made the announcement Friday, saying, "It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role."

Henry has been with "Family Guy" since 1999. Henry voiced Cleveland and his son, Rallo, on the spin-off "The Cleveland Show" for four seasons from 2009-2013.

Henry isn't the first white actor to step down from voicing a character of color. Earlier this week, Jenny Slate announced she would no longer play Missy, a biracial character, on the Netflix show, "Big Mouth." Kristen Bell, who was to play a biracial character in the upcoming series, "Central Park," said she was stepping down as well.

Jimmy Kimmel I'm Sorry for Karl Malone Impression And Other 'Embarrassing' Blackface Sketches

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Jimmy Kimmel's issued a delayed apology for his infamous Karl Malone impression -- along with others -- in which he used blackface and insensitive racial language ... calling them "embarrassing" and "thoughtless moments."

The late-night talk show host has come under fire recently for his past sketches -- specifically, one in which he wore blackface and a bald cap to portray the former NBA star.

Kimmel says ... "I have long been reluctant to address this, as I knew doing so would be celebrated as a victory by those who equate apologies with weakness and cheer for leaders who use prejudice to divide us. That delay was a mistake."

He's now apologizing to those he hurt or offended by "the makeup I wore or the words I spoke."

Kimmel goes on to explain he began doing his Malone impression for LA's KROQ radio in the mid-90s, and it continued on TV on "The Man Show." He says ... "I never considered that this might be seen as anything other than an imitation of a fellow human being," and that he's done impressions of several celebs, including Snoop Dogg and Oprah.

He says ... "In each case, I thought of them as impersonations of celebrities and nothing more. Looking back, many of these sketches are embarrassing, and it is frustrating that these thoughtless moments have become a weapon used by some to diminish my criticisms of social and other injustices."

Kimmel says he believes he's evolved and matured over the past 20-plus years and he's going to continue speaking out, adding ... "I won’t be bullied into silence by those who feign outrage to advance their oppressive and genuinely racist agendas."

He concludes by saying his current summer vacation has been planned for more than a year and is not related to his current racism controversy.

As we reported ... Kimmel's backlash comes shortly after another late-night host, Jimmy Fallon, faced his own backlash for a blackface sketch he did in 2000, in which he played Chris Rock.

Eric Garner Widow Breaks Down After Mock Murder Trial

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Eric Garner
A CRY FOR JUSTICE

Eric Garner's widow dissolved into tears after testifying in the mock murder trial of the cops who killed her husband ... and the powerful moment is part of a new TV special.

As you know, no one was put on trial for the death of Eric Garner, so REELZ network got a courtroom, a judge, lawyers and witnesses. And, on Saturday, viewers can see what a trial might have looked like.

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THE CROSS-EXAMINATION

It's especially relevant now, given what could be a number of criminal trials over the next few months. Four cops will stand trial for the death of George Floyd, 2 cops will stand trial for the death of Rayshard Brooks, and there may be a belated trial in the horrific death of Breonna Taylor.

Garner's widow, Esaw Garner Snipes, who testified in the trial, sobs as she recounts how her husband died after being put in a police chokehold, and the pain and sorrow is worsened by the fact their daughter died right before the mock trial.

Eric Garner 2014
"I CAN'T BREATHE"
New York Daily News via Getty Images

There are shocking similarities between the Garner case and the George Floyd case ... and the latter will go to trial, so the dry run is, at the very least, interesting.  By the way, there is no verdict ... it's up to the viewers to decide.

Minneapolis Police 5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE

"American Trial: The Eric Garner Story" will air on REELZ Saturday at 8 PM ET.

Bow Wow Social Unrest In ATL Will Be Addressed ... On My Reality Show

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Bow Wow
IT'S ABOUT PERSPECTIVE

Bow Wow says he's going to use his platform to show people what's unfolding on the streets of Atlanta ... he says civil unrest will be a big part of his reality show.

The rapper and television producer joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live" and said his show, "Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta," will spend a great deal of air time discussing everything that's been going on in the ATL -- riots, protests, COVID-19 and the Rayshard Brooks killing.

Bow Wow says the beauty of reality TV is being able to tackle topics in the here and now, and he says it's only right to train cameras and attention on what's unfolding in a city rocked by social unrest.

One example, Bow Wow tells us, is a trip around town with Angela Simmons, where they come across storefronts boarded up to protect against looters.

Rayshard Brooks
NEW SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE

Bow Wow says the show will also point out where some high-profile incidents went down in Atlanta ... and it sounds like he's talking about the Rayshard shooting in a Wendy's parking lot at the hands of police, and maybe even where 6 other Atlanta cops tased black students in their car during a protest.

The coronavirus pandemic has also changed the way Bow Wow produces the show, but he tells us why the tide may be turning, and how being in Atlanta makes it a little easier to keep the cameras rolling.

DeMario Jackson Matt James Can't Win This Love Game No Matter Who He Picks!!!

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DeMario Jackson -- who crossed interracial dating lines in 'Bachelor' nation -- says the franchise's first black leading man is gonna get blasted for his final rose pick ... there's just no way around it.

Matt James has a tough road ahead of him, including chock-full of scrutiny about the women with whom he connects on the show ... according to DeMario. His take is if Matt chooses anyone but a dark-skinned black girl, he'll draw unwarranted outrage from blacks and whites.

DeMario uses his own experience on Rachel Lindsay's historic season of 'Bachelorette' as well as 'BiP' -- where he hooked up with Corinne Olympios -- to back up his argument.

Be it racist white dudes in his DMs telling him to stay away from "their" women, or black people encouraging him to exclusively date his own race -- DeMario says everyone will have something to say to Matt throughout his season.

In his opinion, America ain't ready to see the first black 'Bachelor' pick a white woman ... IF it plays out that way.

DeMario's already banking on a scenario like that. Fortunately, he's got some advice for MJ on tuning out all the chatter, regardless of who he falls in love with on the show.

Again, IF he does at all.

SpongeBob SquarePants Stands with LGBTQ Community

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SpongeBob SquarePants' sexuality has entered the chat -- and lo and behold, the Bikini Bottom dweller might be, as many suspected for years, gay.

Nickelodeon tweeted Saturday in support of Pride month, and attached photos of three of their canon characters as a clear indicator that they're all part of the LGBTQ+ community ... but without actually saying it outright.

The tweet heard round the Krusty Krab said, "Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month 🌈.⁣"

All of the characters -- Sponge, Schwoz Schwartz from 'Henry Danger,' and Korra from the 'Avatar' spin-off show 'Legend of Korra' -- are featured in a rainbow color background.

What's interesting is ... fans have known for a while Korra was gay/bisexual -- as it was revealed in the show itself. As for Schwoz, the actor who plays him -- Michael D. Cohen -- is a transgender man in real life.

So, that leaves the Krusty Krab's fry cook. If the other 2 are clearly members of the community, it makes some people think the tweet is about more than declaring SpongeBob an ally ... instead, they think it's his coming out.

Of course, we gotta say folks had their suspicions for a long time. If you know, you know ... we won't break it down for boomers.

Funny enough, Nickelodeon AND the series creator Stephen Hillenburg came out firmly in the early 2000s and explicitly said SBSP was NOT gay ... but asexual. Change of heart?

Matt James Cruizin' with Cameron on Jupiter

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Matt James celebrated his new "Bachelor" status by hopping on a boat with buddy and fellow "Bachelor" Tyler Cameron and his female friend.

Matt was enjoying the R&R aboard Tyler's boat in sunny Jupiter, Florida.

As you know, "The Bachelor" has finally selected the show's next leading man -- the first African-American in that role in the 40 seasons.

Rachel Lindsay became the first black female lead on season 13 of "The Bachelorette" ... way back in 2017. It's clearly no coincidence ... Matt got tapped because of what's going on in the country and the world.

ABC said, "We know we have a responsibility to make sure the love stories we're seeing onscreen are representative of the world we live in, and we are proudly in service to our audience. This is just the beginning, and we will continue to take action with regard to diversity issues on this franchise. We feel privileged to have Matt as our first Black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him."

The 28-year-old works in real estate, and was a football player at Wake Forest University. He tried unsuccessfully to make it on a couple NFL teams.

Stassi Schroeder Entire Tour Nixed After Racism Claim, Firing

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UPDATE

2:23 PM PT -- Check that ... a source with direct knowledge of the situation tells TMZ ... Stassi's entire tour has been canceled.

UPDATE

2:09 PM PT -- 6/12 -- The fallout continues for Stassi as more dominos continue to fall in wake of her alleged racist behavior. She had scheduled events at The Chevalier Theatre in Boston, The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, The Pageant in St. Louis and Charleston Music Hall in South Carolina ... but they've all now been canceled.

Stassi Schroeder is feeling the fallout after losing her ''Vanderpump Rules'' gig due to alleged racist behavior -- 'cause now her revived speaking tour's hit a speed bump.

The reality TV star's "Straight Up with Stassi LIVE" roadshow -- which is based on her podcast and began in late 2019 -- was set to return at New Jersey's Basie Center in January ... but the venue just announced its cancellation.

Stassi's tour was already on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but on the heels of getting fired by Bravo, losing sponsors and streaming platforms dropping her podcast -- it's starting to look like the whole tour could be done ... according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

So far, though ... only the NJ stop's gotten the official ax.

As we reported ... Bravo fired the 'Vanderpump' OG, along with her fellow costar, Kristen Doute, over claims they were racist "Mean Girls," basically, toward former cast member Faith Stowers.

Faith, who's Black, says Stassi and Kristen lied to police, saying Faith fit the description of a woman who was drugging and robbing L.A. men in 2018. They both fessed up, and went on an apology tour.

Too little, too late ... they've lost their spots on 'VR,' and Stassi's on the verge of losing even more.

Originally Published -- 6/11 2:28 PM PT

'The Bachelor' Matt James is First Black Male Lead First 'Bachelorette' Calls it 'Knee-Jerk Reaction'

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UPDATE

11:11 AM PT -- Rachel Lindsay's reacting to the news with cautious optimism. The former 'Bachelorette' tells TMZ ... she's happy to see a black man was finally cast after 18 years and 40 seasons, calling it a step in the right direction. That being said, Lindsay tells us, "It would be remiss of me to not point out that based on the current climate it feels like a knee-jerk reaction and a result of societal pressure."

UPDATE
UPDATE

She goes on to say, "This announcement, without any further commitments regarding diversity, sweepingly brushes deeper issues under the rug. Until we see other action to address the systemic racism within the franchise, the casting news today is equivalent to the trend of posting a black box on your social media account without taking other steps to dismantle the systems of injustice."

"The Bachelor" finally has an African-American male calling the rose ceremony shots -- Matt James is the show's next leading man.

ABC made the announcement Friday morning, saying it's "privileged to have Matt" as the first black Bachelor. Saying it's been a longtime coming is an understatement ... it hadn't happened in 40 seasons of the franchise.

Rachel Lindsay was the first black female lead on season 13 of "The Bachelorette" ... way back in 2017. It's undeniable Matt finally got the nod due to the whole country becoming laser-focused on equality and increasing diversity.

In fact, ABC said, "We know we have a responsibility to make sure the love stories we're seeing onscreen are representative of the world we live in, and we are proudly in service to our audience. This is just the beginning, and we will continue to take action with regard to diversity issues on this franchise. We feel privileged to have Matt as our first Black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him."

The lack of a black 'Bachelor' has been a big issue for the show for years, and most recently an online petition calling the franchise's lack of diversity "unacceptable" got nearly 100k signatures. At least 'Bachelor' producers, like many companies and individuals, finally seem to be listening and learning.

As for Matt ... he's no stranger to 'Bachelor' Nation. You'll recall he was cast on Clare Crawley's season of "The Bachelorette" in season 16 though nobody really got to know him because production was shut down due to the pandemic.

Here's what ya need to know: The 28-year-old works in real estate, and was a football player at Wake Forest University. He tried to make it on a couple NFL teams, but no dice. Hey, at least he's the 'Bachelor' now.

BTW, Matt is also one of Tyler Cameron's best friends, and at one point even roommates who quarantined together.

Originally published -- 6:55 AM PT