By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:20am PDT, Aug 24, 2018
"The Big Bang Theory" to end at conclusion of Season 12 in May 2019
CBS announced on Aug. 22 that "The Big Bang Theory" will end at the conclusion of the upcoming 12th season in May 2019. According to Deadline, it will rank as the longest running multi-camera series in television history with a record-breaking 279 episodes. "We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of 'The Big Bang Theory' during the past 12 seasons. We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the show's success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring 'The Big Bang Theory' to an epic creative close," Warner Bros. Television, CBS and Chuck Lorre Productions said in a joint statement. Season 12 of the sitcom debuts on Sept. 24.
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Kaley Cuoco says her heart is "broken" over "The Big Bang Theory" cancellation reportedly prompted by Jim Parsons's desire to leave the show
Kaley Cuoco took to Instagram on Aug. 22 to share her reaction to the news that "The Big Bang Theory" is ending after the upcoming 12th season. "This ride has been a dream come true and as life changing as it gets. No matter when it was going to end, my heart would have always been broken in two. Drowning in tears, we promise to bring you the best season yet. To the fans, our crew, families, Chuck Lorre, Warner Brothers, CBS, and everyone who has supported us for so many years, thank you. We are goin out with a bang 💫 @bigbangtheory_cbs," she captioned a photo of herself and her co-stars during the 2016 People's Choice Awards. That same day, Entertainment Weekly reported that the sitcom is ending because Jim Parsons is ready to throw in the towel — in spite of the $50 million he stood to pocket if he stuck with the show for two more seasons.
RELATED: "The Big Bang Theory" cast then and now
"LazyTown" actor Stefán Karl Stefánsson dead at 43 after cancer battle
"LazyTown" actor Stefán Karl Stefánsson died at age 43 after an "aggressive" two-year battle with bile duct cancer. The father of four passed away in his native Iceland on Aug. 21. "Per Stefan's wishes, there will be no funeral. His earthly remains will be scattered in secrecy in a distant ocean," his wife, Steinunn, said in a statement to People magazine. "Stefan's family wants to express their gratitude for the support and warmth received in recent years, and to express their deepest sympathy to the many friends and fans of Stefan Karl." The singer-actor starred as villain Robbie Rotten on the Nick Jr. series from 2002 to 2014.
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Gordon Ramsay accused of faking drama by "Kitchen Nightmares" restaurant
On Aug. 22, the New Orleans restaurant Oceana Grill opened its second lawsuit against Gordon Ramsay and the producers of "Kitchen Nightmares" over their depiction of the seafood joint on the reality show. The trouble started on Aug. 11 when the official British Facebook account for the FOX series posted a video from the Season 4 episode on which the Oceana Grill appeared, along with the caption, "No wonder this restaurant is failing…" (The clip from the 2011 episode shows Ramsay vomiting after smelling shrimp that allegedly spoiled at the restaurant.) Oceana's lawyer called the since-deleted Facebook post — which received millions of views, 10,000 shares and 2,000 comments — "defamatory" and said that it has negatively affected business at the restaurant. "The comment … is so false," the lawyer told "TODAY" Food, adding that Oceana is "sustaining, thriving and actually expanding." He also claims that the original issues with the grill were "largely fabricated in the first place." The restaurant first sued "Kitchen Nightmares" in 2011 to block its episode from airing because the owners were not aware how they would be depicted and felt that things had been misrepresented through the editing process. Ultimately, the show settled, agreeing to only use footage from the episode — which can still air in its entirely — in the future if they pay up and include the latest information on Oceana's current conditions.
Bristol Palin tells mom Sarah Palin her "life is not perfect" in new trailer for "Teen Mom OG"
Bristol Palin made her "Teen Mom OG" debut on Aug. 20 when a trailer for the upcoming eighth season of the MTV series aired during the Video Music Awards. "I was a teen mom. … My life is not perfect at all," the mother of three tells her own mom, former politician Sarah Palin, who replies, "Amen." Bristol says later in the trailer, "I wanna do what's best for my kids." The reality show returns to MTV on Oct. 1.
Did you see this major glitch on "America's Got Talent" on Tuesday?
Several "America's Got Talent" crew members scored screen time on Aug. 21 due to a mechanical glitch during the live show. Following Makayla Phillips' opening performance, a huge stage divider failed to open and close correctly, leaving host Tyra Banks to explain the problem as stagehands hustled to finish making a set change behind her. "I've got to let everybody know at home that you're going to be seeing a lot of stuff, like our crew working behind us, during the show and that's because we have these really cool doors, but they're not working right now. They're broken," she said. The stage dividers double as giant video monitors that coordinate with various performers' acts. The monitors also malfunctioned throughout the live show.
Dana Delany replaces Mira Sorvino as female lead on upcoming CBS series "The Code"
Deadline reported on Aug. 22 that Dana Delany has taken over the role of Colonel Eisa Turnbull on the upcoming CBS series "The Code," a military legal drama centering around JAG attorneys. Mira Sorvino portrayed the character — the commanding officer of the Marine Corps' Judge Advocate Division — on the pilot. According to Deadline, "Eisa demands excellence of herself and her staff, inspiring fierce loyalty from the attorneys who serve under her command. One of the highest ranking female officers in the Corps, Eisa is also the mother of two sons who are serving overseas." The character was bumped from recurring to series regular when Delany joined the cast. Additionally, Luke Mitchell is taking over the role of Captain John "Abe" Abraham from Dave Annable, who starred on the pilot.
"Britain's Got Talent" finalist Simonne Kerr stabbed to death at age 31
"Britain's Got Talent" finalist Simonne Kerr — who performed as part of the B Positive Choir — was stabbed to death at her home in London on Aug. 15. The following day, police charged 40-year-old Desmond Slyva with murdering the 31-year-old singer. He appeared in court on Aug. 17 but reportedly did not enter a plea. According to Us Weekly, police are not investigating any additional suspects at this time. Kerr, a hematology and oncology nurse, joined B Positive — which is comprised of singers affected by sickle cell anemia — in 2015 after her 6-year-old son, Kavele, died from the disease. The group competed on the finale of Season 12 of "Britain's Got Talent" in June.
Netflix renews "GLOW" for third season
Netflix announced on Aug. 20 that "GLOW" has been renewed for a 10-episode third season. Alison Brie has starred on the '80s-set professional wrestling comedy since mid-2017.
