Category: Breaking News

Whoopi Goldberg is rolling out a much-needed apology … after making claims about the Holocaust that many found incredibly antisemitic.

Whoopi offered her “sincere apologies” Tuesday, telling Rolling Stone, “It was never my intention to appear as if I was doubling down on hurtful comments, especially after talking with and hearing people like rabbis and old and new friends weighing in.”

She says she’s still learning — but confirms, “I believe that the Holocaust was about race, and I am still as sorry now as I was then that I upset, hurt and angered people.”

As we reported, Whoopi faced severe backlash after recently telling The Times Jewish people themselves are divided on whether they’re actually a race or not, even quoting one Jewish friend as saying … “Not for nothing is there no box on the census for the Jewish race. So that leads me to believe that we’re probably not a race.”

Whoopi went on to double down on the notion that the Holocaust wasn’t about race, from her POV, by saying … “Remember who they were killing first. They were not killing racial; they were killing physical. They were killing people they considered to be mentally defective. And then they made this decision.”

It’s one thing to get a bad review … it’s another to be cast in the same light as Kanye West and Donald Trump, but that’s exactly what one reviewer did.

Politico writer Joanna Weiss posted a story called, “2022 Is the Year We All Finally Got Tired of the Narcissists,” and she had plenty of fodder to build out her story … in addition to the above names, she noted Sam Bankman-Fried and Elizabeth Holmes.

As for Meghan Markle, she says the Netflix doc “Harry & Meghan” backfired in a big way. It’s one of the most watched docs in a long time, but that doesn’t mean it was received the way it was meant.

Weiss writes, “My natural sympathy for the couple started turning to irritation, and it occurred to me that ego has its limits. And it struck me that the overreach that led to the Sussexes’ critically panned mega-series is the same impulse that turned Elon Musk into a terror on Twitter, that prompted Ye to up the ante of outrageous behavior until he crossed the line into blatant antisemitism, that sent Bankman-Fried from the top of the world to a Bahamian jail.”

She concedes Harry and Meghan’s conduct is more benign than the others, but says it’s still problematic.

The documentary is filled with grievances against the Royal Family, including Harry saying it was “terrifying” when his brother Prince William screamed at him after Harry dropped the bombshell that he and Meghan were leaving.

Nev Schulman grew up Jewish, but his wife has him all-in on Christmas … but Hanukkah also has a special place in his heart.

We got the “Catfish” host at LAX and he told our photog he celebrates both December holidays with his wife and kids … the Schulman household seems pretty fun.

Nev says he loves Christmas morning and all the stories and songs surrounding the holiday … not to mention the presents.

Hanukkah’s a little bit different … Nev explains why folks would be wise not to assume the Jewish holiday is just their version of Xmas.

For Nev, he says he likes the historical and religious significance of Hanukkah … it’s clear it means a lot to him.

Teresa Giudice didn’t open presents and won’t be watching the ball drop with her brother Joe Gorga and sister-in-law, Melissa … because the famous family members are still beefing.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Joe and Melissa did NOT spend Christmas and won’t do New Year’s with Teresa and her brood … because she and the Gorgas haven’t spoken since this past summer’s blowout fight.

As fans of the show remember … the bad blood started flowing on the ‘RHONJ’ reunion show, and then there was more drama ahead of Teresa’s August wedding to Luis Ruelas.

The simmering beef made things super awkward as recently as October, when Teresa and Melissa kept their distance at BravoCon … refusing to interact with one another despite being in the same room.

Instead of thawing the ice in honor of the holidays, we’re told the Gorgas are going on a vacation with friends and relatives, while Teresa and Luis will be spending time with her four daughters.

Our sources also say Teresa’s children will NOT be visiting their father Joe Giudice over in Italy.

“Blue’s Clues” star Steve Burns unlocked a memory buried deep inside when a cancer survivor visited him at a convention — turns out they’d met 2 decades earlier thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Brandon Ragland tells TMZ … he’s been in remission for more than 23 years and recently reconnected with Steve at Steel City Con in Pennsylvania, some 22 years after their first face-to-face under much different circumstances.

It’s pretty cool … Brandon says he walked up to Steve’s booth, shook the actor’s hand and pulled out a picture of the 2 of them from 2000 — back when Steve was a Make-A-Wish kid — and it all clicked for Steve, whose eyes lit up and said, “I remember this and you!”

Brandon says Steve told him a story about their first encounter at Serendipity 3 in NYC. Brandon was a 4-year-old meeting his fave TV star, and Steve recalls him being a wild child running around the restaurant.

During their reunion, Steve asked Brandon for a new pic together, and then they both started crying. You can understand why all the water works — Brandon had stage 4 cancer in his kidneys and lungs when they first met, and now he’s 25 with a family of his own.

Brandon says Steve then pulled him in for a hug and said, “This made my entire year and I’m so glad you’re here.”

Since then, they’ve stayed in touch on social media … and Steve’s made it clear how proud he is that Brandon’s now a healthy father and husband.

BTW, their OG Make-A-Wish experience back in the day included dinner with Steve, a Toys “R” Us shopping spree … and tickets to “Blue’s Clues Live” in NYC.

Darris Love, who played Ray Alvarado on Nickelodeon’s “The Secret Life of Alex Mack,” was arrested Christmas Eve … law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

LAPD sources tell us … police were called to the actor’s Los Angeles home just before noon for a domestic disturbance.

When cops arrived, Love’s girlfriend told cops she was going to the house to pick up some stuff and before leaving, she got into an argument with him. She claimed Love hit her in the back of her head. Our sources say she was not injured and there were no visible marks.

After cops spoke with both, the 42-year-old Love was arrested and booked for misdemeanor domestic violence.

Love played the best friend of Alex Mack on the show … he appeared in 77 episodes. He’s also been on “E.R.,” “Shameless,” “CSI,” “The Shield” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

After spending about 10 hours in custody, Love was released after posting $20,000 bond.

Kathy Hilton is shutting down all the naysayers who had something bad to say about Kim Kardashian‘s outfit at Kathy’s holiday party.

We got Kathy out in Bev Hills to get her thoughts on Kim’s holiday fit … after fans blasted her for missing the fashion memo.

Kathy makes it clear … there was no theme for the party, and guests could wear anything they wanted as long as they were comfortable. She says there was nothing wrong with Kim’s getup … calling the whole thing silly and ridiculous.

ICYMI, the SKIMS founder rocked a cropped concert T-shirt and black leather pants, while others at the party were in festive holiday red and green … as with many things, it didn’t sit right with some folks on social media.

One user wrote, “did kim not get the message that it was a… CHRISTMAS party???” Another flat-out called her outfit disrespectful.

President Biden was persistent in his pursuit of Jill Biden‘s hand in marriage — a story he told Drew Barrymore in a pretty long, dramatic fashion … with a great payoff at the end.

46 sat for an interview with the former child star, which aired this week … just ahead of Christmas. One of the things DB wanted to get the scoop on was Joe’s fabled repeated proposals to his now-wife — which apparently took 5 times of asking before she said, “yes.”

JB explains how difficult it was for him to start dating again in the wake of the tragic deaths of his first wife, Neilia, and their baby daughter, Naomi, following a car crash in ’72.

He says he was eventually set up on a blind date with Jill, adding that he fell in love with her instantly — knowing she was the next woman he wanted to marry. It took some convincing though, according to Joe … and he has his sons to thank for the “yes.”

The Prez says his boys, Beau and Hunter, both agreed that they could all marry Jill (as a family) and it sounds like Jill herself fell in love with Joe’s kids as well … which finally won her over. The final proposal sounds like a movie, BTW — at least how POTUS describes it.

Take a listen — he went from S. Africa to her doorstep in Philly … and kinda gave her a love-it-or-leave-it ultimatum that she caved to … somewhat underwhelmingly. “Okay.” 😅

Ex-NFL star Willie McGinest is sharing his deep regret for attacking a man at a restaurant earlier this month … saying the incident never should have happened.

“First and foremost, I want to offer my deepest apology for my lapse in judgment and behavior on December 9 at a restaurant in West Hollywood,” the New England Patriots legend said. “To my family, community, friends, and youth I mentor, please know I feel horrible for my actions and take full responsibility.”

51-year-old McGinest was involved in an altercation at Delilah … with video, obtained by TMZ Sports, showing he not only punched a man — but bashed him in the head with a bottle as well.

The former football player, who was inducted into the Pats Hall of Fame in 2015, turned himself in to cops on Monday over it all, and was booked for assault with a deadly weapon. He eventually posted bond … and was released.

McGinest — who also serves as an analyst for NFL Network — was later suspended from his TV gig following the incident.

“To my colleagues at the NFL Network and those I work closely with as an advisor to professional and community-base organizations, please know I am embarrassed and regret what occurred,” McGinest added.

“Most of all, I am disappointed in myself, as I know this is an isolated incident and is not reflective of my faith, role as a father, life’s body of work, or the role model I’ve worked hard to become. It is personally devastating that decades of community service, youth engagement, mentoring, and professional development would become an afterthought in a single moment that should have never happened.”

“This incident has prompted me to deep self-reflection — mind, soul, and spirit. I know that violence is never the answer to such situations, no matter how intense the provocation. Rest assured, I will take whatever steps necessary to restore the public trust, mend damaged relationships, and ensure this never happens again.”

Ellen DeGeneres is remembering her close friend, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, telling people to ‘love one another’ as she continues to mourn his loss.

Ellen gave the tear-jerking update Friday morning — calling the past 11 days since tWitch died painful and tough, noting how hard the holidays can be for people.

She tells her fans to continue to laugh and enjoy each other’s company as a way of honoring the late dancer … saying that’s exactly what he loved to do. It’s a clip that must hit home for tWitch’s millions of fans — Ellen ends by telling everyone to “send love to one another.”

As we reported, Ellen paid tribute to her close friend the day TMZ broke the story of his passing … writing, “I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”

More trouble for “That’s So Raven” star Orlando Brown … the actor’s been arrested for domestic violence in Ohio.

A spokesperson for the Lima Police Department tells us they got a call about a fight in progress Thursday … when they arrived, they came upon the former Disney star and arrested him for misdemeanor domestic violence.

It’s unclear who called 911, but cops say Brown’s conflict was with either a family member or another person living in the home. He’s apparently been in the Ohio town for over a month — with fans tweeting about seeing him around Lima.

Brown’s online booking record shows the charge as “domestic violence – cause belief of imminent physical harm by threat of force.”

As we’ve reported, OB’s had a lot of problems with the law over the last few years. You’ll recall he was busted in his underwear on an outstanding warrant back in 2018. He was also arrested previously for narcotics possession and alleged burglary.

The Kardashians put on their Santa hats for dozens of moms and their kids in need this holiday season — paying for them to get dolled up and showered with gifts just in time for Christmas.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Kris, Kim and Khloe planned a very special day for the moms and kids being cared for by Alexandria House — an L.A.-based nonprofit that provides safe, transitional housing for women/children moving on from emergency shelter.

As part of the seasonal treat, we’re told the mothers were pampered at the behest of the Kardashians … receiving makeovers from Glam Squad in the morning, and even getting free professional family portrait sessions from Larissa Block and Diana Henderson they could do with their own kiddos.

Not just that, but our sources tell us the Kardashians also arranged for the 2 shelter homes where the ladies and their kids stay to be decked out with Xmas lights from Christian Smith Lighting. They were all treated to a holiday dinner as well by the evening.

The Kardashians showed face, too, with in-person visits to the AH houses from Kim, Khloe and their daughters, North and True as well as Rob‘s daughter, Dream. We’re told they mingled with volunteer staff and others, then handed out presents to the residents.

We’re told the gifts were valued at over $5,000 per family — with Google Chrome laptops, Skims, Good American gift cards, Kylie Skin and cosmetics, Safely candles, Beats studio buds, Hasbro toys, pajamas from PJ Place, Squishmallows, gift cards for shoes from Vans and Stuart Weitzman, Lego sets and more.

This, our sources say, is on top of a 6-figure donation that was privately made by the Kardashians earlier this week.