Guest judge Jay Leno responds to Gabrielle Union's 'AGT' exit, Sharon Osbourne also weighs in - USA TODAY

Sara M Moniuszko USA TODAY

Published 7:53 AM EST Dec 3, 2019

More stars who have been involved in "America's Got Talent" are responding to Gabrielle Union's controversial exit from the show, including Jay Leno and Sharon Osbourne. 

"I love Gabrielle Union, she's a great girl. I really enjoyed working with her," Leno told a TMZ paparazzo, before adding "I don't know" if she was treated fairly on the NBC competition show. 

A report last week from Variety described a “toxic culture” on the set of "America's Got Talent" after news that Union and fellow judge Julianne Hough would not be returning to the reality competition for a second year.

Variety alleged racist jokes and "excessive notes" about physical appearance were pervasive before the two freshman judges' contracts were not renewed.

Leno, a Season 14 guest judge, was mentioned in the Variety report and was pressed by the paparazzo about a joke he reportedly made during a taping.

"I can't," Leno said when asked to comment on the specifics, adding sarcastically that "this is the place to discuss it on the street with traffic going by."

Union hasn't addressed the controversy directly, but in her first tweet since the controversy unfolded, she thanked fans for support.

"So many tears, so much gratitude," she tweeted Wednesday night. "THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone ... you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever." 

In a joint statement, NBC and production company Fremantle and Cowell's entertainment company, Syco, said the companies were working with Union's representatives to hear more about her concerns and determine the appropriate next steps. 

Meanwhile, former judge Sharon Osbourne also weighed in on the scandal during Monday's "The Talk," revealing she had her "own problems" with the show's network before her exit in 2012.  

"It's hard, because everybody's experience on a show is different, and I was at that show for six years. I didn't get let go. However, I left. And that's the truth. I left because of NBC, not because of the show," she said.

She continued, "I don't know about any of her concerns about the show. Obviously, there wasn't anybody of color on the panel when I was there, so I honestly can't say... But when I was there it was, you know, a great show to work on. The crew and everybody was amazing to me, everybody, except the network." 

In the wake of the news surrounding Hough and Union's exits, SAG-AFTRA is investigating the situation.

In a written statement sent to USA TODAY by Pamela Greenwalt, a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson, the organization said it takes issues of "workplace health and safety very seriously."

Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff

Heads up, 'America's Got Talent' fans: Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough will not return to show, reports say

More: Howard Stern blames Simon Cowell for Gabrielle Union's 'America's Got Talent' exit

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2019-12-03 12:54:02Z
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Prince Andrew denies sexual assault allegations again as an email emerges referencing Virginia Roberts Guiffre today - CBS News

London — Britain's royal family was reeling from yet another damning interview on Tuesday morning. This time it was an American woman who accuses the queen's son, Prince Andrew, of having sex with her when she was just 17 years old. Virginia Roberts Guiffre spoke out in the interview with the BBC about what she says the prince did to her, and what he may know about Jeffrey Epstein.

"I had just been abused by a, a member of a royal family," Roberts Guiffre said, fighting back tears.

As CBS News correspondent Imtiaz Tyab reports, the American woman described being forced to have sex with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, three times while she was still a teenager.

"It didn't last very long, the whole entire procedure. It was disgusting. Um, he wasn't mean or anything, but he got up and he said, 'thanks,' and walked out. And I sat there in bed just horrified and ashamed," she told the BBC.

Roberts Guiffre said she met Prince Andrew at properties owned by Epstein, the American financier and convicted sex offender who was found dead in his New York jail cell earlier this year. She said she was made to dance with the duke at a London nightclub.

Britain's Prince Andrew is seen in a file photo with Virginia Giuffre (center) and Ghislaine Maxwell. Rex Features

"It was horrible, and this guy was sweating all over me, his sweat was like it was raining," she said.

In a now notorious interview last month Prince Andrew denied ever meeting Roberts Guiffre — despite being photographed with her — and claimed that due to a "peculiar medical condition" he was physically unable to sweat "at the time."

He did admit to spending time at Epstein's homes, where he said he never witnessed any suspicious behavior or saw anything unusual about the young women in the properties.  

"I thought they were all staff," the prince claimed.

Now, five more American women have said Prince Andrew witnessed abuse at Epstein's home, and their lawyer has called for Andrew to testify. 

Meanwhile, an email has emerged this week, buried in thousands of U.S. legal documents, that was sent by the prince in January 2015 to his long-time friend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was a close associate of Epstein's. In it, the duke said: "Let me know when we can talk. Got some specific questions to ask you about Virginia Roberts."

More questions for Prince Andrew on Jeffrey Epstein relationship

Royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah told CBS News on Tuesday that with the allegations coming "thick and fast… the palace seems to be clearly not very aware of everything that's gone on — so at the moment it's just damage limitation as best they can."

Buckingham Palace issued a new statement on Tuesday morning, reiterating both Andrew's flat denial of any wrongdoing, and his willingness to speak with U.S. investigators, "if required."

"It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation," the palace said.

"The Duke deeply sympathises with those affected who want some form of closure. It is his hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. The Duke is willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required. The Duke has already stated that he did not see, witness or suspect any behavior of the sort that subsequently led to Jeffrey Epstein's arrest and conviction. He deplores the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behavior."

President Trump, in London on Tuesday for a NATO summit, was asked about the scandal engulfing the royal family.

"I don't know Prince Andrew but it's a tough story, it's a very tough story," he said.

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2019-12-03 12:37:00Z
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Wolfgang Van Halen Doesn't Care If Billie Eilish Never Heard Of Van Halen - BLABBERMOUTH.NET

According to The Pulse Of Radio, older rock fans have taken Billie Eilish for recently revealing that she doesn't know who VAN HALEN is. The 17-year-old alternative star admitted her lack of knowledge during a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel, where the host quizzed her on various musical acts. He asked, "Can you name a Van Halen?" Eilish responded, "Who?" Kimmel retorted, "I'm gonna start crying."

The clip caused an uproar on Twitter, despite the fact that Eilish was only 10 when the last VAN HALEN album came out in 2012.

VAN HALEN bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, who's only 28 years old, weighed in as well, tweeting: "If you haven't heard of @billieeilish, go check her out. She's cool. If you haven't heard of @VanHalen, go check them out. They're cool too. Music is supposed to bring us together, not divide us. Listen to what you want and don't shame others for not knowing what you like."

Eilish was 13 when VAN HALEN played its most recent concert, in October 2015, and the band seemingly has no plans to play any more in the near future. Rumors have also been rampant lately about guitarist Eddie Van Halen being in poor health.

Eilish, who was born in 2001 and is currently nominated for six Grammy Awards, has also never heard of Huey Lewis, RUN D.M.C. or Cabbage Patch Kids.

If you haven’t heard of @billieeilish, go check her out. She’s cool. If you haven’t heard of @VanHalen, go check them out. They’re cool too.

Music is supposed to bring us together, not divide us. Listen to what you want and don’t shame others for not knowing what you like.

— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) December 2, 2019

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2019-12-03 12:41:57Z
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What Meghan Markle Really Thinks About Prince Andrew's Scandal and His Disastrous Interview - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Meghan Markle is on hiatus from her royal duties until January 2020, but there’s no doubt that she’s been keeping up with the events in recent weeks regarding Prince Andrew. The disgraced royal has been in hot water for months over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and received some accusations of his own from several women who claim that he behaved inappropriately with them. In response, Prince Andrew gave an interview in mid-November that did little to quell any suspicions around him. Read on to learn why Prince Andrew is in trouble, what he said during his interview, and how Duchess Meghan reportedly feels about all of it.

Prince Andrew’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein is suspicious

Prince Andrew, the favored son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, first met Epstein more than two decades ago. Over the years, Epstein and Prince Andrew grew closer.

And, reportedly, Epstein was even invited to some family events, such as Princess Beatrice’s eighteenth birthday party. The royal was even photographed at Epstein’s New York City residence.

However, it has only been in recent years, when the extent of Epstein’s crimes against women were revealed, that people began to question the nature of the friendship between Prince Andrew and the sex offender. Following Epstein’s death by hanging in August 2019, several women came out to accuse Prince Andrew of improper behavior, including sexual relations with minors.

While Prince Andrew has denied the allegations and the royal family has stood by him firmly, everything began to shatter after Prince Andrew gave his public interview in November.

Prince Andrew’s interview received harsh criticism

Not many people expected that Prince Andrew would speak out in such a public manner, considering that the royal family normally tries to minimize interactions with the media. But, clearly, he thought that the move would help to clear his tarnished image.

However, it did just the opposite and the world’s media skewered Prince Andrew once the interview was aired. During the conversation, Prince Andrew revealed that he does not regret his friendship with Epstein but that it was the “wrong thing to do” to stay at Epstein’s home after his first conviction. 

Prince Andrew also once again vehemently denied that he had ever behaved improperly with those who are accusing him. After the interview was released, Prince Andrew’s family continued to stand by him, by the damage had been done.

Shortly after the interview, the royal released a statement announcing that he would be stepping away from his royal duties for the “foreseeable future.” While he has not formally been charged with any crimes, many are anticipating that it is only a matter of time and that his image is much too tarnished to be further associated with the royal family. 

What does Meghan Markle think about Prince Andrew?

Meghan Markle | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Recently, Page Six reported that Duchess Meghan has been closely following the Prince Andrew scandal and is thoroughly “horrified” by the whole business. While every family has its own dirty laundry, Markle has personally worked with charities to empower and encourage sexual abuse survivors and finds the scandal especially disturbing.

The report also claims that Markle was upset at the responses that Prince Andrew gave in his interview and that her team was equally disturbed. Still, Markle has not spoken out directly regarding the scandal and isn’t likely to.

The royal family likes to stick together, even in times of distress, and it wouldn’t be proper for her to make any of her personal feelings regarding the situation public.

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2019-12-03 12:05:48Z
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The first 'Black Widow' trailer is out and it's an action-packed family reunion - CNN

A trailer for "Black Widow," the long awaited feature film about the mysterious heroine of the Marvel movie universe, premiered Monday -- and it is about time.

Fans first learned over the summer at Comic-Con that Black Widow would finally get her own feature film after seven appearances in Marvel movies. Monday's trailer gave them a release date: May 2020.

What else did we learn? Black Widow, also known as Natasha Romanoff and played by Scarlett Johansson, has referred to the Avengers as her family throughout the franchise, which has included only quick flashbacks and allusions to her origins. But the trailer shows a gathering of family from her past complete with precisely choreographed combat and dry comedic jabs.

"One thing's for sure, it's gonna be a hell of a reunion," Johansson says in the trailer.

Joining the cast are Florence Pugh of "Midsommar" as Yelena Belova; Rachel Weisz of "The Favourite" as Melina Vostokoff; and David Harbour of "Stranger Things" as Red Guardian.

The movie is rumored to fall in the Avengers timetable shortly after "Captain America: Civil War."

Amid all the action, Johansson and Weisz have said the movie will dig into the characters of the three women.

"I think you'll learn about what Natasha is afraid of, and I think you'll learn about what parts of herself she's afraid of," Johansson told CNN. "You really see her in, like, a pretty broken-down place, and she kinda has to build herself back up."

"There's three really beautifully written complicated female narratives, which is very unusual in a superhero movie," Weisz said.

CNN's Scott Huver contributed to this report.

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2019-12-03 10:57:00Z
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Black Widow: Official Teaser Trailer (2020) Trailer HD - The Sun

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2019-12-03 09:00:18Z
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First Black Widow trailer finally puts Scarlett Johansson’s Marvel hero in the spotlight - The Verge

The Avengers’ main storyline may have come to an end in Avengers: Endgame this past April, but the first trailer for Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow is a reminder that Marvel Studios isn’t done with its original crew.

Black Widow is the highly anticipated stand-alone movie focusing on Natasha Romanoff’s blood-stained past. The movie takes place in the two year gap between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. That also explains how Marvel can do a Black Widow movie in the first place, considering Romanoff sacrifices herself to ensure the Avengers can secure the Soul Stone in an effort to take down Thanos.

Although this is the first trailer released to the public, a lengthier version was shown off at Disney’s biennial D23 fan convention in August. The trailer focused on Romanoff’s trip to Budapest — a location that Clint Barton (Hawkeye) referenced multiple times in various Avengers movies, including Endgame. This trailer contains an impressive scene between Romanoff and a woman named Yelena Belova. Belova becomes the second Black Widow in the comics series, and is referred to as Romanoff’s sister in the trailer.

Fans have waited a long time for a Black Widow stand-alone movie. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige first mentioned that conversations about a stand-alone Black Widow movie were ongoing back in 2010, following the release of Iron Man 2 and just before 2012’s The Avengers. Johansson’s Black Widow made her first appearance in Iron Man 2 as Pepper Potts’ assistant-turned-lethal-assassin-and-SHIELD-spy, and developed the role further in The Avengers. Feige and other Marvel executives reiterated throughout the years that both the company and Johansson were interested in doing a spinoff movie, but nothing was officially announced until 2018.

Johansson is one of the last original Avengers to receive a solo project. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth all starred in multiple individual movies (Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor respectively), while Jeremy Renner is set to have his own Hawkeye series on Disney+. Mark Ruffalo is the only original Avengers cast member who can’t have his own Hulk movie, as Universal Pictures owns the rights to any stand-alone Hulk movie. Feige and the team developed a three-picture arc for Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner that took place over Thor: Ragnarok, Infinity War, and Endgame instead.

Black Widow will mark the beginning of Marvel Studios’ Phase 4 when it’s released on May 1st, 2020. The Eternals will follow on November 6th.

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2019-12-03 08:45:58Z
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