“People” magazine has the scoop on what DAN SPILO did to get kicked off “Survivor”. And they got it from, “multiple people involved with the show’s production.” Here’s the deal: After an immunity challenge, the contestants were getting on a boat to head back to their camp, when Dan touched the leg of a female crew member. At least one of his fellow players witnessed it. Dan claimed he did it by accident when he lost his balance getting into the boat, but nobody bought it. Producers eventually made the call to remove him.
Comedy Central comedian Chris Cotton has died at the age of 32. Cotton’s wife, Ericalynn, is pregnant with their first child and is reportedly due in February. They were reportedly high school sweethearts. The up-and-coming star had just performed at NYC’s Caroline’s on Broadway comedy club last week as part of its Breakout Artist Comedy Series, and he had appeared on Comedy Central numerous times.
A spin-off of “National Lampoon’s Vacation” is coming to HBO Max. It’ll be a half-hour comedy called “The Griswolds”, and it’ll follow the family as they live their lives in suburban Chicago. It’s being produced by JOHNNY GALECKI, who played Rusty Griswold in 1989’s “Christmas Vacation”. There’s no word on casting, so it’s unknown at this point if anyone from the movies will be involved.
“Rolling Stone” has a list of the Top 25 Country and Americana Songs of 2019. Some of these are a bit obscure, but here are some you would know:
- “Even Though I’m Leaving”, Luke Combs
- “Old Town Road (Remix)”, Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
- “Buy My Own Drinks”, Runaway June
- “Whiskey Glasses”, Morgan Wallen
- “If She Ever Leaves Me”, The Highwomen
THOMAS RHETT announced the dates of his Center Point Road Tour. It kicks off with back-to-back shows on May 29th and 30th in Gilford, New Hampshire . . . and continues into late August. COLE SWINDELL and HARDY will open most dates. Burgettstown June 12 – Philadelphia Aug 28
LUKE BRYAN and his family are hitting the slopes over the holidays. “We are insuring ourselves of a white Christmas. We’re going snow skiing on Christmas. So, snowmen, chestnuts roasting by an open fire, the whole Jack Frost thing, snow skiing, chapped skin, busted lips.”
CHRIS LANE went to a Planet Fitness with his wife, “Bachelor” alum LAUREN BUSHNELL. And when she started doing her high school cheerleading routine, he filmed it. And because there’s an Internet, I got to see it.
Some songs crossover to country like they were meant to be here. This is one of them. It’s RONNIE DUNN doing a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight”. Load it onto your country playlist. It’s one of the tracks on his upcoming album “Re-Dunn”, which is due out January 10th.
ALAN JACKSON is doing a cool thing on his 2020 Tour. He’ll be showcasing unknown acts that have performed at his Nashville honky-tonk, AJ’s Good Time Bar. Getting a lucky break are Carolina Pine, Steel Blossoms, and Cory Farley. Each will be featured at a tour stop performing in front of opener TENILLE TOWNES.
If you’re buying a Christmas gift for a new mom, and you’re stumped for ideas, TYLER HUBBARD’s wife Hayley can help. She’s in “People” sharing some of her favorite picks. Stuff like swaddles, knitted gowns, baby blankets . . . an infant wrap. There’s even a ‘kid guitar’ to hang on the wall for when the little one’s ready to learn.
Some of the songs on JUSTIN BIEBER’s upcoming album will deal with his struggles with depression.
Only two people were brave enough to release an album on Friday the 13th. Harry Styles has a new album out called “Fine Line”, and Blake Shelton is dropping “Fully Loaded: God’s Country”. Although Blake’s is kind of a cheat, since it’s just his “God’s Country” album repackaged with four new songs. One of those is a duet with Gwen Stefani, called “Nobody But You”.Blake Shelton is on “Ellen”
Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on NBC: “Sunday Night Football”. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Buffalo Bills.
Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on CBS: “The 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors”. This year’s ceremony pays tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, and “Sesame Street”.
Taylor Swift is 30.
Randy Owen is 70.
Dick Van Dyke is 94.
