News
Anderson Cooper Calls Star Jones Out For Stating His Coming Out Publicly Was Ratings Ploy! – Watch The Video!
Courtesy/Anderson
There was a lots of melodrama on this afternoon’s episode of the syndicated talker, Anderson, when host Anderson Cooper and his co-host on the episode, Bravo’s Andy Cohen, discussed the topic of how Anderson felt now that he publicly came out.
Cooper then went on to blast Star Jones for comments she made on a segment of The Today Show’s “Today’s Professionals” where she suggested that the decision for Cooper to come out at this time was a ratings ploy for his show! Jones had said, “I’ve been in daytime television for a long time. He’s a daytime talk show host and when the ratings slip in daytime, the hosts tend to tell you lots of things about them. There were times that you generate information for ratings.”
Anderson responded to this to Cohen today when he said. “As memory serves, in terms of boosting ratings, I seem to recall Star hocking her wedding every single day to get free products when she was on The View and I seem to recall her lying about her gastric bypass surgery and making everybody else lie about it as well. So for her to suddenly emerge out of the shadows and suddenly attack me for this, I couldn’t believe it!” He added that her comment was “so annoying” because he made his announcement when he was off the air.
Anderson went on to say, “If I was wanting to boost ratings, I would have waited to announce it on ‘A Very Special Episode’ that would have been promo’d for weeks and weeks and there would have been commercials… ‘Anderson’s Huge Announcement! But instead I was in Africa on assignment for 60 Minutes. I wasn’t even on the air for days afterward!”
The talk show host and CNN anchor said t he invited Jones on the show to discuss this whole situation further but she turned him down. Watch the video of the segment of Anderson talking about Jones to Cohen after the jump, and then let us know what you think about Jones’ comments and Anderson’s rebuttal!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
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Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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Star Jones is just mad because her ex-husband is gay!!! He was gay when she married him!!!
Yes he was….. AND I can’t believe SHE didn’t SEE that.
she always been a two face hypocrite. I’m not surprise about her knack for attacking people.
LOL! Now, of course, Cooper is making a big deal out of this MONTHS later? Please. Why even bring this up? The majority of people probably didn’t even know what Jones said. This is the start of the new season. So, Cooper is creating a mini-controversy that is permeating the web.
This is just very meta!
Well, right now HE is doing it for the ratings, LOL. Whose he kidding? I agree, why bring it up months later?
Anderson is so poised, so professional, and always a good sport. Star is a wannabe who is no longer relevant on any measure. Who cares what she has to say?
Star Jones is a washed up never-was and it seems to me that SHE is the one looking to make news. She should crawl back to wherever shes been….
Wow what a bunch hypocritcal comments. I didn’t even know that Star Jones made that comment, but so what?? Anderson Cooper brought more attention to this then it needed, I wonder if he did that for ratings also. Star Jones made a huge mistake while on the view, but who in life hasn’t let something go to their heads??? People need to get down off their high horses and stop being nasty bullies to people. He bullied that RHNJ girl and now Jones. What’s his problem with strong women who have opinions??
He brought that RHONJ girl back to apologise and she accepted. I saw a clip of the comment Star Jones made and she immediately apologised after saying it, but he forgot to mention that. Rather you accept the apology or not is up to you but you should have let it go at that.
Whose the RHNJ girl? Oh, and I like your point of view referencing this matter, regarding Anderson giving it more attention that it needed (Ratings) and Star’s mistake on the View, but who hasn’t made mistakes. Very humbling point of view, k.
I am going to follow in the words of Raylan Givens on JUSTIFIED and “just file this under ‘Who Gives a _hit?'”
Could not agree more! Really is this all these people have going on for them?
Star who ?
Anderson you rock !!
Thought everyone knew.I don’t even know why he had to announce it.Does straight couples have to admit how and what ways they had sex,Nobody’s business.don’t even know why it was brung up on The Today Show.Star has never confronted that people thought her husband was gay.She really needs to shut up.What happens in the bedroom needs to stay there and everyone needs to get over it.
I think if you were gay you’d understand why it’s important for people like Anderson Cooper to say it out loud. Straight people don’t have to announce it, because it’s something that is generally assumed. (Though if they felt the need, go for it).
Young gay folks need to know that there are role models out there, people in the public eye at the very least who they can relate to in this way. It’s more important than you know.
Sometimes straight people have to announce it because certain gays think everyone is GAY! And if they deny this, their just as hypocritical.
Never met a gay person who thought everyone was gay.I knew anderson was gay for years.The press kept bringing it up forever.I really don’t care if he’s gay doesn’t change my opinion of him.I like the guy.But my point is why does he have to come out and say it.Its nobody’s business.I don’t why people thought it was a big secret.No he didn’t say I am gay ,but why does everytime someone is gay they have to make a announement to shut the media up.I heard for years how Anderson wouldn’t come out of the closet.Its his business.Being born into riches he made his own way in life without his mothers money.I admire anderson Cooper for being. his own person and not living off his mother’s money.
Why is this even an issue?
There are more OUT gays on television than ever.
Who gives a shit anymore?
I like Anderson Cooper. Seems he is taken pretty serious as a journalist.
Never cared for Star Jones, she treated Barbara Walters like dirt.
how sad is anderson cooper. yale graduate. filthy rich. part of the vanderbilts. socially connected. yet he chooses to be a daytime talk show host and a liberal shill on cnn. it’s the lowest rated news network. how low? during the vice presidential debate: cnn’s combined ratings w/ msnbc are still lower than the total ratings of fox news! no one cares abt star jones and his feud. the only reason the mainstream media keeps promoting him is precisely bec he’s gay. cnn is a ratings disaster. he is not a ratings draw. yet he gets a talk show precisely bec he’s gay and hollywood has a vested interest promoting him. his daytime talk show isn’t a ratings behemoth. now he has to manufacture a faux feud w/ some has been to help his ratings. pathetic. he’s a waste of the public airwaves.