Breaking News

‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Assaulted In Reported Hate Crime

January 29, 2019

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In a horrifying series of events, the popular star of Fox’s Empire, Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) was assaulted at 2am this morning in Chicago, where he is currently filming episodes of the series..

According to the report from the Chicago Police Department, Smollett was walking down the street when two offenders approached him and began yelling racial and homophobic slurs toward him. The offenders then became physically violent, battering Smollett with their hands and pouring an “unknown chemical substance” on him. At some point during the attack, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around Smollett’s neck before fleeing the scene. Some reports have the attackers shouting Pro-MAGA comments and wearing ski masks.

Chicago PD said in a statement: “Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime. Detectives are currently working to gather video, identify potential witnesses and establish an investigative timeline.”

Smollett was hospitalized following the attack, and is said to be in good condition and cooperating fully with investigators.

In addition, there is a possibility that this attack was premeditated. According to a report from That Grape Juice, Smollett had previously received a death threat in the mail with a drawing of him getting shot; accompanied by his name and a homophobic slur.

In an report/update from TMZ on the incident they state: “Sources directly connected to Jussie say the actor arrived in Chicago from New York late Monday, and at around 2 AM he was hungry and went to a Subway. We’re told when he walked out, someone yelled, ‘Aren’t you that f***ot ‘Empire’ n*****?’ The 2 men — both white and wearing ski masks — viciously attacked Jussie as he fought back, but they beat him badly and fractured a rib. They put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him and as they left they yelled, ‘This is MAGA country.’ Jussie was taken to Northwestern Memorial where he was treated. He was discharged later Tuesday morning.”

Since the TMZ report, The Daily Beast’s Tim Teeman tweeted that according to a Chicago police spokesperson he spoke with, the attackers did not yell “This is MAGA country”. Chicago PD said, ‘There is no report of that being said.’ The spokesperson said the genders of the attackers was unknown, and their faces and hands had been covered.”‘

So, what do you think of this disgusting hate crime against Smollett? Please send your well-wishes to Jussie via the comment section below.

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Guest

brian

So very sad for Jussie. Hope his attackers are quickly caught and brought to a powerful justice. If people can’t accept, they should tolerate, and if they can’t do either, then never leave your home, because that is how small hater’s worlds are.

Guest

Matthew Bishop

Donald Trump owns this.

Donald Trump’s supporters own this.

Everyone who allows racist and homophobic words to go unchecked in 2019 owns this.

Words are actions that lead to more actions.

Like this one.

Guest

keni K Stone

My God. This is horrible. I hope they catch these guys in put them under the jail….

Guest

Frances

No one deserves this type of treatment!

Guest

Joe

It’s just that…disgusting! What the hell is wrong with people?

Guest

Ray

This is disturbing beyond words. He has been a frequent guest/guest host on “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and have loved his positive approach to life, great smile and thankfulness for his job. I have read several reports today and it seems people HAVE to have someone to blame, whether it is being a racist, homophobia or making it political. Let’s get one thing straight. This is H-A-T-E. The men that attacked him are nothing better than a wild animal that needs to be caged. I hope these men are caught and are prosecuted to the fullest extent. Get well,… Read more »

Guest

davlestev1

This is (some of) us. Sad. People spending more time judging and worrying about another person’s life choice while all the while THEY’RE the ones headed to Hell. Throwing MAGA crap in there is just a smoke screen if that was added. When men like this go after gay men it’s because that gay man struck a chord in them that they’ve ignored and basically get angry at themselves and react by taking it out on unsuspecting victims. That’s just the bottom line. More than to do with hate.

Guest

Beverly Moore-Winfield

So sad,prayers for Jussie

Guest

rebecca1

Love him! Was horrified to read this…just unspeakable violence and sick. The irony is it sounds like a scene out of Empire.

Good thing they didn’t know he was Jewish, too. That’d be the icing on the cake.

Guest

Satan

this is what these fools consider “Making America Great Again”??

If they have their way, pretty soon Hell will look like a paradise compared to Orangemerica.

Send those MAGAtts down…. I’ll take it from there. The dragons could use some new chew toys.

Guest

Dan

It’s really unbelievable and sad that stuff like this still goes on in 2019. We should all be embarrassed and ashamed. White, black, brown, gay, straight, rich, poor, liberal, conservative there should be no acceptance for hate of any kind in this country period. Everyone needs to stop concerning themselves with what other people are doing in their lives, things that have no effect on you whatsoever, and worry about living your own life. The world would be a much better place if everyone did that. Live and let live.

Get well soon, Jussie.

Guest

Lew S.

Words cannot convey what I am feeling. This is totally vicious and ridiculous! What gives another person the right to take their issues out on another person? Jussie is an out and proud gay man and has the right to live his life and love as he pleases. This —- cannot be accepted or allowed!

Guest

Michael Teale

I am left stunned and angry! I wish Jussie nothing but the best and a speedy recovery. It is my hope that these two attackers are brought to justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one should have to go through what Jussie went through early Tuesday morning.

Guest

Patrick

this hurts this hurts , like no other (s) I certainly do believe that the current climate ( MAGA ) has heightened the fear. FEAR … afraid to come out… because I did not make that choice… I am born not unlike you oh Lord… after all the effort… Obama reached. this is definitely, one of those times… one step forward, two steps back. we have definitely taken , with a lot of legislation by the current GOP … taken steps back in denigrating another human being (s). like legally, right ? after the marriage law was made legal… I… Read more »

Guest

rebecca1

These attacks have definitely increased since Trump took office. Racist, anti-gay… anti semitic attacks have increased by 60%. He’s unleashed all the roaches that were always there but under the woodwork. Now they’re freely crawling among us.

Guest

David

just read that he is now telling a different story.. I hope this is not true!!

Guest

Jovin

Real believable story. Now racists carry bleach at 2 a.m.?

Breaking News

‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Limited-Series Ordered by Peacock

July 26, 2021

The NBCUniversal streaming service, Peacock has ordered a five-episode limited run featuring Days of our Lives!

In the first of its kind for the streamer, the series entitled Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem will feature fan favorite returns, the current cast and more which includes: Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed, Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans, Drake Hogestyn as John Black, Jackée Harry as Paulina Price, James Reynolds as Abe Carver, Victoria Konefal as Ciara Brady, Robert Scott Wilson as Ben Weston, Billy Flynn as Chad DiMera, Lamon Archey as Eli Grant and Sal Stowers as Lani Price.

According to the announcement on the series Monday morning; here is what fans can look for in the limited series: Over a long weekend, John & Marlena travel to Zurich, Ben & Ciara have a romantic getaway in New Orleans, Chad visits some old friends in Phoenix, and Abe, Paulina, Lani, and Eli vacation in Miami. All find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving stolen jewels which, in the wrong hands, could cause dire consequences for Salem. It’s a race against time for ISA agent Billie Reed as she crosses the globe in search of this missing treasure. Packed with all of the romance, action, drama, and surprises that only Days of our Lives can deliver, fans will spend a week with their favorite Salem supercouples and reconnect with many familiar faces along the way.

Look for additional characters than those listed above to also make appearances as well in the hunt for the stolen jewels.

Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

So, what do you think about the upcoming series on Peacock featuring Days of our Lives? Comment below.

Breaking News

DAYS and GH Director Joe Behar Passes Away at 94

July 19, 2021

Joseph Behar was heavyweight director in daytime drama having worked on both Days of our Lives and General Hospital and now comes word of his passing. Behar passed away on June 26th at the age of 94.

According to his obit, he died at his home in Manhattan Beach, California.

Joe spent the the bulk of his career directing Days of Our Lives and General Hospital. He actually directed the pilot episode of General Hospital back in 1963, then came back the ABC daytime drama series 30 years later to direct it for more than 10 more years,.

Along the way, he won 5 Daytime Emmys for his work on GH, and had won six overall throughout his career. He continued directing until his retirement back in 2005.

Behar’s career started on the Ernie Kovacs Show and he also directed Let’s Make a Deal. and more.

Photo: JPI

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn and his sons, Jeffrey, Steven and Greg Behar and his grandchildren, Alex, Mallory, Niko and Lydia.

Watch an interview with Joe via the TV Academy on his career including working with Frances Reid (Ex-Alice, DAYS), the pace of directing in daytime and more below.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Joe and his family in the comment section.

Breaking News

‘The Bay’s’ Kristos Andrews, Karrueche Tran & Mike Manning Take Top Acting Honors at 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Fiction & Lifestyle Ceremony

July 18, 2021

The digital drama, The Bay, won big tonight at the final ceremony for this year’s 48th annual Daytime Emmys.

On Sunday, NATAS revealed the winners in the Daytime Fiction & Lifestyle Programming categories hosted by Loni Love and streamed on their OTT App and online.

Within the mixed-bag of categories were the actors very familiar to soap audience who were competing from the streaming digital dramas including The Bay and Studio City.

Former Days of our Lives star, Mike. Manning (Ex-Charlie Dale) won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Fiction Series for his performance as Caleb in The Bay.

Following his moving acceptance speech about the series shedding light on same-sex wedding and the LGBTQ community, Manning took to Twitter to add: “I didn’t expect this. I’m still in shock. Thank you everyone who had a hand in getting me here! The producers, the fans, @TheBaytheSeries team, my family, I love you all!! Thank you x1000″

Meanwhile, for his portrayal of dual roles of Peter and Adam on The Bay, Kristos Andrews picked up another Emmy for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Fiction Series. This is his fourth win for his acting work on the digital drama series, but he has also received four more as one of the main producer of The Bay. Andrews’ on-screen scene partner, Karrueche Tran, took home the gold for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Series for her performance as Vivian.

In the Younger Performer category, Chiara D’ Ambrosio of The Bay and the former Summer Newman of Y&R, won for her work.

For the complete list of winners from the ceremony click here.

So, what do you think of the performer winners from the digital dramas at tonight’s Daytime Emmys? Let us know in the comment section below.

I didn’t expect this. I’m still in shock. Thank you everyone who had a hand in getting me here! The producers, the fans, @TheBaytheSeries team, my family, I love you all!! Thank you x1000. #DaytimeEmmys https://t.co/THvuNSMRJA pic.twitter.com/A5R8orBdRN

— Mike Manning (@mike_manning_) July 19, 2021