Entertainment News Weekly Wrap — Sad Death and Exciting Reboots

Cookie spinoff searching for a home, Fantasy Island reboot finds one; and HBO loses mega-million lawsuit — here’s all the entertainment news and gossip you missed over the last week from Hollywood.

Entertainment News: Cookie Spinoff Foiled?

The proposed Empire spin-off, centering on Taraji P. Henson’s Cookie, won’t be moving forward at FOX, although it’s not dead, yet. Word is the project is still being shopped to other networks and streamers.

Fantasy Returns
Meanwhile, there’s a new reboot on the horizon. Fantasy Island, which ran from 1977 to 1984 on ABC, is returning in the summer of 2021 on FOX. Find out more.

In other revival news, Peacock’s plan to bring back Night Court will feature original star John Larroquette. Plus, find out who from The Big Bang Theory cast is set to executive produce the project.

Not only that, it looks like L.A. Law is also being primed for a return or rather a continuation. Find out which castmember is attached to the project to move it to current day.

This Is Us Teaser
When NBC’s This Is Us returns in January, viewers will learn more about a big back story: teen Kate’s (Hannah Zeile) surprise pregnancy.

HBO Loses Lawsuit
The estate of Michael Jackson won a $100 million case against cable giant HBO and its 2019 documentary, Leaving Neverland. You can read the details here.

The COVID Report
On the heels of Carrie Ann Inaba testing positive for the coronavirus, fellow The Talk co-host, Sharon Osbourne, made an interesting reveal. It seems she had COVID, too.

The cast of Mom is back on the job and taking every measure to keep everyone safe. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the show’s safeguards.

Surprise Star Wars Footage
When Mark Hamill discovered some “new” old footage from The Empire Strikes Back, courtesy of Good Morning America, he couldn’t wait to share it with Star Wars fans.

Newhart Now Streaming
Comedian Bob Newhart is entering the streaming fray with Bob Newhart – Off The Record. The standup special originally aired 25 years ago, and here’s how you can watch it.

Shocking Exits and Fun Facts
Knots Landing held onto the bulk of its cast during its 1979 to 1993 run. But there were five shocking exits that totally floored fans. Check out our recap of them.

Plus, we’ve got five fast facts about TV’s beloved Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter. See how many you know.

A Sad Passing
It hasn’t been a great year for the older actors in Star Wars. On the heels of losing Darth Vader’s David Prowse a few weeks ago comes news that Jeremy Bulloch, remembered as Boba Fett in the franchise, has passed away. The actor was 75.

Entertainment News: Celebrating Birthdays
Which Hollywood stars blew out candles on their cake, this week? Miami Vice and Nash Bridges’ star Don Johnson, veteran film star Dee Wallace, Schitt’s Creek’s Eugene Levy, and Brad Pitt.