Ricky Martin Judges ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Latin Night; Dancers Hospitalized for Injuries

Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin made his debut as guest judge for Latin Night and exercised his primal rule when scoring the contestants: "Rule number one: have fun. And I did. I had a lot of fun."

Martin, a veteran musical performer, extended his regard to the contestants' commitment to the show amidst strenuous personal schedules. "I felt the effort that they put into this. We see the show and the final results, but the hours -- they don’t have a day off, so my respect for them," Martin said.

Preparing for Latin Night proved a challenge for multiple couples, including Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Danica McKellar. McKellar, who fractured a lower rib while practicing the pair's salsa dance, missed two days of rehearsal because of the injury. "When it first happened on Thursday, it was so painful. I was just sure. I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I’m out and done,'" McKellar said, adding, "The footage that you saw of me crying in the bathroom, that was real. I was terrified."

Due to Purdy's hospitalization, the judges watched the recorded dress rehearsal performance to score Team Loca, which included Purdy, Hough, McKellar, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Cameron Bure, Ballas, Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Despite being one team member down, Team Loca beat Team Vida -- Charlie White, Sharna Burgess, James Maslow, Peta Murgatroyd, NeNe Leakes and Tony Dovolani -- in the group performance.

Team Loca team captain Davis suffered a hand injury during salsa practice with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, but that didn't hold her coach back from offering his advice of going to the dirtiest place of the mind to master the dance. "I came to Brooklyn in the mid '90s and the reason why I’m in love with Latin dancing is because the first thing that I saw was LQ — and I was severely underage and barely spoke English — and I saw the dirtiest, nastiest place that made me the happiest that I’ve ever been," Chmerkovskiy said. "I love salsa. I love salsa. I’ve never learned one step of salsa. It’s all from watching."

Gold Medalist White also encountered a personal bodily challenge, ignited by fellow Team Vida dancers: a shirt strip during his team's performance that required White to shave his hairy chest. "I didn’t have that hairy of a chest, but I just can’t imagine – you know when you pull out one hair on your head and it hurts? I can’t imagine doing that so many times at once," White said.

"I feel like you should do it so you have an understanding of what we go through to look good for you guys," partner Burgess chimed in. "Just saying."

Disney Channel Greenlights 'Teen Beach Movie' Sequel

The wait is over. After nearly a year of speculation, Disney Channel is officially moving forward with the Teen Beach Movie sequel.

Production will begin on Teen Beach Movie 2 this July for a 2015 premiere. Original stars Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Grace Phipps, Garrett Clayton and John DeLuca will return to reprise their roles. Additional cast members are expected to be announced shortly.

Teen Beach Movie 2 takes place months after McKenzie (Mitchell) and Brady (Lynch) return from a summer adventure that transported them into Brady's favorite 1960s beach party movie, Wet Side Story, only to receive a surprise visit from Lela (Phipps), Tanner (Clayton), Butchy (DeLuca) and their other surfer and biker friends.

Robert Horn, Dan Berendsen and Matt & Billy Eddy are writers on the sequel, which is executive produced by Michelle Manning (The Breakfast Club) and David Buelow. Jeffrey Hornaday (A Chorus Line, Flashdance) returns in the director's chair.

The news doesn't come as much of a surprise as Teen Beach Movie, which debuted July 19, 2013 on the kids/tween cabler, ranks as cable television's No. 2 movie in total viewers with a giant 13.53 million. The original soundtrack also peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart and was No. 1 on the soundtrack chart.

Hornaday last June was already fielding questions about a possible sequel ahead of the film's premiere broadcast, telling THR at the time that "there is a lot of buzz about that." And a month after Teen Beach Movie proved to be a success, Lynch said at D23 that he and his co-stars were bullish on returning: "Absolutely, we're all down for a sequel."

"The audience response to the first Teen Beach Movie was overwhelming. We are thrilled to have the cast back for a new music-driven saga that continues this fantastical story," said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer at Disney Channels Worldwide, in the announcement Sunday.

The Teen Beach Movie cast reunited at the Radio Disney Music Awards, which will be broadcast at 8 p.m. PT/ET Sunday on Disney Channel.

'Big Bang Theory' Axed as China Steps Up Censorship of Overseas TV Online

China is stepping up censorship of foreign TV shows streamed online and has ordered leading video streaming websites to stop showing the popular shows The Good Wife, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS and The Practice.

The order has come down from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and the watchdog has not given any reason for the ruling.

The popular show The Blacklist has also had episodes that criticized the Chinese government cut recently.

As reported in The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, SAPPRFT said it was planning to increase censorship of foreign content and warned that online companies such as Youku, Tencent and Sohu would have to closely vet content before making it available to stream.

Generally, the online streaming sites have operated with far more freedom to show edgy material such as The Walking Dead and House of Cards than the traditional media such as TV and cinema.

It’s long been baffling how the government allows shows like House of Cards to show in China, particularly the second season which had a storyline critical of Chinese government corruption.

However, it was generally suspected that the Kevin Spacey­­-starring depiction of sleaze, debauchery, graft and general malfeasance in Washington chimed with an acceptable message on the dangers of democratic institutions.

China's ambassador to the U.S., Cui Tiankai, has said he has seen every episode of House of Cards, which includes the line “Mao’s China is dead!”

The state news agency Xinhua wrote of how THR's coverage of the apparent crackdown had caused thousands of Chinese fans to protest online “at a perceived blow against freedom of choice” -- another sign of the surging popularity of Hollywood shows in China.

Meanwhile, the Chinese web giant Sina.com has made repeated apologies for allowing pornography onto its sites, which has led to it having its licenses on internet publication and audio and video dissemination revoked.

"As one of the influential websites in China, Sina has failed to shoulder its due responsibility and we feel deeply sorry for that," Sina said in a statement to Xinhua.

The National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications said that 20 articles and four videos posted on Sina.com were confirmed to have contained lewd and pornographic content following "a huge amount" of public tip-offs.

According to data from the research group Entgroup for 2012, Sohu has 144 U.S. and British TV shows, Tencent has 123 and Youku Tudou 109. This compares with a quota of 34 foreign movies allowed on a revenue-sharing basis into China.

'The Other Woman' Enjoys Strong Friday for $20 Million-Plus U.S. Debut

Starved for female-skewing fare, women are flocking to see Nick Cassavetes' comedy The Other Woman, starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton as three women determined to expose a philandering husband.

Based on early Friday returns, the 20th Century Fox film is expected to gross $20 million-plus in its opening, a pleasing start and enough to topple blockbuster Captain America: The Winter Soldier from the top spot after winning for three consecutive weekends.

The Other Woman is also prospering in Australia, where it opened last weekend opposite The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The female comedy debuted to $4.2 million for the weekend, compared to $5.2 million for Spider-Man 2 but pulled ahead of the superhero tentpole on Wednesday. It came in No. 1 Thursday and Friday as well.

Spider-Man 2 has still earned more overall through Friday ($9.2 million), but Other Woman has grossed an impressive $8.6 million. 

The Other Woman will show in an additional 28 foreign markets this weekend. The movie opens three months before Sex Tape, also starring Diaz, hits theaters.

From a script by Melissa Stack, The Other Woman is about someone (Diaz) who discovers her boyfriend is married. When she accidentally meets the wife (Mann), they become fast friends and, with the help of another girlfriend of the husband, set out to get revenge. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Kinney also star. The movie cost $40 million to produce.

Brick Mansions, the late Paul Walker's second-to-last film before Fast & Furious 7, and horror movie The Quiet Ones are looking at much more modest openings. Both films debuted Friday in North America.

In honor of Walker's memory, Relativity and EuropaCorp have made a donation to his charity, Reach Out WorldWide.

Horror film The Quiet Ones, from Lionsgate and Exclusive Media, hopes to gross $6 million to $8 million for the weekend but could have trouble hitting that mark. The PG-13 release is tracking strongest among younger females and Hispanics.

Inspired by true events, The Quiet Ones was directed by John Pogue and stars Jared Harris, Sam Claflin and Olivia Cooke. The movie, set in an estate outside London, revolves around a university president and a team of students who conduct an experiment on a young girl with unspeakable secrets.

Garth Ancier Denies Sex Abuse Allegations: 'Vile, Unwarranted'

TV executive Garth Ancier is taking his case to the public, denying in a series of tweets Friday the sex abuse allegations lodged against him by plaintiff Michael Egan. Ancier's attorney previously issued a statement, but this is the first time that Ancier himself has spoken out.

"Thanks and gratitude to my friends, family and colleagues for your support this week," said Ancier's statement. "I wanted you all to hear from me personally and know that I intend to fight with every resource available this vile, unwarranted assault on my reputation.

“The intimidation tactics used in this transparent get-rich-quick scheme employ as their weapons of choice press conferences in tandem with frivolous lawsuits which shamelessly exploit homophobic fears and stereotypes," Ancier wrote.

EARLIER: Bryan Singer Breaks Silence on Abuse Claims: 'Outrageous, Vicious and Completely False'

“The mere fact that I have never so much as set foot on the estate in Hawaii where the plaintiff and his attorney claim numerous incidents took place and that Hawaiian law provided a convenient legal loophole for the plaintiff speaks volumes about the credibility of their allegations, not a single one of which is true," Ancier wrote. 

“While I recognize we sadly live in a time where one is only innocent until allegations go viral on the Internet I remain confident that all of these allegations made against me will be exposed for the lies that they are and that the truth about my character will prevail," the exec added. 

Egan alleges that Ancier used force and coercion to have sex with him in 1999 in Hawaii and Los Angeles. Egan was 17 at the time, over the age of consent in Hawaii (16) but under it in California (18).

Earlier, Ancier’s lawyer issued a statement: "All of the allegations made by the plaintiff against Garth Ancier are demonstrably untrue, and we are confident the courts will agree when the evidence is presented,” said Louise Ann Fernandez of Jeffer Mangels. "As just one of many examples, Mr. Ancier has never even visited the estate in Hawaii where the plaintiff claims to have encountered him. Mr. Ancier is grateful to his friends, family and colleagues for their support."

Also sued in the last 10 days were director Bryan Singer, former Disney TV president David Neuman and Broadway producer Gary Goddard, all of whom have denied the allegations.

Neuman's denial Tuesday came via tweets. Today, his lawyer, Patricia Glaser of Glaser Weil issued a statement:

My client David Neuman categorically and unequivocally rejects the allegations in Mike Egan's complaint, which are monstrous, utter and outrageous fiction. 

Mr. Neuman was never on any private jet trip to Hawaii, with Mike Egan or anyone else in 1999, and in fact was not in Hawaii that year at all.

It should be noted that Mike Egan made similar allegations against others in a lawsuit that he filed in 2000 and he chose not to sue Mr. Neuman.

We intend to fight these vicious allegations, and are confident that our client will be vindicated, especially considering that David Neuman has never engaged in any inappropriate sexual or other activity or committed any of the alleged misconduct with Mike Egan.

Furthermore, we have irrefutable evidence, including statements from Mike Egan himself, which demonstrate that the allegations are false.

Goddard’s denial of the allegations came Tuesday via a short statement from his lawyer, Alan Grodin of Weintraub Tobin. Subsequently, Grodin issued a longer statement. Read it below.

Having had the opportunity to review the allegations in the Complaint filed against our client, Mr. Gary Goddard, we can say that the allegations against him are categorically denied.

Mr. Goddard was not in Hawaii with Mr. Egan. He did not molest or touch or annoy Mr. Egan or commit any of the acts alleged. Also, he did not furnish drugs or alcohol to any minor at any time.

We have also reviewed the complaints filed against other defendants by Mr. Egan. The “cookie-cutter” allegations in all of the complaints filed by Mr. Egan are so fantastical as to be unbelievable on their face.

We have now learned that this is not the first time that allegations of this sort have been made by Mr. Egan. His suit filed in 2000 against other parties referenced in the complaints made no mention of any alleged trips to the state of Hawaii. Filing the complaints in Hawaii is a blatant attempt by Mr. Egan of forum shopping.

Our client Mr. Goddard intends to vigorously defend this suit, to uphold his good name and reputation. We are confident that the objective facts will demonstrate that the allegations against Mr. Goddard are false.

Gwen Stefani Splits from Longtime Manager, Rejects 'Rising Star' for 'The Voice'

Gwen Stefani is being wooed by multiple suitors. According to sources, the No Doubt frontwoman, 44, was close to signing on as a judge for ABC's summer singing competition Rising Star before choosing NBC's The Voice.

Helping sway the singer's vote? Mega manager Irving Azoff (Eagles, Van Halen, Chelsea Handler). He suggested Stefani replace another of his clients, Christina Aguilera, who will take a hiatus to have a baby. Although at press time the deal was not yet done, Stefani is expected to join Pharrell Williams, who takes Cee Lo Green's chair, for season seven in the fall. "She's a friend of the family," Azoff tells Billboard of his relationship with Stefani.

The singer and her band No Doubt recently parted ways with Jim Guerinot, their manager since 1998. Stefani's defection marks the second longtime client to leave Guerinot's Rebel Waltz Management. Trent Reznor split in December to join John Silva's Silva Artist Management. Azoff denies that he has taken Stefani on as a client, but insiders claim otherwise.

As for Rising Star, it too has had some commitment issues. (The show is produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Guggenheim Partners, the parent company of Billboard.) According to sources, rapper Pitbull and country star Luke Bryan have turned down the show's judging invitation. Rising Star has now set its sights on Kesha and will.i.am, with manager Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande) being considered for a mentor role. (Reps for Kesha and will.i.am had no comment. A rep for Stefani could not be reached.)

STORY: Gwen Stefani in Talks to Join NBC's 'The Voice'

A judging spot on a network hit can be hugely lucrative. Salaries range from $1 million per season, as Demi Lovato got her first year on Fox's The X Factor, to upwards of $18 million, which was Mariah Carey's salary on the 2013 edition of American Idol. Aguilera is believed to have recently been bumped up to $12 million a season on The Voice.

Stefani -- who gave birth to her third child with Gavin Rossdale in February -- would likely command a similar fee. And on the social front, Stefani -- who has 1.15 million Twitter followers -- starts ahead of Aguilera, who has more than 12 million followers, but sent her first-ever tweet on her Voice debut. The main network consideration, says one source, is "finding the pop artist that has the reach and social media following that can help draw in viewers."

Dodgers Star Yasiel Puig Scores Biopic From Brett Ratner!!!!!!!!

In a heated competition, Brett Ratner and his RatPac Entertainment have acquired the rights to Jesse Katz’ article Escape from Cuba: Yasiel Puig's Untold Journey to the Dodgers.

The article appeared earlier this month in Los Angeles Magazine and was one of two earth-shattering pieces detailing how Puig, now a star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, tried to escape his home country of Cuba several times. He finally succeeded when he worked with a wealthy but shady sponsor and smugglers working for Mexico’s murderous drug cartel picked him up in a speed boat and took him to the Yucatan Peninsula.
But when his backer allegedly did not immediately pay up, the cartel held the famed baseball player captive for around 20 days. His journey ended successfully  -- he now has a seven-year, $42 million contract with the National League baseball team – for the piece also highlighted the dangers for other Cubans trying to find a better life in the U.S.
RatPac's James Packer and John Cheng will executive produce.

Scott Sheldon, who just joined FPC as a creative executive, will oversee development with RatPac's Agustine Calderon. A search for writers is underway.
The Puig project reunites Ratner and Flynn after their partnership on Hercules, the action tentpole starring Dwayne Johnson which opens July 25. Ratner directed the movie and produced it with Flynn. Ratner is also producer on Horrible Bosses 2, which just wrapped production.
RatPac is in the middle of a multi-year producing partnership with New Regency. They are producing and co-financing such projects as The Revenant which will star Leonardo DiCaprio and The Operators, which has Brad Pitt attached to portray Gen. Stanley McChrystal.
Flynn is currently in production on San Andreas, a disaster movie from New Line that also stars Johnson.