Entertainment Tidbits

Comedian Shane Gillis will host the 2025 ESPY Awards, ESPN’s annual celebration of sports achievements, which will air live from Los Angeles on July 16th, recognizing the year’s top sports moments and performances. The ceremony will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN+ and be available to stream the next day on Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. (THR)

Netflix has renewed its romantic Western drama series Ransom Canyon for a second season. The show, starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly, is based on Jodi Thomas‘ books and set in Texas Hill Country. Production on the new season is expected to begin in September, with the original cast set to return, except for James Brolin. (Deadline)

Whoopi Goldberg is taking a break from The View to travel to Italy, where she is receiving an award for her book Bits and Pieces. The show’s co-host Joy Behar announced that Goldberg will be out for about two weeks as The View takes a summer hiatus around the July 4th holiday. Goldberg is expected to return to the show on July 7th. (Complex)

Paramount is removing the Showtime name from the top tier of its streaming service, Paramount+. The ad-free tier will now be called Paramount+ Premium, but will still include Showtime programming. The price remains $13 per month. The Showtime name will still be used for the cable channels, including the flagship Paramount+ With Showtime channel. (THR)

Animal rescue activist and YouTuber Mikayla Raines, 29, died by suicide, according to her husband Ethan. Raines suffered from mental health issues and struggled with online criticism. She founded the nonprofit SaveAFox Rescue in 2017 and had over 2.4 million YouTube followers. Ethan Raines said he will continue his wife’s work and advocacy. (NBC News)

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness have finalized their divorce after 27 years of marriage. Furness filed for divorce in May 2023, indicating the terms were uncontested. The couple, who share two adult children, announced their separation in September 2023, stating their family would remain their “highest priority” as they navigated this transition. (People)