Author: Holly Nicol

(Ellen)

Ellen DeGeneres had her executive producer, Andy Lassner, get beaten up once again in the recurring segment, “Average Andy,” this time by two-time tae kwon do Olympic gold medalist Steven Lopez. Check out the hilarious video below!

On Wednesday’s segment of “Average Andy,” the premise of which is designed to teach Lassner a skill from an expert, the “Ellen” executive producer was sent to learn some martial art moves from the most decorated athlete in tae kwon do history. Lopez attempted to teach Lassner the basics of the sport, including how to kick, balance, and roll, with hilarious results. The world champion then proceeded to kick a heavy shield while a terrified and exhausted Lassner held it close to his chest, flinching at every blow. The producer then had to attempt to fight Lopez, sending the audience into a fit of laughter.

Of course, it’s no surprise DeGeneres would subject her producer to such good-natured torture. As Gossip Cop previously reported, Lassner was flipped and pinned by Ronda Rousey in 2015. And in previous “Average Andy” segments, the executive producer was given a diving lesson from Olympic bronze medalist Tom Daley, as well as learned some sexy dance moves from Magic Mike’s Channing Tatum.

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Barbara Walters is NOT on the verge of dying, despite a tabloid report. Gossip Cop can exclusively correct this claim about her “final days.” We’re told it’s “absurd.”

After Walters was not at a reunion of the original co-hosts of “The View” earlier this month, the always classy RadarOnline concludes the TV icon has “one foot in the grave.” A so-called “source” tells the tabloid, “There is no way Barbara would have missed the reunion if she wasn’t gravely ill,” adding, she’s been in “poor health for some time.” What’s more, the repeatedly discredited webloid claims Walters hasn’t been spotted out publicly since she attended the premiere of Woody Allen’s movie, Cafe Society, in July.

The site further contends that after a few “shaky appearances” on “The View” in 2014, close friends of the star were worried she may have developed early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. “Producers had to spoon-feed Barbara words and the names of guests through an earpiece,” purports the outlet’s questionable insider, who continues, “Without the device, she’d be like a blathering idiot.” “She’s been hit by a very long list of very serious illnesses, which are frightening for someone her age,” alleges the webloid’s tipster.

Let Gossip Cop set the record straight. Despite the outlet’s claims, Walters is not “facing her final days.” In fact, a rep for the veteran newswoman exclusively assures us the story is “absurd.”

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Ashley Olsen’s parents do NOT disapprove of her older boyfriend, Richard Sachs, despite a new tabloid report. Gossip Cop can exclusively bust this claim. We’re told it’s “not true.”

“Ashley’s Old Man,” reads a headline in this week’s Star, which claims Olsen’s parents “aren’t too thrilled” about their daughter dating the 58-year-old financier. A so-called “source” tells the tabloid, “They’re both trying to talk sense into Ashley, but right now, all she wants is to settle down with Richard.” “They don’t understand why their daughters are drawn to older men,” contends the magazine’s supposed insider, referring to Olsen’s twin, Mary Kate Olsen, who is married to 47-year-old Olivier Sarkozy. “Her parents tried to enlist the help of younger sister Elizabeth, but she wasn’t going to do their bidding,” adds the outlet’s alleged source in unnaturally expository language.

Gossip Cop looked into the claim, and it comes as little surprise that the repeatedly discredited tabloid has fabricated this story. We’re exclusively assured by a source close to the actress turned fashion mogul that the report is “false.” Olsen’s parents are fine with her dating Sachs, as they have been with her previous older boyfriends, and allow their adult children to make their own decisions. Once again, Star has published a completely untrue article.