Celebrity Buzz for Wednesday

THE CROWN PRODUCERS APOLOGIZE FOR PAY GAP: Left Bank Pictures, the production company behind The Crown, apologized Tuesday for the controversial pay gap between stars Claire Foy and Matt Smith. “We want to apologize to both Claire Foy and to Matt Smith, brilliant actors and friends, who have found themselves at the center of a media storm this week through no fault of their own,” Left Bank said in a statement. “Claire and Matt are incredibly gifted actors who, along with the wider cast on The Crown, have worked tirelessly to bring our characters to life with compassion and integrity.” The company added: “As the producers of The Crown, we at Left Bank Pictures are responsible for budgets and salaries; the actors are not aware of who gets what and cannot be held personally responsible for the pay of their colleagues.” Foy got paid less than Smith for the first two seasons of the hit show. She earned a Golden Globe, SAG Award and Emmy nomination for her role.

FIRST LOOK AT BIG LITTLE LIES: Reese Witherspoon shared a picture of Madeline and Renata chilling and ready to scheme on the set of Big Little Lies. Production has begun, and judging from the first glimpse, the HBO show’s sophomore season will be just as intense and fiery as the first one.

JOHN OLIVER’S PARODIC GAY BUNNY TALE HAS SOLD OUT: Last Week Tonight host John Oliver appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Tuesday and revealed that his send-up of Vice President Mike Pence‘s daughter’s forthcoming children’s book about his family pet has sold out. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents a Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo also scored the number one spot on Amazon‘s best-seller list. “Mike Pence is a man who I think has few qualities to his name,” Oliver told DeGeneres. “However, one thing I love about him is his rabbit.” Oliver’s version, starring a gay bunny named Marlon Bundo, has gone into its second printing. Marlon Bundo’s A Day in the Life of the Vice President, written by Pence’s 24-year-old daughter, Charlotte, and illustrated by Second Lady Karen Pence hovered at number four on Amazon.

SOPHIE OKONEDO, GENEVIEVE ANGELSON, MORE JOIN ANNA PAQUIN DRAMA: Oscar-winner Sophie Okonedo, Game of Thrones‘ Rebecca Benson, Arinz Kene, Marc Warren and Rufus Jones are joining the Anna Paquin-led cast of Flack, Pop TV‘s first scripted drama centered on the PR biz. Production for the six episode series begins this week. The U.S. airdate has not been set.