Celeb Scoop: Comcast Puts Matt Lauer on Notice

Plus: A comic book character leaves NYC for Philly, Kelly Ripa gets a new sidekick, and more Hollywood news.

Comcast Has Put Matt Lauer on Notice. And the Today show host has a chance to play hero a la Jay Leno.

“Comcast has been looking at every one of its shows,” an insider tells The New York Post. “The Today staff has been warned that cuts could be coming, and the question there is, if they start dumping people, will Matt Lauer take a cut?”

[Hollywood Gossip]

Philly Gets Comic Book Hero. Marvel’s anti-hero character Venom, a Spider-Man antagonist, is moving from New York to Philadelphia (who isn’t?). The comic’s editor is Drexel alum Tom Brennan.

“We’re not just moving Venom to Philly in hopes of getting free hoagies, though we’ll take them. Flash Thompson has been on an emotional roller coaster. His superhero career almost cost him everything,” said Brennan. “This is a good man with a troubled past who needed a fresh start, and thought the City of Brotherly Love was the perfect place for him to take his next steps in becoming the hero he was born to be.”

[HitFix]

Michael Clarke Duncan Died. The actor died Monday from heart attack complications. He’s famous for his Oscar-nominated role in The Green Mile, with Tom Hanks, and before he made it in Hollywood, he was a bodyguard for Will Smith. [People]

Beyonce and Kim Kardashian Still Not BFFs? Kim Kardashian was in Philly this weekend as boyfriend Kanye West made a guest appearance at Made in America. However, while Post contributor HughE Dillon saw Beyonce watching her husband perform, he did not see the reality TV star, leading him to speculate about the rumor that the two women don’t get along. See photos from the two-day Made in America concert here, and check out HughE Dillon’s Made in America fashion stars here.

Will Smith, the Bible and Vampires. All three of these—so now! so Philly!—will merge as Sony has said yes to Smith’s The Redemption of Cain project. [Fandango]

Kelly Ripa Finally Replaces Reg. After months of trial hosts came the surprise this morning already leaked news that Live! host and Jersey girl Kelly Ripa will have former NFL player Michael Strahan at her side in the mornings. [People]