57 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
Sources connected with the "American Idol" negotiations tell TMZ Kara DioGuardi has judged her last contestant on "American Idol" -- because she's been fired.
We're told the show will be going back to a three-judge format and assuming all deals are finalized, the judge's panel will consist of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
We're told the only way Kara could get a reprieve is if the J-Lo deal falls apart -- but we're told that deal is done.
Ellen DeGeneres announced earlier Thursday that she was leaving the show after just one season.
Filed under: Kara DioGuardi, American Idol
5 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
Laurence Fishburne's 19-year-old daughter is making a serious push to break into Hollywood -- and she's doing it with a hardcore sex tape.
TMZ has learned Montana Fishburne is starring in a porno flick for Vivid Entertainment -- explaining, "I've watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape."
Unlike the celeb she admires -- Montana is not arguing that her tape was stolen or obtained illegally.
We're told the flick is set to be released in August.
Filed under: Montana Fishburne, Laurence Fishburne
11 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
Lindsay Lohan's doctors could be the target of a prescription drug investigation launched by the Attorney General of California ... if the man in power responds to Michael Lohan's newest request.
TMZ has obtained a letter that Michael's attorney Lisa Bloom fired off to AG Jerry Brown yesterday -- in which they "respectfully request an investigation" into the "unscrupulous doctors" who "overprescribe medications to [Lindsay] ... in violation of California law"
In the letter, Lohan argues that Lindsay is an addict ... but due to a "giant legal loophole" ... she can legally get high on pills as long as she can score a prescription.
Lohan and Bloom note that Brown is committed to investigating and prosecuting docs who fraudulently prescribe meds -- and cite the Anna Nicole Smith case currently underway in L.A.
Brown wouldn't confirm if his office has yet received the letter -- but promises that his team will thoroughly investigate any "credible" claim that is brought to his attention.
Filed under: Michael Lohan, Lindsay Lohan, Lisa Bloom, Celebrity Justice
15 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
An army of top-heavy platinum blondes (and a few brunettes too) duked it out Wednesday in L.A. -- and it was all to jockey for a position on a new reality show ... to find Anna Nicole Smith's replacement.
The guy behind the show -- Anna Nicole's former personal designer Frank Rodriguez -- wants to find the next model for his clothing line ... and if it weren't obvious from the photos ... he wants her to look a whole lot like Anna.
Or at least try really hard to.
Filed under: Anna Nicole Smith, TV, Photo Galleries, Hot Bodies
18 minutes ago by TMZ Staff
The producer accusing Casey Affleck of sexual harassment held "key production documents" hostage while she negotiated for more money on the film Casey was directing ... this according to legal documents.
In the filing, Affleck's attorney Marty Singer attached documents -- including an email -- in which Amanda White seems to admit to keeping the papers while she attempted to get a higher fee for her work on "I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix."
In the email -- sent to Casey on April 12 -- White says, "I really feel that in good faith, the documents you refer to are my work product, so I would prefer to hold them in trust until we can get the matter of my deal resolved."
In the legal papers, Affleck's attorney refers to White's refusal to return the production documents as "extortionate" -- while White's attorney claims the documents "were insignificant and not needed for months."
White joined the project in December 2008. Sources connected to the production tell TMZ that she began trying to renegotiate her salary in January 2009.
We're told White quit in April 2009, but her compensation negotiations continued until October when her attorneys ended talks.
White filed her sexual harassment suit earlier this month.
As one source put it, "It seems odd that it took 15 months for them to bring this up, and it only happened after negotiations on her compensation stalled."
Filed under: Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Celebrity Justice
7/29/2010 8:41 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned Foxy Brown was in the middle of massive brawl tonight in the lobby of a New York City apartment building -- and she narrowly missed her second run-in with cops in just over a week.
Witnesses say Foxy was visiting someone at a luxury high-rise on 43rd Street when the fight broke out. A source tells us that Foxy was throwing down with several people in the lobby. It's unclear at this point what sparked the brawl.
We're told it took more than 10 people to break up the fight, and the NYPD eventually showed up on the scene -- but Foxy fled before the officers arrived. No arrests were made.
According to a source, one of the people Foxy fought with was her manager. When we called her manager she would only say, "No comment."
8 days ago Foxy was arrested in NYC for allegedly mooning a neighbor and violating a protection order. She's been charged with public lewdness, harassment, and criminal contempt in that case.
Story developing...
Filed under: Foxy Brown, Celebrity Justice, Music
7/29/2010 5:00 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
It's one and done for Ellen DeGeneres -- she's leaving "American Idol" after her first season as a judge on the show ... claiming it wasn't the "right fit."
Ellen just tweeted, "Dim the lights ... I've voted myself off American Idol."
Ellen claims she came to her decision, "a couple months ago" -- and admits, "It was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings."
She concludes, "I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be."
UPDATE: TMZ has confirmed reports that "Idol" is tapping Jennifer Lopez. We're told the ink may not be dry on the deal yet, but J.Lo is definitely the pick ... and the deal is all tied to Ellen's departure.
Filed under: Ellen DeGeneres, American Idol, TV
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7/29/2010 4:18 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Steven Seagal got a temporary restraining order today against a woman who allegedly attacked one of his employees while attempting to get into Seagal's house.
The request for the TRO -- filed and granted in L.A. County Superior
Court -- refers to Angela Rain Bates, a 55-year-old woman, as a
"delusional stalker" who was arrested at Seagal's home on July 14.
According to the docs, she attacked a groundskeeper and threw rocks
through a window of the house before LAPD arrived and took her into
custody.
According to the papers -- Bates ran down Seagal's driveway and when the groundskeeper tried to stop her she, "forcefully kick[ed] him twice, in the groin, and on his shin, causing a two-inch contusion on his leg."
The police report states that Bates told officers she was married to Seagal's father -- who is deceased -- and that she has lived in Seagal's house for over 20 years.
Bates was charged with battery, vandalism, and trespassing -- all misdemeanors. She pled not guilty and is still in jail waiting for her next court date.
The order requires Bates to stay 100 yards away from Seagal, his family, and the groundskeeper.
Filed under: Steven Seagal, Celebrity Justice
7/29/2010 4:30 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Former "Grey's Anatomy" doc Isaiah Washington is facing another round of accusations -- this time from a bank that claims he stiffed it on a six-figure loan.
The actor and his wife are being sued by City National Bank for allegedly not paying back a $100,030 loan they took out back in 2008.
According to the court docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court -- the Washingtons got one hell of a deal ... with a 1.5% interest rate and not having to put down any collateral.
The bank is looking to collect their cash -- plus interest and penalties. Attempts to contact the Washingtons were unsuccessful.
Filed under: Isaiah Washington, Celebrity Justice
7/29/2010 2:00 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
The apocalypse is nigh -- TMZ has learned The Situation is desperately trying to expand his empire ... entering into secret negotiations to appear on the next season of "Dancing with the Stars."
Nothing's official yet -- but according to sources close to the reality star, the deadline for negotiations is Monday ... so we should have a definite answer by then.
The Sitch's manager, Mike Petolino, begs to differ, telling TMZ, "There are no plans for DWTS at this moment."
Filed under: The Situation, Jersey Shore, Dancing with the Stars, TV
7/29/2010 2:20 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's former dermatologist -- and longtime friend -- Dr. Arnie Klein will now have a say about what YOU can put in your face ... TMZ has learned he's been appointed to the Food and Drug Administration ... an arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Klein -- who's been practicing medicine for 35 years and is considered a leader in the field of dermatology -- will offer his expertise in the field of injectables.
Klein tells us he'll primarily be dealing with trials for certain injectable products -- to determine how they should be used. He will also participate in toxicity testing.
Klein tells us, "It's most important that someone takes responsibility for what's happening in medicine ... we're the best country in the world, we should be able to deliver the best medical care in the world and have the best possible drugs at the lowest possible prices."
Filed under: Dr. Arnie Klein, Michael Jackson, Nurse!
7/29/2010 1:50 PM PDT by Johnny Lopez
Tracy Ryerson stars on Showtime's lesbian reality series "The Real L Word," but it was her rockin' bikini bod that put on a show in Santa Monica on Thursday.
Tracy's so hot, she doesn't even need lipstick.
Filed under: Tracy Ryerson, Beauty, Paparazzi Photo, Hot Bodies, Summer, Stars In Heat
7/29/2010 1:45 PM PDT by Johnny Lopez
Here's thinner "Price Is Right" host Drew Carey at some event in L.A. on Wednesday (left) -- and the late popcorn king Orville Redenbacher back in the day (right).
One did not receive sharp criticism from Bob Barker the other day.
We're just sayin'.
Filed under: Drew Carey, Orville Redenbacher, Beauty, We're Just Sayin'
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