Michael Jackson's kids will not suffer the fate of their famous father ... because we've learned Katherine Jackson doesn't lay a glove on them.
Sources connected with the family tell TMZ ... Katherine does not believe in physical discipline, and corrects Paris, Prince and Blanket by sitting them down and talking them through what they did wrong.
We're further told ... Katherine will not let Joe lay a hand on any of MJ's kids.
Joe admitted to Oprah he whipped Michael with a strap.
Turns out ... discipline is not a high priority at the Jackson compound ... because we're told MJ's kids are incredibly well-behaved.
TMZ Sports has confirmed ... the FBI has requested a meeting with a key figure in the Cam Newton college football recruiting controversy to find out if, "young men are being shopped to colleges."
The man feds want to speak with is John Bond -- a former Mississippi State football star. Last week, Bond claimed people connected to Heisman front-runner Cam Newton contacted him back in 2009 and said it would take $180,000 to get Cam to commit to MSU.
Newton eventually committed to Auburn University, where he's now one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
Bond's attorney confirms to TMZ Sports that the FBI has requested a sit-down meeting with his client -- and tells us the agent who contacted him said, "We are interested in whether young men are being shopped to colleges."
Newton has denied any wrongdoing -- and reps for Auburn have stated that Newton remains eligible to play and will start this weekend against Georgia.
Kermit better reserve his seat at the Oscars now -- because Academy Award-winner Chris Cooper tells TMZ, he not only signed on as the villain in the new "Muppets" movie ... he was born to play the role.
Cooper -- who won Best Supporting Actor in 2002 for his role in "Adaptation" -- left BOA Steakhouse in L.A. last night and told us, playing Muppet-villain Tex Richman is "in his blood" ... adding, "I come from a long line of Texans."
Mel Gibson will show up in court tomorrow to answer Oksana Grigorieva's claim he's not fit for overnight visits with their baby ... sources tell TMZ.
We're told part of tomorrow's hearing will focus on overnight visitation. Oksana believes Mel's nanny is the primary caregiver when Lucia sleeps at his home. Sources say Oksana insists the nanny takes care of the baby, especially at night, and Mel has shirked his responsibilities as a parent.
Judge Scott Gordon has enforced the custody arrangement that Mel and Oksana agreed to during their mediation in May. Under that agreement, when Lucia turned 1 last month, Mel got an additional day of weekly visitation. So now Mel is getting Lucia three days a week, with one overnight.
Sources say Oksana's lawyers will attempt to challenge the validity of the mediation agreement during tomorrow's court session.
They fish together ... they camp together ... they shack up together .... but Oprah's BFF Gayle King still insists the famous lesbian rumors are purely "ridiculous."
Gayle and her daughter Kirby hit the Museum of Modern Art in NYC last night -- when she told our photog that she's never put out a gay vibe with the famous talk show host ... because "there isn't one."
Can't two single, middle-aged women hang out in peace? All the time? Without men? Ever?
Pop star Christina Milian and super-producer The Dream are one step closer to being legally single -- TMZ has learned the couple has hammered out a settlement in their pending divorce.
Sources close to the soon-to-be exes tell us the terms of the settlement are extremely confidential -- but lawyers are expected to submit the paperwork to a Fulton County, Georgia judge in the very near future.
Milian and The Dream were only married back in September of 2009 ... and as we first reported, Dream filed for divorce nine days before Christina gave birth to their only child.
UPDATE: Christina's attorney Randy Kessler tells TMZ, "Ms. Milian strongly believes that peaceful resolution is better for their child and that she is very pleased with the settlement and that it was accomplished out of court."
New York Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson knows a thing or two about baseball -- such as rule #1 ... when it's time for #2 ... you better be quick.
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Teri Hatcher and Jon Tenney are legally divorced, but the conflict goes on ... because they showed up to court today to hash out a plan on who gets to spend time with their daughter over the holidays.
We're told the issue is over their daughter Emerson, who turns 13 tomorrow. The judge will decide which parent spends Thanksgiving and Christmas with the teenager.
Teri is sitting in the courtroom right now, with fellow divorcees in the peanut gallery.
The couple divorced in 2003, but apparently custody and visitation have become nagging problems.
UPDATE: The picture above is of Teri leaving the courthouse.
We took your questions on everything -- including the Floyd Mayweather Jr. restraining order, Lindsay Lohan heading to an outpatient facility, and Oksana Grigorieva's showdown with Mel tomorrow.
Plus: Lil Wayne banned from the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.
NFL star Michael Oher -- the guy who inspired "The Blind Side" -- is 6'4" and 313 lbs which explains the custom tailored shirt he rocked out last night -- but the iced-out watch and personalized cufflinks? That's just baller.
Oher and a few of his teammates hit an event for the HIKE Foundation -- a charity founded by fellow Baltimore Ravens star Matt Birk.
We're told Oher was extremely nice to people at the event -- and signed a ton of autographs ... with his non-bling hand.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been ordered to stay away from his baby mama Josie Harris and their two children ... as a result of a domestic incident back in September.
The boxing champ was not present at the Clark County Courthouse in Las Vegas where the judge issued the ruling.
As we previously reported, Floyd's baby mama Josie Harris claims the boxer beat her up, threatened to kill her and stole her cell phone on September 9.
The judge set Floyd's bail at $31,000 -- and stated that she did not believe he was a flight risk.
We're further told ... Katherine will not let Joe lay a hand on any of MJ's kids. 
