'American Idol' Parent Company Goes Bankrupt Show Became a Money Pit

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The media giant behind "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" has filed for bankruptcy, and part of the problem is ... 'Idol' was hemorrhaging money in its final seasons.

Core Media Group filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday morning saying it's several hundred million dollars in the hole, and needs to reorganize its debts. Core and all its subsidiaries say they have $73 million in assets, but more than $512 million in debt.

One of its biggest creditors is 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller, who is owed more than $3.3 million. Several law firms and music labels, as well as the FOX Network are also owed dough.

Core Media's filing includes many of its holdings, including 19 Entertainment which owns the recording rights of 'Idol' superstars like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.

In the bankruptcy docs, Core says revenue started sliding after 2012 when 'Idol' ratings started declining. For instance in 2014, earnings dropped $15 million from the previous year.

Charlie Sheen Scores Legal Victory Ex-Fiancee Not in Danger

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Charlie Sheen does not pose an imminent threat to ex-fiancee Brett Rossi ... so says a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.

Rossi claimed in legal docs her life was in danger, claiming audio existed of Charlie threatening to have her killed.

At the time Rossi filed, a judge issued an immediate restraining order based only on her claims, but after a hearing Thursday a judge threw out the order, saying there was no immediate threat.

One thing that didn't help Rossi's case ... she was a no-show. Sheen's lawyer, Marty Singer, was incredulous, because he learned she was in Atlanta for a special appearance at the Pink Pony strip club, touting her as a "world famous adult film star" and "2012 pet of the month."

A judge set a hearing for May 18, to decide if a permanent restraining order was appropriate.

Lil Wayne No 'Respek' ... Chillin' with Birdman Foes!

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Lil Wayne put ZERO 'Respek' on Birdman's name by hanging out with Rick Ross and Trick Daddy -- 2 of the guys who prompted Birdman's infamous rant.

Weezy and co. posed together in Miami right before Beyonce took the stage to kick off her tour. We don't know if the middle finger was intended for Cash Money's honcho, but he's gotta be taking it that way after his 'Breakfast Club' blowup over a lack of respek.

Remember, Charlamagne Tha God reminded Birdman that Ricky Rozay and Trick Daddy were also dissing him ... before he stormed out of the studio.

Wayne and Birdman seemed to be patching things up personally -- although they're still at war, legally -- but this pic won't help.

Prince Search Warrant Served on Singer's House

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Authorities have obtained a search warrant for Prince's house, and in the docs there's an ominous warning ... if the justification for the warrant gets out it could cause others to destroy evidence.

The warrant was issued Thursday in Carver County, Minnesota, allowing cops to search the home in Paisley Park Studios, where the singer lived and died. Our sources say authorities want to see if there's evidence of drugs, correspondence, prescriptions and medical information that could help in the death investigation.

The sheriff's office says in the request for a warrant ... they want to keep the information in the warrant confidential because "premature disclosure of the details provided in the search warrant and its accompanying documents may compromise this law enforcement investigation by causing the search or related searches to be unsuccessful."

Translation ... we know authorities are interested in drugs that were prescribed by doctors and filled by pharmacies, and they don't want evidence tampering.

TMZ broke the story ... our Prince sources say it was known among close friends and family ... he had a Percocet addiction for years.

The judge ordered that the sensitive documents be sealed for 6 months or until the commencement of any criminal case.

Sheila E. I Want to Protect Prince's Legacy NO Interest in His Money

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Sheila E. is doing everything she can to make sure no one exploits Prince's music or his money ... but she's NOT warring with his family over her friend's estate.

Sheila has deep concerns that vultures are looking for opportunities to profit off Prince's death -- so she's offered her support to his family and Paisley Park reps ... according to Sheila's rep.

The rep says there's no truth to reports Sheila is fighting with Tyka, Prince's sister, over the estate. She adds, Sheila "has received no compensation nor will accept compensation" ... and she's already turned down multiple offers to get paid for "tribute" concerts.

Additionally, Sheila thinks all memorial shows should be authorized by the estate and all revenues should go to Prince's favorite charities.

Katt Williams A Salt & Battery Bust at Restaurant

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Normally we'd take a Katt Williams arrest with a grain of salt, but this one was over multiple grains of salt ... which the comedian allegedly threw at a restaurant manager.

Katt got arrested late Wednesday night at Atlanta seafood restaurant Spondivits after he got into it with the staff ... according to cops.

We're told Katt's party walked into the restaurant and decided to seat themselves instead of waiting for a host. Katt soon followed and started arguing with the manager over the seating situation.

Katt allegedly settled matters by grabbing a salt shaker, chucking it at the manager and smashing him in the face. Cops say his lip was bleeding, and Katt had fled when they arrived.

Officers found Williams a little later and arrested him for battery (no salt) ... he posted bond and was released around 12:30 AM.

Beyonce Love Fest for Jay Z ... 'Becky Beef' Squashed??

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TO MY LOVING HUSBAND ...

Beyonce's Miami concert must have felt like a roller coaster ride for Jay Z -- one second she was trashing him, and the next she was gushing over him.

Bey closed her Formation world tour kick off with "Halo" and a dedication to her "beautiful husband."

Of course, earlier in the show she performed her new tracks from "Lemonade" ... which included that damned lyric about Becky and her good hair.

Jay was reportedly sitting front and center for the show -- no doubt laughing at the angry Beyhive, counting his their money in his head ... and checking out her ass.

Prince Long-Standing Percocet Addiction

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Prince was addicted to Percocet for years before his death ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources connected with the singer's family tell us, doctors prescribed the powerful painkiller in 2009 when he was suffering from hip problems. We're told he had corrective surgery sometime around 2010, but by then he was hooked on the drug.

Our sources say Prince developed a sometimes debilitating dependence on Percocet in the years that followed.

TMZ broke the story, Prince almost died from a Percocet OD 6 days before he was found dead in an elevator.

And as we reported, Prince made at least 4 trips to a Walgreens pharmacy near his home in the week leading up to his death.

We're told the feds are now investigating who prescribed the drug, who filled the prescriptions and under what circumstances.

Daphne Joy Wet in Miami

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Daphne Joy took her talents to South Beach for a dip and some rays -- sans boyfriend Jason Derulo.

50 Cent's baby mama was down there with a friend for some girl time.

She was probably down there with Jason, because he was nearby in Hollywood, Florida doing a radio show ... without a shirt.

#Bangin

Iggy Azalea Becky Now Ruined as Baby Name

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DON'T CALL ME BECKY!

Iggy Azalea thinks the furor over Beyonce's "Becky" reference in her album "Lemonade" has put it toward the bottom of the heap as a baby name.

Iggy was talkative at JFK Wednesday and wanted to make it clear ... she has no beef with Beyonce over Becky-gate.

On the subject of Nick Young ... good question by our photog about which comes first ... a Lakers championship or marriage.

Prince Mad Scramble to Cash In On Famous Image

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A free-for-all has erupted over the right to sell merchandise with Prince's mug.

We did some checking, and turns out there's no particular law in Minnesota that protects a person's image after he or she dies. Translation ... when Prince passed away last week, there's nothing in the law specifically prohibiting any Tom, Dick, or Harry from plastering Prince's face on t-shirts, socks, posters, key chains and all things cheesy.

It's way different from places like California and Tennessee, where courts and legislatures have given the estates of dead celebs the right to go after people who try and make a quick buck off famous images.

Fact is ... Minnesota hasn't been home to that many deceased international celebs, so it looks like the courts have never had to deal with protection of images after death.

As a result, there are a bunch of fly-by-night companies that are hawking R.I.P. Prince gear.

We're told Prince's siblings are aware people are profiting off Prince's image, and they're considering filing a test case. It's unclear how the Minnesota courts will rule, but for now it's the Wild Wild West in the Midwest.

Lindsey Vonn 2nd Date with 'Vikings' Star ... Finally More than Friends?

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Seems Alexander Ludwig is ferociously battling his way out of the friend zone -- 'cause the "Vikings" star was out with Lindsey Vonn AGAIN ... despite the fact she claimed they were "just friends."

Miranda Lambert Anderson East Tells Audience She's 'My Girl'

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Miranda Lambert's BF Anderson East told the world Wednesday night she's his girl.

With a little prodding from Chris Stapleton, who was headlining at The Greek in L.A., Anderson did backup to "My Girl" and Miranda joined in.

Your move, Blake and Gwen.

Manny Pacquiao Beefs Up Security After Terror Threat ... 'I Had No Idea'

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Manny Pacquiao says he had NO IDEA he was targeted in an alleged terror plot until the Filipino president announced it publicly ... but now, he's taken serious measures to keep his family safe.

Michael C. Hall Shoots Down 'Dexter' Rumors

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DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP

Michael C. Hall is done with "Dexter," despite a buzz it might come back for season 9.

Our photog spotted Michael leaving Fred Segal in WeHo when he asked about the rumor. Michael was not 100%, but close enough to dash our hopes.

Chris Pratt I Ruined Aaron Rodgers' Steak ... My Bad.

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WELL DONE

The mystery is over.

Chris Pratt says he takes FULL RESPONSIBILITY for torching Aaron Rodgers' steak on a couples trip earlier this month -- falling on the sword in the biggest celebrity meat story since "Kim Kardashian, Superstar."