Byron Scott Divorce Advice For Jeff Bezos ... Take It From Me!!

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LIFE COACH

Byron Scott knows what it's like to go through a nasty public divorce ... so here's the ex-NBA coach giving some very valuable advice to Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos!!

The ex-Lakers star was leaving Craig's in WeHo when we broke the news to him that Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, are calling it quits after 25 years.

Scott can relate -- he called things off with his wife Anita after 29 years of marriage back in 2014. The divorce wasn't exactly the friendliest split ... they went to war over everything from mansions to clothing and even hair care.

Byron's divorce became official in 2015 after a yearlong battle -- so we had to ask if he had any pointers for Bezos.

"Tell him I said, 'good luck' ... AND GET A GOOD LAWYER!!"

Hear that, Jeffy? Take it from Byron ... dude knows what he's talkin' about.

What's The Big Frigin' Difference?!

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Don't let these two almost identical images of Michael B. Jordan make you feel anything less than a star, make this your time to shine and see if you can figure out the differences between these two super similar snaps.

**HINT -- These are THREE differences between the above photographs!**

TMZ Live R. Kelly in a Panic ... 'Surviving' Impacting His Health

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HERE'S THE RUNDOWN
  • The Rock Rips Generation Snowflake
  • Aretha Franklin: Cash Stolen Before Death
  • Pablo Escobar: Brother Raises $10 Million To Impeach Trump
  • Megyn Kelly: I'll Be Back On TV This Year

R. Kelly Cops Check on 2 Women ... Allegedly Being Held Hostage

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R. Kelly came face-to-face with cops in Chicago after an anonymous caller claimed the singer was holding two women hostage.

The Cook County State Attorney's Office got a tip Friday that Kelly was at his Trump Tower residence with the women ... and he was holding them against their will. We're told cops raced to the property and made contact with R. Kelly and the women.

Our sources say 5 officers came to the home and ordered Kelly into the other room while they questioned the women. According to Chicago PD, both women said they were at the residence voluntarily and nothing untoward was going on. Police then left without incident.

We're told the 2 women were Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary, both of whom have maintained they were with R. Kelly voluntarily, despite their parents' strong claims they were the victims of brainwashing.

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ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

TMZ broke the story ... cops were called to a Chicago club Thursday morning after a tip was called in that Kelly was at the club partying and there was a warrant out for his arrest. Officers spoke with Kelly -- determined there was no warrant -- and let the singer continue to party.

As we reported ... Cook County State Attorney Kimberly Foxx has publicly urged victims of Kelly to come forward. We're told the victim hotline has been burning up ever since.

'Coming to America' Star John Amos Cleo McDowell's Hungry For Sequel ... Here's My Burger Pitch!!!

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John Amos is craving the opportunity to work with Eddie Murphy once again on the upcoming "Coming to America 2" ... and he's got a delicious reason why he should reprise his role as Prince Akeem's boss.

We spoke to John, who plays McDowell's owner Cleo McDowell in the OG film, after news broke Friday that Craig Brewer is coming on board to direct the sequel ... and John gives us his pitch for why he belongs in the reboot. Disclaimer: you might get hungry after listening to John's wild ideas.

It's interesting ... John tells us he hasn't been formally contacted to come back for seconds, even though Paramount Pictures is reportedly intent on bringing back the original cast, which includes Shari Headley, Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones.

Watch ... John is bubbling with ideas for the sequel, if and when the producers hit his line.

13-Year-Old Jayme Closs Smiling After She's Reunited with Aunt

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3:55 PM -- The first photo of Jayme has surfaced ... showing her smiling with her aunt and godmother, Jennifer Naiberg Smith. As we told you ... they were reunited this afternoon at the hospital where Jayme was being evaluated.

1:57 PM -- Officials say cops recovered a shotgun consistent with what was used at the scene of the homicide. Cops say Patterson -- who shaved his head after allegedly killing Jayme's parents to hide from cops -- shot the door open.

Cops say Patterson had a small connection to Jayme's parents -- working at the same turkey processing plant as them for one day three years ago -- and he intentionally went looking for her. Cops say it's unclear right now why Patterson targeted Jayme. Patterson will make his first court appearance Monday in Barron County court.

Officials added Jayme was reunited with her aunt at the hospital Friday afternoon. She'll be reunited with her family later this evening.

8:07 AM -- Officials have identified the kidnapper as 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson. He's been charged with 2 counts of first-degree homicide for the killing of Jayme's parents and 1 count of kidnapping. Patterson's being held in Barron County jail. Authorities say Jake had no criminal history and had no connection to the Closs family.

Officials say it's unclear how Jayme escaped her captor but added she perfectly described one of Patterson's vehicles, which helped cops quickly spot his car. Cops pulled Patterson over and arrested him without incident.

A 13-year-old girl who went missing 3 months ago after her parents were murdered was miraculously found alive ... and her captor is now in police custody.

Jayme Closs was found in the rural town of Gordon, Wisconsin (population less than 1,000) after escaping from a cabin and pleading with a neighbor walking her dog for help. According to reports ... Jayme was malnourished and disheveled ... wearing dirty clothes and shoes too big for her.

The dog walker then frantically knocked on a neighbor's door telling him to call 911. Minutes later, a large police presence descended on the suspect and arrested him. Authorities have not named the suspect.

Jayme was reported missing back on October 15 after her parents -- James and Denise Closs -- were found shot to death in their Barron, Wisconsin home ... about 65 miles south of where Jayme was found. Cops believe Jayme was home when her parents were murdered.

Officials say they received thousands of tips, watched dozens of surveillance videos and thousands volunteered for a massive ground search ... but she never turned up.

After calling 911, the neighbor offered Jayme food and water but she declined. She was taken to a hospital where she was evaluated and has since been reunited with family.

Elizabeth Smart -- who also escaped her captors after she was kidnapped in 2002 -- called Jayme a "brave, strong and powerful survivor." Smart added, "No matter what may unfold in her story let’s all try to remember that this young woman has SURVIVED and whatever other details may surface the most important will still remain that she is alive."

Originally published -- 6:55 AM PT

President Trump Clemson's Coming To White House ... And I Can't Wait!!!

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President Trump is congratulating the Clemson Tigers for winning the national championship ... because he's just announced that Dabo Swinney's football team will visit the White House next week, and it's a big win for the Prez.

POTUS announced Friday he's hosting the Tigers in our nation's capital Monday, the second time in three years Clemson will visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Dabo's squad also shook hands with Trump in June 2017 after winning it all.

Getting Clemson to the White House is huge for Trump. It's no longer an automatic for major sports champions to visit the President.

Remember, team visits to the White House became routine in the 1980s ... until the NBA champion Golden State Warriors started a trend last summer by making clear they wouldn't visit Trump.

The Philadelphia Eagles threatened to boycott the White House after winning last year's Super Bowl, and they never showed.

The Villanova Wildcats didn't visit the White House after winning last year's NCAA men's basketball tournament. Ditto for the NHL's Washington Capitals.

Like Clemson, the World Series champion Boston Red Sox accepted Trump's invitation, and pitcher Heath Hembree famously told us he f*cks with Trump. The Sox will visit sometime during the upcoming MLB season.

We're guessing Clemson's visit will keep Sen. Lindsey Graham in a great mood!

The Rock Blasts English Tabloid ... 'Gen. Snowflake' Story is Fake News

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3:29 PM PT -- The Rock just set the record straight by categorically denying the so-called interview with the Daily Star EVER HAPPENED. He's adamant -- the article was "100 percent fabricated." He goes on to say trashing a group, community or generation is not his style. He says, "I always encourage empathy, I encourage growth, but most importantly I encourage everybody to be exactly who they want to be."

Watch ... he also encourages everyone to get on board with "the Tequila Generation."

Excuse us while we hop on board.

Originally Published -- 7:50 AM PST

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's got a big problem with people who have problems with everything, because he thinks they're crapping on the freedom of speech.

The Rock says there are way too many people in this generation who are looking for reasons to be offended, and they can't handle simple disagreements. According to England's Daily Star, he says, "I don’t have to agree with what somebody thinks, who they vote for, what they voted for, what they think, but I will back their right to say or believe it."

Johnson believes that's the beauty of democracy, adding ... "So many good people fought for freedom and equality - but this generation are looking for a reason to be offended."

The Rock concedes it's a good thing today's society is much more tolerant, accepting and progressive, but believes the whining ways of "generation snowflake or, whatever you want to call them, are actually putting us backwards.”

It's interesting, because the mega movie star doesn't mention any specific examples, but you have to wonder if the recent Oscars fiasco with his buddy, Kevin Hart, fueled his rant.

And, we gotta ask ...

R. Kelly Air Attack on Record Label Drop the 'Sexual Predator'

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R. Kelly and his record label are now being attacked by ground AND air, because a women's rights group flew a banner over the record label's owner, calling him a "sexual predator."

UltraViolet is the group behind the move ... and they just had an airplane tow a banner over Sony Music HQ in Culver City Friday morning, and it reads "RCA/SONY: DROP SEXUAL PREDATOR R KELLY."

On Thursday, Kelly's daughter released a statement denouncing her dad, saying, "The same monster you all confronting me about is my father. I am well aware of who and what he is. I grew up in that house."

With calls to drop and mute R. Kelly intensifying in the wake of Lifetime's "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries, RCA has largely remained silent. RCA, which is owned by Sony Music, has been Kelly's label throughout his successful solo career.

UltraViolet also started an online petition urging RCA to drop R. Kelly ... but the airplane banner is sure to draw more attention.

Meghan Markle Half-Brother Thomas Busted for Drunk Driving

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Meghan Markle's half-brother, Thomas, was arrested Friday for driving under the influence of alcohol ... TMZ has learned.

The 52-year-old was driving by Oregon State Police when police stopped him at 1:33 AM and took him into custody for impaired driving.

Cops performed a field sobriety test and they say his impairment was obvious. They say he was visibly intoxicated and blew a .11.

Thomas -- the son of Meghan's father, Thomas Sr. -- was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center. His Chevy Silverado was impounded.

Thomas is estranged from Meghan. He sent a letter to Prince Harry in April in which he said, "It's not too late. Meghan Markle is obviously not the right woman for you."

Thomas' dad tells TMZ, "My son has a serious problem and he needs help, and I hope he gets it." Thomas Jr.'s sister, Samantha, tells TMZ, "His drinking is not related to Meghan. He always drank."

Thomas has had legal problems in the past. In January 2017, he was arrested for holding a gun to his girlfriend's head during a drunken fight.

Snow White Busted By Cops ... For Aggressive Panhandling

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Snow White isn't heading for a fairy tale ending this time around ... because a woman dressed as the famous Disney character got shoved in the back of a police cruiser after cops say she was way too belligerent begging for money.

Someone shot this video of Snow White getting busted for aggressive panhandling Thursday afternoon on Hollywood Blvd., and the photog clearly thinks the LAPD is playing the role of the witch.

It's kinda funny ... there's a Batman character standing idly by as cops handle the situation. Guess the Dark Knight has a soft spot for Disney princesses.

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BIKINI BOTTOM BRAWL

We've seen panhandlers get aggressive on Hollywood Blvd. before ... back in 2011, a man dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants started squaring up with 2 women!!!

No word on if Snow White is getting bailed out by the Seven Dwarfs.

'90 Day Fiance' Larissa Arrested After Bloody Fight with Colt, Allegedly Over Porn

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9:17 AM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell us Larissa called cops around 11 PM last night -- officers responded -- but Colt wasn't around. Cops returned to the scene a couple hours later and spoke with both Colt and Larissa ... they determined Larissa mostly had blood spatter -- and a single deep cut -- on her face.

We're told Larissa did have scratches on her stomach, but they appeared to be self-inflicted. Cops checked Larissa's criminal history and saw she had two previous arrests for domestic battery.

What's more ... cops checked Colt's fingernails, and observed he's a nail-biter ... and determined the injury to Larissa's face couldn't possibly have been from him.

Based on the evidence and her history ... police arrested Larissa for domestic battery.

She's being held on $3,000 bond.

The most volatile couple on "90 Day Fiance" had an explosive argument that led to facial injuries for both and seems to have ended in an arrest ... according to wild series of Instagram posts.

Larissa Dos Santos Lima shared photos and video overnight, revealing an apparent bloody battle with Colt Johnson, including a pic of her lacerated face with the caption ... "colt called the cops on me we argue."

According to Larissa ... the couple's fight began when she discovered an email showing Colt had created an account with the adult entertainment company, ManyVids, and purchased a porn video. From there it escalated big time, with Larissa claiming she scratched Colt because he was hurting her.

Larissa says she's afraid she'll be deported because Colt called the police first. There's also a vid showing Colt standing in the bathroom doorway as she says she's naked trying to take a shower, and another of Larissa covered in shaving cream ... suggesting Colt did it to antagonize her.

A "90 Day Fiance" blogger named John Yates chronicled the incident, as well, including text messages between him and Larissa in which she asks for help and accuses Colt of being a pedophile. John tells her to get out of the house and go to a neighbor's for safety.

Yates also shared a photo of Colt's facial injury allegedly from Larissa, which he says was sent to him by a friend of Johnson's.

Finally, Yates posted a pic of Larissa receiving first aid at her friend's house, but says she did end up getting arrested by cops. We're trying to confirm.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

BTW -- Larissa was reportedly previously arrested for domestic violence in November.

Originally Published -- 6:44 AM PST

Netflix Sued 'Bandersnatch' Chose to Rip Us Off ... Says 'Choose Your Own Adventure'

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Netflix's new 'Black Mirror' movie rips off a popular children's book series and takes it to a dark place, according to the folks behind "Choose Your Own Adventure" ... who've chosen to file a $25 million lawsuit.

Chooseco, the company that owns the 'CYOA' trademark, claims Netflix's 'Bandersnatch' jacked its popular idea without ever getting permission. In the suit, the publisher says it was in negotiations with Netflix to develop a series for years, but they never closed a deal.

Chooseco adds, Netflix deliberately tried to connect with the audience's nostalgia for the popular '80s and '90s 'CYOA' books ... according to the suit. The publisher says it was blatant too, with 'CYOA' being mentioned by name in the first few minutes of 'Bandersnatch.'

If you haven't seen it, 'Bandersnatch' is an interactive experience that allows viewers to choose the direction of the plot, but Chooseco says the choices can take the movie in a direction that includes "references to and depictions of a demonic presence, violent fighting, drug use, murder, mutilation of a corpse, decapitation, and other upsetting imagery."

The publisher says these dark and violent themes are way too mature for the target audience of its book series ... so the association with this "grim content" tarnishes its brand.

We reached out to Netflix, and they say they have no comment on the matter.

R. Kelly 'Surviving' Taking a Toll Riddled with Panic Attacks

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R. Kelly is feeling the heat in the wake of Lifetime's docuseries, because while law enforcement hasn't nailed him yet, he's been suffering panic attacks severe enough to require medical attention.

Sources connected to the embattled singer tell us the panic attacks started in the days leading up to "Surviving R. Kelly" airing last week. The firestorm that erupted after it aired is affecting him, too, because we're told they've continued ... with one attack being so serious, he sought treatment at a hospital.

Our sources say, more often, he's had doctors make house visits. We're told the episodes are triggered by the overwhelming backlash Kelly's getting from celebs and the general public. He's shocked how the tables have turned ... with most people now believing his accusers.

We're told Kelly's aware the pendulum isn't swinging his way right now in the court of public opinion.

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ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

As for his birthday celebration Wednesday night ... we're told Kelly's looking for reasons to get out of his house. Quite frankly, we're told he still believes he's done nothing wrong and doesn't want to seem like he's hiding.

His dwindling number of supporters -- many of whom cheered him in the nightclub -- might think he's unfazed by the controversy. Truth is, the public outrage -- even from Kelly's own blood -- is getting to him.

Shaq Defends Kevin Hart 'He Apologized, Move On'

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TIME TO MOVE ON

Shaquille O'Neal is calling for people to back off Kevin Hart ... saying he shouldn't have to keep apologizing for his old homophobic jokes and wants everyone to "just move on."

"Some people feel he made a mistake," Shaq said ... "He apologized for his mistake. I always thought comedians were allowed to crack jokes."

"Anyone that knows Kevin Hart should know that anything he said was never malicious."

Of course, Shaq is referring to some of Hart's tweets and stand-up bits from 2009 to 2011 -- when the comic described how he'd react if he found out his son was gay.

"Yo if my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that's gay,'" Hart tweeted in 2009.

The material resurfaced after Hart was named the host of the 2019 Academy Awards -- and after a backlash online and a demand for renewed apologies, Hart pulled out of the show and only apologized after stepping down.

"He shouldn't have to keep apologizing," Shaq said ... "He apologized twice."

"People should just move on. Everyone makes mistakes."

Of course, Shaq and Kev go way back -- Hart was a headliner Shaq's All-Star Comedy Jam back in 2009 and they've been friends ever since.

Shaq's not the only big star who's come to Hart's defense -- Ellen DeGeneres also went to bat for the comic ... backing Kev's stance that he's evolved and said it's his right to host the Oscars.