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The stars of "Bones" -- Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz -- have millions upon millions UPON MILLIONS of reasons to smile Wednesday morning after winning a massive lawsuit against FOX over their now-canceled show.

Emily, David as well as the show's executive producer and writer were awarded $178,695,778.90 in the case ... which was essentially about their backend payments for the show's distribution on multiple platforms, including Hulu.

The case went to arbitration and did NOT go well for FOX. In fact, the arbitrator came down hard on the network for out-and-out lying and covering up financial details of the deal ... hammering them with $128 million in punitive damages.

Emily reacted to the victory, saying, "We are so proud of the hard work we did on Bones for 12 seasons and only ever wanted Fox to live up to its promises and contractual obligations."

David added, "It's clear that what we were saying all along was true: we were owed additional compensation for our work. Now I can only hope that Fox is made to settle its obligations to us without further delay."

For the record, FOX isn't taking the loss lightly telling TMZ ... "The ruling by this private arbitrator is categorically wrong on the merits and exceeded his arbitration powers. Fox will not allow this flagrant injustice, riddled with errors and gratuitous character attacks, to stand and will vigorously challenge the ruling in a court of law.”

Bottom line ... the network's already filed a motion to overturn all of the punitive damages.

Attorney John Berlinski repped Emily, David and writer. Kathy Reichs ... and he says, "As [the arbitrator] said, the facts are clear -- as is the extent of Fox's duplicity. What we have exposed in this case is going to profoundly change the way Hollywood does business for many years to come."

Berlinkski added, "Fox needs to -- at long last -- do the right thing and pay them what they are owed."

12:53 PM PT -- The Trump Campaign spokesperson, Kayleigh McEnany, has issued a statement about Cohen's testimony, stating, "Michael Cohen is a felon, a disbarred lawyer, and a convicted perjurer, who lied to both Congress and the Special Counsel in a 'deliberate and premeditated' fashion according to the Special Counsel's Office. Now he offers what he says is evidence, but the only support for that is his own testimony, which has proven before to be worthless."

She continued, "Prosecutors said his actions were to ensure that he would 'profit personally, build his own power, and enhance his level of influence.' This is the same Michael Cohen who has admitted that he lied to Congress previously. Why did they even bother to swear him in this time?"

We got Michael Cohen arriving at the United States Capitol as he prepares to testify before Congress about the misdeeds of Donald Trump.

Our photog notices Cohen seemed calm. The photog knew he wasn't going to get a preview of the testimony, so instead, he asked what music Cohen listened to in preparation for the big day.

Cohen will say some shocking things about Donald Trump when he testifies at 10 AM ET before the House Oversight Committee. He calls Trump a racist, a conman and a cheat.

Among the things he'll say ... "He once asked me if I could name a country run by a black person that wasn't a 'shithole.' This was when Barack Obama was President of the United States."

He adds, "While we were once driving through a struggling neighborhood in Chicago, he commented that only black people could live that way. And, he told me that black people would never vote for him because they were too stupid."

He will also submit letters he says he wrote at Trump's direction, threatening high schools and colleges not to release his grades or SAT scores.

And, Cohen will submit a check that Trump wrote to him for $35,000 as re-payment for the Stormy Daniels hush money payment.

Cohen also says he lied to Melania about his affair with Stormy -- at Trump's behest -- and says it's one of his biggest regrets.

Selena Gomez is back in the studio, and the timing couldn't be more perfect -- 'cause, as of this week, Ariana Grande's more relevant ... on Instagram, anyway.

Selena was seen leaving a recording studio in L.A. Tuesday night, and ya gotta imagine she hopped into the booth and laid down some tracks. It's been more than 3 years since she released a solo album, even if she's been featured here and there with folks like Cardi B.

Funny enough ... as Selena was in that studio, AG surpassed her fellow pop star in IG followers to become the most followed woman, if only barely. On Tuesday, Ariana reportedly hit 146,286,173 compared to Selena's 146,267,801. Both ladies got nothin' on Cristiano Ronaldo, though ... who's sitting pretty at 156M-plus followers.

Speaking of Ariana, she was seen leaving a rehearsal Tuesday in Calabasas as she prepares to head out on tour. Followers or not ... the hustle never seems to stop in this biz.

Not to compare these talented ladies, but they've simply had a much different past couple years ... although neither has escaped hardship.

Selena received mental health treatment last year after having an emotional breakdown. She also had a major surgery in 2017 for a kidney transplant. As for Ari, she lost her ex-BF, Mac Miller, to an accidental overdose, and split with her fiance, Pete Davidson.

Here's hoping Selena's got new tunes on the horizon. It'd be great to hear her over the airwaves again.

Meghan Markle's dad is outraged he's the butt of a joke once again, but this time it hurts way more because the joke came from one of his heroes -- Bill Maher.

ICYMI -- Maher was mocking flyover states last Friday on his show, 'Real Time,' when he dropped a Thomas Markle reference. Bill said red state voters ... "wanna go to the party. It's like we're the British Royal Family and they're Meghan Markle's dad."

Sources close to Thomas tell TMZ ... he's pissed, not only because he was a big Maher fan, but because he hates being compared to red state voters. We're told Thomas is a Democrat and hates Trump just like the late-night host ... so he especially hated being lampooned that way.

Our Thomas sources say he vented to a friend about the Bill bashing, saying he "should keep his f***ing mouth shut!" ... because Bill doesn't know the complete story about his strained relationship with his daughter.

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Ben Affleck's setting a shining example of how to not let a parking ticket -- or two -- ruin your day ... even when the meter woman is also dishing marriage advice and backhanded compliments.

The ex-Caped Crusader got in a little trouble Tuesday as he was leaving a Starbucks in Brentwood -- he already had a ticket on his windshield for an expired meter, and was in the process of getting another one for expired tags on his classic Chevy Chevelle SS.

Ben didn't let it get him down, though. He and the parking enforcement officer chatted it up about cars while she was writing him up, and to show there were no hard feelings at all ... he got a hug out of her before he left.

That's when she hit Affleck with a "You look better in person," and voiced her opinion on his relationship history ... he took it all in stride.

The three guys who allegedly robbed Safaree Samuels at gunpoint -- in plain view of surveillance cameras -- have just been indicted.

Shawn Harewood, Tacuma Ashman and Carl Harry were all slapped with a 7-count indictment ... including armed robbery in the first degree and unlawful possession of a gun in the second degree. They were also charged with 1 count of resisting arrest ... after crashing their car and fleeing on foot.

TMZ broke the story ... Safaree was held at gunpoint in April 2018 and robbed of more than $180k in cash and jewelry. The men had allegedly been tracking him for some time before it all went down in a parking garage. What's worse, one of the alleged thieves is someone Safaree knew very well.

R. Kelly could soon come face-to-face with the family of one his alleged "sex slaves" at Chicago's Trump Tower -- but only if they can get a posse of law enforcement to watch their backs.

Gerald Griggs -- an attorney who reps Joycelyn Savage's family -- tells TMZ he and the family are actively working with prosecutors in Illinois to conduct a new welfare check on Joycelyn at Kelly's Trump Tower pad.

Griggs says the Savages believe Joycelyn is living there, too, along with Azriel Clary. Both women were at R. Kelly's court hearing over the weekend, supporting him.

Griggs says Chicago PD conducted a welfare check in January, but he doesn't trust they did a thorough job. He says the fam wants one done when they can be there to witness it.

The Savages ultimate goal hasn't changed -- they're hoping they can somehow get through to Joycelyn and convince her to leave Kelly.

However, they're also afraid for their own safety, because they say R. Kelly's associates have threatened them. For that reason, Griggs says they're requesting assistance from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Basically, they want backup as protection from Kelly's people.

It's unclear if Cook County will oblige. We've got a call in, but no word back yet.

8:03 AM PT -- A spokesperson for the Indiana Gaming Commission tells TMZ Sports ... officials were called to investigate Jones for possible cheating at a table game.

When they responded, Jones became verbally combative and disorderly and was placed under arrest.

More trouble for Pacman Jones ... this time the NFL star has been arrested at a casino in Indiana -- and it seems like a carbon copy of a 2015 incident.

Officials confirm the 35-year-old was arrested at the Rising Star Casino early Wednesday morning for disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, public intoxication and intimidation.

He was booked into the local jail around 3 AM. We've got the mug shot and we're continuing to work on details. He's still being held in jail with no bond.

Back in 2015, Jones was escorted out of the Hollywood Casino in Indiana after getting into it with a casino employee. Security got involved and called police, and Jones was removed from the building.

TMZ Sports obtained footage from the 2015 incident showing police walking Jones off the property. You can hear him say in the video, "Where I'm from, if I ain't threatening you, if I ain't do s**t to you, then I ain't disorderly conduct."

Prosecutors ultimately decided NOT to move forward with charges in that incident.

Jones was arrested again in 2017 -- when cops say he got violent at a Hyatt hotel and then spit on a jail staffer. Cops released footage from that arrest which showed Pacman telling an officer to "suck my d*ck" and "I hope you die."

In 2013, he struck a woman in a nightclub incident (he was found not guilty).

In 2011, he was arrested for disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

He was also arrested in 2005 ... and 2006.

Pacman was also attacked in 2018 -- when a person who worked at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta confronted the NFL player in front of his wife.

Pacman knocked the dude out cold in a brawl captured on video.

Jones has played in the NFL for 14 years -- most recently, he played with the Denver Broncos. He played 7 games with the team in 2018 before being released in November.

Before that, he had a run with the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015.

Jones has reportedly made close to $40 million during his NFL career.

11:02 AM PT -- We just got AOC on Capitol Hill, and she tells us the comic book is truly an honor, and she's happy the proceeds are being donated to a good cause.

AOC tells us the entire process has been humbling, and she's hoping the comic will inspire people to discover their inner superhero.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is about to become a superhero in a new comic book chronicling her rise to Congress ... and her story starts in the ring.

TMZ has obtained a couple pages from Josh Blaylock and Devil's Due's new project, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force: New Party, Who Dis?" which hits the shelves in May.

The graphic novel paints AOC as a larger-than-life character who shows up in D.C. to kick some GOP ass with her fellow freshmen. Sounds real enough, but check out these panels.

Here's how the storyline begins ... AOC is a promising wrestler, and in WWE style, she kicks the butt of veteran Congressman Joe Crowley in the ring, and back in the locker room she meets a RIPPED Nancy Pelosi.

It's clear ... Josh and co. are not skimping on all the pulp drama. For the record ... AOC is not involved in the comic and, so far, has said nothing.

Oh, and BTW ... there's another page we got our hands on that takes a big shot at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Peep it for yourself ... very "Where's Waldo?"-esque.

Travis Scott and Cardi B are giving you another reason to visit Sin City ... because they're headlining the insane opening lineup for a new nightclub at the Palms Casino!!!

The first weekend in April is looking like a music festival in Vegas, to ring in the new KAOS dayclub and nightclub at the Palms ... with Alicia Keys, Skrillex, G-Eazy, Kaskade and J Balvin helping TS and CB get the party started.

It all kicks off Friday, April 5, with an intimate performance by Alicia Keys inside the Pearl Concert Theatre ... followed by Travis Scott and Skrillex in the first-ever concert at KAOS nightclub.

Cardi B, G-Eazy and J Balvin keep it moving Saturday night ... and you know it's gonna be a #SundayFunday with Kaskade and Vice rounding things out.

The only thing bigger than the music acts might be the dance floor ... because we're told KAOS features a 73,000 square foot dayclub and a 29,000 square foot nightclub.

Party people, assemble!!!

YNW Melly tried hatching an elaborate scheme to trick cops into thinking his buddies were killed by someone other than him and a pal -- at least, according to cops.

According to YNW's booking report out of Miramar, FL -- obtained by TMZ -- the rapper's friend, Cortlen Henry, drove to an ER in the wee hours of Oct. 26, asking for help for his two friends in his car, whom he claimed had been shot in a drive-by.

Cops say that the victims -- Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. -- were pronounced dead at the hospital. They were both shot in the head, torso and back. Police say it was a grisly scene ... blood splattered about the car.

Cortlen told police he and his two pals had just wrapped a late night studio sesh, and as he was pulling off the freeway ... a car pulled up on his driver's side and opened fire. Cops confirm there were 8 bullet holes along the right side of the vehicle -- where Williams and Thomas sat. Cortlen escaped injury.

As police investigated Henry's account, they found forensic evidence leading them to believe he lied and was covering up a very different murder.

Cops say they found a shell casing inside the vehicle, along with 8 matching shell casings in a different location, where cops think YNW and Henry shot up the car to make it look like a drive-by.

Cops say the initial shot was fired from inside the vehicle -- not outside, as Henry claimed -- and originated from the left rear passenger side of the car, which is where they say they later discovered YNW had been sitting.

Police say surveillance footage from the recording studio shows YNW, Henry, Williams and Thomas getting in the car to leave. YNW got into the back left seat.

Cops say after Williams and Thomas were shot, YNW and Henry drove around with the dead bodies "for a period of time" before driving to the hospital. Henry later told police YNW was, in fact, in the same car with them ... but exited at some point and got in another car.

Something else that doesn't help YNW ... a documentary about his life and career, that cops say they watched ... which "glorifies his use and possession of firearms." Oh, and he's also got a song called "Murder On My Mind." It's dark stuff.

Aaron Carter's a grown man making responsible, grown-up choices, but he still scored a pretty baller bachelor pad ... with a nice yard for his puppy to boot.

The singer tells TMZ ... Aaron's party has officially moved to Lancaster, California -- he dropped $430k on his first home ... a wise investment for his future and proving he's got his s**t together.

Aaron says he chose a house away from Hollywood and the beaches because he wanted to get more bang for his buck, and his new pad's close to dirt biking and camping sites ... a couple of his favorite activities.

He also scored a spacious yard for his 11-month-old Doberman pinscher, Diamond, to run around.

Aaron's 3-bed, 3-bath pad comes with a backyard pool and a 3-car garage, and with 2,686 sq. ft. ... there's plenty of room to entertain. It was listed by agent Christie Limpus.

**ATTENTION DEGENERATE GAMBLERS**

UFC star Anthony Smith says you can make a TON of cash betting on him to knock out Jon Jones at UFC 235 this weekend ... telling TMZ Sports, it's a safe bet.

Of course, Smith is a huge underdog in the fight ... the current line is Jones (-950) and Smith (+575).

In other words, if you bet $100 on Smith to win, it pays $575. If you bet on Jones, you need to plunk down $950 just to make a $100 profit.

But, Smith tells us, "If you wanna make some money, throw some money on me, man!!! If you don't and you bet against me, I'm sorry you're gonna lose your money."

Check out the clip ... Smith looks locked in and tells us exactly how he plans on beating Jones, who some call the greatest fighter in UFC history.

"I'm gonna finish Jon Jones," Smith says.

"I'm gonna put this fist on his chin and he's gonna go down. And, whether he stays down is up to him. But, if he gets back up, I'll do it again."

Anthony is currently on a 3-fight win streak -- with 6 wins in his last 7 fights. He's got solid victories over guys like Shogun Rua, Rashad Evans and Volkan Oezdemir.