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"American Idol" has backed itself into a corner, because it might need to delay taping until it lands more judges ... but that doesn't work for the only judge it's got so far -- Katy Perry.

Our 'Idol' sources tell us ... Thursday is the last stop for the show's tour bus auditions, and it's just weeks away from the planned taped auditions with the judges. Problem is -- producers are no closer to locking down stars to join Katy on the panel.

So the dilemma is simple and serious -- if the show's forced to postpone filming, it will likely conflict with Perry's Witness tour schedule producers worked so hard to accommodate in the first place.

Adding to the dilemma ... 'A.I.' still hasn't signed desired judge #2, Luke Bryan. We're told he wants more money, and the Disney perks he was offered instead of cash didn't cut it. 'Idol's' no closer to landing the 3rd judge.

Our sources say everything's still up in the air -- not a good place to be for a legendary show trying to make a triumphant return to TV.

9:07 AM PT -- A rep for Aaron tells TMZ ... he didn't storm off the set of "The Doctors" after having rehab recommended, but rather left "quietly and professionally" after hanging out for at least half an hour when taping finished.

Aaron Carter is willing to talk about his prescription drug abuse, but bolted as soon as the topic of rehab came up on "The Doctors" ... according to family members.

Aaron agreed to a drug test when he taped the show about a month ago -- it airs this week -- and results came back positive for benzodiazepine (Xanax-like drugs) and hydrocodone (generic Vicodin). He claimed the doctors were helping him more than any therapist had, but a Carter family source tells us Aaron drew a line at the suggestion that he gets treatment.

We're told the doctors made the rehab recommendation after the show was done taping -- and they even said the show would pay for it, but Aaron got defiant and insisted he would NOT go.

Our sources say he stormed out of the studio, hopped in his car, and drove from L.A. to Florida the next day.

Afrojack didn't just ice up his own neck for his birthday, he made sure his whole crew was shining ... even though it cost him SIX figures! Best. Friend. Ever.

The Dutch DJ ordered 5 chains with custom Afrojack logo pendants made with white gold and diamonds. He bought one for himself, but the other 4 went to his closest friends. A source close to Afrojack tells us it was a thank-you for supporting him during his 10 years in the biz.

We're told each of the 5 pieces cost $20k -- and Afrojack hit up celeb jeweler Ben Baller of IF & Co. because he was impressed by Lil Uzi Vert's new chain. The goodies were delivered last weekend to his 30th bday bash in Holland.

Talk about a happy customer ... we're told Afrojack ordered 5 more for other members of his entourage.

We're saying he's spending like there's "No Tomorrow" -- his new track -- but he's got stacks for days.

Stop clownin' around and float through the photos to check out what the OG cast of Stephen King's 1990 fright film 'IT' looks like now!

The path to Farrah Abraham's rejuvenated vagina might be well worn, but you can still make an impression on her -- for the cost of a new pair of heels or a trip to Bangkok.

Farrah's created a profile for herself on the porn site, CamSoda -- where she's debuting her post-op vajayjay -- and it includes a wish list of things potential suitors can send her. It's a diverse wish list, but everything on it is expensive as hell:

- trips to Thailand, Greece, Monaco and Brazil
- $200 for a mani/pedi
- $3000 for hair
- Louis Vuitton purse, travel bag and carry-on luggage
- $1000 shopping spree
- size 9 heels

We're guessing the heels better be Louboutins or bust. The list might sound greedy, but in fairness -- porn stars commonly do this online.

Farrah makes her adult camming debut Wednesday evening, so who knows what will be filled ... from the list by morning.

The production company that is being sued over a fatal plane crash during the filming of Tom Cruise's movie, "American Made" has filed new legal docs, saying the real culprit is the aviation company that didn't properly care for the plane.

As we reported, on Sept. 11, 2015, a Piper/Smith Aerostar 600 crashed in Colombia, killing 2 occupants -- American pilot Alan Purwin and Colombian pilot Carlos Berl. A third was seriously injured.

The heirs of the people who died filed wrongful death lawsuits against Cross Creek Pictures, which produced the movie. Now Cross Creek claims S&S Aviation, which owned the plane, did not maintain it properly. The suit claims S&S was "negligent in failing to properly inspect, repair, maintain and ensure airworthiness." Cross Creek also claims S&S failed to provide adequate pre-flight preparation and pilot training.

Cross Creek is asking the judge to nail S&S for any damages for which it may be on the hook.

Daniel Cormier has been reinstated as the UFC's Light Heavyweight Champion after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 214 was officially changed to a "no contest" in the wake of JJ's positive steroid test.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Jones was flagged for Turinabol -- a banned anabolic steroid. The results from Jones' B sample were made public Tuesday -- confirming the bad news for Jones. As a result, the California State Athletic Commission overturned Jones' victory and now has it ruled as a "no contest."

Cormier appeared on "UFC Tonight" and said he's already been contacted by Dana White ... who informed him that the belt will be returned to him.

"Once again, I'm the UFC champion," Cormier proclaimed.

Al Sharpton says he's got Jemele Hill's back -- and if ESPN fires her over her anti-Trump tweets, he'll lead a boycott against the network.

The Rev. tells TMZ Sports he's furious with the White House and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders for saying Hill's tweets are a "fireable offense."

FYI, Hill strongly tweeted against Trump on Sept. 11 ... calling him a "white supremacist" and "the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime."

Sharpton says Hill has every right to express her political views without fear that the government will call for her job.

"Let's not forget, ESPN is regulated by the FCC. The FCC commissioners are appointed by the White House so it's a whole different level of intimidation on media outlets when you have the press secretary [calling for a reporter's job]."

Sharpton says he has a message for Hill -- "Stand strong. If they take you out, many of us in the civil rights community will stand up for you and take ESPN off our service."

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have plunked down millions of dollars -- which for them is a drop in the bucket -- for an amazing pad in 90210 ... and they bought it from a famous singer/songwriter.

We've learned the deal closed Tuesday, in the super exclusive Trousdale area. The house was listed for $12.75 mil, and they got it for just under 12 mil.

Trousdale is known for 1 story contemporary, and this one does not disappoint. The backyard is great ... ditto the pool. Cindy and Rande are known for entertaining outdoors, so it hits the spot.

They're selling their Malibu pad for $60 million, so the Bev Hills house isn't exactly chump change, but they won't be hurting. BTW Rande and George Clooney just sold Casamigos for $1 billion.

Cindy and Rande bought the house from OneRepublic singer Ryan Tedder. He also writes songs for Madonna, U2, Beyonce, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Zedd, One Direction, Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, Jennifer Lopez, and on and on.

We reached out to celeb realtor Kurt Rappaport, who repped Cindy and Rande, but he didn't call back.

Martin Shkreli is back in federal custody after his bail was revoked due to online threats against Hillary Clinton.

Shkreli was arrested Wednesday in NYC after a judge revoked his $5 million bail in his securities fraud case. As we reported ... Shkreli got into hot water for his FB post offering "$5,000 per hair obtained from Hillary Clinton."

He also said, "The Clinton Foundation is willing to KILL to protect its secrets" ... and that's why he was offering cash for her hair.

Shkreli backtracked from his offer in a letter to the judge, calling it an "awkward attempt at humor."

Too little too late, clearly.

Apple's head honchos gave the biggest plug possible to an unsigned, independent artist during their iPhone X launch, and she could land a record deal because of it.

We spoke with British singer/songwriter Emma Blackery -- whose EP, "Magnetised," and the artwork to her single got shown to millions of people tuning in Wednesday to Apple's presentation -- and she says it was a godsend.

Emma tells us she and her team knew her album and artwork were going to be on Apple's site, but got taken by surprise with the unexpected cameo on the jumbo screen. As of now, she's mostly known as a vlogger on YouTube.

As you might imagine, her fan base has soared since -- not to mention her business opportunities. She says multiple record labels have come calling ... and she's picking up.

Senator Elizabeth Warren nearly broke into tears while explaining why there SHOULD be bipartisan support for the revised healthcare bill. Whether there will be ... is a whole other Oprah.

We got the Massachusetts Senator on Capitol Hill Wednesday and asked her about backing Sen. Bernie Sanders' medicare-for-all bill, slated to be introduced later this month.

Sacramento Kings star Zach Randolph just struck a pretty sweet deal in his marijuana case ... and all he has to do is a TON of community service.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Z-Bo was arrested for felony weed possession with intent to sell back in August when cops say they busted him with more than 2 pounds of pot in Nickerson Gardens.

The charges were later reduced to misdemeanor possession of more than 1 ounce of marijuana and resisting arrest ... and Randolph was facing up to 1 year in jail if convicted on both accounts.

But now, we've learned Randolph struck a deal with prosecutors to plead no contest to misdemeanor resisting arrest ... and in exchange, the pot charge was tossed completely.

Randolph was sentenced to 150 hours of community service as part of a diversion program, which means if he completes the hours and keeps his nose clean for 12 months, the resisting arrest conviction will be wiped from his record.

One more thing ... Randolph was specifically told he may not associate himself with or be around drug dealers as part of the terms of the deal.

The case is due back in court for a progress report in December. Good luck!

Jason Aldean's wrapped up in a burrito controversy -- an employee claims he was 86'd after putting the country star on blast for his tip on a massive order.

We're told Jason's crew ordered 60 burritos and a quesadilla last week at Black Sheep Burrito & Brews in West Virginia ... not far from where the singer was performing. Total due for the grub -- around 500 bucks, but get this ... the worker claims Jason left a crappy tip.

We're told the employee was so pissed, he tweeted at Jason for being a cheapo. But a few days later, he says he got sacked. A manager at Black Sheep tells TMZ ... Jason's people didn't blow the whistle about the tweet, it was another employee who told management. As for the firing, the manager says tweeting about customers is a company violation.

Ted Cruz is not gonna fire the dude on his staff who liked a porn video on Twitter.

Cruz spoke to CNN's Dana Bash Wednesday, and the elephant in the room was addressed ... his official Twitter account had "liked" a porn video on Monday night ... which showed up to his 3 million-plus followers.

The Texas senator made it clear -- it wasn't him. A male staffer "screwed up" and "hit the wrong button." Cruz also said he wasn't gonna out the "fella" who did it, 'cause it was accidental and wouldn't happen again.

Dana asked if the staffer would be punished, and Cruz deflected, saying it'd been dealt with internally. In other words ... the guy's still got a job.