‘Baywatch’ Mike Newman Paddle Out Ceremony ... Surfers Honor Late Actor

Mike Newman -- the star of “Baywatch” who passed away last month after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease -- received a touching send-off from those close to him ... a paddle out held in his honor.

Matthew Felker -- the director behind the Hulu docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun” -- helped make the event happen ... and, check out the photo. It’s a fitting tribute to someone who spent so long acting near the water.

We’re told Newman’s costar David Chokachi -- the actor who played Cody Madison in more than 80 episodes of the show during the later ‘90s -- also came to pay his respects to Mike.

Celebrity Scramble Guess Who!

Mashed inside this celebrity scramble is someone you definitely want to crash your wedding, however if she's on your airplane, you better watch out! Put your pop culture knowledge to the test and see if you can guess the mystery star!

These puffed-up lips came in handy in a classic rom-com film ... She brought her sass to the big screen when she told her peer "That is the ugliest effing skirt." And if you throw any rocks n' stones at her family ... she'll let you have it!

HAPPY 46TH BIRTHDAY!

Can you guess who this hot chick is?!

Michael Moore Electing Trump Latest American Disgrace ... 'We Are Not A Good People'

Michael Moore is blasting Americans as a collective ... saying electing Donald Trump is the latest in a laundry list of problematic behavior -- and the country's populace is inherently bad.

The controversial filmmaker took to his website to share his thoughts on the most recent election ... and, he let American society have it -- saying past atrocities like slavery and the genocide of Native Americans have led directly to installing a convicted felon and alleged rapist as the next POTUS.

Moore also sees problems with Kamala Harris' campaign ... admitting they cheered when people like Dick Cheney -- someone Moore refers to as a war criminal -- endorsed her and pointing out the Biden admin's support for the War in Gaza certainly didn't help.

'Gladiator II' Denzel's Gay Kiss Not Scripted ... Improvised Take Among Several Not Used

Denzel Washington threw some shade at the producers of "Gladiator II" when he talked about a gay kiss he had in the film that was cut, allegedly over cold feet ... but it seems there is more to the story, TMZ is told.

A production source tells us ... the moment in question happened, but it was not in the script -- and done during an improvised take of which there were many for the scene.

The kiss take -- and other improvised takes -- ended up on the cutting room floor as a story choice. No prejudice went into making the decision, we're told.

Kate Upton Supermodel Freaks Fans Out With Cryptic Message Addresses Troubling Scenario to Cops, Judges and Parents

Kate Upton is out to her millions of Instagram followers about a very troubling scenario ... and it's safe to say she has people worried.

The supermodel recently posted on her Instagram stories a cryptic and disturbing question ... addressing her query to "lawyers/judges/advocates/law enforcement/parents" before going into detail.

Her message continued ... "A Dad, recently out of rehab, is traveling alone with his 10-year-old daughter. He gets drunk and high on pills, says he has a gun on him and threatens to SHOOT the taxi driver if he does NOT drop them of on the highway at midnight to walk home."

She added that the taxi driver in the scenario refused ... and "would rather be shot than drop the little girl off on the highway" ... with the conclusion, "Is this an emergency? A Crime? Would you be scared for your child?"

Fans were baffled by the question ... and had no idea how to take what appeared to be a serious ask from "Sweet Dreams" star.

Kate and her MLB star husband Justin Verlander share a 6-year-old daughter named Genevive ... the couple married in November 2017, but there's obviously no way of knowing if the message is at all related to someone in her inner circle.

We're out to Kate's rep for clarity ... so far, no word back.

What's The Big Frigin' Difference?!

Kristin Chenoweth -- aka the OG Glinda -- is defying gravity in these wickedly awesome photos! She rose to fame in pink, but take a look at this green ensemble and see if you can track down the witch switches.

Earlier this week in the Big Apple, the Broadway star made her grand exit and rocked a fire-fit -- donning a strapless sequin dress and strappy heels.

She may have passed the wand to Ariana Grande, but no one does Glinda the Good Witch like Chenoweth!

Can you find the minor magical changes?

HINT: There are THREE differences in the above Kristin Chenoweth photos!**

Michael Blackson You Can Tell How Funny A Comedian Is By Their Car ... Clearly, I'm Hilarious!!!

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IMAGE IS EVERYTHING
TMZ.com

Michael Blackson says the real reviews of a comedy club can't be found online, but in the parking lot ... 'cause you only need to look at a comic's car to judge his talent.

We caught up with the comedian at LAX Thursday ... and, he was picking up someone in a pristine white Rolls-Royce -- a car he says cost him a hell of a lot of money.

Blackson claims the car proves he's super funny ... 'cause hilarious comedians get paid big bucks -- and can buy very expensive cars.

Jim Carrey Sister Rita Dies

Jim Carrey's older sister Rita has died ... this according to her husband of 16 years, Alex.

Rita's husband posted the update on Facebook Friday morning, where he shared the radio personality passed away "peacefully and quietly" on Thursday.

As he continued, Rita's husband remembered her as his "bestest friend," "lover" and "beautiful wife."

Megyn Kelly Disney Needs To Dump Rachel Zegler Over Anti-Trump Rant ... She's A Pig!!!

Megyn Kelly didn’t hold back ... calling actress Rachel Zegler "a pig" after the "Snow White" star made a fiery Instagram post wishing Trump supporters would "never know peace" post-election.

Rachel's since apologized following the backlash ... but the conservative commentator ripped into her on SiriusXM Thursday, while calling for Disney to redo their entire live-action remake of the classic cartoon, which has already been filmed with Zegler in the lead role.

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hello disney

Megyn fumed, "Picture this, a Broadway actress who said, 'F Biden supporters, may Biden and Kamala never know peace.' That person would be fired so fast it would make your head spin."

Ariana Grande My Love For Ethan Slater is Wicked ... PDA at Film Premiere!!!

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are letting everyone get a glimpse of their mostly private relationship ... engaging in some light PDA at the NYC premiere of "Wicked" Thursday night!

The couple hit the red carpet in the Big Apple -- Ariana wearing a pink gown to match her character, Glinda, and Ethan all dressed up in a navy blue suit with a black tie.

While usually keeping some distance in public, Ariana couldn't help but wrap her arms around her man ... and he pulls her in for a tight embrace while cameras flashed.

Anne Hathaway On Run-In W/ Anunoby ... It Was A Dream Come True!!!

Nearly getting run over by a Knicks player apparently has a place alongside Oscars and blockbuster movie credits for Anne Hathaway ... 'cause she just revealed her scary encounter with OG Anunoby earlier this week was actually on her "bucket list!"

Hathaway took to her Instagram page on Thursday night to address the close call she had on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden ... and she was surprisingly jovial about it all.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

In a selfie video, she said "I almost got crashed into last night!" before adding, "I always wanted that to happen!"

Jeff Goldblum Ariana Grande, Who??? Drew a Blank on Their First Meeting 20 Years Ago

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WE GO WAY BACK
NBC

"Wicked" isn't the first time Jeff Goldblum and Ariana Grande have crossed paths ... with the veteran actor confessing he met the pop star 20 years ago -- but totally forgot all about it.

The "Jurassic Park" alum swung by "TODAY" Thursday, where he opened up about working with the Grammy winner on the musical movie ... and revealed they actually go way back.

Jeff says halfway through the making of the big screen adaption of "Wicked," Ariana reminded him that they had actually met in NYC once before ... though, she was a little girl at the time.

Conan O’Brien I'm Hosting The Oscars!!!

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Tune in !!!

Conan O’Brien’s got some big news -- he’s making his Oscars hosting debut!

The talk show legend shared a hilarious clip holding the iconic Oscar trophy, pretending he'd snagged a major movie award -- until someone yanks it away, leaving him awkwardly realizing he’s actually the new host of the 97th Academy Awards.

His acting in the clip might not win him an Oscar anytime soon, but his wit was on point -- he joked in the caption that America’s demand for him as host rivals the love for Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme.

Sylvester Stallone President Trump Is Just Like Rocky ... And George Washington, Too!!!

Sylvester Stallone compared Donald Trump to his famous character Rocky Balboa, saying he's in awe of the president-elect's victory in the 2024 election and labeling him a mythical figure.

The iconic actor delivered a speech at an event at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate Thursday night -- kicking things off by discussing the first scene of his 1976 classic boxing film, "Rocky."

Sly told the audience the camera pans from a wall painting of Jesus Christ in a converted church with a boxing ring, where Rocky is getting pummeled by his opponent, as the words “Resurrection AC Club” are seen in the background.

'Revenant' Bear Actor Alleged Fraudsters Bear-ly Knew What They Were Doing ... Em-bear-assing Attempt

The alleged insurance fraudsters who cops say used a bear suit and damaged several vehicles should've gone to the pros ... 'cause the guy who played the bear that attacks Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Revenant" has notes.

We spoke with Glenn Ennis -- the actor and stuntman in the extremely realistic bear costume (with a CGI assist) who absolutely mauled DiCaprio in the film -- and he tells us he finds the details of the alleged scheme hilarious.

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NOT SMARTER THAN YOUR AVERAGE BEAR
TMZ.com

ICYMI, some California guys allegedly tore up their high-end cars, wearing a cheap bear costume, and tried to get an insurance company to pay for the damages. Ennis says those guys needed to do more research on how bears move ... 'cause it was pretty clear to him that this wasn't a real bear ransacking the cars.

'Spy Kids' Star Robert Vito GF's TRO Request Granted ... After His Domestic Violence Arrest

Update

2:27 PM PT -- Lindsey Jennings' TRO against Robert Vito has been granted.

The ex-girlfriend of 'Spy Kids' actor Robert Vito is asking a judge to order him to stay away from her ... days after he was arrested for felony domestic violence.

According to a new legal document obtained by TMZ ... the actor's ex is seeking a temporary restraining order against Vito -- after making several troubling accusations.