Matt Lauer has softened his position about leaving "Today" in December at the end of his contract -- that is, if NBC antes up a record amount of money.

Sources connected to NBC tell TMZ ... Lauer was done with "Today" and wanted out -- but the word at the network is he will now re-sign if NBC ponies up way more than the $17 mil he's currently making.

We're told negotiations are now ongoing -- but if NBC agrees ... Lauer could score as much as $30 MILLION a year.

As for why the change of heart -- there are two schools of thought according to network sources. Some say Lauer changed his mind when network execs made it clear they were extremely interested in tapping Ryan Seacrest as Matt's replacement -- in other words, he got a little jealous.

But there's another school of thought -- that Lauer has wanted to re-sign all along and just played the "I'm leaving" card to score a bigger pay day.

As for whether Lauer is worth $30 mil ... to put it in context, "Today" makes roughly $450 million a year for the network ... more than any other show on NBC.

So we gotta ask ...

Months before skyrocketing to fame on the cast of "Glee," Mark Salling was a tree-hugging bird-loving acoustic-guitar-playing hippie-dippie park squatter -- and we got the footage to prove it!

You see, Mark -- an outspoken bird advocate -- is a member of the Echo Park Ornithology Club in Los Angeles.

And three years ago, right before Mark struck it big on "Glee" -- he expressed his pride in the animal organization by whipping out his guitar at a park meeting ... and jamming out an EPOC theme song he wrote.

You probably wouldn't guess from the lyrics -- but the song's called "Echo Park Ornithology Club."

It's not that bad either ... in fact, it's painfully catchy. You've been warned.

Nate Dogg's world-famous rap friends turned their backs on the singer when he needed them most ... refusing to pitch in one cent towards his medical costs ... this according Nate's former associate, who's on the hook for the $300k bill.

TMZ broke the story ... Nate's estate AND a record label owner named David Michery ... were sued by the medical facility where Nate lived from 2008 to 2010 after suffering a massive stroke. A judge recently ruled in favor of the facility, which means David needs to pay up ... or else.

David tells TMZ ... he DID vouch for the bill back in 2010 ... but only because nobody else would step up to the plate ... "none of Nate's so-called rapper friends."

David says medical personnel told him it was imperative that Nate receive treatment at the CareMeridian center at the time ... because the singer's life was hanging in the balance.

"I was the only person who would come forward because I didn’t want him to die. Me and Nate have 20 years history together and I did what everyone should have done and tried to save his life ... not let him get kicked out in the streets and die."

David says he intends to pay the costs by releasing several never-before-heard Nate Dogg tracks that he claims he owns.

When asked if he regrets taking responsibility for Nate's massive medical bill ... David says, "Not at all ... I would do it again in a minute. I just wish that the people he looked out for all these years and the people who claim to love him so much would help out."

TMZ spoke with Warren G -- who famously recorded "Regulate" with Nate -- who tells us, "I rode with Nate 'til the end ... I did what I could do for him with other things financially."

He added, "If I was able to pay for his hospital bill, I would have. I made several calls to numerous people for help. I love Nate ... he's my brother."

We called several other rappers who were close with Nate -- so far no response.

Michael Lohan is finally gearing up to ask the burning question that may or may not have been on his mind for years -- "Would you like fries with that?"

Sources tell TMZ, Michael filed an application with a local Burger King in Palm Beach, Florida yesterday after he was released from a residential treatment facility -- which he was sentenced to as part of a plea deal in his domestic violence case involving ex-GF Kate Major.

According to sources, Lohan was moved to a 3-bedroom halfway house after his rehab release -- and the counselors at the treatment center recommended he get a real job to pass the time ... until his final release on March 16th.

We're told the job's primary purpose isn't to make money -- though $7.75 an hour ain't bad -- it's to help residents like Michael slowly assimilate back into normal society.

So far, it's unclear if he locked down the burger-flipping gig.

Shemar Moore spent his Sunday drowning in a sea of half-naked, hard-bodied* party chicks ... at a CRAZY lingerie bash at his L.A. home ... and TMZ has the pics.

Technically, it was a Super Bowl party ... but with all the scantily clad people running around, nobody gave a flying crap about Eli Manning.

Instead, the "Criminal Minds" star encouraged everyone to rage their faces off ... by serving a ton of booze, munchies ... and posting a banner that read, "What happened at Shemar's house NEVER HAPPENED ... Let's Get It In!"

* -- most of the people were hard-bodied ... not all.

Ice-T's wife Coco posing naked with her infant nephew -- an innocent and adorable picture ... perfect for launching loud and heated debates with your co-workers. Trust us.

As if stalkers and court drama wasn't enough, Halle Berry is also having some serious problems with her home in the Hollywood Hills ... and now she's on the hunt for a new place to live ... temporarily.

Halle was spotted checking out some swanky beach pads in Malibu today ... and sources connected to the actress tell us she's looking for a short term rental while her Hollywood home is under repair.

We're told Halle wants to be in a safe and secure area ... especially with TWO dangerous fans on the loose.

As we previously reported, Halle ultimately wants to move to France to be with her fiance Olivier Martinez ... and she wants to bring her daughter with her ... but she needs a judge to sign off, first.

Until she sorts that situation, guess the beach will have to do.

UFC hottie Arianny Celeste's bikini executed a breathtaking submission hold earlier today at a pool in Miami -- squeezing her boobs so tight ... the lovely ladies nearly came loose.

She's got all the right moves.

60 something action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone both needed surgery after filming "Expendables 2" -- which gave us a great idea for their next blockbuster. Roll it!!

Snooki and Jwoww will be on some seriously thin ice when they begin shooting their new reality show in Jersey City ... because the cops will be assigned to watch their asses AT ALL TIMES.

TMZ has learned ... officials in Jersey City  refused to a grant a permit to shoot the show UNLESS they agreed to some seriously strict rules.

1) The show must allow at least four Jersey City PD officers to be stationed at Jwoww and Snooki's home at all times.

2) The cops will stay with the cast and crew when they leave the home. Cops have agreed to keep an appropriate distance from the operation, so they don't get in the way of production.

3) If MORE cops are called in to handle an incident due to events related to the show, producers MUST reimburse Jersey City for all related costs.

Officials have also made it clear ... cops are taking the situation very seriously and will take action ... even on the cast ... if any state or city laws are broken.

Ultimately, producers agreed ... and got the permit. Production is scheduled to begin later this month.

We didn't think it was possible -- but Ne-Yo's baby mama just broke the African-child-adopting records set by Madonna AND Angelina Jolie ... combined ... agreeing to adopt 48 children in Swaziland.

Full disclosure -- Monyetta Shaw's not actually taking 48 children back to the United States with her ... but she did agree to pay for their living costs for an entire year ... a nearly $20,000 commitment.

Sources tell TMZ, "Football Wives" star Chanita Foster (below) -- who founded a charity called Beyond the Game to provide children in Swaziland with food, clothes, and education -- got in touch with Monyetta about sponsoring a child or two ... and Monyetta agreed.


But we're told, once Monyetta saw the 48 young faces in the charity's brochure -- she fell in love ... and insisted on adopting all of them.

Each kid costs roughly $30 a month -- and Monyetta adopted 48 for an entire year ... which means she's in for $17,280. Not bad.

Of course, to provide similar care in the U.S. would run roughly the same ... PER CHILD

Halle Berry does not want to leave the U.S. for France with daughter Nahla because the food is so good over there ... she wants out of this country because she fears for her life and the life of her child.

TMZ broke the story ... Halle is asking a judge for permission to move to France with Nahla ... something Gabriel Aubry is trying to block.

We've learned there have been and are serious threats to Halle's life and she feels the move is a life or death situation.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Robert Hoskins, a mentally unstable man, escaped from a mental institution last week.

We've learned he has made threats against Halle's life -- specifically to "slit her throat."

Hoskins is no stranger to the law -- he has threatened to slit Madonna's throat in the past and was actually shot by her bodyguard in 1995 after he trespassed onto Madge's property.

And as we first reported, another stalker who recently trespassed onto Halle's property multiple times has just been released from jail.

Friends of Halle tell us ... she is particularly concerned because Starmaps and some Hollywood bus tours literally take tourists to her doorstep.

And Halle's friends say ... the actress is very concerned that baby daddy Gabriel Aubry is parading Nahla in front of paparazzi almost daily and possibly putting her in harm's way.

Bottom line -- Halle's M.O. for wanting to move is rooted in security ... not revenge.

Halle Berry was not engaged to Olivier Martinez when numerous outlets reported she was back in December -- but we found out ... SHE IS NOW!!!

You'll recall, after Halle sported a big ol' ring that Olivier Martinez gave her everyone jumped to false conclusions -- but it was NOT an engagement ring.

But we've learned Halle did become engaged to Olivier sometime after the first of the year.

The engagement is significant because Halle is asking a judge to allow her to move to France with Olivier and 3-year-old Nahla.

TMZ broke the story, Halle wants to make the move and baby daddy Gabriel Aubry vehemently objects.

In California and most states, a judge would look at the stability of the parent's relationship and a marital relationship is far more impressive than boyfriend and girlfriend.

No word on when the two will marry, but we're told a marriage will DEFINITELY take place.