Gayle King no longer has to worry about that pesky matchmaker lawsuit -- because a judge in California agreed with her side of things ... and tossed the lawsuit out. 

As TMZ first reported, King was sued last year by a matchmaker named Orly Hadida, who claimed she rendered her services to King for free in exchange for an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show (which never happened). 

But King fought back, claiming California law states that oral contracts -- which is what Orly claims they had -- involving "dating services" are void and unenforceable.

A judge agreed, ruling earlier this month in King's favor and dismissing Hadida's lawsuit.

Just in time for Valentine's Day ...

Bow Wow's 2012 is off to a rather litigious start -- not only is he buried in tax liens, and a wanted man in Georgia for ducking a civil lawsuit ... but now he's being sued by a limousine company, just for good measure. 

According to a lawsuit filed this week in Georgia, Bow Wow (real name Shad Moss) stiffed the limo company to the tune of $3,594.87.

Our sources say the bill goes all the way back to 2008 and stems from services provided in California.

Calls to Bow Wow's rep were not returned.

The LAPD captain who ran the crime scene on the day Don Cornelius killed himself was no stranger to the legendary TV host ... because in her younger days, she appeared on "Soul Train" ... TMZ has learned. 

Captain Tia Monett Morris joined the Los Angeles Police Department back in 1981. But before she was solving crimes, Capt. Morris appeared on "Soul Train" as a dancer back when she was a teenager. 

We called Capt. Morris for details about her time on the show -- but she was tightlipped, only confirming she had indeed appeared on the show. 

10-4, captain. 

The judge in T-Boz' bankruptcy case has turned his back on the ex-TLC singer -- refusing to provide ANY protection against her army of creditors ... but according to court docs, it's the singer's own fault.

TMZ broke the story ... T-Boz filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in October -- claiming she owed $768,642.99 to multiple creditors -- but last week, the judge kicked her out of bankruptcy court.

According to the court docs, the case was dismissed because T-Boz -- real name Tionne Watkins -- completely dropped the ball dealing with her affairs, failing to make any attempts to pay off her debts, appear at a creditors' meeting, or ... not be a scrub in general.

As a result, the judge ended the bankruptcy case – giving T-Boz’ creditors free reign to go after her whatever assets she has.

The creditors are free to pursue T-Boz until the singer files for bankruptcy again -- but she can't re-file til the end of July ... 180 days after the original case was dismissed.

Calls to T-Boz' reps were not returned.

If you didn't go see "Hugo" in the theaters this holiday season, congratulations ... you took money right out of the pocket of the adorable Chloë Grace Moretz ... at least according to the details of her contract.

According to Chloë's minors contract for the movie "Hugo," her deal for the flick was filled with all sorts of different incentives. In addition to getting paid a $225,000 base salary, she would have gotten $25,000 if she had been nominated for a Golden Globe or Oscar (she was not) and $25k and $50k respectively had she won. 

In addition, Chloë's contract calls for her to get a $25,000 bonus if the movie makes between $150 and $225 million domestically ... and $50,000 if it tops $250 million.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has only made $61 mil so far.

With five movies listed as either in, pre, or post-production ... Chloë should be just fine. 

Usher's ex-wife Tameka Raymond is asking the singer to dig his own legal grave -- by handing over $50,000 to cover HER attorney's fees and other legal investments she's made ... to strip him of child custody.

Tameka filed the docs in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia -- asking a judge to force Usher to pay her $15,000 to cover her expensive lawyer fees ... plus an additional $35,000 for other costs.

According to the docs, the other costs in their custody dispute include the retention of various expert witnesses, hiring private investigators, and procuring out-of-state depositions.

Tameka claims she's entitled to the money because of the vast disparity in income between her and her ex -- a disparity that puts her at a disadvantage while she's trying to build her case.

Tameka has been trying to get full custody of the ex-couple's two kids since December -- when she asked a judge to strip Usher of joint custody, citing a laundry list of reasons ... including canceling her Saks 5th Avenue credit card.

Gabriel Aubry is being watched ... watched by a monitor whenever he's with Nahla ... 'cause a judge ruled he can't be trusted with the child alone, at least for now.

TMZ broke the story ... Halle Berry's baby daddy was ordered into Dependency Court today after the L.A. Department of Children and Family Services concluded its investigation. As we reported, DCFS not only looked at an incident in which Gabriel allegedly pushed a nanny while she was holding Nahla, but other incidents as well.

We're told DCFS had information that Gabriel had yanked the baby from the nanny's arms on at least one occasion and screamed at Nahla multiple times.

We're told DCFS had extensive information that it had reviewed and then recommended a monitor for Gabriel when he has Nahla.

We're told .. the judge agreed this morning and put the monitor in place after a hearing.

Gabriel Aubry has been orderd to appear in Dependency Court because authorities are concerned about his ability to safely care for his child ... TMZ has learned.

Aubry is in court right now and the appearance was triggered by the L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services' investigation into allegations that Aubry is guilty of child endangerment.

Sources tell TMZ ... the DCFS investigation goes beyond an incident in which Gabriel allegedly pushed the nanny who was holding 3-year-old Nahla.

We're told DCFS is concerned about Nahla's safety in the care of Gabriel and that is why he was ordered to appear in Dependency Court.

We're told no ruling has been handed down ... yet.


10:48 AM PST -- TMZ has learned ... Nahla now has legal counsel that has been appointed by the court to represent her in the hearing.

Halle Berry has one less reason to flee to France -- because the mentally unstable man who threatened to slit her throat has been successfully apprehended by authorities.

TMZ broke the story ... one of the reasons Halle wanted to move to France with her fiance was because of a man named Robert Hoskins -- a mental patient who escaped the institution where he was being treated last week.

Halle was freaked because Hoskins had made threats on her life -- specifically to "slit her throat" -- and she was afraid he would come looking for her. Hoskins made a similar threat to Madonna in the 90s ... and was shot by Madge's security after he trespassed on to her property.

But according to the LAPD, 54-year-old Hoskins was apprehended today and returned to the Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk where he was committed last year.

Police had asked for the public's help the day before Hoskins was taken into custody -- calling Hoskins "highly psychotic" and extremely violent. 

Former "Hannah Montana" star Mitchel Musso has struck a deal in his DUI case ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... 20-year-old Musso was busted back in October after an early morning traffic stop in Burbank, CA.

Now, TMZ has learned Musso has pled no contest to one count of having a blood alcohol level over .08 ... and in exchange, will be sentenced to 36 months informal probation and ordered to pay a fine and complete an alcohol education class.

Musso released a statement ... saying, "I appreciate the court allowing me to resolve my case in the manner it did today. In becoming an adult, I have learned first hand that stepping up and taking responsibility is the best way to move forward."

He adds, "I am especially thankful to my family and fans for their unwavering support and encouragement. I am glad to now put this in the past."

Madonna is lashing out at M.I.A.'s bird-flipping grab for attention during the Super Bowl Halftime show last weekend -- claiming the crude gesture was a "teenager ... irrelevant thing to do."

Madonna called in to "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" this morning -- saying, "I was really surprised. I didn’t know anything about it. I wasn’t happy about it."

Madonna told Ryan, "I understand it’s punk rock and everything, but to me there was such a feeling of love and good energy, and positivity, it seemed negative. It’s such a teenager ... irrelevant thing to do ... there was such a feeling of love and unity there. What was the point?"

Madge added, "It was just out of place."


Madonna just called in to Carson Daly too, saying M.I.A. has since apologized to her over the incident.