TMZ has learned Justin Timberlake was ordered to show up in court Monday to prove the woman he's accused of harassing him is a threat ... but the judge who made the order had already been removed from the case by Justin's lawyer.
As we first reported, Timberlake obtained a temporary restraining order last month against Karen McNeil. Timberlake claims she showed up at his property several times without invitation.
Timberlake's case is due back in court Monday -- his lawyer will try to make the restraining order permanent.
Timberlake filed a declaration in the case, but the more detailed declarations filed were from his two bodyguards, claiming the woman is an ominous stranger.
McNeil submitted a 60-page response in which she said she's a long time friend of Timberlake's. Although the response is rambling and crazy, it's her word against the bodyguards who don't know Timberlake that well.
As a result, sources tell us Judge Carol Boas Goodson told Timberlake's lawyer to get his client in court on Monday and testify himself about McNeil. But we've learned two days before Judge Goodson made the order, Timberlake's lawyers had already submitted papers to disqualify her from hearing the case.
So bottom line ... Timberlake was ordered to appear by a judge who no long had the case.
We don't know if Timberlake will show on Monday ... stay tuned.
The Bahamian buffoon who blew the whole John Travolta extortion trial is about to have his own day in court ... because the judge in the case wants him to explain himself in person.
Lawmaker Picewell Forbes has been summoned to appear before the judge, so he can explain why he blurted out that one of the extortion defendants was found not guilty ... before the jury had even made their decision.
Forbes' colossal screw-up was made at a convention for the Progressive Liberal Party last night -- in front of hundreds of people and multiple recording devices.
Forbes' attorney said the lawmaker was just repeating a rumor he hadn't actually verified himself -- which somehow makes him look even dumber than before.
The PLP has since apologized ... guess that didn't cut it.
The judge in the John Travolta extortion case has declared a mistrial, reportedly because of jury misconduct. Justice Anita Allen released the jury and declared a mistrial after learning that a member of Parliament announced at a political convention that defendant Pleasant Bridgewater -- a former Senator -- had been acquitted by the jury.
It's unclear if jurors had actually reached a verdict. There's an unconfirmed report that one of the jurors may have communicated information to the Parliament member who spoke out.
No word on whether the jury may have reached a verdict on Tarino Lightbourne. Story developing ...
The judge in the Jon and Kate divorce war did not make a decision today. Kate is beyond furious that Jon raided the joint account of $230,000, leaving her with $1,000 to pay all the bills. Jon also allegedly violated a court order requiring each party to get the consent of the other before withdrawing money.
A decision by the judge is expected within days ... this assuming Jon doesn't blow all the money before then. Stay tuned...
We've learned the judge in the Kate Gosselin vs. Jon Gosselin case (formerly known as ("Jon & Kate Plus 8") will hold a conference call between the battling lawyers in the next half hour, and there could be an order forcing Jon to return several hundred thousand dollars back to their joint account.
It will be interesting if the judge lets Jon's lawyer, Mark Heller, on the call -- he's not licensed to practice in PA.
The world's largest record companies are banding together to sue the Ellen DeGeneres show -- claiming producers owe them big for their songs that were played on the show.
It's all over the "dance" portion of Ellen's show -- according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Nashville, record execs claim they have never received a single penny for the hundreds of songs Ellen's danced to over the years.
The people behind the "Ellen" show say DeGeneres had nothing to with the case adding, "This matter does not involve our host, Ellen DeGeneres , who as everyone knows is a huge music enthusiast and advocate, and had no knowledge of issues regarding the use of music in the show."
Scott Rowe, spokesman for the show's Telepictures Productions, wrote in an e-mailed statement that the company has been working with the record labels for months to resolve the issue and remains willing to resolve it on "amicable and reasonable terms."
The record companies -- including Arista, Atlantic, Capitol Records, Motown, Sony Music Entertainment, Virgin Records and Warner Bros. Records -- didn't specify a particular dollar amount ... but we're guessin' it ain't gonna be cheap.
Ellen DeGeneres made a plea to "Idol" nation today -- telling fans that she's not to blame for Paula Abdul's departure from the show.
A seemingly excited Ellen called in to "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" this morning, where she told Ryan she doesn't want people to think she's "evil" for taking Paula's job.
Though Paula has yet to comment on the switch, Ellen also said, "I hope Paula is okay with it."
Paula Abdul's vacant seat at the judges table on "American Idol" has officially been filled ... by Ellen DeGeneres.
Ellen announced the big news during a taping of her talk show today, saying "I have a big announcement to make. No one knows this ... I am going to be the new judge on 'American Idol.'"
UPDATE: 8:10 ET The live stream crashed. We're trying ...
Max will be judging the Hooters 13th Annual International Swimsuit Pageant in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at 8 PM EST. Although we have some misgivings/fear, we're going to live stream the entire pageant.
The views of Max do no necessarily represent the views of TMZ.
The judge who cried a river during the hearing over Anna Nicole Smith's burial is now being sued for allegedly swindling an old lady.
83-year-old Barbara Kasler just filed suit, claiming Judge Larry Seidlin -- one of her neighbors -- took advantage of her poor health for his family's personal gain. Seidlin was cleared in a criminal elder abuse investigation but now the old lady is mounting a civil attack.
Among the allegations:
-- Seidlin's wife Belinda talked Kasler into selling the Seidlins a $600,000 condo for half the price.
-- Belinda convinced Kasler to sell her a parcel of land worth $50,000 for only 10 bucks.
-- Kasler wrote the Seidlins over $500,000 worth of checks, including $130,000 to help pay off their mortgage, $100,000 to buy a new house in Pennsylvania and $54,260 for their daughter's tuition.
The lawsuit claims Seidlin was licking his chops after finding out the old lady was loaded. The good judge has denied all the allegations.
Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell scouted for undiscovered, highly flexible talent at a London strip club called Stringfellows last night -- and were diligent enough to stay there until 4:45 this morning.
Next season on "American Idol," look for hot chicks who can't sing, but can pick money up off the floor without using their hands.
The people who own the mansion where Ed McMahon broke his neck are finally off the hook -- a judge dismissed the case one day before it was set to go to trial.
Ed filed the lawsuit back in 2007 when he slipped on a ramp-like staircase -- which Ed believed to be "unsafe" -- at a mansion owned by investment tycoon Robert Day and his wife Kelly.
But according to documents, filed in L.A. County Superior Court on Thursday, the Days were finally dismissed from the suit after the two parties reached a settlement -- the terms of which have not been made public.
Ed settled the other half of this lawsuit -- which was a malpractice claim against the doctors and the hospital Ed claimed failed to spot and treat his injury -- a few weeks ago.
The terms of that settlement has not been made public either.
Chris Brown's high-powered lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ on his way out of the courtroom this morning he may want the Rihanna case against his client dismissed because of leaks in the case.
Geragos told us, "Leaks can form the basis for a motion to dismiss the case in regard to outrageous governmental misconduct." Geragos is asking for discovery -- in other words, he wants the LAPD to ante up whatever info they have on info about the case that has gotten out.
TMZ has learned Justin Timberlake was ordered to show up in court Monday to prove the woman he's accused of harassing him is a threat ... but the judge who made the order had already been removed from the case by Justin's lawyer.
The Bahamian buffoon who blew the whole John Travolta extortion trial is about to have his own day in court ... because the judge in the case wants him to explain himself in person.
The judge in the John Travolta extortion case has declared a mistrial, reportedly because of jury misconduct.
The world's largest record companies are banding together to sue the Ellen DeGeneres show -- claiming producers owe them big for their songs that were played on the show. 
The judge who cried a river during the hearing over Anna Nicole Smith's burial is now being sued for allegedly swindling an old lady.
The people who own the mansion where Ed McMahon broke his neck are finally off the hook -- a judge dismissed the case one day before it was set to go to trial. 
Chris Brown's high-powered lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ on his way out of the courtroom this morning he may want the Rihanna case against his client dismissed because of leaks in the case.
