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Carrot Top was handed a $2 million demand just days before his attempted suicide ... and within hours, his lawyer was telling the court the comedian was being extorted ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ obtained a pair of emails laying out the heated legal battle that unfolded last Monday -- four days before Carrot Top was hospitalized.

In the first message, Brian Evans -- whom Carrot Top's team has accused of extortion -- proposed a $2 million deal to end the legal fight involving himself, Carrot Top -- real name Scott Thompson -- and several others.

"America's Got Talent" is the latest TV show debating moving production out of California ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to production tell TMZ … the NBC competition reality show, judged by Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B, is reviewing options to film season 22 in Georgia or possibly Nashville.

We're told the move comes down to money ... with other states offering bigger production incentives and tax credits that could save the show a significant amount.

Ed Sheeran's concert in Philadelphia brought out protesters last weekend ... though that may be small potatoes when compared to the protest that's scheduled near the stadium on Saturday.

Another demonstration is set for this weekend outside one of Ed's concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough ... the very stadium billionaire Robert Kraft -- who allegedly spearheaded an effort among other stadium owners to get Macklemore removed from the tour.

The Massachusetts Peace Action -- an advocacy group focused on ending the Israel-Palestinian conflict -- is sponsoring the demonstration around the corner from Gillette before Ed's second show at the location this weekend. He's set to play the venue Friday as well.

A Detroit woman is demanding answers after her mother's casket was opened and another woman was lying inside it -- because someone had apparently created her own mom.

Here's the deal ... Kimberley Moore recently passed away in Michigan, and her family -- including her daughter Bianca -- was handling funeral arrangements according to detailed instructions Kimberley left behind.

During the process, Bianca went to the Hutchinson Funeral Home in Detroit to see her body before the official viewing ... and she realized the person in the casket wasn't her mom -- though it wasn't her face that tipped her off, she said.

Bobb'e J. Thompson's headed to prison for a couple years ... but he won't be abandoned by his longtime friends on the outside ... 'cause Kyle Massey says he's got the dude's back.

We caught up with Kyle -- who starred with Bobb'e J. on the beloved Disney Channel show "That's So Raven" -- at LAX on Monday ... and our photog asked about Bobby recently being sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

Kyle immediately sends love to Bobb'e ... adding "Free Bobb'e J" and calling him his brother. He says he and others support Bobb'e, and they're always going to have his back.

Channing Tatum claims he did not use a burner account to go after his ex-girlfriend, Zoë Kravitz. 

The 'Magic Mike' star addressed the rumor on social media days after it started making the rounds on X.

Channing wrote, “Yo, I truly can't believe y'all think this is what I'm doing with my free time. F***in hilarious. Also, why would I follow a burner account if I didn't want people to connect me to it? Wtf come on. But if I really need to say it, I only have one IG account: @channingtatum."

Ruby Rose fans can soon watch her fight through serious challenges in the Malaysian jungle ... but it doesn't mean she can fully leave everything going on in her life behind.

A new teaser for the hit reality show "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" is out ... and it focuses on Ruby discussing how she feels she needs to be vigilant because of difficulties in her past.

The confessional is intercut with video of her walking away from the main group and lying down in an adjoining room ... while several others discuss how awesome she is.

Oliver Hudson -- Kate Hudson's big bro -- says she's also been dealing with headlines recently ... referring to her allegation that Katy Perry sexually assaulted her back in 2010.

Sean Sharaf pulled off one of the wildest UFC upsets ever ... and the newfound MMA star says Gable Steveson never saw it coming!

The 33-year-old chopped it up with Babcock just days after flatlining the Olympic gold medalist in 12 seconds at UFC 331 in Los Angeles Saturday night, and Sharaf says Steveson was moving as if he'd already won the fight before a punch was ever thrown.

“He did an [Real American Freestyle] match. He did a wrestling match like the month prior, and that’s when I knew,” Sean said. “He’s in fight camp and he’s going to do another event.”

Sharaf's referring to Steveson's RAF 12 match on August 22 ... less than a month before their fight. Gable won the wrestling match going away, but Sean's point stands ... he wasn't singularly focused on the MMA fight.

Sean was ... 'cause he felt like his UFC career was on the line.

"I was on the chopping block, like, literally, everyone was just like, he even said in his interview, 'He's a sacrificial lamb,' 'He's a coward,' 'He's looking for a way out,' and I'm like, 'Bro, I signed up for this, brother. I signed the contract.' I am definitely going to show up on fight night and I'm definitely here to f****** win."

"That's another lesson, like, bro, you can't underestimate anyone. Like I said, he has two hands, he has two legs, he bleeds red and you can get touched, especially in the UFC."

Of course, Gable was a massive favorite -- somewhere in the ballpark of -2500 -- meaning you'd have to risk $2,500 to win $100. On the other hand, Sean was around +1000 ... wagering $100 would return a $1k profit.

Twelve seconds later, the big dog put the Olympic champ to sleep -- and Steveson was out of the Octagon before they raised Sharaf’s hand.

Jennifer Eckhart was fighting a $1 million defamation lawsuit when she died ... filed by a Florida couple who claimed she falsely linked them and their business to sex trafficking.

Court docs obtained by TMZ show a woman named Darby Annunziata, her husband John, and their lash salon, Sugar Pie Lashes, sued the former Fox News producer in February ... about 7 months before she died by suicide in her Florida home.

According to the complaint, Jennifer allegedly walked into a nearby boutique and warned people not to do business with the salon, claiming Darby "doesn't really support women at all, especially single hard-working mothers working sex trafficking."

NBA legend Elgin Baylor's family is fighting over his estate, years after his death ... and it's getting nasty.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Elgin's daughter, Alison Clayton, filed a petition claiming her stepmom, Elaine Baylor, is withholding information about her inheritance. 

Elgin died on March 22, 2021, at 86 ... and Alison said her stepmom, who was with Elgin at the time, didn't let Alison or her brother know their dad had died, and has since refused to reveal any information about the estate. 

Both West Coast and East Coast kiddos are officially back in the classroom, and their famous parents are making sure to capture the moment!

Check out the gallery ... Khloe Kardashian snapped a sweet shot with Tatum and True ... while Teyana Taylor posed with her little ones, Rue and Junie.

And it was first-day smiles and fresh-start vibes for Brittany Aldean and her daughter Navy.

Carrot Top's Las Vegas shows at the Luxor have been canceled through next Monday as the comedian remains hospitalized following a suspected overdose involving prescription pills ... TMZ has learned.

The 61-year-old's performances through Sept. 28 have been called off while he continues receiving medical care.

As we first reported Carrot Top, whose real name is Scott Thompson, took prescription pills Friday before suffering the suspected overdose.

Hayden Panettiere's celebration of life brought out some major stars ... and more than a dozen people took the stage to pay tribute to the late legend.

TMZ has obtained the memorial program ... which provides more detail about what actually went down behind closed doors.

According to the program -- which featured a black-and-white headshot of the late star looking over her shoulder -- there were many more speakers than the ones we previously told you about.

Police investigating Presley Gerber's suspected overdose interviewed other people living at the rehab facility where he died as they try to find the source of the alleged drugs that potentially killed him ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the investigation tell TMZ ... the probe is in its early stages, but one of the first orders of business is finding out if Presley took drugs, and where he got them.

We're told authorities are looking into whether or not Presley was prescribed the drugs he allegedly took or if he got them from a dealer or friend ... and finding the potential source is key.

Our sources say cops have already conducted interviews with folks who were at the rehab facility when he died.

Presley Gerber was living at a rehab facility in Santa Monica before his death Sunday ... and TMZ has details of the recovery program offered at the facility.

The rehab website describes its Santa Monica operation as a "structured recovery residence," rather than a traditional hospital or detox center.

According to the company's website, the program is designed for people transitioning out of more intensive treatment and trying to rebuild their lives in a supervised, sober environment.

The program specifically works with people dealing with substance abuse issues, mental-health conditions, trauma, eating disorders, and co-occurring disorders.