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Aerosmith's hoping to get back in the saddle with its original drummer after a couple weeks of awkward tension and not-so-sweet emotions ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the rock band tell us ... Joey Kramer has been working with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford the past several days to help him return to his spot on the drums, but he's not quite there yet.

We're told Joey's been practicing to get his skills back to where they were before his absence, and once Kramer proves he's up to the task ... the fellas will let him back in to start beating the skins again.

Our sources say the other 4 band members never intended to push Kramer out, and never wanted him to feel that way -- they're all trying to make amends after the recent drama.

We broke the story ... Joey sued Aerosmith for making him audition in order to come back for a couple once-in-a-lifetime 50th-anniversary events over Grammy weekend -- something he claims no other member ever had to do.

He says the band blocked him from returning because he lacked the proper energy, and things got even more awkward when Joey was turned away from a rehearsal by security -- and the judge rejected his request to rejoin the group for the Grammy performances.

Still, Joey kept his head up and was with the other guys when they accepted an award last week ... and we're told they're all getting along great. Kramer's even been with them at their recent Vegas shows -- just not playing yet -- and he has dismissed his suit against the band.

Our sources say he could be back on stage soon too -- the band just wants Joey to nail one final audition ... and he'll no longer have to miss a thing.

Antonio Brown just took a HUGE loss in his condo-trashing case ... the former NFL All-Pro was found liable for the damage done to his pricey apartment after an April 2018 incident.

... and now the only question is, how fat will the check be that Brown will be forced to write??? (insert "Whole Lotta Money" joke here).

As we previously reported, Brown is being sued after his former apartment complex, The Mansions at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., accused him of destroying his fancy pad.

Attorneys for the complex claim Brown threw cushions and a vase off his balcony in an April 24, 2018 incident ... and trashed his apartment during the fit of rage as well.

The Attorneys say Brown did everything from cracking mirrors, to breaking tables, to staining couch cushions ... and they provided pictures to the court of the alleged damage.

Brown fought the case in court throughout the past year and a half (remember, he famously caused headaches during the case's depositions), claiming it was actually his former trainer who did the damage.

But a judge just ruled Brown IS responsible for it all, regardless ... ruling in favor of the apartment complex this week.

Gayle King got set up to look like an insensitive troll because her network posted a salacious promo ... that's how some staffers at "CBS This Morning" feel anyway.

Sources connected to the show tell TMZ ... some of Gayle's coworkers are incensed over the backlash she's getting because a promo clip of her interview with Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant, included a question about his 2003 sexual assault case. Lisa pushed back, making it clear ... in her book, it's not relevant to Kobe's legacy.

We're told the staffers believe CBS never should have let the clip see the light of day.

Gayle was being shredded on social media after the promo ran, and she was beside herself, saying she was blindsided and making it clear ... she was going to make her displeasure known to the network. She did just that, and the network folded, saying it erred.

The staffers we spoke with say ... the interview is actually flattering to Kobe and covers his achievements in both life and career.

Fact is ... CBS and every other network chooses promos that sizzle ... promos that will draw people in, and often times it's the salacious stuff that gets put out. At CBS, you'll recall, they made lots of news when they released a promo with R. Kelly going off the rails, screaming uncontrollably. The difference between that and Kobe ... Gayle didn't look bad in the R. Kelly promo.

Our sources say CBS failed by not protecting its undisputed star of the morning show. They should have realized the promo -- out of context -- would subject Gayle to great criticism, but that didn't happen. CBS promises it won't happen again.

Our sources say staffers feel the network owes it to its talent to keep them out of messes like this, especially when King's full interview with Leslie painted a very nice picture of Kobe and his legacy ... and should have been the focus of any excerpts.

Our sources say the person who was responsible for the posting the clip has not been fired but feels awful about what transpired.

A high school basketball coach in New Jersey was violently attacked in front of his own school in a disturbing incident caught on video ... and now, cops say it was his own players who delivered the beating.

Police say at around 9 PM ET Tuesday, they responded to a call at Malcolm X Shabazz H.S. in Newark, N.J. regarding an assault of a school employee. Multiple reports identify the victim as a coach on the basketball team.

You can see in video of the alleged incident ... the victim was kicked and punched REPEATEDLY by at least four people.

Cops say after they saw the footage ... they identified the attackers as members of the school's basketball team -- but wouldn't release the names of the suspects because they're all minors.

Police say the teens jumped the man after they got off the team bus upon returning from a road game ... but they say the victim declined medical attention when they arrived.

Now, cops say a criminal investigation is underway.

"Our detectives are investigating this incident to identify and to appropriately charge those individuals involved," Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose says ...

"Those found to have participated in this senseless act of violence will face criminal charges."

Jennifer Aniston's keeping her friends close and her exes damn near as close these days ... this time it's John Mayer.

"The Morning Show" star dined out Thursday night at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood, where she likely crossed paths with her old flame. They were spotted leaving the popular restaurant just moments apart.

Jen and John dated from 2008 to 2009 after meeting at an Oscars party, so it's fitting they'd have a close encounter again with the 2020 Academy Awards coming up. It's unclear if they actually did make contact or mingle inside.

Things didn't necessarily end amicably for the ex-couple -- John put it out there that he broke up with her, and Jen called him out for doing so. Still, they both claimed they remained friends.

We'll say this ... John had to know there was a good chance he'd bumped into Jen. It's a well-known fact Sunset Tower is her jam -- she's hooked on the chicken salad.

Aniston's making a trend out of reunions with her exes lately ... as everyone knows, she and Brad Pitt have been getting closer and closer over awards season, and finally shared a loving embrace at the SAG Awards.

Kobe Bryant wasn't just a UFC fan -- he was a big investor -- and got a huge distribution check from the company just days before he passed away ... so says Dana White.

The NBA legend was famous for his business savvy off the court -- and White says part of Kobe's portfolio was an ownership stake in UFC and Body Armor, the official energy drink of the UFC.

White tells TMZ Sports ... that 2019 was the most successful year in UFC history which resulted in massive payouts for all of the investors.

"Kobe got a distribution from the UFC the Wednesday before the incident and he was so pumped up and excited and he said what everybody always says, 'I wish I had invested more!'"

White says he'll remember Kobe as a great dude and an important part of the UFC fabric -- and tells us the organization plans to honor Kobe on Saturday at UFC 247 in Houston.

As for the fight card, White says he's extremely fired up about the main event -- Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes -- telling us Reyes is a dangerous man with a real shot to beat the G.O.A.T.

And, if Reyes wins, there will no doubt be a rematch.

There's more ... after the controversy between Joe Rogan and Stephen A. Smith following the Conor McGregor vs. Cowboy Cerrone fight, we asked if the two TV stars would be working together at UFC 247, Dana replied, "I don't think so."

Remember, Rogan said he was upset with the ESPN host for crapping all over Cowboy's "atrocious" performance during the UFC 246 post-fight show.

Smith said he felt like Cowboy quit -- to which Rogan essentially said Smith's opinion was uninformed and just plain wrong.

Conor McGregor felt Smith disrespected Cowboy and publicly called for Stephen A. to apologize.

Ryan Cabrera is spending more and more time with WWE superstar Alexa Bliss ... and we've learned they're together ... as in, together.

Our sources tell us the singer and wrestler first met back in October at the Smackdown on FOX premiere in Los Angeles, with Ryan's buddy The Miz seemingly playing matchmaker while they all hung out backstage.

Seems Ryan and Alexa immediately hit it off, because a few weeks later they were spotted together in Chicago. Ryan was in the Windy City for a concert and Alexa was wrestling in a WWE PPV event.

The Ryan and Alexa tour picked up again in St. Louis, where they were once again were spotted, this time on New Year's Eve ... a tell-tale sign of a couple, right?!?

When the Grammys rolled around last month, Ryan and Alexa posed for a ton of pics together at a gifting suite ... adding more fuel to the dating fire.

Want more proof?!? Consider last week's trip to Disneyland, and notice how Ryan's got his arm draped around Alexa's shoulder. Super cute!!!

Lynn Nottage -- a notable playwright -- suffered one hell of an ordeal getting locked in the bathroom at the Lincoln Center. And, thanks to her Twitter fingers ... she got help getting out!!!

Nottage -- the only woman to have won a Pulitzer Prize for drama twice -- didn't mince words when she tweeted Thursday morning to her nearly 20k followers she's locked in the bathroom, saying, "I have been banging and yelling if you see this tweet send help!"

Worth noting ... it appears she's tweeting from an iPad. Anyway ... about 13 minutes later the Lincoln Center's official account tweeted, "All is well! Thank you everyone for the speedy response. Lynn has been found and rescued. On with #IntimateAppaarel rehearsals!"

Yeah, that's the current opera being produced at the famous theater. Lynn -- who won a Pulitzer for her plays "Sweat" and "Ruined" -- is producing the show's libretto.

What's libretto you jabronis may be asking ... it's the text of an opera.

Shaquille O'Neal made a video to help sell his L.A.-area home -- but what it shows is the NBA star has honored 3 late rappers with some VERY cool art.

Of course, Shaq is a BIG rap nerd -- not only has he dropped albums, but he LOVES the genre and has a particular affinity for guys like Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac.

So, when he posted a brand new video tour of the Bell Canyon mansion he put on the market for $2.5 million ... the art on the walls caught our eye.

He's got two Biggie pieces along with a portrait of Pac and a newer image of Nipsey Hussle -- three great rappers who are all gone, but not forgotten.

If you're interested in the actual property, yeah -- it's pretty sick!!

5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 5,217-square-feet with a chef's kitchen, wet bar, media room, sick pool, wine closet ... and it's all walking distance to the community center gym and tennis courts.

'Dukes of Hazzard' star John Schneider is one stingy son of a gun, according to his ex-wife ... who claims he owes her 7 figures and she's taking extreme measures to get it.

John's ex, Elvira Schneider, claims the actor owes her more than $1 million in unpaid spousal support, dating back 4 years ... according to new docs obtained by TMZ.

All in, Elvira says Bo Duke's shorted her $1,115,824. And, you thought Boss Hogg was pissed?!? BTW, that massive figure includes a previously agreed-upon 10 percent interest rate.

As we first reported, John was ordered to pay $18,911 per month back in September 2016, while they were still hammering out the divorce. They finally reached a settlement last August, and his monthly nut jumped to $25,000.

John's ex thinks he should have no problem squaring up -- she claims he's raking in $172,777 PER MONTH!

Florida-born Johnny Brown started his rise to fame as a singer in the '60s with catchy songs like "Walkin', Talkin', Kissin' Doll" and "Don't Dilly Dally, Dolly" ... but gained long-lasting fame after he landed the role as the robust superintendent, Nathan Bookman, on the '70s CBS sitcom, "Good Times."

Johnny Brown was surrounded by awesome actors including Esther Rolle as the matriarch, Florida Evans, John Amos as the patriarch, James Evans ... and their three hilarious kids Jimmie Walker as J.J., Ralph Carter as Michael ... and of course BernNadette Stanis as Thelma.

Here's Beyonce and Blue Ivy looking like walking, talking advertisements for Queen Bey's new clothing line collab with Adidas.

Beyonce and Blue Ivy stepped out Thursday in some matching gear from the Adidas x Ivy Park activewear collection ... spending part of their day fabric shopping at Mood Fabrics in New York City, with NY Fashion Week in full swing.

As we've reported ... Beyonce's been hooking up her famous friends with HUGE care packages from the collection ... including Missy Elliott, Cardi B, Zendaya, Ellen DeGeneres, Hailey Bieber, Janelle Monáe and Kelly Rowland ... so you just knew it was only a matter of time before Blue Ivy got in on the action.

Seems like Beyonce and Jay-Z's daughter is really into the big shopping spree too.

As you know ... Beyonce went full thirst trap to promote the clothing line ... but mama's way more modest with Blue Ivy in tow.

Jenna Dewan is looking to erase all traces of Channing Tatum after their divorce ... because she's asking a court to go back to her maiden name.

In the eyes of the law, Jenna is known as Jenna Tatum ... but according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ, she wants to have her legal name restored to Jenna Dewan.

We broke the story ... Jenna and Channing finalized their divorce and became legally single back in November ... but their settlement didn't include anything about a name change for Jenna.

The exes are moving on from each other in more ways than one ... as we reported, Jenna recently moved into a new house with her boyfriend and baby daddy, Steve Kazee, and Channing is back together with his former flame, Jessie J, and the reconciliation is Instagram official.

There's still a few balls in the air as far as the divorce is concerned ... Jenna and Channing are locked in a nasty custody battle and are hashing out a property settlement agreement.

Louis C.K. just called off 4 shows at the Houston Improv and is offering refunds to everyone who bought tickets ... or they can wait for him to reschedule.

TMZ's learned the comedian postponed the gigs -- starting tonight and going through Sunday -- due to an "unforeseen family emergency." Those who were planning on attending have been informed they can keep their tickets and exchange them for the rescheduled dates in May, or return them and get their money back.

According to the email sent to ticket holders, anyone who bought tix to Louis' postponed shows will also score a free ticket to see the replacement act this weekend -- comedian Joe Machi. Even those who chose to get a refund can take advantage of this offer.

It's unclear what family emergency C.K. is dealing with.

As we've reported ... Louis has been back on the stand-up circuit for the past several months, making a comeback of sorts after admitting in November 2017 to years of sexual misconduct and abusing his power in the comedy world.

His return has been met with a mix of criticism and support, but one thing he hasn't stopped doing is offending people.

Nick Gordon died of a heroin overdose ... according to his autopsy and toxicology report.

The report -- obtained by TMZ -- says Gordon was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. He was hospitalized for 7 hours before he died. There was also Narcan in his system ... a drug used to counteract the effects of an overdose.

As we reported ... Nick had some sort of black fluid foaming out of his mouth the day someone called 911 to say he wasn't breathing. A man claiming to be Nick's brother said Nick died of an apparent OD. The "black stuff" could support that conclusion ... given that black discharge is sometimes related to a foam cone that comes out of the mouth and nostrils after an opioid OD.

The 911 call came in as "cardiac respiratory" on New Year's Day. He had been rushed to the hospital where he died. Nick's brother, Jack Walker Jr., shared the news by writing, "GOD WHY DID I HAVE TO LOSE MY BROTHER ON NEW YEARS," and adding, "All I can do is cry."

As you know by now ... Nick was present when Whitney Houston's daughter and his girlfriend -- Bobbi Kristina -- OD'd in a bathtub in 2015.