LaVar Ball Gunning To Bring NFL Players To BBB I Could Get Them $40 MIL!!!

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LaVar Ball on BBB
TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW

LaVar Ball says he wants both NBA AND NFL players under the BBB umbrella going forward ... and he says he's got a plan that could make them $40 MILLION on their 1st contract with the company!

The Big Baller tells TMZ Sports he wants to sign big-name football and basketball draft prospects starting next year ... and he says his deals with them will be VERY different than what Nike and Adidas are offering.

LaVar tells us his vision for BBB athletes is to have an ownership stake in their products ... and rather than getting fixed money upfront -- they'll get a percentage of ALL their sales going forward!!

"The guys that I want to be involved with, I want them to believe in themselves," LaVar says. "So, I would give them 40 percent of the profit of what they make."

Ball continued, "I'm not going to give them the 5-year, $10 million deal. Because everybody's like, 'Oh, he's passing up $10 million!' Like, nah, if you really believe in yourself and you're going to be the head of a franchise, you'd rather have ownership."

LaVar says the math is pretty simple ... if a guy sells a million shirts worldwide at $100 apiece, and gets 40 percent of the profit, he can make $40 MIL on his first deal no problem!!

Ball says he believes that's the way athletes need to think going forward with endorsement deals, telling us, "That's all I want is for guys to understand their self-worth."

Guess Who This Dino Girl Turned Into!

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Before this cute little Jurassic lover who's falling prey to a puppet was at the top of the Hollywood food chain as an A-list actress, she was just another young dinosaur enthusiast growing up in Northern California.

With a lifelong passion for performing -- both on the stage and on the big screen -- this thespian may seem like a fossil in the acting world ... but in human years, this young lady is only 30 years old.

This celebrity swapped in her real name (born Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers) for something a little cheesier once she began to gain fame.

Can you guess who she is?

Pastor Tony Spell Says 1,300 Attend Easter Service!!! Keeps 'em Off Cam, Though

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Tony Spell 4/12/20
Packed House?

Pastor Tony Spell held an in-person Easter service, as promised, and says he had more than 1,000 faithful parishioners there ... defying Louisiana's Governor and potentially spreading the coronavirus.

The minister was fired up for his flock Sunday at Life Tabernacle Church, and though he's previously been arrested for doing this -- he opened church doors again to his congregation, but also posted his service live on social media.

Spell claims he had 1,345 in attendance -- which he says is higher than his usual turnout. We say claims, because the congregation was rarely shown. We don't know if it was intentional, but the camera never showed more than a couple of rows of pews.

Most of the shots are of him on stage preaching from the pulpit. You see a few others on stage around him as well ... keeping somewhat of a distance. Although, the congregation was hidden from camera view, you can hear there are way more than 10 people present. The state guidelines call for gatherings to be 10 or less, and they have to maintain 6 feet distance.

One brief shot of the pews showed at least a dozen or so people, who don't seem to be socially distant.

Spell brazenly referenced the CDC's guidelines while preaching about a victory march for Jesus.

Not really shocking from the man who told us his parishioners would be happy to die from COVID-19 if it meant they could attend church in-person.

As we reported, police said they did not intend to break up the service or arrest Spell on Easter -- but would instead monitor the gathering and use it to build a case against him for the District Attorney.

Spell was previously arrested weeks ago for violating the state's "safer-at-home" mandate.

Mississippi Emergency Officials Take Shelter from Tornadoes ... Also, Try to Social Distance

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Several states down south are dealing with tornadoes and tornado warnings -- forcing officials to tell residents to take cover, while also social distancing ... if possible. Trying times, to say the least.

With tornadoes having already touched down in Texas and Louisiana this weekend, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency sent out a tweet Sunday showing staffers monitoring the volatile weather patterns that's coming their way soon.

The agency says, "Director Michel and our team are monitoring the weather and standby ready to assist."

They also add a directive regarding social distancing, saying ... "If you go to a public shelter please wear a mask, bandanna, or scarf around your nose and mouth. Practice social distancing. We will get through this!"

Mississippi's guidance on how to properly take shelter in public is similar to what emergency agencies in other states have provided. The common guideline for all is ... socially distance if you can, but hunkering down against something like a tornado -- which could kill you instantly -- is job 1.

Oklahoma said just that in its own directive ... "The need to practice social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19 brings added complications to taking shelter from severe weather." Again, they're giving top priority to tornado protection over the virus.

It's the perfect storm of problems, really. People trying to keep their distance, to survive, while a more typical natural disaster pushes them closer together ... for survival.

Tracy Morgan Lambo Meets Pedestrian ... Alleged Collision in NYC

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Tracy Morgan April 2020
BIG APPLE DISPUTE

Tracy Morgan's Easter is off to a hopping mad start ... after an alleged run-in between one of his exotic sports cars and an NYC pedestrian.

TMZ obtained this video of Tracy -- next to his red Lamborghini -- and a man yelling at each other near Times Square ... on the corner of 42nd and Broadway. Eyewitnesses tell us Tracy had a green light and started to make a right turn when he nearly hit the dude on foot.

You can hear the guy explain to Tracy where he was walking to and from, while Tracy vehemently disagrees. Seems the debate is about whether he was jaywalking and who had the right of way.

Police drove by, but didn't get involved ... we're told they basically gestured to both men to keep it moving. Tracy checked his Lambo for damage, and the pedestrian walked off, slightly limping.

For what it's worth, they appeared to be nearly 6 feet apart during the dispute. We've reached out to Tracy's reps for comment ... so far, no word back.

Even though NYC's streets are nearly empty during the quarantine ... Tracy's got pretty bad luck in the Big Apple. Last summer, he got into a fender bender on an NYC street in a new Bugatti he'd literally just driven off the lot.

He was ultimately not found at fault in that case.

Be careful out there Trace -- people are WALKING HERE!!! Ah, 'Midnight Cowboy' ... anyone? No??

Meghan & Harry Didn't Buy Mel Gibson's Mansion ... But They Should!!!

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry aren't moving to California just yet, despite reports they snapped up one of Mel Gibson's cribs, but from the looks of the place ... they might wanna reconsider.

There were reports last week the Sussexes bought Mel's $14.5 million mansion in Malibu. As you can see ... it's freakin' spectacular. However, our real estate sources have confirmed there's been no such deal.

The 5-bedroom beast of a home that has all the bells and whistles of prime real estate in L.A. ... plus access to a private beach club. The house has gone on and off the market several times over the years.

An L.A.-area real estate agent reportedly posted last week on social media that Harry and Megs sealed the deal, but then deleted that post. Seems someone got a little ahead of themselves, or it was just wishful thinking.

It wouldn't be a shocker if Harry and Meghan do buy something soon in the L.A.-area -- they both have deep ties in show biz these days. As we reported, Meghan just did the narration for Disney's new elephant documentary ... and Harry is producing a docuseries with Oprah Winfrey for Apple TV+.

We're just saying ... they could do worse than a 6,600-sq.-ft pad on 5.5 acres with a private gym, 2 pools, French country kitchen and kick-ass views.

Ex-NBA Star Gary Payton Delivers BBQ Sandos to Hospital All Staff, Even Security!!!

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Former NBA star Gary Payton was in a pay-it-forward mood this weekend -- he brought a bunch of good food to the hardworking first responders in his own hometown.

The ex-SuperSonics PG strolled into Alta Bates Summit Medical Campus Saturday, which is in Oakland -- his stomping ground. We're told he came bearing gifts of the edible kind ... a crap ton of barbecue sandwiches and sides from local restaurant Kinder's Meats & Deli.

And, don't worry, Gary had more than enough to feed everyone ... and we mean just about every person on the hospital's payroll, including the often-forgotten security guards who are stationed at hospitals. All in all, we're told GP had enough grub to feed about 200 workers.

He set up shop and doled out the good eats as different wings and departments in the building caught wind of Gary's good deed, and made their way down to the floor he was on. A batch of 30 sandos even made their way to the ICU, where the most vulnerable are being treated.

An eyewitness tells us they overheard Gary tell someone that he actually has a friend who's currently staying at the hospital -- so it appears the spirit of generosity came over him to feed everyone working day and night to keep the people of Oakland healthy.

Just in time for Easter too. The Glove scores again ... well done, Gare.

Andrea Bocelli Solo Concert for Hope from Milan

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UPDATE

11:04 AM PT -- The man never disappoints ... Bocelli peformed for about 30 minutes, and the highlights included "Ava Maria" and "Amazing Grace." The blind tenor performed the latter after walking without a guide the doors of il Duomo to a microphone set up outside. 

UPDATE

Chills.

Andrea Bocelli is hoping his powerful voice can lift spirits around the world amid the coronavirus pandemic -- and he's performing live from hard-hit Italy.

The world-renowned singer is in il Duomo di Milano -- that city's iconic cathedral -- for a concert that will be livestreamed. You can see it here, starting at 10 AM PT.

The Easter event, dubbed "Music for Hope," comes as the country around Bocelli is still reeling from an astounding number of COVID-19 cases. Italy and the United States have each suffered more than 20,000 deaths during the pandemic.

Bocelli will be accompanied by pianist Emanuele Vianelli -- but Bocelli says he's not viewing this is a typical performance. It's clearly more spiritual to him. As Bocelli put it, "It will not be an actual concert, but an occasion to pray together through music.”

He added, "It will be a sacred singing, because as we are taught, ‘those who sing pray twice’. It will be an invitation for everyone to join in the prayer."

Amen to that, brother.

Kentucky Church Packed for Easter, Despite Nails in Parking Lot ... Cops Watching Closely

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Kentucky State Police were circling the parking lot of a church that's packed for Easter service -- defying state orders -- and issuing warnings, if not citations.

Maryville Baptist Church in Hillview, Kentucky drew what seemed to be nearly a full house Sunday morning. Reporter Sarah Ladd with Louisville's Courier-Journal captured images in the parking lot ... where you could hear the pastor leading the congregation in song.

Shortly before the service began, volunteers were clearing the parking lot of nails, apparently left there by someone who wanted to discourage the service ... which is violating Kentucky's safer-at-home order. Gatherings of more than 10 people are illegal.

So far, the cops aren't shutting down the service or arresting churchgoers. Instead, they're leaving notifications on the cars in the lot ... informing the owners they are potentially spreading COVID-19.

The notifications also say the health department will contact the car owner, and his or her family members, and require them to quarantine for 14 days.

Unclear, if they're issuing tickets, but the notice does warn the churchgoers they may be committing a misdemeanor by violating the state's emergency order.

'SNL: At Home' COVID Survivor Tom Hanks Hosts ... 'RBG' Shouts Out Fauci

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"Saturday Night Live" is figuring it out too -- how to keep the show going from home ... with self-shot skits, and the perfect host, too, in Tom Hanks.

The first celeb survivor of the coronavirus hosted the special 'SNL from Home' episode ... delivering a full monologue that did NOT use a laugh track (thankfully) but did pump in a little studio applause during his intro.

Right off the bat, Tom said the show wasn't live -- hence the multiple camera cuts during his monologue -- but was instead shot by the whole cast at home, and later edited.

Everyone was waiting to see who would play Dr. Anthony Fauci in a skit -- he had wisely opted for Brad Pitt -- but it didn't happen. Let's face it, they didn't have the services of hair and makeup to pull off those kinds of transformations.

Fauci did get a shoutout though during Kate McKinnon's hilarious skit about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's home workout sessions. While pumping iron -- meaning AA batteries -- 'RBG' begged Fauci to slide into her DMs.

Other skits included Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che -- complete with the usual graphics -- and Alec Baldwin doing a Trump "on-the-phone" skit (again, no hair & makeup).

Pete Davidson did his version of a Drake's "Toosie Slide" music video, but the home tour was slightly less fabulous, and it was directed by Pete's mom. Remember, he lives with her in Staten Island ... even when NOT quarantined.

PM Boris Johnson Gets Out of Hospital ... Nurses Jenny & Luis Saved My Life!!!

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is off his potential COVID-19 deathbed ... getting out of the hospital on Easter morning, and he's giving props to the people who helped him survive.

Johnson made a 5-minute long address shortly after he was released from a London hospital, and parts of it sounded like an Oscars acceptance speech. That's not a dig, it was actually very cool the PM mentioned by name almost every nurse or doctor who treated him as he battled the coronavirus.

He made special mention of 2 nurses named Jenny and Luis, who he says were at his bedside through his 3 nights in ICU. As he put it, "They were watching and they were thinking and they were caring and making the interventions I needed" in order to increase his body's oxygen levels.

Johnson announced he tested positive on March 27, and it got so bad he had to be hospitalized early last week.

You can tell he's not anywhere near 100 percent ... Johnson was gasping for air at times during his speech. His office says he will not be going back to work immediately as he continues recovering.

Joel Osteen Easter Service with Mariah, Tyler ... Carries on without Kanye

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Joel Osteen's highly-anticipated virtual Easter Sunday service, featuring some big names chiming in remotely, is underway.

The event's going down from Joel's Lakewood Church in Houston. Joel's preaching from the church with no congregation -- but he'll get some assistance from Mariah Carey and Tyler Perry.

Tyler Perry
A MESSAGE FROM TYLER

As we first reported ... Mariah reached out to Joel about a special tribute to medical professionals and first responders as they battle in the frontline to battle COVID-19. We're told she's going to sing her song "Hero" via webcam.

Joel asked Tyler to share some inspirational words to help the massive congregation -- nearly 5 million last weekend -- through the pandemic quarantines. Joel told us Tyler recorded a 5-minute clip doing just that.

Kanye West and his Sunday Service Choir were supposed to perform as well, but that fell through on Friday. We were told the problem was social distancing the large number of singers and still capturing their harmonics.

BTW ... going virtual's nothing new for Joel. He's been delivering his sermons online for several weeks. Maybe some other pastors can rip a page out of his playbook. Pretty sure the CDC and most states governors' would appreciate it.

Catholic Church Cuts Confessions Amid Pandemic ... Sacraments for Dying Only

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Catholics in America can still praise God on laptops this Easter, but confessions will have to wait, as churches across the country put a pause on that ritual.

TMZ's learned several Catholic Church leaders in major U.S. cities are ordering confessions and other sacraments to be discontinued during the coronavirus pandemic.

Joseph Zwilling, the spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, tells us ... "All of our sacraments have been put on hold during this crisis," but adds there can be exceptions. Those include people who need a reading of their last rites ... or an emergency baptism.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has called off all regular penance services, too ... but appointments can be set with a priest for dying parishioners or other "extremely extraordinary" situations. Even in those cases, we're told proper social distancing rules must be followed. The Archdiocese of Boston is using the same guidelines.

In San Francisco and Miami, confessions are still being held ... but by appointment only. The Archdioceses in both cities tell us strict social distancing rules are in place, and a special confessional ensures safety, as well as confidentiality.

In Miami, they've benched all priests over 65 or with a compromised immune system.

And, this is interesting ... in New Orleans, some churches are doing confession drive-thrus. We're told parishioners drive up to a priest wearing a mask and gloves, keep a safe distance, and confess away.

Of course, the best advice is don't do bad stuff that requires confession. You're in quarantine, anyway.