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LeVar Burton is by far the fan fave to take up the mantle on 'Jeopardy!' as Mike Richards takes a bow -- but he's pretty clammy these days when you bring up the topic ... which may or may not be telling, depending on how you read and hear this.

The 'Reading Rainbow' vet got approached by a pap Monday outside a STAPLES in the San Fernando Valley, and of course ... they asked him about all the 'Jeopardy!' drama, and whether he thought he should be given a shot to host the game show permanently.

Check out his response ... the dude is pretty firm here with his repeated "no comment" line -- so it's clear he's got zip to say about the sitch, despite most everyone else seeming to have an opinion (in his favor).

You could interpret this a couple ways -- he's either got something to lose (perhaps?) by running his mouth ... so he'd rather zip it instead of risk it. OR, he truly doesn't give a damn and just doesn't wanna talk about it ... 'cause he's over all the speculation and mind games.

Based on the online fanfare over his potential permanent hosting ... something tells us there may be something to that former theory -- namely, that LB could have something in the works with the 'Jeopardy!' powers that be ... especially considering how they did him dirty.

LeVar's guest-hosting stint was scheduled right up against the Olympics, and got poor ratings. There's no concrete reporting on how he might personally feel about that -- but his supporters were utterly outraged ... up to and including when Richards got tapped for day-to-day duties, only to be forced out amid controversy.

Doc Antle letting Chris Brown's young daughter take a joy ride on an elephant's giant noggin wasn't just dangerous and irresponsible, but illegal too ... at least according to PETA.

The animal rights org fired off a letter Tuesday to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, calling on it to investigate the 'Tiger King' star's operation of his Myrtle Beach safari ... alleging he's violating a number of regulations ... spotlighting the most recent incident with Chris' kid.

According to the letter, obtained by TMZ, PETA claims Doc has violated the Animal Welfare Act by allowing 7-year-old Royalty to swim with Bubbles, one of the elephants. The org claims it was super dangerous for the girl to dive off the animal's giant head.

PETA cites a reg requiring certain animals to be kept at a safe and reasonable distance from people with proper barriers to ensure the safety of visitors.

By letting Royalty jump around -- not to mention get lifted up by Bubbles' powerful trunk -- PETA says it's obvious Doc's screwing up ... and they insist it's just the latest alleged violation at the property.

They're asking for a full probe ... calling on the USDA to hold him and his cohorts accountable for what PETA deems dangerous and irresponsible behavior.

Doc tells us PETA sent a similar letter when Lil Pump visited, saying, "Not a thing came of that elephant complaint after USDA investigated it. Just a huge waste of time and resources for the federal veterinarians who have to check out these erroneous allegations. We are in no ways in violation of the animal welfare act. We have continuously perfect inspections. We are well aware of the USDA protocols to conduct this type of filming; as we have been involved in film work of this nature for decades, including more than 500 films, documentaries, television productions and advertisements."

He continues, "Animal Rights activists that are unfamiliar with USDA film protocols routinely report these regulated activities to federal and state regulators as if there has been a violation. Rest assured that we are in full compliance with all federal and state regulations. USDA is our partner in animal welfare and we share a passion and commitment to providing the highest possible care for our animal ambassadors at the preserve."

Kid Cudi is mourning the loss of his beloved dog ... and it'll make you cry to hear about it.

The rapper wrote a heartbreaking tribute to Freshie ... a dog he got in 2010 after the producers of "How to Make it in America" told him he'd be a weed-selling, dog-walking character on season 2. He got the dog to prepare for the role.

Cudi and Freshie formed a tight bond ... "I had no previous interactions [with] dogs prior, other than giving one a pet if my friends had one at their place. I was truly nervous around dogs and I wanted to be comfortable onset [with] them so it felt legit."

He added, "I had no idea I would have such a best friend in my life. He's been here for 11 years, and my life has been one hell of a rollercoaster this whole time."

The rapper said Freshie would come up to him and lick his face if he was crying. Kid Cudi called Freshie his guardian angel because there were nights where he held a knife to his stomach but, "I'd see Freshie and I couldn't do it. He would stare at me when I would have a knife to my stomach, eyes glaring at me tellin' me to put the knife down."

Kid Cudi checked into rehab in 2016 for depression and suicidal urges.

Spike Lee's going where so many other Americans have already gone before -- promoting 9/11 conspiracy theories -- but the way he's doing it is still surprising ... even 20 years later.

The famed director's riding the publicity train for his HBO docuseries about New York -- "NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½" -- but one thing that stands out with his new show is the inclusion of interviews with members of a conspiracy group called Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth.

Turns out, Spike wanted those interviews because he believes in certain 9/11 conspiracy theories himself ... namely, that jet fuel can't melt steel beams, so the World Trade Center collapse must have been a controlled demolition.

In speaking with New York Times reporter Reggie Ugwu about his thoughts on 9/11, Lee says ... "I got questions. And I hope that maybe the legacy of this documentary is that Congress holds a hearing, a congressional hearing about 9/11."

Spike says he doesn't buy the official explanations because, "The amount of heat that it takes to make steel melt, that temperature’s not reached," adding ... "And then the juxtaposition of the way Building 7 fell to the ground — when you put it next to other building collapses that were demolitions, it’s like you’re looking at the same thing."

Lee goes on to say he includes the information in his documentary, but it's up to the audience to judge for themselves. However, when Ugwu called him out for not saying "make up your own mind" about vaccine conspiracies or the presidential election being stolen, the director simply said ... "People are going to think what they think, regardless."

Dr. Fauci's delivering a harsh dose of reality for Americans ... he says we won't get the pandemic under control until spring, 2022 -- and that's only if people get the damn vaccine.

It's a huge step backward from just a few months ago. Remember, President Biden hopefully called July 4 Independence Day from the pandemic, and it looked like we were heading in that direction. But then, the delta variant hit, and everything changed.

More than 80 million Americans have not received a single shot, and that's what triggered the explosion of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the past month.

A number of states are reporting their highest level of COVID-19 cases since spring ... when vaccine rates were much, much lower.

The good news -- the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer vax Monday, which could convince some of the holdouts it's time to get their shots. It also gives businesses an even better reason to mandate vaccinations and exclude those who refuse to get the shot.

"Jeopardy!" honchos really want Mayim Bialik to step in as new daily host following the quick exit of Mike Richards, and they're willing to bend over backwards to show her how much they mean it ... TMZ has learned.

Sony production sources tell us ... execs for the game show are doing everything possible to work around Mayim's schedule in order to bank as many episodes with her hosting the daily syndicated version, with the ultimate goal of her taking over full-time.

Our sources say Sony bosses have even offered up the possibility of shooting on weekends and normal hiatus weeks to squeeze in more shows with Mayim. She's already locked in for 15 episodes.

As we first told you ... "The Big Bang Theory" star has been the top choice to take over as "Jeopardy!" host, but the problem is she's super busy with her new FOX sitcom, "Call Me Kat," and shooting schedules for that are set in stone.

Our sources say there's a mutual interest from Mayim to become the permanent host as well, and FOX is being cooperative with her interim hosting ... so there's still a path to her taking over permanently.

As we reported ... "Jeopardy!" made a surprise announcement earlier this month that 2 hosts would take over for Alex Trebek -- EP Mike Richards for the daily show, and Bialik for primetime specials and spin-offs.

Richards' time was cut super short -- he only shot 5 episodes on one day of filming -- due to multiple controversies from his past coming back to bite him.

Shaquille O'Neal just came through in the clutch for one of his biggest fans ... making a special shoutout vid for his bar mitzvah -- and TMZ Sports has the vid!!!

We're told 13-year-old Adam Huczneker had a Lakers-themed celebration over the weekend ... and the kid's uncle wanted to make it extra memorable, so he DM'd the NBA legend asking for a quick message.

Not only did Shaq agree, he sent a video going all-out with every Jewish phrase he could think of -- even wishing the kid a Happy New Year.

(Shaq may not have known, but he isn't too far off on his well wishes -- the Jewish New Year is September 6, so it actually works!)

Look, he may not have said all the right things, but Shaq certainly gave it his all ... and we're told everyone in attendance absolutely loved it!

The L.A. Lakers honored Kobe Bryant's birthday Monday by passing on the gift of Lakeshow fandom to newborn babies ... and the gesture was AWESOME.

Lakers officials teamed up with UCLA Health to hook up some lucky parents and their newborns with Mamba gifts -- and they added a sweet "Welcome to the World!" letter with the swag bag.

In the note, the Lakers explained in order to pay homage to Kobe's birthday, they were passing along shirts and other KB gear.

"On this special day, we want to honor Kobe Bryant and celebrate you," Lakers officials wrote in the letter.

"Kobe loved his family, and so this Kobe Day, we're giving you and your family three shirts: two for your loved ones and one for you to grow into someday."

They concluded the letter, "Lakers family is for life."

The gift bundle not only included classic #24 Lakers shirts, it also came with a #8 baby cap and even a little baby Lakers blanket!

L.A. shared video of the happy families holding up their shirts with their newborns ... and it was all adorable.

Bryant -- who was killed in a helicopter crash in January 2020 -- would have turned 43 this week.

Dog the Bounty Hunter let his daughter's passion for racial equality and BLM sink their relationship ... at least that's what she's claiming -- but Dog's pushing back, calling her brainwashed.

Bonnie Chapman, biological daughter of Dog and the late Beth Chapman, tells TMZ ... she believes her continued work with UnleashedTV -- a network that canned her dad this year -- is the true impetus behind her and her half-sis, Cecily, not getting an invite to his wedding.

The whole thing boiled over this past weekend when Dog's new fiancee, Francie Frane, allegedly sent Bonnie a scathing text, which seems to allude to Bonnie's continued partnership with the network.

It reads, in part, "[L]et's not beat around the bush, You & Cecily both know You haven't been invited to the wedding because your (sic) living under the same roof with people who stabbed (him), robbed, lied, manipulated, smeared his name and tried to ruin his career."

Bonnie tells us Francie is referring to Dog's canceled reality series 'Unleashed' -- which mysteriously got cut short earlier this year. Bonnie claims her dad got the boot over racial/homophobic epithets he allegedly used, which she says led to the company terminating its contract with him.

Bonnie still works with UTV on a show, "The System" -- which focuses on racial justice and supporting BLM ... which she claims grinds Dog's gears. She also alleges Dog has called BLM protesters "thugs" and other derogatory terms.

Bonnie says her passionate support of equality for all is her way of keeping her mom's legacy alive -- she says Beth always spoke up when she saw someone being wronged.

Dog, for his part, says Bonnie's allegations about him are "false" -- and nothing but a misguided attempt to derail his and Francie's wedding.

He goes on to say she and Cecily are being "groomed" by unscrupulous former associates of his -- guys he tracked down when they'd allegedly jumped bail -- and he suggests they're up to no good now.

"Gas Station" Karen triggered her husband's rage after she allegedly harassed and racially profiled a black couple, calling the man a drug dealer.

Nikki Harbor, the black woman who recorded the wild confrontation, tells TMZ "Karen" -- real name Erin -- was already arguing with her husband when she and her boyfriend Isaac pulled up to the gas station ... so she started to record.

Nikki tells us when she started to film the argument, Erin noticed she was being recorded and approached Nikki and Isaac's vehicle. Nikki stopped recording and claims Erin then pointed at Isaac, who was pumping gas, and called him a drug dealer.

Nikki assures us, she and Isaac had never met Erin before, so the idea she knows anything about either of them is preposterous.

That's when the now-viral video picks up, where Karen's going off on just about everyone ... while her husband apologizes for her rude behavior and tries to get her to leave with him.

Nikki says the entire incident was clear racial profiling ... and Erin had no reason to ever insinuate, much less accuse, Isaac of anything.

Jeff Lewis is looking to sell his home in the Hollywood Hills ... and the place looks amazing.

Real estate sources tell TMZ ... the "Flipping Out" star just listed his 3-bedroom home above the Sunset Strip for a cool $5,995,000.

The Bravo star personally designed the estate, which is 3,947 square feet with beautiful views of the skyline and ocean.

The house sits behind a gated courtyard with tall hedges and welcomes folks in with double steel and glass front doors.

The master bedroom has panoramic city views, plus a large wardrobe dressing room, spa-like master bath with an oversized rainfall shower and a freestanding 60-inch tub.

Oh, and ya gotta see the outdoor deck, complete with a pebble tech pool/spa overlooking the L.A. skyline. Looks super relaxing.

It's not Deion Sanders, Tyreek Hill or Bo Jackson ... no, the fastest NFL player ever is Chris Johnson -- so says CJ2K himself.

The legendary Tennessee Titans running back made the claim to TMZ Sports ... saying if he lined up for a race against every fast NFL legend ever -- and everyone was still in their prime -- he would've dusted them all.

"No question," Johnson says.

The statement is a bold one -- after all, Sanders alone is rumored to have once run a 4.1 40-yard dash -- but Chris says he believes in his speed THAT much.

"You look at my tape, I've never been caught," Johnson says. "I made people pull hamstrings!"

Johnson's obviously not lying ... the guy ran a 4.24 40-yard dash at the 2008 NFL Combine -- and his speed was consistently on display throughout his 10-year NFL career.

As for if CJ2K could still get it done on the track ... he told us that just ain't happenin' now -- admitting Hill would beat him in a sprint today.

Before this cheerful child was writing and producing some of the best beats in music, he was just another smiling sweetheart growing up in Oxnard, California.

This grinning guy has been making things better in music for almost a decade ... he is known for his funky sound, epic drumming skills, and his notable features. The talented artist has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Dr. Dre, Andre 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and, most recently, began a duo group with Bruno Mars.

If you can't figure this one out, what's the use?

Tory Lanez has to fork over more bail money after prosecutors say he violated a court order to stay away from Megan Thee Stallion with his surprise appearance at Rolling Loud ... but at least he won't be behind bars.

Lanez was in an L.A. court Monday to learn his fate and he's gonna have to post a higher bail amount to stay out of jail while his criminal case is pending. The reason -- he violated a protective order requiring him to stay clear of Megan.

The judge also modified his bail conditions to specifically prohibit Tory from attending events where his alleged victim, Megan, will be present. The judge also said if this issue comes up again ... he will be remanded into custody. So, this was clearly his last warning.

Tory's bail was increased from $190k to $250k -- so he'll have to throw down a bit more dough to stay free.

TMZ broke the story ... prosecutors filed a motion earlier this month to hold TL in contempt for violating the restraining order. He made a guest appearance during DaBaby's Rolling Loud set, and he got within 100 yards of Megan, who also performed at the event

Kanye West is doing some home cooking for his next "Donda" event ... because it looks like he's recreating his Chicago childhood home on a big stage.

Check out this image from inside Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, where Kanye is getting set to host his 3rd listening party for his upcoming album.

As you can see, construction is in full swing on a structure that looks a lot like the home where Ye grew up on the South Side of Chicago ... and it seems the house is smack in the middle of the football field.

Remember ... the album name is "Donda," an homage to his late mother, so it seems fitting Kanye would represent their old home for his listening party in the city where he was born and raised.

Kanye's also been all about this era of life ... he recently scrubbed his entire Instagram page except for a lone image of the old Chicago crib, which he bought last year for a cool $225,000.

Charli D'Amelio is beefing with a media kingpin who says he can make anyone famous ... and he's warning the TikTok star not to poke the bear!!!

Here's the deal ... Charli, TikTok's most-followed star, was recently featured in an endorsement video for the "Fame By Sheeraz Masterclass," and now her lawyers are making a big fuss over it.

Charli's legal team fired off a legal letter to Sheeraz, obtained by TMZ, demanding the media guru scrub her portion from his promotional video and class.

As you can see in the clip, Charli looks into the camera and waves as she says, "Hi Fame By Sheeraz."

According to the cease and desist letter, Charli's lawyer says her inclusion in Sheeraz's promo "is not approved and will not be approved."

Sheeraz tells TMZ ... "Don't poke the media beast we control the paparazzi and media that promotes you and gives you FAME. That's why you endorsed FAME by Sheeraz."

Sounds like Sheeraz isn't having it.