TMZ has found photos of Erica Rhodes from her stint as a dancer for the Dallas Desperados -- which were taken back in '06 and '07 when the AFL still existed.

As long as Erica keeps wearing leather ... we'll be rooting for her.

The Green Brothers -- a rap group consisting of an elderly Platt-alike gentleman -- re-posted the music video for their song "Back Pockets on the Floor" this week -- and you're gonna be shocked at the similarity.

The group claims their lift-up-your-pants jam has "the same intent, idea and in part the same message" as the "American Idol" wannabeen's.

TMZ has learned 26-year-old Jesse Kristofferson posed for the advertisement last year -- and according to Jesse's rep, Jeff Ballard, the people at "Idol" have no idea the ad features the son of a famous singer/songwriter.

Well now they know ... and knowing is half the battle.

It all went down Friday morning inside the New Brunswick Legislature -- when veteran politician T.J. Burke used "General" Larry Platt's theme song to explain how an opposition member had been caught with his "pants on the ground" during a recent radio interview.

And the genius himself, Larry Platt, was a surprise guest at a Minnesota Vikings team meeting today to perform the song for the team. Is it too late to bet on the Saints?

"General" Larry Platt -- the musical mastermind behind "Pants on the Ground" -- hasn't seen a dime since everyone and their mother started singing his tune ... and now he's lawyering up in the hopes of finally raking in some cash.

Platt tells TMZ he loves the countless parodies and remixes of his tune -- but says since he's the one who wrote the greatest song ever created about pants being on the ground ... he's the one who should be getting paid.

Problem is Platt never copyrighted the song ... so he's looking to hire an attorney to help him snag a slice of the "Pants" craze while he can.

The guy who was led out of "American Idol" in handcuffs on last night's show got a lucky break after the cameras stopped rolling -- producers let the guy off the hook.

TMZ has learned 28-year-old Jarrod Norrell -- who was manhandled by security when he refused to leave his audition -- was escorted out of the Orlando, Florida building ... but did not go to jail.

Cops tell TMZ, that at the request of "A.I." producers, Norrell only received a threat -- meaning that if he returned to the auditions he would have been arrested.

As we previously reported, Simon has had discussions with Abdul about joining his new show -- the one he's leaving 'Idol' for after this season.

We're not sure how far along they got in their talks.

Ryan Seacrest's alleged stalker has been ordered to stand trial for his alleged menacing actions toward the "American Idol" host.

25-year-old Chidi Uzomah allegedly violated a restraining order -- by showing up to Seacrest's workplace with a knife in his pocket last year.

Uzomah was charged with felony stalking and disobeying two court orders -- both misdemeanors.

He's due back in court on Feb 2.

The limber, 62-year-old went on "The View" this morning where he rocked out another rendition of the "American Idol" instant classic -- and revealed that he observed a droopy-bottomed person sucking on a baby bottle when he was inspired to write the song.

Platt's revelation could only mean 2 things -- either the pants-wearer was a grown man in desperate need of a belt ... or Platt wrote a song about an infant.

As TwinCities.com pointed out, Favre can be heard saying "I told Percy [Harvin] I'd do this" -- right before he led the victory chant in the Minnesota locker room.

La Toya Jackson is next in line to fill Simon Cowell's shoes on "American Idol" -- that's if La Toya Jackson has anything to do with it.

We're told MJ's sister and former "Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe cozied up at a housewarming party for Kathy Hilton in Bel Air recently -- before Simon broke his big news -- and the topic came up of La Toya possibly guest-judging on the show.

But now that Simon's out of the picture, La Toya wants more.

We spoke to her and she tells TMZ: "I would LOVE to be a judge on 'American Idol.' I would love to have a chance for the public get to know the real me. I would be thrilled."

In other news: there's a "real" La Toya Jackson.

Andrew Fenlon -- the "smartass" Kara DioGuardi ripped into and threatened to spank on "American Idol" -- now says his d-bag demeanor was just for kicks.

The bespectacled brat called into The Morning MIX with Scott McKenzie at MIX 105.1 in Orlando yesterday where he said he acted like an ass so he would stand out more ... and get some prime TV time.

Fenlon also claims he would have made it to Hollywood if he would have played it straight for the judges -- so check out his audition, which is replayed during the interview, and tell us ...

The guy who created "American Idol" wrote a letter to his AI staff announcing Simon Cowell's departure from the show -- but in between compliments, Simon Fuller slipped in an ego shot at his number one judge.

In the letter, distributed on the same day Cowell made his big announcement, Fuller congratulated Simon for moving on to his new show "The X Factor" -- but reminded everyone that it will be "in the same vein as 'Idol.'"

Translation -- he's knockin' us off.

In the end, it really doesn't matter -- they're all making wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much money to care.

Michael Jackson spent more than $700,000 on all sorts of flamboyantly bizarre furniture before he died -- but now, it could be yours ... if the price is right.

TMZ has learned MJ ordered the incredibly unique items for a London mansion he was supposed to live in during the run of his "This Is It" tour ... but he died before the Italian furniture maker -- Colombostile -- could deliver the goods.

Colombostile tells us they gave the $700,000 back to Katherine Jackson and plans to auction the items off in the near future.

Among the items -- lavish sofas, a crystal-encrusted chair, a desk with a secret compartment and much more -- check out the gallery for more details. We're told Jacko bought one of the chairs specifically for his friend Elizabeth Taylor to sit in when she came to visit.

There's also a seashell-studded chair that was intended for MJ's "Little Mermaid" room -- we're guessing it was for his daughter Paris, but then again, ya never know...

Hunt down the differences in these celebrity snapshots -- then impress your friends mom with how good you are!

Tis the season for crazy vacationing -- see which stars got some serious R&R!

It's that time of the month ... Megan Fox recently bought a brand new house for just under $3 million.

The gorgeous wannabe actress' new Los Feliz 4 bdrm/5 bath estate is over 4000 square feet and features a gourmet kitchen, media/pool table room, several terraces with city views and a swimming pool.

Brian Austin Green is going to be really busy keeping this place in order.

Can you guess whose celebrity face is all smudged up?

We're told Elton's schedule is way too packed to bash amateur singers -- so a golden ticket to Hollywood is out of the question.

Wonder what Robbie Williams is up to next year?