BFFs

10:21 AM -- Didn't take long for Lisa to respond to Kyle's comments ... telling TMZ it's funny that someone with 2 shows and a business empire would need to be paid to attend Andy's baby shower.

Lisa tells us she actually met with Andy before the shower prior to hitting up Vegas. She also says where she's headed next ... making it crystal clear Lisa's paying no attention to her castmates reading into her absence.

Kyle Richards is spilling the beans -- there IS in fact drama behind Lisa Vanderpump skipping Andy Cohen's baby shower ... and it might be all about the Benjamins.

Kyle was leaving Il Pastaio in Bev Hills Wednesday and didn't mince words when asked why Lisa was MIA from Andy's baby shower. As we reported ... a HUGE number of Housewives showed up for the shindig.

As for Lisa ... she was in Vegas on a business trip as she prepares to launch a new restaurant inside Caesars Palace.

But, her absence only fueled the rumors she might bail on the show. Lisa's begged to differ in the past, but her 'RHOBH' castmates have taken notice how she's isolated herself ... and they're pissed.

Check it out ... Kyle also spills tea on any potential replacements should Lisa bounce.

Meek Mill and The Game sure know how to bury the hatchet in a big way -- throw down the shovel and hit the studio, which is exactly what they've done ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close both MCs tell us that they recently got together to collaborate on new music -- this is after Game officially announced their two-year feud was over.

We're told Meek flew out to L.A. last week to record a new song for Game's forthcoming album. Our sources say the get-together proved to be super productive ... not just musically, but in repairing their once-fractured relationship. We're hearing Game and Meek chopped it up and even had a good laugh over the 2016 beef ... which seemed nasty at the time.

If you'll recall ... Game thought Meek had ratted him out to Sean Kingston after Sean was robbed one night in the summer of '16 at an L.A. nightclub they'd all attended. Game says Sean told him Meek claimed Game was behind the robbery ... which Meek denied.

It was basically a case of he said, he said and he said ... and in the midst of all of it, some harsh diss tracks were exchanged between Game and Meek.

Ariana Grande's "7 Rings" drops Friday ... and we're told Ariana and Co. expect the song will become an anthem for female empowerment ... with more than a mention of retail therapy as a cure for breakups.

Sources involved in the recording say "7 Rings" wasn't just a random song title ... the name was inspired by something that happened shortly after her breakup with Pete Davidson. Ariana went out with her girls on a shopping spree, meandered into a jewelry store and bought 7 engagement rings for her friends.

One verse goes like this ...

Whoever said money can't solve your problems

Must not have had enough money to solve 'em

The lyrics also reference her breakups -- just like "Thank U, Next"

"7 Rings" is Ariana's first single since releasing "Thank U, Next" ... and her people think the new song will do at least as well as its predecessor.

We're told the song will also feature a new music video.

Bam Margera insists he doesn't need professional help when it comes to booze, but one of his closest friends believes Bam's very life is at stake after he prematurely left rehab.

'Jackass' star Brandon Novak -- who used to appear on the stunt show with Bam -- tells us he is deeply concerned after Bam checked himself out of a Bay Area rehab facility this week. He explained his decision to leave on social media.

According to Bam's lengthy journal entry, he says he realized he didn't need to be in rehab a few days into his latest treatment, his third time. Bam says he bailed because he didn't need any detox or medication to kick his alcohol cravings.

Not only that, but Bam said he was sitting around doing nothing in rehab and feels unproductive. Plus, he says he was missing out on important business opportunities, and needed to leave to make money and keep his mind occupied.

Well, Brandon doesn't think it's that simple. He tells us he and some of Bam's closest family members and friends staged an intervention late last year because they were genuinely concerned about Bam's drinking ... and wanted him to kick the habit once and for all.

Even worse, Brandon says he believes Bam could end up killing himself if he doesn't get clean. He tells us, "enable an addict, bury an addict." FWIW, Brandon is fully sober now after struggling with addiction through much of his adult life.

Why are so many people smiling at "Mean" Gene Okerlund's memorial event in Florida on Wednesday??? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MEAN GENE WOULDA WANTED!!

Tons of wrestling stars from years past -- from Diamond Dallas Page to one of the Nasty Boys -- gathered in Sarasota, FL to honor the late wrestling announcer.

Gene's wife Jeanne -- along with their children -- was at the event where friends and family members told stories about the greatest WWE voice of all time.

Among the guests ... The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell), Brian Knobbs (of the Nasty Boys), Greg Gagne, Dave Hero and former WWE ref Mike White.

WWE execs Kevin Dunn and Kerwin Silfies were also in attendance.

We spoke with DDP who tells us everyone had a great time honoring the late, great "Mean" Gene -- who's widely regarded as one of the nicest guys in the history of the biz.

Okerlund passed away on January 2. He was 76.

Taylor Swift had a heroes party for New Year's Eve with a bunch of famous buds.

Taylor dressed as Ariel from "The Little Mermaid," Gigi Hadid dressed up as Mary Poppins and Blake Lively dressed as Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz."

Some of the other costumes ... Audrey Hepburn, Ms. Frizzle, Cinderella, Gwen Stefani, Mr. Toad, Avril Lavigne, Nancy Drew, Posh Spice, Rizzo, Frida Kahlo, Steve Irwin.

BTW ... the Gwen Stefani costume -- the blue bikini top -- replicates a '90s red carpet appearance by the singer. The Dorothy outfit even came with Toto in a basket!

Taylor commented on the post, "Sending you all love and hope going into 2019."

Taylor joined Ryan Reynolds for a little gin guzzle from Ryan's label, Aviation.

The party went down somewhere in New York City. It's unclear if it's a restaurant or whether she took over a club.

Best signing day announcement ever!!!

High school football star Cooper Dawson -- a top defensive end at Hanahan High in South Carolina -- didn't feel right holding a press conference by himself on Wednesday to announce his college plans.

So, he brought a friend with him ... a guy who's been his inspiration while he recovers from an ACL tear -- Kingsley Feinman.

Kingsley has cerebral palsy -- and Dawson explained that he's learned a major life lesson from his friend, "The only disability is a bad attitude."

And, when the big moment came, Cooper whispered his college destination into Kinglsey's ear so he could make the announcement to the media.

What ensued is just awesome ... and props to WCIV's Scott Eisberg for capturing the whole thing on video.

The only sad part ... is Cooper didn't pick the school Kinglsey had hoped he would attend.

Still, guessing KF will learn to root for a new team.

Congrats!!

Halle Berry and Cris Cyborg's friendship is gettin' serious ... 'cause the two had a "girls' night out" Saturday -- watching a fellow female DOMINATE a major boxing match!!!

The odd couple has been kickin' it quite a bit recently -- just a few weeks ago they were in Cyborg's gym in Huntington Beach for an MMA training sesh.

But, this weekend, they took things to the next level -- watching Claressa Shields beat the daylights out of Femke Hermans during the final HBO boxing event Saturday at the StubHub Center in L.A.

The actress and the UFC superstar had all-access passes (duh, they're very famous) ... and they even posed with Shields after the ass-whooping.

"#GirlsNightOut," Cyborg wrote on social media ... "thank you @claressashields and @halleberry for making the last @hboboxing event such an incredible night of memories!"

Added Halle, "Congrats on your win @claressashields ... and thanks @criscyborg for the invite!"

The two have become good friends recently -- seems Halle has turned to Cyborg for some MMA training for her roles in 'John Wick 3' and "Bruised."

As for Cyborg ... she's got a huge match against Amanda Nunes coming up at UFC 232 on December 29 -- and it can't hurt having Halle Berry in your corner for that!!!

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are handing over $25,000 to assist the family of Marcus Hyde, the couple's personal photographer who was horrifically injured in a car crash.

TMZ broke the story ... Marcus Hyde -- who has worked with Kim and Kanye around the world -- went plummeting over the side of a ravine in Malibu last month in his Mercedes. Hyde sustained serious head injuries, and has remained in a fight for his life ever since.

A GoFundMe was recently started for Hyde and his family to help with medical costs ... as the photog remains hospitalized.

On Wednesday, Kim and Kanye pledged $25k to the cause. We're told the couple chose to make their contribution public in hopes it will bring more attention to the page, and raise more money. The fundraiser originally had a goal of $10k ... so Kimye's donation will be a massive help.

Just before the crash, Hyde traveled with the family on their trip to Bali, shot pics of the Kardashian and Jenner sisters in their Victoria's Secret angel wings and was by Kanye's side during his album release in Wyoming.

Jack Black was in full rock god mode Tuesday night in Chicago during a Tenacious D set -- which served as the perfect setting for a "School of Rock" reunion with one his "students."

Professional drummer Kevin Clark -- who played Freddy, aka Spazzy McGee in 'SoR' -- tells TMZ ... he got in touch with Jack when he heard TD was playing a gig in town, and that Jack made sure he was given tickets and backstage access at the Riviera Theatre.

Perhaps, unsurprisingly, the reunion made for some epic nostalgia ... almost like it was 2003 all over again. We're told Jack and Kevin hadn't seen each other in a while.

Fun fact: Kevin hasn't acted since starring in the film, and says he only got the role at the time 'cause he could actually play the drums. Freddy plays in his own band now -- Dreadwolf -- and gave Jack one their custom shirts, which he threw on immediately.

BTW ... the actress who played Katie -- the bassist in the film, Rebecca Brown, attended Jack's TD show Wednesday night.

Kevin Smith's new movie about Jay and Silent Bob is still in the works -- despite a delay -- according to Jay himself ... who's giving us a major update on the status of their reboot.

We got Jason Mewes Tuesday night at Caroline's Comedy Club in NYC where he told us Smith's forthcoming sequel to the 'J & SB' franchise -- "Jay and Silent Bob Get a Reboot" -- will head into preproduction early next year ... and that filming will begin soon after that.

Kevin teased a sequel early last year, and reports said that production was supposed to start this past summer. It doesn't appear that actually happened, but Jason's got a bit of an explanation there too.

Demi Lovato has what appears to be a constant companion, and he has a few things in common with her that are now the centerpiece of her life -- addiction and sobriety.

We just got these photos of Demi and clothing guru Henry Levy grabbing coffee Sunday night in West Hollywood ... and, as you can see, they're getting really close. Demi's got her arm around Henry's waist, and he's got his draped over her shoulder.

We've learned Demi and Henry went to an AA meeting Sunday night -- he's been in and out of rehab since he was a teen. We're told Demi and Henry actually met a few years back when both were in rehab.

Demi and Henry's Sunday outing comes on the heels of their fancy sushi dinner Saturday night at Matsuhisa in Bev Hills ... when we first saw them together having a great time over dinner.

Demi definitely enjoys Henry's company ... because they were back at it again the next day, smiling, laughing and looking cheerful as they waited on iced coffees.

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino had a heart-to-heart before his wedding ... but the sit-down wasn't with his soon-to-be wife. It was with Ronnie Ortiz-Magro.

The 'Jersey Shore' stars had a powwow Wednesday night at the Westin Governor Morris Hotel in Morristown, NJ ... one day before Sitch weds Lauren Pesce. You hear Mike talk about Ronnie being his best man at his wedding and hopes one day Ronnie reverses the honor.

Mike and his fiancee rolled up to the hotel in an SUV and they beelined it for their room. Ronnie was already there when the couple checked in ... and a few hours later, Sitch and Ronnie had their chitchat in the lobby.

Mike just posted this ... "Today I marry my best friend, My College Sweetheart, My everything. Together as a team we can accomplish anything ... I promise to be my best self everyday & make you proud to call yourself Mrs. Sorrentino."

Mike and Lauren are getting married just months before he heads off to serve an 8-month prison sentence for tax evasion.

Ron Jeremy says he's pretty sure his good friend, Dennis Hof, died a happy death ... but discovering his body was definitely tough.

We got Ron Monday night on the Sunset Strip in front of the Rainbow Room and asked about finding the famed Bunny Ranch owner dead in his bed. Ron tells us he's spent many a day waking Dennis up all over the world, but something was definitely amiss last week.

Pat Benatar's daughter is coming to a beach near you and turning it into a runway ... or so it seems.

We got Hana Giraldo (she's on the right) on Bae-watch alert in Venice ... wading through the Pacific with her friend/makeup artist, Kristen Hancher.

Hana, a model and actress, has been taking full advantage of SoCal's endless summer -- most recently we saw her posing just up the coast in Malibu. This time around, she and Kristen are doubling your pleasure.

Mac Miller's life will be celebrated with a gigantic show in Los Angeles featuring some of music's biggest acts who also happened to be the rapper's biggest friends.

An announcement for "Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life" just dropped ... and names on the ticket include Travis Scott, SZA, Chance The Rapper, John Mayer, Schoolboy Q, Ty Dolla $ign, Miguel and many, many more.

Proceeds from the show will benefit The Mac Miller Circles Fund and will go down Halloween night at The Greek Theatre.

Mac's mom, Karen, made the announcement for the show, saying, "Thank you to all the artists, friends and partners for helping to bring this all to fruition .. in honor of wonderful Malcolm .. who is in all of our hearts."

Mac died at his home in Los Angeles September 7 of an apparent drug overdose.