Comedy

Donnell Rawlings is defending Jimmy Kimmel in the face of government sponsored cancel culture ... and he's explaining why comedians should be allowed to speak freely, without fear of losing their jobs.

The veteran standup comic joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live," and we asked him about ABC suspending Kimmel's late-night show indefinitely after outrage over Jimmy's remarks about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer and MAGA.

Donnell says comedians are supposed to make light of tragic events to help Americans cope, and he says what's happening to Kimmel will make comics extra careful about what they say ... which he says is actually bad for the country and comedy.

Marlon Wayans has a very personal reason why his and brother Shawn's box office blockbuster "White Chicks" will NEVER get a follow-up ... and that's because getting a full face-beat takes too freakin' long!!!

Kai Cenat had Marlon on his Mafiathon 3 stream and brought up "White Chicks 2," taking Marlon down horror memory lane, spending 7 hours in the make-up chair all to turn into a bad bish.

Marlon explained that the 7-hour makeup job was in addition to the 14 hours of the daily production and the 1 hour it took to remove the costumes.

Charlie Sheen is revealing his life is way different now from the days of his infamously wild antics ... because he's been celibate for nearly a decade.

Ahead of the release of his Netflix docuseries, "aka Charlie Sheen," and the drop of his memoir, "The Book of Sheen," the "Two and a Half Men" alum shared how his sobriety journey has influenced his dating life ... or lack thereof.

He told Page Six ... sex used to be all he "cared about," and that it was "near the top of the priority list" for him.

Cocaine killed comedian Ken Flores ... so says the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

TMZ obtained Ken's autopsy report and the medical examiner says his cause of death was cocaine toxicity.

The docs say Ken's history of congestive heart failure was another significant condition in his death. The ME ruled the death an accident.

Druski's viral NASCAR skit sparked a good ol' fashioned down-home racial debate across America -- totally the type of comedy the world needs, says Brandon T. Jackson.

Movie buffs remember Brandon's portrayal in the 2008 Ben Stiller-directed comedy blockbuster "Tropic Thunder" as "Alpa Chino" ... the rapper stranded in the jungle who told Robert Downey Jr.'s character -- who was in blackface -- his hijinks weren't appreciated.

TMZ Hip Hop linked with Brandon following the Druski firestorm, and he says canceling Druski would be like canceling RDJ's unforgettable performance in "Tropic Thunder" ... no dice!!!

Jon Reep -- the 2007 winner of "Last Comic Standing" -- ain't making people laugh anymore, 'cause he's been arrested on child porn charges in North Carolina ... TMZ has learned.

The scruffy comedian was busted Friday by the Hickory PD after a grand jury handed down a felony indictment charging him with one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and 9 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. All of the state charges are related to child pornography.

Heidi Gardner’s "Saturday Night Live" run is over ... but producers say don’t sweat it ... her stardom’s just taking off, and she’s about to blow up everywhere!

Sources tell TMZ ... 'SNL' is all about launching new talent, and producers say Heidi’s set for a big career -- especially with her role on Apple TV's "Shrinking" and a stack of commercials under her belt.

We’re told producers see Heidi’s career blasting off ... she’s moving on to bigger, better things, while 'SNL' makes room for fresh new faces.

Amanda Knox thinks her infamous murder case over in Italy is all one big joke ... at least if you listen to her new standup routine.

Foxy Knoxy poked fun at her Italian nightmare during a recent gig at the Tacoma Comedy Club in Washington ... joking that motherhood is a lot harder than being locked up in an Italian jail.

As you know ... Amanda was a Seattle college student studying abroad in 2007 when she and her Italian boyfriend of a week were thrown behind bars for the rape and murder of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher.

Druski is back with another racial skit ... and this time he's playing a white man who is proud to be an American ... and his hair and makeup are something to behold.

The comedian known for his viral skits dressed up in whiteface for his most recent video ... going undercover at a recent NASCAR race.

Druski looks white in the video, and he's got a bunch of tattoos and even some sunburns. He's got a beard, mullet and a cowboy hat to go with some denim overalls.

Pete Davidson’s pregnant girlfriend Elsie Hewitt is glowing brightly, with recent vacation time clearly contributing to her radiance -- and her man’s right there for the shine!

The couple is pure couple goals in Elsie's Friday IG dump ... kicking things off with Pete planting kisses on her head while she rocks a bikini -- baby bump and all -- next to a tub.

That was just the warm-up -- the duo went full-on vacay mode with kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and serious sun-soaking.

"Saturday Night Live" is shaking up its cast ... and, TMZ has learned the name of a potential replacement -- comedian Kam Patterson!

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... 'SNL' is looking at Kam as a possible new cast member -- though he hasn't been sent an official offer yet.

The show is still working on filling other open spots on the show, we're told ... and those decisions will come down soon, as the new season is just weeks away.

Matt Rife is coming to the defense of Sydney Sweeney ... but not in regard to her viral American Eagle campaign -- it's the bathwater soap.

The controversial comedian hopped on X Friday night in response to her recent comments about the bullying she received from women over her Dr. Squatch collab, which saw the company selling a soap allegedly made with her bathwater.

He seems totally fed up with the drama, writing ... "I keep seeing people mad at Sydney Sweeney for noooothing 🙄 She’s learning that the internet is full of absolute garbage losers who will twist anything you say into a c**ty misinterpretation 😮‍💨  people are awful."

Melania Trump's letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin didn't go over so well with one of the Kennedys ... who trolled the First Lady while wearing a wig.

John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg savagely mocked Melania in an Instagram video after she penned a letter to Putin about children caught up in the Ukraine war.

As you know, Trump handed the letter to Putin in person during last week's high-stakes summit in Alaska to discuss ending the war.

The audience member who got booted from Theo Von's Anaheim show Saturday night appears to have hit another fan on her way out of the arena ... new video obtained by TMZ shows.

The clip shows security talking to the woman we previously showed you being removed from the event ... and, she's clearly having an animated chat with them.

Theo pipes up and asks her to speak to security in the lobby outside the arena ... but, she starts yelling at him -- and, he's totally confused why.

Theo Von dealt with a disrespectful fan at a recent show ... and, we've got video of her getting thrown out of an Anaheim arena!

The comedian was playing the Honda Center -- home of NHL team the Anaheim Ducks -- Saturday night ... when apparently a fan got too disruptive and needed to be walked out of the place by security.

Check out the clip ... the woman's in a revealing white top as she goes up the stairs -- reveling in the crowd's jeers with her arms raised up above her head.

It's party time all summer ... and you already know we've got plenty of celebs getting their drink on!

The name of the game this time is playing it off, although it looks like Kevin Hart sold himself out when he fessed up to having a "drunk face" -- hey, he almost fooled us!