Controversial S#!T

Antonio Brown finally got cut Wednesday night ... but it wasn't by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The superstar WR was one of the celebrity performers on "The Masked Singer" -- and while the show was taped months ago, his song choice proved insanely relevant when it aired Wednesday night.

Disguised in a hippo mask, Brown performed Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" -- which includes the famous lyrics ... "Everybody's talkin' all this stuff about me. Why don't they just let me live?"

It's almost like he knew he was gonna be in the middle of a super nasty public feud with his team when he taped the show.

The judges thought the face under the hippo mask belonged to either Odell Beckham, Deion Sanders or Allen Iverson.

Before he revealed his true identity, the judges had already sealed his fate -- giving him the lowest score among the celebrity singers ... which means he was axed from the show.

R. Kelly's had enough ... he's threatening to sue Lifetime if it doesn't pull the plug on airing its documentary that paints the singer as a sex-crazed and abusive cult leader.

Kelly's lawyer, Brian Nix, fired off a legal letter -- obtained by TMZ -- warning the network that its "Surviving R. Kelly" documentary is packed with lies. Nix threatens to file a federal lawsuit Thursday -- the same day Lifetime's set to air the special -- if the network doesn't relent.

As you know ... the family of one of Kelly's alleged brainwashed sex slaves has gone public in seeking her return. The alleged victim, Joycelyn Savage, refuted her own family and said she's no hostage. She was seen out in Bev Hills last May... without Kelly in tow.

Lifetime's 6-part documentary will feature, for the first time ever, people from Kelly's inner circle coming forward with new allegations that Kelly has sexually, mentally and physically abused women.

Aubrey O'Day rang in the New Year by getting kicked out of her own show ... at a faux birthday party at a strip club in honor of her alleged ex, Donald Trump Jr.

Folks at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club in Las Vegas tell TMZ ... Aubrey threw a fit Monday night when a bday cake was carted out for the Prez's son after she finished her 3-song set.

We're told she was pissed because she was asked to sing "Happy Birthday" to her former fling -- which was allegedly not part of her contract -- then one of her assistants got physical with a cocktail server.

We got video of the ex-Danity Kane member being escorted out after her performance, seemingly at the direction of one of the club's managers who shouts at her to leave the building.

We broke the story ... the New Year's Eve bash was a total troll job by the club, because Larry Flynt famously hates President Trump. Having it hosted by his son's alleged ex-mistress was part of the joke.

Seems like O'Day was tired of playing along though.

We reached out to her ... no word back so far.

Louis C.K. deserves to get trashed for telling jokes about Parkland survivors, which just proves Louis is kind of despicable ... so says fellow comedian Ron Funches.

Ron came on "TMZ Live" Wednesday making it clear ... he's not a fan of C.K. or his supporters. Ron essentially says Louis is a bottom feeder.

Ron, whose hour-long stand-up special "Giggle Fit" premieres Jan. 4 on Comedy Central, says he understands comics trying out new material in front of smaller crowds, but he says that's not an excuse for Louis because the Parkland jokes basically amount to hate speech.

The Antonio Brown drama keeps raging on ... 'cause the Steelers WR just called his ex-teammate, Ryan Clark, an "Uncle Tom" after Clark ripped him on TV.

Clark -- an ex-Steelers DB who's now an ESPN NFL analyst -- tore into A.B. after reports surfaced that Brown was benched for blowing up on teammates during practice last week.

"This is where Mike Tomlin has to put his foot down and shop Antonio Brown," Clark said ... "You have to take that stand. You have to. Time for him to go."

Brown -- who played 4 seasons with Clark in Pittsburgh -- didn't take long to fire back, calling Clark an "Uncle Tom" in a comment on an ESPN NFL Instagram post about Clark's criticism.

It's the latest chapter in a drama that's already featured Brown getting benched, requesting trade AND not returning Ben Roethlisberger's phone calls and messages.

For his part ... Brown says a "big interview" with James Harrison is on the way -- so seems we'll get Antonio's side of the story shortly.

Sen. Chuck Schumer says potentially ending the government shutdown is gonna take a firm commitment from President Trump ... and not his usual jiggling on the issues.

We got the Senate Minority Leader Wednesday in D.C. as he was making his way to the White House, where Trump is set to meet with Dems (in the Situation Room, no less) to discuss ending the partial shutdown that's been in effect for 12 days now.

Schumer says he's gonna try to strike a deal with the Prez -- who wants his southern border wall funded -- but makes note that Trump is like Jell-O on when it comes to sticking to one position.

Coincidentally, shortly after Schumer made that comparison ... Trump was holding a cabinet meeting with his "Game of Thrones"-style poster -- threatening sanctions -- smack in the middle of the table.

Still, Schumer sounds cautiously optimistic there's a "chance" to end the shutdown.

Good luck, Chuck.

Colton Underwood just swerved REAL hard on the big v-question that everyone wants to know.

The 'Bachelor' star was out Tuesday in NYC and was asked about finding love and whether or not he finally lost his virginity. Colton's sex life has been a major focus of his storyline after he revealed he was still a virgin during "The Bachelorette."

David Spade has some words of encouragement for Tiffany Haddish AND Louis C.K. and David makes it clear ... they're not in the same boat.

We got the longtime comedian leaving Nobu Tuesday night in WeHo where, at first, he weighed in on what had happened to Tiffany on New Year's Eve in Miami -- namely, miserably bombing onstage and cracking open some Ciroc to numb the pain.

He says NYE gigs are tough as it is 'cause everyone's already faded, and a night of partying for the comic themselves probably ain't the best idea if ya mix the two. Remember, Tiff had said earlier in the day that she'd been out all night raging before her set.

Then, Dave pivots to Louis ... saying comics always try new material with smaller crowds that aren't necessarily meant to be heard worldwide.

David sidesteps Louis' jokes -- like the Parkland massacre survivors -- he realized it's a hot potato.

It's worth noting ... Tiffany's tough night and Louis' tough night are dissimilar.

Drake's keeping his friends close and his frenemy's family even closer ... based on who showed up to his New Year's Eve bash.

As you know ... Kanye West went on the attack last weekend and issued a very public rebuke of Drake on NYE for following his wife on Instagram, but that didn't stop Kim's sisters from having a good time at Drizzy's champagne party.

Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott all attended The Mod Selection New Year's Party Monday night at Delilah in L.A. -- hosted by Drake -- despite the bad blood currently between him and Ye.

It's possible the rappers' relationship's on the mend ... Drake unfollowed Kim on IG just hours before midnight on NYE, so perhaps that was enough to smooth things over and allow Kanye's kin to hang out with Drake without backlash.

Kanye even tweeted on New Year's Day "I love Drake 2019 we will all heal."

However, he also used the first day of 2019 to go on a Twitter rant about Trump.

One step forward, two steps back.

Darryl Strawberry believes marijuana is DANGEROUS -- telling TMZ Sports it should NOT be used as pain management because it's a gateway drug that can ruin lives.

... and Strawberry says he's living proof.

Of course, the ex-MLB superstar battled addiction himself -- he was suspended 3 times for cocaine during his baseball career.

Now, with so many pro athletes calling for the legalization of marijuana for pain management, Strawberry says it's the WRONG thing to do.

"Most people don't understand marijuana is a drug," the 56-year-old tells TMZ Sports ... "It's just the beginning. Starting people off when they're young and then it leads to everything else."

Strawberry also says America is "spiritually broken" when it comes to the use of prescription medication ... blaming pharmaceutical companies for "flooding the gates" with opiates that are killing young people.

But, the root of the problem, according to Strawberry, is weed.

"Most young people start off with marijuana ... it's a gateway. I started with marijuana when I was young -- 14, 15 years old -- and it led me to everything else."

We asked Darryl if he advocates for any Rx drug for pain management and he told us -- "There's no such thing as pain management for prescription drugs. They've gotten totally out of control."

1:14 PM PT -- If you were planning on attending any future Kanye concerts, be prepared to see that MAGA hat of his ... 'cause Ye says he'll be performing with it from now on.

Kanye West is making it quite clear to kick off the new year -- he's still on the Trump train heading into 2019.

Ye went on another Twitter rant Tuesday proclaiming his unwavering devotion to President Trump, saying ... "Trump all day." He continued by saying, "Just so in 2019 you know where I stand."

The political line of logic continued with Kanye saying, "They will not program me," and adding, "Blacks are 90% Democrats That sounds like control to me."

He followed up by saying, "Love everyone," and "We will change the world. God is on my side. I am a Christian. I am a tax payer. I am myself. God is with us." It should be noted ... Kanye is currently retweeting love and support being sent to him at an alarmingly rapid pace.

The new tweets follow his latest attack against Drake for following Kim Kardashian on Instagram last year. It also appears to be the first direct mention of politics ever since Kanye announced he'd be putting a pause on political talk and focusing on being creative.

Speaking of Drizzy, Kanye addressed his ongoing feud with the guy, saying "I love Drake 2019 we will all heal."

BTW -- Kanye also seems to be teasing a presidential run for 2024.

Hasan Minhaj's Saudi Arabia episode is off the airwaves there after Netflix received and acted upon a legal complaint from the country that it found valid.

The Financial Times reports that Netflix pulled Minhaj's 'Patriot Act' episode titled "Saudi Arabia" from the streaming service last week in Saudi Arabia itself after receiving a complaint from the country's Communications and Information Technology Commission, which claimed the episode violated an anti-cybercrime law.

According to the outlet, the government agency cited Article 6 of the law, which states in part ... "production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers." It's a crime that's punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine not exceeding 3 million riyals (about $800k).

Translation ... any content that bashes the Saudi government and could cause a stir ain't gonna fly here.

In the episode, Minhaj touches on the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and was highly critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ... joking that the country's leader had been getting away with heinous acts like this for years.

Minhaj quips at one point, saying ... "It blows my mind that it took the killing of a Washington Post journalist for everyone to go, 'Oh, I guess he’s really not a reformer.'" He goes on ... "Meanwhile, every Muslim person you know was like, 'Yeah, no s**t.' He’s the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.' So now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia -- and I mean that as a Muslim and as an American."

As we reported ... Khashoggi was brutally murdered last year at a Saudi Arabia consulate in Turkey at the hands of men who Turkish officials say were working under direct orders of the Saudi government. The Saudi government has had shifting stories on its role in the murder and cover-up, but has implied the perpetrators were not following any official orders in killing him, and that it was simply a dust-up gone wrong.

A Netflix spokesperson released a statement, saying, "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law."

Louis C.K. is getting way too comfortable at the bottom of the comedy barrel ... so says Parkland Shooting survivor Cameron Kasky.

But, it's not Louis' latest lowbrow comedy routine attacking victims of the Parkland massacre that has Cameron upset ... the student activist is taking issue with Louis appealing to crowds who find jokes about transgender people and school shootings funny.

We got Cameron on Monday, after the father of one of his dead peers ripped into Louis for his leaked stand-up jokes about Parkland, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas student calls out C.K. for targeting the lowest common denominator in order to make a quick buck.

Check out the clip ... Cameron throws some major shade at Louis, congratulating him for getting comfortable in his new digs at rock bottom.

As if Louis C.K. hadn't already hit bottom, he just went even lower by attacking victims of the Parkland massacre in a stand-up set ... this according to leaked audio of his new material.

In audio that surfaced online Sunday, you can hear Louis performing new jokes in front of an audience ... and, at one point, he mocks the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting from this past February. Specifically, he seems to be talking about Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg and others who've been vocal about implementing gun control.

The audio first appeared on a YouTube page that has since been removed ... the description said this set took place on December 16. It's unclear where exactly he performed.

The jokes are vile. First, Louis attacks the youth of this generation ... comparing them to himself in his 20s, and saying kids these days are simply too PC, well-behaved, and opinionated. He also cracks jokes about non-binary people ... and then goes after the Parkland kids.

Louis says the kids who survived are not interesting just because they went to a high school where people were shot, and that he shouldn't have to listen to them just because they "pushed some fat kid in the way."

This is bonkers ... President Trump is using a brick wall the Obamas built outside of their D.C. rental home as justification for his own southern border wall. Seriously.

Trump tweeted out the strange logic Sunday, saying ... "President and Mrs. Obama built/has a ten foot Wall around their D.C. mansion/compound."

He went on to say, "I agree, totally necessary for their safety and security. The U.S. needs the same thing, slightly larger version!"

We broke the story ... construction got underway last year at Barack and Michelle's D.C.-area home -- which they're renting until Sasha graduates -- and a brick wall was being built to fortify the property ... where secret service has been assigned to protect the former First Family.

BTW ... the Obamas are also building an in-ground pool at the pad, as well as a terrace of some sort ... this according to building permits we've obtained.

With all that in mind, it should go without saying ... Trump's rationale makes zero sense here. Also, keep in mind ... the federal government has been partially shut down over this.

Kevin Spacey tried making peace with paparazzi who've been hounding him ahead of his criminal arraignment next week by breaking bread with them ... or crust, more like.

The disgraced actor was seen delivering a Domino's pizza he'd apparently bought to a photog in Baltimore Sunday, where he's been hiding out as he waits for his court hearing in Massachusetts next week.

In the clip, you hear Spacey tell the pap he appreciates what he's doing ... and goes on to wish him a happy new year and tells him to stay warm. Another camera guy follows him back to his car and asks if he'll be appearing in court himself, but Spacey's mum.

As we reported ... Spacey re-emerged over the weekend in the East Coast, but seems to be lying low and covering up as much as he can. He's been criminally charged for allegedly groping an 18-year-old's genitals in a Nantucket bar a couple years back.

On Christmas Eve, Spacey released a bizarre video of himself doing a monologue as Frank Underwood from 'House of Cards,' which appeared to be an attempt to address the multiple allegations of sexual assault against him.