Controversial S#!T

Lindsay Lohan's the #1 boss bitch at her Mykonos beach club, but unlike Lisa Vanderpump -- she doesn't even try to be nice about it ... so says one of the stars of Lindsay's new MTV show.

We got "Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club" cast member Sara Tariq at LAX Wednesday, and asked her what it's like to work for LL. Sara, who's a VIP host at the club, didn't hesitate to call LiLo a hardass.

She did add that Linds is very personable with the staff during off-hours, but when it's business time ... she doesn't mess around.

As for whether Lohan can mimic the matriarch of "Vanderpump Rules," Tariq has doubts because Lindsay rules with more of an iron fist than Lisa.

Harvey Weinstein just won a big victory ... a court just dismissed Ashley Judd's sexual harassment claims against him.

Ashley claimed Weinstein shut her out of "Lord of the Rings" after she turned down his sexual demands. She says he blacklisted her from movie roles, including Peter Jackson's enormous franchise as retaliation. She sued under the legal theory ... "sexual harassment in professional relationship."

A federal judge just ruled Judd and Weinstein did not have a relationship that fell within the law. Specifically, the judge said a producer/actress relationship was not covered under the law.

But, there's more. The law was changed in 2018 to cover such relationships, but the judge said it could not be applied retroactively.

Michael Jackson's estate is slamming a new documentary making allegations of sexual abuse by the late singer ... by calling out the doc's producers for what it says is a clear attempt to exploit Michael when it premieres at Sundance.

MJ's estate tells TMZ ... “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson."

The doc, titled "Leaving Neverland," is set to premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, and it reportedly accuses Michael of sexually abusing two young boys.

The King of Pop's estate also says the "so-called documentary is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations. It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.”

Turkey president Recep Erdogan is a dangerous person and NY Knicks player Enes Kanter sounds justified in fearing for his life ... so says U.S. Congressman Peter King.

Remember, Kanter just backed out of an upcoming team trip to the U.K. because he believes Erdogan has access to assassins in England who would "easily" kill him for his constant criticism of the regime.

Kanter -- who's been labeled a terrorist in his home country -- has repeatedly called Erdogan as the Hitler of our generation.

The criticism has pissed off fellow Turkish NBA player Hedo Turkoglu who blasted Kanter in the media ... saying Enes is spreading false information to damage Erdogan.

So, when we saw Rep. King [R-NY] out in D.C. we asked if he thinks Kanter's fears are legit.

"I do know that Erdogan runs a police state, that he's capable of violence," King told us.

"And, if a player for the Knicks or any person here working in the U.S. thinks there's a real threat to his life, I can understand why he wouldn't wanna go over."

D.L. Hughley is clearly struggling with the idea of muting R. Kelly ... because he likes Kelly's music, but can't look past the actions of someone he calls a "talented pedophile."

We got D.L. Wednesday at LAX and he has a hard time saying he's never going to listen to R. Kelly's music again. He admits it's a "tough call." That said, he quickly adds he won't be buying any more of Kelly's work.

As for "Surviving R. Kelly" ... D.L. says no one should be shocked by the Lifetime series, considering most people already knew about the allegations surrounding the R&B star.

Cops paid a visit to R. Kelly's recording studio in Chicago, which has been featured on Lifetime's docuseries as an alleged "sex cult" base where the singer held girls captive.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... officers dropped by Kelly's westside music studio Tuesday evening, but it appeared to be vacant.

We're told there was no call to police that triggered the visit ... cops went to check out the spot because it's gotten so much publicity from "Surviving R. Kelly." The docuseries portrayed the location as a hub for Kelly's alleged sexual abuse of women.

Interestingly, there was reportedly a party there Tuesday night, on what was Kelly's 52nd birthday. Our sources say cops had no knowledge of the event. We're told officers will continue to patrol the area.

On 'Surviving' ... the parents of one of Kelly's alleged victims, Azriel Clary, go to the R&B singer's studio and throw rocks at it, trying to get her to come outside. The studio is currently listed for sale.

As we reported ... Chicago prosecutors are urging R. Kelly victims to come forward, and we're told at least one victim and the families of 2 others are doing just that ... and believe they have sufficient evidence to prosecute him.

The NFL and NFLPA both say Eric Reid was NOT targeted for excess drug tests as a punishment for kneeling ... claiming they have PROOF the process was truly random.

The Carolina Panthers safety is currently suing the NFL for collusion -- claiming owners blackballed him (along with Colin Kaepernick) for taking a knee during the national anthem -- and believes the 7 drug tests he was forced to take in 11 weeks this season was payback.

"That has to be statistically impossible," Reid told reporters last month ... "I'm not a mathematician, but there's no way that's right."

But, in a joint statement released by the league and the NFL Player's Association on Wednesday ... both say, "Mr. Reid's tests were randomly generated via computer algorithm" and "his selection for testing was normal."

"There is no evidence of targeting or any other impropriety with respect to his selection for testing."

The league and the player's association added, "We take any claim questioning the integrity of our collectively bargained performance-enhancing drug policy seriously."

So far, no comment from Reid -- guessing we'll hear from him soon.

This counts as being humble ... right?

Terrell Owens ran into Jerry Rice at the airport Tuesday night -- and ADMITTED that #80 is the greatest wide receiver of all time ... even better than #81.

Hey, it's obvious to most people ... but hearing it come from T.O.'s own mouth is a big deal from a guy who once proclaimed, "I love me some me!"

During the encounter, Owens said ... "I know I'm great. But, I've always said there's only one person better than me at the pigskin and guess who that guy is?!"

Owens added, "You heard it here from the horse's mouth. He's #1. I'm always gonna be 1A, Anybody else they can be #2."

Both guys had pretty solid NFL careers -- Owens ended up with more than 1,000 receptions, 15,934 yards and 153 TDs.

Rice had 1,549 career catches, 22,895 yards and 197 TDs.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has no misgivings about referring to President Trump as a "motherf***er," and says her statement sends a message -- not only to Trump, but to women.

We got Michigan's freshman Rep. in D.C. and asked about the controversial remark she made on her first day in the House -- "We're going to go in and impeach the motherf****er."

Tlaib caught of ton of flak, especially from the right, for her spicy language -- but she told us she simply got caught up in the moment. She doesn't apologize, though, and strongly insinuates there's a double standard when it comes to women expressing anger in the workplace.

Still, she doesn't want her colorful language to become the focus. Rep. Tlaib told us there are more important things going on right now in D.C.

Cook County prosecutors want any victims of R. Kelly to call them ... now.

State Attorney Kim Foxx just urged any victims -- "Please come forward."

Foxx, who herself is a sexual assault survivor, says she wants families of victims to contact the officer, adding she's "sickened" by what she saw on the Lifetime docuseries, "Surviving R. Kelly."

Foxx says her office has already been contacted by 2 families where alleged victims had contact with R. Kelly over the last few years. She says both alleged victims are over the age of 18.

The State Attorney's Office has not launched a formal investigation, but Foxx definitely sounds like she will if victims come forward.

1/9 5:53 AM -- On Wednesday morning, Kevin Hart ended the debate with a hard "no" and said, "There's no more conversation about it ... I'm over that. I'm over the moment."

So, Kevin Hart saying there IS a chance he'll host the Oscars this year ... is one way to take what he just told us in NYC.

Kevin was leaving an Equinox Tuesday in NYC, when he was asked him where's the smart money going IF you're inclined to wager on whether he returns to the Oscars hosting gig. It's the obvious question after he issued a very direct apology Monday to the LGBTQ community for his homophobic remarks in the past.

You gotta see Kevin's response -- he used the word "slim" to describe the chances he'll host, BUT ... he also said a lot of complimentary things about the Motion Picture Academy.

One thing's clear ... if it doesn't happen this year, Kevin's open to hosting the big show sometime in the future.

But again ... he's NOT totally ruling it out for this year.

Sen. Lindsey Graham is in such a good mood after his home state Clemson Tigers won the national championship ... he's inviting Democrats to call him up to make a deal to end the shutdown!

In fact, the Senator from South Carolina says he's INSPIRED by the Tigers -- saying the way they came together as a team is a lesson for Congress on the whole.

"Remember that to be successful you have to be a team .. and so, I'm gonna take that attitude about trying to bring the Congress together."

Graham says he's still gung-ho about finding a way to fund the border wall -- and it seems he's willing to work with Democrats when it comes to the Dream Act.

"There's a deal to be had ... secure that border with a wall component, help the Dream Act population [and others] who have been here for decades who are about to lose their legal status and do some legal reforms and call it a day."

"There's a deal to be had so let's go get it ... and after the football game, I'm in a good mood, so if you're a Democrat, give me a call."

Common is copping to turning a blind eye to the allegations about R. Kelly abusing women ... saying he and the entire black community should have put a stop to it long ago.

We got the rapper/actor out Tuesday at LAX where he said he's guilty of not coming to the rescue of Kelly's alleged sex slaves. He also calls it a systemic failure when it comes to how society values black women and makes no bones about it -- if the alleged victims were white instead of black, there would have been more outrage.

Common -- who's from Chicago, just like Kelly -- is done giving him a pass. As you know, there's been a ton of backlash since the "Surviving R. Kelly" 6-part series -- Tank blasted Kelly and Daymond John explained why he thinks Kelly should kill himself.

Add Common to the list of people who think Kelly needs to face consequences, starting right now.

Sen. Joe Manchin thinks folks should really tune in to President Trump's televised address to the nation on the border "crisis" ... even if that means screwing over Ellen DeGeneres.

We got the West Virginia Senator Tuesday in D.C., where our photog asked how Trump's border address later in the evening would measure up to Ellen's 'Game of Games' ... and which one should take precedent for the American people.

Translation: which broadcast will be sillier and have more entertainment value -- Trump or Ellen? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Manchin says DT's the one to watch tonight.

Trump and the Dems can't come to a resolution to fund the border wall, which is why the federal government is in day 18 of a partial shutdown. So, Manchin's right ... there's a lot riding on Trump's speech tonight.

The Prez tweeted he'd be addressing the nation about the "Humanitarian and National Security crisis" at the border.

Trump's address starts at 9 PM ET, so on the east coast it'll creep into hour 2 of Ellen's NBC broadcast, and your fave programs on other networks -- looking at you, "Black-ish."

Video of 3 women featured in the "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries shows them front row at one of his concerts, but it's not necessarily what it seems.

TMZ obtained this footage from an October 2016 show in New Jersey. You can see Joycelyn Savage, Dominique Gardner and Azriel Clary standing next to each other in clear view of Kelly while he's onstage.

The women were dancing and cheering ... Azriel even gave Kelly a high five. The woman who recorded the clip shouts, "Tell your father come over here" ... because she thought the girls were young, we're told. FWIW, all of them were 18 or older at that time.

Loved ones for all 3 appeared on 'Surviving,' claiming Kelly held them against their will. Looking at the video, one could say they were thoroughly -- and voluntarily -- enjoying themselves at the concert.

However, one could also say it's textbook Stockholm Syndrome ... where victims develop a connection to their captor, but it's really a psychological defense to survive an ordeal.

If you watched 'Surviving,' you know Dominique's mother convinced her to flee from Kelly. Joycelyn and Azriel are still living with him.

Joycelyn has told us time and again on camera that she's fine. Meanwhile, Azriel's family has reported her as a missing person.

The Governor of Kentucky HATES Lil Wayne -- and seemed disgusted someone would book the rapper to perform with Imagine Dragons at the college football National Championship game.

Weezy joined the rock band during the halftime show of the Clemson vs. Alabama game and performed 2 songs -- first, he did "Uproar" followed by a rap verse in the Imagine Dragons hit "Believer."

Most people LOVED the "Believer" verse ... but not Gov. Matt Bevin, who went to social media to vent about how much he hated the performance.

"Way to ruin an entertaining @Imaginedragons half-time concert with the weird rantings of a tired, has-been like @LilTunechi," Bevin said.

"One act still rising...The other, not so much."

Damn, Gov!

Some Weezy supporters have fired back at Bevin on Twitter, saying things like ...

"Well if there's anyone who knows weird, tired rantings when they see 'em, it's you."

And ... "Imagine me draggin’ deez nutz across yo face."

Good times.

The biggest critique of Wayne's performance was his outfit -- jackets on jackets on jackets ... with a striped scarf, floppy hat and big Elton John sunglasses.

So far, no response from Wayne.