Controversial S#!T

Michael Jackson's Estate is slamming HBO, claiming the network is part of a grossly unfair hatchet job just to make a buck.

The Estate is lashing out after HBO announced "Leaving Neverland" will be broadcast on March 3 and 4.

The Estate's letter to HBO targets director Dan Reed, claiming he featured 2 admitted perjurers -- Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- and consciously refused to contact anyone who would discredit them. And, the letter makes it clear -- there are plenty of people who do just that.

The letter says, "The Estate spent years litigating with Robson and Safechuck, and had four different lawsuits by these two men dismissed with prejudice. Today, Robson owes the Estate almost seventy thousand dollars in court costs, and Safechuck owes the Estate thousands of dollars as well."

And, the letter goes on, noting that following MJ's 2009 death, Robson said Michael was "one of the main reasons I believe in the pure goodness of human kind."

As for why Robson changed his story ... the Estate reiterated what it's said before, that he became angry when the Estate rejected him as a choreographer for the MJ-themed Cirque de Soleil.

And, the letter says, "Robson is such a good liar that his own mother testified under oath at her deposition that she could not tell when he was lying; she even volunteered that 'he should have had an Oscar given how convincing his lies were.'"

The Estate blasts Safechuck, scoffing at claims that his memory of abuse was triggered when he saw Robson on the "Today" show, adding, "Safechuck's frivolous lawsuits were dismissed so early in the proceedings that significant discovery was never taken ..."

3:17 PM PT -- T.I. just weighed in on the controversy, saying he's going to stop buying Gucci and also calling on people to boycott the brand. The rapper says he's been spending seven figures on Gucci for several years, but that ends now.

T.I. went on a long rant, saying he's not accepting Gucci's apology and accusing the company of purposefully being disrespectful and racist. He ended his rant by saying, "I Don't Give a F*** if I gotta wear Target brand s***."

Spike Lee's had it with Prada and Gucci's racist blackface blunders ... so he's boycotting the luxury brands until they hire some black designers to keep them in check.

The "BlacKkKlansman" director announced he's no longer going to wear either Prada or Gucci Friday in wake of yet another blackface controversy from the Italian Fashion houses. If you missed it, Gucci got dragged this week over an $890 blackface sweater.

Spike says he's done with both brands "Until They Hire Some Black Designers 'To Be In Da Room When It Happens.''' He added ... "It's Obvious To Da Peoples That They Don't Have A Clue When It Comes To Racist, Blackface Hateful Imagery. WAKE UP."

Gucci apologized for its ridiculously offensive balaclava jumper and says it's been pulled from all stores. It also vowed to increase diversity across the company ... but Spike's clearly taking a wait and see approach.

As for Prada, you might recall its high-end Manhattan shop put a purse in its window in December with this "Sambo" figurine attached. It was also quickly pulled after cries of racism.

Still, both incidents beg the question ... who the hell's watching the shop???

Spike thinks he knows the answer, and says more black staffers have to be on board to help end the "coonery and buffoonery."

We reached out to both brands -- Prada has no comment and Gucci has yet to reply.

Sherri Shepherd says Liam Neeson should have NEVER let his "black bastard" revenge story outta Pandora's box ... and Michelle Rodriguez making excuses for Liam is just pathetic.

We got Sherri out in NYC Thursday afternoon and wanted to get her take on Liam's bombshell revelation that he -- after learning his friend had been raped by a black man -- walked the streets for days with a baton looking to kill a black man to avenge the crime.

Liam tried his hand at damage control by saying he's learned a lot about racism and insisting he's not racist. He called his behavior horrible ... but, the damage was done.

Not helping Liam's cause? Michelle telling Vanity Fair there's no way Liam's racist because he made out with Viola Davis in "Widows." Michelle said, "His tongue was so far down [her] throat. You can't call him a racist ever. Racists don't make out with the race that they hate."

Rap icon Kurtis Blow is outraged Virginia's Attorney General chose to "honor" him by wearing blackface.

Kurtis was on "TMZ Live" when he called out Mark Herring for being disrespectful, ugly and degrading when he wore blackface in 1980 as a 19-year-old college student at the University of Virginia. Herring admitted to dressing up as the rapper -- complete with "wigs and brown makeup" -- when he performed Blow's songs.

Virginia's leadership has come under fire after Governor Ralph Northam admitted earlier this week to wearing blackface when he dressed as Michael Jackson during a 1980 costume and dance competition. Herring called for Northam's resignation, but now Herring is dealing with his very own controversy.

Check it out ... Kurtis says even though Herring was a fan, what he did by wearing blackface was a disgrace. Kurtis then gives Jimmy Fallon props for getting it right on 'The Tonight Show.'

Wanna see a very scary NFL star mocking President Trump? Well, here ya go ...

James Harrison -- the monster pass rusher who played with the Patriots last year -- says the thought of his former team visiting the White House is hilarious ... and he's pointing to that burger debacle with Clemson.

Remember, when Clemson won the National Championship in January, Trump treated the players to cold hamburgers and pizza from his favorite fast food joints ... including McDonald's, Burger King and Domino's.

So, we asked Harrison if he had any inside info on if the Patriots would be visiting Trump to celebrate the Super Bowl ... and out came the jokes!!!

"They got some Carl's Jr. waiting on them I think," Harrison goofed.

"I don't know what [Trump's] gonna do for them. He did McDonald's for them other boys or something right? Or Burger King?!"

"They might get some Burger King, they can have it their way then!"

Harrison says he doesn't really think the White House visit is a big deal -- he had 2 opportunities to go during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and passed both times.

"Once when Obama was in (2009). Once when Bush was in (2006). I just didn't feel the need to go."

"It wasn't gonna make or break my day if I went to the White House. It was another house."

We also talked to Harrison about his big debut in "S.W.A.T." airing Thursday night ... and he talks about starring alongside Shemar Moore and what's coming up next!!!

It might not make 21 Savage feel better right now, but something positive could come from his ICE arrest ... according to Miguel who's been tackling immigration policy issues for years.

The R&B-singing great was on "TMZ Live" Thursday when he tried to find a silver lining for 21, saying more and more people will now see the problems with ICE -- especially for non-famous people in the same boat as the rapper.

As you know ... the "Bank Account" rapper was arrested last weekend in Atlanta, remains in custody and could be deported. Even Jay-Z has now stepped in, calling 21's arrest "an absolute travesty" and providing legal assistance.

As Miguel sees it, 21 could now become the face of immigration policy issues -- much the way Meek Mill did for criminal justice reform.

2/8 11:33 AM PT -- It seems as though Kelly has already complied with the court's demand to remove the bed.

2/8 -- The judge agreed to meet him in the middle -- he has extended the working hours for the first-floor studio space from 9 AM-9 PM.

Kelly's also been ordered to remove the mattress immediately.

R. Kelly's attorney, Melvin Sims, tells TMZ that they are pleased with the outcome, but still "concerned with the restriction and limitation of any recording artist's ability to create music and ply their trade in a private studio, to certain hours of the day, particularly through the use of local ordinances."

The case has been continued until May 2.

R. Kelly wants back in his studio, and he wants to work late-night hours -- 'cause that's when his creative juices flow the best ... according to new legal docs.

The singer filed paperwork in Chicago Thursday as part of his building code violations case asking a judge to give him access to his studio during the wee hours of the night. According to the docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Kelly wants access to the space between the hours of 8 PM to 7 AM.

Kelly says it's during those hours when he puts in the best work on his music, just like a lot of big artists in and around Chi-Town. He also lists this schedule as his employees' normal working hours.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, R. Kelly doesn't spell it out specifically, but we've been told by sources close to the singer that he sometimes spends up to 15 hours in his studio ... and needs a place to crash -- hence the bed that was there as of Wednesday when city officials did a follow-up inspection to Thursday's hearing.

These are photos taken from inside R. Kelly's studio, and as you can tell ... there's still a bed inside that hasn't been removed. City officials attached this photo as evidence that R. Kelly is using the space as a residence, even though he says he's removed most of his other belongings since the city's January raid.

A city inspection showed a number of personal items were being stored inside the studio, including clothes, a massage table, couches, an entertainment set and other miscellaneous items. There was even a full bathroom that'd been installed, shower included.

The building's landlord was facing heavy fines for each of the violations -- which ranged between $500 and $1,000 for each day the violation went unaddressed, adding up to staggering amounts in the tens of thousands. Sources close to R. Kelly tell us he helped the landlord pay off some of those fines.

R. Kelly had already been instructed that he could only use the studio for recording during business hours -- 9 AM to 5 PM.

A judge continued the case and is expected to officially weigh in Friday.

Tom Brady's not giving up any clues as to whether he'll visit President Trump at the White House with his teammates ... not any verbal clues, anyway.

A reporter from NBC asked Brady point blank Thursday morning if he plans to go to DC. Tom paused, looked at the crowd gathered at a Gillette event and simply said, "Next question."

So, if Tommy Terrific isn't gonna say anything ... his body language might have. He definitely seemed frustrated by the reporter's question -- even though he had to know it was coming.

Remember, Tom passed on the White House visit back in 2017 after he and Trump -- who were previously famous buddies -- had a falling out.

Back then, Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, was very vocal about her dislike of Trump and his policies. Brady even admitted after the 2016 election that Gisele had put the kibosh on his politics talk.

Although Brady didn't answer today ... sources tell us Gisele's position, if anything, has hardened against Trump since 2017.

We think you just saw the end result of that position -- Tommy ain't talking.

Woody Allen says Amazon Studios got cold feet and backed out of a four-movie deal ... over the old molestation allegation about him and his daughter -- and now he wants MAJOR payback.

Woody filed a lawsuit Thursday against the studio for at least $68 million! In the suit, he says Amazon was all in, as of Aug. 2017, to distribute his movie, "A Rainy Day in New York" ... starring Selena Gomez and Timothee Chalamet.

Allen says the movie was shot, edited and ready for release -- but according to the suit, Amazon backed out in June 2018. He says he demanded an explanation, and the studio would only say it was due to "renewed allegations" and Woody's "controversial comments."

Even worse ... Woody says Amazon committed to distribute three other films as well, but reneged on all of them.

He says Amazon never spelled it out for him, but in the suit Woody says he thinks it's related to a "25-year old, baseless allegation" he molested his and Mia Farrow's adopted daughter, Dylan.

Zac Efron was not too good-looking to play Ted Bundy ... in fact, the director says Zac's looks underscore the very, very dark point of the flick.

Joe Berlinger, the director of "Extremely Wicked, Shocking Evil and Vile," told our photog Wednesday in NYC ... Zac's looks were a plus, but they took a backseat to his acting chops. Joe clearly couldn't be more pleased with Zac's performance, echoing reviews that called it "career-changing."

That said, Joe notes Bundy was able to disarm people with his looks and charm, and the film makes a statement that people who seem desirable on the outside are capable of monstrous conduct.

Joe says Bundy was a testament to the notion of perceived normalcy ... everything you see on the outside may look acceptable, but it's often not what it seems.

The movie was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival and Netflix acquired the distribution rights. Berlinger also directed the series "Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes," so his Bundy knowledge runs deep.

Liam Neeson is on the ropes and ducking faster than a pro boxer -- he's reportedly pulled out of an interview with Stephen Colbert on the heels of his tale of seeking race-based revenge.

Neeson's backed out of a scheduled Friday night appearance on the 'Late Show' ... according to The Wrap. He's clearly doing everything he can to avoid any further questions about his confession this week that 40 years ago he went out trying to kill any "black bastard" ... to avenge a friend who'd been raped.

We've reached out to Liam's camp and 'The Late Show' for comment ... so far, no word back.

The cancellation comes on the heels of Lionsgate pulling the plug on the red carpet for the NYC premiere of Liam's new movie, "Cold Pursuit" -- again, effectively dodging questions.

Talk about a PR nightmare -- Neeson made the bizarre revelation to The Independent on Monday. His follow-up interview on 'GMA' didn't help cool things down ... in fact, the backlash only intensified.

2:51 PM PT -- Gloria Steinem has just weighed in on Trump's speech, and she says the country needs a different President!

We got the famed feminist leader at LAX Wednesday, and she tells us Trump did himself no favors by shouting out the new wave of women in Congress ... because she says their election was a reaction against him.

And, wait until you hear Gloria's message to the Prez ... safe to say she ain't a fan of the Electoral College.

Donald Trump missed something big when he congratulated all the women who were elected to Congress ... they are actually there to keep him from ruining America -- such are the sentiments of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

We got the instantly powerful Congresswoman leaving Capitol Hill after her first State of the Union speech, and she wasted no time eviscerating the Prez.

She told our photog Trump got trolled when female Representatives stood and cheered after he applauded their strength in numbers. As AOC says, the women are almost all Democrats who are in a righteous battle against him.

She found the speech "weird" and turned Trump's own fantasy against him. You'll recall, Trump talked about what America would be like if he wasn't POTUS. Well, AOC also has fantasies of what America would look like without Trump.

Our photog, Colin, pivoted and asked about 21 Savage's arrest by ICE, and AOC makes it clear ... the arrest is a symptom of a much larger problem.

Gloria Allred says there's no way around it -- Michael Jackson's legacy is just as much about being a sexual predator as it is about his music.

We got the famed attorney at LAX Tuesday and asked how people should feel about Jackson as the HBO release of the "Leaving Neverland" documentary -- featuring accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- quickly approaches.

Gloria's take? Where there's smoke there's fire.

She says there's a long history of serious allegations and disturbing behavior, as well as millions of dollars paid in settlements. Gloria believes it all adds up to Jackson being a predator.

She says though we might never know the names of Jackson's real victims, she firmly believes he's guilty of molestation.

Derek Fisher is going to bat for his boy, Luke Walton -- telling TMZ Sports he's not the loser LaVar Ball says he is.

Lonzo's dad went on a tear against the Lakers coach on Tuesday saying Luke is to blame for Lonzo's uncertain future with the Lakers.

Remember, LaVar had previously said Lonzo was going to make an immediate impact in the NBA -- and he and LeBron would lead the Lakers to a championship, ASAP.

But now that Lonzo's on the trading block, LaVar is pissed and he's been bashing Luke Walton on the radio.

So, when we saw former Lakers star Derek Fisher -- who's now the head coach of the L.A. Sparks -- we asked if LaVar had a point.

"I'm not a member of the Ball family. Luke Walton is a friend," Fish said ... "What I do know is Luke is a great person and he's a great basketball coach."

There's a little buzz in L.A. that the Lakers could be looking for their next head coach -- but publicly, management is sticking behind Walton.

The awkward thing for LaVar Ball ... there's a real chance the Anthony Davis trade plans could fall through and Lonzo remains with the Lakers for the rest of the season.

Van Jones wants to give President Trump credit for his State of the Union Address, but he can hardly bring himself to do it ... because he says POTUS also talked way too much crap on immigrants.

We got Van on Capitol Hill Tuesday night after the SOTU and the CNN commentator summed up the night like this -- Trump served a "nice bowl of Kool-Aid with some bird poop in it."

Translation: Trump's nice speech about criminal justice reform was ruined by his rhetoric on immigrants.

Van said he was touched by the compassion Trump showed for Americans wronged by the criminal justice system, and particularly how he praised Alice Marie Johnson, who Trump commuted last summer.

But, Van was NOT down with how POTUS dehumanized immigrants and justifying taking babies away from their mothers at the border.

R. Kelly's international concerts are an act of desperation, and the countries allowing him to perform are spitting in the faces of alleged victims like Azriel Clary ... according to her father.

Angelo Clary's 21-year-old daughter is one of the alleged sex slaves featured in "Surviving R. Kelly" ...  and he's pissed Kelly will get to perform in Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. He tells us promoters in those countries need to address why they are welcoming Kelly with open arms and, presumably, wallets.

Kelly announced his new King of R&B tour Tuesday ... though, he didn't share specific dates.

Angelo says there's no excuse for supporting the singer in the wake of Lifetime's scathing documentary. He's taking personal offense to the tour, seeing as how Azriel's still with Kelly and NOT in touch with her parents.

It's interesting ... Angelo thinks there's a good chance his daughter and Joycelyn Savage will be highly visible during the tour, and Kelly will make sure they look good to paint a different image from the one in 'Surviving.'

As you know, Azriel, Joycelyn and Dominique Gardner have been front row at Kelly shows in the past. Dominique has fled from Kelly, but Azriel and Joycelyn are still with him.

Bottom line for Angelo ... #MuteRKelly should be a global movement.