Shannon Sharpe Demanding NFL Owners Change Hiring Process ... 'Don't Let It Be A Sham'

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BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT

Shannon Sharpe has heard the NFL talk the talk -- but now he wants the league to actually walk the walk, and change its hiring processes so Black coaches land more vacant jobs.

Sharpe broke it all down for TMZ Sports out at Tommie Hollywood in L.A. this week ... saying he's, quite frankly, fed up with all of Roger Goodell's promises to look into the league's hiring policies.

"We've heard this before," the Hall of Famer said. "We've heard this before. 'Yeah, I'm not pleased with the diversity hiring and yada yada yada.' And it’s the same thing."

"Change behavior," Sharpe said. "Let's see some hiring."

If you missed it, after Brian Flores alleged that NFL teams are racist when it comes to hiring Black head coaches ... Goodell promised to re-evaluate the league's policies with the hopes that it can potentially lead to change.

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HOPING FOR BETTER OUTCOMES

Goodell even said he'd consider abolishing the Rooney Rule -- which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for vacant head coaching roles -- if he thought it would help.

Sharpe tells us he doesn't want to hear that kind of talk anymore -- saying he simply just wants to see action now.

"Guys just want a fair opportunity," Sharpe said. "Nobody wants to get hired because they're Black. But, what we know right now is that we're not getting the same opportunities other counterparts that go in there [are getting]."

The Broncos legend tells us he wants league owners to step up and ensure they're not making interviewing Black coaches "a sham."

"Sincerely," he said, "when you bring the guys in, give them a fair opportunity."

Anna Nicole Smith Ex Larry Birkhead is pissed Over Biopic Thinks They Could Do More to Highlight Her Life

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A biopic of Anna Nicole Smith is in the works, and her ex -- Larry Birkhead -- seems pretty peeved about the whole production.

The film -- currently titled "Hurricanna" -- follows Anna's therapist in an attempt to save Smith’s life. The therapist, played by Holly Hunter, goes on a "36-hour odyssey in which she unknowingly delivers the fatal blow."

Larry Birkhead, Smith's former lover and father of their daughter, has big issues with a biopic centered around Anna's last 36 hours of life. He says for 24 of her 36 hours she was sick in bed -- not a lot of stuff going on.

He also doesn't think a movie about Anna should focus on her therapist ... but rather on the legend herself. Larry compares it to making a movie about Elvis from the perspective of his toilet, on which he died.

Birkhead thinks Anna's wild life could make for a far better film. As you'll recall, Anna was going through a lot in her prime... losing her son, legal battles over money, and even debate over whether Larry was the father to her baby girl, Dannielynn.

Larry knows her death wasn't some big mystery that calls for an analysis of her last day-and-a-half alive. Remember, she died of an OD in her Florida hotel room in 2007.

According to Larry, Anna's fan base and his daughter deserve more than a film that picks apart the final hours of her death. The crazy twists and turns that she went through should be at the forefront, not her therapist.

The film's producers have yet to reach out to Larry or Anna's estate for insight on her final days.

Kendall Jenner No More Handicap Parking For Me ... I'll Use The Red Curb Now!!!

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Kendall Jenner is no longer parking her luxury SUV in a handicap spot during her pilates class, but she's still stirring chaos in the parking lot.

We got Kendall Thursday at the Hot Pilates studio in Sunset Plaza, and noticed a new parking routine. This time she simply pulled up next to a red no-stopping curb. Sooo ... slight improvement?

As you can see, Kendall parked her Mercedes Benz there and headed into class, then her security moved it to a regular parking spot just a few feet away. Brilliant!

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WORDS OF WARNING

However, Kendall's arrival wasn't totally kosher, because before her security parked it, she pissed off at least 2 innocent drivers.

Kendall's SUV made it painfully difficult for someone else to pull out of a spot -- and also forced another driver to wait patiently as it all played out. Watch the video, it's no felony ... but damn, would it be annoying if you were in that parking lot.

It's interesting ... during Thursday's parking dance, we noticed a car legally parked in the handicap spot Kendall and Hailey Bieber used to occupy ... before last week's backlash.

So, Kendall's change is already making a difference to interested third parties.

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WRONG SPOT!!!

TMZ broke the story ... Kendall and Hailey had been taking up the parking spot reserved for the disabled outside the business plaza, but they claimed it was all about dodging the paparazzi.

On Thursday, our photog asked Kendall what prompted the change of parking attack, but she's not sharing.

Dr. Dre Eminem Won't Whip His Penis Out ... During SB Halftime Show

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Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the Super Bowl halftime show will be penis-free ... 'cause Dr. Dre says he convinced Eminem and Snoop Dogg to NOT whip out their junk during the performance.

Yes, he really said that!! 😂

The legendary rapper made the revelation while speaking at a press conference on Thursday ... and it's safe to say you can cross "dong exposure" off your list of prop bets for the show.

Dre says there WILL be a few surprises ... but no sort of wardrobe malfunctions will be happening on his watch.

"I had to talk Snoop and Eminem out of pulling their penises out," Dre said. "It's just actually Eminem."

Snoop -- who will be performing alongside Em, Dre, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige -- says he might still show a lil' somethin' somethin' ... but calm down, he's only talking about taking his shirt off.

Of course, SB halftime shows have had their history of racy moments ... from Janet Jackson's wardrobe mishap in 2004 to J Lo and Shakira's dancing routine that ramped up 1,300 FCC complaints in 2020.

Shoutout to Dre for clearing the air and letting everyone know it'll be a family-friendly affair.

Dave Chappelle 'You Look Like Clowns!!!' Rants at Village Council Over Housing Development

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mark my words ...

Dave Chappelle's raging at local politicians -- who he calls "clowns" -- in his Ohio hometown over a proposed housing development, and after threatening to nix his own biz there ... he's won a small victory.

The Yellow Springs Village Council voted this week to approve a 53-acre residential housing plan. That vote came after a Monday evening council meeting where the public was invited to comment and Dave came in with guns blazing.

He told the council, in no uncertain terms, he did NOT want them to move forward with the project, and he said he'd pull his own business venture -- a planned restaurant/comedy club called the Firehouse Eatery -- out of Yellow Springs.

Dave said he isn’t bluffing, and hurled some choice insults while he was at it.

So, although the council approved the development, it rejected a part of the plan that included affordable housing. There are reports Dave opposed that specific part of the development, but his rep Carla Sims tells TMZ ... "Dave Chappelle didn't kill affordable housing. Concerned residents and a responding Village Council 'killed' a half-baked plan which never actually offered affordable housing."

She flat out says Dave is not opposed to affordable housing, but he is against the "poorly vetted, cookie-cutter, sprawl-style development deal." She also claims the proposed residential development was only reserving 3 out of 143 lots for "future" affordable housing.

The real issue for Dave -- who frequently speaks out at village discussions -- is he, and many other locals, don't want their rural village to turn into a bustling suburb.

They still have issues with the development's "character" ... which they believe must be addressed before any construction begins.

Betty White 'Golden Girls' Star Bea Arthur Called Her 'C' Word

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BEHIND-THE-SCENES SHADE
The Originals with Andrew Goldman/Los Angeles Magazine

Well, this is shocking ... Betty White was beloved by so many people, but some of her 'Golden Girls' castmates are not among them.

Joel Thurm, the casting director for the hit show, opened up on "The Originals" podcast and revealed this ... "Literally Bea Arthur, who I cast in something else later on, just said, 'Oh, she's a f***ing c***," adding, "I heard it with my own ears."

He went on to say another castmate, Rue McClanahan also referred to Betty using the c-word.

As for why there was such tension on the set, Thurm gave a few examples. He says Estelle Getty began losing her memory and needed help remembering her lines ... "And she would write the lines on her hand." Thurm says, "Betty White would make fun of her in front of the live audience ... That may seem like a minor transgression, but it really does get to you ... I have no idea how Estelle Getty felt, but I know the other 2 did not like [Betty] at all."

There have been stories about Bea disliking Betty, but lots of folks in the media said it was jealousy on Bea's part -- because Betty snagged a Best Actress Emmy -- and because Betty joked with "The Golden Girls" audience between scenes, while Bea was focused on her lines.

Betty actually addressed the issue back in 2011, saying, "Bea had a reserve. She was not fond of me. She found me a pain in the neck sometimes. Sometimes if I was happy, she'd be furious."

That all said, Betty was beloved by many/most inside and outside of show biz.

Purdue University Campus Cop Accused of Police Brutality

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An Indiana police officer is being accused of police brutality after a very physical arrest of a Black man named Adonis Tuggle ... and much of the arrest was recorded by his girlfriend.

The video was posted by someone named Bri Latto. Unclear if she’s the person shooting it or not, but the footage shows the officer in a scuffle -- pinning Adonis on the snow-covered ground while he screams out in pain.

It appears the cop is holding Tuggle down by pushing his elbow into his neck and/or face. The woman recording is yelling at the officer to stop, and complains the cop is hurting her BF.

She actually taps the officer at one point, and he tells her he’ll Taser her if she does it again.

As for what led up to the incident ... Purdue University police chief John Cox tell us the call came in last Friday from a third party saying it appeared a woman was being held against her will. He says there were no physical injuries suffered during the arrest.

Adonis Tuggle posted on social media, saying he's demanding justice. He claims Purdue PD is refusing to turn over body camera footage of the incident. Cops tell us he was arrested for resisting law enforcement -- a misdemeanor.

Cox says that video will be made available once they complete an investigation into the officer's use of force.

NFL Star Jonathan Allen Sorry For My Hitler Comment ... 'I Realize It Was Dumb'

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NFL star Jonathan Allen -- one of the best defenders in the league -- apologized Wednesday afternoon for saying he wanted to have dinner with Hitler ... calling the comment "dumb."

The Washington Commanders' defensive lineman tweeted early Wednesday morning that if he could choose any three people to dine with -- dead or alive -- one of them would be Hitler.

In now-deleted tweets, Allen explained he'd pick Hitler as a guest because the football player said the German dictator was "a military genius."

"I love military tactics," said Allen, who added that his other two guests would be his grandfather and Michael Jackson, "but honestly I would want to pick his brain as to why he did what he did."

Allen was immediately hit with criticism following the comments ... and it didn't take long for the 27-year-old to issue a mea culpa.

"Early I tweeted something that probably hurt people and I apologize about what I said," Allen said on Twitter. "I didn't express properly what I was trying to say and I realize it was dumb!"

Allen also responded to a fan who said his comments were hurtful ... writing in a tweet to the person, "I'm sorry I offended you that definitely was not my attention, I was just answering a question."

Allen, who made the Pro Bowl this past season, has been one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL since he entered the league in 2017.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell We Will Re-Evaluate Hiring Rules ... In Wake Of Flores Lawsuit

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HOPING FOR BETTER OUTCOMES

Roger Goodell says the NFL will re-evaluate its hiring process rules in the wake of the Brian Flores lawsuit ... telling media members Wednesday, "We want to see Black head coaches in the NFL."

Goodell addressed the media in person for the first time since Flores alleged teams have been racist when it comes to hiring coaches -- and the commissioner made it clear the league is taking the claims seriously.

Goodell, who spoke at length with reporters in front of SoFi Stadium ahead of Super Bowl LVI, said they're going to look at everything from top to bottom to make sure the NFL has an equal hiring process.

"We want to see Black head coaches in the NFL," Goodell said. "And coaches of people of color, and eventually gender. That we think is all important."

Goodell said the league will look at the Rooney Rule -- which requires teams to interview minority candidates for vacant head coaching roles -- and will consider abolishing it if he thinks it'll help lead to more diverse hirings.

Goodell also said they'll look into adding and removing policies in an attempt to ensure teams are being all-inclusive in their searches for coaches.

"We're going to talk to other people -- have independent people come in and look and help us evaluate it -- because it's sometimes hard to evaluate your own policies and procedures," Goodell said. "And make sure that we're doing everything that we possibly can to create that opportunity for everybody to make sure that we are an inclusive league and make sure we get the outcomes that we want."

The NFL currently has just two Black head coaches -- Houston's Lovie Smith and Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. Former 49ers coordinator Mike McDaniel -- who is bi-racial -- was also hired by the Dolphins last week.

Flores, meanwhile, was not hired by the eight teams with vacancies after he was fired by the Miami Dolphins -- despite being considered arguably the best head coaching candidate on the market. He's now suing the league, asking the court to fix the NFL's alleged discriminatory hiring practices, in addition to damages.

Joe Rogan My Advice, Don't Take My Advice!!! Jabs at Himself in Stand-Up Routine

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Fall back, Neil Young ... Joe Rogan's plenty capable of ripping himself, and is openly questioning why anyone would take medical advice from the freakin' host of "Fear Factor."

Rogan was onstage Tuesday night in Austin doing stand-up, and dug into his recent podcast controversies ... saying he was disgusted seeing the compilation video of his repeated, uncensored use of the n-word.

Rogan told the crowd -- whose phones were locked to block all recordings -- "That was racist as f**k. Even to me! I’m me and I’m watching it saying, ‘Stop saying it!’ I put my cursor over the video and I’m like, ‘Four more minutes?!'”

He was even more self-deprecating when it came to the COVID-19/anti-vaxx criticisms ... saying he's completely unqualified to offer medical advice.

He's made the point before, but this was more biting -- “If you’re taking vaccine advice from me, is that really my fault? What dumb s**t were you about to do when my stupid idea sounded better? ‘You know that dude who made people eat animal dicks on TV? How does he feel about medicine?’ If you want my advice, don’t take my advice.”

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FINALLY OFF MY CHEST

While Rogan was making lemonade out of lemons last night ... earlier Tuesday he dropped a new "Joe Rogan Experience" and, once again, painted himself as a victim. In the first episode since his video apology for the n-word flak, he called the compilation vid a "political hit job" -- but added he had no issue apologizing for things he regrets.

Joe Rogan N-Word Vid is 'Political Hit Job' But Glad I Got to Address It

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FINALLY OFF MY CHEST

Fresh off his apology for repeatedly using the n-word, Joe Rogan says he's a victim ... because that compilation video was only put together as a "political hit job," and yet, he's found a silver lining.

The latest episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience" dropped Tuesday, and opened with Joe expressing "relief" a few days after posting his lengthy mea culpa. Joe admits the video showing him saying the full, uncensored epithet on his podcast was "good, because it makes me address some s**t I wish wasn't out there."

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SHOUDN'T BE SAID

While comedian Akaash Singh gave JR props for admitting his mistake, Rogan clearly questions the motives of the people who resurfaced the old clips.

What's interesting is ... Joe isn't shying away from racial controversies. He dove right in again, openly questioning fellow comedian Awkwafina for finally addressing criticism she's faced for using a so-called "blaccent."

His take? Celebs shouldn't apologize for "nonsense." Sooo ... here we go again? 🤷🏽‍♂️

Rashad Evans Joe Rogan's Not Racist ... I Know Him

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UNCOMFORTABLE COMPILATION

Rashad Evans has known Joe Rogan for many years ... and the UFC legend tells TMZ Sports flat out, the JRE host is NOT racist.

"I know Joe and I know the kind of person Joe is," Evans told us ... "Joe never gave me any kind of feeling or any kind of indication that he's racist."

Of course, Rogan's in hot water as pressure mounts for him to be pulled off Spotify in the wake of an old video that resurfaced showing Joe repeatedly using the n-word.

Joe apologized, saying "It looks f***ing horrible, even to me." However, Rogan also explained the video was edited together without context using 12 years of podcast footage.

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SHOUDN'T BE SAID

Rashad says he is not condoning Rogan's use of the n-word, but says the video isn't indicative of who JR is as a person.

"Not to excuse any of it, but at the same time, when you go back that far I'm sure there could be a compilation of unfavorable things that a lot of people have said that can come back and bite them," Evans says.

FYI, Evans and Rogan go back many years (Rashad was signed by the UFC in 2005). RE was a guest on the JRE pod in February 2020.

In addition to Spotify calling for Rogan's firing ... some have also said the UFC should can the commentator. We asked Rashad ... should the UFC ax Joe?

"I think [the UFC] should stand by Joe Rogan. I don't think those allegations and the compilation, I don't think that speaks to who Joe Rogan is now."

Rashad points out, depending on political affiliation, some people are given a pass in situations ... like President Joe Biden.

"Our president is one they gave a pass to," Evans says.

"There are many things I've heard him say that sounded racist. I've heard him use the n-word in context like how Joe used it. That's completely overlooked, and he was considered to be the savior of people of color."

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GETTIN' INTO THE GROOVE

Switching gears ... we also asked 44-year-old Rashad, who recently beat Gabriel Checco by unanimous decision in Khabib's Eagle FC MMA promotion, about his fighting future.

There's a good chance you haven't seen the last of Suga.

"If I was to do another one, I'd do it sooner rather than later. Time is not on my side so I got to make sure I strike while the iron's hot."

Actor Micah Beals Filmed Harassing Subway Passengers Over Masks ... Hurls Obscenities, Homophobic Slur

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Micah Beals -- aka, Micah Femia -- was filmed this week harassing a couple guys on a NYC subway train over their mask-wearing ... and things got ugly quick.

Check out the clip ... you see a man we're told is Beals, who has appeared on "Parks and Recreation" and other shows, sitting by himself on a bench before turning his attention to another man down the way -- taunting and insulting the guy over his face covering.

The man seems to do a good job at ignoring Beals, but the dude persists in his barbs -- calling him a sheep, a "p***y" and then finally, a homophobic slur. Beals also appears to be drinking a beer, and once he realizes he's being filmed by a second person across from him ... he zeroes in there too.

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SECURITY FOOTAGE

The end of the video appears to show Beals ramping up to kick the man recording, but cuts out before we can see what happened.

We've got a call in to cops to see if Beals was reported. No word back yet.

Speaking of NYPD, Beals is the same guy police ID'd for allegedly splashing paint onto a bronze bust of George Floyd in Union Square a few months back ... and he ended up getting charged with criminal mischief. That incident, too, was caught on camera.

MB was a working actor back in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with appearances on 'Parks and Rec,' "Pop Star," 'CSI' and other short films as well. It doesn't look like he's done much since 2013.

Brian Flores Lawsuit Cost Him Texans Gig ... Lawyers Claim

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Brian Flores would have the Texans job if it weren't for his lawsuit against the NFL ... so says the coach's lawyers, who claim his legal battle is the main reason Lovie Smith got hired.

Houston announced the 63-year-old defensive coordinator would be taking over as head coach of the Texans on Monday ... and Flores, per his team, is happy with the hire -- but feels he should have been the guy.

"Mr. Flores is happy to hear that the Texans have hired a Black head coach, Lovie Smith, as Mr. Flores' goal in bringing his case is to provide real opportunities for Black and minority candidates to be considered for coaching and executive positions within the NFL," Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefterakis said in a statement.

"However, we would be remiss not to mention that Mr. Flores was one of three finalists for the Texans' head coach position and, after a great interview and mutual interest, it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL."

As we previously reported, Flores is currently suing the league over its alleged racist hiring process ... in hopes of bringing change to the NFL.

While the ex-Dolphins coach is focused on exposing the league, he's been adamant he still wants a job ... but it won't be coming via Houston.

Rev. Al Sharpton Joe's Gotta Prove How Sorry He Is Over N-Word Controversy

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BACK YOUR WORDS WITH ACTION

Al Sharpton says Joe Rogan needs to do more to prove he’s learned from this controversy over his use of the n-word — but what "more" looks like, exactly, is still a bit hazy.

We got the reverend Monday in NYC and asked if he was buying JR’s apology, and while Sharpton says the guy seems sincere, he’d like to see some actions behind the words to show true penance.

As he points out, Joe didn’t just drop the n-word a couple times ... he said it several times, and not just that -- the apology came after he was exposed by the resurfacing of old clips, instead of an upfront confession.

With that in mind -- and with a shout-out to India.Arie for bringing this to light in the first place -- Rev. Sharpton suggests Joe do something to right the ship. Interestingly, he says a meeting with community leaders, as is often done, probably won’t cut it.

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SHOUDN'T BE SAID

He kinda leaves it in Joe’s court on how to proceed.

Final thoughts from Al ... he says he won't lose any sleep if Spotify did dump JRE from its roster, noting there’s plenty of other unproblematic talent in their ranks.

Ex-PGA Tour Pro Mark Lye Fired From Golf Radio Gig ... After Trashing The WNBA

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Mark Lye -- a former PGA Tour pro -- was fired from his golf radio host job this weekend ... after he said on-air that watching the WNBA made him want to shoot himself.

Lye made the disparaging comments on SiriusXM's "The Scorecard" show on Saturday ... while trying to explain why he's now a fan of women's golf.

"You know, the LPGA Tour to me is a completely different tour than it was 10 years ago," Lye said. "You couldn't pay me to watch. You really couldn't. Because I just, I couldn't relate at all."

He continued, "It’s kind of like, you know, if you're a basketball player -- and I'm not trashing anybody -- please, don't take it the wrong way -- but I saw some highlights of ladies basketball. Man, is there a gun in the house? I'll shoot myself than watch that."

Lye told GOLF.com the comments almost immediately got him fired ... saying SiriusXM officials canned him a short time afterward.

"I was terminated about comments made about the WNBA," said Lye, who added that he did apologize for the words in the ensuing segment.

SiriusXM confirmed the firing to GOLF.com, saying the 69-year-old "will no longer be hosting."

Lye put out a statement on Twitter on Sunday following the firing ... appearing to defend the comments.

"The fact that I can’t relate to WNBA does not make me sexist in any way," he wrote. "All you haters should listen to the whole segment, where I completely glorified womens golf, which I love to cover. Thanks for listening."

Lye joined the PGA Tour in the late 1970s ... and won one event. His best finish at the Masters came in 1984, when he took home sixth place. He retired from the tour in 1995, and has worked as a golf analyst for various outlets since.