Controversial S#!T

There's still a big mystery surrounding the sudden pause on production for "Jersey Shore 2.0" ... but we've learned it's almost a miracle the show was close to filming at all considering the casting and production hurdles MTV faced in getting it off the ground.

Our sources say the show's new cast was brought into Atlantic City to prep for production last week ... but there were some serious issues producers faced in finding the right group of people.

For instance -- we're told one '2.0' hopeful was 86'd after producers were alerted to some homophobic and racist social media posts from a relative. Nonetheless, our sources say this was not the trigger for putting the production on pause.

As for production woes ... show producers first wanted to put the cast up in the original "Jersey Shore" house, but the city shut that down ... citing the terrible reputation the first show gave Seaside Heights.

Sources connected to the show tell us ... despite the crates of camera gear being removed from the house this week, the show hasn't been canceled. In fact, we're told show honchos are using the next few weeks to re-group with an eye toward resuming production.

MTV is mum on specifically why they pulled the plug -- at least temporarily -- all they'll say is the show is temporarily on ice.

Ricky Martin's alleged domestic violence accuser is one of his own family members ... and now the pop star's reportedly staring down the possibility of a half-century behind bars.

A new report Friday from Spanish news website Marca identifies Ricky's accuser as his 21-year-old nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, which would introduce incest into the case in Puerto Rico.

The singer's brother, Eric Martin, reportedly identified the alleged victim ... and Ricky is going to court July 21. Under Puerto Rican law, there are harsher penalties for certain sexual crimes when the alleged victim is related to the accused, but it is unclear exactly what Martin is facing.

Nevertheless, Marca is reporting that Martin faces up to 50 years behind bars if convicted.

As we reported ... Ricky was accused of domestic violence earlier this month, and the alleged victim, whose identity was previously unknown, got a temporary restraining order against Ricky, who has denied the allegations.

Now, Marca is reporting the nephew allegedly ended a 7-month relationship with Ricky ... Ricky allegedly did not take it well, continuing to contact his nephew and showing up at his nephew's home.

We reached out to Ricky's camp ... so far no word back.

Hip hop legend Bun B's love for both food and rap is colliding headfirst come August 6 when he spearheads the first hip-hop-themed food court at Rock The Bells 2022.

Bun, who owns his Trill Burgers franchise, shared his excitement with TMZ Hip Hop on how he got cool with the one and only LL Cool J during their Sirius radio shows and pitched the idea of having a "Trill Mealz Food Court" at the upcoming Rock The Bells Festival … which is now run by the "Mama Said Knock You Out" creator.

LL loved the idea and in addition to Bun's Trill Burgers, E-40's Goon With The Spoon, Ghostface Killah's Killah Koffee, Jadakiss & Styles P's Juices for Life, Nas' Sweet Chick and Mia X's Team Whip Dem Pots will also be available for heavy consumption!!!

He credits both Ice Cube and Russell Simmons for pioneering hip-hop entrepreneurship and feels the creators should all be the CEOs!!!

Bun also shed light on the current state of hip hop amid all this money talk ... explaining how his time building a legacy with the late Pimp C happened in a completely different world.

According to the younger generation in Bun's ears, NBA YoungBoy is the new Tupac, and today's music conveys much of the same feelings toward the government as N.W.A and UGK did for past generations.

Rock The Bells '22 is coming up with performances from LL, Ice Cube, Rick Ross, Dipset, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Jadakiss, and a newly added Busta Rhymes.

Brittney Griner, wearing a Nirvana T-shirt, was back in court Friday, where the WNBA star's attorney told the judge BG, who's being tried on a drug charge, was prescribed cannabis for medical use ... the same substance she was caught carrying.

Griner's lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, told the court on Friday, "The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis."

"The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health," she added.

Blagovolina also submitted tests to the court ... showing 31-year-old Griner underwent testing to ensure she complied with anti-doping regulations, and the results revealed the hooper didn't have any prohibited substances in her system.

Griner appeared in court last week, bringing a photo of her wife, Cherelle, to the proceeding ... where she plead guilty to drug possession.

While addressing the court, Griner told the judge it wasn't her intent to break the law ... she simply packed hastily, and forgot about the cannabis.

Griner faces up to 10 years in prison ... but reps for the Phoenix Mercury star told us they're hopeful her guilty plea will be the beginning of getting Griner freed from Russian custody.

For now, Brittney's detention has been authorized to go through Dec. 20, according to the Associated Press, and although she plead guilty at last week's court hearing, Russia's justice system differs from the United States ... meaning the trial is to go through the beginning of August.

Griner's next hearing is scheduled for July 26.

Latto is using her buzzing platform to make a political statement against the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade with a simple and direct title diss track ... "P***Y."

There's nothing subtle about Latto's lyrical ripping of SCOTUS, starting with her song's exotic artwork. Yeah, that seems to be pink hot lava spewing from ... well, you get it.

The music video uses images from some of the protests that have broken out across the country since the landmark decision ... and it also features Latto surrounded by lots and lots of cats as she raps to lawmakers -- "How you ain't got a p***y, but got opinions on p***y?/ That's p***y/ My ovaries ain't for you to bully!"

During the initial promo run earlier in the week, Latto fended off fans angry she was using Roe v. Wade to further her career.

Apparently, a rapper speaking on social justice issues is still a wild concept for some people.

The song also samples the late R&B pioneer Betty Wright as they scold "little boys" for making grown-women decisions.

Latto's been spitting with "Big Energy" all year ... with that particular hit song -- her biggest to date -- helping her win Best New Artist at last month's BET Awards.

Talk about first-world problems ... Tom Brady just revealed the toughest thing he has to deal with as a parent is trying to keep his kids grounded despite their rich and famous lifestyle.

TB12 opened up about being a dad to Ford honcho Jim Farley on the "DRIVE" podcast earlier this month ... and he explained one of his biggest parenting struggles is teaching humility to his kids while also being one of the most wealthy families in the nation.

"We have people that clean for us," said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star, who's made over $300 MILLION in NFL contracts alone. "We have people that make our food. We have people that drive us to the airport if we need that. We get off a plane and there's people waiting there for us and we get ushered in."

"And it's just, that's my kids' reality. Which is the hard part to say, 'Guys, this is not the way reality really is.'"

Brady -- who has two sons and one daughter -- called balancing it all "probably the hardest thing for us as parents."

Of course, the words were met with immediate backlash -- as there are certainly millions of people across the globe who would happily take those issues.

But, Brady said they are real problems for him and his wife, Gisele -- and they're things he says he has to deal with daily.

"I know that I've screwed up a lot of things -- that's the reality of being a parent," he said. "You just hope you can show them enough things to realize that when they are doing things that are selected for Mom and Dad to make our lives more convenient that that is a treat. You know, that is something that is not what every kid goes through."

Sami Sheen says her OnlyFans account is creating a house divided ... telling us Denise Richards is super supportive, but Charlie hasn't exactly come around to the idea.

We got Charlie and Denise's 18-year-old daughter at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills Thursday and asked her about the parental support behind her OF account, or lack thereof.

Sami says Denise, who also has an OnlyFans page, has been incredibly supportive from the jump ... and she's grateful to have mom in her corner.

As for Charlie, Sami tells us her dad hasn't seen the light yet ... which is a departure from some of her father's public comments.

Remember ... Charlie claimed last month he was withdrawing his objections to Sami's presence on the X-Rated site, in order to present a united front with his ex-wife Denise.

But based on what Sami's telling us ... it sounds like it's proving easier said than done for Charlie.

Sami says she doesn't really mind if her father isn't gung-ho about her new revenue stream -- she's charging her 11,600 followers $19.99 a month to see her content -- and tells us why she likes the OnlyFans life.

Denise is getting in on the OF action too ... charging $25 a month ... and Sami says she's happy to see her mom fully embrace the site.

"You are free to leave, buddy!"

That's Enes Kanter Freedom squarely rejecting LeBron James explanation for questioning whether Brittney Griner -- who's in a Russian jail cell on drug charges -- should even want to return to America.

James has been skewered by many in light of comments he made in a trailer for an upcoming episode of "The Shop," saying ... "Now, how can she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, 'Do I even want to go back to America?'"

Bron attempted to clarify Tuesday night, writing he "wasn’t knocking our beautiful country" ... but, it seems Kanter isn't buyin' it.

"You call it a step back, we call this a walk back," Enes said.

"You are free to leave buddy or you can even volunteer for an exchange for her."

The 30-year-old added, "Some people literally have NO idea what is it like to live in a dictatorship. Keep taking your freedom for granted."

Of course, Freedom is outspoken when it comes to global issues affecting human rights ... in fact, he spoke with us recently where he called out NBA commish Adam Silver for pushing him to retire.

He also mentioned Griner ... saying the U.S. government needs to be more aggressive and understand that "human rights is above politics."

A Formula 1 commentator has been suspended by his TV network indefinitely ... after he called driver Lance Stroll "the autistic" during a race broadcast over the weekend.

Lionel Froissart, a French journalist, made the remark during RTBF Sport's broadcast of the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

As racecars were whizzing around the track, Froissart -- speaking in French -- called Stroll "the autistic," and when his broadcast partner condemned him for the words, he fired back, "Honestly, this is the truth."

The comments were immediately panned on social media ... and on Wednesday, RTBF Sport announced it has put Froissart on ice over it all.

"RTBF strongly condemns the words used on Sunday, July 10, on air by its consultant Lionel Froissart during the Austrian Grand Prix," network officials said in a statement to GP Fans.

"Associating autism with a driver’s way of communicating was misplaced and completely inconsistent with RTBF values. An internal investigation will be conducted, to hear all the involved persons. The goal is to understand in detail what could have led to this incident."

The network added, "Pending the results of this investigation, RTBF will no longer work with the consultant in question until further notice.”

Neither Froissart nor Stroll has appeared to comment publicly on the discipline yet.

New video shows the horrific scene inside the Uvalde school where a gunman murdered 19 children and 2 teachers, and you see the police try and approach the shooter and then run for cover when the gunman shoots at them.

KVUE TV obtained the surveillance video ... 3 minutes after the shooter entered the school and began firing rounds into 2 classrooms, you see the police enter the hallway inside the school and approach the door outside the classroom where the shooter was firing rounds at the children.

The shooter then begins firing rounds outside the classroom, presumably at the cops. The police then flee the immediate area and retreat a distance away ... looking for cover in the hallway.

Two cops touch their head and neck area, as if to see if they were shot.

For the next 45 minutes, you see reinforcements arrive ... but they never try to breach the classroom. They eventually set up right outside the classroom but don't attempt to enter for another 30 minutes. That's when they enter a classroom and they see the shooter emerging from a closet and a Border Patrol cop shoots him dead.

LeBron James says Brittney Griner's been in captivity for way too long without the U.S. bringing her home, so if he were the WNBA star, he'd question returning to America.

Bron made the comments during a recent taping of "The Shop" ... when the conversation apparently turned to the incarcerated American hoops star.

"Now, how can she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, 'Do I even want to go back to America?'"

It's clear -- at least from the short trailer that was released -- that LeBron doesn't believe the U.S. is doing nearly enough to bring BG home.

Of course, Griner was arrested in a Russian airport near Moscow in mid-February ... after Russian authorities said they found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her bag.

Initially, the American public wasn't made aware Griner was arrested ... which was strategic on the part of America. With the Russia-Ukraine war waging, the U.S. knew Griner could be used by Russia to gain leverage against the West.

But, that strategy only worked for a couple of weeks. Eventually, the news got out, and it's been one of the biggest stories since.

Griner's case has consistently been covered in America, and across the world.

Brittney's wife, Cherelle Griner, recently spoke with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

(Note: in fairness to LBJ's point, "The Shop" episode seems to have been filmed before Cherelle spoke to the president.)

Biden also wrote a letter to Brittney ... which she recently received.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has regularly fielded questions from reporters at the WH about all topics Griner-related.

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has also been in communication with the Griner family. U.S. Congressman Colin Allred, a former athlete at Baylor (like Brittney), has also spent countless hours working to free Griner.

Politicians aside, everyone from fellow athletes to regular people have been touched by the Griner case ... and have prayed for her safe return.

In fact, supporters of other prisoners locked up abroad, particularly in Russia, have been peeved by how hard the U.S. government has seemingly tried to get BG back, while other families believe the same level of effort isn't being paid to the cases of their loved ones.

As for her release ... unfortunately, nothing looks imminent.

After months of sitting in a Russian cell, Griner recently appeared before a judge and indicated her desire to plead guilty to the drug charge.

Griner has not yet been sentenced. She could face 10 years in prison.

Full "The Shop" ep. drops Friday on HBO.

The Tour de France had to be stopped for several minutes on Tuesday ... after multiple protesters parked themselves in the middle of the course and lit flares to block riders.

The men and women put their bodies in the roadway in what appeared to be an attempt to raise awareness for climate change.

Video from the race's broadcast showed the people quickly running onto the street and spreading out evenly across it -- forcing cyclists to stop and wait for them to be cleared.

Some of the protestors had chains around their necks, while others had shirts that read, "We have 989 days left." They stayed on the course until authorities physically removed them.

Once they were cleared -- event organizers made sure in the restart of the race that all of the previous gaps built before the pause were maintained after it.

File under "incredibly hot take."

Andre Iguodala believes Rasheed Wallace would be a top 5 player in the NBA if he played in today's game ... saying the 2004 champ would be better than 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Really.

The Golden State Warriors forward made the head-scratching comment on "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" this week ... saying Sheed had what it took to be one of the all-time greats, but chose to "do [his] thing" instead.

"Rasheed Wallace probably could have been a top-five player in the league for a 10-year stretch," Iguodala said on the show. "He was shooting half-court shots left-handed and right-handed."

"If Rasheed Wallace played in modern-day basketball, if he played in our league today, he’d be a top-five player. He’d be better than Giannis and I love Giannis."

Now, Sheed was a great player during his 16-year career ... averaging more than 14 points a game and playing a key role in the Detroit Pistons' title run in 2004.

His ability to shoot from range would certainly fit right in with today's game ... but better than Giannis?!? We're talking about the 2021 Finals MVP, 4-time first-team All-NBA selection, Defensive Player of the Year and 75th Anniversary team pick ... and the dude's just 27 years old.

Tiger Woods is teeing off on LIV Golf ... making it clear on Tuesday that he ain't a fan of the new org., or the golfers who have defected to it.

The 46-year-old railed against the new, Saudi-backed league for several minutes during a meeting with media members ahead of this week's The Open tourney ... explaining he just doesn't understand how guys have ditched the PGA Tour for it.

"I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position," Woods said of the LIV golfers.

Woods, who reportedly turned down a massive offer to play in LIV Golf earlier this year, explained he believes the Tour has given athletes the chance to "earn what we get" and establish a legacy -- something he clearly thinks is lacking in the new golf league.

In fact, Woods questioned how anyone taking the guaranteed payday from the new org. could find a desire to try to get better going forward.

"What these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practice?" the golf legend said. "What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt? You’re just getting paid a lot of money upfront and playing a few events and playing 54 holes. They’re playing blaring music and have all these atmospheres that are different."

Woods also said he agreed with The Open's decision to ban LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman from some of this week's most meaningful events.

"Greg has done some things that I don’t think is in the best interest of our game," Woods said, "and we’re coming back to probably the most historic and traditional place in our sport."

LIV Golf officially kicked off its first event last month in England. More than a dozen of the top players in the world -- including Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau -- have elected to play in it.

The PGA Tour, meanwhile, has suspended all of the defectors indefinitely, saying in a statement in June that anyone who follows suit will face similar punishments.

It's unclear yet what the four major championship events will do with the LIV golfers going forward -- though Tiger said even the slightest possibility of a ban from those tourneys would have turned him off to the idea immediately.

The pregnant woman using the overturn of Roe v. Wade to fight a traffic ticket in Texas says she's getting tons of backlash, and she worries the added stress could trigger an early birth.

Brandy Bottone tells TMZ ... she's catching tons of heat for using the SCOTUS decision to try to wiggle out of a ticket for driving solo in the HOV lane, with some folks even telling her to get an abortion, even though she's over 34 weeks pregnant.

For Brandy, she says the abortion hate mail is triggering, and as a result, she's stopped reading replies and responses to her viral story. That's probably for the best.

As we reported ... Brandy says she was 34 weeks pregnant when she got pulled over in Dallas County and a cop issued the $275 ticket. She plans to fight it in court though, arguing her fetus is a person -- and therefore a passenger -- under Texas law.

Brandy tells us she's pregnant with her first girl, and she's concerned about going into early labor with all the stress -- something she says happened when she was pregnant with her 2 sons.

LeBron James is NOT the NBA's G.O.A.T ... so says the King's former teammate, Ray Allen, who completely shut down the declaration from a beloved LBJ fan in a recent argument that was all caught on video.

Tyriek Weeks -- a basketball player from Commonwealth Academy in Rhode Island -- shared the clip to his TikTok page this weekend ... showing him and Allen getting into it over the James vs. Michael Jordan debate.

“He can score and pass it,” Weeks said, advocating for why he believed James was #1.

“Is he a great free throw shooter?" James' ex-Miami Heat teammate fired back. "Is he a great 3-point shooter? Is he a great dribbler?"

After Weeks answered "no" to all three questions ... Allen said, "So, you're saying he's the GOAT, but he ain’t even the greatest in all them categories."

Allen then went on to say Jordan actually is.

The argument from Allen is a surprising one -- considering the 46-year-old won the 2013 NBA title with LBJ, and the guys appeared to be super close during their time together in South Beach.