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Oprah LOVES Facebook Live -- despite some very troubling events this week -- and even bemoans that it wasn't around in the 25 years O talked for a living.

We got the queen Wednesday in D.C., where she sang the praises of the social media platform and her new movie, of course.

Oprah never mentioned the Facebook killer, but did say Facebook needed to be properly managed. That said, she clearly views it as a game changer.

Richard Simmons is back to doing what he does best -- delivering inspiration to his fans, and he's also hinting he'll come out of hiding soon.

Richard addressed his hospitalization this week for gastrointestinal issues, saying it "reminded me that when you need help you can't be afraid to reach out and ask for it."

He continued ... "I reached out and hope you will too. I'm sure there are people in your life who love and care for you and would do anything to help you with the challenges you face."

He posted a pic with his message -- though it appears to be an old shot -- and thanked fans for well wishes and added he should be back home in a couple of days.

As for the future, he said ... "Hope to see you again soon!"

Facebook killer Steve Stephens was undone by McDonald's employees who ID'd him and made him wait a little extra time for his order so the cops could come and catch him.

Stephens went through the drive-thru at the McDonald's on Buffalo Road in Erie, PA when one of the workers recognized him. He ordered a 20-piece McNugget and a large fry ... but workers made it seem the fries weren't ready so they could buy time.

According to the restaurant's manager ... Stephens got his nuggets, but then said he had to go and he drove off without the fries. It was enough time for cops to get on his tail.

Steve Stephens, the Facebook killer, killed himself about 90 minutes outside Cleveland during a high speed chase with cops in Pennsylvania.

Police in Erie, PA say Stephens' body was found inside his white Ford Fusion around 11:10 AM ET on Tuesday. The police were in pursuit of Stephens at the time after they responded to a tip that Stephens' car had been spotted in a nearby McDonald's parking lot.

Cops say Stephens' car came to a stop in the middle of the road near a former elementary school, and then he took his own life. He died on scene.

Erie is the town where police said they'd last gotten a ping from Stephens' mobile phone.

A nationwide manhunt had been underway since Sunday, when Stephens shot and killed Robert Godwin Sr. ... and then uploaded video of the murder to Facebook.

Steve Stephens' victim was shot in a residential area, and several neighbors frantically called 911 to report the savage murder.

The 911 calls were just released and a man yelled, "He's not conscious. He's dead!" They also told the operator the victim was an older man. You can hear a crowd gathering around the crime scene as the operator tried to instruct the caller on how to stop the bleeding.

It's clear she didn't realize the shots were fatal.

Jason Derulo knows exactly what he'll do if he comes face-to-face with the Facebook killer.

We got the singer at LAX, and like almost everyone, he's shaken by the horrific story of Steve Stephens posting video of himself murdering a grandfather. Jason says you can't blame social media for this ... Stephens is just sick.

As for the $50k reward to catch the killer -- Jason told us how he thinks America should respond, and says he's ready to back up his words.

Police are going all out to locate Facebook killer Steve Stephens ... including offering a huge reward.

Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams just announced the $50,000 reward for any information leading to Stephens' arrest. The reward comes on the heels of police saying the manhunt now covers up to 5 states.

The ATF, FBI and Crimestoppers are all chipping in to cover the reward.

Chief Williams is still imploring Stephens to turn himself in ... or at least contact a friend or relative.

Steve Stephens, the alleged Facebook killer, is on the move and his cell phone might have given up his location to cops.

Stephens' phone pinged near Erie, PA ... according to a report, which would put him about 100 miles east of Cleveland. He's been charged with aggravated murder after killing 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sunday in Cleveland, and uploading video of the fatal shooting.

The manhunt's now expanded to 5 states -- Cleveland authorities say Stephens could still be in Ohio ... or on the run in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana or Michigan.

Paul O'Neill -- founder of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- has died after a private battle with a chronic illness, the band confirms. He was 61.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Paul was found dead in a Tampa hotel room. There are no signs of foul play, but police don't know yet how long he was deceased before they responded to a 911 call. We're told the Medical Examiner has his body now.

Paul's band says, "The entire Trans-Siberian Orchestra family, past and present, is heartbroken to share the devastating news that Paul O’Neill has passed away from chronic illness," a statement said on the band's official Facebook page.

"He was our friend and our leader -- a truly creative spirit and an altruistic soul. This is a profound and indescribable loss for us all."

O'Neill created the band back in 1996 and hit it big with its metal-infused take on classic Christmas songs. The band has sold more than 12 MILLION albums.

Arnold Schwarzenegger just schooled an Internet troll for mocking the Special Olympics, calling the participants the r-word.

A random guy posted this ... "The Special Olympics make no sense. The Olympics are for the best athletes in the entire world to compete against each other to determine who is the best. Having r****** competing is doing the opposite!"

The guy was responding to a video Arnold posted touting the athletes.

Arnold responded to the troll this way ... "it's a teachable moment. Right now, I guarantee you that these athletes have more courage, compassion, brains, skill -- actually, more of every positive human quality than you."

Arnold has a dog in the fight. His mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver, founded the Special Olympics and he's been active in the event for years.

Arnold had one other thing to say, "So take their path -- you could learn from them, and try to challenge yourself, to give back, to add something from the world."

Facebook and Twitter will start ratting out Pakistani citizens who post anti-Islamic comments if -- and that's a big IF -- Pakistan gets its way.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told AP Thursday a Pakistani official in their Washington, D.C. embassy approached both social media giants about tracking down Pakistanis -- at home or abroad -- who make blasphemous statements online.

Pakistan has strict blasphemy laws -- violators can be put to death for bashing Islam.

As for whether Facebook and Twitter will play ball -- FB says, "We disclose information about accounts solely in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law. A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty or other formal request may be required for international requests."

Translation: If it happens, it won't be anytime soon.

Nick Cannon doesn't see himself shooting the next season of "America's Got Talent" ... after NBC execs considered firing him over a racial joke he told in his comedy special.

TMZ broke the story ... NBC and 'AGT' honchos felt Nick had disparaged them and breached his contract by joking the network doesn't want him using the n-word, and insinuating it generally crushes his swagger while hosting 'AGT.' The special aired Friday night on Showtime.

That news pissed off Nick ... who now says he's loved hosting 'AGT' but "my soul won't allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices." He also says he doesn't care about the millions they pay him.

He adds, "I can not see myself returning." He told Howard Stern last week that he'd sue if they ever fired him over a joke.

As we told you, NBC decided to let the whole joke slide, but Nick clearly isn't forgiving.

He ended his FB post with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King -- "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."

Antonio Brown is really, REALLY sorry for posting on Facebook Live from the Steelers locker room ... apologizing yet again for sharing Mike Tomlin's 'the Patriots are a**holes' speech.

Brown went to Facebook Live (ironic) to discuss the infamous post ... and explained that he paid a $10k fine and is ready to move on.

"If the only thing I did wrong was Facebook Live, I guess I'm a pretty good guy then."

Nickelback isn't laughing about Canadian cops joking they'll torture drunk drivers by playing the band's music in patrol cars -- in fact, Nickelback got pissed and shut down the prank.

A spokesperson for Kensington Police tells TMZ a Nickelback rep demanded they take down the Facebook post that went viral this week. The post warned holiday season DUI offenders they'd get hit with fines, criminal charges, driving suspension and "the office's copy of Nickelback in the cruiser on the way to jail."

Funny. To everyone but Nickelback. Cops say the rep was polite, but made it clear Chad Kroeger and co. didn't like being the butt of the joke. Apparently, they're not used to it yet.

Kensington cops say they never meant to embarrass the band, they were just looking for an effective way to get the anti-DUI message to the public. Mission accomplished.

There will be no repeat victory for Formula One champ Nico Rosberg ... the reigning champ just announced his retirement ... days after winning his very first F1 championship.

The 31-year-old -- who had been bested by his rival Lewis Hamilton for years -- made the announcement moments ago on Facebook.

"Since 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my ‘one thing’ to become Formula One World Champion. Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target. And now I’ve made it. I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right."

So, what's next for the racing legend?

"Now, I’m just here to enjoy the moment. There is time to savour the next weeks, to reflect on the season and to enjoy every experience that comes my way."

"After that, I will turn the next corner in my life and see what it has in store for me ..."

Secret Service agents felt Donald Trump's life was threatened earlier this month, and paid a visit to the messenger ... who says it was just a joke.

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ ... Trump's Secret Service team and Sheriff's deputies in Greene County, Ohio checked in with a guy Monday who posted a screen shot of a text message on Nov. 14 ... which read, "kill Trump."

We're told the meeting went like this. Agents asked the man -- who ID'd himself as Micah -- if he was serious about the threat. He responded, "Not unless he starts going door-to-door rounding up people like he says."

Micah tells us the agents seemed satisfied he wasn't serious and they left.