Humor

Eddie Murphy is totally down for casting real Africans in his "Coming to America" sequel ... and it sounds like he's got one very funny one in mind.

We got Eddie as he was leaving E Baldi Tuesday in Bev Hills, and asked him about the highly anticipated movie ... which started pre-production last month. Outside of Eddie, Arsenio Hall and Shari Headley (Lisa McDowell) ... little is known about who's co-starring in the film.

Akon, who grew up in Senegal, recently told us Eddie should be hiring real deal African actors for the flick, and we brought that suggestion right to the man himself. Good news for Africans, and GREAT news for Michael Blackson -- Eddie's interested!!!

Unsolicited, Ed dropped the comedian's name, telling us ... "There's one funny African. That Michael Blackson." Pretty sure there are more than one, but we get the point.

Eddie didn't let on whether Michael -- who's from Ghana -- is a done deal for the cast, but it definitely sounds like he's interested.

We called Blackson, and he had no idea. As he put it, "That would be life changing!!! Everyone in the world is gonna watch that movie."

Both Don Cheadle AND Jonah Hill showed up to watch Kevin Hart box a poker champ ... so says Antonio Esfandiari himself, who tells TMZ Sports his fight with the comedian was EPIC!!!

We spoke with 40-year-old Esfandiari just hours after Hart released footage of their scrap in Santa Monica earlier this month ... and he told us all about how he prepped for the fight.

After the battle, both fighters kept it professional -- giving props to each other for getting in the ring.

"It was by far the most challenging thing ever," Hart said ... "I gotta give [Antonio] credit because he didn’t let me fight the fight that I wanted to."

So, what's Antonio's breakdown of Hart's boxing game? Esfandiari tells us the little guy's got POP -- saying Kevin's right-hand carries KO power!!

As for the result ... Antonio won the fight via decision -- and ya gotta hear who he's thanking for the victory.

8:45 AM PT -- Sources connected to Pete tell us he felt like Vinnie was overly sarcastic when he told the crowd not to mention Kate or Ariana. They add, Vinnie asked if he could do an opening set, but Pete said no -- because he travels with his own opening comic -- but Vinnie went ahead and did a 5-minute set anyway.

Overall, we're told Pete's camp thinks Vinnie killed the energy in the crowd by giving them the list of no-no's for the show.

Pete Davidson is going to war with a comedy club owner because the guy referred to Kate Beckinsale and Ariana Grande while introducing Pete -- however, the crowd seemed to turn on Pete.

The 'SNL' star was supposed to perform Monday night at Vinnie Brand's Stress Factory in Bridgeport, CT -- but he never made it onstage. Pete claims Vinnie "disrespected me and did something that I told him not to do and I can't perform under those circumstances."

Pete posted a video from his car immediately after bailing on the gig.

Meanwhile, inside the club ... the owner was fuming over Pete's no-show -- and played Pete's IG video on the club's big screen. Even though Pete offered to do a free show for anyone in the crowd ... they were pissed. You even hear someone yell, "F**k you, Pete!!!"

According to clubgoers, Vinnie did mention Kate and Ariana -- but only because he was asking the crowd not to heckle Pete about his girlfriends. Vinnie says those were the ground rules Pete wanted, and they had agreed anyone who did shout anything like that would be removed from the club.

It seems both Pete and Vinnie didn't want a repeat of what happened during one of Pete's shows back in February ... when he was heckled about Mac Miller.

Vinnie did his own act after playing Pete's IG video -- and while it wasn't necessarily funny, it was very angry.

Michael Blackson lost a brother when John Singleton suddenly died ... that's how much the famed director meant to him.

We got Michael out Monday night leaving Toca Madera in WeHo and asked him about the "Boyz n the Hood" director's death Monday -- at only 51 -- after suffering a massive stroke. No doubt Michael's devastated by the loss of his friend.

Check out the clip ... he talks about John and his GF, Rayvon, having a baby a year ago, making things even sadder. He tells us how he first met John and the huge plans they had about working together.

Michael also tells us which of John's classics is his favorite flick. Remember, Michael's a comedian ... so that's your first clue.

"I think that it's perceived as kind of a douchey thing to do, but that's why it's funny!"

That's Steve-O -- the man who made getting tattoos of himself on himself famous -- weighing in on Ezekiel Elliott's tat ... and, spoiler alert, the guy LOVES what the running back did!

"Everybody's favorite topic of conversation is themselves," the former "Jackass" star tells TMZ Sports ... "So, why not just celebrate that?"

Remember, Steve-O once inked a GIANT pic of himself on his back ... and in case ya forgot what it looked like, watch the clip -- he showed us how it's aged over the years.

So, when got him out in L.A. on Tuesday ... we had to ask for his thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys superstar getting his mug etched into the side of his calf earlier this month.

No surprise here ... Steve-O says he's ALL FOR IT!!!

"You gotta have the ability to not take yourself too seriously. Poke a little fun at yourself. 'I'm self-centered, I enjoy myself,' and I think that's funny, you know?"

Machine Gun Kelly knows what time it is ... and not only because Pete Davidson and comedian John Mulaney got him a Rolex for his 29th birthday.

We got MGK and Pete leaving TAO Monday night in L.A. where they were celebrating with friends. Kelly and Pete were toking cigs and posing for pics when our guy asked Kelly what he got for his birthday.

Check out the clip ... MGK couldn't wait to show off his new classic timepiece. He also couldn't wait to invite our camera guy onto his party van ... much to everyone's delight.

Josh Brolin's dropping his evil villain persona and showing off his playful side to talk Thanos' ass cheeks, and a major no-no in his book -- "Avengers: Endgame" spoilers ... just don't do it!

Brolin, who plays Thanos was at LAX Monday when we asked him about pulling back the curtain on a nude shot of his incredibly ripped, incredibly villainous character.

If you haven't seen it yet, it's quite a sight to behold ...

Brolin insists the photo's all him -- from the busting veins to the muscular booty -- but based on who he says is training him these days ... we think he MIGHT be joking.

Anyway, where were we?

Oh yeah, much like the film's directors, Anthony and Joe Russo, Josh is urging moviegoers to keep their mouths shut after they see it ... so as not to spoil the end of 'Endgame.'

Brolin warns those even thinking about ruining it for others -- especially east coasters who get to see the movie first -- they better snap out of it ... or face the wrath of Thanos.

Why test him? Those glutes and hammies mean business!

"Avengers: Endgame" comes out everywhere Friday, but the big red carpet premiere went down in L.A. at the Convention Center Monday night ... and the celebs brought their A game.

Lil Dicky's got a lot of love for Kanye West -- calls him his "hero" -- but that wasn't enough to get him on the horn to play himself in Dicky's epic "Earth" music video.

We got the rapper out Monday in NYC, and asked him why the role of Ye had to be played by Kevin Hart. Tons of other celebs lent their voices to animal characters in the vid -- Justin Bieber is a baboon, Ariana Grande a zebra, Halsey a lion cub, Adam Levine a group of vultures, Wiz Khalifa a skunk, and so on.

No animal treatment for animated Kanye though.

Leonardo DiCaprio played himself and wasn't an animal, but Dicky credits him for helping him take the passion project to the next level. Not so for Kanye, but Dicky told us why he still had to include him in the video.

BTW, there's another cameo he didn't get for "Earth," but he's holding out "hope" he can make that collab happen in the future. Yes, "hope" is a hint.

Dicky told Rolling Stone he waited until the video was nearly complete so Kanye would be the last one to see it -- but eventually, he just ran out of time, and couldn't wait on Ye. Still an awesome video, even without him.

BTW ... we got Denis Hayes out in D.C. -- the environmental advocate who co-founded Earth Day, which we all celebrated Monday (right?). We asked Denis if he thinks President Trump will pay attention to climate change with celebs getting more and more involved.

Hayes had strong feelings about that.

Kate Walsh damn near had a meltdown when she realized she left behind a bag on her flight ... though you couldn't tell by TSA's sloth-y reaction to her anxiousness.

We saw Kate shortly after she landed Thursday at LAX, but before our guy could ask a question, she went into sheer panic. The issue? She forgot one of her bags on her Delta flight, and desperately wanted to go back to get it.

Check out the vid ... she was clearly NOT having it with Delta, LAX and TSA staffers who wouldn't let her back into the gate area after exiting. We all know that's absolutely forbidden once you walk out.

Kate, however, eventually talks her way back in ... at least to the TSA checkpoint -- and you gotta see the agent's reaction as she continues her rant. Kinda hilarious.

So THIS might be what John Legend meant when he sang, "We're just ordinary people" -- 'cause without Chrissy Teigen, some photogs kinda treated him like a normie.

Kinda ridic when ya think about it ... the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award winner was leaving Madeo Thursday night in Bev Hills, and the first question he got -- WHERE'S CHRISSY?!?!

Ya gotta watch the vid ... John's response is hilarious as a throng of paps are immediately deflated. It is true ... we're used to seeing the couple together -- almost always -- so forgive us, John for expecting to see your better half.

Luckily, he wasn't offended, and still shared his thoughts on Donald Trump and the release of the Mueller report.

Steve-O is hopping aboard the podcast game ... literally, with a traveling studio.

We got Steve-O out Wednesday at LAX and dude couldn't resist showing off his new toy ... a commercial van equipped with mics, cameras and even a mini-fridge as he looks to get his new podcast up and running.

Check out the clip ... Steve-O's hosting game is on point ... for starters, he helps quench our parched photog's thirst. Steve-O then gives our guy a tour -- he says the mobile setup is his way of rising above all the competition, 'cause there are so many podcasts out there.

He should know ... 'cause he's been a guest on a bunch of 'em, including Joe Rogan's and Mike Tyson's.

Seems with some counseling from his dad, Ted, and a little help from his trusted dog, Wendy ... Steve-O plans to separate himself from the pack. He wants to get some activities in the mix too, and as we know ... hangin' with Steve-O is NEVER boring.

Wayne Brady is nothing if not a good sport ... which is why we're happy he came out a winner -- as much as possible, anyway -- while playing our photog's janky and impromptu version of Wayne's game show.

The "Let's Make a Deal" host was at LAX Wednesday when our camera guy, Jake, offered a golden opportunity -- a chance to be a contestant on a bootleg airport edition of 'LMAD.' However, the mystery prizes would be coming straight outta Jake's pockets.

You gotta see how the game played out, but here's a teaser -- Wayne got some earbuds, earwax included!! He wisely opted to go for something better. You'll just have to watch to see if he won in the end.

Wayne was quick to point out the prizes are much, much better on his TV show. What can we say -- budget concerns, pal!!!

If this isn't the most Gronk story to date ...

Rob Gronkowski made sure to leave his mark on the Patriots before retiring from the NFL ... putting a HUGE dent in their 6th Lombardi trophy while trying to use it as a baseball bat.

Yes ... Gronk used a freakin' Super Bowl trophy to try to hit a baseball because ... we don't know why he would do this, actually.

It all went down when the Patriots were honored at Fenway Park before a Red Sox game earlier this month ... when players like Gronk and Julian Edelman were having some fun and *pretending* to hit baseballs while using the trophy as a bat.

Gronk must've missed the memo about PRETENDING ... 'cause the dude switched up his batting stance to bunt the ball ... and he made contact.

The bunt resulted in a massive dent in ol' Vinny ... and the Patriots hilariously released a mini-mockumentary to give the play-by-play of the whole thing.

P!nk ain't afraid to get down and dirty ... not when it comes to cleaning her own Hollywood star, and especially when it's for Jimmy Kimmel's cameras.

The pop singer was going to town on her star Tuesday around 7:30 PM in the middle of Hollywood ... as cameras from paps and bystanders rolled. What ya didn't know is some of those cameras were rolling for Kimmel's show. P!nk was filming at Kimmel's studio yesterday, and it appears they took the skits to the streets.

Check out the vid ... you can see P!nk -- who got her star back in February -- down on her knees wiping away with some disinfecting wipes. She also had a roll of paper towels and a scrub.

Some might call it dirty business, but in Hollywood ... it's just show business, baby.

This is Kelsey Grammer's game face -- or more like, Dr. Frasier Crane's -- because this pic seems to prove "Frasier" fans are about to get what they want ... a reboot.

Kelsey was spotted in London looking like a man on a mission while carrying what appears to be a "Frasier" script -- the binder cover has the show title and Kelsey's production company, Gramnet.

Kelsey's been teasing a reboot of arguably the most successful spin-off show in TV history since at least last summer ... but only until recently has he openly discussed new plot lines. He's previously said he wants the original cast to be part of the reboot and added major changes would come to his character.

The show lasted 11 seasons and went off the air 15 years ago ... so a ton has obviously happened. Kelsey also briefly discussed how the reboot would handle the passing of John Mahoney, Frasier's charismatic TV dad who died back in February 2018.

NBC4's David Ushery must have been listening to Snoop Dogg on his way into work today ... otherwise, he's got some explaining to do about this slip of the tongue on-air.

The NYC anchor was reporting Tuesday morning about a dog that was rescued 135 miles off the coast of Thailand. What David meant to say was "doggy paddle" ... but what came out of his mouth was a bit more, um ... sexual.

Check out the flub ... his co-anchor Stacey Bell's reaction says it all.

Bell couldn't stifle her laughter for long ... and Ushery knew he was screwed. To his credit, he owned it and made the situation even more hilarious with a perfect joke to wrap it up ... and through their LOL'ing they managed to get to a commercial.