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Louis C.K.'s surprise return to stand-up -- to the delight of some and dismay of others -- has full support from some very important people in the comedy world ... the guys running the clubs.

TMZ's learned several comedy hot spots in NYC would gladly welcome Louis back, despite his fall from grace last year after he copped to sexual misconduct.

Louis Faranda, talent exec of Carolines on Broadway, tells us ... the comedian is like a son to him -- they personally go back to the beginning of C.K.'s career -- and he's a longtime friend of the club.

Faranda adds ... "We all make bad mistakes in life and everyone deserves the right to be forgiven ... I totally understand the plight of the women he offended, [but] I also love Louie C.K. and CANNOT turn my back to him ever!!"

Likewise -- Al Martin, owner of Broadway Comedy Club and Greenwich Village Comedy Club, says ... "Everyone is entitled to a second chance. I would book Louis." C.K. has performed at his clubs in the past.

Bill Boggs, officer of the Friars Club, tells us it would also have Louis back. Boggs says, "We were repulsed by his actions and there’s no question about that," but he gives C.K. the benefit of the doubt that he's learned from his mistakes. "We can't punish people for the rest of their lives; we can't assume they haven't learned. People can grow and change."

These clubs are not alone. We broke the story ... fellow comedians like Marlon Wayans are glad Louis is back onstage, with Marlon telling us he feels C.K. did his time in "comedy jail."

Other comedians, though -- like Melinda Hill -- feel C.K. needs to fully apologize and make amends for his wrongdoing before he returns to the mic. Melinda says Louis is "spearheading the #MeTooSoon movement."

C.K. showed up unannounced at the Comedy Cellar in Manhattan Sunday night and did a surprise set ... after going MIA for about 9 months following a public admission of using his power to masturbate in front of women without their consent.

Marlon Wayans has a simple response to Louis C.K. easing back into the comedy scene after admitting to sexual misconduct less than a year ago ... good.

The "Naked" star and comedian was hangin' outside Madeo Tuesday night when our photog asked what seems to have been on mostly everyone's minds this week, especially in the stand-up world ... was it too soon for Louis to come back? Marlon doesn't think so.

He believes there's such a thing as "comedy jail" -- when funny people go astray. Some comedians have to do time in the joint -- some for life, others for less ... all depending on the offensive offense.

Marlon also mentions something that another comedian, Melinda Hill, told us -- that comics need to get onstage so they can work out their demons.

Louis C.K. has every right to return to stand-up comedy, with one major caveat ... something that was missing from his surprise set in NYC ... according to a fellow comedian.

Melinda Hill's response to Louis' Sunday night appearance included #MeTooSoon ... and the hashtag has caught fire during the debate about the disgraced comedian. Still, Melinda tells us she's actually not against C.K. getting back onstage.

She even understands his desire to perform again, but believes he needs to do more penance before peers and fans fully accept him back into the fold.

Melinda says Louis' statement -- admitting the sexual misconduct allegations were true -- was missing a simple, "I'm sorry." He reportedly did not say those words Sunday night at the Comedy Cellar, either -- and she says she wants to hear that first.

51-year-old Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais made a bet with his star pitcher Edwin Diaz -- get 50 saves and I'll swap out my dad hair for your flashy designer fade.

Diaz got the job done on Saturday -- so, Scott got the chop ... and it's all on video.

Diaz and Servais made the bet way earlier this year -- and as Diaz caught fire, it became clear Servais was gonna have to walk the walk or be forever mocked as a chicken.

Well, guess what ... just 3 days after Diaz notched save #50 against the Diamondbacks -- Servais found himself a barber, got in the chair and held up his end of the bargain.

End result? IT LOOKS GOOOOOD!!!!!!

Cardi B meant no offense to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when she played his wife in a comedy skit ... according to comedian Rip Micheals, who wrote and produced it.

Rip tells us he's seen the backlash against Cardi for the 'Real Housewives of the Civil Rights Movement' bit -- and he feels it's unfair for a couple reasons.

First, he says he and his team of writers -- not Cardi -- came up with the material, which includes several jokes about MLK's infidelity. He also thinks it's wrong for critics to go after Cardi because she's not black. Rip points out King wanted equal rights for ALL people.

As for his MLK's family being offended, in particular his daughter, Bernice King, Rip's apologizing and says that simply wasn't his intent.

1:33 PM PT -- Martin Luther King III, Dr. King's eldest son, tells us he's upset about the timing of the skit's release -- on the "I Have a Dream" anniversary -- and because it distracts from several more important issues. He also says Cardi missed the mark on his mother.

11:08 AM PT -- It seems Cardi B was quick on the uptake, because Bernice King just tweeted that Cardi B has already reached out to her.

9:30 AM PT -- Dr. Bernice King -- the youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King -- has responded to Cardi's portrayal of her mother, calling it "repulsive" and "false" ... and very, very badly timed. Tuesday is the 55th anniversary of MLK's March on Washington where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Bernice says Cardi is using a platform that her parents made possible in an atrocious way. She wants to talk to Cardi face-to-face.

Cardi B playing Coretta Scott King will be the most unforgettable and hilarious thing you see today -- it will also be the most inappropriate. Guaranteed.

Cardi stepped into the role of Martin Luther King Jr.'s late wife for a skit called "Real Housewives of the Civil Rights Movement." Yes, she went there ... spilling tea with Rosa Parks and the wives of Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson. There's also a jaw-dropping "Iggy Azalea" sighting.

You gotta watch, but fair warning ... there are multiple references to MLK's infamous infidelities, and even the trip to Memphis, where he was assassinated.

The sketch is part of "Wild 'N Out" star Rip Michaels' new show, "Off the Rip." As we told you, it also features Cardi delivering "Ho Etiquette" jokes that some call racist.

Look, it ain't gonna win an NAACP Image Award, but where else ya gonna see Cardi/Coretta drop the line ... "All these hussies wanna sleep with my huuusband!"?

Justin Verlander's World Series ring nearly came with a $1 MILLION price tag ... 'cause an L.A. restaurant (jokingly) hit him with a HUGE "Dodger Killer" fee!!

The Astros ace -- who crushed L.A. in the World Series last year -- was dining at The Cabana Cafe in Bev Hills when, to his surprise, THE BILL CAME OUT TO OVER A MILLION DOLLARS!!

As Verlander read over the receipt, though ... it became clear to him, he just got punk'd.

"Beverly Hills Hotel really making me pay for that World Series win 😂😂," Verlander said of the massive charge.

"Thanks for the great lunch as always!"

As for why Verlander's grubbin' in L.A. this weekend ... he's in town for a series with the Angels.

So, rest easy, Dodgers fans ... for now.

If you're wondering how Kendall Jenner gets her kicks ... well, we just might have your answer.

Kendall channels her inner Bruce Lee as she karate kicks an empty glass bottle off the top of a friend's head ... talk about flexibility!!!

The ninja move went down Thursday night on the beaches of Los Angeles ... and you have to give dude props for standing tall and letting Kendall take a crack at his head.

Kendall gets mobbed by her pals after pulling off the daring move ... 'cause it's all fun and games when no one gets kicked in the face!!!

Looks like Kendall might have a future in kung fu movies.

Jon Stewart came to the rescue of two stray goats found roaming the subway tracks of New York City this week by giving them a home at his animal rescue operation ... no joke!

The former 'Daily Show' host posted a video of himself Monday helping load up the sidetracked livestock, which were spotted by a train operator along the N line in Brooklyn. Cops were called and officers were able to safely tranquilize the animals to remove them.

No word on where exactly these two billy goats gruff came from -- or where the third one might be -- but Stewart stepped in to offer them a place to stay -- his Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY, which he owns with his wife. He also saved a runaway cow a couple years back.

Matt Barnes just hit Mario Chalmers with an epic diss ... telling the ex-Miami Heat star he straight-up has MOOBS!!

It all went down in the comments section of Chalmers' latest IG post -- an innocent pic of a shirtless Mario announcing he's about to have a baby with his girlfriend, Paijey Baby. She's 7 and a half months preggo!

Barnes -- who played with Mario in Memphis in the 2015-16 season -- was one of the first to see it ... and decided to celebrate with a friendly body shaming zing.

"Congrats bro! I see you carrying the milk for her," the ex-NBA star wrote.

Barnes went on to hit Mario with a "jk" and some playful emojis.

FYI ... Mario's been steadily taking Ls of this nature throughout his career -- with even Barack Obama getting in on the act at the White House in 2014!!

Here's something you don't see everyday ... a nun that could probably come out of the bullpen for the White Sox if she tightened up her curve ball.

Sister Mary Jo Sobiek of Marian Catholic High School was tasked with throwing out the first pitch Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field in honor of her institution. Perhaps to everyone's surprise ... she dished out a wicked toss from the mound to kick off the game.

It wasn't just the pitch that impressed ... Sister Mary Jo also had a nice little arm trick up her sleeve -- knocking the ball off the inside of her elbow and catching it again. BADASS!!!!

Sadly, the Sox couldn't ride SMJ's coattails to a win -- they ended up losing to the Kansas City Royals, who are last place in their division. At least we got a nice follow-up sister act in Chicago though!

You'd think Kanye West would not get shut down when he ordered a pair of Yeezy slides, but the ones he wore to 2 Chainz' wedding were waaaay 2 small.

The back of Ye's feet were hangin' off the slide. It may have affected his balance because it looks like he had to use Kim's ass to stay upright. Then again ... that's just a theory.

They otherwise had a great time at the nuptials.

Matt Groening has a new Netflix show out called "Disenchantment" ... but he's got an enchanting way of appeasing autograph seekers -- he comes prepared.

We got "The Simpsons" creator at LAX Friday, and he showed up with a bag full of signed cartoon drawings to give away ... which he calls his new strategy for pleasing his fans.

Our cameraman even got an original Elfo! (He's one of the stars of Groening's new show.)

Then our guy hit Matt with some jarring news -- a 3D artist on Twitter posted his imagining of what a real-life Homer Simpson would look like ... and he basically replied with an "Ay, Caramba!"

Cristiano Ronaldo ... welcome to the team, newbie!!

Here's the newest member of Juventus FC standing on top of a chair and singing his heart out ... all part of the team's new player initiation ritual.

Before the International soccer superstar suits up for his first ever game for the Italian giants on Saturday ... the fresh meat were forced to show off their pipes -- CR7 was no exception.

Mattia Perin, Joao Cancelo and Leonardo Bonucci also joined in on the fun. But, you gotta love Ronaldo leading the charge.

At first blush, it appears Garry Shandling left behind an estate of less than a million dollars -- a surprisingly low amount for the mega-successful comedian ... but there's more to the story.

According to new legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Shandling had a net worth $668,636 at the time of his death, which was left with the executor of his estate ... his lawyer and friend, Bill Isaacson.

But, there's a catch -- Isaacson is the trustee of a trust Shandling created that's hidden from public view ... a trust that likely contains millions more in assets.

As we reported with Anthony Bourdain, rich celebs often create these separate trusts for various reasons, including privacy and tax purposes.

That seems to be the case with the late star of "The Larry Sanders Show" as well.

Kourtney Kardashian channeled Kool & The Gang with a ladies' night post-Younes Bendjima -- and then she channeled 'Fast & the Furious' ... emphasis on the furious.

Kourt hit the town Wednesday with her good pal, Larsa Pippen, who joined her at Madeo in Bev Hills for some grub. As they were leaving, paps lit up like a bunch of hungry seagulls -- ourselves included -- and peppered the eldest Kardashian about her split with Younes.

She was tight-lipped on her feelings about the dude, but was a little more fast and loose with her steering wheel while trying to get the hell outta there.