Reality TV

Kris Jenner got herself hooked up to a polygraph Thursday night ... and the question that dogged her for years was on the table -- was she involved in the release of Kim's sex tape!

Kris sat next to Kylie as James Corden fired off the question -- "Did you help Kim release her sex tape?" the audience gasped, but Kris assured everyone it was ok, she gave a firm "No" to the question and a dude named John who was manning the machine said she was a truthteller!

So, couple of things ... the sex tape could not be released unless the parties involved gave their signoff ... Kim filed a lawsuit against Vivid Entertainment, which released the tape, but according to Vivid they reached a financial settlement and they dropped the case.

Vivid has long said it would not release a tape without everyone's consent, because in addition to losing the profits it made off the tape, it would be on the hook for invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress. Nevertheless, Kim sued and they settled.

Corden didn't follow up with whether she knew if Kim was in on the plot ... something Kim has denied.

"Bachelorette" contestant Erich Schwer -- the last remaining candidate for Gabby Windey -- is owning up to wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume in high school ... saying he deeply regrets his actions.

A photo from Schwer's old yearbook made rounds on social media this week ... showing him dressed as Jimi Hendrix, donning dark makeup and an afro wig.

The 29-year-old real estate analyst from New Jersey is now speaking out on his costume choice ... saying he wholeheartedly apologizes for what he thought was a gesture showing love for the artist, but admits it only showed ignorance.

"I was naïve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black community and those closest to me, and will forever regret my offensive and damaging behavior," Schwer said on Thursday.

"I am deeply ashamed by my actions and understand that my apology is only the first step in taking accountability."

Schwer is Gabby's final chance at love on this season of the dating show ... after she parted ways with Johnny and Jason during the Fantasy Suite episode.

Teresa Giudice is gonna be juggling family, the ballroom and a ton of time in the sky ... now that she's committing to a crazy schedule to appear on "Dancing with the Stars."

The show's producers clearly wanted the 'Real Housewives' star badly, because they pulled some strings to allow her to train with her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov, in New Jersey ... according to Teresa's attorney, James Leonard.

Once the show starts airing, though ... he says she'll be flying to L.A. a day or 2 before each performance. He tells TMZ ... 'DWTS' producers pulled a few strings so that Teresa can train with her dance partner, close to her 4 daughters and new hubby in New Jersey. In order to perform on the show from L.A., she will fly from NJ to L.A. each week a day or two before the show's taping.

James says this was a dealbreaker for Teresa, because she wanted to be home ... close to her 4 daughters her new husband and his 2 sons. He says 'DWTS' is also making arrangements for the fam to come, at some point, to cheer on Teresa in person.

As you know, the 'RHONJ' star has had a lot on her plate recently.

You'll recall, she tied the knot with Luis Ruelas last month ... and then the lovebirds jetted off to Greece for a beachside honeymoon.

The couple also bought a home together last year in Montville, NJ -- and, we all know that the moving process is always a blast.

No doubt, her wild schedule is only getting wilder ... but when we got Teresa in NYC Thursday, she couldn't have been more excited about the new gig.

Meghan King claims her ex-husband, Jim Edmonds, has been verbally abusing her over their child custody arrangement ... so she got a temporary restraining order against him.

According to court docs filed in Missouri and obtained by TMZ, the ex-'RHOC' star got the court order back in June over what she describes as "frequent and consistent verbal abuse" via texts, as well as their shared Family Wizard app which they use to co-parent.

It's unclear what exactly what Jim allegedly said to her -- but sources connected to the case tell us it all has to do with their shared custody arrangement ... the pickup/drop-off schedule specifically, which Meghan claims Jim hasn't followed.

It seems Jim's been trying to have this case sealed -- at least according to MK. She wants it public, for all to see.

It's just the latest instance of fighting between the exes -- they've gone after each other publicly over issues related to their children. He's accused her of putting their kids at risk during the COVID lockdown after he learned she was partying in Miami.

A hearing is scheduled for later this month on whether to make the restraining order permanent.

Jim's rep, Steve Honig tells TMZ … “This request for an order of protection is completely baseless and furthermore makes an absolute mockery of the pain suffered by the millions of women in this country who are legitimate victims of abuse."

Diana Jenkins' donation for Lion Air victims' families isn't a call to war against Erika Jayne, but it IS intended to provoke a response ... from some other 'Real Housewives.'

Sources connected to the 'RHOBH' star tell TMZ ... Diana and Erika discussed the $100k gift before it even happened. We're told even though it may have appeared to be a dig at Erika, given the fact EJ's been embroiled in litigation directly related to that tragedy, that's just not the case.

On the contrary, we're told Diana and Erika are good pals ... so clearly, no shots intended -- but here's what she did have up her sleeve.

Our sources say Diana sees this as an opportunity for some of the other cast members, like Sutton Stracke and Garcelle Beauvais, to put their money where their mouths are ... because they've attacked Erika over her connection to the Lion Air case.

Since they like to talk about it so much -- suggesting in the past Erika lacks compassion for the families -- we're told Diana sees this as kind of putting the ball in their court ... giving them a chance to step up and make a donation to show how much they care about those folks.

As you know ... Erika and her estranged husband, attorney Tom Girardi, were sued for allegedly swindling these families out of a settlement they scored against Lion Air -- although Erika's denied having any knowledge of how Tom ran his business, including on this.

Jamie Lynn Spears is being put to the test, on not just by her sister, Britney ... she's one of 16 celebrities tapped for a new reality show where contestants go through challenges straight out of special forces training.

The former 'Zoey 101' star is competing in a new show on FOX, "Special Forces: The Ultimate Test," in what figures to be quite the celebrity experiment.

Jamie Lynn and her 15 famous counterparts will try to survive demanding special forces training exercises out in the desert ... with ex-special forces operatives running the camp, where toilets are literally just holes in the ground and beds consist of only a sheet over a metal bar.

The reality show challenges will simulate the special forces selection process, and the only way for the celeb contestants to leave is by giving up, getting injured, or being kicked out by staff sergeants ... there are no votes and no eliminations, it's all about survival.

Britney Spears' little sister will be joined on the show by Mel B, Hannah Brown, Montell Jordan, Kenya Moore, Dr. Drew, Anthony Scaramucci, Tyler Florence, Beverley Mitchell and Kate Gosselin.

A bunch of former and current athletes are competing as well, including Danny Amendola, Dwight Howard, Gus Kenworthy, Carli Lloyd, Nastia Liukin and Mike Piazza.

Discovery+ is scrapping an image from their latest Armie Hammer documentary that allegedly showed a gnarly bite mark ... and they're doing away with it because viewers are convinced it looks all too similar to a tattoo found online.

"House of Hammer" dives deep into the actor's sexual abuse allegations ... and features interviews with some of his former partners, including Courtney Vucekovich, who claimed he was a really hard biter.

As she goes into details, a picture of the alleged bite mark is shown ... she claims Hammer took the picture himself, although people online were quick to call out the familiar photo.

Viewers believe the mark looks identical to a tattoo that's on Pinterest -- not only do people see matching teeth marks, but they also think the fading lines going away from the center are the same, too.

Diana Jenkins is contributing a boatload of cash to a good cause -- one that actually hits home for her costar, Erika Jayne.

The 'Real Housewives' star, who's on her first season of 'Beverly Hills,' announced Wednesday she'd donated $100,000 to immediate family members of those who perished on the 2018 Lion Air 610 flight that went down in the Java Sea ... killing all 189 people onboard.

DJ is doing this through her new charity, The Sunela Foundation, which is partnering with nonprofit GVNG.org to raise funds for those in need around the world.

As for why she's doing this good deed ... she says, "I was not aware of this tragedy until it became a topic of conversation on 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.'"

She adds, "I feel so much sympathy for the widows and orphans left behind. I know firsthand the pain and suffering that accompanies the loss of a family member, having lost my brother in the closing days of the Bosnian War. I want to do what I can to support those people who suffered so much."

Here's why this is a big deal -- Erika and her estranged husband, Tom Girardi, were sued last year by 4 of the victims' families, claiming they'd misappropriated funds from a settlement that Tom's law firm had scored for them. A judge reportedly entered a $2 million judgment against the defendants.

Since filing for divorce, Erika has repeatedly said she was ignorant of how Tom was handling his business/their wealth.

Sanjaya Malakar says he wants to be involved in the LGBTQ community in a big way after coming out as bisexual ... years after he was advised to hide his sexuality to not lose fans.

The former "American Idol" contestant -- who was a polarizing figure on season six -- tells TMZ ... he wants to help LGBTQ youth who are experiencing the same struggles he faced as a teen, with his main message being, "no one can navigate your sexuality but you."

Sanjaya, now 32, stepped out of the limelight years ago and now works as a pastry chef in Montana. He's ready to come back to Hollywood but is treading lightly, as he's not looking to become a punchline and only wants to focus on positive messages benefitting kids and teens.

He tells us some of the ways he envisions himself helping LGBTQ youth is by working with kids one-on-one, singing at fundraisers dedicated to helping the LGBTQ community and making TV show appearances where he can elaborate on how he navigated his sexuality during "American Idol."

Sanjaya says some of the most rewarding work he's done has been working with kids ... following 'AI', he volunteered at an after-school program helping kids with stage fright.

If you missed it, Sanjaya recently appeared on "The Adam Sank Show," where he explained during his time on 'AI' his publicists encouraged him to keep his sexuality secret, after fans speculated he was gay. Sanjaya says the experience was traumatizing ... but feels compelled to take control of his narrative now that he's comfortable with his sexuality.

Kelly Clarkson is fully back in the saddle of the show that made her famous ... after a long period where she wanted no association with the show.

Kelly posted an homage to "American Idol" Sunday ... marking a big anniversary ... "20 years ago today I won American Idol and it forever changed the course of my life. That moment was the door that opened up so much access and opportunity, and creative partnerships that I will be grateful for all of my days."

As you know Kelly won the competition in Season 1, helping launch the show into orbit and cementing her status as a star.

She went on ... "The family and friendships I have created over these 20 years in music and TV are priceless to me. We only get so many trips around the sun and while I am proud and feel abundantly blessed of the successes and failures that I have learned from, I am most proud and grateful for those friends that have become my family, and for their arms that have held me when I needed it and their hearts that listened to me when I felt lost. Without them I would not be where I am. I would probably not be here at all."

Austin Victoria from "Selling the OC" wasn’t always just a realtor slangin' homes ... he got a sweet gig with Hollister growing up, putting his face -- and abs -- in their stores.

We're told Austin got his big break in 2003 when he landed a poster boy spot for the company -- he was just a freshman at Glendora High when he picked up the job.

We're told he flew out to FL to do the shoot ... snappin' pics at the home of famed photographer Bruce Weber -- he's shot numerous campaigns for Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein.

Not only was the reality star featured in stores, but they printed him on shopping bags, too -- could be some sweet memorabilia now!!!

Fans of the "Selling Sunset" spin-off know Jason Oppenheim, owner of Oppenheim Group in WeHo, expanded their company ... opening up a 2nd office in Newport Beach, where Austin and 10 other realtors are gunning for real estate fame.

A couple of Stephanies from "90 Day Fiancé" don't seem like they're ready to settle down ... because their idea of a date night includes a strip club and a porn star!!!

Stephanie Matto and Stephanie Davison hit up Larry Flynt's Hustler Club Las Vegas for an intimate date, dining at a new rooftop restaurant and spending time in the VIP suite with XXX actress Alexis Monroe.

Matto is known for selling anything, from farts in jars to her boob sweat, so naturally, she found a way to make money at the strip club ... without getting onstage.

This time, Matto auctioned off the chance for someone to hang with her, SD and Alexis in the club's largest VIP suite ... and she says an NBA player dropped $100,000 for the honor.

Date auctions are becoming Matto's latest hustle ... remember, she auctioned off a virtual candlelight date earlier this summer, which Davison won with a $2,700 bid.

As you see, the Stephanies dressed to the nines ... wearing plunging satin dresses and high heels, and showing more skin than their porn star third wheel.

Caitlyn Jenner is getting put on BLAST by a transgender artist who's getting ready to step in the ring ... and she's calling Caitlyn out to be her next victim.

CJ was challenged by recording artist BraydBunch at a recent face-off event for the Fake Drake celebrity boxing match, which is set to go down in October.

As Brayd faced off against Mike Mazza, she says she hopes her courage will bring others like her into the boxing scene -- even saying she'd love to take Caitlyn down next.

The insults were FLYING -- calling her an oldie whose Olympic status won't mean squat once she's done with her ... she's craving the opportunity to "shut her up," and thinks she can get it done in the ring.

Caitlyn has some experience in the ring, but it might not have been as legit as it looked -- she fought and "beat" bodyguard Mark Behar back in '09 for a charity match ... Mike later claimed the fight was staged for their reality show.

FYI -- the Fake Drake boxing event was supposed to end the night with a big brawl between the imposter himself and Lamar Odom, but the basketball star recently backed out and was replaced by YouTuber M2thaK.

Dr. Will Kirby, known as the "Big Brother 2" champ, is a single man once again ... because his divorce from Erin Brodie has been officially finalized.

The judgment, obtained by TMZ, shows neither party will pay any spousal or child support -- he and Erin will share joint legal and physical custody of their 2 kids.

According to the docs, Will gets to keep his dermatology practice ... as well as his jewelry, artwork, and -- most importantly -- the dog, Wriggley. Erin walks away with all her personal items.

They'll continue to co-own their L.A.-area property ... and the docs indicate they plan to hold onto the spot until their young daughter graduates from high school, at which point they'll look to lease or sell the pad.

As we reported, the dermatologist filed for divorce last year after nearly 4 years of marriage.

"Naked and Afraid" contestant Melanie Rauscher accidentally died from sucking in a lethal amount of compressed air used in cleaning products, this according to her autopsy report.

35-year-old Melanie was found dead near cans of dust cleaner in Prescott, AZ, on July 17. The report, obtained from the Yavapai County Medical Examiner, says that Melanie inhaled the toxic propellant, leaving her unresponsive.

Her official cause of death was listed as difluoroethane toxicity, which is commonly known as "huffing" among young adults looking for a quick and cheap way to get high. The report noted that drugs and alcohol did not play a role in her death.

As we reported, Melanie was dog-sitting at a residence whose owners returned home from vacation to find her deceased on the bed in the guest room.

Bethenny Frankel says no one can keep up with the Kardashians when it comes to editing pics ... accusing the family of photoshopping so much, it's become a detriment to "regular" women.

We got the ex-'RHONY' star in NYC, and asked her to expand on her recent statements against photoshopped social media posts ... and she went nuclear on the Kardashians.

Bethenny says Kim, Khloe and Kylie are making American mothers feel terrible about their natural bodies by using their wealth to get cosmetic surgeries and hire professionals to edit their pictures in a way that makes people compare themselves to unattainable beauty.

For Bethenny, she says the Kardashians' social media pages are slowly tricking people into thinking what they post is an accurate representation of women's bodies ... she says the more folks see the edited photos, the more the lines are blurred.

Bethenny says the practice is hardly inspirational or aspirational to millions of mothers who she says are insecure about their bodies.

This isn't your typical anti-Kardashian rant -- she says this is a serious issue, and worries the edited photos might cause her 12-year-old daughter to develop an eating disorder or become depressed.

BF posted some photoshopped pics on her social media to shine a light on what's going on with celeb accounts ... telling us it took her an entire day to get the photo edited just right.