Tony Rock Sacha's Not Duping Anyone This is Who These People Are

PLOT TWIST
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Sacha Baron Cohen has been accused of "duping" people into saying and doing some ridiculously stupid things, but he's just showing their true colors ... so says Tony Rock.

We got Chris Rock's kid brother Monday at LAX and asked him about Sacha's latest "victim," Georgia lawmaker Jason Spencer ... who's now being called upon to resign after a horrifyingly offensive appearance on Showtime's "Who Is America?"

Just a heads-up -- the video is pretty graphic.

Sacha got Spencer to yell out the n-word repeatedly, use racist Asian stereotypes ... and drop trou (and undies) to fend off would-be terrorist kidnappers.

Tony says the only thing Sacha's guilty of is exposing these people for what they truly believe, and that Americans are the ones who've been duped. Interesting take, for sure.

Corinne Olympios Sacha Duped Me into 'Grenade' PSA ... I Just Wanted Out!

I FELT HELPLESS
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Corinne Olympios says her interview with Sacha Baron Cohen -- where she advocates grenades for kids -- is no reflection on her character, instead it only proves he strong-arms folks into looking stupid.

The 'Bachelor' alum was fully duped on Sunday's episode of Sacha's show, "Who Is America?," If you missed it ... she made crazy claims about saving Ebola-afflicted people in Africa, and pitched a bogus ad endorsing kids being weaponized.

It was NOT a good look for Corinne, who seemed willing to say and do anything for a buck. It's especially bad because Corinne was accused of lying during her 'BiP' controversy ... but Corinne tells us it's BS to conflate 'Bachelor' with what Sacha did to her.

The TV star says she was essentially held hostage, separated from her phone and her manager. She says when she questioned the script, producers told her the sooner she finished ... the sooner she could leave.

Dick Cheney Signed Waterboard Kit for Sale ... eBay Listing Purports

The "waterboard kit" Sacha Baron Cohen got former Vice President Dick Cheney to sign for his new show has apparently hit the digital marketplace ... and bids are coming in fast.

A new eBay listing purports to be selling the original empty milk jug a disguised Sacha asked the ex-Veep to personally autograph in his new Showtime series, "Who Is America?"

The highest bid so far (as of this writing) tops out at $160.50. The listing claims all proceeds from the sale will be donated to Amnesty International -- a grassroots human rights org.

Hard to tell if this is the real McCoy, or if it's just more trolling in the name of Sacha's show -- which has already duped the likes of Sarah Palin and countless other GOP officials. Whatever the case ... it's funny to think about. The thing also looks pretty legit.

Rep. Matt Gaetz My Teleprompter Stance Saved Me From Sacha Baron Shame

CAN'T FOOL ME
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Congressman Matt Gaetz didn't fall for Sacha Baron Cohen's trap to promote putting guns in the hands of toddlers, but admits he was clueless about who he was talking to.

We got the Florida Representative Thursday at Reagan National Airport, and asked how he managed to avoid being duped like several of his Republican peers ... who shockingly read a fake PSA calling for school children to be armed.

Gaetz says he'll never let a teleprompter do him in.

Gaetz tells us he's still disappointed in himself for not recognizing Cohen in makeup, because he missed a chance to whip out his own Borat impressions to the man himself.

He also has some advice for folks, like Sarah Palin, who are complaining about getting played.

The Congressman didn't elaborate on his anxiety about teleprompters, but since he loves Borat, we're gonna guess he's also seen Ron Burgundy's work.

Sarah Palin Even Men Are Pissed at Sacha's Pranks ... It's Like #MeToo!!!

IT'S A MOVEMENT
GMA

Sarah Palin says politicians falling victim to Sacha Baron Cohen's pranks is kinda like the new #MeToo. Seriously.

Palin's still railing at Sacha for duping her -- pretending to be a disabled veteran to interview her -- and says she's justified in her anger, because "all these men coming out now saying, 'Oh, yeah, me too.'"

Unfortunate turn of phrase?

Anyway, she told 'GMA' she walked out on Cohen's prank because he's humiliating middle-class Americans, and blamed a speaker's organization for not vetting the comedian.

As for the fact she's, even if inadvertently, promoting the hell outta Sacha's show -- Sarah dropped a "pimp" line. Seriously.

Sacha Baron Cohen I Didn't Tell Palin I'm a War Vet ... I Said Postal Veteran!!!

Sarah Palin is totally wrong about what happened when Sacha Baron Cohen interviewed her -- at least according to Dr. Billy Wayne Ruddick ... the character Sacha was playing at the time.

Cohen just released a letter addressed to "Vice-President Palin" ... so, right off the bat y'know it's gonna be funny. Sacha, aka Dr. Ruddick, says he's the one who interviewed her, and adds ... "I was in the service -- not military, but United Parcel ... and I only fought for my country once -- when I shot a Mexican who came onto my property."

You'll recall, Palin blasted Cohen for pulling a prank on her that will, apparently, air on his new Showtime series, "Who Is America?" ... which premieres this weekend. She said she was especially incensed that he had posed as a disabled military vet.

Look, fact is Sarah inadvertently gave his show huge promotion, and now he's following through with this in-character rebuttal.

You gotta read the whole letter, because it also includes references to the Obama Birther movement ... and President Trump passing on military service due to bone spurs in his feet. Although, Sacha's moved the bone spurs to his "testies" for purpose of this letter.

Wilder vs. Joshua Could Happen In '18 ... Says Showtime Honcho

The heavyweight fight everyone wants to see -- Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua -- could happen in the next 6 months ... says the man in charge of broadcasting the event.

TMZ Sports spoke to Stephen Espinoza -- Showtime's president of sports and event programming -- who tell us the "ball is rolling" on making the fight happen in 2018.

BATTLE OF THE BEST
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"Things are moving. Discussions are happening," Espinoza tells us.

Wilder and Joshua have been calling each other out publicly for the last year -- with Wilder recently saying he'd even fly to England to fight Joshua on his home turf.

Both guys seem down to fight -- it's just a matter of locking up a deal.

Espinoza tell us the fight would be massive -- bigger than Canelo Alvarez vs. GGG -- and only rivaled by Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis in 2002 and the superfights of the 1980s.

Fingers crossed he's right!

UFC's Brendan Schaub Floyd's Done ... But 'I Guarantee' Conor Fights Nate

IT'S ONE-SIDED!!!
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Dana White says a Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather rematch in the UFC is MORE likely than Conor vs. Nate Diaz 3 ... but ex-UFC star Brendan Schaub is calling BS.

We got Brendan -- an analyst on the MayMac media tour -- to break down what's next for the biggest names in fighting, starting with the rumors that Floyd might step inside the Octagon.

"I don't see Floyd doing that with his ego and his legacy -- it'd be a terrible idea," Schaub told TMZ Sports. "Only one of those guys is gonna fight again, and that's Conor McGregor."

So ... what's next for McGregor?

"Conor's waiting to see what happens with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson ... he's gonna see who wins and how it goes and he'll decide either that, or Nate Diaz."

But no matter which fight Conor takes first -- "I can guarantee you he fights Nate Diaz at some point."

If ya want more proof, Brendan's talk show "Below the Belt" launches next week on Showtime ... and Floyd's gonna be one of his first guests!!

Deontay Wilder Me vs. Mike Tyson In '86 ... I'd Kick His Ass

JANUARY 2018
NO ONE STANDS A CHANCE
TMZSports.com

Remember the unstoppable, unbeatable force that was Mike Tyson in 1986?

If you don't, first check out the video below ... we'll wait. Terrifying right? Well, current heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder tells TMZ Sports he'd kick the hell outta that guy, and he totally means it.

Wilder is currently the scariest heavyweight alive, so when we got him at the Showtime boxing Upfronts earlier this week we thought we'd ask him how he'd fare against the scariest ever ... Tyson.

His answer? He obviously thinks he could take him, telling our guy no man in the history of boxing could ever beat him.

This is normally the point where we offer our unsolicited opinion, but we're gonna sit this one out.

Adrien Broner Curses Out Stage Of Boxers 'I Don't Like These Muthaf***ers'

FRESH FOES

Here's Adrien Broner being Adrien Broner ... telling basically the entire boxing world how much he hates them ... TO THEIR FACES.

It went down at Showtime's boxing Upfronts in NYC Wednesday which were hosted by radio superstar and rabid Boxing fan Charlamagne Tha God.

All of Showtime's biggest stars like Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, Deontay Wilder and Mikey Garcia were there, but when AB got the mic, he decided to tell the rest of the guys how he felt about them

Check it out, and BTW the language is obviously filthy there.

Rob Gronkowski I'm a Comedian Now ... On Showtime!

Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the comedic stylings ... of Rob Gronkowski!

The New England Patriots tight end -- who's dabbled in comedy before -- is launching his own comedy special called, "Unsportsmanlike Comedy with Rob Gronkowski" ... which debuts Friday on Showtime.

Gronk will do some stand-up -- and host a handful of other comedians including John Caparulo and ex-SNL cast member Finesse Mitchell.

Looks like there will also be some chicks dressed as refs ... if refs wore striped bathing suits.

Gronk roasted David Ortiz last year in Boston ... so, he's got some experience.

Remember to tip your waitress.

Waiting for your permission to load the Facebook Video.

Mayweather vs. McGregor Fight Called By Announcer Who Hates Conor!

IT'S PERSONAL

So much for an impartial announcer ...

One of the guys commentating on the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight hates Conor McGregor's guts with a passion ... which begs the question, why is Showtime allowing Paulie Malignaggi to call it?!

Paulie was Conor's training camp sparring partner until a nasty breakup last month. Since then, Paulie's been on a media blitz, blasting Conor to every media outlet that will have him on.

He's called McGregor everything from a dirtbag to a bum fighter -- and insinuated that he was set up by McGregor's people to be a fall guy in order to make Conor look like a legit boxer.

Despite the declaration of war, Showtime says Paulie will remain on the broadcast team -- they see the situation as a "non-story."

But it's a big story ... commentators have a BIG influence on how the public sees the fight and a constant, slanted trashing of McGregor could unfairly hurt his image.

In most cases, announcers tasked with working major sporting events like NFL or MLB games are mandated by networks to keep their opinions to themselves until the game.

So, why not Showtime? They won't say ...

'The Affair' Ruth Wilson's Body Double Sues ... I Was Humiliated, Fired

The woman who body doubled for "The Affair" star, Ruth Wilson, was objectified and humiliated in front of the crew, and then fired for complaining about it ... according to her lawsuit.

Ashlynn Alexander filed suit against Showtime because she believes she got canned in September 2015 after reporting what she calls sexual harassment. In docs, obtained by TMZ, she says the assistant director posted the call sheet for a scene, and referred to her as "Alison Sexytime Double" on the doc. If you don't watch (you should) Ruth's character is named Alison, and she's frequently naked.

Ashlynn confronted the AD in a meeting, and says he admitted the language was inappropriate -- but belittled her, saying she could easily be replaced. Six days later, she was fired.

According to the suit, Showtime's excuse was Ashlynn's hair color wasn't a good match anymore. She calls BS on that because she always wore a wig for the role.

She's suing the network's production company and the AD. Showtime had no comment.

'Twin Peaks' Reboot Reveals Agent Cooper's Fate (Spoiler Alert ... Maybe)

Showtime's "Twin Peaks" revival will tackle one HUGE unanswered question -- whether Kyle MacLachlan's character, Dale Cooper, is still possessed and doing evil.

Ok, here's your spoiler alert ... because our sources on the set have found some big hints.

When the series ended nearly 25 years ago, Agent Cooper was possessed by Laura Palmer’s killer, the evil spirit BOB. We're told Kyle was on set recently shooting scenes for a plot line where Agent Cooper is arrested and jailed for crimes.

For all you Twin Peaks sleuths ... here are the on set clues:

- Cops find evidence in Cooper's car ... a dog leg, a kilo of cocaine and a machine gun

- Cops interrogate Cooper in a prison cell

It’s still unclear if possessed Cooper or the real deal is behind the crime or crimes. And whether his crimes include murdering Laura Palmer … we’ll have to wait and see.

Also, can we pleeeeease finally find out how the hell Annie's been???

CBS Honcho Les Moonves Manny vs. Floyd = Gold Mine! 'Hoping Fight Happens'

CBS honcho Les Moonves says he's "hoping" Floyd Mayweather signs the contract to fight Manny Pacquiao ... telling TMZ Sports it would make "a lot of money for everybody."

Of course, CBS owns Showtime -- and Moonves has reportedly been working hard with both Manny's camp and Floyd's camp to lock up a deal for the network.

FYI -- experts predict the fight would CRUSH every financial record in the history of the sport ... including the all-time pay-per-view record of $150 million, which was set during the Mayweather-Alvarez fight in 2013.

Moonves also shot down rumors that he threatened to fire the head of Showtime Sports if the fight doesn't come to fruition.

So where do things stand? Manny says he's signed his side of the contract and is giving Mayweather until the end of the month to sign his ... or else he'll move.

'The Affair' Kid Actors Tween Pulls More Green Than Teen ... For Now

If Showtime's "The Affair" actor Jake Siciliano feels a tiny sting every time he goes on set ... it's because the 16-year-old is making a grand less per episode than his 11-year-old co-star.

We got a hold of Jake's contract and tweener Jadon Sand's (they play the Solloway bros). Jadon is set to pull in $11K/episode for the first season while elder statesman Jake only gets $10K. But if the show's a hit, Jake will start crushing Jadon.

According to the docs, Jake gets a $1,000 boost for the next 2 seasons -- and then 5% bumps for seasons 4, 5, and 6. Meanwhile, Jadon only gets a flat 5% raise every season going forward.

Bottom line -- a little sibling rivalry is always good for the piggy bank.

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