TMZ Live

As more and more states adopt laws making it illegal to make racially biased 911 calls ... a noted author and comedian -- who's called out so-called "Karens" -- is praising the move as a literal lifesaver.

Tyler Merritt jumped on "TMZ Live" on Wednesday and explained the importance of the Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-emergencies Act (or the CAREN Act) ... a law passed by San Francisco last year, and just recently in Santa Cruz, CA too.

Tyler has no doubt the legal change will save lives ...  mostly for people of color who are being prejudged by people whose unfounded fear triggers them to call 911.

He says the danger is the caller ends up passing their false perception on to cops responding to the scene -- and, as we've seen, that can lead to tragic outcomes.

Perhaps the most famous case went down just last year ... when an NYC woman, Amy Cooper, was caught on video calling 911 and pretending a Black man was attacking her in Central Park. Christian Cooper, a frequent bird watcher, had only asked Amy to leash her dog.

Tyler -- the author of the new book, "I Take My Coffee Black" -- says a 6-foot-2 black man like himself already has a strike against him in society because he's Black ... let alone the added fear that he's being misperceived based on a phone call rooted in ignorance.

Dr. Oz says the coronavirus pandemic is proof most Americans desperately need to improve their outlook on personal health -- especially when it comes to weight loss ... and insists he's not fat shaming.

The doc joined us Monday on "TMZ Live" to reveal the new focus for his upcoming 13th season on the air ... and it's all about folks taking their mental and physical health up a notch.

Dr. Oz says a lot of the problems facing the country in the COVID era are due to people being overweight, and he says it's not fat shaming to encourage people to exercise.

Oz understands it's still important to isolate due to COVID, but he says that doesn't mean walling yourself off from friends and family ... he wants folks to be more social, but in a safe and virtual way.

The doc says you don't even have to leave your house to get in better shape, and he's got a few simple tips on what you can do ... while watching TV.

Bill Maher has long been saying fat shaming needs to make a comeback ... but Oz says it's time for someone other than a comedian to carry the torch.

Dangling from the nosebleeds at a college football game was enough to scare the crap piss outta one very lucky cat ... according to the couple who saved the feline with a U.S. flag.

Kimberly and Craig Cromer are the heroes who pulled off the rescue mission during Saturday's University of Miami football game, and Monday on "TMZ Live" they told us they just happened to be in regular-season seats ... AKA right place, right time.

Craig says Kimberly brings their American flag to display whenever "Da U." has a home game -- and luckily for the cat from this viral video, it ended up dangling right over the Cromers.

Craig and Kim say the kitty definitely knew it was in danger as it dangled from the stadium's upper deck -- and they know this because it started peeing in a steady stream on everyone down below.

If ya missed it ... the falling cat bounced off the flag and survived, making the crowd go wild.

Sounds like the Cromers weren't the only heroes here ... they say some UM students had another flag under theirs, which helped cushion the cat's fall even more.

The cat's whereabouts are unclear and while the Cromers say they'd take it in, they also explained why their home might not be the best fit.

Ja Rule's clapping back after Fat Joe said he's going to drag him for their "Verzuz" battle ... essentially saying Joey Crack's threat is music to his ears.

The "Put It On Me" rapper tells us he's practically salivating at the idea Fat Joe's been talking (friendly?) smack ahead of their highly-anticipated "Verzuz" battle on Tuesday at the Hulu Theater inside Madison Square Garden.

Ja's not running scared. Far from it -- he's like a fighter in the ring ready for the bell to ring ... this after Joey Crack called Ja saying, "Everybody know you got all the hits, but I'mma have to drag you. I'm about to bring you into the projects, Trinity Ave."

He added this shot ... "You my brother. I love you, but I'mma have to get you up out that cardigan sweater." You know it's on when you diss a man's sweater. Real street s***.

But, Ja told us he's got no problem taking it to the streets. We really set him off, though, when we brought up the rumor 50 Cent might make a surprise appearance during the "Verzuz" battle.

He warned it would be the dumbest thing Fiddy -- with whom he's had beef for decades -- ever did, IF he shows up at MSG Tuesday night.

Either way, Ja insists he's ready to take down Joe AND 50 Cent, if necessary. #DingDing.

Jo Koy has a future in politics, 'cause dude showcased some serious sidestepping skills when we asked about Chelsea Handler ... his new GF. Or is she???

The comedian joined us Friday on "TMZ Live," and we talked about his big night at Dodger Stadium. Jo recently got the call to throw out the first pitch, and we -- like everyone else watching -- couldn't help but notice how cozy he and Chelsea were on the field.

Look, she was coaching Jo, and they had no problem hugging up on each other in front of a 56,000 seat stadium -- hell, they even posted pics together that screamed date night. So, we had to ask about the budding romance.

Well, Jo's trying (keyword: trying) to have y'all believe he and Chelsea are just "great friends."

That being said ... Jo -- host of the new Netflix competition show "Metal Shop Masters" -- couldn't stop paying Chelsea compliments. He also called her beautiful, and came THIS close to buckling under pressure ... but dude kept it together.

Jo didn't even fall for the ol' slip-the-dating-question-into-the-middle-of-a-plug-for-his new show tactic!!!

For what it's worth, Chelsea held a Q&A on Instagram just days after the Dodgers game date, and when asked if she has regrets for not getting married/having kids, Chelsea answered she's "never felt more confident and secure in my life decision-making skills, in remaining childless and alone, than I have during this pandemic."

Of course, we weren't talking marriage or kids ... just dating. Still, no solid confirmation, but watch the vid -- you can read between the lines.

Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp's relationship is under a microscope in Ryan Murphy's 'Impeachment' series -- and the journalist who first got the real-life story says there's no way to soft-pedal how Monica was stabbed in the back.

Author and journalist Michael Isikoff joined us Thursday to recount his 1997 meetings with Tripp ... which led to him uncovering the fact an independent counsel was investigating Bill Clinton's affair with the then-22-year-old White House intern. He said it was clear to him Linda was betraying Monica's confidence ... something he calls "indefensible."

Those of you alive back then will recall Tripp secretly recorded her conversations with Monica about Clinton -- and now a whole new generation will see those meetings play out in "Impeachment: American Crime Story."

Isikoff says Monica, who's a producer on 'Impeachment,' deserves the opportunity to tell the scandal from her perspective. As he puts it, Linda's treatment of Monica was "dicey" from an ethical standpoint.

Speaking of ethics, Isikoff -- who wrote the book, "Uncovering Clinton: A Reporter's Story" -- also told us why he turned down Tripp's offer to steal Monica's infamous blue dress and hand it over to him.

Of course, Tripp eventually turned over the dress, with Clinton's semen stain on it, to independent counsel Ken Starr, along with her recordings of Monica.

Howie Mandel got alarmingly candid with us over his struggle with depression during the pandemic ... half-jokingly saying his own mental health crisis has propelled his therapist into a higher tax bracket.

Howie went on "TMZ Live" to promote a new documentary -- "Howie Mandel: But, Enough About Me" ... and the doc exposes the extreme difficulty he's had as a germaphobe, and how his issues magnified during lockdown.

It's pretty stunning ... Howie said his private struggle -- which he has endured for years -- almost ended his marriage. He says his wife gave him an ultimatum at some point ... either go to therapy or she's out. He chose therapy, but that wasn't the end of the story.

The 'AGT' judge says he's become solitary and depressed, and there's no easy fix.

That said, Howie says the silver lining to an awful period in American history has been that so many others are struggling at varying levels ... there's a newfound awareness that getting help for mental struggles is admirable.

"Really Love" star Kofi Siriboe says his new Netflix movie breaks the mold ... a romantic drama with Black leads where the story is not rooted in trauma or crime.

Kofi -- best known for his role in Ava Duvernay and Oprah Winfrey's TV series "Queen Sugar" -- says he grew up on love stories like "Love & Basketball" and "Brown Sugar."

Nevertheless, he was frustrated most films in this genre featuring Black actors do not make romance the foundation of the flick ... probably because studio heads fear audiences won't accept it.

In "Really Love," Kofi plays a promising painter named Isaiah Maxwell who is stopped in his tracks when he meets Stevie ... an ambitious law student played by Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing. And, so begins a delicate dance between pursuing love or success.

Diane Warren released her debut studio album after recruiting some of the biggest names in music to join her, so of course ... she has some great stories about how it all came together.

The legendary songwriter joined "TMZ Live" Thursday to chat about her new album -- "The Cave Sessions Vol. 1" -- and the diverse group of talent she enlisted to perform her songs ... including John Legend, Rita Ora, Ty Dolla Sign, Darius Rucker and many more.

For her lead single though, Diane tells us she wrote it with Carlos Santana in mind but didn't have a singer ... until her friend hooked her up with G-Eazy. Obviously, he's known for his rapping and not his singing, so listen to Warren explain how she and G-Eazy made it work ... it's a testament to her brilliance.

That track's called "She's Fire" by the way, and yeah ... it's fire.

Diane has many more fun anecdotes like this, especially the one about how her dentist is responsible for getting Pentatonix on the album. However, she used her own networking skills at the Oscars to pitch Jon Batiste about being added to the track, and well ... the rest is history.

It seems a lot of big names have no qualms about saying "yes" to Diane ... and it's no wonder.

If ya don't know, she's written some of the biggest hits for artists like Cher, Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes and Aerosmith, and she's been nominated 12 times for an Oscar for Best Original Song since the late '80s, but never won. Watch, she's got a sense of humor about it.

Besides, it's clearly not slowing down Diane.

Celebs and retired fight stars beating the hell out of each other in boxing matches is GOOD for the sport ... so says Nigel Lythgoe, who claims the spectacles are reviving interest in the sweet science in a big way.

The former "American Idol" producer broke it all down for Harvey and Charlie on "TMZ Live" on Tuesday ... explaining the Jake Pauls and the Bryce Halls of the world are breathing life into a sport that he says was struggling.

"[Boxing] needed something," Lythgoe said. "Because mixed martial arts really took over a little bit and we'd lost a lot of heroes like Muhammad Ali."

"We're losing heroes," he added. "So, we've got to find some other way of attracting young people to boxing again."

And, Lythgoe says he's got the perfect formula for that -- by continuing to help grow the celeb boxing game.

Lythgoe is currently producing Triller Fight Club's "Legends II" event ... which will feature an Oscar De La Hoya vs. Vitor Belfort fight, along with a ton of big-time musical performances in the leadup to the Sept. 11 tilt.

Lythgoe is also in the process of creating a new competition show called "So You Think You Can Fight," which is hoping to ultimately inject even more celebs into the fight game.

"I think it is the way of the future," Lythgoe said of the new-age fight nights. "We've just been to Madison Square Garden with Triller Verzus and that is the Triller Fight Club and Verzuz."

Brandon Hanks is the most famous Syracuse PD officer -- having gone viral for playing hoops with kids years ago -- but shockingly, he's still on the force after superiors accused him of being a gang member ... prompting him to file a massive lawsuit.

Brandon joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday to discuss his $33 million suit against Syracuse PD ... a legal move he made after the brass denied him a promotion to a gang violence task force.

He says the only reason he was given was an allegation, from at least one superior, that he's a gang member who's selling drugs.

He denies the claims, saying there's no evidence, and also finds it bizarre he's still working his beat. Brandon pointed out the obvious ... if his bosses really thought he was up to no good, he'd be indicted.

He thinks the real issue is racism, and in his lawsuit, he accuses Syracuse PD of having a "Jim Crow culture."

Brandon told us Syracuse PD loved him when he was getting them national attention for challenging kids to basketball games as part of a community outreach program -- but, for some reason, that all changed when he tried to advance his career.

Brett Favre is calling for a ban on youth tackle football ... saying he believes no child should participate in live, full-contact games until at least the age of 14.

The Hall of Fame QB explained his stance to Harvey and Charles on "TMZ Live" ... saying he believes the ban could help prevent concussions and long-term brain issues.

"What I was told basically is the human head is completely developed by age 15 to 18," Favre said. "And I may be wrong or off a little bit, but that's what I remember."

"And, so, even though the brain will continue to move around at impact at 30 or at 18, you give yourself more of a fighting chance by your head being more developed."

Favre is so passionate about the cause ... the 51-year-old participated in a PSA this month urging parents to keep their kids out of the tackling game until their 14th birthday.

Favre emphasized he is by no means calling for an end to the sport ... saying he believes the removal of the hitting game at the youth level could actually make football better down the road.

"You'd probably do the kids a lot more justice," Favre said. "Teach them the fundamentals."

Favre added his 3 young grandchildren have yet to compete in the tackling game at the youth level ... something he says he has zero issues with at the moment.

Paul Anka's got a simple but effective blueprint for planning his tour during a pandemic ... hope for the best, plan for the worst.

The legendary singer joined "TMZ Live" on Tuesday and broke down how he's gone about launching his tour this fall. Remember, his tour was upended last year due to COVID-19 raging out of control across the country. And, while things are ratcheting up again ... Paul's praying things settle down.

In any event ... Paul's "Anka Sings Sinatra" tour -- kicking off October 23 in New York -- is sold out. What's more ... Paul says the venues he's playing in will have some sort of requirement for those who want to attend. He didn't specify ... but tons of venues are now requiring vaccination proof or proof of a negative test.

Paul essentially says all he can do is worry about what's in his control ... like the logistics. He's done just that ... the rest is up to fate. In the meantime ... Paul says between now and his tour he'll be working on his next album, "Paul Anka: My Christmas 2021."

And, speaking of albums ... the crooner just dropped his new album "Making Memories," just weeks after he celebrated his 80th birthday. You'll recall practically all of Hollywood and beyond showered Paul with some touching tributes.

"Making Memories" will feature duets with Olivia Newton-John, Michael Buble, Il Divo and Andrea Bocelli.

Dr. Phil is trying a new approach to therapy, one that takes him out on the road to make actual house calls ... and, so far, he's finding it remarkably effective

"House Calls" is the name of his new CBS primetime show and the good doc joined "TMZ Live" Monday to tell us the biggest difference between his daytime show and this new spinoff. For starters, there's no studio audience ... something Phil thinks helps the people he's counseling let their guard down.

He says he spends about a week with each family, most of whom have NO IDEA he's spending QT with them to arbitrate whatever major dispute is disrupting their household.

The doc tells us only one person knows he's going to show up ... which explains how he's able to get cameras into the crib before his arrival.

But, more importantly, once Dr. Phil arrives he says things get very layered, very deep and the families get very candid.

As you know, the pandemic's triggered significant emotional, physical and economic problems ... and Dr. Phil's previously talked to us about ways to cope with quarantine stress -- but his "House Calls" offers a more hands-on approach.

If Daymond John sounds pissed off about people refusing to get vaccinated it's because the virus has already claimed the lives of 60 people he knows, and that includes an unvaccinated friend he just lost.

When the "Shark Tank" star joined us Friday for "TMZ Live" he said he'd just gotten word about that friend dying ... and his emotions about the vaccine certainly came through loud and clear as we discussed vaccine card mandates.

As you know, cities like NYC, San Fran and New Orleans are implementing mandates requiring patrons to show proof of vaccination in order to enter restaurants, gyms or any other indoor venues hosting sporting events or concerts.

Daymond firmly believes these measures should become the norm all across the country -- not just in a few cities -- because if it does, anti-vaxxers will eventually fold. Why? FOMO.

It's a similar sentiment to what Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told us about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis essentially blocking local officials from saving lives.

Ms. Pat -- the titular star of the new BET+ sitcom, "The Ms. Pat Show" -- says her move from Atlanta to Indiana was life-changing in a great way, but it took her a while to get used to white folks' hospitality.

The comedian joined "TMZ Live" Thursday to chat about her semi-autobiographical new show -- which has been a long time coming -- and all the support she's had along the way, but not just from the executive producers.

Ms. Pat has a very interesting backstory in ATL -- overcoming welfare, sexual abuse, arrest and conviction for selling crack -- but life took a huge turn when she started doing comedy open mic nights, and her husband's job moved them to Plainfield, IN.

Pat admits the almost entirely white population welcomed her with open arms ... along with cakes, and other neighborly foods. She also tells us, surprisingly, her stand-up material seamlessly translated to her new town ... which she chalks up to people of all races and backgrounds having a lot in common.

Ms. Pat says the whole experience was equally eye-opening for her ... something that comes across on the show. She told us she's blessed to have Lee Daniels, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard executive producing -- and especially credits Daniels for fighting hard to get it made.