TV

This is like a dream ... Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac co-starring on a TV show.

The actors playing the rap giants were on set this week in L.A. for the first day of taping "Unsolved" -- a USA Network show about the investigations into both their deaths. Newcomer Wavyy Jonez is playing Big and Marcc Rose is Pac ... same role he played in "Straight Outta Compton."

Well timed by producers, with Thursday being the 20th anniversary of Biggie's shooting and death.

#WeMissYouBIG

Bell Biv DeVoe and Lady Antebellum have a serious connection, and they're taking it to the studio ... according to BBD's Ricky Bell.

We got Bell at LAX -- fresh off BBD's killer mashup with LA on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" -- and he was still buzzing about the performance. So much so, he says both groups are planning to keep the party going.

He says they already have the perfect name for their supergroup, but there's just one detail left to hammer out.

Brandon Mychal Smith is all but signed to be the next host of "America's Got Talent" ... this after negotiations with Marlon Wayans fell apart over money.

Multiple sources connected with the show tell TMZ, the deal is not done but it will happen soon, possibly in the next day.

We're told Marlon was first choice ... in no small part because he's a major name and has a history with the show as a guest judge. Our sources say reps for both sides went back and forth several days ago but Marlon wanted more than the network was willing to pay.

Brandon -- who's hysterical as a rapper on "You're the Worst" -- will cost way less, but one source said the other advantage is that he will become part of the show in a more seamless way than Marlon, who has an extremely strong brand independent of the show.

One source warns these deals sometimes fall apart at the very end, but it looks like Brandon will get the gig.

Former "Family Matters" star Darius McCrary took a page out of his pal Charlie Sheen's playbook, and unleashed a rant against his estranged wife, who's accused him of abusing her, their child ... and drugs.

Darius was leaving a vapor lounge in the San Fernando Valley Tuesday, when we asked him about Tammy Brawner's claim he held their little girl over boiling water. Darius thinks she's out for fame -- but beyond that, it's hard to keep up with his rambling response to the allegations he's a bad dad.

As we reported, Darius got a restraining order against Tammy claiming SHE actually attacked HIM.

As for his current job on the FOX drama, "Star" -- Darius hints executive producer Lee Daniels has his back through this ordeal.

After 3 more solo dates and a whole lotta private time with Raven, Rachel and Vanessa, it was finally time for Nick Viall to narrow it down to the final 2 on "The Bachelor" ... and it was between Rachel and Vanessa for rose #2.

Rachel Lindsay's already been named the next 'Bachelorette' so it shouldn't come as a huge shock that she's going home. Still, as a fan favorite and the first black woman to make it this far ... this one stings.

It's all good though ... now it's her turn to have the pick of the litter.

Nick Cannon quit 'AGT' because he felt the show didn't really want a black host ... which may be why he's baffled that the 3 finalists for his replacement are all black.

We got the former 'AGT' frontman Sunday night at Craig's, and he gave us his choice ... although we think he's kidding.

"Flip or Flop" stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa paved the way for 5 new spin-off shows, but they won't make a dime if they become ratings hits.

Sources close to production say HGTV told the El Moussas a year ago they planned to spread the franchise to other cities. We're told execs did it as a courtesy to the couple -- they are the OGs, after all -- but they didn't really have a say.

We're told they were fully aware there would be no bonus in their stockings for the expansion.

Our sources say there's no truth to reports the spin-offs are intended to phase out Christina and Tarek -- and execs think the new shows could make their brand stronger.

Nothing like healthy competition.

Simon Cowell has whittled down his pick for a new host on "America's Got Talent" to just 3 guys -- one of whom is Marlon Wayans ... TMZ has learned.

Production sources tell us 'AGT' brass is zeroing on Wayans and 2 other comedians to replace Nick Cannon. The other guys are Tone Bell and Brandon Mychal Smith.

Wayans is obviously the big name here ... but we're told the 2 others have just as much of a chance to land the new gig considering their acting and comedy chops.

Bell is a stand-up and actor who's worked on shows like "The Flash," "Truth Be Told," "Chelsea Lately," and "Key and Peele." He's also made appearances on "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" and "Comedy Knockout."

Brandon Mychal Smith is a straight up Disney kid, who starred in shows like "That's So Raven," "So Random!" and Disney movies "Starstruck" and "Let It Shine." He also played Little Richard in the James Brown biopic "Get On Up."

And of course, there's Wayans -- who's been in TONS of movies and shows. He's even got NBC hosting experience for their show "I Can Do That" ... so he might have this in the bag.

"America's Got Talent" is off to a rough start ... filming has been cancelled next week because of the death of Mel B's dad.

Martin Brown died Saturday after a 5-year battle with Myeloma. He was 63.

Producers have cancelled filming Monday and Tuesday, but even when it's back there's a big challenge ahead, because the show is host-less ... this after Nick Cannon quit.

Mel B said she and her sister were by their dad's side when he passed.

RIP

Former "America's Next Top Model" contestant Bello Sanchez says he was raped in a Paris nightclub, but police refused to properly investigate due to his race and sexuality.

Bello tells TMZ ... he was at Le Rouge nightclub on January 30 when he was assaulted and raped by a man in a bathroom stall. Bello claims police conducted an incomplete rape testing immediately after the assault, and didn't get a proper rape kit until an advocacy group stepped in ... 72 hours later.

Zak Bagans just scored the scariest piece of memorabilia to add to his twisted collection -- the original dybbuk box that inspired the movie "The Possession."

The "Ghost Adventures" star tells TMZ he bought the wine cabinet allegedly haunted by a dybbuk -- a restless, evil spirit that can possess the living ... if you're a believer like Zak. He says he bought it from the guys who lent its evil backstory to the 2012 horror film.

The dybbuk -- Yiddish for malicious spirit -- is commonly known as the "world's most haunted object" -- which explains why Zak paid tens of thousands of dollars for it.

We're told he plans to showcase it at his Haunted Museum in Las Vegas, but will NOT display it opened ... he's genuinely too terrified to do that. You'll have to be over 18 and sign a waiver just to view it.

Bagans is already the owner of Michael Jackson's Propofol chair and Dr. Kevorkian's death mobile.

Danny Masterson strenuously denies old rape allegations against him ... and he's claiming Leah Remini played a part in the cases coming to light.

A rep for the "That '70s Show" star tells TMZ ... they're aware of 16-year-old allegations made by one of Danny's ex-girlfriends, and 2 other women. The ex went to police, and we've confirmed there is an open investigation. That investigation was the subject of a blog post accusing the Church of Scientology of covering up multiple rape claims.

Danny's calling BS and says Leah is just trying to boost ratings for her show, 'Scientology and the Aftermath.' Danny's rep claims Leah spoke to the ex-girlfriend, and after Leah's show aired ... the other 2 women contacted Leah too.

The rep goes on to say, "The alleged incident occurred in the middle of their 6 year relationship, after which she continued to be his longtime girlfriend."

Danny's rep also says the woman continued to pursue him after he ended the relationship.

He believes the case has no merit. We've reached out to Leah's camp, but nothing back yet.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is calling it a one-and-done with "The Celebrity Apprentice" -- he won't be returning to host another season ... and says President Trump's to blame.

Arnold says he had a great time being the face of 'Celebrity Apprentice' and thinks the show was fantastic, but it can't escape the stigma attached to it ... Trump being an executive producer.

"When people found out that Trump was still involved ... and was still receiving money from the show, then half the people [started] boycotting it" ... Arnold said in an interview with Empire.

Rumors began swirling that the show was not going to be renewed due to low ratings and sponsors leaving, so it seems Schwarzenegger decided to bail from the sinking ship. He says even if he was asked to return ... he'd decline.

Arnold said ... "With Trump being involved in the show people have a bad taste and don't want to participate as a spectator or as a sponsor or in any other way support the show."

Shaq says the beef between him and JaVale McGee is 100% OVER ... vowing to never, ever, ever even mention McGee's name publicly again.

The Diesel made the declaration on Thursday night's episode of "Inside the NBA," admitting the entire thing had gotten outta hand when pressed by Ernie Johnson and the rest of the crew.

Sure, the beef is over ... but that didn't mean Shaq didn't throw a couple of parting shots McGee's way, noting that other players have been on "Shaqtin' A Fool" without getting all "sensitive" about it.

Ronda Rousey chalked up a huge W on the set of "Blindspot" ... with the star of the show saying she crushed her guest role during filming this week and he's lobbying producers to BRING HER BACK!

Would you recognize NFL superstar Adrian Peterson if he was walking down the street?

How about if you were a reporter interviewing him for a story about road rage?

That's the exact situation FOX 26's John Donnelly was in during a report from Houston ... and when he finally realized the giant, ripped dude answering his questions was THE Adrian Peterson, things get hilariously awkward.