Megyn Kelly to NBC I'll Zip My Lips ... For $10 Mil
Megyn Kelly has told NBC she will not spill whatever beans she has on the network and the people who work there ... but at a hefty price.
Sources familiar with the negotiations tell TMZ ... NBC offered Kelly $38 million, which the network says represents the balance owed on her contract. As we reported, Megyn was pulling in around $25 mil a year and she was one year and some change into the 3-year deal.
We're told NBC attached a pretty standard string ... a confidentiality agreement. Her lawyer said his client would sign on the dotted line ... for an additional $10 million. We're told NBC told the attorney to pound sand.
NBC definitely has cause for concern ... Kelly wrote a book, "Settle for More," in which she targeted Fox News Channel, and she has been critical of the network since her exit.
We're told settlement negotiations are ongoing.
The Daily Mail first reported the $10 million demand.
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Maury Povich I'll Hook You Up, Cardi & Nicki ... To MY Lie Detector!!!
10:30 AM PT – Maury tells us he’s been trying to get Cardi on his show for 6 months to talk about Offset, but now he’s certain a show with CB and Nicki would be worthy of a primetime special.
Although the rivals tweeted Tuesday morning about being "all love" ... Maury ain’t buying it. As for who would come out on top in the lie detector test -- he thinks there's plenty of guilt to go around.
He also told us he and his staff security guards are prepared for the worst ... should the ladies agree to the polygraph showdown.
If Cardi B and Nicki Minaj really want THE TRUTH, one man is prepared to give them THE TRUTH ... and his name is Maury Povich.
Maury stepped squarely into the middle of hip-hop's biggest feud with an offer to hook both rappers up to a polygraph machine ... on his show, of course. We're thinking he'd have to make it a 2-hour special though, because there's a ton of beef to slice up:
-- Did Cardi stop Offset from doing the "No Flag" video with Nicki?
-- Did Nicki's pal Rah Ali really hit Cardi instead of security at the NYFW event?
-- Did Cardi block 21 Savage from doing "Krippy Kush" with Nicki?
-- Did Nicki leak Cardi's phone number after the NYFW fight?
And, that's just scratching the surface.
After Nicki dropped a ton of accusations on her "Queen Radio" show, she immediately offered to pay for a lie detector to prove she's in the right -- but as Maury put it, "Why pay for a Lie Detector Test @NICKIMINAJ ... when mine is FREE!"
For her part, Cardi fired back at Nicki with a ton of her own tea ... so, MP saw a huge opportunity and he pounced. Shoot your shot, Maury!
So, will they accept? Nicki SAYS she's down ... no word from Cardi yet.
😅😂🤣 Maury I’m ready!!!! 🗣#DipVIDEO out now!!!! https://t.co/w8sgv9oY46
@NICKIMINAJ
Of course, with so much on the line, ya gotta wonder ... can they handle THE TRUTH?
Originally Published -- 6:53 AM PDT
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WWE HOF'er Mark Henry If I Was John Cena I'd Wrestle In Saudi Arabia
HOF'er Mark Henry says if he was John Cena, he'd absolutely wrestle in WWE's 'Crown Jewel' in Saudi Arabia -- despite journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder -- 'cause it's his job to perform.
TMZ Sports talked to the WWE legend about the fallout from the company's decision to NOT cancel the event ... and Cena's reported refusal to participate.
"I wouldn't ever say that person is making the wrong decision. I'd say, that's not the decision that I'd make. I would stand by my guns and I would do what's good for business."
Bottom line, Henry -- host of Busted Open Radio -- says Cena and the other superstars committed to wrestle ... so they shouldn't let fans and the company down.
"I'm a firm believer in not leaving people out to dry," ... Henry says, "Our fans, they wanna see you. Give our fans what they want."
As far as not postponing or canceling "Crown Jewel" ... Mark says Vince McMahon is being unfairly criticized.
"The WWE is just 1 business. There's hundreds of thousands of businesses doing business internationally. Why pick on one?"
Henry says he's not currently scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia ... but if WWE asks, he's ready to hop on a plane.
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Aly Raisman Scorched Earth on USA Gymnastics ... They Can't Be Trusted!
Aly Raisman just went OFF on USA Gymnastics -- saying the organization is still not being transparent about the child abuse scandal and warns the public ... THEY CAN'T BE TRUSTED.
Raisman is really pissed about the fact there still has not been a full, independent investigation by law enforcement ... despite the fact she's been calling for one since JANUARY!!!
Raisman calls the situation "absolutely absurd."
During her interview with Hoda Kotb on "Today," Aly also stated, "We can't trust USA Gymnastics because they're not being transparent."
She was referring to 2 major recent developments in the program. First, Team USA tumbling coach Sergio Galvez being forced to resign amid undisclosed accusations of misconduct on Monday.
Second, Steve Penny -- the former president of USA Gymnastics -- being arrested by U.S. Marshals for allegedly tampering with evidence in the Larry Nassar case.
Aly's problem ... she claims Team USA Gymnastics needs to be more open about what really happened behind the scenes. Instead, she claims the org is more concerned with fixing a PR problem than a "child abuse problem."
Hoda asks Aly if she'll ever consider taking over Team USA Gymnastics herself -- and she doesn't exactly say no.
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Mr. Feeny Thwarts Burglary
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EXCLUSIVE
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William Daniels, the actor who played Mr. Feeny in "Boy Meets World," stopped an attempted burglary at his home ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... William and his wife, actress Bonnie Bartlett, were at their San Fernando Valley home Saturday night at 9:20 PM when someone tried to kick in the back door. William sprang into action, turned on the lights, and the intruder high-tailed it off the property.
Sounds like Mr. Feeny is still pretty sharp at age 91 ... we're guessing he's still got eyes in the back of his head after his longstanding role as teacher-turned-principal on the ABC sitcom. It was always tough to sneak anything past him, just ask Ben Savage.
Despite a recent rash of burglaries in the area targeting celebs, cops believe the attempted burglary was a random act and William was not targeted.
1:10 PM PT -- William and Bonnie are beefing up their home security 3 days after the attempted burglary ... getting a new security system installed.
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Lil Yachty If Nicki Wanted to Collab I Couldn't, 'Cause I'm Team Cardi
Lil Yachty says he would have his hands tied if Nicki Minaj ever wanted to get in the studio with him, 'cause his loyalty lies with Cardi B ... but it's more circumstance than choice.
Our Raquel Harper chopped it up with Yachty for Tuesday night's episode of "Raq Rants" on BET ... and he told her while he'd love to work with Nicki ... he'd have to turn her down, 'cause he and Cardi are signed to the same management team, Quality Control Music.
It sounds like Yachty doesn't want to get in the middle of CB and NM's ongoing feud -- which picked up steam again this weekend after Cardi's sis accused Nicki of leaking Cardi's number ... and Nicki reportedly offered fans $100k for footage of their fight to clear her name.
But ... if Yachty did have to pick sides, he says he's team Cardi all the way.
Talk about a rock and a hard place, huh?
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Al Roker Sweet Revenge Tapped as Part of Team to Replace Megyn Kelly
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Al Roker got the last laugh in the Megyn Kelly disaster because sources connected with the network tell us, Roker will be back in the anchor chair during the 9 AM hour ... after being replaced by Kelly last year.
Our network sources tell us, the network will go back to its tried-and-true formula of using existing NBC talent for the 9 AM show, and Roker will be a big part of that.
Al had the 9 AM hour, but last year he was taken off the show ... to make room for Megyn later that year. We're told Al was bitterly disappointed but still gracious.
Her ratings have been a disaster, affecting the show that followed with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.
As you know ... Roker called out Kelly for her blackface comment ... something that was a factor in Kelly's exit.
The Monday show was anchored by Hoda and Al ... Hoda said today begins "a new chapter." It's unclear if Hoda will also be part of the 9 AM team. It seems unlikely, because she's already on from 7 - 9 AM and again at 10 AM.
Megyn's exit deal is being negotiated. TMZ broke the story ... she's asking for $50 million to settle up. She was pulling in $25 million a year.
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Antonio Sabato Jr. Running Low On Ca$h ... In Bid for Congress
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Antonio Sabato Jr. is limping to the finish line as the midterm elections approach ... because we've learned the former soap star's congressional campaign is dealing with tons of financial issues.
We dug through Federal Election Commission filings and discovered, since the start of last year, Antonio's campaign in California raised only $312,906.34 ... and Antonio has burned through most of the cash with less than two weeks until Election Day, because he's only got about $40k in his coffers.
Making matters worse for Antonio, we've discovered his campaign has over $44k in debts and loans ... meaning, the Republican candidate is taking this red thing way too seriously.
The bad news for Antonio keeps coming ... he and his election committee are being sued by a political consulting firm, which claims Antonio owes them over $34k. We're told Antonio personally signed the contract with the firm.
Antonio's funding is lagging far behind Democratic opponent Julia Brownley ... during the same period, she's raised more than $2.4 million and spent around $1.3 million.
We'll spare you the math headaches ... Antonio's opponent raised over $2 million more and outspent him by over $1 million.
It's tough to win elections when you're that far behind in terms of funding.
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'My Wife and Kids' Star Ex-BF Arrested for Vicious Beating
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Parker McKenna, who played Damon Wayans' daughter on "My Wife and Kids," claims her ex-boyfriend beat the crap out of her, and he's now sitting in a Houston jail ... TMZ has learned.
According to legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Parker told prosecutors her ex, YouTube star Chris Sails, got pissed after he saw a DM from another man on her phone, and started beating her so badly, she thought she was going to die.
The alleged incident went down last month in the couple's apartment. Parker claims Chris repeatedly punched and slapped her in the face, and choked her while slamming her head on the ground.
Parker called cops and responding officers noticed she had a black eye and cuts on her neck. We're told she initially claimed a woman who was visiting had attacked her. Two weeks later she recanted, and told cops Sails punched her.
Chris was arrested for assault Thursday in Houston, and remains in custody.
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Megyn Kelly Character in Ailes Movie Won't Be Rewritten ... In Wake of NBC Firing
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Megyn Kelly's spectacular fall at NBC will NOT affect the movie about Roger Ailes that features her ... because we're told her character as written is "very flawed" and consistent with what people know.
Sources connected with the production tell TMZ, Megyn's character, played by Charlize Theron, will not be rewritten in the wake of her racially insensitive comment that ultimately did her in at the Peacock network.
We've spoken with people who have read the script and they say Megyn is not portrayed as a hero in the story of FNC honcho Roger Ailes and a pattern of sexual harassment that went on for years.
We're told the script for the movie -- with the working title, "Fair and Balanced," showcases Megyn as "ambitious, hard-working and not highly intelligent." It's unclear from the script if her character is self-serving or righteous.
Kelly has said, during her tenure at FNC, Ailes tried to physically grab her and make out with her. She has said Ailes made lewd jokes and sexually suggestive comments to her. She says after repeatedly rebuffing his overtures, he asked her when her contract was up. Kelly never gave in and kept her job.
We're told Kelly's character does not come off as "an Erin Brockovich." She doesn't come off as a hero or, as one person who read the script said, "It's not like you say, 'Oh my God I love that girl!'"
As it was put to us, "You don't feel like, 'I hope she prevails. It's more like, 'What happened to her is really f***** up."
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Megyn Kelly Demands $50 Mil Settlement from NBC
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Megyn Kelly is a day away from settling with NBC, and we've just learned something shocking -- NBC was paying her $25 million a year and the network may end up settling for close to $50 MILLION.
Sources familiar with the negotiations tell TMZ ... Megyn's deal is 3 years firm, and she has around 1 year and 10 months to go. We're told her lawyer, Bryan Freedman, is going to have a call with NBC brass tomorrow and demand the network pay her full remaining salary, or face a lawsuit.
We're told Freedman's case is that Kelly was targeted early on after she made critical remarks about Matt Lauer on her show after he was fired for sexual harassment. Lauer was well-liked at NBC, and the staff and talent became royally pissed off at Kelly because they felt she was attacking Lauer "with glee."
Our sources say Kelly believes her comments about NBC News Chairman Andy Lack pissed off Lack and other brass, and they had it out for her.
As for ending the relationship over her blackface comment, Kelly and Freedman will argue she was treated with gross unfairness, pointing to a town hall meeting Wednesday where NBC talent, including Al Roker, blasted her and she wasn't invited to defend herself.
They also point to other NBC talent that got a pass for insensitive comments, such as Joy Reid, who made homophobic comments in a blog before she started at MSNBC, but was never punished.
And, TMZ can confirm, attorney Freedman sent an email to NBC News Prez Noah Oppenheim saying he wanted a face-to-face to discuss a settlement and wanted Ronan Farrow in the room. Farrow is about to release a book highly critical of NBC and the way it handled his Harvey Weinstein reporting. NBC shut down that request.
We're told the showdown between NBC brass and Freedman will go down Friday during a phone call.
There are a lot of pissed off NBC staffers, who are watching the network cut costs left and right, yet they made a $75 million deal with Kelly to do 2 shows, neither of which showcased the skill set that made her famous.
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Megyn Kelly Out at NBC After 'Blackface' Scandal
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Megyn Kelly will NOT be back on the air at NBC after her blackface remark, barring a major miracle ... TMZ has confirmed.
"Megyn Kelly Today" aired a repeat on Thursday morning, 2 days after she uncorked the absurd comment that it's okay to wear blackface at Halloween. Sources connected to the network tell us unless a Hail Mary is thrown and caught at some point today ... Megyn is gone for good.
Megyn Kelly wonders what the big deal is about blackface pic.twitter.com/07yvYDuAYe
@tommyxtopher
The split with NBC comes the day after Megyn's emotional on-air apology where she insisted she'd learned a lesson due to the backlash.
The mea culpa was clearly a case of too little, too late for the Peacock ... which, to be honest, had issues with Megyn's show even before the blackface blowup. Translation: the ratings were terrible. They'd dropped more than 30 percent, year-to-year, in her time slot.
Another NBC source tells us it didn't help that Megyn's co-workers "hated" being on air with her. One specific example was during coverage of Dr. Christine Ford's testimony -- Megyn was part of the panel with Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt, Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd.
We're told the other anchors and correspondents felt Megyn was way too bluntly conservative on air. Andrea eventually left the panel, mid-coverage.
The divorce -- which, we're told is more mutual than a firing -- isn't shaping up to be quick and easy. Daily Mail, which first reported Megyn's ouster, says she's hired high-powered attorney Bryan Freedman who's scheduled a sit-down with NBC ... no doubt to discuss the terms of her departure. She has a $69 million contract.
Megyn's talent agency, CAA, also dropped her.
NBC's already said it's airing another repeat of her show on Friday.
As for what happens Monday? Stay tuned ...
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Farrah Abraham Picking a Fight With Bikini Wedgie!!
Farrah Abraham is riding high on a yacht in Miami ... so are her bikini bottoms.
The ex-"Teen Mom" star is in Miami showing off her curves in a green bikini while cozying up to a pretty buff guy. The photo agency says he's the boxing trainer who's getting Farrah ready for her upcoming celeb boxing match with Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander.
Check out the gallery -- Farrah is doing plenty of bending and stretching here, although we doubt any of this is prepping her for boxing.
On that other front ... looks like her bikini is losing the battle with her ass. Some things are just unstoppable.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Hits Perfect Floss ... I Can Do Anything!!
Zlatan can run ... Zlatan can score ... Zlatan CAN DANCE!!!
The soccer legend went on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" and proved there's a lot of walk behind all his talk -- nailing a perfect floss dance right on cue.
In fact ... Corden was so impressed -- he wanted some lessons!!!
So, what was the reason for the night-time dance party?? James needed to figure out if Zlatan really CAN do anything.
The first test? Name three Kardashians.
The second test? Open a jar of pickles.
The third test? Hit the floss.
Done, done and BIG-TIME done.
Then, for good measure, he pronounced his full name with a mouth full of marshmallows. Impressive.
Ibrahimovic and the L.A. Galaxy next take the field Sunday for their regular-season finale with the Houston Dynamo ... and pretty sure we just found Z's new goal celebration.
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Stacey Abrams Legend, Streep, Washington Will Help Me Become First Female Black Governor
Stacey Abrams -- the Georgia gubernatorial candidate who is gunning to become the first female African American to win a state's highest office -- is getting enormous financial help from some of the richest and most famous celebrities in the country.
By now you've probably seen ... Democrat Abrams is in a dead heat with Republican nominee Brian Kemp, and it's become the most-watched governor's race in the country.
There are limits on the amount people can donate -- $6,600 -- but lots of celebs have dug deep to support Abrams. It's interesting, she's been critical of Donald Trump, but not as much as other candidates. She's focusing more on health care, gun control and criminal justice.
As for the celeb support, check out what we've found ...
- Denzel and Pauletta Washington - $6,600
- Jeffrey Katzenberg - $6,600
- Jada Pinkett Smith - $5,000
- Kandi Burruss - $5,000
- John Legend - $2,700
- Cynthia Nixon - $2,700
- Ben Affleck - $2,500
- Danny DeVito - $2,500
- Meryl Streep - $1,000
- Kevin Bacon - $150
HBO head honcho Richard Plepler, Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario and former WNBA prez Lisa Borders are also just some of the notable donors who have helped Abrams raise more than $16.2M.
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'Ray Donovan' Star Pooch Hall Charged with Child Abuse & DUI
"Ray Donovan" star Marion "Pooch" Hall has just been criminally charged with felony child abuse and DUI ... this for driving totally wasted and letting his 2-year-old son take the wheel.
TMZ broke the story ... Hall was arrested earlier this month in Burbank after a witness saw him driving with his toddler in his lap, holding the steering wheel.
The boy was not strapped in -- in fact, the child car seat was sitting unattached in the back seat. The car veered off and smashed into a parked car. Remarkably ... no one was injured, although the child dissolved into tears.
Hall blew a .25 ... more than 3 times the legal limit.
Hall now faces a maximum of 6 years and 6 months in prison.
As for his son ... he's in the custody of Hall's wife, along with their other children.