TV

Leah Remini's deal to join "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" nearly collapsed before it was finalized ... with negotiations going down to the wire ... TMZ has learned.

Production sources tell TMZ ... Leah was in the final stages of talks to become a full-time Housewife for the upcoming season when the deal hit some turbulence a couple of weeks ago.

We're told producers became concerned the two sides might not get it done ... but Leah ultimately signed on at the 11th hour, locking in her spot alongside the other women.

Before this sweet lil’ girl in a life jacket became a Bravo-lebrity, she was just swimming in Azusa, California, cheerleading and pretending to be Britney Spears, signing autographs.

"It's All Happening" is one of her iconic quotes (and tattoos), and you best believe she's "Good As Gold."

Ted Kaczynski isn't a person whose actions should be justified or normalized ... so says the son of one of his victims, who is pissed about Netflix's new film "Unabomber."

The streaming giant dropped the trailer for "Unabomber" Thursday ... and Jonathan Epstein -- the son of Dr. Charles Epstein, who was severely injured and lost three fingers after Kaczynski mailed him a bomb in 1993 -- blasted the project.

Jonathan says he understands Netflix wants to "goose its flattening viewership" ... but says this show isn't the way to go about it.

"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Dorit Kemsley claims she hasn't filmed any scenes with her new costar Tracy Tutor ... and it doesn't sound like she's too excited about the prospect.

Dorit was asked about the newest 'RHOBH' addition as she was leaving court Wednesday after a hearing in her nasty divorce from PK Kemsley ... and Dorit gave quite an interesting answer.

There's been some drama between Dorit and Tracy ... and Dorit indicates she's going to give Tracy a couple of months to try and right the ship.

We want you to be a part of TMZ, so every weekday, between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM PT, we take you inside our newsroom via live stream.

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Leah Remini is bringing her no nonsense attitude to Beverly Hills ... 'cause TMZ has learned she's joining "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

Production sources tell TMZ ... Leah recently signed on as a full-time Housewife for the upcoming season 16, marking one of Bravo's biggest celebrity additions yet.

Leah is instantly one of the most recognizable stars ever to enter the Housewives universe, thanks to her longtime role as Carrie Heffernan on the hugely successful sitcom, "The King of Queens."

Chris "Block" Gordon's crash was so severe that a caller immediately urged dispatch to get a helicopter ready ... TMZ has learned.

According to 911 audio obtained by TMZ, a caller reports a wreck on the drag strip at KD Motorsports Park in South Webster, Ohio, and says fire crews are already on scene and repeatedly pleads for a chopper.

Dispatch records obtained by TMZ show the call came in shortly after 8 PM Saturday. Air medical transport was requested minutes later, but dispatch was told the helicopter had an estimated 40-minute ETA.

Debbie Clark -- a former cast member on "American Gladiators," better known as "Storm" -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.

Her brother, Steven, tells TMZ ... Debbie died Monday at her home in Boston. She had a pacemaker, and it gave out. Family was home at the time.

Her son Crayton tells us her pacemaker stopped working due to her overworking herself ... adding she passed away in his arms as they were waiting for the paramedics to arrive. Clayton says paramedics tried to resuscitate her, but she had already died. He was living in the same apartment complex as Debbie, so that he could spend time with her and take care of her.

He believes Debbie died from cardiac arrest. He's started a GoFundMe to be able to spread her ashes with her mother.

The show posted the tragic news to its official Facebook account ... noting she was "an exceptional athlete" before she became a Gladiator -- excelling in basketball, soccer and track.

Jelly Roll bid a fond farewell to the great Dolly Parton ... saying she might be the last universally beloved American we ever see.

The singer-songwriter is guest-hosting on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" ... and on Tuesday night he brought up Dolly's passing in the middle of his monologue ... noting that we lost a "legend" and an "inspiration to so many."

The broadcast showed a photo of Dolly and Jelly Roll together ... and he reflected on going from sitting around the kitchen table with his family and listening to her music as a kid -- to actually learning songwriting skills and business tips from her as an up-and-coming artist.

We want you to be a part of TMZ, so every weekday, between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM PT, we take you inside our newsroom via live stream.

You never know what you're gonna get ... a big story that breaks, an argument erupts in the room, or someone's just joking around.

Your comments are a big part of the stream, and the staff spends a lot of time speaking directly to you. Every day is different!

"Love Island USA" star Zac Woodworth has been hospitalized for an unknown condition.

The reality star posted a video on his Instagram Story Tuesday, showing him lying on a hospital bed with two male pals sitting in his room. He had a monitor on his chest, but did not divulge details about his health.

TMZ has reached out to him for comment ... so far, no word back.

Jelly Roll called President Trump a fat pig on national television ... and somehow the joke only got more personal from there.

The country star was filling in for Jimmy Kimmel Monday night when he brought up a recent Washington Post report about doctors being concerned over Trump's weight.

Jelly noted Trump is now pushing 240 pounds ... before offering some advice from one big guy to another.

He told Trump ... "From one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. And trust me, you'll be happy to see your penis again."

We want you to be a part of TMZ, so every weekday, between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM PT, we take you inside our newsroom via live stream.

You never know what you're gonna get ... a big story that breaks, an argument erupts in the room, or someone's just joking around.

Your comments are a big part of the stream, and the staff spends a lot of time speaking directly to you. Every day is different!

American actor Davis Cleveland was only 8 years old when he first played Flynn Jones -- the younger mischievous and food-obsessed younger brother of CeCe Jones -- on Disney's hit show "Shake It Up" back in 2010.

Davis was part of an ensemble cast including Bella Thorne, Zendaya, and Roshon Fegan.

We want you to be a part of TMZ, so every weekday, between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM PT, we take you inside our newsroom via live stream.

You never know what you're gonna get ... a big story that breaks, an argument erupts in the room, or someone's just joking around.

Your comments are a big part of the stream, and the staff spends a lot of time speaking directly to you. Every day is different!

Meghan Markle's return to acting might not be happening after all ... because a new report indicates "The Gentleman" ran scared from the star due to fan outrage.

Here's the deal ... reports began circulating this week that Meghan was being considered for a part in Guy Ritchie's hit series -- though the talks were in very early stages.

However, on Saturday, Tina Brown -- formerly the editor-in-chief at Vanity Fair and The New Yorker -- says the dream is already dead ... and it was a much more serious offer than initial reports indicated.