You Might Want to Rethink

Pete Davidson and 'SNL' don't owe GOP congressional candidate, Dan Crenshaw, a mea culpa for making a crack about his war-caused disability ... but SNL needs a lesson on humor.

We spoke with Dan -- who's running for an open seat in Texas' second congressional district -- and, somewhat surprisingly, he shoots down the idea that Pete and co. must issue an apology to him because they made an insensitive joke about his eyepatch.

If you missed it, Pete did a bit on 'Weekend Update' where he gave his first impressions on some of the candidates running for office in the midterms elections, most of whom were Republican. He joked Crenshaw looked like a hitman from a porno, and said of his injury ... "I know he lost his eye in war or whatever ... whatever." The remark caught tons of backlash.

One person who's not outraged is Dan, who tells us he wants society to get away from the culture of apology-demanding every time someone misspeaks.

Diddy took a page straight out of Will Smith's birthday playbook to celebrate the big 4-9 ... jumping out of a plane that's more than 10,000 feet above ground.

The Bad Boy honcho went skydiving Sunday to celebrate his 49th birthday and, luckily, he made it down in one piece! Looks like he was well-prepared for the jump too -- Puff was bumpin' some old-school hip-hop as hype music before getting to the diving venue.

As for the landing ... it looks like dropped into the backyard of the Playboy Mansion. Earlier in the day, he'd expressed interest in landing there, and he later confirmed he did, in fact, get the okay. He posted a caption that read ... "I DID IT!!! Thank you to my neighbors at the Playboy Mansion for letting me use their house to land. NO FEAR!!!!"

Daredevil feats are kinda in right now. You'll recall ... Will bungee-jumped out of a helicopter into the Grand Canyon for his 50th birthday, and his wife, Jada, followed suit with her own nosedive.

The "Better Call Saul" actor who made headlines this week for falsely presenting himself as a war vet, deserves a chance to make good in Hollywood ... according to real Army vet and actor J.R. Martinez.

J.R. -- who won "Dancing With the Stars" in 2011 -- tells us Todd LaTourrette's admission he lied for years about how he lost his arm in order to score acting roles ... is absolutely despicable. Still, he's willing to give LaTourrette a pass, if he's serious about shedding light on mental illness.

If you missed it, LaTourrette confessed to KOB-TV he'd cut off his arm 17 years ago during a bipolar episode. When he started acting, he told producers he'd been wounded during military service. He says the lie worked for years and helped him score the role of Skell on 'Saul.'

J.R. says he appreciates Todd copping to the lie. He added, IF Todd puts "action" behind his promise to raise mental health awareness ... there's no reason he can't keep acting.

The time is NOW for LSU to end its 7-year-long losing streak to Alabama ... so says a former LSU great, who says the Tigers have a real chance -- maybe their best chance -- to do it Saturday night.

TMZ Sports spoke to Glenn Dorsey -- a 2-time first team All-American for the Tigers -- and asked him if his former team, who are 13 point underdogs AT HOME, have any chance to beat the #1 ranked Tide.

"I think LSU gonna get it, man. If there was ever a chance for somebody to beat this mighty Alabama team, it'd be now, and in Death Valley."

LSU hasn't beaten the boys from Tuscaloosa since 2011 ... but Dorsey says he sees something different in THIS team, something he thinks makes victory a real possibility.

"Just look at our record, look at the teams we've beat, we've been on the road, played tough games. We beat a REALLY good Georgia team too, man. I'm liking what the quarterback position is doing, the defense is balling out."

What scares Glenn about Bama? It all has to do with a guy he knows really, really well, his former coach at LSU ... Nick Saban.

"Honestly the most thing I'm concerned about when I look at that Alabama team is their coach, because I played for him too, and I know he's leaving no stone unturned, he's gonna have them ready."

Norm Macdonald says you won't be offended at his comedy shows anymore .. but you also won't laugh your ass off. Such is reality and it sucks.

We got Norm Friday afternoon at LAX and asked if he's walking on eggshells given his propensity to push the envelope and offend his audience. You'll recall Norm caught tons of backlash for defending Roseanne and Louis C.K.

Norm tried to dig himself out of that hole ... but things got worse before a mea culpa on "The View."

Fact is ... Norm trying to please the PC police has severely dented the comedic process. And, btw ... Howie Mandel agrees. Norm longs for the days when a comedian could go way over the line, rein himself back to the line ... but not go over it.

Derek Brunson says he knows Jon Jones ... 'cause he's trained with Bones for years, and Israel Adesanya ain't no Jones.

Brunson -- the #6 ranked UFC middleweight -- is fighting Adesanya at UFC 230 this weekend ... and he told us Israel's got some talent ... but the Jon Jones comparisons are ridiculous.

"People forget, I trained with Jon Jones for years. So, I know what it's like. And, this guy don't have the wrestling pedigree. He's not Jon Jones, at all. He don't have the strength."

"I feel very good about this match up. He got a lot of hype behind him. I'm gonna put that to rest."

BTW, if you're wondering why Derek keeps lookin' away from the camera ... he was playing a video game.

"I'm playing Fortnite ... I ain't worried about ya, Israel."

Donald Trump used "Game of Thrones" to warn he was about to impose sanctions on Iran -- and while his supporters might've been amused ... HBO definitely is not.

A rep for the cable network tells TMZ ... "We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes."

In case you missed it, President Trump tweeted out a meme of himself with a 'GoT'-esque background and font that read ... "Sanctions are Coming."

It's an obvious nod to the hit series' oft-repeated line, "Winter is Coming" ... and it looks like he was trying to portray himself as Jon Snow (or maybe the Mad King?).

DJ Paul's jumping on the Tekashi69 train -- calling him a genius -- and if the final destination is an East Coast-West Coast war ... DJP ain't sweating it.

We got the Three 6 Mafia rapper Thursday at LAX and had to ask about the tug-of-war between Tekashi's NY crew and his Cali record label. As we first reported, cops fear the worst is yet to come between the factions after last week's NYC shootout where one of 6ix9ine's guys was hit.

T.I. shouted it from the rooftops -- get in on the ground floor of the cryptocurrency he and a biz partner launched and get rich ... according to the lawsuit filed by investors, who say all they got was flat broke.

The crypto was called FLiK Token and it was created in August 2017 by T.I. and ATL businessman Ryan Felton. The pissed off investors say the opening price was 6 cents per token, but Felton said it would be worth $14.99 within 15 months. Little quick math for ya -- that would be a nearly 25,000% increase!!!

But, according to docs, obtained by TMZ, the get-rich-quick scheme backfired. About 2 dozen plaintiffs say the tokens initially jumped from 6 cents to 21 cents, but cut to August 2018 ... and they're worth LESS than a penny, each.

The investors say Felton was all over social media talking about big-time investors, and claim he even insinuated Mark Cuban was coming on board. Additionally, Kevin Hart tweeted a pic of himself with Tip, congratulating him on the FLiK launch.

The group says the coins are virtually useless now, and the failed venture collectively cost them more than $2 million. The investors' attorney tells us he filed the suit Thursday ... going after Felton and T.I. for at least $5 million.

9:50 AM PT -- Kim has apologized for using the word, telling us, "I want to apologize for what I said in a recent video post that is inappropriate and insensitive to the special needs community. I try to learn from my mistakes and this is one of those times. Please know that my intention is always pure, and in this case, it was a mistake. I’m sorry."

Another huge star has offended the special needs community -- this time, it's Kim Kardashian West who used the r-word to insult Halloween party guests who couldn't guess her costume.

Kim dressed up as Pam Anderson to attend Kendall Jenner's Halloween bash Wednesday night -- but was jokingly irritated when she quizzed guests about her costume and they couldn't figure it out.

But, in a video Kim posted -- and has since deleted -- on Instagram to her 120 MILLION followers, Kim used the word "r******d" to describe guests who were too dumb to decipher her Halloween character.

Of course, the problem ... tons of special needs groups have spoken out about the dangers of using the r-word because it essentially uses a serious condition as an insult.

In fact, earlier this week, Shaun White issued an apology after dressing as a special needs character from the movie "Tropic Thunder" for a Halloween party.

Bottom line -- special needs people are not punchlines, insults or Halloween costumes and people like Kim and Shaun should be more understanding.

Kim deleted the video off her IG page, but the internet backlash was immediate. Some comments about the clip ...

"@KimKardashian using the R word on her IG story from yesterday is disgusting. And I really liked her. Watched, followed, bought shit, spent like 3 grand on her game. My brother is an ANGEL sent from Heaven and if you use it generally, you use it ALL THE TIME. Done."

"It's 2018, we don't say the r word anymore."

"Ughh @KimKardashian saying the R word in her IG story made me cringe."

Originally published -- 8:03 AM PDT

Terrell Owens is sick of the excuses in New York -- and says the Giants need to suck it up and BENCH Eli Manning already ... because it's obvious he just ain't got it anymore.

"Odell can't perform because the quarterback is not performing. So, they should basically replace the quarterback," the Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports.

"I mean, if it was anybody else, any other quarterback, he would have already been replaced. So, at this point, give someone else an opportunity."

And, to the people calling Eli a "legend" -- Owens has a bone to pick with them too.

"He's won a couple of Super Bowls, but I wouldn't put him in the legendary status. I wouldn't put him in that legend status as of yet ... no disrespect."

Owens also says he's sick of people blaming Eli's offensive line -- saying other quarterbacks in the league have similar problems ... but elite players find a way to win.

"You have special players that are behind those not so great lines that can make something out of nothing. Eli's not one of those types of quarterbacks. He needs protection."

But, the bottom line for Owens -- "[Eli's] skills are pretty much eroding and he's not really giving the guys an opportunity."

One last thing, even though he's a Hall of Famer, 44-year-old Owens is trying to get a roster spot with the Buffalo Bills ... and he's even rocking the hat to curry favor with management.

Cardi B was Little Mix's backup option for their song because Nicki Minaj took her damn sweet time and had them panicking ... TMZ has learned.

Here's the rub. Sources connected to the all-girl group tell us they had indeed reached out to Nicki first to get her on their hit single "Woman Like Me," but they needed a plan B when the "Queen" MC dragged her feet in submitting her verse, and then kept rewriting it.

That plan B was Cardi -- as Little Mix had also expressed interest in working with her since she was the hottest female rapper in the game. We're told LM's record label was breathing down their necks to meet the deadline, so they hit up Cardi's camp with the request.

During her instant classic social media rant Monday, Cardi insisted she'd been offered the Little Mix collab first, and Nicki only got it because she punted.

Our sources say Cardi turning down the deal was moot since their first choice, Nicki, eventually came through with the new verse in the nick of time.

Piers Morgan says Kanye West distancing himself from politics -- save one really important issue -- is probably a good idea ... 'cause he thinks Ye's become a laughing stock.

We got the Brit Tuesday night leaving Craig's in WeHo where we asked what he made of Kanye saying his eyes were now "wide open" and that he'd been used to spread political messages he didn't believe in. Piers isn't so forgiving ... telling us Kanye's become a joke.

He thinks it's wise for Yeezy to chill on talking politics, 'cause he says the dude can't make up his mind on where he stands. But, Piers does agree with one thing Kanye appears to be advocating for now ... common-sense gun laws.

If you've got love for Marlon and Shawn Wayans going full whiteface, then feel free to do the same on Halloween ... according to their nephew, who is hysterically tiptoeing around the subject of race and costumes.

We got Damien Dante Wayans outside L.A.'s Sunset Plaza and asked him about 2 specific costume ideas -- "White Chicks" and "Black Panther." DW told us he appreciates people paying homage to his uncles' cult classic flick, but you gotta see his reaction when we brought up "Black Panther."

As our photog put it ... the Marvel movie was huge this year, and lots of people -- black, white and otherwise -- are feeling inspired. Well, Damien seems to be giving Panther costumes a thumbs-up too ... verrrry nervously, though.

Just watch. The takeaway -- put whatever on your face today, but do it respectfully.

The haunted box that seemed to curse Post Malone is about to see the light of day on Halloween, 'cause its new owner wants to take a peek inside ... but on one condition.

"Ghost Adventures" star Zak Bagans tells TMZ he plans on opening the dybbuk box in his Haunted Museum Wednesday night, and he'll be doing it live on his show. As crazy as that sounds, it's even worse when you hear what Zak's been going through lately.

He tells us he's been getting ominous signs left and right leading up to the event that would make even Damien Thorn shake. It's pretty freaky sh*t -- stuff like dreams about people and animals being killed, calls from an unknown number telling him people will die ... and illness plaguing him for the past few weeks.

Remember ... this is the same box that supposedly put Post Malone's life in danger these past few months after he was in the same room with Zak, who ended up touching the thing. Post didn't touch it himself, but he did touch Zak's shoulder ... and Zak says that's enough to trigger a curse.

There is an upside, though, that hopefully keeps Zak from prying this devil box open. He tells us he'll only do it if he does NOT feel the same supernatural sensation he and Post felt in the room this summer.

Considering this box has made people pass out on sight -- like this poor woman here -- we're guessing he'll feel something. BTW ... we're told this lady collapsed after coming into the same room with the box just a week after Post visited. She had to be taken to the ER.

Kate Hudson's catching some flak for dressing up as a follower of Bhagwan Rajneesh -- the cult leader in the Netflix docuseries, "Wild Wild Country" -- but one of his former disciples LOVES it.

We talked to Philip Toelkes -- who used to go by Swami Prem Niren when he served as the top attorney for the controversial Rajneeshpuram in the '80s -- and he tells us Kate and her friends were well within their rights to celebrate the group.

Kate faced backlash online after posting the pic, apparently at a Halloween party, because some people felt she was glorifying the "cult."

Let's face it ... Rajneeshees will be a hit Halloween costume this year -- with the popularity of the Netflix series -- and Phil says he's totally on board with that. He also thinks Bhagwan -- aka Osho -- would be too, as long as it's respectful.

Phil also took aim at the haters, who say the Rajneeshees almost ruined a way of life for many Oregonians, saying they never understood their movement.

On the other hand, the mayor of Antelope, OR -- which had been overrun by the Rajneeshees -- tells us, "They plotted to assassinate someone. How friendly would others be if [someone] dressed up as a terrorist for Halloween?"