George Jones Hospitalized

Concerts scheduled through June will be rescheduled, where possible. No more details are available at this time.

Ray J Almost Physically Removed From Billboard Awards

(TMZ) Ray J was almost physically removed from the Billboard Music Awards Sunday night after angry members of Whitney Houston's family ordered their security to get him away from them ... TMZ has learned.

Pat Houston's blood was boiling because she, Bobbi Kristina and other family members were seated next to Ray J, the person Pat believes was a very bad influence on Whitney. Minutes before the tribute to Whitney, Pat asked her security to remove Ray J from his seat, but he refused to budge.

Our sources say ... Pat's security summoned hotel security, along with several uniformed officers to physically remove Ray J.

Just before push was about to come to shove, security warned Pat that things would likely get physical and it would almost certainly be caught on video, just as Whitney was about to be honored. Sources say Pat then grudgingly recanted and Ray J kept his seat.

For his part, Ray J groused to friends, "Pat ruined what was a great opportunity to honor the woman who I loved." more on this story

Usher Breaks Down In Court

(TMZ) Usher broke down in tears yesterday in court -- after his ex-wife's attorney insinuated he cares more about partying than he does about his children.

Usher was on the stand for hours today in his ongoing custody trial with his ex Tameka Foster -- and during questioning, Tameka's lawyer whipped out photos of the singer partying in Europe in February.

Usher's fighting for more custody with his kids -- but Tameka's lawyer was trying to prove he'd rather go wild at a nightclub than be a good dad.

Usher was also grilled about his alleged drug use. The singer admitted to smoking pot in the past, but when the subject turned to his alleged ecstasy use Usher's lawyer objected.

Usher insisted he never used drugs in front of the children -- an allegation Tameka made early in their custody fight -- but hedged on the subject of seeing his children while under the influence. more on this story

Young Buck Going To Prison

(TMZ) Young Buck has agreed to serve 18 months in prison for gun possession, following a massive IRS raid on his Nashville home in 2010.

According to the deal, Buck agreed to plead guilty to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.

According to legal docs filed in the case, federal agents recovered the firearms in Buck's house during a 2010 raid -- when feds busted into the house to repossess a bunch of the rapper's belongings to settle a $300,000 tax debt.

According to the docs, feds found a .40 caliber Glock 22 in Buck's home along with ammunition. As a convicted felon, Buck is prohibited from possessing ANY kinds of firearms.

As for the felony rap -- Buck was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon after stabbing some guy at the Vibe Awards in 2004.

The judge signed off on the plea deal already but won't formally sentence the rapper 'til July 13th. more on this story

Scotty McCreery Returning To American Idol

American Idol champ Scotty McCreery will return to the show tonight and Wednesday for the Season 11 finale.

On Tuesday, he will sing "Please Remember Me," the song he recorded as this season's "goodbye song" that was played after a contestant was eliminated and video highlights of the contestant's experiences on Idol were shown. On Wednesday, he will help celebrate the winner of Season 11.
"I am so excited about going back to American Idol and seeing everyone again," he says. "I hope to spend some time with the finalists, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez, and share some of my experiences with them. I can't believe that it's been a year since I was in their shoes."

And what a year it has been. So far, he has earned a platinum debut album, two gold singles and two new artist awards. And now he has been nominated for two awards at the Teen Choice Awards, which will be held July 22 at the Gibson Ampitheater at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. more on this story

Jersey Shore House Will Be Snooki Free

(TMZ) Season 6 of "Jersey Shore" just dropped another major bomb, TMZ has learned ... Snooki will NOT be shacking up with her fellow castmates this summer -- instead getting her own private nest nearby.

Sources tell us ... the mama-to-be is taking her pregnancy very seriously, choosing to live NEAR the "Shore" house rather than IN it because it's not worth it to be surrounded by boozy, loud roommates while pregnant.

If you recall, Snooki announced she was knocked-up last February -- when she was already 3 months along -- which means while filming this summer she'll be in prime popping position ... all the more reason to have a pad of her own.

The guidette's absence is just another in a slew of "Shore" changes this year ... which includes a sober Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino (who just got out of rehab) and the possibility of adding a Snooki-baby to the cast. more on this story

Dog The Bounty Hunter Canceled

(TMZ) Dog "The Bounty Hunter" Chapman will have more time on his hands to catch criminals, because his show on A&E is being canceled ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources connected with the show tell us ... Dog's people and A&E have been negotiating, but the network has now decided to pull the plug and not do season 9.

One source connected with Dog tells us the cancellation is based on "creative differences." But here's the reality ... saying "creative differences" is like breaking up with a girl and saying, "It's not you, it's me." more on this story

American Idol's Casey Abrams Sets Album Release

Concord Music Group have set a June 26th release date for American Idol season 10 finalist Casey Abrams' self-titled debut album.

Recorded in London with such acclaimed producers as Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall), Rune Westberg (Daughtry, Adam Lambert) and Steve Jordan (John Mayer, Herbie Hancock), and Executive Produced by American Idol's Randy Jackson, Concord Records' John Burk and 19 Entertainment's Iain Pirie, Casey Abrams will feature two initial singles, "Get Out," and "Simple Life," which will be released on iTunes as a bundle on June 5th.

The album will also feature a cover of the Ray Charles classic "Hit The Road Jack," with fellow American Idol alum Haley Reinhart. more on this story

Adam Lambert Teases New Video

(popmusiclife) Adam Lambert has issued a preview of the forthcoming video for his current single, "Never Close Our Eyes."

The track is from his newly-released sophomore album, "Trespassing," which hit stores last week.

The 17-second teaser clip goes by fast and there's a lot to take in; the overall feel is like a movie trailer more than a music video. Check out the preview here.

Whitney Houston's Underage Daughter Sparks Casino Investigation

(TMZ) The MGM Grand in Vegas has launched an internal investigation into video footage showing Whitney Houston's underage daughter Bobbi Kristina gambling at its casino this weekend.

TMZ posted the video this morning ... showing 19-year-old Bobbi hitting the slots Saturday night with her 22-year-old boyfriend. Bobbi was in town to attend the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday.

A rep for the MGM tells TMZ, it is now looking into the incident

The Nevada Gaming Commission has also launched its own investigation into the footage.

Underage gambling is a misdemeanor in Nevada, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail or $1,000 fine. The MGM Grand could be subject to an even heftier fine. more on this story

NFL Legend Joe Theismann Says There Is History of NFL Bounties

(TMZ) NFL network analyst Joe Theismann says he wasn't shocked by the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal ... telling TMZ he was targeted for punishment way back in his Washington Redskins glory days.

Theismann -- who led the 'Skins to a Super Bowl victory back in 1983 -- was at LAX this weekend when we asked if he thought opponents ever tried to take him out of a game for a shot at an illegal cash bonus.

Joe replied, "Absolutely ... to be honest with ya, if you didn't have a bounty on your head when I played ... it means you weren't worth anything anyway."

We also asked Joe which NFL QB is considered the best-looking guy in the league ... and it WASN'T Tom Brady. Watch video here.

Deadmau5 Questions Pauly D's DJ Talent

(TMZ) Famed mouse-headed DJ Deadmau5was shooting a music video in LA over the weekend -- when we asked if he thought the "Jersey Shore" star Pauly D had any real DJ talent. Deadmau5 responded, "No, not really."

DM's Pauly D jab comes in the wake of a little Twitter feud last week -- when Mr. Mau5 publicly bashed Pauly's new music video, saying it looked embarrassingly cheap ... "like it cost about $150 to make."

Pauly said he was flattered that DM even deigned to criticize him -- but now, Deadmau5 says the entire embarrassing Internet standoff could have been avoided ... if Pauly did ONE thing differently ... watch the clip.

Jillian Michaels Doubts Beyonce Used Master Cleanse

(TMZ) It's the most famous crash diet in history ... the Master Cleanse ... but according to celebrity super-trainer Jillian Michaels ... it's dangerous for your body.

Michaels was out in Malibu this weekend, when we asked about rumors that Beyonce dropped the baby weight by going on a Master Cleanse ... a 10-day program where people are only allowed to consume tea and lemonade mixed with maple syrup and cayenne pepper. "Don't do the Master Cleanse," Michaels told us bluntly ... "It's bad for you."

Back in 2006, Beyonce told Oprah she shed a TON of poundage by using the program for 14 days ... but now, Michaels insinuates Beyonce is more educated about the dangers of the Cleanse ... and HIGHLY DOUBTS the singer would ever do it again.

But fear not ... Michaels DID offer some healthy weight-loss advice that's sure to work every time ... So watch the clip.

Gloria Allred Targeted In John Travola Massage Case Side Suit

(TMZ) The lawyer who filed a lawsuit against John Travolta on behalf of two masseurs is suing Gloria Allred for allegedly stealing his clients, calling her an ambulance chaser and claiming "She ain't been in a courtroom in 20 years."

Okorie Okorocha just filed the lawsuit, claiming Gloria approached the second masseur -- John Doe #2 -- asking him to fire Okorocha and hire her.

As we reported, Okorocha dropped the first masseur -- John Doe #1 -- after TMZ broke the story that Travolta was in New York -- not anywhere near Beverly Hills -- on the date the alleged sexual assault occurred.

In his lawsuit, Okorocha says Doe #1 hired Gloria, and then she made her play for the other masseur.

Okorocha attached text messages to his lawsuit between himself and Doe #2, in which Okorocha wrote, "I can't believe f**king Allred called you." He added, "She ain't been in a courtroom in 20 years. Just doing stupid a** press conference side shows." more on this story

Mark Zuckerberg Wedding Timed With Facebook Stock Speculation Debunked

(TMZ) There's talk that Mark Zuckerberg timed his wedding to cut his new wife out of the $20 billion he raked in Friday, when Facebook went public, but it's simply not the case.

As you know, Mark married Priscilla Chan the day after his portfolio ballooned. But here's the deal ... Under California law, if one person grows a business before marriage and sells it right at the time he or she gets hitched, the new spouse has no legal claim to the proceeds of the sale.

Disso Queen Laura Wasser, who reps almost every celeb in the throws of divorce including Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie and Maria Shriver, tells TMZ it's pretty simple: "Facebook is a separate property asset of Mr. Zuckerberg. It's like a painter who paints a painting prior to marriage and sells it shortly after marriage. Any proceeds from the sale of the painting are the artist's separate property."

Now, if Facebook continues to increase in value during their marriage, Priscilla would have a 50% interest in proceeds from the growth. But if today is any indication ... Priscilla should hold her breath -- the stock plummeted 10% yesterday. more on this story

Lindsay Lohan Transformed Into Liz Taylor

(TMZ) Lindsay Lohan's finally looking the part -- trying on some crucial Elizabeth Taylor-inspired outfits for her new movie ... and TMZ has obtained pics of the wardrobe action.

Sources close to Lindsay tell TMZ, the actress is dead set on nailing Liz Taylor in her upcoming Lifetime movie "Liz and Dick" -- so she's spending countless hours trying to pick out the PERFECT outfits for the role.

We're told Lindsay has final say on all wardrobe decisions for the film and has been giving major input into how to perfect Liz's looks.

As we reported, Lindsay's been obsessing over Liz trying to get into the Hollywood legend's head, studying her constantly for the last few months.

The photos were snapped earlier this week during a wardrobe fitting. The first outfit was selected to recreate a famous photo shoot from Elizabeth's teenage years. The second is based on a Valentino dress Liz once wore.

"Liz and Dick" is scheduled to start shooting next month. Check out the photos here.

Chernobyl Victims Group Angry Over Chernobyl Diaries

(TMZ) The new Jesse McCartney horror flick "Chernobyl Diaries" is a slap in the face to the 400,000 victims of the real-life nuclear disaster ... so says a Chernobyl recovery organization.

For those unfamiliar with the Chernobyl disaster, scores of people were killed or disfigured when the nuclear power plant exploded in the Ukraine in 1986.

Now, the Friends of Chernobyl Centers U.S. tells TMZ ... it's furious with the plot of the new movie -- in which several people who were mutated in the blast hunt down unwitting tourists.

"It is terrible that such a tragic event as Chernobyl is being sensationalized in a Hollywood horror film," a rep for the org tells us.

"Thousands of people have died and over 400,000 people were evacuated from their homes. Today over 5 million people still live on contaminated land. The horror is not mutants running around, the real horror is the effect that Chernobyl continues to have on the lives of millions who have been devastated physically, emotionally and economically."

The rep adds, " If you feel compelled to go see this movie, take the adrenalin you get from the horror to go do something good and make a difference in the lives of those still living with Chernobyl every day." more on this story

Britain's Got Talent Dog Turns Down American Idol Invite

(TMZ) The dog who won "Britain's Got Talent" just rejected an offer to appear on the "American Idol" finale, TMZ has learned, because the talented canine is too busy being famous.

Sources tell TMZ ... Pudsey the dog and 17-year old owner Ashleigh were asked to appear live on the "Idol" stage -- it's unclear if they would perform -- but when producers called about the potential gig ... they were met with a big, fat NO.

The reason behind the rejection ... we're told Pudsey and Ashleigh have been getting offers round-the-clock since winning the UK's talent competition ... and the pair is literally too busy to squeeze in an "Idol" appearance.

Good news is ... we're told Pudsey will be making trips to NYC and L.A. soon for OTHER major TV appearances -- just not "Idol" -- and will meet with several producers as well. more on this story