Britney Spears Makes Sexual Harassment Settlement Deal

Of course, Spears is still under a conservatorship so the settlement will have to be approved by a probate court before it becomes a done deal ... but that's just a formality and shouldn't stop the deal from going through. more on this story

Simon Cowell Wants Kardashian For X Factor

(TMZ) Simon Cowell has made his decision ... he wants Khloe Kardashian to host "X Factor" and it's now in the hands of FOX -- network sources tell TMZ.

Our sources say Simon made the case that Khloe is a big draw who will complete the circle of making the show decidedly younger than last season. Khloe has a connection to Britney Spears and Demi Lovato and Simon believes the three of them create an authentic vibe that none of the other potential hosts bring to the table.

We're told FOX must now sign off on Simon's choice and that decision is expected within a week.

One source said it's "highly likely" the network will give Khloe its stamp of approval. more on this story

Miley Cyrus Intruder Ordered To Stay Away

(TMZ) The scissor-wielding man who allegedly snuck onto Miley Cyrus' property this weekend was just ordered to stay away from the singer.

Jason Luis Rivera pled "not guilty" to trespassing and resisting arrest. The judge set his bail at $100,000 and he remains in custody.

Rivera was also ordered to stay 500 yards away from Miley as well as the block where Miley lives.

TMZ broke the story ... Rivera was charged with two misdemeanor counts of trespassing and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, stemming from an incident that took place early Saturday morning.

As we reported, cops believe Rivera jumped the fence surrounding Miley's L.A. home and was carrying a pair of scissors when they apprehended him.

He told cops he wanted to see the pop star and that's why he was on her property.

Rivera's next court date is September 17th. more on this story

Cee Lo Releasing Christmas Album

(popmusiclife) Cee Lo Green has announced his plans to release a Christmas album this fall.

Due October 30, "Cee Lo's Magic Moment" is billed by the singer as a "soulful take on a host of Christmas classics."

Rod Stewart, B.o.B. and Straight No Chaser are among the featured artists joining Cee Lo on the project. more on this story

INXS Celebrating Kick 25 Anniversary With Reissues

INXS have set a September 24th release date for the 25 Anniversary Superdeluxe, Deluxe and Limited Edition Red Vinyl re-release of Kick.

This Super Deluxe Edition includes 3CDs + 1DVD of unseen live recordings, demos, remixes, promos, documentary and an unheard version of the classic 'Never Tear Us Apart.'

It comes with an 80 page art book, which includes never before seen handwritten lyrics directly from Michael's family archives, unseen photos, diaries, and interviews with each band member and producer Chris Thomas. more

Eric Hutchinson Plans Almost Solo Tour

(Sub) Eric Hutchinson will be hitting the road for his "The Almost Solo Tour" on October 15th at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall.

The series of special acoustic evenings will take place at intimate venues across the U.S., with audiences seated up close to Eric and his longtime band member, multi-instrumentalist Elliott Blaufuss.

Special guest Jessie Payo will open on most dates. They will play three shows in Hutchinson's hometown of New York City: City Winery on October 29th and Joe's Pub on November 2nd and 3rd. more on this story

Britney Spears Explains Why She Joined The X Factor

(popmusiclife) Britney Spears will make her broadcast debut tonight as one of two new judges on The X Factor.

Joining Spears is fellow newcomer Demi Lovato; the two join music producer L.A. Reid and program producer Simon Cowell for the series.

Britney and Simon appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show Tuesday to get in some last-minute promotion for the program.

The pair spoke about how Britney was invited to be on the show; Simon had three phone calls with the pop superstar to fill her in on the program before she finally accepted. "I couldn't resist," said Britney. Watch it here.

Video of Kris Humphries With Myla Sinanaj Goes Online

(TMZ) Kris Humphries has been adamant ... he never dated Myla Sinanaj. Myla swore during her deposition in the Kim Kardashian divorce case ... she and Kris were just friends. Well guess which friends apparently spent the night together this week?

TMZ shot video of Kris and Myla leaving her house in Rutherford, New Jersey Tuesday. He was inside the house for several hours. And we're told ... Kris' car was parked outside the entire night Monday.

Remember ... during Myla's depo ...she testified she was never pregnant with Kris' baby (even though she told various people she was), and Kris never spoke a word to her about his divorce.

The question -- have Kris and Myla been hooking up all along, and did she tell the truth during her depo? Watch the video here.

The Program Actor Arrested For Animal Cruelty

(TMZ) Andrew Bryniarski -- the guy who played 'roid raging maniac Lattimer in "The Program" -- was arrested for animal cruelty in L.A. last week after cops say he was keeping 25 starving dogs inside his mobile home.

TMZ has learned ... cops were dispatched to the actor's motorhome in Santa Monica at 10:30 PM on Sept. 8 ... after receiving multiple tips from a concerned neighbor who constantly heard the sound of crying dogs coming from Lattimer's pad.

When cops approached the home ... no one was there ... but officers say they could see several metal dog kennels containing roughly 15 small dogs (Pomeranians).

Cops say they also noticed there was no visible food or water for the dogs. Plus, the place smelled like dog piss.

According to police, Lattimer and a female arrived to the home shortly after the police ... and admitted the dogs belonged to them.

Ultimately, cops say they found 25 dogs in the home ... and determined they were not being properly cared for. In fact, cops say several of the dogs and puppies appeared to be sick.

Both Lattimer and the woman were arrested for animal cruelty -- and Animal Control was called to remove the dogs from the premises.

Lattimer and the woman were hauled to a nearby jail -- where they were booked and later released. more on this story

Hogan Calls On Jerry The King Lawler To Retire Following Heart Attack

(TMZ) Hulk Hogan's son Nick Hogan is incredibly relieved that Jerry "The King" Lawler has stabilized since his heart attack Monday night -- but tells TMZ, it might be time Lawler considered retirement.

Nick tells us, wrestling "takes a toll" on your body -- and as a result, "most guys retire around 50ish." Lawler is 62.

According to Nick, people in the wrestling business have varied career lengths -- but when injuries come into play, it's hard to ignore the obvious ... it's time to slow down.

Nick uses his own dad as an example -- saying even his 59-year-old father has cut back drastically on wrestling because of serious back injuries.

Nick's parting words -- "Our prayers are with you, Jerry. Glad to hear you're alright." more on this story

Yankees and Red Sox Set Aside Rivalry To Remember 9/11

(TMZ) Famed rivals the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox set aside their differences last night before kicking off a 3-game series -- honoring the victims of 9/11 with an emotional tribute before Game 1 at Fenway. TMZ broke this news before the game:

A rep for the Red Sox tells TMZ, the home team planned a special 9/11 remembrance ceremony that will occur before the game, including a moment of silence.

The rep says families who lost loved ones on 9/11 will be on the field for the ceremony. The Boston Fire Department will act as color guard for the National Anthem -- performed by the Boston Fire Acapella Quartet (badass) -- and the flag will be presented by reps from the Boston PD, the Boston FD, and the Boston EMT.

Meanwhile, New York's other team (the Mets, in case you forgot) will be wearing special commemorative hats at tonight's game against the Nationals -- honoring the NYPD, FDNY, EMTs, and Port Authority Police Department.

Never forget. more on this story

Tara Reid Has Drunken Run-In With Parked Motorcycle?

(TMZ) Tara Reid was a drunken mess in St. Tropez this weekend -- sloppily stumbling into a parked motorcycle, sending the bike and herself crashing to the ground.

TMZ obtained footage which begins moments after the fall -- Reid is sprawled out on the ground next to the bike ... while her equally hammered female friend is slumped across the top of the downed vehicle.

Several people try to help Reid off the ground ... but she struggles to pick herself up.

Once the two women get on their feet, both drunkenly sway back and forth in what seems like an epic battle to stand still and compose themselves.

Eventually, the two women wobble over to a nearby yacht ... and board the vessel like they had been there before.

Reid has been through rehab for alcohol addiction -- completing a 60-day stint at the famous Promises Treatment Facility in Malibu back in 2009. more on this story

Octomom Has A New Landlord

(TMZ) After multiple rejections from landlords ... Octomom and her 14 kids have finally secured a new place to live.

Sources tell us, Nadya Suleman's new hatchery is located in Palmdale, CA -- and according to the listing, it features 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a 3-car garage ... and a massive 14,000 sq. ft. back yard where she can pasture her children.

We're told the backyard also includes a gated pool and spa with a slide and a gazebo. And the entire place is only running her $2,150 a month.

We're told Octomom dropped 8 months rent in advance to secure the place, plus a giant deposit. more on this story

NFL on Fox Mansion Wasn't David Beckham's

(TMZ) David Beckham doesn't really live in the monstrosity of a mansion featured on the "NFL on Fox" pregame show this weekend.

Beckham appeared in a comedy sketch with the new "NFL on Fox" comedy guy Rob Riggle ... and in the sketch, Rob joked that he broke into "some football player's home" to throw a raging party. Enter the punchline when Dave said the house was his. Funny stuff.

The home was gigantic ... and SOOO gaudy ... with a massive pool .. a fancy dining room decked out in gold ... and a tacky master bedroom.

But sources close to Beckham tell us ... the footage was NOT shot in Dave's real-life Beverly Hills mansion ... but rather a rented out home made to look like Casa de Becks.

Dave's actual Bev Hills home DWARFS the fake pad ... measuring 13,000 square feet with 6 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms and a HUGE backyard complete with palm trees and views of the ocean. more on this story

Author Fears Kid's Former Basketball Coach

(TMZ) Gigi Levangie -- the best-selling novelist who also wrote the movie "Stepmom" -- says her life is in danger ... and the alleged threat is her kid's ex-basketball coach ... this according to docs obtained by TMZ.

Levangie -- the ex-wife of Hollywood mega-producer Brian Grazer -- recently filed a request for a restraining order against Anthony Jones ... claiming he's been stalking her for several months.

In the docs, Gigi admits things weren't always so crazy with Jones ... not only did he coach her kid, she also invested in his "small business" and even allowed him to live in her guesthouse for a few weeks back in April.

But according to Gigi, something went terribly wrong -- 'cause after he moved out, Jones began following Gigi to work ... harassing her at her home and maniacally calling her on the phone -- DOZENS of times AN HOUR. Gigi claims he once trapped her in her own driveway.

Gigi says the "frightening and erratic behavior" got so bad she was forced to hire a private security team to protect her family (she and Grazer have two sons, ages 13 and 9). Gigi claims she's afraid for the safety of herself and her kids.

She is asking the court to keep Jones 100 yards away from her and her children at all times. A hearing is set for September 12th.

We reached out to Jones for comment -- who said he had no idea about the restraining order. more on this story

Tom Arnold Regrets Roseanne Tattoo

(TMZ) Tom Arnold says tattooing Roseanne's face on his chest back in the day was the stupidest thing he's ever done.

Arnold tells TMZ ... he got the tat back in 1994 in a last ditch effort to save his marriage ... but obviously his plan failed, big time.

In fact, Tom says he had to suffer through a year-and-a-half of painful lasers to get rid of the ink knowing ... "I'd never have sex with anyone until I got that removed."

But Tom's affair with STUPID tattoos didn't end with Roseanne -- the actor says he got Chinese characters on his leg years ago, because he thought it meant "love of mankind."

Turns out ... he was wrong ... at least according to Tom's "Cradle 2 the Grave" co-star Jet Li ... who translated the tat ... and said it means something totally different and way more hilarious. Check out the video.

Akon Admits Paternity of Two Sons

(TMZ) Akon filed paternity docs in court last month to become the legal father of two children he had out of wedlock.

The singer filed a Petition for Legitimation in GA Superior Court ... he claims he's the father of two minor sons born in 2008 and 2009.

In the docs, Akon asks the court to grant him joint legal custody of the little tykes, allow him to be involved in all major decisions and most importantly to establish child support -- even asking that his enormously high income be a factor in how much he'll have to shell out.

Not only that ... he's also requesting the kids be eligible to inherit from him -- same as if they were born in wedlock -- and to keep his last name, "Thiam" as their own.

Sources close to the singer tell TMZ, "Akon has been a father to the boys since they were born, and this is just a necessary step to make sure he is legally recognized as such." more on this story

Paul Nassif Needs To Gun To Protect Against Angry Sacramento Kings Fans

(TMZ) Paul Nassif fired back at his estranged wife's claims that carrying a gun puts his children in danger ... stating the weapon is strictly for protection -- from crazy, angry Sacramento Kings fans.

Let us explain ... in a declaration filed in the couple's nasty custody battle -- Paul cops to packing heat for the last 9 years (as alleged by Adrienne Maloof in a previous statement) ... but is ADAMANT he has good reason to think his family is at risk and therefore needs a gun.

Paul says that since his sons are the sole heirs to a BILLION-DOLLAR estate they're an easy target. But there's more ...

Paul says he and his estranged wife -- whose family owns the Kings -- have been inundated with threats over the last year ... all because they're contemplating moving the Kings out of Sacramento to Virginia City -- a move that has Kings fans up in arms.

Paul says the tension with the team, combined with their large fortune, puts them in constant life-threatening situations. more on this story

Johnnie Cochran's Widow Angry At Prosecutor Over OJ Simpson Claim

(TMZ) Johnnie Cochran's widow is FURIOUS at former O.J. Simpson prosecutor Chris Darden ... claiming allegations that Johnnie tampered with the infamous bloody glove are pure B.S.

TMZ spoke with famed attorney Shawn Holley -- Cochran's former right hand woman-- who tells us Johnnie's widow Dale Cochran is outraged by Darden's claim ... explaining, "It makes no sense."

Darden recently made the comments while speaking at Pace Law School ... saying, "I think Johnnie tore the lining. There were some additional tears in the lining so that O.J.'s fingers couldn't go all the way up into the glove."

Holley tells TMZ ... if Darden really did believe his insane theory he FAILED in his legal obligation to raise the issue in court ... adding, "to bring it up 17 years later when Johnnie Cochran is dead ... it's just, it's unbelievable. It's maddening." more on this story