TMZ.com Home

1/9 5:53 AM -- On Wednesday morning, Kevin Hart ended the debate with a hard "no" and said, "There's no more conversation about it ... I'm over that. I'm over the moment."

So, Kevin Hart saying there IS a chance he'll host the Oscars this year ... is one way to take what he just told us in NYC.

Kevin was leaving an Equinox Tuesday in NYC, when he was asked him where's the smart money going IF you're inclined to wager on whether he returns to the Oscars hosting gig. It's the obvious question after he issued a very direct apology Monday to the LGBTQ community for his homophobic remarks in the past.

You gotta see Kevin's response -- he used the word "slim" to describe the chances he'll host, BUT ... he also said a lot of complimentary things about the Motion Picture Academy.

One thing's clear ... if it doesn't happen this year, Kevin's open to hosting the big show sometime in the future.

But again ... he's NOT totally ruling it out for this year.

R. Kelly is being criminally investigated in Georgia -- and it's all because of Lifetime's docuseries ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the case tell us the Fulton County District Attorney's Office has opened an investigation into allegations made against the singer in "Surviving R. Kelly." We're told the probe was launched over the past few days as a direct result of what 'Surviving' depicted.

We're told investigators have been reaching out to several survivors featured in the TV project. We have confirmed investigators reached out to Asante McGee, one of the women who allegedly escaped R. Kelly's home.

The attorney for Joycelyn Savage's family was contacted by Chief Investigator Cynthia Nwokocha and has been fully cooperating.

We're told investigators have been asking for contact information from others who have lived in Kelly's former Atlanta home or have direct knowledge of what happened in the home.

We're told investigators were flooded with calls once the docuseries aired.

The D.A. is not commenting.

Sen. Lindsey Graham is in such a good mood after his home state Clemson Tigers won the national championship ... he's inviting Democrats to call him up to make a deal to end the shutdown!

In fact, the Senator from South Carolina says he's INSPIRED by the Tigers -- saying the way they came together as a team is a lesson for Congress on the whole.

"Remember that to be successful you have to be a team .. and so, I'm gonna take that attitude about trying to bring the Congress together."

Graham says he's still gung-ho about finding a way to fund the border wall -- and it seems he's willing to work with Democrats when it comes to the Dream Act.

"There's a deal to be had ... secure that border with a wall component, help the Dream Act population [and others] who have been here for decades who are about to lose their legal status and do some legal reforms and call it a day."

"There's a deal to be had so let's go get it ... and after the football game, I'm in a good mood, so if you're a Democrat, give me a call."

Common is copping to turning a blind eye to the allegations about R. Kelly abusing women ... saying he and the entire black community should have put a stop to it long ago.

We got the rapper/actor out Tuesday at LAX where he said he's guilty of not coming to the rescue of Kelly's alleged sex slaves. He also calls it a systemic failure when it comes to how society values black women and makes no bones about it -- if the alleged victims were white instead of black, there would have been more outrage.

Common -- who's from Chicago, just like Kelly -- is done giving him a pass. As you know, there's been a ton of backlash since the "Surviving R. Kelly" 6-part series -- Tank blasted Kelly and Daymond John explained why he thinks Kelly should kill himself.

Add Common to the list of people who think Kelly needs to face consequences, starting right now.

Trevor Noah added an incredible piece of property to his portfolio ... because we've learned he recently dropped a boatload of cash on a baller bachelor pad.

Our real estate sources confirm Trevor plunked down over $20 MILLION for a jaw-dropping estate in Bel-Air ... and the 'Daily Show' host quietly purchased the contemporary mansion through a blind trust.

Trevor's new digs, first reported by Yolanda's Little Black Book, are pretty insane. The two-level pad is a whopping 10,044 square feet, and it's surrounded by glass walls and wraparound terraces, giving Trevor some breathtaking views of L.A.

The 1.31-acre property sits on a hillside lot in western Bel-Air, on a quiet cul-de-sac ... but there's nothing quiet about Trevor's place. The master suite is massive -- we're talking 2,200 feet -- and we haven't even mentioned the home theater, infinity pool and the 500-gallon saltwater aquarium!!!

As if that's not enough for Trevor to entertain his guests ... there are 3 other bedrooms with unobstructed views, and one is an "ultra private VIP suite" with private entrance.

Mauricio Umansky and James Harris of The Agency listed the property -- and Jonah Wilson of Hilton & Hyland repped Trevor.

Congrats, Trev!

Sen. Joe Manchin thinks folks should really tune in to President Trump's televised address to the nation on the border "crisis" ... even if that means screwing over Ellen DeGeneres.

We got the West Virginia Senator Tuesday in D.C., where our photog asked how Trump's border address later in the evening would measure up to Ellen's 'Game of Games' ... and which one should take precedent for the American people.

Translation: which broadcast will be sillier and have more entertainment value -- Trump or Ellen? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Manchin says DT's the one to watch tonight.

Trump and the Dems can't come to a resolution to fund the border wall, which is why the federal government is in day 18 of a partial shutdown. So, Manchin's right ... there's a lot riding on Trump's speech tonight.

The Prez tweeted he'd be addressing the nation about the "Humanitarian and National Security crisis" at the border.

Trump's address starts at 9 PM ET, so on the east coast it'll creep into hour 2 of Ellen's NBC broadcast, and your fave programs on other networks -- looking at you, "Black-ish."

How 'bout them Cowboys!?

Jerry Jones just bought himself one of the sickest yachts we've ever seen -- 357 feet long with TWO helipads and a gym ... and a reported price tag of $250 MILLION!!!!

The ship is called "Bravo Eugenia" -- which the 76-year-old billionaire named after his wife, Gene Jones. It was built in the Netherlands and delivered to Jones on Dec. 20 ... an early Christmas present.

The ship can hold 14 guests with 30 members ... and has all the bells and whistles you'd expect.

Fun features include a steam room, full gym, massage room, plunge pool, rain shower and a storage area for all of the cool water toys Jones decides to take out to sea.

The interior is also top of the line -- featuring light woods and lacquered surfaces.

One of the designers, Pascale Reymond, issued a statement on his work ... saying, "We worked very closely with the Owner to find the perfect artisans and craftsmen in creating bespoke artworks, fabrics and signature furniture pieces that reflect the Owner's style and essence and combine to create a warm, inviting environment for all on board."

Video of 3 women featured in the "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries shows them front row at one of his concerts, but it's not necessarily what it seems.

TMZ obtained this footage from an October 2016 show in New Jersey. You can see Joycelyn Savage, Dominique Gardner and Azriel Clary standing next to each other in clear view of Kelly while he's onstage.

The women were dancing and cheering ... Azriel even gave Kelly a high five. The woman who recorded the clip shouts, "Tell your father come over here" ... because she thought the girls were young, we're told. FWIW, all of them were 18 or older at that time.

Loved ones for all 3 appeared on 'Surviving,' claiming Kelly held them against their will. Looking at the video, one could say they were thoroughly -- and voluntarily -- enjoying themselves at the concert.

However, one could also say it's textbook Stockholm Syndrome ... where victims develop a connection to their captor, but it's really a psychological defense to survive an ordeal.

If you watched 'Surviving,' you know Dominique's mother convinced her to flee from Kelly. Joycelyn and Azriel are still living with him.

Joycelyn has told us time and again on camera that she's fine. Meanwhile, Azriel's family has reported her as a missing person.

Lindsay Lohan disappointed some fans by cutting her night short in the city that never sleeps ... 'cause she had to get some sleep. Things change.

Lindsay was spotted leaving the Moxy Hotel Monday night in NYC and profusely apologized to fans waiting outside to get a pic with her. She made a swift walk from the joint to her waiting SUV ... telling a photog she had to bounce 'cause she's got an early morning.

Gone are the classic Lindsay days where she'd be partying like there was no tomorrow. Of course, some of those days ended with her getting arrested, so this seems like a very adult, responsible change on LiLo's part.

And, she's right, Tuesday is a big day -- her reality show 'Beach Club' premieres on MTV and someone's gotta get out there to pimp it.

Early wake-up calls always suck but hey, could be worse, Linds. Ya could be laid up on a beach in Greece with an ankle brace.

Sources close to Kim tell TMZ ... inmates around the country are sending Kim an endless amount of notes from prison, hoping she and her legal team can find a way to get them clemency.

We're told Kim's also earned a new nickname within the prison system, as both staffers and inmates refer to her as "The Princess of Prison Reform.' The nickname and letters have some basis in fact ... Kim and her team just helped Cyntoia Brown get clemency in Tennessee after 15 years in prison.

As you know, Kim was instrumental in getting elusive prison reform legislation enacted after her meeting with President Trump. CNN's Van Jones said it squarely ... the law would never have been passed but for Kim K.

In addition to Cyntoia's clemency, Kim also played a key role in freeing 63-year-old grandma Alice Marie Johnson and Matthew Charles ... two prisoners she mentioned to POTUS during their powwow.

Kevin Spacey was allegedly molested by his father -- and it's something he first endured, but later enjoyed before becoming a monster himself ... at least that's what his brother is claiming.

Randy Fowler went on 'The Drew and Mike' podcast out of Detroit hours after Spacey appeared in a Massachusetts courthouse for arraignment in his sexual assault case.

Randy, Kevin's estranged older brother, says they were both molested by their dad. Randy says he was able to escape it in early adulthood but, apparently, Kevin didn't. Randy says Kevin stuck around the family home for years to come and claims he morphed into their father, who Randy calls the "creature."

Kevin pled not guilty to felony indecent assault and battery in the Mass. case.

As if the new 'Bachelor' didn't already know he was a virgin, his suitors (and the show at large) constantly reminded him during the season premiere ... and it got old fast.

Colton Underwood's journey got started Monday night, and as he was meeting the lovely ladies who'll be vying for his heart ...and apparently his crotch. His virginity was on the minds in the mouths of almost every girl. It was awkwardly charming at first, but quickly became a tired gag.

Even worse ... the virgin gimmicks quickly escalated from a chat to full-blown costumes just to land the joke. One girl popped a "cherry" balloon in front of Colton, another teased him with a real peach, and yet another took away his "V" card in a corny magic trick.

But, Alex D. of Boston took the cake (and the award for worst contestant thus far) by creeping out of the limo in a human-size sloth suit and lurching over to him in slow-mo ... staying committed to the whole sloth thing the entire way through.

It was cringeworthy to say the least. Fact is ... Colton's more than just his virginity -- here's hoping the producers of the show realized that before it's too late.

Charging into the ring in a "Mean Gene-O-Mania" shirt, Hulk Hogan grabbed the mic on 'Raw' Monday night, and gave a 5-minute tribute to his longtime friend, "Mean" Gene Okerlund.

"You know something guys, I came out here wide open tonight in character because that's exactly the way 'Mean' Gene woulda wanted it," Hogan told the crowd at the Amway Center in Orlando.

"I want to let all you guys know, 'Mean' Gene loved entertaining, and he loved entertaining everybody here in the WWE universe."

"I love you, 'Mean' Gene. I miss you."

The crowd began to chant, "Thank You, 'Mean' Gene" ... Hulk stopped his rant to listen.

That's when Hulk began shouting out other fallen WWE superstars -- saying Gene is no doubt in heaven orchestrating a tag match with Macho Man Randy Savage and Ultimate Warrior taking on Rowdy Roddy Piper and Mr. Perfect ... with Andre the Giant as the guest ref.

Hogan closed out his tribute with a trademark Hoganism ...

"Whatcha gonna do when 'Mean' Gene-O-Mania runs wild on you, brother?"

'Mean' Gene passed away on January 2 after battling health issues for months. He was 76.

R.I.P.

Kevin Hart is apologizing to the LGBTQ Community once again ... the second time he's done so since walking away from the Oscars hosting gig.

Hart was on his "Straight From the Hart" podcast Monday where he got into a deep discussion about his past homophobic jokes and tweets. Hart -- who previously claimed he'd apologized for the remarks years ago -- admitted the prior apologizes had been "chopped up."

During Monday's show, Hart said, "Once again, Kevin Hart apologizes for his remarks that hurt members of the LGBTQ community. I apologize."

It was several years ago when Hart tweeted, "If my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice 'stop that's gay.'" Hart also said in one of his comedy specials, "One of my biggest fears is my son growing up and being gay."

Last week Hart appeared on Ellen and DeGeneres seemed to say the gay community is fine with Hart's vague apology back in 2014 and his more recent post in 2018, in which he said, "I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past."

Still no word on whether or not The Academy has had a change of heart and will ask Kevin back.

The Drake Curse strikes again ... and this time, Clemson ain't letting him forget it!!

Remember, just a week before the National Championship game, the University of Alabama posted video featuring the rapper giving a motivational speech wearing a Bama sweatshirt.

Since Drake really has no affiliation with the team, everyone labeled him as a bandwagoner ... again ... since Bama was widely expected to crush Clemson easily in the title game.

But, that ain't what happened Monday night ... Clemson beat the dog snot out of the Tide in a 44 to 16 shalacking.

After the game, Clemson went to Twitter to take a shot at Drake ...

"Someone get this man a shirt with a Tiger Paw quick."

Tekashi69 just got super up close and personal during a visit from his girlfriend ... and she's letting everyone know her man's holding up just fine in jail.

Tekashi's GF, Jade, proudly showed off this candid snap Monday night of Tekashi grabbing her butt as she plants a kiss on his cheek during a jail visit earlier in the day. Jade captioned the photo, "He's good luv, enjoy. #FreeDanny"

It's the first time we've seen 6ix9ine behind bars. We broke the story ... Tekashi was busted by the feds in November on racketeering charges, and he's facing life in prison.

As we reported ... Tekashi has a plan to get out of jail, and it's easy to see why he wants some time on the outside with his chick.