CNN -- Cosby Lawyer Claims Network is Manipulating Interviews to Smear Him

EXCLUSIVE

CNN is trying to prop up one of Bill Cosby's key accusers with unethical, malicious tactics ... so claims Cosby's lawyer.

Marty Singer has written a scathing letter to CNN Prez Jeff Zucker, claiming his reporters are out to get Cosby in a special the network is doing with model/actress Beverly Johnson.

Johnson claims Cosby drugged her in the mid '80s at his NYC home. Singer says in his letter -- obtained by TMZ -- he contacted the CNN reporters and told them they should get in touch with Mark Burk, who was Johnson's live-in boyfriend from 2006-2009.

Singer says Burk told CNN reporters Beverly "never said a negative statement about Bill Cosby throughout their entire four year relationship." Singer goes on, "Burk told CNN that to the contrary, Ms. Johnson stated that she was an admirer of Bill Cosby and only said great things about Mr. Cosby."

According to Singer, the reporters tried to pressure and manipulate Burk to corroborate Johnson's claims. He says when Burk stuck to his guns, the reporters abruptly terminated the conversation.

Singer goes to town on Zucker, accusing the network of being "reckless and malicious." He says, "Accusers are being given a national platform by CNN without first exercising the most rudimentary journalistic investigation as to their claims and motivations."

We reached out to CNN ... so far no word back.

readmore »»  

Celebrity Scramble -- Guess Who!

Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Yes! Also send me

"In Case You Missed It..."

By clicking "Submit," you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. >

readmore »»  

'Bad Girls Club' Wannabe ... Destroy the Boot, Go to Jail

EXCLUSIVE

The chick who left the "Bad Girls Club" audition with a Denver Boot attached to the car could end up in jail ... TMZ has learned.

It appears Chicquita Washington -- the registered owner of the car -- high-tailed it out of a Houston, TX parking lot with the boot on the back tire, then roared away, dislodging it and breaking it off.

Parking officials tell TMZ ... if she just drove off with the boot there'd be no crime, but she was gunning it toward a parking enforcement officer who booted the car, and we've learned the guy filed a police report, claiming she clipped him.

If cops and prosecutors buy his story, Chicquita could be charged with criminal assault.

Chicquita is bananas.

readmore »»  

Stars with Xmas Trees -- They Don't Want No Shrubs

Celebs only except the biggest and the best things in life and Christmas trees are no exception ... Check out which stars took to social media to show how they've pined for the perfect trees.

Charlie Brown would be so disappointed.

readmore »»  

Heidi Klum -- My Boobs Are Too Hot for Las Vegas

EXCLUSIVE

Much like Sony did with North Korea, Sharper Image has caved in its battle with the City of Las Vegas ... and in this scenario, Heidi Klum's boobs are "The Interview."

Sharper Image's new ad campaign features a scantily clad Klum alongside suggestive copy designed to get you to buy the gadgets Sharper Image sells that you never knew you needed.

But Klum's cleavage did not meet Clark County code and the ads were barred from being displayed at McCarran Airport. The crux of the problem ... "the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering or any portion thereof below the nipple" -- aka underboob.

So Sharper Image submitted toned downed pics, which were approved, and will soon be displayed for all to see.

Who knew Las Vegas was run by prudes?

readmore »»  

President Obama -- Sony Made the Wrong Call

breaking news

President Obama just threw down the gauntlet ... saying Sony plundered by pulling "The Interview."

It was inevitable that someone would ask Obama about the Sony mess at Friday's news conference and Obama didn't mince words. He wished out loud that Sony would have called him before making the call to yank the film.

The President's words are likely to cause major grief at the Sony lot ... especially with Sony pictures Chief Amy Pascal. It's a one-two punch ... the first at the hands of George Clooney .

readmore »»  

TMZ Live: George Clooney -- The Only Man with Guts in Hollywood

George Clooney

The Only Man with Guts in Hollywood

12/19/2014 9:45 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF

ON TODAY'S SHOW

• Amanda Bynes Wants to be a Shrink


• Nicki Minaj Sends Her Ex-BF over the Edge


• President Obama's Cuban Cigar Celebration


• A Computer Nerd Dethrones Jay Z and Beyonce!

readmore »»  

'The Interview' -- Hackers Make New Demands on Sony Pictures

breaking news

The Sony hackers are not satisfied -- they've unleashed a new threat ... trying to ensure "The Interview" NEVER gets released in any format.

Several top level execs at Sony Pictures got the new message which reportedly said, "We want everything related to the movie, including its trailers, as well as its full version down from any website hosting them immediately."

They also demanded "The Interview" never come out on DVD, pay-per-view, or V.O.D.

CNN first reported the latest message ... which also reminds the Sony execs the hackers still have all of their "private and sensitive data."

The hackers told execs they'd made a "very wise" decision to cancel the release, and shouldn't make any new trouble for themselves.

readmore »»  

Soulja Boy -- I Scored a Deal ... For My Loaded Gun Case

EXCLUSIVE

Soulja Boy cut a deal Thursday ... but he wasn't signed to a new record label -- the rapper copped a plea in his loaded gun case ... and the gun in question will soon be history.

Soulja pled no contest Thursday to carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle ... in return, the possession charge was dropped.

Soulja was also sentenced to 24 months summary probation and 170 hours of community service.

As for the gun ... according to the deal it will be destroyed.

Case closed.

readmore »»  

Jon Huntsman, Jr. -- Hey Sony, You Owe America 'The Interview'

EXCLUSIVE

Former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Hunstman, Jr. isn't scared of North Korea and doesn't think Sony should be either ... and he thinks Sony screwed up by shelving 'The Interview.'

Our D.C. photog felt Hunstman was the perfect person to ask, since he's North Korea adjacent, having served as U.S. Ambassador to both Singapore and China.

The former presidential hopeful had some friendly advice for Sony: Don't let anybody stand in the way of what you do best ... making movies.

Has he seen 'White House Down?'

readmore »»  

'Toy Soldiers' Singer Martika: 'Memba Her?!

After a stint on the TV show "Kids Incorporated" -- Martika gained fame for singing the chart topping 1989 song "Toy Soldiers" and the not as popular songs "More Than You Know" and "I Feel The Earth Move." Guess what she looks like now!

readmore »»  

Justin Verlander -- Uber Says Sorry, Bro ...You Get Screwed by Price Boost Too

breaking news

Hey, Justin Verlander ... SUCK IT UP -- that's what Uber is telling the Detroit Tigers ace after he bitched to the world about holiday price surges -- and threatened to jump to the competition.

Verlander fired the first salvo with his Instagram post ... "@Uber I used to love you and now your ridiculous surge charges are causing me to take my talents elsewhere. #lyft."

Now, Uber is responding, telling Verlander ... "Surge pricing encourages drivers to get on the road when demand is high. As soon as things even out, pricing will lower." In other words: too bad, so sad.

They didn't even mention the fact JV is it he middle of a 7-year, $180 million contract -- and is probably the last person who should be complaining about a little extra coinage.

Not to mention the fact he gets to ride Kate Upton.

readmore »»  

Sony Cancels Studio Tour ... Until Further Notice

EXCLUSIVE

Sony is telling people who signed up for their studio tour to take a walk ... anywhere but on the Sony lot.

Sources at the studio tell TMZ ... their tour has been put on ice since the hacker attack ... and a big reason is that it's 2 hour walking could pose a big threat to Sony. The tour is touted as a behind the scenes look at a working studio. The idea of someone straying from the group is too real a possibility.

We're told the tour will not resume until sometime after the first of the year, but no date has been set.

readmore »»  

TMZ Live: Hollywood at War: Sony Succumbs to Digital Terrorists

Hollywood at War:

Sony Succumbs to Digital Terrorists

56 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF

ON TODAY'S SHOW

• 'The Voice' Winner Completely Blows Off His Fans


• Inside a President's Sick Ski Mansion


• Amy Pascal is PISSED OFF... but Wait Until You Hear Why!


• A Hollywood Mom Twerking Competition

readmore »»  

Kris and Bruce Jenner -- Officially Single ... Divorce Final

EXCLUSIVE

Kris and Bruce Jenner are officially divorced ... TMZ has learned.

A L.A. County judge has signed the legal docs making the divorce final.

It's about as clean a divorce as possible. As we previously reported, they did not sign a prenup. Kris gets the family house and they divided up various bank accounts and other assets.

Neither Kris nor Bruce will get spousal support. As for 17-year-old Kylie, she's so close to becoming an adult there's no custody provision other than the fact that each parent will foot the bill while she's with them.

Kris filed for divorce in September , citing irreconcilable differences. She listed the date of separation as June 1, 2013.

They're on the market folks.

readmore »»  

Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- Got Pissy Over Bathroom Incident ... Woman Alleges

Got Pissy Over Bathroom Incident

... Woman Alleges

EXCLUSIVE

A woman in NYC tried to stop Floyd Mayweather Jr. from going #1 ... then dialed 911 to complain the boxing champ got aggressive with her -- but we've learned she's got zero case.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports the barely alleged atrocity went down inside Saks Fifth Ave in NYC last night where Floyd was doing some holiday shopping. We're told he decided to go to the bathroom, but because there was a private event on that floor of the store -- a woman blocked him from entering the restroom.

Let's face it ... Floyd's quicker than the average bathroom attendant -- and was able to dip past the woman to get inside and get some relief.

According to our sources ... the woman immediately called cops to report Floyd for "calling her a bitch." Police took down a harassment report, but since the alleged offense didn't happen in front of an officer ... she's SOL. Case closed.

So, the winner -- by unanimous decision -- Floyd's bladder.

readmore »»  

Carl Bernstein -- I'm Going to Dig Into the Sony Hack Scandal

EXCLUSIVE

Carl Bernstein has some serious questions about Sony's decision to pull "The Interview" from theaters ... and he's planning on digging for answers.

The legendary journalist talked to our photog just after the news broke Wednesday afternoon ... saying he hopes Sony made the move because of a credible threat and not out of cowardice.

Bernstein said he'll call his sources to find out if Sony was justified based on real threats ... and the guy clearly has sources.

We spotted Bernstein again later that night (random, right?) where he wondered out loud whether or not it was a good idea to make a film about assassinating a foreign leader in the first place.

readmore »»  

Amy Pascal -- Hey Media, There's 2 Of Us ... You Got the Wrong Amy!

EXCLUSIVE

Amy Pascal spent Wednesday afternoon tooling around L.A. on the TMZ Hollywood Tour, while Sony was in utter turmoil.

Amy is NOT the same Amy Pascal who runs Sony Pictures, but tell that to USA Today, Time.com and various other media outlets, that have plastered her picture on their publications and dragged her face through the mud.

You gotta see the video ... Amy, a marketing exec, says she was at an AdWeek event a few months ago and had her pic taken on the red carpet. Her pic showed up on Getty Images and was misidentified as the Amy Pascal from Sony.

News outlets took the pic and ran, which pisses her off because she's 41 ... 15 years younger than her namesake.

Now she's getting a torrent of angry tweets from people who think she sent all those emails.

readmore »»  

Guess Who This Bowed Little Beauty Turned Into!

Before this gifting little girl was a prepackaged pop star she was just another cute little kid getting into the Christmas spirit. Can you guess who she is?!

readmore »»  

Nick Jonas -- I'm a Big Pianist ... Don't Be 'Jealous'

I'm a Big Pianist

... Don't Be 'Jealous'

TMZ TV

Nick Jonas killed it on the famous giant piano at FAO Schwarz in New York City ... playing his new hit song. And with a new show, new physique and hot GF -- we're declaring Nick the winner of 2014.

Yep, the whole damn year. Now check out his footwork!

readmore »»  

Ex-MLB Star Brad Halsey -- NO BOOZE or DRUGS at Time of Mysterious Death

EXCLUSIVE

Former baseball star Brad Halsey was clean and sober when he fell more than 100 feet to his death in a remote area of Texas ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Halsey died on Halloween from blunt force trauma ... according to the docs we obtained. Sheriff's deputies in Halsey's hometown of New Braunsfels, TX say he either jumped or fell off the cliff which was on private property.

The autopsy report says Halsey's body was screened for a slew of drugs, including ... opiates, cocaine, oxycodone, barbiturates, amphetamines, marijuana, benzodiazepines ... and many more -- but pathologists found nothing. Same result for alcohol.

Halsey had pitched for the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and A's. In 2006, he famously gave up Barry Bonds' 714th career home run ... tying Babe Ruth for #2 on the all-time list

readmore »»