Mark Curry Stop Complaining About High Gas Prices!!! Travel Less, Ride A Bike

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PASSIVE PUMPER
TMZ.com

Mark Curry is fed up with folks complaining about high gas prices ... insisting that drivers should just fill up their tanks and get over it.

We caught up with the "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" actor at LAX on Monday, and he gave us a piece of his mind about soaring gas prices and how they should be handled.

Mark tells us, Americans shouldn't look at the price of gas because it makes no difference. He says we've been dealing with high gas prices for years, so there's no point in worrying about it now.

As far as the folks who simply can't afford it, MC insists he feels their pain, but we have to pay anyway. Clearly, he doesn't have much sympathy, instead, he says folks should go to less places, drive slower, ride a bike or (jokingly) even steal a car if it's "that bad" 🤔.

Of course, his hot take comes a little over a year after he shared his candid thoughts on high gas prices when he was interviewed for a local news station. It was actually pretty funny ... at first, the reporter didn't seem to recognize him.

Well now, it doesn't seem much has changed -- despite the fact that gas prices got even higher. The self-proclaimed gas price expert says the bottom line is ... we're Americans and we will survive cause we've done it before.

BRONX ZOO ELEPHANT Happy Isn't Legally a Person ... Animal Staying Put

Happy the elephant will NOT be freed from the Bronx Zoo ... after New York's highest court ruled the animal is not legally a person and is thus not being illegally detained.

The ruling from the Court of Appeals came down Tuesday ... a 5-2 decision rejecting an animal rights organization's argument that Happy deserves the same liberty rights as a human.

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EMPOWERING ELEPHANTS
Youtube/Nonhuman Rights Project

Remember ... the Nonhuman Rights Project sued to get Happy out of the zoo and moved to a more spacious sanctuary, arguing the Asian elephant is worthy of protections afforded to people as a cognitively complex and autonomous animal. Happy was captured in Asia back in the '70s when she was only 1 year old and has been at the Bronx Zoo ever since.

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The issue before the court ... whether the writ of habeas corpus -- which humans use to challenge illegal confinement -- should apply to super smart animals like elephants. The judges ruled, no.

It's interesting ... the decision noted the potential snowball effect legally recognizing Happy as a person might have on society, with Chief Judge Janet DiFiore noting there could be "an enormous destabilizing impact on modern society."

However, two judges dissented, saying Happy should not be prevented from having certain liberty rights just because she's an animal.

The NRP tells TMZ ... they applaud the "powerful" dissents from two judges, which shows the struggle for nonhuman animal rights has only just begun.

Jeff Hardy DUI Arrest Video Three Officers Pulled Guns On Wrestler During Stop

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GUNS DRAWN & ARRESTED

Three officers were apparently so concerned about the state of Jeff Hardy after they pulled him over on Monday morning, they each drew their guns and pointed them at the AEW star.

The frightening scene was all captured on police video, obtained by TMZ Sports, just before the 44-year-old wrestler was arrested in Volusia County for DUI by the Florida Highway Patrol.

In the footage, you can see after cops stopped Hardy's white Dodge Charger on a freeway after they said it had been swerving all over the road and driving erratically ... they walked to his car and appeared to shout orders at him through his closed windows.

Hardy, though, seemingly didn't comply -- which caused each officer on the scene to pull out their firearm.

Fortunately, Hardy eventually opened his car door without issue ... and the officers were able to get him out of his vehicle without incident.

In the footage, you can see Hardy -- wearing a Jacksonville Jaguars T-shirt -- was not steady on his feet ... and mumbled and whispered responses to the officers.

During questioning, Hardy appeared to admit to drinking shots of Fireball before getting behind the wheel.

Eventually, officers took Hardy away from the busy highway into a nearby parking lot to perform field sobriety tests.

Hardy, though, stumbled throughout each test ... and after several minutes, an officer slapped cuffs on the wrestling star and told him he was "under the arrest for the offense of DUI."

In police documents, officers say they tested Hardy's BAC through a breathalyzer back at the station ... and claim he blew a .291 and a .294.

Hardy bonded out of jail late Monday evening ... but was ultimately, according to court records, hit with three charges, including felony DUI as well as two misdemeanors.

He's due in court for a hearing in the case later Tuesday afternoon.

BK Drill Rapper 22Gz Arrested for Att. Murder ... Cops Say He Shot 3 People

Gold-selling Brooklyn drill rapper 22Gz was arrested on attempted murder charges early Sunday morning the moment he landed at JFK airport.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... 22Gz was in Atlanta since the shooting and may have thought the coast was clear for his Sunday Summer Jam performance ... but police caught up with him at the airport.

The snafu caused him to forfeit his appearance, as he was supposed to be a part of Hot 97's DJ Drewski's set.

The arrest stems from a March 6 shooting inside a Brooklyn party hall where 3 people were shot ... and police say one of the victims ID'd 22Gz as the shooter and provided officers with a detailed description of the "Twirlanta" rapper.

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Despite the triple shooting ... we're told the injuries are not considered to be serious.

Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez ripped into 22Gz telling TMZ: "This shooting not only wounded the victim, but endangered the lives of everyone in a crowded club. Senseless gang rivalries fuel much of the gun violence in our communities and I remain committed to vigorously prosecuting anyone who engages in this criminal conduct."

In addition to the attempted murder charge, 22Gz is facing 2nd-degree assault and weapons charges for a pistol, along with a 1st-degree reckless endangerment charge.

This isn't 22Gz's first brush with the law. In 2017, he spent 5 months in jail after being accused of killing a man in Miami Beach over a parking spot before the charges were dropped.

Brittney Griner Russian Detention Extended

Brittney Griner will remain in custody in Russia for at least another two and a half weeks ... the WNBA superstar's detention was just extended by a court until July 2.

The ruling was handed down on Tuesday, according to Russian state media outlet TASS, after investigators requested the extension.

The decision comes on the heels of U.S. State Department officials meeting with representatives from Brittney's current WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury, to discuss ways to safely return the professional hooper to America.

Specific details of the meeting remain tight-lipped -- it's unclear who exactly attended or what was discussed -- but officials confirmed to the Associated Press the forum did indeed happen.

The 31-year-old has been in Russian custody since mid-February ... after officials say she had hash oil in her luggage while going through airport security.

Chris Rock Let's Play Ball ... With Lake Bell

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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
TMZ.com

Chris Rock is in good company these days, taking in a baseball game with Lake Bell.

The comedian and actress were in a box together Monday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, watching a Cardinals game. They were spotted by eagle-eyed fans, who got them on camera together at different points in the evening ... including in this video, obtained by TMZ.

No signs of PDA, but they were definitely sitting together ... and seemed interested in maintaining a relatively low profile. We're told Chris did an on-camera interview at one point, and LB stepped away so she wouldn't be seen in the shot.

Chris has been performing comedy shows there lately, and it seems Lake is along for the ride. They're both single, and relatively fresh off of long-term marriages in recent years.

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TAKIN' NO DISRESPECT
ABC

It's been about 3 months since CR got smacked across the face by Will Smith, and by all accounts ... he's doing just fine. Not only has he continued to work, but he now seems to have a new lady friend (maybe).

Happier times are on the horizon, it seems.

Gunna U.S. Amendments Have FAILED ME ... Protect Black Art @ All Costs!!!

Gunna isn’t taking his incarceration lightly … evidenced by a fiery letter he’s written from jail where he says America is violating his Freedom of Speech rights.

In an open letter dated on his 29th birthday — Tuesday, June 14, the incarcerated “Pushin P” rapper speaks on how his breakout year was flipped after being part of a 56-count indictment that included Young Thug and several other YSL members.

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He writes, “22 & 2, just a bed & a shower, no windows just walls. Can’t see or talk to anyone. I’m writing now & still praying everyday. I was raised to fight fire with water, even tho my country’s amendments have failed me! PROTECT BLACK ART!”

T.I., who’s had several run-ins with the law throughout his rap career, immediately swooped in with words of encouragement.

Sad thing is ... Gunna wasn’t lying about 2022 being his time to shine. His album “DS4EVER” beat out The Weeknd to go No. 1 and his gold-selling “Pushin P” record set a trend.

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Thug recently also broke his silence — live at Hot 97’s Summer Jam ... urging fans to sign to the Protect Black Art initiative — as did Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, Polo G, Meek Mill and several other high-profile artists.

As of now, Gunna and Thug will be locked up until 2023 when they're expected to have their day in court.

Amber Heard I Stand by My Testimony ... Spoke 'Truth to Power'

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I SPOKE THE TRUTH
NBC

Amber Heard says she stands by every word she spoke during her 6-week trial with Johnny Depp -- words she calls "truth to power."

A new portion of her 'Today' interview with Savannah Guthrie dropped Tuesday. Here, we see Amber doubling down yet again in her defense -- namely, arguing that everything she testified to had, in fact, happened.

She also talks about social media -- backing her lawyers' gripes that the jury must've seen it -- and even addresses the sea of Depp fans she was up against.

When SG asks her what she makes of people who might be disgusted with both of them -- Amber says she gets it, but that what those folks might not understand is that this case was actually constitutional rights.

Savannah pushes back, saying the First Amendment doesn't protect lies that amount to defamation ... which Amber totally agrees with, insisting she told none. AH says she did the opposite ... speaking "truth to power," as she puts it, for which she says she paid the price.

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WHAT ABOUT THE ABUSE?!
NBC

On the issue of whether she was "acting," Amber rhetorically asks how she could hold up against one of the greats of this generation ... implying JD was the one putting on a show.

There's more ... including Savannah throwing Amber's own recorded words -- in which she admits to hitting Johnny and starting fights -- right back in her face. But, Amber tells her they were out of context and don't paint the full picture.

Blue Ivy Lookin' Just Like Beyoncé!!! Out with Jay-Z at NBA Finals

Blue Ivy spent the night out with her pops Jay-Z, and fans had to stop and do a double-take after looking way too much like Beyoncé.

The father-daughter duo was at the NBA Finals Monday night in San Fran, and fans couldn't help but compare her to her mom -- the 10-year-old is rocking a new curly-haired look that's definitely very familiar.

Blue's look feels similar to queen Bey in the mid-2000s, or as one fan reacted on social media ... "Beyonce really copy and pasted her looks on her." Not everyone sees the Beyonce comparisons, though ... some still see more of her dad than her mama.

Jay-Z even got the chance to embarrass her at the game in true dad fashion ... pulling her in for a hug while on camera, and she tried to break away as she whispered, "Dad, my hair."

BTW, last night's game 5 pulled Golden State ahead 3-2, and Jay and mini-Bey even got to chat it up with Steph Curry after the game.

Quite the night for the Carters.

David Koechner Body Cam of Field Sobriety Tests ... (Not So Good) Before Arrest

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MAJOR WHAMMY
TMZ.com

David Koechner looked a bit like a deer in headlights during his latest DUI bust -- one that couldn't stand up all that straight ... at least based on this police body cam footage.

The "Anchorman" star's run-in with cops in Ohio earlier this month can now be seen on video obtained by TMZ ... and in it, you see him bombing -- according to police -- some field sobriety tests after he's pulled over on the road.

The cop who ends up running the show actually has a funny little "I know you" encounter when he realizes who Koechner is, but it doesn't seem like he's too star-struck -- because he proceeds, trying to get a read on whether DK had one too many.

After going through the gauntlet of drunk exams, the cop ends up putting David in handcuffs -- telling him he's under arrest ... with the actor admitting this is his 2nd in 6 months.

We're told Koechner was arrested, processed at the station, and then eventually released with a court summons. The summons dings him on 3 separate counts ... driving while impaired, refusal to submit for a breathalyzer or urine sample and driving on a suspended license.

It's bad news for Champ Kind. As we said, this is his 2nd such arrest in a very short window. If convicted, he could end up getting some jail time.

Ex-Boxer Julius Francis Knocks Out Man With One Punch While Working Security Gig

Former heavyweight boxer Julius Francis -- who famously fought Mike Tyson in 2000 -- showed he's still got thunder in his hands ... knocking out a man cold while working a security gig on Saturday.

The ferocious punch went down outside of BOXPARK Wembley in the U.K. ... after a man appeared to get into a confrontation with security guards for an unknown reason.

In video of the incident, shot by a bystander, you can see the man in the du-rag was clearly not pleased with Francis and other guards ... screaming at them, and seeming to shove some of them as well.

As the guards were trying to get the man away from the area, the guy stepped toward Francis -- who clearly didn't like that.

Video shows Francis hit the man square in the jaw with a quick right hook -- sending him straight to the ground. The man appeared to be out cold for several moments.

No word on if the guy suffered any significant injuries.

Local law enforcement, meanwhile, said in a statement they are investigating it all.

"Police are aware of footage circulating on social media showing an incident involving security staff and a member of the public outside Boxpark in Wembley."

"An investigation into the circumstances, including to establish the identity and welfare of those involved, is underway."

They added no arrests have been made at this time.

Francis fought professionally 48 times in the 1990s and early 2000s -- famously losing to Tyson in a January 2000 bout in Manchester.

The 57-year-old former pugilist -- who ended his career with a 23-24-1 record -- also famously fought Vitali Klitschko in 1998, losing by TKO.

Kardashians Blac Chyna Better Fork Over $390k ... For HER Failed Lawsuit

UPDATE

6:25 AM PT -- 6/15 -- Chyna's attorney, Lynne Ciani, tells TMZ ... "Kris Jenner's attempt to financially ruin Angela White, the mother of her granddaughter Dream Kardashian, will not work. Under California law, costs are awarded to defendants only when they are without fault."

UPDATE

"In this case, a Los Angeles jury reached a verdict that defendant Kris Jenner falsely claimed that 'Chyna beat the s*** out of Rob’s face' and that defendant Kylie Jenner falsely claimed that Chyna would 'proceed with using and physically abusing my brother.'”

Blac Chyna suing the Kardashians is proving to be a very costly affair for her -- the family says the trial cost them nearly $400K, and now they're demanding Chyna cover that amount.

One of the things the judge ordered last month, after a jury ruled in favor of the Kardashians, was for BC to pay their litigation costs because she put them through the legal wringer.

Welp, the Kardashians' lawyers filed new paperwork laying out their financial burden for the trial, and it's just over $390k. BTW, that does NOT include their attorneys' fees.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the Kardashians' legal team insists the family spent more than $391,094 in total throughout the years-long proceedings.

Some of their highest outlays -- service of process ($9,325.99); hosting electronic documents ($7,248.35), court reporter fees ($19,895), and deposition costs ($63,078.20).

The biggest ticket item though -- their team claims $184,871.71 was spent on "models, enlargements, and photocopies of exhibits." There's even more money that goes uncategorized, nearly $97k worth.

Like we said, the judge said they're owed their costs, but the court will still need to sign off on the final amount.

Call it hard lesson #327 for Chyna: If the victor gets the spoils, the loser gets the bill.

Originally Published -- 6/14 1:00 AM PT

Video Shows Stray Doggy Trapped Inside Gorilla Enclosure At San Diego Zoo

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GOIN' BANANAS
Storyful

A stray dog is lucky to be alive after it found itself in a less than familiar environment ... getting stuck inside a gorilla enclosure at The San Diego Zoo.

Officials say, the canine somehow wandered into the gorilla habitat Sunday, after sneaking inside the San Diego Zoo Safari Park -- you can feel the anxiety from the crowd as they watch on, desperately trying to get the dog to climb out and to safety.

The gorillas chase down the pup at points, but keep their distance in an intense stare-off during others ... one thing is for sure -- the dog is terrified.

The good news? ... the zoo staff ended up moving the gorilla so that officers from the San Diego County Humane Society could get in and safely get the doggy out.

While officials have yet to find an owner for the pup, he was reportedly given the shelter name of 'Mighty Joe Young' and the Humane Society is hopeful its owner will come to bring him back home.

So, while a dog is a man's best friend -- it looks like they've still got some work to do around gorillas.

Trick Daddy FL Gov. DeSantis Is 'White Bigot' ... He Ruined My State!!!

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WE LET THIS HAPPEN
It's Tricky with Raquel Harper

Trick Daddy is super pissed at Ron DeSantis for Florida's myriad financial problems, calling the Governor a "white bigot" ... but he's also blaming voters, or lack thereof.

The "I'm a Thug" rapper is the latest guest on "It's Tricky with Raquel Harper," and he rips into Gov. DeSantis when asked what life is like these days in his home state.

Trick Daddy says he feels for all those seeing their rents raised by hundreds of dollars ... but he's not blaming President Biden, a la Jake Paul, and is instead focusing his rage on DeSantis.

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PROTECT OUR WOMEN
It's Tricky with Raquel Harper

Raised rents aren't the only bone Trick Daddy has to pick with DeSantis ... he's also going after the Governor for Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill and super strict abortion laws.

The way Trick Daddy sees it ... DeSantis, a prospective Republican candidate for president, is singling out all types of people and their ways of life with "racist and biased" legislation.

As for his rant about DeSantis being "from another country" -- we think TD's referring to the fact his ancestors were Italian immigrants in the early 20th century.

Make sure to follow "It's Tricky with Raquel Harper" on Apple, Spotify, Google -- or wherever you get your podcasts -- so you never miss any of Raq's episodes.

Dolph Lundgren Daughter Gets Restraining Order Against Ex-BF ... Stay Away From My Family!!!

Dolph Lundgren's daughter, Ida Lundgren, got a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend after he allegedly threatened her family ... TMZ has learned.

According to legal docs obtained by TMZ ... a judge ordered Ida's ex, Jack Eaton-Morris, to stay at least 100 yards away from Ida, Dolph, and other family members.

Ida claims on June 1, 2022, Jack took her phone and her passport to prevent her from leaving a London hotel, and also grabbed her face. She says cops were called, but Jack had fled -- she claims he'd driven off drunk.

And, according to Ida, Jack's flown off the handle like this at least 10 times before ... once even threatening to blow up her mom's car, and another time he threatened to kill himself.

BTW, Ida noted she has now broken things off with Jack, but he refuses to accept it.

The judge granted her a temporary restraining order, and there will be a hearing on June 30 ... where he can tell his side of the story.

Mike Tyson Backs out Of Ric Flair Roast 'Unforeseen Circumstances'

UPDATE

12:10 PM PT -- Mike Tyson is out of the Ric Flair roast ... after signing on to participate in the event.

UPDATE

"Due to unforeseen circumstances Mike will not be participating in the roast," Iron Mike's reps told us. They did not wish to elaborate.

Before Ric Flair doles out one last ass whoopin', the WWE legend's gonna take a few (verbal) jabs from Mike Tyson -- 'cause TMZ Sports has learned Iron Mike will be one of the celebs roasting Nature Boy this summer!

We're told 55-year-old Tyson has signed on to be part of the roast of 73-year-old Flair ... going down July 29 in Nashville, TN ... in front of over 1,000 fans!

Ric and Mike -- two of the absolute greatest in their respective fields -- aren't just buddies, they're also business partners.

In fact, Mike's "Tyson 2.0" cannabis company recently struck a deal with "Ric Flair Drip" ... and the men will be selling different marijuana products (think edibles, etc.)

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CALM AFTER THE STORM

And, Tyson won't be alone in roasting the 16x world champ ... Starrcast, the company behind the event, tells us they're in the process of locking down other celebs and wrestlers for the roast.

If Ric makes it through the roast, two nights later he's scheduled to wrestle in the final match of his incredible career. His opponent is still being sorted out.

Big summer for The Nature Boy!!