American Idol

Gen. Larry Platt just took in-flight entertainment to the next level.

Platt's manager tells TMZ Platt busted out an impromptu performance of "Pants on the Ground" during a flight from L.A. to Atlanta this AM -- after passengers recognized him and then begged him to do it.

We're told Platt -- who was on his way back home from The Grammys -- performed the song in the aisle in coach.

Platt was the last person to get off the plane -- because the pilots and flight attendants wanted to meet him.

Larry's former manager Jason Mills -- who's releasing the song to radio stations -- tells us he doesn't need Larry's approval because Mills says it's "promotional" and not for profit ... at least for now.

Mills says he now represents the producer, Carlos Thornton (aka Los Vegas) and Mills claims the producer has the right to release the tune, without the General's approval.

Brown explained to Barbara Walters that his daughter was only 17 at the time Simon Cowell described her performance as "robotic" and "empty" and he'd love to have her get on the show again.

Martin's story is heartbreaking: She's made it to Hollywood twice before auditioning again this season -- but both times, she left the show early. Her father was murdered during her "Idol" run in 2007 and in 2008 she had to quit because of a court appearance.

"General" Larry Platt's gripe with saggy bottoms has gotten the "American Idol" star all the way to the Grammys -- dude's gonna be performing on the red carpet.

TMZ spoke with Platt's manager -- a charming woman named Pinky -- who told us the "Pants on the Ground" king will bust out his intoxicating anthem right before the awards show.

Unfortunately, the "General" is gonna have to find somewhere else to see the awards -- Pinky tells us there are no plans to actually go inside.

TMZ has found photos of Erica Rhodes from her stint as a dancer for the Dallas Desperados -- which were taken back in '06 and '07 when the AFL still existed.

As long as Erica keeps wearing leather ... we'll be rooting for her.

The Green Brothers -- a rap group consisting of an elderly Platt-alike gentleman -- re-posted the music video for their song "Back Pockets on the Floor" this week -- and you're gonna be shocked at the similarity.

The group claims their lift-up-your-pants jam has "the same intent, idea and in part the same message" as the "American Idol" wannabeen's.

TMZ has learned 26-year-old Jesse Kristofferson posed for the advertisement last year -- and according to Jesse's rep, Jeff Ballard, the people at "Idol" have no idea the ad features the son of a famous singer/songwriter.

Well now they know ... and knowing is half the battle.

It all went down Friday morning inside the New Brunswick Legislature -- when veteran politician T.J. Burke used "General" Larry Platt's theme song to explain how an opposition member had been caught with his "pants on the ground" during a recent radio interview.

And the genius himself, Larry Platt, was a surprise guest at a Minnesota Vikings team meeting today to perform the song for the team. Is it too late to bet on the Saints?

"General" Larry Platt -- the musical mastermind behind "Pants on the Ground" -- hasn't seen a dime since everyone and their mother started singing his tune ... and now he's lawyering up in the hopes of finally raking in some cash.

Platt tells TMZ he loves the countless parodies and remixes of his tune -- but says since he's the one who wrote the greatest song ever created about pants being on the ground ... he's the one who should be getting paid.

Problem is Platt never copyrighted the song ... so he's looking to hire an attorney to help him snag a slice of the "Pants" craze while he can.

The guy who was led out of "American Idol" in handcuffs on last night's show got a lucky break after the cameras stopped rolling -- producers let the guy off the hook.

TMZ has learned 28-year-old Jarrod Norrell -- who was manhandled by security when he refused to leave his audition -- was escorted out of the Orlando, Florida building ... but did not go to jail.

Cops tell TMZ, that at the request of "A.I." producers, Norrell only received a threat -- meaning that if he returned to the auditions he would have been arrested.

As we previously reported, Simon has had discussions with Abdul about joining his new show -- the one he's leaving 'Idol' for after this season.

We're not sure how far along they got in their talks.

Ryan Seacrest's alleged stalker has been ordered to stand trial for his alleged menacing actions toward the "American Idol" host.

25-year-old Chidi Uzomah allegedly violated a restraining order -- by showing up to Seacrest's workplace with a knife in his pocket last year.

Uzomah was charged with felony stalking and disobeying two court orders -- both misdemeanors.

He's due back in court on Feb 2.

The limber, 62-year-old went on "The View" this morning where he rocked out another rendition of the "American Idol" instant classic -- and revealed that he observed a droopy-bottomed person sucking on a baby bottle when he was inspired to write the song.

Platt's revelation could only mean 2 things -- either the pants-wearer was a grown man in desperate need of a belt ... or Platt wrote a song about an infant.

As TwinCities.com pointed out, Favre can be heard saying "I told Percy [Harvin] I'd do this" -- right before he led the victory chant in the Minnesota locker room.