Awards / Awards Shows

The LAPD officers just got schooled on sizzurp, aka lean ... but the department swears there's nothing racial about it.

Law enforcement sources tell us LAPD brass has held meetings with cops to go over the basics when it comes to codeine. We're told they've been briefed on how users mix the syrup, how it looks, smells and most importantly ... to be on the lookout for double cups.

The brass insisted it has nothing to do with this weekend's BET Awards show ... which will draw scores of rappers. They say cops will not specially hunt for double cups ... but officers will arrest anyone if they happen to notice during normal patrol.

How's this for rapper's delight ... 2 elite strip clubs are flying in more than 50 of the nation's HOTTEST strippers to meet demand from thirsty ballers in L.A. for the BET Awards.

Ace of Diamonds L.A. and Crazy Girls have both jumped in on the action ... and sources tell TMZ the strip joints expect to haul in at least $500k ... thanks to a swarm of rappers who have expressed keen interest.

Some of the heavy hitters include Currency, Tokyo, Henny, Mercedes Fox and Malani Ca$h ... just some of the most sought-after strippers headlining clubs in New York, Houston, Miami and Atlanta.

Whitney Houston's estate and the Whitney fan who already bid $10,000 for her 1986 Emmy are both outta luck -- a federal judge has shut down an auction for the trophy.

Heritage Auctions had put the statuette up for grabs, but TMZ broke the story ... the Television Academy opposed the auction, citing its rule that all Emmys must be returned to them if the winner or winner's heirs no longer want it.

Heritage was hawking the Emmy on behalf of Whitney's estate, but the Academy sought and was granted a temporary restraining order to prevent the live auction from going down Friday.

The online auction had already begun, and as we told you ... someone put up a $10k bid. Sorry, Charlie.

Whitney Houston's Emmy award will NOT be auctioned off without a fight ... the Television Academy just filed a lawsuit accusing Heritage Auctions of theft.

TMZ broke the story ... the Academy is trying to block Heritage from putting the statuette on the block -- on behalf of Whitney's family -- claiming it contractually MUST be returned to the Academy.

In the docs -- filed in L.A. and obtained by TMZ -- the Academy included the sticker it says has been affixed to the bottom of EVERY Emmy handed out between 1978 to 1994. Whitney won hers in 1986.

The sticker makes it clear the statuette is the Academy's property and the winner's heirs are "obligated to return" it ... as opposed to selling it or throwing it away.

Whitney Houston's only Emmy award is about to go up for auction IF Emmy honchos fail in their last ditch effort to block the sale ... TMZ has learned.

The Television Academy says it's going into court Wednesday morning to request a restraining order against Heritage Auctions ... which plans to put Whitney's 1986 Emmy statuette up for grabs on Friday.

Heritage is hawking the award on behalf of Whitney's estate -- but the Television Academy has strict rules about its awards. According to the Academy, all winners sign an agreement that their heirs or successors must "return the statuette to the Academy, and we hold it in storage in memory of the recipient.”

A rep for Heritage tells TMZ ... they've asked the Academy multiple times to produce Whitney's signature on that agreement, but no dice to this point. Heritage says it's moving forward unless a judge drops the hammer.

They expect the award to sell for upwards of $10,000. By the way, Whitney won the Emmy for her performance on the Grammys. Weird, right?

James Corden opened the Tony Awards in NYC with a heartfelt dedication to the victims of the Orlando nightclub massacre and their families.

It's a tough position for Corden -- hosting something as trivial as an entertainment award show ... while the country is reeling in the wake of its worst mass shooting ever.

Corden and the show's producers probably handled it the best way possible, under the circumstances -- addressing the horrific events head-on, while vowing ... "Hate will never win."

J.J. Watt threatening to fight Carrie Underwood's hockey player husband??? That happened ... sorta.

It was all part of Watt's big comedy bit at the CMT Music Awards Wednesday night -- when Watt jokingly hit on a bunch of hot married famous chicks ... including Carrie. It culminated in a funny standoff with Mike Fisher.

MVP meets CMT.

J.J. Watt has officially been tapped to co-host the CMT Music Awards next month -- after impressing producers as a presenter during last year's show.

CMT announced Watt will join Erin Andrews -- who hosted the show last year along with Brittany Snow. But Snow's out -- and Watt's in.

"I am very excited to be involved in a much larger capacity this year as co-host,” Watt said.

"I can’t wait to host the awards with Erin and be part of such a great night, honoring the biggest stars in country music.”

Ciara chic is awesome ... a blend of a sexy physique, amazing threads and super expensive shoes, which is evident from the price tag.

We're guessing this isn't a humble brag ... just an oversight.

Oops.

Celine Dion had no clue her 15-year-old son would be presenting her ICON Award at the Billboard Music Awards ... even though producers talked about it right in front of her.

That's because they used a code word for Rene-Charles during rehearsals. Our production sources tell us Celine's son was referred to as "the package" all weekend. This was the first time he had been to one of his mother's award shows ... which added to the surprise for Celine, we're told.

For keeping the secret, the teenager scored an awesome reward -- a backstage pic with Rihanna.

Oh, and Mom was really happy. That was good too.

Madonna just paid respect to the Purple One in epic fashion ... bringing out Stevie Wonder for a duet of Prince's famous track.

With the Billboard Music Awards dripping in purple ... Madge and Stevie would've made him proud.

Kim Kardashian made it abundantly clear she knows exactly what pays the bills -- her naked body, and she's vowing to give you more of it.

Kim K earned the first ever "Break the Internet" honor at the Webby Awards Monday night in New York, and did her own version of a mic drop when she accepted the trophy.

Kim was honored for her powerful social media presence, which includes her massively popular Kimoji app and mobile game.

Check out her speech. Kobe's got, "Mamba out" ... and now Kim has these 5 words.

Kesha is prepping for a "statement performance" at the Billboard Music Awards and Dr. Luke will be the prime focus ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Kesha tell us the singer is gearing up for a marquee performance during the live May 22 show on ABC from Las Vegas. We're told she's planning to make direct references to her ongoing legal battle with Dr. Luke ... and might even include images of him.

She might have already given us a taste of what's to come after a not-so-subtle reference to the Sony producer when she covered Lady Gaga's "Til It Happens To You" last week.

Considering she's going to have a network TV audience ... it's a bold move, and one you know Dr. Luke will be watching closely.

The Oscars or the Girl Scouts -- or some mystery benefactor ... is hanging 28 little girls out to dry -- after swearing Chris Rock's bit earned $65k ... we've learned the money is nowhere to be found.

You'll recall Rock and the Oscars got Inglewood, CA's Girl Scouts Troop 5215 to work the crowd of celebs, hawking Thin Mints, Tagalongs and more. Near the end of the show, Chris said they raised $65k.

But Latoya Edwards, whose daughter is in Troop 5215 tells TMZ someone's screwing them over. She claims the National Girl Scout Council informed them the Academy would be donating the $65k to the Greater L.A. Council ... but that hasn't happened, and the Academy isn't returning calls.

Mind you, Troop 5215 isn't getting rich quick. Edwards says due to nonprofit rules her local chapter would only get $1,000 of that money, but her bigger concern is her scouts are getting used in a public relations lie.

Previously Girls Scouts of America and the Academy both bragged about the $65k they'd raised -- but now GSA seems to be wiping its hands clean. A rep would only tell us, "The donation process is determined by local councils."

Translation: We have no idea where the $65k is. Edwards claims the Greater L.A. leaders are also in the dark and as for the Academy? We contacted reps, but no word back yet.

Edwards says her Girl Scouts were honored to participate -- and is happy they were able to unload 400 boxes -- but she wants the world to know, as of now, there is NO fat check pouring into the Inglewood chapter.

And yes ... that's how it crumbles.

Father Robert Sirico -- a celebrity in his own right for his political and cultural commentary -- eviscerated the Academy for embracing "Spotlight" while it celebrated a child molester in its own ranks.

We got the Catholic Priest -- who writes for the NY Times -- and asked about the church scandal that became the centerpiece of the movie.

You gotta hear his answer ... and he's right. Roman Polanski won Best Director in 2003 for "The Pianist," the same time The Boston Globe was breaking the molestation stories.

Polanski pled guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl and then fled the country ... he's never returned.

Check out the video from 2003, below. The applause for Polanski was thunderous and the standing ovation remarkable.

Will Smith's in a tough position ... does he attack Chris Rock for throwing shade on Jada at the Oscars, or does he say, all's fair in love and war?

Will chose neither option Tuesday night as he left Nobu restaurant in NYC.