U.S. Curling Team Denied a Delta Flight Upgrade After Winning Olympic Gold

John Shuster and the U.S. curling team are probably flying back home on something less than first class after winning gold at the Olympics ... all 'cause Delta denied 'em an upgrade.

The official U.S. Curling handle hit up Delta on Twitter Saturday asking if there was a way to get upgraded on the flight home from PyeongChang after taking 1st in men's curling.

Unfortunately, Delta said it had nothing for them upgrade-wise ... but at least if offered a congratulations and a warm welcome to the flight.

The curlers were gracious in their response, thanking Delta for looking into it and hoping for a smooth ride home. John and co. won the USA its first gold medal in the winter sport ever ... beating out Sweden for top honors.

Looks like an historic achievement only gets you so far in the world these days.

Chrissy Teigen My Potatoes Made it Through TSA ... But Not in a Casserole Dish

022518_chrissy_tiegen_kal
FINGERS CROSSED!
TMZ.com

Chrissy Teigen called an audible on an airport carry-on that paid off big time -- 'cause she was able to bring scalloped potatoes onto her flight without security gettin' fussy.

We got Chrissy heading into LAX Saturday, where just hours before she'd tweeted a very important question at American Airlines ... is ceramic all good with TSA?

Luckily, both AA and TSA hit her back letting her know the potatoes were fine in her originally intended casserole dish ... but it sounds like she switched up the container last minute.

Maybe she wanted to play it safe with some good ol' fashioned plastic. Whatever the reason ... the grub got the all-clear, as she quickly pointed out on social media.

Chrissy did ditch a snack beforehand, though -- pawning off some cookies on a photog before walking inside. Better safe than sorry ... you can't press your luck with this stuff.

Joe Jonas Goes Surfing Down Under ... The Struggle is Real

022318_joe_jonas_kal
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED ...
MEGA

Joe Jonas tried to take a stand in Australia -- on his surfboard -- and he eventually got there ... for about 2 seconds.

The DNCE singer went out looking to ride some waves at Bondi Beach Friday, but even with the help of a surfing instructor ... he couldn't quite get his body moves to sync up.

You gotta admire the Jonas bro's determination, though -- he kept hopping back up on his board even after eating it several times, and it finally paid off ...

At least enough to pose for some "hang loose" pics.

Jaden & Willow Smith We Dig Dad's 'ICON' Video Spoof ... We're Also Really Fast!!!

022318_jaden_willow_kal
ALL IN THE FAMILY
TMZ.com

Jaden and Willow Smith had no dad jokes when Will spoofed Jaden's "ICON" music video -- far from it, but they were in the mood to laugh about lots of other things.

We got Jaden and Willow separately Thursday night in Calabasas as they left the movies. We tried to ask Jaden about the new short film he's in, "Can Cowboys Cry" ... but he was more interested in jokingly ordering his gf, Odessa Adlon, to flee. Watch, it's pretty funny.

Willow was way more calm and collected when we approached her about Will's spoof of Jaden. In fact, she said she was kind of freaked out how dead-on Dad's version was to her bro's.

Of course, Will's become quite the social media sensation since joining Instagram -- so we had to ask what she thinks about his posts, and then ... BAM! Willow took a page out of Jaden's playbook, all in good fun.

Well played, kiddos.

Wendy Williams Nobody's Replacing Me on My Show!!!

022118_wendy_williams_kal 2/21/18
BOY, PLEASE!
TMZ.com

There's only one person capable of hosting "The Wendy Williams Show," even if she's sidelined due to illness ... and God help you, if you suggest otherwise!

We got Wendy Williams Tuesday afternoon outside her NYC studio right after she announced she's been diagnosed with Graves' diseases and needs to take time off. She had a nice farewell message for her fans, but her tone changed dramatically when we raised the possibility of a ... guest host?

Remember, doctors recommended Wendy take 3 weeks of vacation, stat -- so it seemed like a reasonable question.

022118_wendy_williams_4241808
DOCTOR KNOWS BEST
FOX

Let's just say Wendy did NOT see things the way our photog did!

She handed him a very clear lesson, which is ... NO. ONE. REPLACES. WENDY. WILLIAMS. Ya got that?

'Dumb and Dumber' Mini Bike Sells for $50k To Lucky Single Guy

Just when you thought the sale of the "Dumb and Dumber" mini bike couldn't possibly be any dumber, it was.

The hog featured in the classic 1994 comedy, and used to get Lloyd and Harry to Aspen ... hauled in $50,000 for the Houston man who sold it on eBay to fortify his kid's college fund. Considering the opening bid was $8,500 ... nice work, Dad.

The new owner is Todd Lyons from New York, who tells us one of his friends told him he wanted to bid on it, but his wife lowered the boom. Todd had no one dissuading him, so he went for it. Three cheers for bachelorhood!

As we reported ... the mini bike was one of 2 used in the film, specifically in all the close-up riding scenes with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.

Todd tells us he was 13 when he first saw the flick with his buddy, so he's thrilled to own a piece of it ... which he will proudly display on his wall.

Kevin Hart I Didn't Pay at Epic Comedians Dinner But, I'll Tell You Who Did

022018_kevin_hart_encino_kal
TABLE TALK
TMZ.com

Kevin Hart says he's got a foolproof plan to avoid picking up the check at epic dinners like the one he had with Eddie Murphy and Dave Chappelle -- and he also revealed who DID pay.

We got Kev Tuesday leaving the gym in Encino, and had to ask about the all-star comedy summit he attended Monday night at Mastro's Steakhouse -- Eddie, Dave, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker ... and Usher and Dwyane Wade, too.

Kevin explained why the boss move is offering to pick up the check before anyone else does -- and it's not because you WANT to pay. It's a good tip. Pun fully intended.

But best of all ... he told us which comedy legend threw down his Black Card (we're guessing) to cover the meal. We got most of the crew right after the meal, when they were all in great spirits, and now we know why -- the person who paid was NOT with them.

022018_dwayne_wade_kal
COMEDY TROUPE
TMZSports.com

Dwight Howard Pick-up Ball With College Kids ... Kinda Gets Dominated

022018_dwight_howard_kal
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS

If we told you we had video of Dwight Howard playing pick-up basketball with random gym dudes at San Diego State ... you'd probably expect to see DH destroying them, dunking repeatedly on their normal heads.

You'd be wrong ... because we actually have video of Howard hooping with some random gym dudes at San Diego State and the dude who got kinda dominated was Dwight.

Apparently Howard was looking for some fun Sunday night and hit up the Aztec Rec Center at San Diego State University to get some night ball in with the 100-ish kids in the gym.

Dope for those kids ... but it's not like they took it easy on him for blessing them with his presence -- they went at him hard, with one dude actually ripping Dwight on defense and then freaking a reverse dunk!

Dwight also horribly bricked a three.

Look, we're not saying he was playing with NBA-level intensity ... but still, the tape don't lie.

Chris Rock Rihanna's Snub Helped Him Out ... Says Bro, Jordan

022018_jordan_rock_kal
SHOOT YOUR SHOT!
TMZ.com

Chris Rock is a changed man for the better, now that he's dating younger women -- and it all might be thanks to him getting shot down by Rihanna first ... so says his brother.

We got Jordan Rock -- the youngest of 7 Rock siblings -- and asked if Chris was aiming too high by trying to get at RiRi post-divorce, like he explained in his new Netflix special, "Tamborine."

Jordan says the Rocks know no limits when shooting their shot -- even though it didn't really work out for Chris and Rihanna. The upside ... Chris's new GF is, in fact, younger than him, and he seems to be in a better mood because of it ... according to Jordan, anyway.

Sounds like a proper thank you is in order for Ms. Fenty for helping Chris turn a new leaf. Or maybe a "Happy 30th Birthday" will do.

Odell Beckham Jr. Trolls Russ & Harden ... in All-Star Roast Sesh

021918_odell_beckham_jr_kal_2
ALL-STAR CLOWNIN'

Odell Beckham Jr. came out FIRING on his NBA bros from courtside at the All-Star game -- from James Harden to Russell Westbrook to Victor Oladipo -- and it was pretty damn hilarious.

To Dipo: "Little Foot! I seen you on 'Land Before Time' before!"

To Russ: "You like a human turtle man -- Donatello."

To Harden: "Beard man -- yeah, you ... is that thing attached to you or is it real?

To Team Steph (when they threw away the game): "YEEEEESSSSS!!!"

Odell also might've poked fun at Kyrie Irving's infamous flat-earth theory ... enlisting the help of Dave Chappelle to joke about the moon not being real.

But his best burn might've been on "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman (yeah, celebs weren't safe either).

Never change, OBJ.

Female Viral Streetball Star I'm Looking For My Next Victim ... And He Might Be A Globetrotter!!!

021618_jazmine_kal
NO ONE STANDS A CHANCE
TMZSports.com

The Internet sensation who ended a young man's basketball career with a devastating move this week says she's looking for her next victim -- and the guy might just be Harlem Globetrotter Mani Love.

We spoke with Jazmine, the woman who went viral this week after a ridiculous, sensational, almost sinister move destroyed a guy at her local gym, and she wants to embarrass more men.

"Some guys they don't know and they don't play up on me and I'm like, play defense, 'cause I want the credit, so when I cross you, you can't even say I wasn't playing defense on you."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

It's not just regular guys who can get it from Jazmine -- the Internet fame has brought celebrities into her DMs, including one Harlem Globetrotter with a basketball death wish.

"You know Mani Love? Me and him are playing in the summer. We have a bet."

Careful Jazmine, Mani is known for breakin' ankles himself. Actually, both of you guys should prolly wear braces.

Jamie Foxx Schools Byron Scott in Three-Pointers ... Jamie-3, Byron-0!!!

021818_jaime_foxx_kal
JAIME BUCKETS
TMZSports.com

Jamie Foxx The Renaissance Man strikes again -- this time sending NBA legend Byron Scott back to school during an impromptu shooting contest.

Jamie and Byron were attending an All-Star-themed event Saturday night at the Jeremy hotel in WeHo, where they got into a little three-point shooting contest on the fly.

Eyewitnesses tell us Jamie drained at least 3 shots from distance out of 10 ... while Byron hit NONE. Yes, Byron Scott -- who's known as a three-point guru -- hit zero 3-pointers.

The discrepancy didn't go unnoticed, especially by Jamie. He points out what most everyone already knows about the dude -- he can kinda do it all. Game, hats.

Elton John Pissed After Flying Beads to Face ... NOT Alright on Any Night!!

021518_elton_john_kal
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
TMZ.com

Elton John was totally down for fighting on a Wednesday night when a fan whacked him in the mouth with some beads ... temporarily silencing the legend.

Sir Elton was right in the middle of "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" during his Caesars Palace concert when what looks like leftover Mardi Gras beads came flying over his piano.

Check out the vid ... the singer was pissed and a little stunned as he checked his teeth for damage. Even though the band kept rocking, Elton needed a good 35 seconds to compose himself.

We're told he'd just invited the first row to come on stage, and one of those fans was the bead-tosser.

It's a guarantee he or she will NOT be invited back.

Kris Jenner A Wasted Valentine's Day

021518_kris_jenner_kal
DRUNK IN LOVE

Kris Jenner skipped the chocolates and went straight to the champagne, and lots of it, based on video of her Valentine's night party with Khloe Kardashian, Tristan Thompson and, of course, Corey Gamble.

Kris and her kin celebrated at her house Wednesday night with a karaoke party that got funnier by the moment, or the glass. She tried her best to bust out Britney Spears and Sir Mix-a-Lot hits, but the booze was too much.

Mama Jenner was still plenty entertaining though -- Tristan laughed his ass off and Khloe recorded every moment.

The question: Good night for Corey or nightmare?

Justin Bieber Pop Stars in Cars Getting Chummy ... With Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld might be getting sued over his hit Netflix show, but that's not deterring him from a good ol' fashioned stop-and-chat with stars in their cars ... just ask Justin Bieber.

Jerry was out and about Monday in Bev Hills with his 17-year-old daughter, Sascha, who noticed Bieber cruising beside them. Unclear who flagged who down ... but it appears the Seinfelds might've halted traffic for a chance to meet the Biebs.

The street-side meet-and-greet took place almost immediately after Jerry hit a legal snag over "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." TMZ broke the story ... a producer claims Jerry jacked the idea 'cause he didn't wanna credit (or pay) the guy as a creator of the show. Jerry's lawyer called the lawsuit "delusional" and a "shakedown."

From the looks of Jerry's face, it seems like he was more interested in JB's Lambo. Cars are sorta his thing, after all. And besides ... he's not great with ID'ing pop stars himself.

Right, Kesha?

Anderson Silva Twerks His Ass Off in Bra & Heels ... for Drag Queen Tribute

0212-kal-anderson-silva-crossdress-dance-instagrram-1
MAN, I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN

Here's Anderson Silva like you've never seen him before -- dressing in drag and twerking like his life depends on it to pay tribute to a huge Brazilian pop star ... and we gotta say, dude's got moves!

The UFC legend shared his crazy dance routine on social media -- explaining that it's a tribute to fellow Brazilian Pabllo Vittar, a singer/drag queen who famously collab'd with Major Lazer last year.

"In the spirit of Carnival I pay tribute to my illustrious peer Pabllo Vittar," Silva said. "Keep giving joy to those who enjoy your sound."

Clearly, the heels ain't slowing Anderson down.

Fun fact: Silva is dancing to Vittar's track, "K.O." -- get the fighting reference?

As for Pabllo -- she's a big fan of exposing more people to the drag world, previously telling Billboard.com, "The drag art is growing. We have drags on ads, TV shows, novelas, movies. People now have more access to knowledge about it and less prejudice."