Scott Peterson Ex-Atty Geragos Grateful for Innocence Project ... Calls Trial 'Abomination'

011924-mark-geragos-kal
FINALLY FAIR
TMZ.com

The fact Scott Peterson's case has been taken up by the L.A. Innocence Project could result in the convicted murderer getting a new trial ... and his former attorney couldn't be happier.

Mark Geragos, Peterson's lawyer during his 2004 trial, joined us Friday on "TMZ Live," and we asked him about the startling development -- Innocence Project lawyers citing "new evidence" in court filings obtained by ABC News.

Mark says he feels "gratified" to have another set of eyes looking over Scott's case ... and also cites Peterson's reduced sentence as just one of many reasons the case needs more review.

Peterson's death sentence -- for murdering his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn child -- was knocked down to life without parole after the California Supreme Court said some jurors were improperly dismissed during jury selection.

Geragos says a hearing was ordered at the same time as the resentencing, and he thinks that's what drew the Innocence Project's attention  ... plus, Mark says the case against Scott is an "abomination."

Geragos says he can debunk all of the evidence from Peterson's trial, but thinks the jury was laser focused on Peterson's admission he was cheating on his wife.

The Innocence Project is a nonprofit that works to exonerate people who've fallen victim to wrongful conviction -- something Peterson has maintained is the case since the beginning.

The org confirmed it's repping Peterson, and added it's "investigating his claim of actual innocence" -- though they haven't elaborated beyond that.

In the court filing, the L.A. Innocence Project claims Peterson's state and federal constitutional rights were violated and his claim of actual innocence "is supported by newly discovered evidence."

As you may know ... Laci was 8 months pregnant with Peterson's child when she disappeared on Christmas Eve 2002. Her body was found in the San Francisco Bay months later.

Peterson became a prime suspect when it was revealed he was having an affair with his massage therapist, and cops arrested him in April 2003. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and second-degree murder.

050818_nancy_grace_kal
FOREVER A MONSTER
TMZ.com

ABC says the Innocence Project's asking for a ton of items related to the case it couldn't find ... including Laci's watch, evidence from a 2002 burglary across the street from the Petersons' home, and interviews with several witnesses.

The Stanislaus County D.A.'s Office, which prosecuted Peterson, says, "Mr. Peterson, like all individuals convicted of crimes, is afforded the legal right to appeal his conviction with representation of his choosing."

It also points out his conviction was affirmed by a Superior Court judge in 2022 "after arguments were presented by Mr. Peterson’s defense team and attorneys from the California Attorney General’s Office."

Border Crisis Dogs Abandoned By Migrants ... Reporters & National Guard Caring for Pups

011824-matt-finn-kal
RE-HOUSING WANDERING PUPS
TMZ.com

There's a crazy thing happening along the southern border -- migrants attempting to enter the United States with their dogs are forced to leave them behind, and it's creating a whole other crisis.

FNC reporter Matt Finn is on the ground in Eagle Pass, Texas and joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live" to reveal what he's seeing firsthand ... and how he and other TV crews are getting involved, and taking some of the dogs in themselves.

Matt says tons of migrants are trying to cross the border with their dogs, only to be told they can't bring the pups with them to federal processing centers ... resulting in strays roaming the border.

The circumstances leave dogs in need of food, water and shelter ... and Matt says troops with the National Guard are taking care of some of the doggos ... and he and his producer have helped out too.

Some dogs have ticks, fleas and worms ... and Matt tells us at least one vet in town is caring for them pro bono.

Matt's seen this tragedy play out before in other areas along the border ... getting a handful of dogs rehomed.

Fact is ... that's just a drop in the bucket, and while some dogs are keeping National Guard troops company while they're stationed at the border ... there's a lot of dogs in need, and a lot more to be done.

Man Ejected From RV Thought I Was Going To Die ... Wife Passed Out Driving

011724-cordell-patrick-kal
BLESSED TO BE HERE
TMZ.com

Cordell Patrick, the man ejected from a moving RV, says he's lucky to be alive ... because he thought he was going to die on that busy Los Angeles area freeway.

Cordell joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday from his hospital bed ... and he told us how he ended up being thrown from his RV onto the freeway.

011624_rv_ejection_kal
FLUNG FROM THE VEHICLE
Instagram/@1967dodgedart

It's pretty incredible ... Cordell says he was getting up to use the bathroom and took off his seatbelt in the 5-second window where his wife passed out behind the wheel and veered into the median.

Cordell says the impact sent him crashing through the driver-side window ... and his body flying over the median and landing on the other side of the freeway, inches away from the carpool lane.

011624_rv_ejection_alt_angle_kal
HITTING THE GROUND HARD
Instagram/@1967dodgedart

As he lay on the freeway with his mangled ankle, Cordell says he thought he was going to be run over by a car ... telling us it's a miracle he was able to make it out of harms way.

Cordell says he and his wife had just gotten back from a trip and were heading to their storage unit when she suddenly blacked out and crashed.

011624_rv_ejection_aftermath_kal
RECEIVING MEDICAL ATTENTION
Instagram/@scv_incidents

She's getting medical attention too, and Cordell says they're still trying to figure out why she passed out.

Frankly, it's a miracle Cordell survived ... and he tells us why he's certain someone or something must have been watching over him.

TMZ TV Recap Zendaya Rumors, Hart Oscars, Goff The Best Clips This Week!!!

TMZ has posted a lot of stories this week -- but some stood out to us on the TV side of things -- and we thought we'd let people have a second look at a few of our biggest topics.

One of the buzzier things we tackled was the Zendaya/Tom Holland breakup rumors that were swirling for a couple weeks -- when she unfollowed literally everybody on her Instagram account ... including her British boyfriend, who was still following her.

011224_tmz_live_zendaya_holland_kal
INSTAGRAM INVESTIGATION
TMZ.com

On "TMZ Live," we dove right into this ... piecing together all the clues/red flags that had people worried that Zen and Tom might, perhaps, be over and done with. TH himself squashed it all on Friday, but there was an interesting maze of intel leading up to that.

Anyway ... on "TMZ on TV' side, we also talked Kevin Hart and his renewed disavowal of ever wanting to host the Oscars -- this after infamously missing out a few years ago.

011224_tv_clips_kevin_hart_oscars.01_00_21_18.Still001
COUNT KEV OUT
TMZ.com

He was defending Jo Koy's Globes job ... but it felt like he might still have some sour grapes about the past -- and our office had a good time debating how sincere KH really is.

Finally on the "TMZ Sports" side ... we discussed this proposed jersey ban as Matthew Stafford heads back to Detroit to take on the Lions -- this as the new QB of the Los Angeles Rams.

011224_tmz_sports_calvin_johnson_kal
HOME SWEET HOME???
TMZSports.com

Babcock and Mojo had some fun going in on this one ... check it out!

TMZ TV Recap 'OF' Fight, 'Top Gun 3,' Swiftie Blame ... The Best Clips This Week!!!

It's been a busy week at TMZ ... covering everything from the Golden Globes to a Milli Vanilli divorce, but a few stories really stood out on our TV shows -- "TMZ on TV," "TMZ Live" and "TMZ Sports" -- so, check 'em out yourself!

011224_tmz_live_clenney_kal
HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
TMZ.com

For starters, we got into the gripping new video of OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney, and her Miami murder case, on "TMZ Live." We aired new footage showing her squabbling with her slain BF, Christian Obumseli, 2 months before she killed him at their Miami condo ... which prosecutors claim she did intentionally.

Lots of folks online viewed Clenney as the aggressor in the wild clip -- but we break down how it could have an impact on a far more important group of people ... the jury.

011224_tv_clips_tom_cruise_top_gun_3.01_00_14_06.Still001
NO SLOWING DOWN TOM
TMZ.com

On a muuuuch lighter note, we also talked Tom Cruise on "TMZ on TV" and his big movie news this week -- the fact he signed a mega deal with WB to produce and star in a bunch of franchise films ... even as he's moving forward on "Top Gun 3."

The catch ... he's doing 'TP3' with Paramount, despite seemingly giving 'em the cold shoulder to sign with WB, and even getting his own office there. Yeah ... interesting.

011224_tmz_sports_favre_kal
SWIFT THE SCAPEGOAT
TMZSports.com

Lastly, our "TMZ Sports" crew got into the big NFL playoff weekend ... and the aspect of it Swiftees everywhere wanna hear. QB legend Brett Favre was on the show to talk about Taylor Swift's impact on Travis Kelce's opening round game against the Dolphins.

Watch and see how he feels about a potential Chiefs loss, and who might be to blame!!! 👀

Just a few of the big stories folks are talking about -- here's your chance to catch up on 'em before we kickoff another crazy week.

Fat Joe Greed Ruining Our Healthcare System ... Puts Americans In Debt!!!

011224-fat-joe-kal
TOGETHER FOR CHANGE
TMZ.com

Fat Joe says 100 million Americans are in the red because of hospital bills ... and he's working with Congress to try and fix what he says is a greedy healthcare system.

The rapper joined us on "TMZ Live" Friday and told us why he's advocating for big changes with the way hospitals and health insurance companies do business.

011124_wyclef_jean_kal
TELL BIDEN
TMZ.com

Fat Joe says most people who go to the hospital have no idea how much care is going to cost until after the fact ... and he says the lack of transparency is putting way too many folks in debt.

Joey Crack's been banging this drum for almost a year now ... and this week he brought his message to Congress' doorstep, hosting about 500 lawmakers and government officials at an event for Power to the Patients ... a healthcare advocacy group.

Fat Joe says only 27 cents of every $1 Americans are charged at hospitals goes back to doctors, nurses, staff and the actual procedures and treatments ... with the rest of the money lining the pockets of the hospitals and insurance companies.

He says folks who are already struggling to afford treatments are being told the prices are going up ... but Fat Joe says that's really just a move by hospitals and insurance companies to increase profits.

011124-jellyroll-kal
CHANNELING EM
TMZ.com

Fat Joe's calling on Congress to change the system so people aren't being unfairly charged with hidden costs and fees when they go to the hospital.

It's certainly a noble cause ... and Fat Joe tells us why it affects every corner of society, and why he's the right guy to bring everyone together on this issue.

George Carlin's Daughter Doubles Down on Bashing AI Special Where's Human Element?!?

011124-kelly-carlin-kal
HURTING THE ART FORM
TMZ.com

George Carlin's daughter is not laughing at a new AI-generated comedy special aiming to bring her famous father back to life ... 'cause she says the project straight up lacks soul.

Kelly Carlin-McCall joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and we asked her about the new AI special, "George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead" -- which features a robot version of her father doing standup in what's being called a whole new set from the man himself.

George's daughter says the AI program has her dad's name, but that's about where the comparisons end ... she says the computer botched her dad's comedic cadence, and just doesn't capture the magic like he once did.

The AI show is available on YouTube but Kelly says her bone to pick isn't about money ... pointing out GC has tons of shows available to stream for free.

For George's daughter, the big issue is more about completely removing the art form's human element.

Kelly says the program drew on George's old jokes to try and form him opinion on contemporary topics -- Donald Trump, technology, transgender people, reality TV -- but she says it's basically a soulless exercise.

Dudesy is the AI platform behind the show, and Tom Brady's already successfully gotten his own AI-generated comedy special removed from the internet. Kelly says she's considering legal action and might pick the brains of TB12's lawyers.

It's an interesting conversation ... and Kelly tells us why AI art will never stand up to human creations.

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone Double Big Mac Is Insane ... 'Big Gulp of Burgers!!!'

Celebrity chef Curtis Stone says foodies should be wary of McDonald's' new Double Big Mac ... and he thinks the mega burger should come with its own freakin' warning.

Curtis joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" to talk about the Golden Arches' super-sized creation, which Australians have been chowin' down on for a while, and is about to return to the U.S. for a limited engagement.

011024-curtis-stone-kal
CONSUME WITH CAUTION
TMZ.com

According to Curtis, this 4-patty beast is an eat-at-your-own-risk kind of situation, and should have a health warning attached to it ... but his concerns don't stop at the caloric intake -- which is around 740 calories, for the record.

Curtis thinks McDonald's has often provided a lack of food information to its customers -- namely the "100% beef," which could be a mixture of all kinds of meat cuts -- and folks should always know exactly what they're ingesting.

He also thinks companies like Mickey D's dominate the country by adhering to peoples' cravings, but Curtis tells us why that's doing a lot more harm than good.

010824_ufo_promo_kal
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON

BTW, Curtis' new show, "Getting Grilled with Curtis Stone," kicks off next week on QVC and HSN+, but we're guessing his take on the Double Big Mac won't be on the menu.

Ian Ziering Street Fight Was Unprovoked!!! So Claim Minibikers

The video of Ian Ziering brawling with a group of bikers in Hollywood tells the whole story -- at least according to one of the bikers who tells TMZ ... the whole incident was completely unprovoked by the motor crew.

010324-roy-tapia-nocturnal-kal
NO PRIOR ENGAGEMENT
TMZ.com

We spoke to 2 men Wednesday on "TMZ Live" who sometimes ride with the 605 Minibike Gang, but are not members of the gang. They say Ian went from 0 to 100 all on his own, without any altercation prior to the video we've seen.

The 2 riders here go by Roy and Nocturnal. Nocturnal is the guy who was there on Sunday, and even recorded the video shot from behind Ian's SUV.

xxx_sports-Copy-01 12/31/23
New Angle, New Truth?

Nocturnal insists the group's first encounter with Ian was right there on Hollywood Blvd when the video starts.

He says 2 of his fellow minibikers were doing a legal lane split, and Ian purposely tried to prevent them from getting in front of his car ... even though they had every right to do so.

010224_tmz_live_ian_ziering_bikers.01_00_03_19.Still001
VICIOUS ATTACK
TMZ.com

They say it appears Ian didn't like that ... and go on to allege he hopped out of his car to start a physical fight all on his own. If there was any incidental contact -- Nocturnal and Roy insist it was Ian's own doing ... and that he was the one who invited an ugly clash.

Nocturnal and Roy say they don't know why Ian might've escalated things the way he did -- especially with his young daughter right there with him -- but they theorize he was having a really bad day ... and let out his frustrations on the bikers.

010224_ian_ziering-kal 12/31/23
BIKER GANG BEATDOWN
TMZ.com

As we first reported, LAPD is investigating the incident for felony vandalism -- for the bashing of Ian's windshield with a helmet -- and misdemeanor battery for the fight.

Ian, for his part, has suggested the bikers were at fault here ... and blamed cops for allowing "lawlessness" to take place. He hasn't responded to our calls to get his side of what set him off that day.

Ian Ziering La riña callejera no fue provocada Reclama uno de los ciclistas

El video de Ian Ziering peleando con un grupo de motociclistas en Hollywood cuenta toda la historia, al menos de acuerdo con uno de los motociclistas, quien dice a TMZ que todo el incidente fue completamente no provocado por parte del grupo de ciclistas.

010324-roy-tapia-nocturnal-kal
Sin compromiso previo
TMZ.com

Hablamos con 2 hombres el miércoles en "TMZ Live" que a veces andan con el grupo 605 Minibike Gang, pero no son miembros. Ellos dicen que Ian fue de 0 a 100 por su propia cuenta, sin un altercado previo del video que hemos visto.

Los dos pilotos con los que hablamos van por Roy y Nocturnal. Nocturnal es el tipo que estuvo allí el domingo e incluso grabó el video tomado desde detrás del todoterreno de Ian.

xxx_sports-Copy-01 12/31/23
nuevo ángulo, ¿Nueva verdad?

Nocturnal insiste en que el primer encuentro del grupo con Ian se produjo justo en Hollywood Blvd cuando comienza el video.

Dice que 2 de sus compañeros del grupo de ciclistas estaban haciendo una maniobra de carril legal e Ian trató a propósito de evitar que se pusieran delante de su carro, a pesar de que tenían todo el derecho a hacerlo.

010224_tmz_live_ian_ziering_bikers.01_00_03_19.Still001
Ataque despiadado
TMZ.com

Parece que Ian no le gustó eso, dicen ellos y dicen que luego saltó de su carro para iniciar una pelea física por su cuenta. Si hubo algún contacto incidental, Nocturnal y Roy insisten en que fue cosa de Ian y que él fue quien dio pie a un enfrentamiento feo.

Nocturnal y Roy dicen que no saben por qué Ian podría haber escalado las cosas de la manera que lo hizo, especialmente con su hija pequeña allí, pero sugieren que estaba teniendo un día muy malo y que descargó sus frustraciones en los propios ciclistas.

010224_ian_ziering-kal 12/31/23
Riña con unos ciclistas
TMZ.com

Como informamos, la policía de Los Ángeles está investigando el incidente por delito grave de vandalismo -por el golpe en el parabrisas de Ian- y delito menor de agresión por la pelea.

Ian, por su parte, ha sugerido que los motoristas tuvieron la culpa y culpó a los policías por permitir lo que él llama anarquía. No ha respondido a nuestras peticiones de aclaración.

Don Lemon Nikki Haley More Dangerous Than Trump

122923-don-lemon-nikki-haley-kal 12/29/23
TRUMP OVER NIKKI
TMZ.com

Don Lemon says the most detrimental presidential candidate Americans could elect isn't Donald Trump ... but rather Nikki Haley.

The former CNN host joined us Friday on "TMZ Live," and said he thinks there's good reason to sound an alarm on Haley's campaign ... saying she's a more dangerous candidate than Trump.

122923_nikki_haley-kal
SCHOOLED!!!

Don says it's a case of the devil you know versus the devil you don't ... calling out Haley for being unclear on her views, flip-flopping on Trump's insurrection and ripping her track record on abortion and racism.

The way Don sees it ... we've already survived one Trump presidency, and Haley presents a new set of unknowns that might end up being worse than anything Trump ever did.

122823_nikki_haley-kal 12/28/23
NEXT QUESTION

It's another shot at Haley from Don ... as we reported, he blasted her on social media Thursday for leaving slavery out of her answer on the cause of the Civil War.

Haley's apologized and asked for grace, something Don says is hypocritical.

Remember, Don and Nikki had beef when he was at CNN ... he called her past her prime, and says she showed him no grace for his poor choice of words ... which he's said was just a prime case of misspeaking on live television.

021623-don-lemon-kal 2/16/23
"PRIME" TIME
CNN

Don's speaking out on political issues for the first time since leaving his post at CNN ... and he says he can finally speak his mind about all candidates, including Republicans.

While he says he doesn't want Trump back in office, and Haley might be worse ... he tells us why Chris Christie is earning his respect, even though he disagrees with most of his policies.

122923-don-lemon-up-next-kal
NEXT ON THE DOCKET
TMZ.com

Don's outspokenness here sounds like a sign of things to come -- he broke some news with us about what he's planning professionally for the immediate future.

PETER ROSENBERG KANYE'S APOLOGY IS BOGUS ... Music Execs Made Him Do It!

122723-peter-rosenberg-kal
STRICTLY BUSINESS
TMZ.com

Peter Rosenberg's not buying Kanye West's apology for his antisemitic comments ... seconding our observation it reads like something outta an AI chatbot.

We got the radio DJ on "TMZ Live" Wednesday, where he notes Ye's remorse was so inauthentic compared to his usual impassioned messages ... it automatically let him know it was bogus.

In fact ... Peter focuses on the rapper's delayed album "Vultures" ... theorizing he was forced into conjuring up a blanket apology after record execs pressured him into it ... in exchange for clearing some tunes on his album.

Peter blasts Ye further ... telling us his message being written in Hebrew was both intentionally and unintentionally offensive ... as if American Jews could easily read the language without vowels.

Noting his years-long obsession with making offensive comments ... Peter says he doesn't think there'll ever be an apology from Ye that could make people forget the uproar he's caused.

As TMZ first noted ... an AI content detector said there was an 85% chance a computer wrote Kanye's apology.

122723_tmz_live_kanye_kal
ARTIFICIAL APOLOGY
TMZ.com

Strong buzz words usually associated with chat phrases like "sincerely apologize," "It was not my intention to hurt," and "promoting unity" were used -- meaning there's a strong chance it didn't come from his heart.

Even if his remorse was genuine, we totally back Peter's comments ... Ye's done so much damage publicly lashing out at Jews; it wouldn't have been enough ... he'd need a whole apology tour.

Peter Rosenberg La disculpa de Kanye es falsa... ¡Los ejecutivos lo obligaron a hacerlo!

122723-peter-rosenberg-kal
Estrictamente de negocios
TMZ.com

Peter Rosenberg no se está comprando las disculpas de Kanye West por sus comentarios antisemitas y también cree que parece salida de un chatbot de inteligencia artificial.

Tuvimos al DJ en "TMZ Live" el miércoles, en donde señaló que el remordimiento de Ye sonaba poco auténtico en comparación con sus apasionados mensajes habituales, lo que automáticamente le hizo pensar que era falso.

De hecho, Peter se centra en su retrasado álbum "Vultures" y teoriza que el rapero se vio obligado a inventar una disculpa general después de que los ejecutivos discográficos lo presionaran a cambio de despejar algunas melodías en su álbum.

Peter arremete aún más contra Ye, diciendo que su mensaje fuera escrito en hebreo fue a la vez intencionalmente y no intencionalmente ofensivo, como si los judíos estadounidenses pudieran leer fácilmente el idioma sin vocales.

Considerando su obsesión de años haciendo comentarios ofensivos, Peter no cree que exista una disculpa que pueda hacer a la gente olvidar el alboroto que ha causado.

Como TMZ primero señaló, un detector de contenido AI descubrió que había un 85% de posibilidades de que un ordenador hubiera escrito la disculpa de Kanye.

122723_tmz_live_kanye_kal
Una disculpa artificial
TMZ.com

Palabras de moda por lo general asociadas con frases de chat como "sinceramente arrepentido", "No era mi intención herir", y "promover la unidad" fueron utilizadas, lo que significa que hay una gran posibilidad de que no haya venido de su corazón.

Incluso si su remordimiento es genuino, apoyamos totalmente los comentarios de Peter ... Ye ha hecho tanto daño públicamente arremetiendo contra los judíos, que no parece suficiente. Necesitaría hacer una gira para disculparse.

Vanilla Ice explica su amistad involuntaria con Pablo Escobar en los 90s

Vanilla Ice dijo recientemente que una vez fue amigo de Pablo Escobar, pero no sabía que era un importante capo de la droga y su explicación se reduce a que los billetes verdes te ponen en una burbuja.

El rapero —cuyo nombre real es Rob Van Winkle— hizo la revelación en una entrevista a VladTV, diciendo que solía ir de fiesta con el famoso gángster colombiano durante su apogeo en los años 90, pero insiste en que ni siquiera se dio cuenta de lo grande que era Escobar en ese entonces, especialmente a los ojos de los federales de EE.UU.

121923_vanilla_ice_kal
¡eran los 90s!
TMZ.com

El rapero dice que recibió a Pablo varias veces en su casa de Florida en aquel momento, y el martes se unió a nosotros en "TMZ Live" para profundizar sobre qué es exactamente lo que tenían en común como amigos.

Vanilla Ice dice que su amor por lanchas de alta velocidad los unió al principio, e incluso le da crédito al narcotraficante por impulsar esa pequeña industria a causa de la cantidad de dinero que invertía en ella.

En algún punto se enteró de que Pablo no era un buen tipo y que podía estar metido en asuntos turbios... Vanilla dice que se dio cuenta cuando el FBI le interrogó.

Escucha su historia por ti mismo, porque es bastante interesante, como Ice señala, esto fue antes de Google amigos.

Por supuesto, Pablo fue localizado en Colombia en el 93, donde fue asesinado en un tejado mientras era perseguido por las autoridades. Él construyó un imperio ilícito masivo a expensas de una gran cantidad de cuerpos y derramamiento de sangre, mientras esparcía narcóticos en todo el mundo.

Parece que Ice no estaba al tanto de nada de esto... probablemente para mejor.

Vanilla Ice Yeah, I Partied with Pablo Escobar ... Ignorance Was Bliss in '90s

Vanilla Ice recently said he once palled around with Pablo Escobar, but didn't know he was a major drug kingpin -- and his explanation boils down to ... greenbacks put ya in a bubble.

The rapper made the revelation in a VladTV interview, saying he used to party with the notorious Colombian gangster during his heyday in the '90s ... but insists he didn't even realize how big a deal Escobar was back then -- especially in the eyes of the feds.

121923_vanilla_ice_kal
IT WAS THE 90s!!!
TMZ.com

Ice, aka Rob Van Winkle, says he hosted Pablo several times at his Florida home at the time -- and on Tuesday, he joined us on "TMZ Live" to elaborate on what exactly they had in common as buddies.

Watch, he says their shared love of speed boats actually drew them together at first, and he even gives credit to the drug trafficker for fueling innovations in boat racing ... on account of how much money he poured into it at the time, making it kinda mainstream.

As for when/how he came to learn that Pablo wasn't actually a great guy and might've been mixed up in shady business -- well, Ice says it dawned on him when the FBI questioned him.

Listen to his story for yourself, 'cause it's wild. As Ice notes, this was before Google, so lots of people were in the dark about Mr. Escobar's, umm ... activities.

Of course, Pablo was tracked down in Colombia in '93 ... where he was killed on a rooftop while being pursued by the authorities. He'd built a massive illicit empire, but on the backs of a lot of bodies and bloodshed ... while spreading illegal narcotics all over the world.

Sounds like Ice wasn't aware of any of it -- probably for the best, TBH. See no evil, right?

'Jersey Shore' Star Mike Sorrentino My Addiction Situation Was Dire And It's All In My New Book

121823-mike-sorrentino-kal
HIGHS AND LOWS
TMZSports.com

Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino was addicted to pills for a long time during his heyday -- a dark period he's now shining a light on with his new book.

The "Jersey Shore" star's memoir "Reality Check: Making the Best of the Situation -- How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison" drops Tuesday, and dives into just about all of Mike's ups and downs during his TV career -- including his battle with drugs.

As it turns out, The Situation was actually hooked on painkillers for years ... much of which overlapped with his time on the hit MTV reality series, up to and including Season 5.

Mike came on 'TMZ Live' Monday to break down the infamous cement self-KO headbutt he did on camera, saying it was actually tied to him going through withdrawals at the time. Seeing how deep into the belly of the beast he was, MS counts himself lucky to be alive.

He also tells us the MTV team came to him often during filming and asked if he needed help -- but, at one point, his addiction got so bad ... he says they gave him an ultimatum, which is detailed in his new book.

We asked Mike what the lowest point for him was during this saga -- and while you might think his prison stint would be in the ballpark of contenders ... he actually says another time he tried a new drug was when he hit rock bottom. As MS explains ... he once tried heroin.

The guy has lived a lot of life, and has been through a lot as well ... thankfully, he's 8 years sober and ready to share his story honestly with fans. Lots to unpack here, no doubt.