TMZ

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood kicked off the 51st Annual CMA Awards with a heartfelt message to all the victims of recent tragedies in the U.S. … and a song poking fun at President Trump’s Twitter habit.

After sarcastically mentioning to the audience they were directed to steer clear of political commentary … Paisley and Underwood fired off some play-it-safe jokes about Anthony Scaramucci, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.

But right as Carrie seemed to be moving into the first award of the night … Brad rocked a “Before He Cheats” spoof that took a few jabs at the Prez. Remember covfefe? They sure do.

Before the parody tune, Paisley and Underwood dedicated the night’s ceremony to victims of the mass shootings in Vegas and Texas, attacks in Charlottesville and NYC, and all the recent natural disasters.

EXCLUSIVE

There are two ways to read this quick video response from Michael B. Jordan that TMZ Sports shot outside Craig’s in L.A. when we asked him about rumors UFC’s Sage Northcutt is up for the role of Ivan Drago’s son in “Creed 2.”

“I don’t even know who that is,” Michael said.

Maybe he doesn’t. Sage isn’t a household name (yet). Maybe MBJ was just trying to drive his ridiculously nice car into the L.A. night, probably to visit some beautiful actress and eat fresh grapes.

Or maybe he knows exactly who Sage is and that he’s up for the role — and played the age-old “I don’t who that is” game because he wants to give no props to the man whose fictional dad killed his fictional dad.

Maybe MBJ wants the revenge America deserves on Drago’s unholy spawn so badly that he can’t even begin to come to terms with the all-encompassing rage he feels when the name “Drago” is uttered.

It’s probably the first one, honestly, but dear God we wish it was the second.

To hell with you, Drago. #RIPApolloCreed.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NTUmrOfyUA?&rel=0&w=728&h=410]

EXCLUSIVE

Terry Crews just walked into an LAPD station and filed a report alleging sexual assault … TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … Crews went to cops nearly a month after posting on Twitter that a high-level Hollywood executive “came over 2 me and groped my privates” at a Hollywood function.

Crews came forward with the allegations following mounting accusations against former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Because the alleged incident, involving a still-unnamed suspect, occurred last year and within the statute of limitations in Cali, it’s possible Crews coming forward could trigger a criminal investigation.

We spoke to Terry’s wife days after the accusation, and she said there’s a reason why rich, powerful men get away with it.

My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

Breaking News

Klay Thompson got a lesson in unlimited range at Warriors practice yesterday — but it wasn’t from Steph or KD. 

Harlem Globetrotters Zeus McClurkin and Dizzy English hit the hardwood in Oakland to show Klay how to get wet from 4-point distance (30 FEET) … but it looked like the Splash Bro had it covered.

The best part of the vid was definitely when Zeus asked Klay if he thought the NBA should add a 4-point line. Thompson’s answer — “I think it would only really benefit us.”

Burn.

Hard to argue with Klay, though — remember when he did THIS?!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlQHEusnH60&w=728&h=410]

EXCLUSIVE

Roy Halladay appeared to be hot doggin’ it in his plane in the moments before his crash — making extreme and unusual changes in altitude … this according to multiple witnesses. 

TMZ Sports has obtained footage shot by boaters who say the ex-MLB star’s plane was going from 100 feet in the air down to 5 feet and then back up again … repeatedly. 

The boaters were so shocked by the flying pattern, they pulled out their cell phones to capture the bizarre dips and rises.

Moments later, the plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico — and the boat full of witnesses raced over to the crash scene to see if they could help. Once they arrived, it was clear the pilot was dead. 

The responders called 911 and waited for help to arrive.

We spoke with other boaters in the area who told a similar story — “dramatically increasing and decreasing in elevation.”  

Another witness says, “He was flying like that all week. Aggressively.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. 

Halladay was 40 years old. 

EXCLUSIVE

Meek Mill looked wide-eyed as he prepared to re-enter prison for his 2 to 4 year sentence.

TMZ obtained Meek’s new mug shot, taken Wednesday morning. Pennsylvania’s Dept. of Corrections says the rapper is being processed right now. It’s still unknown which prison he’ll be serving his sentence.

Prison officials say they won’t release the name of Meek’s new prison until he’s arrived there … for security concerns.

As we reported, the controversial sentence has pissed off a lot of people in the hip-hop community … including T.I. … who offered Meek some advice on getting through his prison bid.

LIVE STREAM

A former Boston TV news anchor is moments away from holding a news conference to share details alleging Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted an 18-year-old family member … and TMZ will be streaming live.

Heather Unruh — who will be flanked by her lawyer, Mitchell Garabedian — just last month tweeted the disgraced actor assaulted a loved one, and decided to speak after Harvey Weinstein‘s case unraveled following explosive stories from the New York Times and The New Yorker.

As we reported … the alleged incident occurred at a bar on Nantucket Island in 2016. Our sources say the alleged victim reported the incident to cops sometime in 2017 but we’ve not been able to confirm if police investigated.

EXCLUSIVE

Mariah Carey‘s former security company has threatened to sue her … and the guy who owns the company says she constantly humiliated him by referring to him as a Nazi, a skinhead, a KKK member and a white supremacist.  

Michael Anello‘s lawyer has prepared a draft of a lawsuit, claiming his company worked for Mariah from June 2015 to May 2017 and got stiffed on the balance to the tune of $221,329.51. Anello claims he was promised another 2 years which would add $511,000 to the tab. 

Anello says Mariah humiliated him and his colleague by referring to them as members of the hate groups.

Anello also claims Mariah “wanted to be surrounded with black guys, not white people.” 

The draft lawsuit also makes allegations of sexual harassment, claiming she committed “sexual acts with the intent that they be viewed by Anello.” Anello claims during a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mariah asked him to come to her room to move some luggage and when he got there, she was wearing a see-through negligee that was open. He says he tried leaving but she insisted he move the luggage. He says he left the room and there was no physical contact.

Mariah’s people tell us they were in touch with Anello’s lawyer Monday and were agreeable to pay certain invoices, but we’re told Anello is not satisfied with the amount.  

Mariah’s people have no information on the sexual harassment claim.

The lawyer for Anello says the lawsuit is now on hold, presumably because they are in settlement negotiations.

EXCLUSIVE

TMZ Sports has obtained police footage of NFL star Junior Galette being run down by cops — and then tased — following an alleged fight in Mississippi back in April … and the footage is insane. 

It all went down on April 8 … when a Biloxi PD officer saw the Redskins linebacker fighting with another man and instructed them both to freeze. The cop claims Galette ignored instructions and bolted. 

You can see the cop — who identifies himself as a “big white guy” — sprinting after Galette while shouting, “Stop motherf*cker! I’m gonna taze your ass!!”

Galette continues to run so the cop pulled out his taser and fired — striking Junior on the first shot and putting the 250 pounder on the ground. The cop is obviously impressed with his own speed. 

“I may be a big white guy, but you know what? I told you to stop.”

Once he’s down, Galette insisted he did nothing wrong …but the cop disagrees. 

Cop: “You’re swingin’ and hittin’ this guy right in front of me. I tell you to stop.”

Junior: “He hit me sir.”

Cop: “Y’all both hittin’ each other. I tell you to stop and then you take off running. If you’re gonna run from me when I tell you to stop after I see you hit him, I’m gonna chase after you and I’m gonna tase you.”

Galette was eventually arrested for disorderly conduct and failure to comply. After he was put in the squad car and taken to the police station, the arresting officer can be heard doing some post-chase breakdown with his colleagues. 

One of the cops keeps it real and says the officer who gave chase should chill ’cause Galette’s a linebacker … not exactly known for blazing breakaway speed. 

Officials tell TMZ Sports … Galette eventually struck a plea deal with prosecutors, though the details are unclear. However, we’re told the case is effectively closed. 

Justin Bieber laced up his cleats, popped off his shirt, and got really pumped up while playing soccer with his bros … judging by the look of his shorts.

The Biebs hit up UCLA’s campus Tuesday afternoon for a pickup game on one of the soccer fields, and at one point was standing at full attention calling out a play.

We’re told several college students gathered around the field to watch JB in action and get a peek at his new torso tattoo … and he put on quite a show.

It’s unclear if the bulge in his shorts was the result of scoring a goal or if it was just the afternoon shadows on the pitch playing tricks … but the important part is Justin looked like he had fun.