this week's ralphie report...

catch it wednesday in the weekender...
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On Friday, R. Kelly joined the ranks of Michael Jackson, Phil Spector, and O.J. Simpson. Just as those high profile celebrities prosecuted before him, Kelly escaped with a “not guilty” verdict from a jury of his peers. The R&B crooner walked on all 14 charges against him of child pornography, which stemmed from a tape released in 2002 in which Kelly allegedly appeared to have sex with a minor.

“His lawyer actually said that he was crying like a baby,” TMZ’s Michael Hundgen told me later in the day on The Ralphie Radio Show. TMZ also reported that five jurors spoke after the trial and said they thought it was in fact Kelly in the film, but that “there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute.”

A major point of contention in the trial was the identity of the male in the aforementioned video. The female that prosecutors believed was on film would not cooperate with the trial, throwing the burden on the state to prove that the singer and an underage girl had sex in the film shown in court.

The initial indictments were handed down in Chicago back in June 2002. These charges were demoted from having sex with a minor to soliciting a minor for child pornography.

Since Kelly’s trials and tribulations became public, the singer’s popularity actually rose. He released five albums from June 2002 to 2008 – selling 11 million copies. Kelly also headlined a number of tours.

While the jokes and parodies will linger through radio, television, and YouTube – the fact remains that R. Kelly is now a free and innocent citizen – stepping in the name of love, or whatever else for that matter, without special stipulations from a judge.

MAYER MAKES A FUNNY

John Mayer loves cracking jokes with and on the media and paparazzi. Leaving a pharmacy last Thursday, the singer/guitarist carried a white package with writing under his arm. Photographers zoomed in on the scribble, which read, “experimental human growth hormone – 2x daily” with some type of signature or initial underneath.

Surely Mayer isn’t taking the same drug banned in baseball and used by such celebrities as Sylvester Stallone. Of course, maybe John is just trying to round Jennifer Aniston’s bases.

Speaking of the “Say” singer and America’s past time, Sports Illustrated recently weighed in on Mayer’s “resume” compared to that of New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. Between the two of them, the superstars have dated 11 women on Maxim’s 2008 Hot 100 list. The array of women is diverse – from Mariah Carey to Jessica Simpson, Gabrielle Union and Cameron Diaz.

Being a diehard Yankees fan, I might be a bit partial on even the most frivolous, non-baseball related topics. But really, who’s topping Jeter’s triple play of Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, and Jessica Alba?

CONDOLENCES…

Being born and raised in Western New York, I’d be remiss to not mention the passing of Tim Russert in this column. Russert became Buffalo’s first son for never forgetting his roots and embodying the blue collar work ethic he learned from his father, “Big Russ.” But the Meet the Press moderator also represented everything this country stands for – a dillgent worker who did his homework; a model father, son, and husband; and a man with endless heart and compassion for those around him.

Russert died while at work Friday. The NBC News Washington Bureau Chief just returned from Italy where his family celebrated his son Luke’s graduation from Boston College. Tim Russert was 58.

john mayer to play baseball?

perhaps round jen aniston's bases?

tmz's michael hundgen joins me just past 9 tonight to talk about this...

mayer's "drive of shame."

props to tmz for the headline, shame on me for not thinking of it while still at syracuse university, and listen to michael hundgen on the ralphie radio show, tonight just past 9, with more details on it.

clay aiken: expecting father.

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Unreal - TMZ's Michael Hundgen called in to The Ralphie Radio Show with exclusive details on Clay Aiken's future child... yes, he impregnated someone! You gotta hear this!

Catch Michael on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 5PM on Channel 38 - The CW.

KANYE, RIHANNA - FRONT ROW, BACKSTAGE.

- your chance to win during the gallery of sound top 8 @ 8. plus a HUGE announcement regarding the show after the countdown.

- 7-7:30 - american idol finale flyaway qualifying.

- also tonight - tmz's michael hundgen w/ the latest on tony romo & jessica simpson breaking up...

- and - my experience with mrs. harding's journalism class at scranton high.

the ralphie radio show - 7-12a est - online @ 97bht.com.

more scoop on riri & cb.

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TMZ's Michael Hundgen called in to The Ralphie Radio Show with details on Rihanna's kiss with Chris Brown... inside a KFC!

Catch Michael on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 6:30 - Channel 38 The CW.

chris & riri - just admit it.

seriously guys?

guess we have one more thing to ask rihanna when she visits next weekend.

tmz's michael hundgen talks with me about this tonight during the gallery of sound top 8 at 8...

tonight on the ralphie radio show...

- 7:15 - guest list for club x inside the woods

- 7:30 - maroon 5/counting crows/sara bareilles tickets

- 7:50 - tmz's michael hundgen on mariah's (pending) marriage

- 8:00 - hanson tickets during the gallery of sound top 8 at 8

- 9:00 - time's 100 list revealed - you'll never guess who we voted as most influential

... something tells me a surprise is in the works for tonight after 9 as well.

the ralphie radio show - 7p-12a est - online at 97bht.com!

tonight on the ralphie radio show...

- 7:15 - michael hundgen from tmz talking about mariah's big no-no...
http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/24/mariah-goes-from-s-t-list-to-blacklist/

- 7:20 - opening up the guest list for club x inside evolution at the woods!

- 8:00 - gallery of sound top 8 at 8 w/ kat deluna VIP passes!
http://www.97bht.com/Article.asp?id=657342

- 9:15 - qualifying you to check out madonna's CD release party!
http://www.97bht.com/Article.asp?id=662266

- 10:00 - can watching baseball w/ your other half help the relationship?
http://ralphieaversa.blogspot.com/2008/04/ha-i-knew-it.html

plus complete and total debauchary! the ralphie radio show - 7-12a est - online @ 97bht.com

tonight on the ralphie radio show...

huge show tonight, first at 7:30...

one of the last pairs of tickets for this show on sunday... it's gonna be nuts! then after the gallery of sound top 8 at 8...

speaking of crazy shows, another pair of win 'em before you can buy 'em for crue fest! next up, 9:30...

tmz's michael hundgen with the latest on britney's new workout regimen... and at 10:30...

is akon the konvict he says? proof that he might be a little cleaner than we are led to believe. plus i'll play that hot colby o'donis track he's on.

plus we got your back for the club x guest list tonight inside the woodlands!

the ralphie radio show - 7p-12a est - online at 97bht.com.

tivo foreshadows idol.

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TMZ's Michael Hundgen called in to The Ralphie Radio Show to discuss how TiVo has predicted the past four Idol losers - previous to the night he called in!

Catch Michael during TMZ on TV - weekdays at 6:30 on Channel 38 - The CW.

BTW - Both TiVo & Hundgen were wrong.

tmz on k-fed's card statement...

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TMZ's Michael Hundgen called in to The Ralphie Radio Show w/ details on Kevin Federline's Credit Card Statement, including purchases at Burger King!

Catch Michael during TMZ on TV - weekdays at 6:30 on Channel 38 - The CW.

k-fed charges at bking...

i wonder if he just throws a whopper jr. on there, or if he buys dinner for the whole fam and pays with plastic?

we'll ask tmz's michael hundgen tonight during the gallery of sound top 8 at 8.

la lohan + tmz = bff.

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=e5119df0-b92a-413e-a071-68284523c5f6

peep our boy michael hundgen over lilo's left shoulder!

mucho props to both lilo and tmz - our two favorite media whores EVER.

tmz idol scoop!

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TMZ's Michael Hundgen called in to The Ralphie Radio Show with exclusive news on Idol Reject David Hernandez asking fellow Idol loser Justin Guarini for advice!

Catch Hundgen on TMZ on TV - weekdays at 6:30 on Channel 38 The CW.

tonight's ralphie radio show...

click here to vote!!!

okay, and...
7p - lifehouse tickets
8p - gallery of sound top 8 @ 8 : tmz's michael hundgen : aaand
- find out when you can win second row JOE BROS tickets!
9p - more lifehouse tickets

plus guest list for tonight at the woods, rumors on a hills movie, and details on brit's next public appearance...

- wanna see inside club bht at the new colosseum night club?
http://www.97bht.com/PhotoWall.asp?id=38144

- missed my interview with fergie?
http://www.97bht.com/Article.asp?id=633314

the ralphie radio show - 7p-12a est - online @ 97bht.com

kanye's backstage demands!

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TMZ's Michael Hundgen calls in to The Ralphie Radio Show with details on what Kanye West demands in his dressing room for the upcoming "Glow In The Dark" Tour. You'll be surprised!

Catch Michael on TMZ on TV, weekdays at 6:30 on Channel 38 - The CW.

tmz audio : barron hilton takes a cue from sister paris.

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TMZ's Michael Hundgen called in to "The Ralphie Radio Show" with late-breaking details surrounding the DUI arrest of 18-year old Barron Hilton, Paris's little brother.

Hundgen can be seen on TMZ on TV - weekdays at 6:30 on Channel 38 - The CW.

tonight on the ralphie radio show...

- 7:15 - tmz's michael hundgen with the latest on barron hilton's DUI.
- 7:45 - the new mariah carey song!
- 8:00 - the gallery of sound top 8 at 8 - and your chance to win onerepublic tickets!
- 9:30 - a chance at $60k with the pa lottery!
- 10:00 - do you tuesday - what do you want for vday?

the ralphie radio show - 7p-12a est - live at 97bht.com

tmz on britney and the conservatorship

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97 BHT's Ralphie Aversa speaks with TMZ's Michael Hundgen on Britney Spears's release from the UCLA Medical Center and the conservatorship set up by her parents.

Catch Hundgen on TMZ TV - weekdays at 6:30 on Channel 38 The CW.