Cincinnati Zoo Parents May Be Charged in Connection to Gorilla Shooting

The fallout from this weekend’s tragic shooting at the Cincinnati Zoo continues.

As previously documented, and as depicted in the video below, a four-year old boy fell into the gorilla enclosure at this famous facility on Saturday, May 28.

After the gigantic animals grabbed hold of the boy and started thrashing him about, officials were left with no choice but to have an employee fatally shoot the gorilla, who was 17 years old and named Harambe.

Was the animal protecting the toddler? Hurting him? About to cause him real harm?

Watch the surveillance footage and try to decipher for yourself:

Cincinnati Zoo Gorilla Killed to Save Toddler’s Life: Who’s to Blame?

Debate has raged all over the Internet in regard to the incident, with critics wondering why the zoo could not simply use a tranquilizer on the gorilla.

The zoo has responded by saying the tranquilizer would have taken too long to go into effect.

Others have placed the blame squarely at the feet of the boy’s parents, specifically his mother, Michelle Gregg.

In response to the criticism she has received online, Gregg posted (and then deleted) a Facebook message that referred to the situation as an “accident” and which thanked God for keeping her son safe.

Celebrities from all walks of entertainment life have also weighed in on the death of Harambe:

View Slideshow: Harambe Mourned, Celebrated by Celebrities Everywhere

Now, sources have confirmed that Cincinnati police are looking into Gregg and Deonne Dickerson, the boy’s father, even though the latter was not at the zoo when his son fell into the gorilla pit. 

Authorities are reportedly reviewing “the actions of the parents/family that led up to the incident,” according to TMZ, implying they may be charged with the crime of negligence.

Do you think they ought to be?

Or was this just a very unfortunate accident that has taken on a life of its own due to the Internet?

An insider also says the Zoo is NOT under investigation of any kind.

It falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Johnny Depp: Drunken Assault on Amber Heard Revealed?

On Friday, Amber Heard requested a restraining order against Johnny Depp, claiming that her estranged husband had violently assaulted her and left her with facial bruising and other injuries.

Several of Depp’s high profile friends and exes expressed their skepticism about Heard’s version of events, with some even going so far as to accuse the actress of blackmailing Depp. 

Heard’s attorneys responded by issuing a statement indicating that Heard plans to file assault charges against Depp.

Her legal team now claims that she had only declined to do so on the night of the alleged attack in hopes of protecting “her privacy and Johnny’s career.”

Now that Depp’s team has publicly accused her of lying, however, it seems that all bets are off.

Not only will Heard be filing a police report that could result in serious criminal charges for the 52-year-old actor, her lawyers have claimed that the attack that took place last week (during which Depp allegedly struck Heard in the face with an iPhone) was not an isolated incident.

So perhaps it’s no coincidence that sources supporting Heard have started coming forward with shocking allegations about Depp’s brutish behavior throughout the 15-month marriage:

View Slideshow: Johnny Depp Domestic Abuse Allegations: Stars React

“Johnny has been drunk for most of their relationship. He often wakes up drinking and he does not stop until he blacks out,” an insider close to the couple tells Radar Online. 

Just two months after Depp married Heard, he was photographed with a cast on his hand that was reportedly the result of an accident on set.

The source claims that was merely a story cooked up by Depp’s agency, and the reality of the situation was much darker:

“The real reason Johnny broke his hand is because he tried to hit Amber and he hit a wall instead!” the insider says.

“Johnny can be dangerous and unpredictable when he is drinking, and he was often drinking when they were together.”

In court documents, Heard claimed that Depp was “barely ever sober” over the course of their marriage, and she filed a restraining due to her fear of what he may be capable of while intoxicated:

“Amber was legitimately afraid for her life,” says the source.

“The only reason that she is even taking legal action now is because she really believes that she was in danger.”

View Slideshow: 15 Celebs Who Have Been Accused Of Domestic Violence

Khloe Kardashian & Odell Beckham Jr: Dating?!

We think it’s safe to say that Khloe Kardashian has a type.

And that type is professional athletes.

Usually Khloe sticks to basketball players, but it seems she’s mixing it up these days.

Recent rumors have Khloe dating New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., and insiders say Khlodell started getting serious almost immediately.

Yes, you can tell it’s the real deal by the fact that they already have a couple nickname.

Media Takeout reports that Khloe and Odell have been “low key seeing each other for months,” but only went public this past weekend.

The new couple attended Drake’s Memorial Day party in Los Angeles on Monday, where they apparently made no effort to conceal that they’re dating.

Sources say they’d planned to keep the relationship under wraps longer, but were aware that they had been spotted making out at 1Oak the night before, and thus decided to officially let the cat out of the bag at Drizzy’s.

Like Khloe, Odell prefers A-list lady friends to the company of mere mortals.

Back in February, Beckham was rumored to be dating Zendaya.

Sources say their age difference – coupled with the strictness of the Disney star’s dad, who insisted on chaperoning their dates – eventually led Beckham and Zendaya to amicably part ways.

Prior to that relationship, Beckham was linked to Amber Rose.

It remains to be seen if that’ll create problems, as Amber and Khloe have been feuding on and off for years.

For her part, Khloe was dating James Harden of the Houston Rockets until she turned her attention back to her estranged husband, Lamar Odom, when a drug overdose nearly claimed his life.

Khloe filed for divorce from Odom (after years of separation) earlier this month, so we guess it’s smooth sailing ahead for Khlodell.

Well, as smooth as it can be when you’re dating a Kardashian.

View Slideshow: 11 Times Khloe Kardashian Taught Us The Value of Tough Love

Kate Beckinsale: "Pearl Harbor" Director Michael Bay Body-Shamed Me!

Director Michael Bay is kind of a jerk, and everybody knows it.

While promoting her new movie, Love & Friendship on The Graham Norton Show in the UK on May 27th, Kate Beckinsale brought up the fact that her Pearl Harbor director, Michael Bay was very good at body-shaming women.

“I think he was baffled by me because my boobs weren’t bigger than my head and I wasn’t blonde,” Beckinsale said when they made the 2001 blockbuster.

“I’d just had my daughter and had lost weight, but I was told that if I got the part, I’d have to work out. And I just didn’t understand why a 1940s nurse would do that.”

(For the record, Beckinsale has admitted to having an eating disorder in the past)

Even after filming wrapped, Bay was still obnoxious as hell.

View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Have Struggled with Eating Disorders

“When we were promoting the film, Michael was asked why he had chosen Ben and Josh, and he said, ‘I have worked with Ben before and I love him, and Josh is so manly and a wonderful actor,’” Beckinsale recalled.

“Then when he was asked about me, he’d say, ‘Kate wasn’t so attractive that she would alienate the female audience.’ He kept saying it everywhere we went — and we went to a lot of places!”

Beckinsale isn’t the first actress to call out Bay for his somewhat misogynistic tendancies.

Megan Fox claimed he was a nightmare to work for during Transformers.

“He’s like Napoleon and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad-man reputation,” Fox told Wonderland in 2009.

“He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is. So he’s a nightmare to work for but when you get him away from set, and he’s not in director mode, I kind of really enjoy his personality because he’s so awkward, so hopelessly awkward.

“He has no social skills at all. And it’s endearing to watch him. He’s vulnerable and fragile in real life and then on set he’s a tyrant.”

That…sounds like someone I would never want to have dinner with.  Ever.

Michael Bay: Attacked on Set!

Leah Messer: SLAMMED By Fans For Criticizing Miranda Simms!

If you watch Teen Mom 2 online, then you’re probably aware that Leah Messer hasn’t been portrayed in the most flattering light this season.

On recent episodes, Leah has butted heads with Miranda Simms over what she alleged is Simms’ negligence toward her daughter Ali, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

Specifically the ladies clashed over the accusation that Miranda refused to help Ali carry her backpack while she was walking into school.

The conflict stemmed from a recording in which Ali was heard to complain, “Miranda always gets mad at me cause my backpack is too heavy.”

Leah became emotional after viewing the footage, saying, “I can’t watch it without getting angry or wanting to cry … I don’t know what to do.”

Miranda was understandably not happy with being portrayed as the bad guy, as she claims she was unable to assist Ali due to the fact that she was carrying her infant son, Remington.

Miranda Simms Calls Leah Messer Out: I’m So Good To Your Girls!

It doesn’t take much to turn fans against Leah, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that social media seems to be overwhelmingly Team Miranda.

On last night’s episode of Teen Mom 2, Miranda made a strong case for why Leah should trust her a bit more with regard to her children.

Leah reluctantly agreed, and she even agreed to attend co-parenting sessions with Miranda and Corey.

Even so, many fans on Twitter believe Leah as in the wrong and should be begging Miranda for an apology:

“U never had ur hands full when you had ur 3rd child & couldn’t help a child with a book bag?” tweeted one viewer.

“Maybe you should invest in a rolling backpack for your daughter @TM2LeahDawn that way she doesn’t have to carry a heavy bag,” wrote another.

Leah didn’t respond directly, but she did post a meme reading:

“Should you ever find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, smallness, or insecurities, remember things could be worse … you could be them.”

Sigh. She tries, but things will never be easy for Leah on Twitter … or in life, for that matter.

View Slideshow: Leah Messer Bad Parenting Excuse Hall of Fame

daily-celebrities: Demi Lovato

daily-celebrities:

Demi Lovato

Michael Jace Found Guilty of Killing His Wife

Michael Jace, an actor best known for his role on FX’s The Shield, has been found guilty of murder.

Jace was convicted of second-degree murder today for shooting his wife, April Jace, in front of the couple’s two young children in 2014, E! News has confirmed.

He will appear in front of a judge on June 10 for sentencing and faces 40 years to life in state prison.

An attorney for Jace had tried to argue in court that his client merely meant to wound his wife during a fight between the pair, which took place after April said she wanted a divorce.

Jurors deliberated for fewer than three hours over the course of two days before arriving at the verdict. 

The ruling was changed from first-degree to second-degree murder because the jury didn’t believe the crime was premeditated.

Evidence, however, proved that Jace shot April three times during their confrontation.

Jace was arrested after Los Angeles police officers responded to a 911 call.

He was placed under arrest and held in jail on $ 2 million bail, at which time a protective order was issued for him to stay 100 yards away from his and April’s two sons.

“I was just angry,” Jace told investigators, based on a transcript released Thursday. “All I intended to do was shoot her in the leg. And then I shot her in the leg and that was it.”

Jace stood out for his role on The Shield, but also had appearances in Boogie Nights, Forrest Gump and the TNT drama Southland.

View Slideshow: 18 Celebrities Who May Have Killed People

Maci Bookout Welcomes Third Child!

Maci Bookout of Teen Mom fame has given birth to her third child!

The Teen Mom OG star and her fiance, Taylor McKinney, named their baby boy – and second child together – Maverick Reed.

Maci shared the happy news via Twitter with her fans today.

“Mr. Maverick Reed has officially made his debut and completed our family,” Bookout writes. “So much love, so many blessings!”

Bookout, 24, already shares her son Bentley, 7, with ex-lover Ryan Edwards, and her daughter Jayde, who just turned one, with McKinney.

As for how they arrived at the child’s unique moniker?

“Maverick was actually one of our boy name choices when we were pregnant with Jayde before we knew it was a girl,” she revealed.

“Reed is a family name for both our families.”

The engaged couple also thought about Connor, but ultimately decided that Maverick “went better with the names Bentley and Jayde.”

Maci revealed that she found out about her pregnancy in January, just two days after McKinney proposed to her at long last.

“I was at the doctor, ironically, to get my birth control prescription refilled!” she said, joking that she had the “wrong results” and “mixed them up.”

Bookout and McKinney, who plan to tie the knot in October, previously stated that they are “absolutely” not expanding their family of five.

Absolutely in the literal sense of the word.

“There are going to be some permanent birth control decisions made,” Bookout said this winter, though it’s not clear who she means.

Congratulations to the family in any case!

Maci Bookout Welcomes Third Child!

Maci Bookout of Teen Mom fame has given birth to her third child!

The Teen Mom OG star and her fiance, Taylor McKinney, named their baby boy – and second child together – Maverick Reed.

Maci shared the happy news via Twitter with her fans today.

“Mr. Maverick Reed has officially made his debut and completed our family,” Bookout writes. “So much love, so many blessings!”

Bookout, 24, already shares her son Bentley, 7, with ex-lover Ryan Edwards, and her daughter Jayde, who just turned one, with McKinney.

As for how they arrived at the child’s unique moniker?

“Maverick was actually one of our boy name choices when we were pregnant with Jayde before we knew it was a girl,” she revealed.

“Reed is a family name for both our families.”

The engaged couple also thought about Connor, but ultimately decided that Maverick “went better with the names Bentley and Jayde.”

Maci revealed that she found out about her pregnancy in January, just two days after McKinney proposed to her at long last.

“I was at the doctor, ironically, to get my birth control prescription refilled!” she said, joking that she had the “wrong results” and “mixed them up.”

Bookout and McKinney, who plan to tie the knot in October, previously stated that they are “absolutely” not expanding their family of five.

Absolutely in the literal sense of the word.

“There are going to be some permanent birth control decisions made,” Bookout said this winter, though it’s not clear who she means.

Congratulations to the family in any case!

Harambe Mourned, Celebrated by Celebrities Everywhere

Tragedy struck on Saturday, May 28 when a 17-year old gorilla named Harambe was shot and killed by an employee at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The employee was acting out of concern that the animal would kill a four-year old boy who fell into his enclosure.

Not long after this incident went viral, regular folks on Twitter reacted in outrage over a gorilla having to be killed due to a human"s mistake, while many celebrities also chimed in with their opinions.

Here is a look at how a handful of famous people feel about the sad death of Harambe:

1. Donald Trump

I don’t think they had a choice… it’s too bad there wasn’t another way.

2. Kaley Cuoco

RIP #harambe. I’m sure I will get tons of backlash (per usual) I mean let’s be honest, I wear the wrong sweatpants and the entire world has something to say about it, but once again, another senseless horrendous animal being killed over people not using their brains.

3. Katharine McPhee

This is why I hate zoos! This is so messed up. This poor gorilla.

4. Piers Morgan

Taking their eye off the ball, but no child should ever be able to crawl into a gorilla compound.

5. Lisa Vanderpump

Oh the poor gorilla, he did nothing wrong, if you watch the video, so sad..as a mother I would’ve jumped in too.

6. Holly Robinson Peete

Last week a naked man in Chile jumped in a lion den on purpose now this boy with the gorilla…Beautiful innocent animals killed. Smh.

View Slideshow

Lauren Conrad Confirms There Will Be More Of "The Hills"

Why does 2006 feel like two years ago?

As I wonder where the last decade went, the rest of you can mark your calendars, because MTV is premiering a 10th anniversary special of The Hills, which starred Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag, Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port.

“Today is the 10th anniversary of The Hills! I am excited to announce that @MTV will premiere an anniversary special with me on Tuesday 8/2,” Conrad tweeted.

The lifestyle expert also wrote a post on her site about the special, titled The Hills: That Was Then, This is Now, which featured an image of her fixing the hem of a dress as a cameraman lingered behind.

“Ten years ago, The Hills aired on MTV for the first time. (That’s right people, it’s been ten whole years! Can we all feel old together, please?),” she wrote, adding that she had done something she hadn’t done “in over a decade.”

She sat down and watched the pilot.

“It was odd watching all of us just starting out, with no idea what the future held (although, no one really could have prepared us for what the next few years would bring).

“Looking back, I am grateful for the incredible opportunity we were given to take part in this show.

“While it was hard at times to share my personal life (poor makeup choices and all) with the world; the experience taught me so much and forever altered my life and my outlook for the better. I am so proud of the show.”

Conrad thanked production for a show that documented (and, she admitted, created) the ups and down in her life.

“As hard as it is to look back (other than watching the pilot, I haven’t watched any episodes since they first aired), it brings me a lot of joy to see that now, despite all the challenges we faced together back then, each of us seems to have found what we were looking for. “

Conrad will dedicate the MTV special to the fans, whom she thanked for being there from the beginning

We will be having an honest conversation about what it was really like living with cameras for so many years (spoiler alert: it was super weird), sharing some behind-the-scene secrets, and showing some of my life today,” she wrote.

“And since this is all for you, please let me know below if there are any questions you have or if there is anything you would like to see addressed. XO Lauren “

Not one to let the entire spotlight shine on her ex-bestie, Montag tweeted a shout-out as well:

“Happy 10 year anniversary to #TheHills ! Thank you God & @MTV for changing my life. The rest is still unwritten.”

Amber Heard to File Assault Charges Against Johnny Depp

As you’ve probably heard by now, Amber Heard accused Johnny Depp of assault in a hearing held last week in which the actress requested a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband.

In the days since her accusations became public knowledge, many have questioned the veracity of Heard’s claims, including several friends and exes of Depp’s.

Some have even gone so far as to claim that Heard is blackmailing Depp and using these accusations as leverage in order to gain a more favorable spousal support settlement.

One of the major sources of controversy has been the fact that Heard declined to file a report on the night that a friend called police to her house as a result of Depp’s alleged attack.

Now, Heard’s lawyers have issued a statement in which they claim that their client failed to provide a statement only because she “protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.”

“She’s now going to go through with it,” says a source close to Amber.

View Slideshow: Johnny Depp Domestic Abuse Allegations: Stars React

“Amber is working up the courage to do it,” a source close to the situation tells Radar Online, adding that Heard “is being encouraged by friends to do it not only for herself but other women who are victims of domestic violence.”

Moments ago, Heard’s attorney Samantha F. Spector issued a statement reading:

“As the result of Amber’s decision to decline giving an initial statement to the LAPD, her silence has been used against her by Johnny’s team. 

“Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.

“Johnny’s team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts, as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media.”

Depp’s team has yet to respond to this latest development.

We’ll have updates on this story as more information becomes available.

View Slideshow: 15 Celebs Who Have Been Accused Of Domestic Violence

PartyNextDoor: 8 Things to Know About Kylie"s Boy Toy

The rumor has seemingly become a reality: PartyNextDoor is totally dating Kylie Jenner!

The rapper with the weird name has been spotted out and about with the reality star on numerous occasions since she split from Tyga.

What does the public know about PartyNextDoor?

Not much. But here are a few key tidbits about the latest guy to get himself entangled in the web of Kardashians and Jenners…

1. His Real Name Is…

… Jahron Brathwaite.

2. Where Did His Nickname Come From?

The artist chose his unusual stage name from seeing an FL Studio audio filter setting called “PartyNextDoor.” He then decided to stylize it into all caps for his performing identity. Because of course he did, right?

3. Where is He From?

PartyNextDoor is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, growing up just outside Toronto. However, he’s of Caribbean descent because his mother is Jamaican and his father is Trinidadian.

4. A Connection to Drake

Drake signed PartyNextDoor to his OVO records in 2013. He initially worked under the name Jahron B. as a singer/producer/writer and music mixer.

5. He’s Also a Producer

PartyNextDoor produced three hits off Drake’s album, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.” Those songs were “Legend,” Preach,” and “Wednesday Night Interlude.”

6. An Unexpected Background

PartyNextDoor honed his vocal chops as part of his church choir as a child.

View Slideshow

PartyNextDoor: 8 Things to Know About Kylie"s Boy Toy

The rumor has seemingly become a reality: PartyNextDoor is totally dating Kylie Jenner!

The rapper with the weird name has been spotted out and about with the reality star on numerous occasions since she split from Tyga.

What does the public know about PartyNextDoor?

Not much. But here are a few key tidbits about the latest guy to get himself entangled in the web of Kardashians and Jenners…

1. His Real Name Is…

… Jahron Brathwaite.

2. Where Did His Nickname Come From?

The artist chose his unusual stage name from seeing an FL Studio audio filter setting called “PartyNextDoor.” He then decided to stylize it into all caps for his performing identity. Because of course he did, right?

3. Where is He From?

PartyNextDoor is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, growing up just outside Toronto. However, he’s of Caribbean descent because his mother is Jamaican and his father is Trinidadian.

4. A Connection to Drake

Drake signed PartyNextDoor to his OVO records in 2013. He initially worked under the name Jahron B. as a singer/producer/writer and music mixer.

5. He’s Also a Producer

PartyNextDoor produced three hits off Drake’s album, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.” Those songs were “Legend,” Preach,” and “Wednesday Night Interlude.”

6. An Unexpected Background

PartyNextDoor honed his vocal chops as part of his church choir as a child.

View Slideshow

Child Scientist Drops the Mic on Anti-Vaccination Crowd

It"s time to meet Marco Arturo.

And to then stand and applaud Marco Arturo.

This young man is only 12 years old, but he has recorded a video in which he comes across as very mature and knowledgeable for a kid his age.

In footage that has been viewed over 3.3 million times on Facebook, Arturo addresses all of those individuals who refuse to vaccinate their children.

Most people in this camp believe that vaccinations can lead to Autism.

To open the video, Marco explains that veryone has “been lied to by doctors and pharmaceutical companies about vaccines.”

Uh-oh. How so?!?

“After a lot of research I realized that vaccines do and will cause autism,” he says, holding up what he claims is a damning dossier of his findings.

Hmmm… interesting. We didn"t see this coming. Go on, Marco.

When the self-proclaimed scientist opens up the folder – which is title “Evidence That Vaccines Cause Autism” – all of the pages are blank. And then his mockery of this anti-vaccination crowd is made clear.

Why, exactly, are these pages blank?

“I think it might be because there is absolutely no evidence to support the statement that vaccines are linked to autism in any way whatsoever,” he says.

Arturo ends the video by urging all parents to vaccinate their kids and then by holding up one final sheet of paper.

It has the word "mic" written on it and Marco proceeds to drop it. HA! Amazing.

Watch for yourself:

Kylie Jenner and Hailey Baldwin Bikini Photos Make Life Worth Living

Kylie Jenner and Hailey Baldwin rocked bikinis on Memorial Day, soaking up the sun and generally making this a planet worth living on.

The 18-year-old Keeping Up with the Kardashians star and 19-year-old sometime girlfriend of Justin Bieber had quite a pool party.

Best of all, Bieber was nowhere to be found!

Joined by a bikini-clad crew, with Instagram pics to document the experience, their toned bodies officially kicked off the summer season.

Sure, Southern California is basically one endless summer enjoyed by impossibly-good-looking young women, but just run with it, okay?

Hailey even struck a pose in her red, white, and blue swimsuit, proving that Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan is absurd.

Not just because it’s Donald Trump, either.

What better place is there when you can virtually join a pool party like this one via your very own social media feeds? For free? Exactly. 

Oh, and there’s more. A lot more.

As if flaunting their assets (and mansion) didn’t make us jealous enough, the girls shared a close up picture of their hips, butts … and tattoos!

Kylie first gave us a glimpse of her ink in December 2015. The tat is the word “sanity” in red and written the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Obviously. She’s so artistic.

For her part, Hailey’s tattoo is of the word, “gente,” which means people in Portuguese, in honor of the young model’s Brazilian heritage.

Again, really deep stuff.

Joining the dynamic duo for their day of sun and fun? Sister Kendall Jenner, 20, and pals ​Jordyn Woods, Cami Morrone and Lauren Perez.

As for the boys, they were persona non grata for the most part (though Jaden Smith made an appearance later on, Hollywood Life reports).

Kylie posted the top pic of her and her four friends with the caption, “girl girls girls,” and maybe that’s for the best after all shes endured.

Given her high profile breakup with Tyga and alleged romance with PND, a drama-free girls-only weekend was what the doctor ordered.

Gotta do you sometimes.

View Slideshow: Kylie Jenner: Her 29 Raciest, Sexiest Photos of All Time

Kris Jenner to Kim Kardashian: We"re Gonna Get Canceled and It"s YOUR FAULT!

When Kim Kardashian’s sex tape made her an instant Internet celeb back in 2007, many predicted that the big-bootied celebutante would be another Paris Hilton-esque flash in the pan.

Now, nearly a decade later, not only is Kim still going strong, her siblings are so damn famous that there’s a good chance you know more about their day-to-day activities than you do about the lives of your own family members.

No one could’ve predicted that the the Kardashians would climb to the top of the reality show heap and stay there for this long – well, no one except for Kris Jenner.

If one single person can be credited with the continued success of the Kardashian empire, it’s Mama Kris.

Some have even suggested that Kim’s sex tape was Kris’ idea, part of her master plan to indelibly imprint the name “Kardashian” on the public consciousness.

If Kris really has been masterminding this thing from the start, then it’s hard to argue that she’s anything less than a marketing genius.

Unfortunately, Kris’ only clients are her own kids (and their significant others) and the public doesn’t stay fixated on any one thing for very long.

View Slideshow: Kris Jenner: 11 Times The Kardashian Matriarch Was Fed Up With Her Kids

Ratings for Keeping Up With the Kardashians have been steadily declining for the past three years, and it’s beginning to look as though a serious case of Kardashian fatigue is setting in across the nation.

Kris’ solution? Go back to the beginning and give the people what they want:

“Kris has ordered Kim to help her save the show by bringing the drama,” a family source tells Radar Online.

“She saw how the ratings drop was tied to the fact that Kim has been largely absent from the plot this season.

“Kris has put Kim on a mission and offered her a extra million or two if she will be on every episode this upcoming season,”

The problem, Kris believes, is that viewers are just plain bored with the rest of the family, and like baby boomer fans at a rock group’s reunion tour, they just want Kim to play the old stuff.

“Kris knows that viewers are just really over and bored with all the Khloe and Lamar drama, as well as the Kylie Jenner coverage,” says the insider.

“She also knows that Kourtney cannot save it now that Scott is not an explosive asset.”

Suddenly all that talk of a new Kim Kardashian sex tape makes a lot more sense.

View Slideshow: 19 Times Kim Kardashian Made It Impossible to Hate Her