What is it with all the male violence against women lately?

First, we had Chris Brown and Rihanna, then Ryan Jenkins and Jasmine Fiore, and now San Diego Charger linebacker Shawne Merriman and Tila Tequila.

Merriman allegedly choked and restrained the former VH1 star and gave her enough injuries to land her in the hospital for a few hours. Tequila filed a police report and sent the jerk to jail for a few hours — good for you, Tila.

These acts are undoubtedly atrocities, but perhaps the media’s coverage of domestic-abuse incidents may push more women to seek help when they need it. But that still doesn’t give men any excuse to think they rule their girlfriends. Mr. Merriman — I’m talking to you.

And 20 years later …

… the pajama-donning Sugar Daddy Hugh Hefner finally filed for divorce from estranged wife Kimberley Conrad.

The former playmate was only married to her ex-hubby for nine years before the two opted for a separation. (Probably a good idea — Hef claimed she cheated on him during their marriage. But really, why wouldn’t she?)

The Playboy founder claimed that he never filed for divorce earlier out of respect for the two kids the duo had together. Anyway, Hef finally signed the papers when Conrad recently sued him for $5 million, saying that he owed her child-support money. Former girlfriend and wannabe-wife Holly Madison must be regretting running off to Vegas now.

‘American Idol’ meets Ellen DeGeneres?

Strong musical backgrounds are no longer required of “American Idol” judges.

Just Wednesday night, Fox broke the news that Ellen DeGeneres will fill that (not) empty (prescription-drug) void left by former pop diva Paula Abdul’s departure from the show.

Now here’s the thing; I love Ellen DeGeneres, I adore that she married Portia de Rossi, and I have an ardent passion for her talk show — but this new career path may just be ranked with her worse-than-projectile-vomming movie Mr. Wrong. It’s blatantly clear that her only purpose with the show is to radiate her ever-generous heart onto the contestants, and although this isn’t a bad thing, constructive criticism would probably be more beneficial to the idols as opposed to the endless comedic relief she’s going to offer.

Though really, that’s more than Abdul ever offered.