Daniel von Bargen -- who played Mr. Kruger in " Seinfeld " -- is clinging to life in an Ohio hospital after shooting himself in the head Monday morning in a failed suicide attempt ... and TMZ has the

Lindsay Lohan just got yet another rave review from Judge Stephanie Sautner during her probation progress report hearing this AM -- as Sautner proudly announced, "You're in the home stretch!"

Sautner was impressed -- that for the 3rd time in a row,

Hines Ward better stay out of trouble for the next 12 months ... 'cause the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has been sentenced to a year of probation stemming from his 2011 DUI arrest.

TMZ broke the story ... Ward was arrested for DUI in

Carrot Top is sick of being compared to a ginger Arnold Schwarzenegger ... telling TMZ he's dropped 30 pounds in an effort to return to physical normalcy.

C.T. was at Boa in Hollywood last night ... when he told us he's given up

Barack Obama once again proved he's the most qualified candidate in the field ... TO SING ... 'cause El Presidente once again flexed his voice during an impromptu blues session with B.B. King -- and it was AWESOME!

Journey drummer Deen Castronovo is going back to school ... anger management school ... as part of a plea deal in his domestic violence case.

TMZ broke the story ... 47-year-old Castronovo was arrested on January 20 after allegedly attacking his GF at his