Chimp Man Canned and Feeling a Bit Cheetahed : Security breach? . . . Steaking a claim . . . Stern reply . . . Thumper cars.

Life is not just a bowl of bananas at TBS’ new all-chimp sitcom, “The Chimp Channel,” thanks to one unhappy co-creator. Tom Stern says the producers tricked him into signing away his rights to the show by promising writing and directing opportunities. But, Stern alleges, the producers never intended to keep up their end of the bargain.

Stern’s is not the usual Hollywood story of a neophyte burned by the big boys. His 12-year career began when he co-wrote “American Werewolf in Paris.” He also has directed videos for Marilyn Manson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice Cube and other artists who scare the parents of teenagers.

The “Chimp Channel” dispute came to a head in March. Stern says he was not happy with the special effects that make the chimps appear to talk. His effects worked; the show’s looked fake, his suit says. After he got in trouble for showing up late for work one day, Stern registered his protests in a rather unique fashion: He videotaped himself on the closed set stripping off his clothes and breaking beer and wine bottles.

Stern considered this to be performance art, and his suit points out that he promptly cleaned up afterward. But to the producers it was a firing offense. They accused Stern of breaching his contract and canned him, according to his lawyer, David Wall.

The suit seeks unspecified financial damages and the return of tapes of music videos Stern had previously directed, so he can land a new job.

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FREEZE!: Security consultant to the stars Gavin De Becker, who’s been hitting the talk show circuit lately with his new book, “The Gift of Fear,” has security problems of his own, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

De Becker’s firm, Protective Safety Division, is suing a recently departed employee, James Thomas Henley, claiming he breached a 1997 confidentiality agreement and stole trade secrets to set up a rival security firm. De Becker seeks a court injunction blocking Henley from luring away his A-list clients and other employees, as well as unspecified monetary damages. Henley couldn’t be reached.

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STICK A FORK IN IT, MATE: Aussie Paul Hogan of “Crocodile Dundee” fame accuses the Outback steakhouse chain of using his photo and image without permission in promotions. The alleged image-plundering includes a menu item, a 14-ounce New York strip steak named after the film character. Hogan’s suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, seeks unspecified damages and an injunction against further exploitation of his image.

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STERN’S TURN: Actor Daniel Stern denies in a countersuit that he sabotaged a fall television series.

Stern says in his Los Angeles Superior Court papers that TriStar sued him first to damage his career and hold him out as an example to other actors.

His suit, filed by attorney Henry D. Gradstein, claims the producers of the cop buddy show “Partners” broke promises to rework the show to make it a star vehicle for Stern.

TriStar claims a star-tripping Stern, best known for his bungling burglar role in “Home Alone,” warned CBS off the series, saying in a phone message that he hated the show and wouldn’t do it. Stern denies he left the message, suggesting it was the work of an impostor. Each side seeks $25 million from the other. Stay tuned.

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TELL IT TO (THE) JUDGE: Actor Judge Reinhold, perhaps best known for his role in “Beverly Hills Cop,” has been slapped with a lawsuit by a motorist who claims that Reinhold attacked him in an episode of road rage.

Clifford Dorfman says the actor, who was driving a black Mercedes-Benz convertible, cut him off in Hollywood last June 16. Reinhold then “raced ahead” of Dorfman, who was driving a Ford Expedition, got out and “charged” the other driver near Sunset and La Brea, the suit claims. Pounding on the door, the actor allegedly shouted obscenities at Dorfman, reached inside, grabbed him and punched him in the head and neck “with great force and violence.”

Dorfman alleges assault and battery. He seeks monetary damages, as well as compensation for medical and legal expenses. Reinhold’s people couldn’t be reached.