An argument between Van Lathan and Michael Babcock has resulted in the dismissal of the former from TMZ.
Details are still unclear, but rumors claim that the feud between the two has been quite serious, and has prompted a pretty much immediate response from the media outlet.
The two apparently had their quarrel on TMZ Live when they appeared together for the show, although fans were never able to see the encounter live because it was cut out from the final release.
Lathan has been known for his argumentative personality, as he previously got into a debacle with Kanye West.
He has been drawing more and more negative attention to himself, and many have criticized him for his attitude over the last year or so.
And now, it looks like this has finally caught up to Lathan because he has faced a very real repercussion from his actions.
However, the story may have been blown out of proportion, according to anonymous sources from TMZ.
Reports indicate that the site frequently pushed quarrels between their different staff members because it was an easy method to generate publicity for their productions.
This time, they may have gone a bit too far, and the full blowback may not have been intended.
In any case, Lathan has not directly commented on the situation after his dismissal was announced, although he is probably carefully preparing what he wants to say to the public, especially given the controversial place he has in some people’s minds. He did seem to allude to the situation with the tweet below.
It’s looking like tomorrow is going to suck. ????. We good up there God? Okay, cool Just checking.
— VanLathan (@VanLathan) October 21, 2019
TMZ has also not responded to Page Six, which broke this matter, on the matter.
While on TMZ with Lathan, West made those controversial comments: “We are programmed to always talk and fight race issues. We need to update our conversation. The reason why I brought up the 400 years point is because we can’t be mentally imprisoned for another 400 years. We need free thought now. Even the statement was an example of free thought…It was just an idea.”
Kim Kardashian’s husband added: “In school, we need to learn how magic [sic] Johnson built his business, not always about the past. Matter fact, I’ve never even heard of a high school class that presents future ideas. When the media masses and scholars talk about what started today. Here’s a title … the overground hell road.”
The best part about the Van/Babcock exchange was the look on Edward's & Alexia's faces like "Oh shit! It's about to go down!" ? ? ? ?#TMZLive @TMZLive @VanLathan @mikejbabcock @charleslat pic.twitter.com/2oTLWkY1vK
— David Thielen (@DavidThielen1) October 8, 2019
A left-leaning personality, Lathan, reportedly got physical with conservative Babcock during a discussion about a viral photo where former President George W. Bush can be seen sitting next to comedian Ellen DeGeneres.
The image sparked a lot of conversations about friendships between people with different political affinities. Lathan was reportedly not pleased during the segment and Babcock allegedly told him: “You’re not telling me when I can talk and when I can’t.”
An insider told Page Six: “He walked all the way across the room, came from behind [Babcock] and grabbed him.”
Photos and a video have surfaced online showing Lathan grabbing Babcock’s neck with show producer Charles Latibeaudiere sitting next to them looking uneasy. However, some commenters have said that he did not appear too aggressive.
Moreover, the two media personalities used to be friendly with each other.
What was @VanLathan thinking laying his hands on such a delicate flower as @mikejbabcock ? No wonder he was fired! #TMZLive #TMZonTV pic.twitter.com/4ttm1zwcIk
— David Thielen (@DavidThielen1) October 22, 2019
