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'Mom, I Wanna Be A Paparazzo When I Grow Up!'
Two TMZ photographers were arrested by cops
last night in Hollywood. Whether they were technically in violation of any
specific law or not, what is for certain is that TMZ is essentially a paparazzi
outfit with an editorial division.
TMZ is an establishment Hollywood
production... The two camera operators apprehended last night are Warner
Bros./Telepictures employees from a show that airs on a broadcast network.
TMZ is the first example of a Hollywood
establishment getting into the renegade hounding business that the paparazzi
have created.
All shows have shot on the sidewalk before,
but not as a result of following a star wherever they go, every day, every
hour... While that may not qualify as "stalking" legally, it's
something pretty darn close in my opinion.
It's pretty outrageous.
In this world, since Warner Bros. is home to
a lot of stars, you have the hunters and the hunted on the same company
payroll.
My understanding is that most of the TMZ
photographers are young kids, handed cameras and told to go out and get it. It's
kind of a fun post-college gig at first look. What do they tell their parents,
"I'm a videographer, mom!"
If they're straight with themselves, it's,
"Mom, I'm a paparazzo... don't tell dad."
HOW OFTEN DO YOU UPDATE THIS BLOG BILLY
And the rest of the entertainment shows seem to just spout the PR line of the celebrity so you can make sure you get all of the celebrity interviews you need for your show. ET, Access Hollywood, People Magazine, all controlled by the celebrities publicists. I'm sick of celebrities whining about the paparazzi.