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Tuesday's Connector of the Day – Harvey Levin
Known around the world as the face of celebrity gossip site TMZ, Harvey Levin is bound to know even the most secret of secrets in Hollywood.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/01/11/1201_blog_art.jpg caption ="Harvey Levin's work with TMZ have uncovered several celebrity secrets."]
From Tiger Woods' little black book, to Lindsay Lohan's reckless driver- TMZ is often the first to spill the beans on a story.
It was TMZ that had the celebrity scoop of the decade - breaking the news of Michael Jackson's suspected heart attack and his subsequent death just over an hour later.
The Hollywood based website did this at unparalleled speed. Jackson died at 2.26pm – and at 2.44pm, TMZ informed the world that the King of Pop had died.
The letters TMZ stand for thirty-mile zone, referring to the "studio zone" within a thirty-mile radius of the intersection of West Beverly Boulevard and North La Cienega Boulevard in LA. Shooting within this zone is considered local. Locations outside this zone are subject to mileage and travel time charges by the talent and crew.
Levin, the mastermind behind the operation trained as an attorney and made his name at the O.J. Simpson murder trial as a tv reporter. He later appeared as a legal analyst on the hit American television show "The People's Court."
If you have a question for Harvey Levin – perhaps about your favourite (or least favourite) celebrity; or about how his gossip mongering empire is run and how he gets to a story before anyone else – then post them here and we'll put a selection to him on Tuesday's show.
Please post your question below.
Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe! I'll go and read some more! What do you see the future of this being?
Would you enjoy it if someone preyed into your life, as you into other peoples lives?
Hey Harvey
Hollywood gossip and celebrity websites are usually regarded as untrusted sources, how have you madeTMZ become the most trusted celebrity news source around?
What breaking news story do you recall as the one that shocked you the most and what were the circumstances behind TMZ finding out about it? Also, you're an attorney? Where and when did you get your degree and have you ever practices?
Please assign an Investigative reporter to confirm our Govt. & Tobbacco companies are poisoning American smokers with carpet glue on all US cigarettes due to Fire Standard Compliant (FSC) requirements. (Ref WEB URL & Harvard study below)
US Smokers including our President Obama need Non FSC Cigarettes immediately before irreparable harm to our health is caused by these toxic FSC Chemicals.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/repeal-fire-safe-cigarette-laws
"The Harvard School of Health reported that when comparing NY Cigarettes (FSC) versus Regular Cigarettes, the FSC cigarettes produced 13.9% more Naphthalene and 11.4% more carbon monoxide than regular cigarettes.[1] Naphthalene is commonly found in moth balls, and exposure in high amounts can result in %u201CSymptoms of acute exposure include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise, confusion, anemia, jaundice, convulsions, and coma.%u201D[2] Therefore, it has been proven that FSC cigarettes contain higher levels of chemicals that are harmful to smokers."
Please email me your response.
Sincerely,
Gerald J. Sincebaugh
Orlando, Florida
email: lynngerald@sbeo.net
How do you feel about exploiting peoples private lives, spreading false rumors, posting false information to get more views, and harrasing people constantly by jumping infront of their cars with cameras, stalking them outside their home, etc? If you weren't paid so well, would you be supporting this type of nonsense?
Can you name a celebrity encounter you've covered on the show, whose response you liked or found interesting? Why was it interesting for you?
Why don't you have profiles of your reporters online? Especially the gorgeous short-haired blond girl?
Hi Harvey,
What makes a really good story on TMZ? When does it get the most hits? IS it usually about stars sexual exploits, break-ups, drug issues, funny videos?
TMZ often seems to get the news before any one else...is this because you guys really have the inside scoop or is it because you're willing to take more risks about what you report?
Have you ever had a gossip that turn out to be not so true? If yes, how do you feel? And do you appolgise to the subject?
Hello Harvey,
1. TMZ often backs up stories with copies of (recent) court documents – how do you know when and where to look??? Are court clerks part of you "tip" system???
2. Since TMZ tries not to publish unfounded gossip, do you consider TMZ to be a better journalist source than rumor-mongering tabloids?
Thanks in advance!
Hi, Harvey! We know the Devil would love to watch TMZ, do you think God would watch too?
Mr. Levin:
Do you or do you not have one of the most fun-filled jobs in the US?
Further, does TMZ cover news more important than celebrity gossip? Some of us have had our fill of out-of-control "stars" and celebrity do-nothings and would appreciate information that does more than excite the bank accounts of publicity agents and after-the-fact spin doctors.
Hi,
Just wanted to know who your favorite celebrity to cover is? Also, what has happened to the crazy days of Britney, Michael Jackson and Paris Hilton? Who's this year's equivalent? Who do you think a celebrity to watch this year might be?
Hello Harvey,
Sometimes on TMZ Live you talk about stories you covered when you were a TV news reporter. Do you miss covering 'hard news' stories or do you find reporting 'celebrity news' stories equally challenging?
Also, listening to all your anecdotes on TMZ Live, have you ever thought about writing a novel or screenplay?
Thank you.
How do you manage to pretend all of this is important? Also, to sleep at night?
Harvey,
Why do you perpetuate negative stereotypes about Jews in Hollywood?
Hi Harvey,
What's it like making a living off of harassing, slandering, and generally attempting to destroy people?
Serious question.
Harvey, when are you going to stop being a leech and grow up and get a proper job and get some self-respect and respect from others? Admittedly, you seem like a smart guy, so why are you wasting your life with this?