Who would have thought? After all, mainstream journalism does not normally pay its respects to tabloids. But then again, can TMZ be categorized under this label?

I could hardly believe it, but BBC has a full write up on TMZ. Apparently, the Hollywood-based entertainment news web site has already been attracting the attention of other journalists and has been building a reputation for getting the scoop on the hottest happenings in Hollywood – ahead of everyone else. Seems to me that the BBC write up is all positive:

TMZ broke the news of Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic tirade against a police officer, and it was the first to publish the photograph of a bruised Rihanna after she was assaulted by Chris Brown.

But it was the Jackson story that focused attention on the site more than ever before. Mainstream media outlets struggled to confirm the singer’s death while TMZ had details that proved to be accurate.
Once viewed as a bunch of mavericks, the site won the grudging respect of established news organizations.

I say, what better place to evolve from being mavericks to an established and respected entity than in Hollywood? After all, this is where dreams do come true, right?

People behind TMZ also have a lot to say. Harvey Levin – that familiar grinning face you see on TMZ’s TV version – edits the web sites and claims that their extensive contact book is one of the best in town, and that it is the key to their success. Well people, if you have something to say, you know who to approach now.

Originally posted on September 14, 2009 @ 10:24 am