It was a rough-and-tumble week of news for the card-carrying members of the paparazzi — and the celebs they follow.
Three separate events underscored how tense the relationship between the paps and the people they cover can be.
Over the weekend, Jessica Simpson’s stylist Ken Paves was sent to the hospital after an altercation outside an L.A. hot spot in which a photographer allegedly clocked him with a camera, cutting his eye so bad it required nine stitches.
Paves released a statement to “Access Hollywood” on Monday saying he was OK and asking that everyone lighten up a little bit when it comes to getting the perfect shot.
“While I did not expect a dinner out with friends would end up with me in the emergency room and nine stitches in my head, I am fine,” Paves told “Access.” “My only real concern on Saturday night, and it remains so in retrospect, was for the safety of my friend and all concerned.”
Elsewhere in the celebriverse, Keanu Reeves was cleared Monday for injuries a paparazzo said he got when he was hit by “The Matrix” star’s car in 2007.
And two surfers who were accused of scuffling with a paparazzo who was taking pics of Matthew McConaughey a while back pleaded not guilty Monday to misdemeanor battery charges.
Yeesh! Can’t they all just get along? Here’s a look at how these and other recent paparazzi moments chart on RedEye’s Scandal Ladder.
JESSICA SIMPSON
In the line of duty
This celeb’s stylist was sent to the hospital after an altercation with paparazzi over the weekend.
KANYE WEST
Airport headache
In September, this rapper was caught on tape scuffling with paparazzi at LAX airport in L.A. Somebody’s camera got super messed up.
BRITNEY SPEARS
Foot in mouth
This pop tart had two incidents last year in which she allegedly ran over a paparazzi’s foot.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
Surf’s up
Fellow surfers allegedly tangoed with a paparazzo who tried to snap shots of His Dudeness surfing in June.
KEANU REEVES
No cash for you!
This “Matrix” star got off the hook Monday after a paparazzo claimed the actor owed him money for injuries sustained after he was hit by a car.
JOHN MAYER
Order in L.A.!
In August, this crooner called on L.A. officials to regulate how the paparazzi operate.
