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Facebook created a workplace where employees openly mocked a guy for being as ancient as -- wait for it -- 50 years old ... at least according to the ex-worker who's suing.

Gary Glouner says he worked under the Facebook umbrella for 2 years, and during that time was the butt of many ageist jokes. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the age cracks included:

- "Old people shouldn't be working at Facebook; they just don't relate"
- "Old people are just creepy"
- "Old people don't belong at Facebook"

Glouner says Mark Zuckerberg himself made public comments in 2007 where he said, "Young people are just smarter." He adds ... the ageism was institutional because during an HR presentation they displayed a chart highlighting the low energy of employees in their 50s.

Worst of all, he says his co-workers in their 20s and 30s always got cake and group celebrations -- while he got bupkis. Glouner says his boss told him they didn't want to embarrass him by highlighting his advanced age. Damn. No cake?

Michael Phelps isn't taking a shred of blame for viewers' disappointment over him not racing an actual great white shark, and says he stands by the "incredible" made-for-TV event.

The 23-time Olympic gold medal winner opened himself up to his critics on Facebook and addressed the backlash from his Discovery Channel special. You'll recall, no doubt, Phelps lost to the shark ... but it was a CGI shark.

Phelps claims everyone involved in the man vs. beast production made it very clear what the "race" would entail, but people chose not to listen and now they're hatin' ... which he calls "shocking."

Speaking of shocking -- Michael didn't race a real shark, but REALLY did swim in 53 degree water!

The man suspected of opening fire at a congressional baseball practice is 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson ... and judging by his social media, he REALLY hates Donald Trump.

Hodgkinson's Facebook page is loaded with anti-Trump posts. He's also a staunch Bernie Sanders supporter.

Also notable, Hodgkinson is also anti-Hillary Clinton, with several posts about her as well.

Among the posts on his page, there's one that stands out from March which says, "Trump is Traitor. Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy. It's Time to Destroy Trump & Co."

Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook and made billions upon billions, but he never did get a degree from Harvard ... until now.

Mark was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree Thursday at what would've been his alma mater if he hadn't dropped out to chase his FB dream back in 2004. He also delivered the commencement speech to this year's graduating class.

Zuck joked, "If I get through this speech today, it will be the first time I actually finish something at Harvard."

BTW ... James Earl Jones also got an honorary degree for his decorated acting career. Here's how we imagine, in the perfect galaxy (far, far away), his speech would've gone:

"Mark, I am your Doctor ... of Arts."

And then there were four ...

Five-person a capella group Pentatonix is about to lose Avi Kaplan ... who announced his departure Friday morning in video posted on the group's Facebook page.

Avi says he'd been struggling to keep up with the fast pace of the band, and missed his friends and family as well as not being able "to escape into nature when I’m feeling overwhelmed or just need some time to myself."

Pentatonix won the third season of NBC's "The Sing-Off" ... and they pop up on almost every award show doing tribute performances. They're about to kick off a summer tour that includes gigs in Japan, and 3 nights at the Hollywood Bowl.

Avi says he'll still do all those shows, but after the tour ... he's done.

Scott Baio can count on a can of whoopass if he ever runs into Erin Moran's brother, who wants payback for Scott's comments about Erin's substance abuse.

Tony Moran tore into Scott ... referring to a brief fling Erin and Scott had way back when they were young TV stars. His Tuesday Facebook post got nasty though when he said, "She told me that you were tiny." Then came the not so thinly veiled threat: "Get on your knees and pray you never run into me."

Tony's angry about Scott's radio interview where he took Erin to task for using drugs. At the time, Scott thought that's what killed her, but later learned it was cancer.

Scott told us he wouldn't have been so harsh if he'd known she was battling cancer -- but he stands firm on his view of addiction.

Battle lines are drawn.

Oprah LOVES Facebook Live -- despite some very troubling events this week -- and even bemoans that it wasn't around in the 25 years O talked for a living.

We got the queen Wednesday in D.C., where she sang the praises of the social media platform and her new movie, of course.

Oprah never mentioned the Facebook killer, but did say Facebook needed to be properly managed. That said, she clearly views it as a game changer.

Richard Simmons is back to doing what he does best -- delivering inspiration to his fans, and he's also hinting he'll come out of hiding soon.

Richard addressed his hospitalization this week for gastrointestinal issues, saying it "reminded me that when you need help you can't be afraid to reach out and ask for it."

He continued ... "I reached out and hope you will too. I'm sure there are people in your life who love and care for you and would do anything to help you with the challenges you face."

He posted a pic with his message -- though it appears to be an old shot -- and thanked fans for well wishes and added he should be back home in a couple of days.

As for the future, he said ... "Hope to see you again soon!"

Facebook killer Steve Stephens was undone by McDonald's employees who ID'd him and made him wait a little extra time for his order so the cops could come and catch him.

Stephens went through the drive-thru at the McDonald's on Buffalo Road in Erie, PA when one of the workers recognized him. He ordered a 20-piece McNugget and a large fry ... but workers made it seem the fries weren't ready so they could buy time.

According to the restaurant's manager ... Stephens got his nuggets, but then said he had to go and he drove off without the fries. It was enough time for cops to get on his tail.

Steve Stephens, the Facebook killer, killed himself about 90 minutes outside Cleveland during a high speed chase with cops in Pennsylvania.

Police in Erie, PA say Stephens' body was found inside his white Ford Fusion around 11:10 AM ET on Tuesday. The police were in pursuit of Stephens at the time after they responded to a tip that Stephens' car had been spotted in a nearby McDonald's parking lot.

Cops say Stephens' car came to a stop in the middle of the road near a former elementary school, and then he took his own life. He died on scene.

Erie is the town where police said they'd last gotten a ping from Stephens' mobile phone.

A nationwide manhunt had been underway since Sunday, when Stephens shot and killed Robert Godwin Sr. ... and then uploaded video of the murder to Facebook.

Steve Stephens' victim was shot in a residential area, and several neighbors frantically called 911 to report the savage murder.

The 911 calls were just released and a man yelled, "He's not conscious. He's dead!" They also told the operator the victim was an older man. You can hear a crowd gathering around the crime scene as the operator tried to instruct the caller on how to stop the bleeding.

It's clear she didn't realize the shots were fatal.

Jason Derulo knows exactly what he'll do if he comes face-to-face with the Facebook killer.

We got the singer at LAX, and like almost everyone, he's shaken by the horrific story of Steve Stephens posting video of himself murdering a grandfather. Jason says you can't blame social media for this ... Stephens is just sick.

As for the $50k reward to catch the killer -- Jason told us how he thinks America should respond, and says he's ready to back up his words.

Police are going all out to locate Facebook killer Steve Stephens ... including offering a huge reward.

Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams just announced the $50,000 reward for any information leading to Stephens' arrest. The reward comes on the heels of police saying the manhunt now covers up to 5 states.

The ATF, FBI and Crimestoppers are all chipping in to cover the reward.

Chief Williams is still imploring Stephens to turn himself in ... or at least contact a friend or relative.

Steve Stephens, the alleged Facebook killer, is on the move and his cell phone might have given up his location to cops.

Stephens' phone pinged near Erie, PA ... according to a report, which would put him about 100 miles east of Cleveland. He's been charged with aggravated murder after killing 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sunday in Cleveland, and uploading video of the fatal shooting.

The manhunt's now expanded to 5 states -- Cleveland authorities say Stephens could still be in Ohio ... or on the run in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana or Michigan.

Paul O'Neill -- founder of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- has died after a private battle with a chronic illness, the band confirms. He was 61.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Paul was found dead in a Tampa hotel room. There are no signs of foul play, but police don't know yet how long he was deceased before they responded to a 911 call. We're told the Medical Examiner has his body now.

Paul's band says, "The entire Trans-Siberian Orchestra family, past and present, is heartbroken to share the devastating news that Paul O’Neill has passed away from chronic illness," a statement said on the band's official Facebook page.

"He was our friend and our leader -- a truly creative spirit and an altruistic soul. This is a profound and indescribable loss for us all."

O'Neill created the band back in 1996 and hit it big with its metal-infused take on classic Christmas songs. The band has sold more than 12 MILLION albums.

Arnold Schwarzenegger just schooled an Internet troll for mocking the Special Olympics, calling the participants the r-word.

A random guy posted this ... "The Special Olympics make no sense. The Olympics are for the best athletes in the entire world to compete against each other to determine who is the best. Having r****** competing is doing the opposite!"

The guy was responding to a video Arnold posted touting the athletes.

Arnold responded to the troll this way ... "it's a teachable moment. Right now, I guarantee you that these athletes have more courage, compassion, brains, skill -- actually, more of every positive human quality than you."

Arnold has a dog in the fight. His mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver, founded the Special Olympics and he's been active in the event for years.

Arnold had one other thing to say, "So take their path -- you could learn from them, and try to challenge yourself, to give back, to add something from the world."