TMZ Live

Vernon Turner got offed during the epic season finale of "Empire" ... and Malik Yoba just told us how he got the news his character was going to be the one to go.

Malik came on "TMZ Live" and laid out the painful moment Lee Daniels informed him his services would not be needed for Season 2 -- and it's a real kick in the gut. Let's just say he was doing charity work AND promoting the very show ... that was about to dump him.

"Buffy the Vampire" star Nicholas Brendon blames his recent string of arrests on a deep depression ... brought on by memories of being sexually abused as a child.

Brendon came on TMZ Live on Monday to explain why he was arrested Friday night in Tallahassee after trashing a hotel room in a drunken rage -- and revealed he's been dealing with his depression by drinking in excess and taking prescription meds.

He admits it's time for a better approach -- and says opening up about being a victim of sexual abuse ... is a start.

Brendon was arrested last February for a similar drunken incident, and in October for allegedly assaulting guests at an Idaho hotel.

Mo'Nique just did something remarkable ... fearlessly speaking out about her feud with Lee Daniels -- one of the most powerful directors in Hollywood -- for claiming she's been blackballed.

The 2010 Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress came on TMZ Live to reveal what went down when her "Precious" director Daniels -- who's also co-creator of "Empire" -- called her to say Hollywood execs think she's "difficult" ... and don't want to work with her.

Actors almost never take on a director in public, but this interview is different -- Mo'Nique did not back down to Daniels. As for what started the beef -- Mo'Nique thinks it's all because she didn't name drop someone during her Oscar speech. Check out the clip.