TV

Thomas Gibson's angry outburst at a "Criminal Minds" writer wasn't the first time he's been violent on set -- connecting with a director's chin -- TMZ has learned.

Our production sources tell us in 2010 Gibson pushed an assistant director in front of cast and crew while filming a scene. At the time, he blamed it on the AD moving too slowly. He wasn't suspended, but it was enough for network honchos to send him to anger management classes.

And that's just one in a string of incidents. We've learned Gibson's been aggressive and verbally abusive for years on set, but no one's said anything about it since he's the show's star.

We broke the story ... the writer Gibson kicked had enough and put in a call to his agent, who then called the network to do something about it.

Thomas Gibson has been suspended from the hit television series "Criminal Minds" after going ham on a writer, kicking him in the leg.

Production sources tell TMZ ... the actor was directing and acting in a scene a few weeks back when he got in a creative dispute with one of the writers. We're told the argument escalated and Thomas exploded in anger, kicking the writer in the leg.

We're told the writer was not about to let it go ... he called his agent, who then called network honchos. At that point the network had to take action and suspended Thomas ... it's unclear for how long, but he's been gone for 2 weeks.

Thomas claims he kicked the writer "in retaliation" after the writer became "aggressive."

Gibson tells TMZ, "There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement. I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and always will."

Sometimes "Criminal Minds" don't think alike.

Michael Sam says he's moving on from his near street fight in West Hollywood -- telling TMZ Sports he's way more upset at the way "Game of Thrones" ended last season.

The sports community is reeling from the sudden, shocking death of ESPN's John Saunders -- and Wednesday night, Ahmad Rashad explained why he was so loved.

"I did know him personally. He was a wonderful, beautiful man."

NFL legend Tony Gonzalez also talked about the broadcaster -- saying, "He was part of my childhood."

"It's a sad day."

Beloved ESPN host John Saunders has passed away unexpectedly at 61 ... this according to ESPN.

The details surrounding Saunders' death are unclear -- but officials tell us he died in New York and there is NO suspicion of foul play.

Saunders joined ESPN in 1986 and went on to co-host "NFL Primetime." He also anchored "SportsCenter."

ESPN tweeted, "We are heartbroken to report longtime ESPN personality John Saunders has died. He was 61."

Adam Schefter tweeted, "Sickened and saddened to hear of loss of our colleague and friend, John Saunders. What a nice man. What a great man."

Saunders is survived by wife, Wanda, and daughters, Aleah and Jenna.

Story developing ...

"Another Period" star Natasha Leggero was transported back in time ... courtesy of a TMZ photog.

Natasha was out and about in Hell's Kitchen Tuesday, when we asked about the moment in time she'd change, and we're hoping most people would agree.

Jaime Pressly is banking on a buyer's market ... now that she's put her home up for sale a second time.

The "My Name Is Earl" star listed her Sherman Oaks house for $2.549 million -- a small hike from when she first listed it back in 2015 for around $2.2 mil.

The 5,400 square foot, 5 bedroom house oozes classic luxury -- complete with Venetian plaster and a custom iron railed grand staircase. The master bedroom has 2 walk-in closets and it has a really big backyard.

The biological mother of Team USA gymnast Simone Biles says she's clean, sober and has a loving relationship with her daughter ... and is sick of being painted as an addict.

Simone's story is pretty well-known ... she was put in foster care when she was 2 because her mother struggled with substance abuse. Simone was eventually adopted by her grandparents.

TMZ Sports spoke with Shanon Biles who says she's been sober since 2007 -- and is proud of the fact she reestablished her relationship with Simone.

Shanon says she does have a beef with her father -- saying he was insensitive about the way he described her battle with addiction during an interview with NBC.

"He could have been more classy about it."

As for Simone, Shanon says she's incredibly proud of her daughter and has supported her for years -- in fact, she showed us a pic of the two of them with Gabby Douglas back in 2014.

"I just want to say I love you Simone ... I'm so proud of you! Go Team USA and I'll talk to you and see you when I can!"

Tom Sizemore was hired because he's a good dramatic actor, but he was just fired for too much real-life drama in his personal life.

Production sources at USA's "Shooter" tell TMZ ... producers fired Tom after his arrest 2 weeks ago for allegedly beating his girlfriend.

You'll recall ... last month he ran over a stuntman on set. He and his manager parted ways over money disputes and drug use allegations.

Bill Cosby, eat your heart out ... because a retro pudding company is now making its move to corner the market.

Hunt's Snack Pack has taken notice that people are talking about the old-school lunch snack, which appeared recently on Netflix's "Stranger Things."

Hunt's iconic packaging went the way of 8-tracks and the packaging has been made slicker, but because of the popularity of the show, viewers have actually been calling the company ... begging to bring back the old look.

The Hunt people are no dummies ... they tell us the throwback packaging may find its way to your corner grocery store ... soon.

The guy who says Josh Duggar used his face on several dating and social media sites -- including Ashley Madison -- is suing the reality star for jacking his image.

Matthew McCarthy says he's been humiliated since Duggar confessed he was addicted to porn and had been trawling for women online. As we first reported ... McCarthy was shocked to see his face as the profile pic on several Duggar accounts.

In the lawsuit, McCarthy says he was raised in a strong-knit Catholic family ... so being connected to Duggar's porn life -- on Twitter, OkCupid and Ashley Madison -- has been mortifying.

He adds he's been getting harassing messages referring to him as "Duggar's boy toy" and "DJ Duggar." He's a DJ and photographer by trade.

Matthew is suing Duggar for the wrongful use of his image, and for damages ... aka cash.

Ryan Stock and AmberLynn Walker -- the "America's Got Talent" team that had an epic fail when she accidentally shot him -- have a follow-up stunt that will make you jump out of your skin.

The recently-booted contestants were on "TMZ Live" Thursday when Ryan decided to give himself the hook ... but this time, literally.

Check out the full interview on today's "TMZ Live."

Move over, Murder House, there's a new killing ground on "American Horror Story" ... and we have the first shots of the huge set, built from the ground up.

TMZ has learned the 'AHS' crew secretly hammered away for 4 straight months to construct the Colonial-style house. It's not just a front ... we're told it's fully furnished and they're currently shooting some scenes inside and around it.

Our spies tell us the home -- which is tucked away in a California forest -- will serve as the main set for the upcoming season which, as we first reported ... will have some connection with the colonial Roanoke mystery.

We're told Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates have both shot scenes in the home. Kathy's was in the hot tub. Also, it looks like creator Ryan Murphy's added his 'People vs. O.J.' star Cuba Gooding Jr. to the cast. He's been shooting this week, too.

No word if he'll be working with knives. Again.

Steve Wilkos worked as a cop for many years in Chicago and saw plenty of violence, but he says no one -- NO ONE -- should be shot and killed over a broken taillight.

Wilkos was leaving the Montage in Bev Hills Tuesday when he told our photog he thinks lots of cops have itchy trigger fingers, partly because of the way they've been trained in recent years.

"America's Got Talent" viewers just witnessed a truly scary moment when one contestant accidentally shot her husband in the throat with a flaming arrow.

Contestants Amber and Ryan, a sideshow duo, have made their mark on the show performing dangerous stunts. Tuesday's stunt was supposed to end with Amber hitting a target in Ryan's mouth with the arrow ... but her aim was way off and it struck him in the throat instead.

Our 'AGT' sources say Ryan's fine, he was just shaken up after the mishap.

MTV just turned 35 and to celebrate the special occasion ... they gave out free ink for fans!

Anyone who wanted a free MTV tattoo could go to shops in L.A. and NYC, pick from a few different logos and get it tatted anywhere on their body. Some options included the vintage "Yo! MTV Raps" logo and the classic leopard print "MTV."