Alec Baldwin suspended for hurling gay slur at reporters

NEW YORK, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- MSNBC says it has suspended actor and TV personality Alec Baldwin from his "Up Late" talk show after he hurled gay slurs at reporters in New York.

The former "30 Rock" star was hounded by the media this week because he was in court to testify against a woman he accused of stalking and harassing him. The woman was convicted and ultimately sentenced to seven months in jail. The sentence included 30 days for contempt of court after she repeatedly interrupted the trial.

MSNBC said it wouldn't air Baldwin's weekly chat show Friday night or next week because he used derogatory language for homosexuals when trying to get paparazzi to leave him alone, Variety reported.

"I did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with my choice of words, but clearly I have -- and for that I am deeply sorry," Baldwin said in a statement posted on MSNBC's website Friday. "Words are important. I understand that, and will choose mine with great care going forward. What I said and did this week, as I was trying to protect my family, was offensive and unacceptable. Behavior like this undermines hard-fought rights that I vigorously support. I understand 'Up Late' will be taken off the schedule for tonight and next week. I want to apologize to my loyal fans and to my colleagues at MSNBC -- both for my actions and for distracting from their good work. Again, please accept my apology."