Could Alec Baldwin’s latest run-in with the press be much ado about nothing? It’s indeed a strong possibility. TMZ is reporting there is an audio tape of the confrontation between Baldwin and New York Post photographer G.N. Miller, which allegedly reveals there is no racial slur.

Miller, who is also a retired New York City detective, filed harassment charges against the 30 Rock star alleging that the actor called him a “coon” and a “drug dealer.” The photog claims it happened after he and Post reporter Tara Palmeri approached Baldwin outside of his New York City Greenwich Village apartment. The two were trying to get the 54-year-old actor to comment on a lawsuit against his yoga-instructor wife, Hilaria. Baldwin reportedly grabbed Palmeri’s arm and told her, “I want you to choke to death.” Sources say the audio recordings confirm Baldwin did threaten Palmeri, however they do not contain any racial epithets.

But Baldwin, who also filed a harassment claim against Miller for the photog's part in the sidewalk altercation, did take to Twitter to hurl insults at him after the incident. Calling the photographer Ralston, Baldwin tweeted, “Ralston claims he’s ex NYPD!! That can’t be!!! Ex NYPD don’t become crackhead, ex jailhouse paparazzi!” Baldwin later deleted some of the tweets.
The New York Daily News is reporting that Tracy Morgan, Baldwin’s 30 Rock co-star, gave his opinion on the controversy Tuesday during an interview with a Charlotte, North Carolina, radio station.

“I’m just saying man … if he called somebody a coon, he should apologize,” Morgan said. The 44-year-old actor said that he and Baldwin had a friendly relationship and never had any issues of race between them. But Morgan also added, “If anyone calls anybody a derogatory statement like coon, in 2013 … first of all coon is played out. There is no excuse for that in your 50s.”

 BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo:   Enrique RC / PacificCoastNews.com)