The Zo Williams and Aries Spears fight happened on April 12, 2017, during a live-streamed episode of The Corey Holcomb 5150 Show in Van Nuys, California, when Williams stood up and threw a flurry of punches at Spears on camera. Spears sued Williams and the show’s production company weeks later. A Los Angeles judge dismissed the case in April 2019 after Spears and his attorney failed to show up for trial.1MyNewsLA. Judge Dismisses Comic’s Lawsuit Against Radio Personality
What Happened on the Broadcast
Spears, best known from MADtv, was appearing as a guest. Williams was a co-host. About two hours into the episode, the conversation turned to former President Barack Obama. Spears kept interrupting, and Williams told him to “shut the fuck up.” The exchange shifted to skin tone among Black people, with Spears saying “light-skinned” people are loud.2Ebony. Aries Spears and Zo Williams Radio Brawl
After Williams issued a threat, Spears said he was drunk and suggested he could handle himself. Williams then stood and, according to the lawsuit Spears later filed, landed between seven and ten punches to his head and face. Spears said he did not swing back. He covered his head with his arms and fell to the floor before someone else on set stepped in. The physical portion lasted roughly five to ten seconds. The lawsuit alleged that host Corey Holcomb watched without intervening.3Courthouse News Service. Comic Aries Spears Sues Radio Host Over On-Air Fight Video of the altercation was published by TMZ and spread quickly online.4TMZ. Aries Spears Punched in Head During Radio Interview
The Lawsuit Spears Filed
Represented by attorney Ben Meiselas of Geragos & Geragos, Spears filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in early June 2017. The complaint named Alonzo “Zo” Williams and Bayman Productions, the company that produced the show. Holcomb was not named as a defendant.3Courthouse News Service. Comic Aries Spears Sues Radio Host Over On-Air Fight
The complaint pleaded five causes of action: assault, battery, infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligent hiring and supervision. Spears sought unspecified damages, including punitive damages. He described the attack as “savage” and said he suffered contusions and injuries to his face, neck, and left wrist that forced him to cancel four stand-up dates in Ohio. The negligent-hiring claim against Bayman Productions rested on the allegation that Williams had a “propensity for violence” and that the show lacked adequate security.3Courthouse News Service. Comic Aries Spears Sues Radio Host Over On-Air Fight599.1 WQIK. Aries Spears Firing Back After Fist Fight by Taking Host and Radio Station to Court
How the Case Ended
The suit never reached a decision on the merits. Court records show that in January 2018, Spears’ team began pursuing a default judgment against Williams. When the case was called for trial on April 15, 2019, neither Spears nor his attorney appeared. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen I. Goorvitch dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, meaning Spears could refile if the statute of limitations had not run. No public reporting indicates the case was ever refiled.1MyNewsLA. Judge Dismisses Comic’s Lawsuit Against Radio Personality
Who the Two Men Are
Aries Spears is a stand-up comedian and actor who rose to prominence on the sketch comedy series MADtv.3Courthouse News Service. Comic Aries Spears Sues Radio Host Over On-Air Fight Zo Williams is a radio host and media personality who currently hosts The Voice of Reason on KBLA Talk 1580, discussing relationships, spirituality, and social issues.6KBLA Talk 1580. Voice of Reason With Zo Williams After the incident, Williams posted an apology on his personal website, writing that his actions were “not representative of mature and professional people” and that “confrontation, be it physical or verbal, should never be the solution — even when you are being provoked.”2Ebony. Aries Spears and Zo Williams Radio Brawl