The Liz Smith Column | 08/05/2009 11:00 pm

Liz Smith: Michael Jackson's Bestselling Death

And more from Our Gossip Girl: The Madoff scandal in tabloid style … Jennifer Westfeldt – A great big star all on her own … The cruelties of August.

By Liz Smith

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Michael Jackson © WireImage

"A newspaper is a peeper, invader of privacy, mischief-maker, busybody, comic-strip intellectual," wrote the famous late columnist Russell Baker.

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It’s amusing to me that because there was such saturation with the Michael Jackson death and aftermath, some denizens of the more formal, antiquated, old-fashioned press criticized the rest of us for "overkill."

But now comes the real aftermath. Rolling Stone has a great story in its August 6 issue: "Michael Jackson’s Final Days." In this one, writer Claire Hoffman elegantly tells all about what happened at the end and she seems to know what she is writing about. I highly recommend this article. It ends with the writer’s hopeful note that Michael had come to his senses in some respects and was about to give the concert of a lifetime. (His despairing need for narcotics no doubt did him in.) But I loved it that this particular article has an upbeat philosophy. The magazine notes, "Without playing one show, or releasing even one new song, he pulled off the biggest comeback ever."

There is Michael also, sharing a dual cover with Farrah Fawcett on Vanity Fair. He is called the "Fallen King" and she is called the "Fallen Angel."

Cover images: Vanity Fair

And the pages offer stunning outtakes from photographer Annie Leibovitz, showing Michael in 1989 dance sequences; as well as one of the most beautiful cover photos of the magical star ever. (Annie herself is in the news with her own financial troubles. There are plenty of "fallen angels" to go around.)

At least two books I haven’t had time to examine closely are hitting the heights – J. Randy Taraborrelli’s already existing Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958-2009, to which he has added a final chapter. And then there is the negative tabloid version by Ian Halperin. His book, Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson, has "rocketed to No. 1 on the hardcover nonfiction list," according to The New York Times.

This spate of coverage and public interest makes a mockery of high-toned journalists criticizing everybody else for "over-covering" the story when there are so many other "important" matters to consider. (There are always other "important matters to consider" in this burgeoning world.)

The public decides what they want to read about and see. They always have made that final decision.

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A writer I don’t particularly admire, Jerry Oppenheimer, is bringing out a new biography of Bernie Madoff on August 12 with the obvious title Madoff With the Money.

Amazon

But I had to chuckle at Oppenheimer’s own sum up: "Ruth and Bernie Madoff are the most controversial couple since Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and as infamous as Bonnie and Clyde."

This guy always takes a tabloid-y look at whomever he is writing about. It has paid off for him over the years.

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Bad news from London: The famed Observer, one of the most venerable institutions in international journalism, is fighting for its life and may go under.

Even its critics say this would be "an inglorious end for a newspaper that has been published since 1791." Maybe the English branch of the Astors, who used to own the Observer, will ride to its rescue, but don’t hold your breath.

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It ends with the writer’s hopeful note that Michael had come to his senses in some respects and was about to give the concert of a lifetime.

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That first night Liza Minnelli, in a prescient moment, made the comment that "there will be an autopsy" and I suspect if it is made public in its entirety that no one will believe he had come to his senses or that he was about to give the concert of a lifetime. No one will probably really know what happened that last night/morning of his life but most wonder if it was a matter of murder rather than a matter of negligence. One thing is for sure. Quite a few really do not look so good in all of it. Some not only enabled the addiction but appear to have encouraged it.

As for Farrah Fawcett it appears the silver lining of the dark cloud of Michael Jackson was his dying so shortly after she did and sparing us all the salaciousness of her last days as well which so far seem relegated to blogs and Larry King. Ryan O’Neal may think it was hilarious that he hit on his daughter at the funeral not realizing who she was but most everyone else did not. And that has been one of the lighter moments.

If nothing else, Hollywood was caught with its make-believe down that day. Two fallen people. And we try desperately to put them back on their pedestals in death. So we can knock them off again.

Schadenfreude at its absolute worst.

By Baby Snooks on 08/06/2009 1:24 am

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I have to tell you, Baby, that every time I see your name I have to smile. One of my father’s pet names for me was Snooks after, yep, Baby Snooks played, of course, by the fabulous Fanny Brice.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 08/06/2009 9:14 am

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The fabulous and funny Fanny Brice. I think life was much simpler, and because of Fanny Brice much funnier, when all we had for entertainment at home was the radio. And then television arrived. And then the internet.

By Baby Snooks on 08/06/2009 10:24 am

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By Baby Snooks on 08/06/2009 10:24 am

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The wonderful internet that sometimes causes us to repeat ourselves.

By Baby Snooks on 08/06/2009 10:27 am

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….and now I read they’re letting Squeaky Fromme out of jail. Just what part of "life sentence without parole" did I miss?

Film director John Waters had a small list of books to read while on a plane that were guaranteed to keep people away from you. One of them was Michael Jackson Was My Lover: The Secret Diary of Jordy Chandler by Victor M. Guitierrez. I know the book was banned in this country for a while, and tonight while I was looking up the title, both Google and Firefox sent warnings out to me, so it must carry some powerful Mojo.

By Washington Cube on 08/06/2009 1:58 am

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Cubie,

Yes, I keep waiting for someone to let Manson loose.

By Andrea Brandon on 08/09/2009 3:02 pm

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i just wanted to tell you that the man who wrote the book is not a very reliable source. he has been demanded by many people because he can never get a proof of what he says. i know this because he is chilean and i’m chilean and every time that he comes here he always said this that he can’t prove. he a shame for my country really

By daniela mayerovich on 08/13/2009 2:18 pm

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I’ve heard stories about him, as well, Daniela. The only reason I mentioned the book was because of John Water’s funny comment about clearing seats around you on an airplane. I think reading a thick book called "Hitler" might do the trick, too.

By Washington Cube on 08/13/2009 4:29 pm

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I’ve often wondered how many "unsolved murders" through the years were in fact murders committed by members of the Manson "family" who were allowed to go on their merry little way. One of whom was Lynette Fromme. None of the "family" who participated in the murders that weekend in August 40 years ago should have ever been paroled. I read somewhere that some of the people who lived in Benedict Canyon and heard the screams that night but didn’t know where the screams were coming from still have nightmares about it.

By Baby Snooks on 08/06/2009 2:38 am

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Ruth Madoff now has to report any purchases above (get this) $100 to a court-appointed trustee. The trustee is "pursuing a $45 million claim against her. … [She] has forfeited most of her wealth." (AP)

I am guessing $100 does not go far in her world. It is two weeks of groceries for me. Probably it is one afternoon’s lunch for her.

I consider this proof that karma is alive and well. Phew! I was beginning to doubt its existence.

By kermie b on 08/06/2009 5:15 am

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THAT is a RIOT!! Imagine being the once "high and mighty" Ruth Madoff and having to report purchases over a $100! Makes my day!! I’ve read so many posts on WOW alone that would break anyone’s heart. I think everyone who lost the life savings they were counting on to Bernie and his bunch (Ruth is undoubtely included!) ought to be given a running inventory of what she is acquiring! It should give them some little comfort to know that the old girl is finally struggling too!

By Mary Utrup on 08/06/2009 6:50 pm

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Liz, don’t forget Edna O’Brien’s AUGUST IS A WICKED MONTH, published in the 60’s. You are right now & Edna nailed it then…

By R H on 08/06/2009 7:02 am

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It’s amusing to me that because there was such saturation with the Michael Jackson death and aftermath, some denizens of the more formal, antiquated, old-fashioned press criticized the rest of us for "overkill."

I’m amused that she’s amused.

By Deena B. on 08/06/2009 7:46 am