Lips & Ears | 07/31/2009 11:00 am

Liz Smith: The National Enquirer Predicted Jackson's Death (Video)

What else did the tabloid say about Michael Jackson months before he passed away on June 25? Watch me on Fox News to find all this out and more …

By Liz Smith

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Do you believe what you read in the National Enquirer?

The tabloid made quite a serious prediction on January 7: Michael Jackson will be dead in six months.

The Enquirer also reported that Jackson suffered from a fatal lung disease and stomach issues. The magazine said Jackson popped 10,000 pills in the last half decade (which accounts for 50 pills a day). If the autopsy confirms these reports, it seems to me the National Enquirer has a pretty accurate crystal ball. Watch me on Fox News for more of my thoughts.

20 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

They’ve also predicted the deaths of Liza Minnelli, Elizabeth Taylor, and countless others. They’ll eventually "be correct" about those, too.

By Karen R on 07/31/2009 11:32 am

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Not a fan of the ‘tabloids’ although I do pick one up, occasionally, but seems to me, in general, it goes back to the old saying "no smoke without fire"…particularly when it comes to scandals. LOL…yep, Karen…those predictions will have a way of being accurate. And speaking of yellow rags/tabloids…there are a couple of tv programmes really not any better. Time to let this man RIP and his family get on with just taking care of each other…(as it should be with anyone, celebrity or not).

By Nancy Cleveland on 07/31/2009 12:46 pm

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"Not a fan of tabloids"

Oh Nancy, neither am I - but unfortunately it seems it is ALL tabloid now. The so called main stream "news", all the columns, etc. I am so tired of the "King of Pop", the "Queen of Iquiterod", Anyone’s plus eight, and having a beer with the Pres. Poor Walter, he probably died not of old age, but of boredom and disgust.

By Lin Cercone on 07/31/2009 1:13 pm

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How true, Lin! And so-called ‘reality shows’ pretty much fall into the categories you named. Bad enough that every network has at least one reality show on per evening, but some are even repeating at least one of their shows on another evening of the same week! I understand times are strained and everyone is feeling the pinch but it’s just too over the top for me. Boredom and disgust…you are so right!

By Nancy Cleveland on 07/31/2009 1:53 pm

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Thank you, Nancy. I was beginning to feel like an audience of one. Like Jerry Springer & Maury aren’t bad enough, now we have "prime time" trash. I understand the head of NBC Entertainment, (the worst offender) is gone. He’s the one who left us with trash, trash and Leno at 10 p.m. EVERY night. Yeah, like that’s gonna work. Thanks to CBS picking some shows up, we may get some good shows at 10. Seems like Les Moonves (spelling???) is the only network guy we can depend on. Like you, I don’t find other people’s problems/weight/lack of child birth - entertaining. I want news to be factual and entertainment to be entertaining. Hey, call me crazy.

By Lin Cercone on 07/31/2009 6:07 pm

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Wow, Lin…at least one other person who leans more to CBS. To be honest…close to the best and one of the most enjoyable programmes each week is CBS "Sunday Morning"! And I too either want a factual, thought-provoking, dignified programme OR genuine entertainment….preferably something that will at least bring a smile if not laughter. Not just any old thing to "fill a void". In fact, I prefer to read. TV does have it’s place but not filled with garbage. But then, I’m sure my taste isn’t everyone’s or even most nor should I expect it to be. I just wish……..! ;) Oh…speaking of Leno on every night…frightening thought, isn’t it? Not so much the man himself but just seeing the promos for his new shows/time slot makes me want to scream! An adult doesn’t know who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue but sure knows who lives in a pineapple under the sea…without any hesitation! Another doesn’t know how many stars are on the flag "because it’s flapping to much in the wind and can’t count them". Makes me want to not use the wrist band on my Wii so the remote will fly off…right through the tv.

By Nancy Cleveland on 07/31/2009 10:28 pm

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Hey Nancy:

I feel exactly the same re: Leno promos, apparently new show will be same as old show. Premise: Let’s find ignorant people (the dumber the better) and laugh at them.

I too am an avid reader and would love to see some books made into tv shows, but unfortunately when tried by American networks they’re pretty lame. BBC does such a good job with the transition, why can’t ABC/CBS/NBC?? I think it always comes down to $$$. They don’t get that if they give a good product - they’ll get good ratings. Look at Mad Men, great show, but it would never be done so well on typical broadcast stations, cable does it much better. Why? Is it women in lingerie? Infidelity? My God, daytime soaps get away with murder, everyone is sleeping with everyone, so why is prime time on the same networks so juvenile and/or unrealistic? Oh well, we can always read. Good hearing from you.

By Lin Cercone on 08/01/2009 6:03 am

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I’m with you! And oh, Liz, please get off this Michael Jackson bandwagon. You’re starting to justify your dismissal from the Post’s Page Six. Please don’t slip into the yellow band of journalism and give more of what you used to.

By O E on 07/31/2009 3:05 pm

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WEE, O E: Although NOTHING to me can justify losing LIZ on Page Six. I love, love, love LIZ, but I too - am so tired of MK and all the speculation and inuendo. Like we didn’t know - this was not going to be a happy ending. God forbid, we’ll be going through more of this crazy journalism when Lohan o.d.s or crashes up in the near future. I thought there was a law that you could commit someone to treatment if they were potentially a danger to themselves or others. Apparently not, but there should be a law. Maybe Gov. Arnold should try to enact one. But I still love LIZ.

By Lin Cercone on 07/31/2009 6:22 pm

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I’ve followed Liz Smith’s work for many years and still do; but some times lately she’s being dedicating too much of her valuable journalistic talent to celebrities who don’t deserve the attention they get from the press. They don’t earn respect because of outrageous, irresponsible, arrogant behavior. The media should not encourage them by giving them print or air time. Just compare what time has been dedicated to the controlversial figure that Michael Jackson was, compared to the time dedicated to the passing of Walter Cronkite, who influenced positively and historically so much of American media with grace, honesty, and respect for his profession. Jackson was talented, yes; but he did not earn the sainthood so many have tried to bestow on him.

By O E on 08/01/2009 10:14 am

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O E: I agree the coverage is excessive. I would actually love to hear some inside stories about Walter.

By Lin Cercone on 08/01/2009 2:45 pm

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David Letterman had one: Letterman and his son Harry went to an ice cream parlor, where they found Walter Cronkite with some other people. Letterman approached Cronkite and introduced his son. The Letterman asked Cronkite to allow him to pay for the ice cream cone Cronkite was eating. Cronkite answered that he could pay "for my own icre cream, thank you". Sweet, but not Enquirer material, see? You need to have known the man and be sophisticated enough to appreciate the humor in this.

By O E on 08/01/2009 3:21 pm

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Liz, those weasels will find out everything about a person. I wonder if they “read” toilet bowls as well? Courtney Friel calls you a Graand Daame? I think if she wants to use a French term she should at least make an attempt at pronunciation. I will watch & listen to you any time. You are one of the few “gossip” columnists who have class. I love your outfit here, too. What a woman.

By Carole Del Monte on 07/31/2009 12:42 pm