Late to the Party alert:John Forsythe

Date: 19 Apr. 2010

Publications: People, Globe

Two of the Only Ten Magazines That Matter acknowledge the passing of John Forsythe, a celebrity death that was not foretold by the tabs in any way. People goes classy with "Farewell John Forsythe". The Globe goes with the tacky "John Forsythe's Sad Last Days". This is why I consider the "Last Days" story the highest level of alert, because the tabs will use it either as a warning or to make it look like they were on top of a story they actually missed completely until after the fact.

There have been times in the past when a tabloid posted a Brave Last Days headline and the celebrity in question died the same week. If I recall correctly, that was the timing for Walter Matthau. But in 2010, their track record is exceedingly bad, with 24 warnings so far and none of them yet come true.

Update: In an odd coincidence, another Dynasty actor is in the obituaries this morning. Christopher Cazenove, who played the black sheep brother Ben Carrington, died on April 7 at the age of 64.