The kid says he’s Michael’s son — and now, so does the Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson.

In an interview with TV One, Joe Jackson asserts Omer Bhatti, a 25-year-old dancer and aspiring rapper from Oslo, Norway who once traveled the world with Michael Jackson, lived at the singer’s Neverland ranch and was referred to by the Jackson family as “Michael J,” is the pop icon’s estranged fourth child.

Asked if he knew Bhatti was Jackson’s son, Joe Jackson said, “Yes, I knew he had another son, yes I did.”

He added: “He looks like a Jackson, he can dance like a Jackson. This boy is fantastic dancer — matter of fact, he teaches dance.”

The head of Los Angeles police has refused to rule out murder in the investigation into the death of singer Michael Jackson, two weeks ago. Police Chief William Bratton told US news broadcaster CNN that police were awaiting toxicology results. “Are we dealing with a homicide or are we dealing with accidental overdose… I don’t have that information.” – from BBC

Joe Jackson suspects “foul play” may have been involved in the sudden death of his son, Michael Jackson, he told ABC News in an exclusive interview. In fact, the 79-year-old Jackson family patriarch was dumbfounded when he learned his 50-year-old son was being rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home on June 25, he told ABC News’ Chris Connelly in an exclusive interview at the Jackson family compound in Encino, Calif. – from ABC

Corey Feldman Flashback:

Shocking that Michael was doing freaky things to himself!

Michael Jackson’s body was a human pin cushion, and a dangerous medical anesthetic found in Jacko’s house might be what killed him, a connected online tabloid site reported yesterday. The deadly drug news emerged as plans for what could be the pop funeral of the century remained in limbo, disappointing diehards who had camped outside the Gloved One’s Neverland Ranch. TMZ.com, the celebrity gossip Web site that has led the Jackson coverage since breaking the news of his death a week ago, reported yesterday Propofol was found in the house after Jackson died. – From Boston Herald

Michael Jackson will be missed by his former pet chimpanzee Bubbles, according to the animal’s carer. The ape was a constant companion to the singer in the 1980s but had to be given up when he became too big and aggressive to have around Michael Jackson’s young family. However, Jackson is reported to have regularly visited him at his new home at an animal sanctuary in north Los Angeles, where he is still alive and well, aged 26. Bob Dunn, an animal trainer who looks after the chimpanzee, said: “Bubbles definitely missed him when they parted and will miss him now. “Chimpanzees are intelligent. They remember people and stuff. Bubbles and Michael were close friends and playmates. “The last time Michael visited, Bubbles definitely recognised and remembered him.” – from Telegraph

PS. These people are idiots:

Right; Michael Jackson was getting ready for his big comeback with 50 concerts. No way that was going to happen, said our insider. He was in no condition and was extremely frail. As seen in this exclusive picture, this was the REAL condition of Michael Jackson (which is unfortunate) before his death — he was normally pushed around from limo to home in a wheelchair — as seen in the above picture. Even before his death, Michael Jackson was pushed to rehearsal in a wheelchair and described as a “bag full of bones.” This is said news, we love the Thriller era of Michael Jackson — and we were awaiting his comeback. Which, sadly, will never happen. However, now in death, perhaps he will return to relevancy — like the Phoenix from the flames.

The king of pop is dead. Jacko reportedly had a heart attack.

Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death. Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN. Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles Thursday morning. – From CNN

Shocker. Health issues. Again. This will never happen.

Michael Jackson fans won’t be thrilled – or necessarily surprised – by this news. The first four dates of the singer’s much-hyped 50-show comeback tour have been postponed, promoters announced Wednesday. The July 9 show at London’s O2 arena will now take place July 13 – while shows on July 10, 12, and 14 have been rescheduled for March 2010, promoters said. The delays immediately stoked speculation that Jackson’s health is poor, but promoters said the issue was a production snag. Read more: “Michael Jackson postpones comeback tour, fueling rumors of poor health” – From NY Daily News

- from NPR

Michael Jackson will perform 10 concerts in London this summer in a thrilling comeback aimed at restoring his tarnished King of Pop crown. The reclusive singer made a rare public appearance Thursday to deliver the news to more than 1,500 screaming fans. Wearing a military-style embroidered black shirt with a sequined armband, black trousers and sunglasses, a healthy-looking Jackson spoke in a strong voice as he said the July shows would be his final performances. It was unclear whether he was announcing his retirement from live entertainment. “This is it. These will be my final shows in London. This is it. I mean it, because, I don’t know,” Jackson said without elaborating. – From USA Today

Joaquin Phoenix’s rap career was a big hoax. We figured, but you never know sometimes.

Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel ‘The Graveyard Book’ won the Newbery Medal for young readers, plus Gaiman announced the screenwriter/director Neil Jordan will be involved in bringing the award-winning book to the screen.

A new Tomb Raider movie is reportedly headed for the big screen – sans Angelina Jolie. The first two were shite – let’s hope they actually write a story for this one.

Michael Jackson is being sued by Director John Landis regarding profits not delivered for classic 14-minute video and the clip’s “making of” documentary since at least 2005. Jackson just announced ‘Thriller’ would be headed to broadway.

The Green Hornet is reportedly still a go, despite recent rumors of its demise. In fact, word is out that Adam Sandler will take a ‘brief, but key role’ in the upcoming film.

New stuff out this week include Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Waiting on a Dream’. Springsteen also announced his World Tour dates. He kicks things off this weekend with a halftime show at the Super Bowl.

Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand release their third album this week. Expect more dance and less punk, says the boys.

And in the ‘do we really need this’ category, a a Broadway producer has acquired the rights for a stage version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, which will feature songs from both the Thriller and Off the Wall albums. The horror.

Death Cab for Cutie has posted dates for their spring tour. They will be supporting their hit release, “Narrow Stairs”.

Michael Jackson hopes to bury his 24-year feud with Sir Paul McCartney – by leaving his share of the Beatles back catalogue to him in his will. Macca was furious when Jacko outbid him in 1985 to win ownership of the £350million publishing rights to the whole Lennon-McCartney songbook. – from MirrorUK