Friday was not the greatest day of Richard Wilkins’ career as an “entertainment guru”. After breaking the news to the nation that both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson had passed away, it seems Richard needed something more to talk about in order to pad out the extra three hours of airtime Channel Nine gave him with their extended Today coverage of the Grim Reaper’s rampage through the world of showbiz.

So Richard turned to Twitter as so many famous types do in times of crisis, and it was there he stumbled across the heartbreaking revelation that actor Jeff Goldblum was dead. Never mind that no reputable news agency was reporting this revelation as fact, nor that New Zealand police had confirmed absolutely nothing - Richard took this bombshell straight to Channel Nine viewers. Kevin Spacey swiftly put our minds at ease, but as far as Richard’s impeccable* career as a reporter goes, the damage was well and truly done.

To add insult to stupidity, Jeff Goldblum and Stephen Colbert have just combined forces to mock Richard Wilkins on The Colbert Report, and the result is glorious.

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Jeff Goldblum Will Be Missed
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Jeff Goldblum

Yup, it’s fair to say that Richard Wilkins reporting on the death of Jeff Goldblum will haunt the man for the rest of his days.

In the Goldbum related excitement, it’s easy to forget that Richard Wilkins also provided the world with the most stirring tribute to Michael Jackson ever.

“The man in the mirror is gone; the King Of Pop is dead, and whether you’re black or white, the thriller is with us no more”

Astounding.

*I’m choosing to ignore his other famous fuck ups like falling for the Triple J breakfast April Fools Day prank in 2000 and announcing the Olympics had been cancelled. Also, Richard listens to Triple J? Surprising!

- Posted by Jess McGuire for Defamer