Legendary “Tonight Show” sidekick Ed McMahon has passed away at the age of 86. TMZ reports

He died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California this morning. McMahon was fighting a multitude of health problems, including cancer.

He is best known as Johnny Carson’s sidekick on “The Tonight Show” and for his infamous catchphrase, “Heeeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”

With Carson and MacMahon reunited again, heaven just got a whole lot funnier! Unless, of course, Johnny Carson went to hell. Then it’s just sad again.

Before you start your all-day-long in memorandum “Roadhouse” and “Point Break” marathons, let me be the first to tell you that Patrick Swayze is NOT Dead. His rep told Us Weekly

“This is to confirm that Patrick Swayze did not pass away this morning contrary to severely reckless reports stemming from a radio station in Jacksonville, Florida. Patrick Swayze is alive, well and is enjoying his life and he continues to respond to treatment.”

That’s great news. Really, who among us doesn’t love Patrick Swayze? And besides, having to talk about death today would have been a real downer, unless you’re an emo 14-year old with a faggy MySpace or a virgin-hungry jihadist-in-training. So instead of death, here are some pictures of super-hot Victoria’s Secret model Bar Rafaeli in next month’s Elle magazine. IL-Hamdu-Allah, baby!

Hi, campers.  It’s Sarah today.  Unfortunately, we’ll be starting off this morning with some terribly sad news:

Natasha Richardson passed away yesterday from complications after her skiing accident earlier this week.  Richardson, who was only 45 years old, was the wife of Liam Neeson and the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave, as well as a Tony Award-winning actress.  Neeson’s publicist released the following statement:

“Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

Richardson, who was awake and lucid immediately following the accident, later began showing symptoms of serious head injury and was taken to the hospital, where doctors found she was bleeding in the brain.  Her heartbroken family had her removed from life support yesterday after she was pronounced brain dead.

Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson were a lovely couple who seemed genuinely happy and completely devoted to each other, and for 15 years they kept themselves almost fully out of the press except for when they were working.  Even my cold, dead heart is a little bit touched by the incredible sadness of this tragedy.

Natasha Richardson, Liam Neeson, and their two boys, Michael and Daniel:

Liam and Natasha:

TMZ is reporting that John Travolta’s 16-year-old son, Jett, died today in the Bahamas while vacationing with Travolta and his mother, actress Kelly Preston. Jett was rumored to have been autistic, though Travolta denied it, saying he suffered from Kawasaki Syndrome, which often leads to heart disease.

Travolta’s attorney Michael Ossi says Jett suffered a seizure at his family’s vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he died on scene.

Very sad, and a really screwed up way to start the new year.

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac passed away Saturday morning at the age of 50 due to complications from pneumonia. People magazine reports

Mac suffered from sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in organs such as the lungs or lymph nodes. On Aug 1, Mac was admitted to a hospital at Northwestern Memorial hospital with pneumonia [but] was expected to recover.

Such a sad reminder of the fragility of life. A less sad reminder of the fragility of life? The hobo that was shot in the chest after butchering “My Way” at a karaoke bar in the Philippines. The Sinatra classic has since been removed from most karaoke bars in Manila for causing “fights and even deaths when patrons sang out of tune.” Fuckin’ circle of life, man!