In an unprecedented deluge of signifiers and significations, celebs around the world - from The Leader of the Free World to the Soul of Philadelphia herself, Patti LaBelle, to New Age spiritual leader Deepak Chopra, to MJ's BFF+++ Elizabeth Taylor - continue to send outpourings of grief, messages of support, fond reminiscences, not to mention alarming physical reactions (we're so sorry Liz, hope you're OK) in reaction to the demise of Michael Jackson, who on Thursday left the world at the age of 50 of an apparent heart attack.

Speaking through White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, President Barack Obama yesterday extended his condolences "to the Jackson family and fans that mourn [MJ's] loss." Gibbs added that Obama "said to me that obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon. But the president also said he had aspects of his life that were sad and tragic."

If Obama was terse, the bombastic Deepak was magniloquent, loquacious, verbose, and voluble in a circumlocutory, effusive and even ebullient 1,022-word tribute on BeliefNet.com, in which he said he had a "sinking feeling" that drugs contributed to the singer's demise.

Deepak, who said MJ left him an "upbeat" voicemail just two days before his death, said he knew the singer's pain: "His mixture of mystery, isolation, indulgence, overwhelming global fame, and personal loneliness was intimately known to me."

An emotional Labelle says, "I can barely speak because I'm so heartbroken. I feel like I've lost a piece of my heart. Michael was a true treasure and there will never be another like him."

Philly Sound pioneers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who recorded a string of singles by the Jacksons, including "Man of War" and "Find Me a Girl," said, "Michael was a great and wonderful artist and performer. We were privileged and honored to record him and his brothers."

Donny Osmond, who had known MJ since they were both 13, tells celeb TV show The Insider that he and MJ planned to collaborate on a recording of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" in 2005, but were sidetracked by MJ's child molestation trial.

Publishing magnate Linda Johnson Rice, whose father, John H. Johnson, founded Jet and Ebony mags, said her family "served as one of [MJ's] closest advisers and friends," adding, "we always had a fabulous time together, and I will always cherish those memories."

In an eloquent note, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock paid tribute to MJ's artistic mojo: "Michael was one of the most diligent creators. His passion flowed through every pore of his being. His sense of invention was unparalleled." But it's the artist's heart he celebrated the most: "Above all his compassion for serving humanity and desire to uplift and encourage excellence are etched in his legacy. He changed the world."

Liz: My heart is broken

Citing anon sources, In Touch Weekly says Elizabeth Taylor, 77, collapsed Thursday on hearing of MJ's death. Her rep then issued a statement saying the screen icon was "too devastated . . . to issue a statement." Thankfully, Liz regained enough strength yesterday to say, "My heart . . . my mind are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him."

Lisa Marie: He saw his death

MJ's ex-wife, Lisa Maria Presley, says on her MySpace page that MJ told her that he, like her dad Elvis, would succumb to drugs in middle age. "He stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, 'I am afraid that I am going to end up like [Elvis], the way he did.' "

Mayor Nutter: Fond of 'ABC'

Noting they were in the same age group, Mayor Nutter recalled listening with his sister as they grew up to the Jackson Five's "ABC" and "I Want You Back."

He did not have any Michael Jackson hits, though, on his MP3 player - until last night, when he added three as a tribute: "Got to Be There," "Billy Jean," and "Man in the Mirror."

- Marcia Gelbart

Farrah Fawcett tributes

People.com reports that a funeral will be held Tuesday for Farrah Fawcett, who died hours before MJ. Redmond O'Neal, the actress' son with life partner Ryan O'Neal, will be out of jail to attend. He has been behind bars since April 5 for heroin possession. In a poetic tribute, Chevy Chase tells FoxNews.com that Farrah was "Graceful in life and graceful as she neared the end, I found working with her to be one of the nicest experiences I've ever had in film."

Meanwhile, feminist Hugh Hefner said, "Farrah was one of the iconic beauties of our time. Her girl-next-door charm combined with stunning looks made her a star."

The perfect news dump

Journalism's greatest hero, Gawker.com, which nightly patrols all along the media watchtower, notes that, given the lack of any interest in non-Jackson- and non-Farrah-related news through the weekend (and possibly all next week), Congress could give itself a 120 percent pay raise, Halliburton could announce it is annexing Siberia, and the Afghan gov could ban chickpeas and no one would notice.

Go for it, Scary Powerful Dudes!

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Contact "SideShow" at sideshow@phillynews.com. This column contains information from Inquirer wire services.