THE PLOT THICKENS: The L.A. Times broke the story last Sunday (9/2) about the incriminating emails sent by Randy Phillips prior to the death of Michael Jackson, but the N.Y. Daily News dialed up the drama tabloid-style in its coverage this weekend by quoting several emails in their entirety (see examples immediately below). Can the widely disliked Phillips, who has a chronic problem with telling the truth, withstand this barrage of bad press? Will AEG and Phillips be found culpable in Jackson’s death during the upcoming court battles with Lloyds of London and the Jackson family once it’s determined how much they profited from his demise? One AEG insider says Phillips is safe for now because he's protecting his billionaire boss Phillip Anschutz from the spotlight of implication in the debacle. Further, AEG’s lawyers are said to need Phillips’ testimony, but a bad outcome could see Tim Leiweke and Anschutz kicking Phillips to the curb Major artists like Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Usher and Lionel Richie all have fired Phillips as manager or promoter for his questionable practices. Will other acts begin to distance themselves from Phillips as more of his dubious character is exposed? Numerous artist reps are said to be hedging about previous assurances to their clients of Phillips’ trustworthiness as more of these revelations about his treatment of Jackson are made public. (9/10a)