2/25/2009

in

The New York Post has laid off long time gossip columnist Liz Smith.

Whitney Luce

Liz Smith, 86, has been a staple on the New York gossip scene for over three decades. Due to ever increasing economic concerns, Smith's column will no longer grace the pages of the *N.Y. Post*. CNN confirms that veteran gossip columnist Liz Smith has been laid off. The *Post*'s Editor, Col Allan, reportedly told Smith in a letter that the newspaper was confronted with "economic gales" and therefore would not be renewing her contract. CNN released a statement Tuesday from Allan stating: "The Post is grateful to have been able to publish Liz Smith's legendary column for so many years. We wish her the best for the future." While interviewing with CBS affiliate WABC-TV in N.Y., Smith said Friday "will be the first time in 33 years that there hasn't been a Liz Smith column in a New York paper." The Associated Press reports Smith's annual contract is a modest $125,000. According to the Associated Press, we need not worry about Smith's disappearance, as she is writing a novel and currently has no plans for retirement. So what can fans expect from her last column? "I just wrote the usual stuff," said Smith, "and then I said goodbye."