NBC, which had scheduled a one-hour tribute to Farrah Fawcett tonight at 10 p.m., has now expanded that special to two hours, beginning at 9 p.m., to cover the deaths of both Ms. Fawcett and Mr. Jackson. CBS will broadcast a special report covering both deaths at 10 p.m. ABC will air a special report at 9 p.m. as well.posted by smackfu at 5:00 PM on June 25, 2009 [1 favorite]
A GREAT MAN WHO WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.posted by dirigibleman at 5:38 PM on June 25, 2009
2 SIDE BY SIDE TICKETS WITH AN AMAZING VIEW OF THE STAGE!!
SECTION - BK 419
ROW - K
GET A SOUVENIR THAT WILL BE A COLLECTORS ITEM FOR DECADES.
Brian Oxman, the Jackson family’s longtime lawyer, revealed to RadarOnline.com that Michael’s Jackson’s children will most likely be placed I the care of his mother Katherine and that they were at the home when their father was taken away in an ambulance Thursday afternoon.posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:27 PM on June 25, 2009 [1 favorite]
“Probably Mrs. Jackson will take care of them, she loves them dearly,” Oxman said. Though he confirmed the children were not at UCLA Medical Center where Jackson was taken. They are currently still in LA and with a nanny.
"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words.Well put, Mr. Jones...
Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80's.
To this day, the music we created together on "Off The Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all...talent, grace, professionalism and dedication.
He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever.
I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
Describing him as an over-hyped non-talent is an understatement.
A number of Jackson's former employees—most of whom had worked at his ranch—sold stories to the tabloids of alleged prior sexual misconduct on Jackson's part, instead of reporting their claims to police. One couple initially asked for $100,000 claiming that Jackson sexually caressed Macaulay Culkin. They were prepared to expand upon this allegation for a fee of $500,000, whereby they would allege that Jackson put his hands down Culkin's pants. When the story broke, Culkin strongly denied the allegation, and did so again in court.[30] A former security guard made various allegations about Jackson, saying he was fired because he "knew too much",[32] and alleged that he was ordered by Jackson to destroy a photo of a naked boy. Instead of reporting this to police, Hard Copy accepted the story in return for $150,000.[32] Afterwards, Jackson's maid, Branca Francia, alleged that she "quit in disgust" after seeing Jackson in a shower with a child, but did not inform the police. It later emerged that Francia was actually fired in 1991, but nevertheless sold her story to Hard Copy for $20,000.His own sister lied about having evidence of his pedophilia, and later retracted it claiming it was just to cash in on his destruction.
It amuses me that people feel the need to post micro-biographies of their first encounter with this man's music and so forth, like it is even relevant. ...That you bought his album or had an emotional reaction to some music 20 years ago is totally irrelevant, and long screeds about such are utterly narcissistic.
When are people going to let go of there stupid fucking childhood memories?
Why would Jackson’s side agree to settle out of court, given his claims of innocence and the questionable evidence against him? His attorneys apparently decided there were many factors that argued against taking the case to civil court. Among them was the fact that Jackson’s emotional fragility would be tested by the oppressive media coverage that would likely plague the singer day after day during a trial that could last as long as six months. Politics and racial issues had also seeped into legal proceedings — particularly in Los Angeles, which was still recovering from the Rodney King ordeal — and the defense feared that a court of law could not be counted on to deliver justice. Then, too, there was the jury mix to consider. As one attorney says, “They figured that Hispanics might resent [Jackson] for his money, blacks might resent him for trying to be white, and whites would have trouble getting around the molestation issue.” In Resnick’s opinion, “The hysteria is so great and the stigma [of child molestation] is so strong, there is no defense against it.”posted by Sparx at 10:38 AM on June 26, 2009 [7 favorites]
Jackson’s lawyers also worried about what might happen if a criminal trial followed, particularly in Santa Barbara, which is a largely white, conservative, middle-to-upper-class community. Any way the defense looked at it, a civil trial seemed too big a gamble. By meeting the terms of a civil settlement, sources say, the lawyers figured they could forestall a criminal trial through a tacit understanding that Chandler would agree to make his son unavailable to testify.
Others close to the case say the decision to settle also probably had to do with another factor — the lawyers’ reputations. “Can you imagine what would happen to an attorney who lost the Michael Jackson case?” says Anthony Pellicano. “There’s no way for all three lawyers to come out winners unless they settle. The only person who lost is Michael Jackson.” But Jackson, says Branca, “changed his mind about [taking the case to trial] when he returned to this country. He hadn’t seen the massive coverage and how hostile it was. He just wanted the whole thing to go away.”
The idea of listening to Hot Rats and Trout Mask Replica again today leaves me pretty cold ...wow. that's too bad. here to testify yes TESTIFY brothers & sisters! that those have both held up *very* well.
"Michael Jackson's death has led to skyrocketing sales of his music and videos online.posted by ericb at 12:24 PM on June 26, 2009
After the pop icon's death was announced Thursday, Amazon.com sold out within minutes all CDs by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. That comes Friday from vice president of music and video Bill Carr.
Carr says 60 percent of Amazon's CD orders Thursday were for Michael Jackson music, something he called 'stunning.'
And Barnes and Noble said that its Web site and brick-and mortar stores are currently sold out of most Jackson CDs, DVDs and books.
Both companies say they are working to get the products back in stock."
The early MJ solo albums are genius.
Michael Jackson Helped By Hulkposted by Rhomboid at 12:59 PM on June 26, 2009 [1 favorite]
Last week, 15th Jun 11:00
Michael Jackson is being trained by Lou Ferrigno.
The 'Incredible Hulk' actor - a former Mr. Universe - is paying secret visits to the 'Thriller' star's Los Angeles home to help him prepare for his forthcoming 'This Is It' run of shows at London's O2 arena.
A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Lou has been visiting Michael to build him up so he can perform his dance routines.
"But Michael refuses to lift weights. He doesn't want to bulk up."
The 50-year-old singer - who weighs a reported 126lbs and eats just one meal a day - is reportedly battling skin cancer and is said to be terrified gaining weight will damage his chances of beating the disease.
Michael and Lou struck up a friendship two years ago when the 'Bad' singer began using the 57-year-old actor's gym.
Lou said at the time: "Michael is more delicate. Our trainer conditioned him for dancing.
"He likes me, he feels safe with me. He was nervous about people looking at him when he's training."
Last month, it was revealed the 'Beat It' star would kick off his concert run on July 13, five days later than originally planned.
Shows scheduled to take place on July 10, 12 and 14 have been moved to the end of the residency in March 2010.
Operator: What is the nature of your emergency?BTW -- the doctor who was performing CPR (and lived with Jackson in the rented mansion) has been identified as Houston cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray. The BMW the police towed away last night is registered to the doctor's sister.
Caller: Yes sir, I need an ambulance as soon as possible, sir.
Operator: OK sir, what's your address?
Caller: Los Angeles, California 90077
Operator: Is it Carolwood?
Caller: Carolwood Drive, yes.
Operator: OK sir, what's the phone number you're calling from?
Caller: Sir, we have a gentleman here that needs help and he's not breathing. He's not breathing and we're trying to pump him, but he's not ...
Operator: OK, OK. How old is he?
Caller: He's 50 years old, sir.
Operator: 50? Ok. He's unconscious? He's not breathing?
Caller: Yes he's not breathing sir.
Operator: Ok and he's not conscious either.
Caller: No, he's not conscious sir.
Operator: Alright, is he on the floor, where's he at right now?
Caller: He's on the bed, sir, he's on the bed.
Operator: OK let's get him on the floor.
Caller: OK.
Operator: OK let's get him down to the floor. I'm going to help you with CPR right now. We're on our way there, we're on our way but I'm going to do as much as I can to help you over the phone. We're already on our way. Did anybody see him?
Caller: Yes we have a personal doctor here with him sir.
Operator: Oh you have a doctor there?
Caller: Yes but he's not responding to anything. He's not responding to CPR or anything.
Operator: Ok, well we're on our way there. If your guy's doing CPR as instructed by a doctor, he has a higher authority than me. Did anybody witness what happened?
Caller: No, just the doctor, sir, the doctor's been the only one here.
Operator: OK so the doctor's seen what happened?
Caller: (aside) Doctor, did you see what happened, sir? (To operator) If you can please ...
Operator: We're on our way, I've dispatched these questions on to our paramedics and they're on their way there sir.
Caller: Thank you sir. He's pumping his chest but he's not responding to anything sir, please.
Operator: Ok, we're on our way, we're less than a mile away. We'll be there shortly.
Caller: Thank you sir, thank you.
Operator: Ok sir, call us back if you need any help.
Caller: Yes sir.
"Tickets for the The This Is It tour went on sale in March and sold at a rate of 11 per second, making it the fastest-selling tour in history."Tour operator AEG Live:
"Full ticket refund information and procedures will be released early next week for all Michael Jackson This Is It shows. Fans are advised to hold onto their ticket vouchers/proof of purchase."Michael Jackson's death leaves AEG Live facing £300m bill
"AEG Live, the promoters of Michael Jackson's 50-date residency at London's O2 Arena, faces a bill of up to £300 million [$421 million] following the cancellation of the concerts.Jackson was hoping to pay down some of his $620 million debt with these concerts.
It is thought the company was unable to get insurance for at least 30 of the concerts – which were due to start next month – after obtaining limited cover for between 10 and 20 of up to £130 million [$183 million].
Insurers declined to take on the financial risk of the shows not going ahead, apparently concerned that the singer, who appeared frail at the unveiling of the concerts in March, would not be able to complete the run.
Randy Phillips, AEG's chief executive, told The Daily Telegraph at the time that the company, which is owned by the American billionaire Philip Anschutz, was willing to 'self-insure,' shouldering the potential cost itself."
Michael Jackson claimed that from a young age he was physically and emotionally abused by his father, enduring incessant rehearsals, whippings and name-calling, but also contends that his father being a strict disciplinarian played a large part of his success.[5][6] In one altercation — later recalled by Marlon Jackson - Joseph held Michael upside down by one leg and "pummeled him over and over again with his hand, hitting him on his back and buttocks."[7] Joseph would also trip up or push his male children into walls. One night while Michael was asleep, Joseph climbed into his room through the bedroom window. Wearing a fright mask, he entered the room screaming and shouting. Joseph said he wanted to teach his children not to leave the window open when they went to sleep. For years afterward, Michael suffered nightmares about being kidnapped from his bedroom.[7]
Michael first spoke openly about his childhood abuse in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. He said that during his childhood he often cried from loneliness and would sometimes get sick or start to vomit upon seeing his father.[8][9][10][11] In Michael's other high profile interview, Living with Michael Jackson (2003), the singer covered his face with his hand and began crying when talking about his childhood abuse.[7] Jackson recalled that Joseph sat in a chair with a belt in his hand as he and his siblings rehearsed and that "if you didn't do it the right way, he would tear you up, really get you."[12]
"In an attempt to capitalize on the death of a celebrity, OK! magazine has paid a reported $500,000 for the exclusive rights to run a photo of Michael Jackson's dead body on the cover of their 'Official Tribute Issue.'posted by ericb at 1:29 PM on July 1, 2009
....Gawker is reporting that OK! owner Richard Desmond purchased the photo against the wishes of most of the magazine's staff, and that he plans on shutting down the magazine if it doesn't become more financially viable soon. The magazine's newsstand sales have dragged lately, and account for half of total sales. OK! also came under fire earlier this year for their tribute issue following the death of Reality TV star Jade Goody."
When it was confirmed, that Michael Jackson was going to marry Elvis Presley's daughter, a good friend of mine in the States faxed me and he simply said: This makes your job more difficult.posted by Glee at 5:11 PM on July 15, 2009
And I knew exactly what he meant. 'Cause something...a scenario that seemed to belong to the writings of the late Terry Southern was suddenly real. That "truth is stranger than fiction" factor keeps getting jacked up on us, on a fairly regular, maybe even exponential, basis. And I think that's something peculiar to our time. I don't think our grandparents had to live with that.
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