Leading up to this afternoon’s Michael Jackson memorial service, TV was doing its usual job when a mass-culture event such as this occurs: reporting with a mixture of accuracy and inaccuracy, sincerity and cynicism, knowledge and ignorance.
Some moments that caught my eyes and ears:
• NBC’s Brian Williams reporting that Elizabeth Taylor had used Twitter to say she wouldn’t be present for the “public hoopla” surrounding the memorial held at L.A.’s Staples Center. I did not know Liz Taylor Twittered.
• ABC’s Martin Bashir boasting in one breath about his “unprecedented access” to Jackson, and in the next breath, whining about how he was “demonized” for his career-making interview with Jackson, Living With Michael Jackson. I felt a bad taste in my mouth. Click!
• On Fox News, sly Shepard Smith was noting reports of various celebrity attendees being seen in different places at the same time and adding, “Who knows? It’s Michael Jackson’s funeral: People may come with body-doubles.” You gotta like Shep.
• Of course, Fox being Fox, another correspondent could not resist pointing out that the funeral procession to Forest Lawn included “10 Range Rovers sponsored by a local dealership,” thus simultaneously giving a plug for Range Rover and implying there was something craven about the Jackson family using those cars, if indeed any of this was true.
• ABC’s Charlie Gibson was the anchor whose calm demeanor I appreciated most. He didn’t pretend to be a Jackson expert, and his questions were nearly always ones the average viewer would ask, seeking facts about attendance, security, and the mood of the crowd outside the Staples Center.
• On MSNBC, attorney Gloria Allred summed up 10,000 ignorant statements made over the past few days about Jackson’s various controversies with this pearl of non-wisdom: “His fans could see [Jackson] singing and dancing, but of course they could never see what went on behind closed doors.” And neither could you, Gloria, so put a sock in it!
Comments (1-30) of 118 Add your comment
Jennifer Hudson was phenomenal. Brooke Shields has given the best speech.
I watched the first few minutes. It was wrong about 10 different ways. It should have been a private dignified family service. But, the Jacksons are neither private nor dignified. Of the celebs that performed, how many had anything to do with the freak show of the last decade. It was hard to watch.
Usher made me cry!
Usher made me cry!!
Ken, I have to agree with you. I despise Gloria Allred, there is no news story, no matter how remote or far-fetched that she doesn’t try to hitch her self-agrandization wagon to. All the while pretending to stand for the “little people”. Stand ON THEM is more like it as she claws her way to fortune.
Can’t she and Jesse Jackson just get married and go start a cult in Venezuela? Or may Honduras, they’re looking for some leadership.
Jim, a service and a memorial are two different things. One is somber, the others is the celebration of a life, anyone’s life, not just the rich and famous. The Jacksons had their private family service last night and this morning. In my family, at my dad’s funeral we had both the dignified service at the church and then a celebration with freinds and family that was lively and where people told stories and celebrated. (granted, there weren’t 20,000 people who wanted to be at my dad’s memorial! LOL) But a funeral and memorial can be both somber and celebratory.
I only wish Americans paid as much attention to the speeches given by our current and future politicians as they do to celebrities pandering to the media. I guarantee if this was a closed ceremony, most, if not all, of the celebs would have given different speeches or not attended at all. Nothing but a bunch of vultures, trying to milk his death for one more drab of TV time.
What a tacky display. One thing you have to give the Jackson family is they certainly don’t know how to do anything in private or with any ounce of dignity.
Also interesting to note how so many people have suddenly become fans again. Certain communities that shunned him have now welcomed him back and claimed them as their own again.
A very touching tribute indeed.
I could bear it but when the “Un-reverend, tax cheat and opportunist Al Sharpton spoke I had to switch it off. I was expecting his collection bucket to come inot my car as I drove. I am not a big MJ fan but, Al Sharpton denegrates anything related to Michael Jackson. Everything Michael Jackson seemed to be from a caring , loving humanitarian, Al Sharpton is the exact opposite.
It was a great memorial for a great person. I respect and love Michael very much.
That vile witch Gloria Allred can suck on strychnine!
OK, letting/or pushing his kid to talk was a step too far. Wow…
Al Sharpton also couldn’t resist to either.
They love the spotlight
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/07/07/why-i-will-not-be-liveblogging-michael-jacksons-memorial-service/
Thank you Ken!
Please…I loved Michael Jackson’s music and dancing, but all this worship for a person who had some dark issues. When a 40 something year old man says there is nothing wrong with sharing your bed with children… not to mention the drug issue. Where is the sanity??????
This whole things is one big JOKE!!! He was a child molster and a druggie! So we are to celebrate that???!!!! I think not. Lets waste tax payers money on another circus instead of helping those who truely need it. And people wonder why the USA is in such a crisis now, People get your PRIORITES in order!!!!!
I LOVE MY COUNTRY but people let us not forget MJ was acquitted of all charges we have government officials sleeping around with anyone that breathes but a man that has raised BILLIONS OF DOLLARS for children all around the world and was proven inicent can’t get forgiveness even after death. Don’t mention morals unless you include them all sin, is sin, is sin, who are we to JUDGE
To Sonja unless he influenced you to take drugs or abused you or your child i suggest you keep your negative comments to yourself. Take a hike and kick rocks. RIP KIng of Pop. We love you Michael.
I AGREE TAMI,AND IF THE ABUSE WAS TRUE THE PARENTS WOULDNT HAVE TOOK A PAY OFF,,,
I agree with Sonja, he was a child molester and a freak on nature that preyed on little children by using his fame. What a slap on the face for all those families who have been hurt by his actions. I wonder how the “true fans” would react if they were a victim of this pedophiles actions. Imagine it was your little son or girl being molested…imagine! You think giving to charity makes it all better…get a life…get a real Hero!!!!!
why agree with Sonja????we are also missing the fact of life, if you believe MJ was a child molester, why allow your child to stay with him? is the money really worth it, if your child is being abused??????i feel like the folks that allow there child to stay with him and then turn around and say they were molested, two plus two is four, and a child being able to stay a night with someone in which you think is a child molester equals a broke down parent that cares only about money!!!!!!
To Sonja unless he influenced you to take drugs or molested you or your child, i suggest you keep your negative comments to yourself. take a hike and kick rocks. RIP Michael we love you always!!!
Only two years older than me. I enjoyed his music it put a smile on my heart and moved my feet….. I had to mute while Al Sharpton was on, why did he have to make it so r???
I’m with you, Susan. OMG what is wrong with you people! Why are you all so obsessed with Michael Jackson?? He was so F’d up – drugs, sleeping with little boys, etc. His own race turned their backs on him because his skin was turning white. Now all of a sudden he’s a “BROTHA” and Jamie Foxx has the nerve to say he belongs to ‘THEM’ (his words, not mine). PLEEEEEEEEEEEEZ – ru serious????? We still have a faltering economy – people out of work – our brave men and women dying for our freedom and we have to have this SH#& on TV 24/7…. THINK people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
‘Shep’ is a dick.
Ken,
I have to ask…are you sitting in front of a wall of TVs set to different channels (and multi-tasking to super-human levels) or are you just wearing out your remote control clicking wildly between channels? Either way…thanks for doing the work so we don’t have to!
http://www.buttonmonkey.com/misc/maryfischer.html
LETS JUST GET THE PERVERT BURIED AND GET ON WITH THE REAL WORLD.
JUST GET THE PERVERT BURIED AND LETS GET ON WITH THE REAL WORLD PROBLEMS AND EVENTS. THOSE THAT REALLY COUNT.
To “Not a Fan” another intellect, very well spoken. I agree 110%.
LETS JUST GET THE PERVERT BURIED AND LETS GET ON WITH THE REAL PROBLEMS OF LIFE.
Tami you are what is called a “sheep” you will follow someone or something to a pool of sand in the desert and drink it because they said to. Today they worshiped one rich person who threw it all away while many people his race included are starving or sleeping on bences. Al Sharpton will not mention that today because thsi waste of time and treasure are worth it for the greatest entertainer of all time. I thin Rev Al is the greatest entertainer. Every time I see his funny looking face and hairdo and listen to his 5th grade education I laugh my ass off. What a great comedian. Greatest of all time
is michle jacson berried yet.
Thanks KJ!!! You said it all. Some of us have the nerve to speak the truth…while others choose to ignore the obvious and hide their hero worshiping heads in the sand. I must say, I feel for MJ’s kids…they are the ones who are suffering with all this media circus.
In response to all those that claim/say Mj was a child molester – you are all idiots! He was cleared of all charges! The charges were only brought against him in an attempt to get his money!
To all those that have been crying over MJ – you also are all idiots! Unless you knew MJ personally, you have no right to mourn/cry/sob over his death!
Don’t get me wrong – he was a great performer and musician. And yes drugs were a part of his life. But he is dead – so have some respect, and remember him for his achievements, rather than for his failures.
Shalom. Peace out.