In one sense, it seems odd to review a memorial as though it was a television show. On the other hand, that’s exactly what Michael Jackson’s televised memorial was, and, really, what else could it have been, given the kind of born-in-his-blood entertainer that Jackson was?
With that in mind, and knowing that it’s not just me who sat in front of the TV screen making value-judgments about various performances and testimonials — you know you were, too — here’s what I thought were some high points, and some lesser moments.
• Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy’s spoken remembrances of Michael’s abilities — both of their senses of history and humor and affection — were tremendously moving, particularly Robinson’s songwriterly analysis of how Michael performed a definitive version of Robinson’s own song, “Who’s Loving You.”
• Jermaine Jackson may not have given the most technically “perfect” performance of the memorial — Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Stevie Wonder, to name just three, turned in superlative vocal efforts — but I nonetheless found Jermaine’s performance of what Brooke Shields told the assembled audience was “Michael’s favorite song,” “Smile,” not just moving but a passionate R&B interpretation of a classic pop song:
• The Rev. Al Sharpton on Michael’s life? Say what you will about the man, he knows how to coin a phrase: “It’s not about the mess, it’s the message.” That may not always prove true as the years go by, but it was a rousing sentiment this day.
• Poor Queen Latifah spoke her own sentiments eloquently, but then was obliged to recite a perfectly dreadful piece of Maya Angelou poetry written for this occasion, called “We Had Him,” which included the lines, “In the instant we learn that Michael is gone we know nothing,” and “Though we are many, we are achingly alone,” and “We had him, and we are the world.”
• The best use of humor on this sad day must surely have been Magic Johnson’s funny anecdote about visiting Jackson and being so happy to learn that Michael liked to tuck into a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken now and then. It was one of those down-to-earth, non-reverential moments that make a memorial vivid.
All in all, this was a remarkable, mostly-dignified event that still managed to capture the ordinary humanity of a great, complicated musician. What did you think?
I was pleasantly surprised by the tastefulness of it, all in all. It was good that a congresswoman appeared in defiance of Peter King’s nasty and inappropriate comments about him. I do wish, though, that they had been brave enough to have a really rousing, celebratory dance number to celebrate his incredible showmanship. He wasn’t a ballad man, I didn’t feel like the whole memorial should be a ballad either.
Though I have to say, I didn’t feel moved to cry at all until I saw the raw emotion of his daughter at the end. A timely reminder that he raised those children and they are grieving his death.
Jermaine’s song put the lump in my throat. It was beautiful and heartfelt.
Overall, it was just okayfine. A couple of moments didn’t sit quite right with me, but his life was a complicated one, so I guess that’s to be expected. And, candidly, I didn’t think everyone brought their A Game (yeah, I’m talkin’ to you, John Mayer and Mariah Carey).
His daughter, to me, was the highlight of the day. A lovely girl who clearly loved her father – I was moved to see her stand up and cheer Sharpton’s defense of him.
michael recorded “smile” in 1995 and you can find it on the new disc of material in the 2-disc release “HIStory”
Was overall very beautiful. Jermaine’s version of “Smile” brought tears but it was Paris who really made me bawl. Bless you MJ. RIP.
It was so-so. I, too, expected at least one dance number to commemorate his talent. Brooke Shields was wonderful. His son I wanted to smack…TAKE THE GUM OUT OF YOUR MOUTH (note that Joe was chewing gum, too…). It’s a friggin memorial. His daughter is precious…everytime the camera cut to the family she was singing along and you could feel the emotion. I don’t think that it was right to make the child speak but it was heartwrenching.
I work 4 blocks from the Staples Center and live about a mile away from the Forest Lawn cemetary that the “private” (yeah right) ceremony was held. Sorry, but I’ve been listening to helicopters since 5am and frankly I just can’t wait for this circus to be over. He’s dead – get over it. Yes, he was entertaining, but he was mentally unstable (sorry, logical thinking people don’t nake their face unrecognizable) and while many feel sorry for him I do not. He had the money and resources to get help and find peace and he obviously decided not to find it. I also blame his family – they should have tried harder to get him help instead of being “yes” men to him. In all – I can’t wait for this whole freak show to be done.
I feel bad that you had to endure such noisy platitude, but I still remember loved ones who have moved from life to life, and miss them immensely. I realize we all will have to die and face judgment of God, but people should not be made fun of because they have feelings of sadness. Even Jesus cried when He heard that Lazarus died. I am praying that you never have to experience what it is like to lose anything or anyone, and continue to enjoy your life without pain, problems or health-ridden issues. Be blessed, please, and pray for all who are not like you!
Outside of the usual ‘tone’ of some of the speakers during the ceremony, overall, it was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. Finally, maybe now, MJ can be at peace.
I thought the memorial was moving for the most part, some odd speakers nowhitstanding (what was Sheila Jackson Lee doing there). Jermaine’s performance nearly broke me. Brooke Shields’ memories of her friend were touching and clearly from the heart. I almost died when Paris paid tribute to her dad. That was heartbreaking.
I thought it was a moving memorial. I enjoyed all the musical tribues, in particular Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer and Jermaine Jackson.
Ellen- I’m guessing there will be an all-star memorial concert later where the spirit can be a bit more light.
Also, I don’t like it when people (Sharpton) make wildly overblown statements about his achievements, like implying that he was directly responsible for Obama’s election. He achieved enough for black culture without people needing to overplay his political achievements. Doing so doesn’t celebrate Jackson, it belittles him, and gives ammunition to those who want to ridicule people’s sadness at his passing.
You people asking for a dance number are ignorant. When has there been a dance number at a memorial? That would have been completely inappropriate.
I don’t think joyful celebration of an entertainer is inappropriate. I think they balked at the possibility of being criticised for being inappropriate, but I don’t think a lot of eulogising and sentiment fully represented the man. He had plenty of quiet numbers, but they are not the songs that people remember best so it seemed strange that it was those that the memorial focussed on.
It seems to me that there are too many people who look up to celebs and not the real world.It seems aswell that they are forgetting that he was a child molester and should therefore lose the right to be remembered as a pop star…oh but then i forgot…if your a celeb it’s ok to do as you please and get away with it..Take a look at the real world people.. and remember real hero’s and not child molesters…JR