The Jackson TV crush may soon be even more crushing; as you may be aware, the LAPD is awaiting certain toxicology results from the coroner to decide whether to determine whether Michael Jackson's death was accidental or a homicide.
Just to add to all this, Joe Jackson said on "Nightline" last night, ""I do believe it was foul play. I do believe that. Yes."
Here's the link to ABC for the clip.
Or...
Ringo HW Chiu/Getty
Interesting study by Horizon Media - the big media buying company - on the Memorial telecast figures.
31.1 million watched, as has been widely reported.
This study says: Meh. Not so hot. Maybe viewer "fatigue."
Here's the takeaway from the press release:
"While this is a relatively high number of TV viewers for Tuesday afternoon in July, there have been similar televised events that have attracted more viewers. The audience could climb higher, however, when live + seven day becomes available.
“'The extensive media coverage of Michael Jackson’s death across broadcast and cable news network’s as well as the internet coverage, may have led to some fatigue of viewers by the time the funeral came twelve days later on a summer weekday afternoon,' said Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO and Founder of Horizon Media."
Head to the jump for the full list of other big-ticket events and how they rated...
So that is a big number, especially for mid-day..
Here's the statement, directly from Nielsen:
"A memorial service was held in honor of singer Michael Jackson on Tuesday July 7, 2009. The event was carried live from approximately 1pm ET to 4pm ET on 19 networks. The sum of average audience for those networks was 30,919,882 and had a combined household rating of 20.5. The networks carrying the memorial service were ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Telefutura, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Headline News, BET, E!, MTV, VH1, VH1 Classic, TV Guide Network, TV ONE, and MUN2."
And in the meantime, if you are tired of words, words, words (see post below), then here are my four favorite moments from today's Memorial. Maybe they were yours too...
They need no intro...
Sorry, gang, but nothing else to add about today's Memorial and attendant coverage. You've seen it all (above). Heard it all. .
And maybe - I have a sneaking suspicion - you may not be able to read another word about it all.
But in the off-chance you do, here's my wrap in tomorrow's paper.
R.I.P., MJ.
What a day on TV. It seemed like two days, really. Or three. Enough comments, observations, and declarations to fill all the days of the week, in fact. From morning till night, the Memorial dominated the airwaves as nothing has since the Obama inauguration, which seems so very long ago.
In tone, there were two sharp contrasts to the day. The Memorial was a made-for-TV event produced by TV pros Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical") and Ken Ehrlich - a veteran of numerous Oscar, Emmy and Grammy telecasts - who combined grand spectacle with almost painful intimacy. The coffin, draped in brilliant red flowers, commanded the center of the screen, while the towering vidwall, orchestra, choir, performers and speakers themselves seemed to radiate above and beyond it. The audience, those thousands of ticket holders, were out in the dark somewhere – apart from the spectacle instead of a part of it.
And while memorials are not meant to be entertainment, this one often was. With performances by Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, or Jermaine Jackson, that was inevitable. But the real TV takeaway moments had less to do with music and more with image - of a distraught family huddling in a protective cocoon, or (especially) of a daughter, Paris, in a moment of pure unguarded anguish.
Those emotions seemed too concentrated, to intense, for casual viewing. You almost wanted to turn away. Of course, you could not.
-Photos: Michael Jackson Memorial
Then, there was cable coverage – that yeasty doughnut surrounding the Memorial. The chatter started first thing the morning, then the networks ceded territory to cable networks like E! BET, MTV, MSNBC, CNN and Fox. There wasn't much to talk about. That didn't stop cable, and never has.
To be polite, some morning coverage was often unrestrained. To be impolite, the networks occasionally coughed up volcanic, gaseous, steaming clouds of hyperbole and hooey. "Even the funeral of Princess Diana didn't take on this importance," declared Chris Jansing, the anchorwoman at MSNBC. "Probably the biggest media event, the biggest Internet event ever," someone announced on CNN.
"It's notable that even on the day of his funeral, the whole thing is kind of a freak show," said Fox News' Shepard Smith, who noted that the "elephants" were forthcoming - the parade, tomorrow (remember?)
Facts were elusive, and for the most part irrelevant. Relying on police estimates, the networks predicted a million outside the Staple Center, then half a million…75,000… 5,000…and finally, "it looks it looks like a big crowd, “ said a reporter on CBS, “but here we think it's only about 500 people."
There were curious non-sequiturs. E!'s Giuliana Rancic, for example, noted, "there will be a lot of surprise celebrity appearances [and] we just saw Larry King make his way into the Staples Center…”
Then, there was at least one prediction that sent a cold chill up the spine of some viewers, when Fox analyst, former Jackson attorney, Brian Oxman promised, "we're going to be dissecting this for a long long time."
My reaction to the TV memorial?
All in all - good.
Moving, often.
Deeply felt, often. (And jarring, on occasion. Should politicians ever speak at memorials? )
Best of the day: The music (Stevie, Usher, Jermaine, that cute kid from "Britain's Got Talent," even.)
And the moment of painful intimacy - the moment that will be the great and enduring takeaway image of this whole day? At the end of course: Marlon, and Paris, and the family, huddled in a protective cocoon.
Millions, no doubt, sobbed in unison.
Worst of the day: Some of the cable coverage. Just ghastly.
More on all this, later.
When is a shadow just a shadow?
Now, a little more news from another King - Larry, this time.
There is, repeat, NO ghost at Neverland Ranch.
LK solved the mystery last night.
The ghost, presumably of MJ himself, was caught on camera during last week's CNN Neverland visit. The terrifying apparition was seen during a live mansion tour, and for a moment, "LKL" turned into "Ghost Hunters: The Neverland Edition." Millions - most of these millions, I should note, of questionable mental competence - were convinced they had just seen the King of Pop. Millions of others were convinced they had just seen a shadow.
-Photos: Michael Jackson Memorial
Never one to let a question go unasked, or a ghost go un-hounded, Larry investigated.
Watch the ITN (who else?) clip! Be prepared to be shocked, or appalled...And if there's no ghost, then what about that face of MJ on the tree? Just to establish how insane they've become over at CNN, to the jump!
Continue reading "Larry King: No MJ Ghost; Miko Brando Bummed" »
(Getty)
Hard to miss today's MJ Memorial, but for those who want a menu choice...
E!: Coverage begins at 7 a.m., with Sal Masekela ("Daily 10") from Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills where Jackson is reported to be buried; with E! News' Giuliana Rancic in the studio, and Jason Kennedy from Staples.
CBS: Katie Couric from the Staples, while each major daily broadcast will originate from here. In addition, a "48 Hours" special tonight.
BET: Coverage begins at 12, with "guest" reporters Lola Ogunnaike and April Woodard, along with with correspondent Jina Johnson. Coverage (network says) last until 4 and include "celebrity guests, tributes, and special reports."
NBC: Meredith Vieira will anchor a split edition of "Today" from the Staples Center; network coverage anchored by Brian Williams begins at 1 p.m. In a special 10 p.m. edition of "Dateline," Lestor Holt will offer a refresher on the memorial with reactions.
CNN: Anderson Cooper from the Staples Center along with Larry King and Don Lemon. HLN anchors will be Robin Meade, A.J. Hammer and Jane Velez-Mitchell.
MSNBC: Begins at 11, with Chris Jansing on site, and Tamron Hall and David Shuster anchoring from NYC. (NBC's Jane Wells will be cover the biz angle, whatever that might be.) Meanwhile, MSNBC will follow on-linbe chatter via Twitter (hashtags #MJ and #msnbc or #nbc.)
MTV, VH1: Wall-to-wall begins at noon, and both will air the pool service from 1 to 2:30 p.m. MTV News correspondent Sway Ca lloway will be reporting from Staples, plus MTV News correspondents Tim Kash, Kim Stolz and Shaheem Reid and VH1's Jim Shearer and VH1 Classic's Mark Goodman to discuss, analyze.
Fox News: Shepard Smith will anchor coverage from New York, starting noon, while Greta Van Susteren will be at the Staples and anchor a special "On the Record" tonight. Megyn Kelly will handle the memorial.
ABC: Charles Gibson will be in New York, but “Nightline” anchor Martin Bashir “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts, “Nightline” anchor Cynthia McFadden and Senior Law and Justice Correspondent Jim Avila are all at the Staples; plus, a special "GMA" anchored by Roberts; a 9 p.m. "20/20" co-anchored by Diane Saywer and Barbara Walters; plus a 10 p.m. special, "Primetime: Family Secrets” on the children and custody battle. "Nightline" at 11:35, with Cynthia McFadden, from Staples.
TV One: Starts at 1, co-anchored by veteran journalists Art Fennell and Jacque Reid.
(Dave Hogan/Getty)
Get ready for one of the major TV events of the year - on Tuesday, July 7.
The Michael Jackson memorial.
Network plans are starting to filter in now.
Here's CBS:
"Based on current plans, CBS News will provide comprehensive coverage anchored by Katie Couric of Michael Jackson’s memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as well as the events and activities surrounding the memorial via the CBS Television Network, CBSNews.com and CBS Radio News. "
The network adds that the following will orginate from there..."The Early Show...Evening News with Katie Couric"...AND a special "48 Hours" anchored by Katie Couric.
-Photos: Michael Jackson's final rehearsal
-Photos: Fans react to Jackson's death
Expect very similar plans by everyone else too.
Tuesday is MJ day. Get ready...The crush is on now for special interviews, "exclusives," and you-name-it.
Enjoy your Fourth.
Yes, the whole show, tomorrow:
" “20/20” will report on the latest details and questions surrounding Michael Jackson’s life and shocking death. Anchored by Elizabeth Vargas, the hour will feature interviews with those closest to the King of Pop in the last days of his life, never-before-seen home video of Jackson with his children, and will take viewers through the controversial change in his appearance over the years. Cynthia McFadden, Jim Avila and Chris Connelly will contribute to the program. “20/20” airs Friday, July 3 (10:00 - 11:00 p.m. ET) "
-Photos: Fans react to Michael Jackson's death
-Photos: Michael Jackson, year-by-year
Here's Matt's exclusive interview with Jermaine, if you haven't yet seen:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Yes, this was - per my semi-exhaustive research - the one sole SAG-sanctioned TV credit of Michael Jackson's on an entertainment TV program over the past four decades.
It's the "Simpsons" '91 season opener entitled "Stark Raving Dad" and aired Sept. 19, 1991.
[I also think there's something appropriate in the fact that one of the world's great musical artists appeared in the greatest TV show in history; the episode is also a beautiful one and yielded "Lisa, It's Your Birthday;" I'm told by a knowledgeable correspondent that MJ did NOT in fact sing the song, but that an impersonator did. Still, a classic...]
Here's TV.com's abbreviated synopsis, then an overview of the act:
"After a misunderstanding at work, Homer is committed to a mental institution, where he meets an interesting man claiming to be Michael Jackson. Meanwhile, Lisa’s birthday is fast approaching and a reluctant Bart is forced with the task of getting Lisa a birthday present.
"Act Two: Homer and Michael converse in their cell and Michael cannot believe that Homer has never heard of him. Michael performs a few lyrics from Billie Jean, complete with a Moonwalk and a crotch grab. However, none of this rings a bell to Homer, who is oblivious to the fact that this giant white man thinks he is the real Michael Jackson. Meanwhile, at home, Bart and Lisa watch an Itchy & Scratchy cartoon (Titled: Bang the Cat Slowly). The cartoon features Itchy the Mouse giving Scratchy the Cat a lit bomb for a birthday present. Lisa uses this opportunity to remind Bart about the birthday present that he promised to get her. Bart once again reassures her that he will get her a present.
"Back at the asylum, Michael gives Homer a tour around the common area and introduces him to some of the inmates. Homer spots a phone and decides to call home; however, he feels embarrassed about calling from an asylum, so Michael offers to call home for him. At the Simpson home, Bart answers the phone, and he is surprised to hear someone that sounds just like Michael Jackson on the other end of the line. After Michael convinces Bart that he is the real Michael Jackson, by naming his last four dates for the Grammys, he explains Homer’s predicament. Bart, who is more interested in having spoken to Michael Jackson, takes down the message and delivers it to a shocked Marge. Marge promptly calls the asylum, but she can’t get through to an operator, as all the lines are busy. That night in his cell, Homer confesses to Michael that he is scared about being locked up in the asylum and Michael puts Homer at ease, by singing him a lullaby.
-Photos: Fans react
-Photos: Michael through the years
Here's the full episode. I hope I'm not breaking copyright laws, but...
HBO's 1992 bonanza: "Dangerous"
Does anyone remember 1995?
HBO does. MTV and ABC, too. This was the year that perhaps the single biggest event in HBO history disappeared in an afternoon; the year MTV was embarrassed with an on-line chat; the year ABC got flack for playing footsie with a super-star.
The one common denominator: Michael Jackson.
As you know by now, and have always known - MJ's relationship with TV has been symbiotic; he used it when he needed to, and TV was desperate to accommodate. But otherwise he avoided it assiduously. There was only one bona fide SAG TV credit over the years (a voice on "The Simpsons"), the Jackson 5 cartoon series, and the '70s variety series (both of the latter, short-lived.)
-Photos: Fans react
-Photos: Michael through the years
But beyond MTV - already an enormous amount of press on that, and no need to go over that ground again here - his relationship with HBO was hugely important too. HBO got rights to his Bucharest "Dangerous" concert in 1992 - a $20 million deal which to that point was one of the most important investments the pay network had ever made.
Here's what the press release said upon announcing it:
"HBO's concert telecast will mark the culmination of the highly successful European leg of the "Dangerous Tour," which began on June 27 in Munich, Germany, where an SRO crowd of more than 70,000 were delighted as Jackson ended the show by donning a Rocketeer-styled jetpack and flying out of the stadium.
"Fan anticipation began running high when Jackson announced his "Dangerous Tour" would offer the world "the most state-of-the-art performance it has ever seen." Justifying that claim, Jackson's "Dangerous Tour" set and equipment weighed in at more than 1,000 tons, including two tons of costumes for the dynamic show.
" Federal Express, the international overnight shipping firm, had to use two Series-200 747 freight jets to transport the massive staging from Los Angeles to Germany, where it was then transported on 65 big-rig tractor trailers. Jackson's enormous load marked the largest "single vendor" shipment in the 20-year history of Federal Express.
"Following the opening night performance, Sony Music, the company Jackson records for, hosted a fantastic party for him. Taking over a huge park near the Olympiastadion, where Jackson performed, Sony created a country fair, complete with rides (carousels and dodge-'em
cars) and 15 internationally flavored food kiosks for more than 2,000 VIPs."
In 1995, Jackson and HBO were to take their next step together.
Only problem: His new album, "HIStory" was languishing.
1995 was an amazing year in the life of HBO, and in the amazing life of Michael Jackson. For all the details, here's a handy timeline:
May: Jackson participates in the first on-line live chat in the history of television, or so claimed MTV, whose audience could post questions for Jackson through America Online, Prodigy or other web services, such as they were. Did not go well at all: 'Is your new album doing as well as expected?' ' someone typed in. Twenty three minutes later came the answer: "Yes, it is." Another question: Anything to rumors of a split with Lisa Marie. Many many more minutes passed: "Never believe the tabloid garbage,'' he said. ''Don't waste your time or money." And that was pretty much it. Only a handful of questions got asked, and answered.
July: HBO has announced the big followup bookend concert to the one that aired from Bucharest in 1992 - to that point one of the gaudiest and most expensive events to have aired on HBO. But already things seemed weird. Per the Hollywood Reporter, HBO chief Michael Fuchs "has allegedly suggested using "Forrest Gump"-style animation to create the illusion that the concert's audience includes several of the late titans of pop, such as Elvis Presley and John Lennon, rocking along with Jackson."
July 26: Jackson and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani say the concert will be held Dec. 10 at a still un-decided location. "I love New York," he says at presser. But he will not necessarily love the venue - he wants something big. But...Chris Albrecht, HBO's president for original programming, said the concert will have a "more intimate" feel than the Bucharest one.
July 26: ABC gets a "deal" for puffball docutainment special "Michael Jackson Changes HIStory," which some think was a Jacko quid pro quo to get him to sit down with Diane Sawyer earlier in the year. ABC acknowledges it gave Jackson's record label, Epic, 10 free commercial spots - per one press report - "in exchange for an uncertain number of Jackson shows such as the new one."
Dec. 7: He collapses on-stage at the Beacon on 74th while rehearsing for Dec. 10 HBO concert, just before 5 p.m. Rushed to Beth Israel Medical Center. In stable condition, but blood pressure low - 70 over 40. Per the Times account: "Linda Wolff, the owner of Joe's Boutique, a store next to the theater, said she had picked up the sounds of Mr. Jackson's rehearsals all week through the walls. Just before his collapse yesterday, she said, "He was doing his song 'Black or White,' and then it just stopped."
Some speculation of med overdose in the press: He'd been using painkillers after his head was burned in the 84 Pepsi fiasco.
Dec. 7: later that day: HBO, which hopes special will be seen by 250 million worldwide, said status uncertain. Show was to have been taped on the 8th, then the rest on Saturday, for the Dec. 10 telecast on Sunday. HBO executives gulp visibly.
Dec. 8: Some speculation that he had cardiac arrhythmia; gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and possible kidney and liver problems. "Mr. Jackson will require several days of critical-care monitoring and treatment," doctors said in a statement.
Dec. 8: HBO concert officially "post-poned" and year and half marketing effort by Sony to get "HIStory" off the mat is history. Show would have included six piece band, 40-piece orchestra; 32 dancers, but because of bigger stage seating capacity is reduced; theater now only holds 1700; rumors Jackson is unhappy with tiny venue. HBO schedules "The Specialist," starring Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone, for that Sunday night.
Dec. 8: And yes, first big whiff of controversy, when Daily News gossip columnist A.J. Benza reports the following: "Michael's sexy sister phoned us from Germany with this little nugget of sisterly charity: "I know all of Michael's little moves and his little schemes that he pulls when he thinks he need attention. . . . It's a publicity move." With a sister like this, who needs supermarket tabloids?"That's why he flew his own doctor in, so he would give the reports out and they [the media] wouldn't get it from other doctors," added La Toya, who said she spoke to their mom. Mrs. Jackson, La Toya related, said doctors told her "there was no reason for [Mrs. Jackson] to come. He's fine."
Dec. 9: Doctors refute LaToya: Dr. William Alleyne of Beth Israel North Hospital told a news conference, "Absolutely. . . . We were fortunate that we were able with the assistance of the EMS team and the emergency team at Beth Israel to rapidly replace his fluids and restore an adequate blood pressure."
Dec. 9: Later that day, the official diagnosis, per AP: Michael Jackson is suffering from a viral infection and had been ill for a week or more before he collapsed during a rehearsal this week, a doctor said Friday.Dr. William Alleyne said diarrhea from the infection led to severe dehydration, which in turn dangerously quickened Jackson's heartbeat while lowering his blood pressure, causing his collapse. No evidence of drug use. He could - doctors add - have died.
Dec. 12: He's cleared to leave the hospital.
Dec. 13: He's out. Here's the AP wrap:
"Blowing a kiss to excited fans and flashing a victory sign, Michael Jackson left a hospital Tuesday under doctor's orders to get more bed rest after treatment for a life-threatening illness.
A white van whisked Jackson away, and his publicist wouldn't say where the singer was headed to continue his recuperation.
"Jackson, wearing rouge and foundation, a black fedora and long black coat, walked out of the hospital on his own. He didn't speak to reporters or 50 screaming fans waiting for him.
"'Michael, we love you! We love you!' several women cried as they ran after the van."
-Photos: Fans react
-Photos: Michael through the years
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