wow, i must be the only one who didnt watch the service...but looking through these photos, can someone tell me the connection of michael jackson and John Mayer? seems random.
I was impressed by the service. No over the top hysterics, and Joe didn't really say much.
Jennifer Hudson gave a powerful, haunting performance that was definitely the highlight for me....
and his children nearly broke my heart. After all these years we get to finally see them uncovered, and in a way they served to uncover the humanity in MJ himself. No matter what anyone thought of him, he was "daddy" to them. In death I guess we finally realize he was a human being.........
Gay and lesbian rights are not special rights in any way. It isn't "special" to be free from discrimination. It is an ordinary, universal entitlement of citizenship."
But, while at lunch yesterday, I did see a little bit from MSNBC. I saw the limos pulling up, and various celebrities arriving. They were all stopping in front of a huge picture of MJ, for a photo op. Am I the only one that found that extremely tacky??
Of course, I also saw the clip from little Paris speaking. Heartbreaking to watch.
Thanks for the photos.
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
Her speech was incredibly moving and graceful. After that, I turned off the TV (I'd only had it on to speed through "The View" while cleaning the kitchen).
I agree that Paris speaking was heart-rending, but I resent the way TODAY managed to show that clip four times in 20-some minutes--talk about exploiting children. (And I sincerely hope that she asked to speak and was not put up to it by the Jackson family.)
I have plenty to say about Jackson the entertainer; I also have some not nice things to say about Jackson the man. So I'm just going to stop talking/writing until more details are revealed.
as far as the over-usage of that clip!! The mourning of their father is something those children should've been able to do in private, and not have to be used as a sound bite for the weeks to come.
I worry for those children, wonder if they have any shot at all of living a normal life...
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
Paris definitely asked to say something. After Marlon spoke he said that Janet wanted to say something. You can see Paris asking Janet could she say something and you can definitely see Jermaine( I think it was Jermaine) asking her was she sure. So instead of Janet talking they let Paris say something.
Please help my friend keep her child by going here. :)
This wasn't a memorial for a pop icon or the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen.
It was a reminder of why MICHAEL JACKSON became a deeply unhappy, lonely man living an utterly bizarre existence.
It was a macabre circus.
Taking children to a funeral is one of the most difficult decisions a parent will ever have to make.
But the King of Pop's young daughter speaking as the climax of the memorial just wasn't right.
Paris didn't look comfortable and more importantly, capable, of doing it.
As the family gathered on stage I was surprised to see the children being paraded in front of a gold coffin holding the remains of their beloved father.
Then, as JANET Jackson struggled to lower the mic stand for her niece's tiny frame, I just couldn't believe my eyes.
I understand the yanks do mawkishness like no other, but putting a grieving child in the spotlight is questionable.
Having said that, her few words were deeply touching, bringing a tear to the eye.
JERMAINE Jackson performing a heart-warming cover of his little brother's favourite song, Smile, was the only other part that hit the right note.
BROOKE SHIELDS rambling, MARIAH CAREY warbling, USHER touching the coffin and the decision to sing Heal The World, all seemed wide of the mark.
Shields' speech would have been apt for an awards ceremony, but not a memorial.
It wasn't the time or the place for REV AL SHARPTON to be preaching about Michael's good work for black people.
Or Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee to be reminding us all you are "innocent until proven guilty" under the American constitution.
MAGIC JOHNSON so very nearly got it right with a touching anecdote. Unlike his career on the court, he then dropped a clanger by mentioning Kentucky Fried Chicken five times.
It says a lot when a little Welsh kid, who came seventh in Britain's Got Talent, was the best thing about the memorial.
SHAHEEN JAFARGHOLI sang his socks off in front of a baffled audience who clearly didn't have a clue who he was.
Luckily, choreographer KENNY ORTEGA was there to explain to the crowd who the Swansea lad was.
And he also grabbed the chance to remind everyone about the great work AEG had done putting the memorial together with only days notice.
Something he should have been used to from the This Is It fiasco.
AEG, Kentucky Fried Chicken, The Staples Center and Brooke Shields' career all received priceless PR adrenaline injections.
And a world record was broken for the most people wearing sunglasses indoors.
I did notice one fitting tribute to all the parasites who sucked money and life out of Jacko during his troubled life.
Boxer MIKE TYSON, singer CHRIS BROWN and promoter DON KING all weeping in the crowd.
The memorial was missing producer QUINCY JONES, the one honourable character capable of giving "The Earl Spencer" speech.
It took the sickly events at Jacko's memorial service for my disappointment to kick in that the King of Pop never had his chance to take a glorious final curtain call in London.
Does anyone else thinks its weird for the Scarecrow from "The Wiz "to be buried w/o his brain?
I watched a lot of the memorial yesterday on various shows. I don't think it was a macabre circus. If anything, the media are to blame for trying to make it into a circus. It was low keyed, and very chilled out. I think it was exactly what it should have been. So what if he was in a gold coffin. Michael lived his life in a slashy way, why not one last bit of bling. His family was altogether, holding and hugging each other throughout. What could be more suitable. Who is it for anyone to judge the 11 year old daughter Paris for saying a couple of words. She didn't look forced to me. And she will forever know that she got to tell the world how much she loved her daddy.
I think that tearing this memorial apart piece by piece is just mean spirited media crap. The media created the situations that turned Michael into a caricature. They should learn when to leave well enough alone.
Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy.
The reaction to Paris Katherine's comments upset me a little
bit--I've read accounts of it elsewhere and all seem to promote
the "the Jacksons forced her to speak" meme. That's ridiculous.
She
wanted to speak. If you watch her through the entire event, she was the
only one of the Jackson children completely engaged in the program (her
brothers, by contrast, looked disengaged). When Rev. Al Sharpton made
his comments to the children, she leapt to her feet almost immediately
to applaud.
When the family finally took the stage, you can see her
talking to Janet and Letoya, as her uncles are offering their
reflections. As Marlon finished, he'd anticipated Janet speaking (and
introduced her, actually), but Paris stepped to the mic instead. The family helped her be heard and then shut it down immediately when it proved to be too much.
There are members of the Jackson family *cough*Joe Jackson*cough* that would gladly exploit this tragedy, but the idea that that's what happened with Paris yesterday is preposterous. She wanted to speak...and, honestly, who could blame her?
That said, as touching as I thought her comments were...I hope that we don't hear from her again for a very, very long time. Her father went through great pain to ensure that she had a childhood, sheltered from the unrelenting glare of the media, and hopefully that continues.
---
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in
an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of
destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." - MLK
I don't blame her at all for wanting to speak. It was her father's memorial, and clearly she loved him very much and wanted to express that. I don't think she was exploited in being "made to speak", but I think she is being somewhat exploited now as the media will not stop showing that clip.
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
I didn't watch it (just looked at this photo collection), but seeing Chris Brown rose my hackles (after all, he was successfully and rightly kicked out of the BET Awards by Jay-Z; why not here?). Furthermore, seeing him giving the peace sign made me sick. Clearly dudes who beat up their girlfriends are all about peace!
Ethics aside, it seems to me that, with all of Michael Jackson's legal troubles, they wouldn't want to invite people who recently had incredibly famous legal troubles. Kobe Bryant is in that group as well.
"Go, or go ahead and surprise me." -- Rufus Wainwright
I think it was nothing more than a circus. If his family had wanted something low key then they should have left it alone and buried him after the private funeral. And whilst I feel bad for the loss his mother and his siblings and children must be feeling, this was nothing more than a money making scheme. Personally, I thought it was quite disrespectful to make his funeral such a media circus.
Like it or not this was a pop culture event we haven't seen the likes of in years. The eyes of the world were fixed on our celebreties. This was a public memorial. It wasn't a funeral. They sold tickets for gods sakes. Does anyone think Michael would have found this tacky? He would have LOVED it!
I started casually watching this yesterday and have to admit I ended up sitting through it all plus the next two hours of CNN interviews. I think the show hit all the right notes, with the exception of the woman from The Congressional Black Caucus politicizing the event and the AEG Dancers and promoters all over the place. Mariah's and Hudson's renditions of MJs hits gave me goosebumps. Al Sharpton proved he CAN be relevent and not just a pot-stirring attention whore. His "there was nothing strange about your daddy" line was the most memorable of the event. Brooke Shields took us inside her unique relationship with Michael. What gay boy on earth doesn't wish they could sneak into Liz Taylor's bedroom and peek at her 7th wedding gown? This was a celebration of Michael's life. Sure it was BIG and FLASHY and maybe even OVER THE TOP, but I left it with a feeling that there is hope for us all. Even someone as broken and lost as MJ. I remembered the times Michael made me feel good after this. Listening to his records and dancing to his music. His work will live on. I'm not a "release the doves!" Jack-O nut either, just a fan that can appreciate all the good he did as well as the strange and bad.
The Michael Jackson’s memorial was one of the touching
memorial. Almost of the people flew in to witness the musical icon memorial day
while some visit the internet to watch the segment of Michael
Jackson memorial service full video. Almost of the personality in
showbiz was there from Mariah Carey, to Usher to Jennifer Hudson. You could
tell that every performer had a hard time holding back tears.
didnt watch it...
wow, i must be the only one who didnt watch the service...but looking through these photos, can someone tell me the connection of michael jackson and John Mayer? seems random.
my exorbitant 2 cents
Impressed
I was impressed by the service. No over the top hysterics, and Joe didn't really say much.
Jennifer Hudson gave a powerful, haunting performance that was definitely the highlight for me....
and his children nearly broke my heart. After all these years we get to finally see them uncovered, and in a way they served to uncover the humanity in MJ himself. No matter what anyone thought of him, he was "daddy" to them. In death I guess we finally realize he was a human being.........
Gay and lesbian rights are not special rights in any way. It isn't "special" to be free from discrimination. It is an ordinary, universal entitlement of citizenship."
I didn't get to watch
But, while at lunch yesterday, I did see a little bit from MSNBC. I saw the limos pulling up, and various celebrities arriving. They were all stopping in front of a huge picture of MJ, for a photo op. Am I the only one that found that extremely tacky??
Of course, I also saw the clip from little Paris speaking. Heartbreaking to watch.
Thanks for the photos.
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
I turned on the TV as Brooke Shields took the podium
Her speech was incredibly moving and graceful. After that, I turned off the TV (I'd only had it on to speed through "The View" while cleaning the kitchen).
I agree that Paris speaking was heart-rending, but I resent the way TODAY managed to show that clip four times in 20-some minutes--talk about exploiting children. (And I sincerely hope that she asked to speak and was not put up to it by the Jackson family.)
I have plenty to say about Jackson the entertainer; I also have some not nice things to say about Jackson the man. So I'm just going to stop talking/writing until more details are revealed.
I agree
as far as the over-usage of that clip!! The mourning of their father is something those children should've been able to do in private, and not have to be used as a sound bite for the weeks to come.
I worry for those children, wonder if they have any shot at all of living a normal life...
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
Paris definitely asked to
Paris definitely asked to say something. After Marlon spoke he said that Janet wanted to say something. You can see Paris asking Janet could she say something and you can definitely see Jermaine( I think it was Jermaine) asking her was she sure. So instead of Janet talking they let Paris say something.
Please help my friend keep her child by going here. :)
http://helpwithlawyerfees.webs.com/
Didn't watch it
Check out the article in The Sun
This wasn't a memorial for a pop icon or the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen.
It was a reminder of why MICHAEL JACKSON became a deeply unhappy, lonely man living an utterly bizarre existence.
It was a macabre circus.
Taking children to a funeral is one of the most difficult decisions a parent will ever have to make.
But the King of Pop's young daughter speaking as the climax of the memorial just wasn't right.
Paris didn't look comfortable and more importantly, capable, of doing it.
As the family gathered on stage I was surprised to see the children being paraded in front of a gold coffin holding the remains of their beloved father.
Then, as JANET Jackson struggled to lower the mic stand for her niece's tiny frame, I just couldn't believe my eyes.
I understand the yanks do mawkishness like no other, but putting a grieving child in the spotlight is questionable.
Having said that, her few words were deeply touching, bringing a tear to the eye.
JERMAINE Jackson performing a heart-warming cover of his little brother's favourite song, Smile, was the only other part that hit the right note.
BROOKE SHIELDS rambling, MARIAH CAREY warbling, USHER touching the coffin and the decision to sing Heal The World, all seemed wide of the mark.
Shields' speech would have been apt for an awards ceremony, but not a memorial.
It wasn't the time or the place for REV AL SHARPTON to be preaching about Michael's good work for black people.
Or Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee to be reminding us all you are "innocent until proven guilty" under the American constitution.
MAGIC JOHNSON so very nearly got it right with a touching anecdote. Unlike his career on the court, he then dropped a clanger by mentioning Kentucky Fried Chicken five times.
It says a lot when a little Welsh kid, who came seventh in Britain's Got Talent, was the best thing about the memorial.
SHAHEEN JAFARGHOLI sang his socks off in front of a baffled audience who clearly didn't have a clue who he was.
Luckily, choreographer KENNY ORTEGA was there to explain to the crowd who the Swansea lad was.
And he also grabbed the chance to remind everyone about the great work AEG had done putting the memorial together with only days notice.
Something he should have been used to from the This Is It fiasco.
AEG, Kentucky Fried Chicken, The Staples Center and Brooke Shields' career all received priceless PR adrenaline injections.
And a world record was broken for the most people wearing sunglasses indoors.
I did notice one fitting tribute to all the parasites who sucked money and life out of Jacko during his troubled life.
Boxer MIKE TYSON, singer CHRIS BROWN and promoter DON KING all weeping in the crowd.
The memorial was missing producer QUINCY JONES, the one honourable character capable of giving "The Earl Spencer" speech.
It took the sickly events at Jacko's memorial service for my disappointment to kick in that the King of Pop never had his chance to take a glorious final curtain call in London.
Does anyone else thinks its weird for the Scarecrow from "The Wiz "to be buried w/o his brain?
I disagree with this article...
I watched a lot of the memorial yesterday on various shows. I don't think it was a macabre circus. If anything, the media are to blame for trying to make it into a circus. It was low keyed, and very chilled out. I think it was exactly what it should have been. So what if he was in a gold coffin. Michael lived his life in a slashy way, why not one last bit of bling. His family was altogether, holding and hugging each other throughout. What could be more suitable. Who is it for anyone to judge the 11 year old daughter Paris for saying a couple of words. She didn't look forced to me. And she will forever know that she got to tell the world how much she loved her daddy.
I think that tearing this memorial apart piece by piece is just mean spirited media crap. The media created the situations that turned Michael into a caricature. They should learn when to leave well enough alone.
Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy.
She wanted to speak
The reaction to Paris Katherine's comments upset me a little bit--I've read accounts of it elsewhere and all seem to promote the "the Jacksons forced her to speak" meme. That's ridiculous.
She wanted to speak. If you watch her through the entire event, she was the only one of the Jackson children completely engaged in the program (her brothers, by contrast, looked disengaged). When Rev. Al Sharpton made his comments to the children, she leapt to her feet almost immediately to applaud.
When the family finally took the stage, you can see her talking to Janet and Letoya, as her uncles are offering their reflections. As Marlon finished, he'd anticipated Janet speaking (and introduced her, actually), but Paris stepped to the mic instead. The family helped her be heard and then shut it down immediately when it proved to be too much.
There are members of the Jackson family *cough*Joe Jackson*cough* that would gladly exploit this tragedy, but the idea that that's what happened with Paris yesterday is preposterous. She wanted to speak...and, honestly, who could blame her?
That said, as touching as I thought her comments were...I hope that we don't hear from her again for a very, very long time. Her father went through great pain to ensure that she had a childhood, sheltered from the unrelenting glare of the media, and hopefully that continues.
---
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." - MLK
I don't blame her at all
I don't blame her at all for wanting to speak. It was her father's memorial, and clearly she loved him very much and wanted to express that. I don't think she was exploited in being "made to speak", but I think she is being somewhat exploited now as the media will not stop showing that clip.
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
A couple moments of dark dark snark...
1. What is Chris Brown doing there? Looking for his next girlfriend to pistol whip?
2. If MJ were alive today, a judge would undoubtably be able to say, "You are not that child's father!" Biologically-speaking anyways.
3. Look out Berry Gordy! A mysterious creature is trying to attack you from behind!!
Visit my blog: http://darkesaint.wordpress.com/
Take a break and explore the world of hedonism and pleasure-seeking!
Chuckles!
Right?!?!
I didn't watch it (just looked at this photo collection), but seeing Chris Brown rose my hackles (after all, he was successfully and rightly kicked out of the BET Awards by Jay-Z; why not here?). Furthermore, seeing him giving the peace sign made me sick. Clearly dudes who beat up their girlfriends are all about peace!
Ethics aside, it seems to me that, with all of Michael Jackson's legal troubles, they wouldn't want to invite people who recently had incredibly famous legal troubles. Kobe Bryant is in that group as well.
"Go, or go ahead and surprise me." -- Rufus Wainwright
Circus
RIP Michael
Regardless of who he turned out to be in later years, Michael Jackson was a legend and a muscial icon. May he rest in peace.
And may his kids not have to suffer media scrutiny for the rest of their lives.
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
I keep hearing "funeral" a
I keep hearing "funeral" a lot.
It was not a funeral but a memorial service. People came to share they memories of MJ and embrace the legend that he was.
I enjoyed it all, althought I don't think the casket should have been there.
A Pop Culture Event
Like it or not this was a pop culture event we haven't seen the likes of in years. The eyes of the world were fixed on our celebreties. This was a public memorial. It wasn't a funeral. They sold tickets for gods sakes. Does anyone think Michael would have found this tacky? He would have LOVED it!
I started casually watching this yesterday and have to admit I ended up sitting through it all plus the next two hours of CNN interviews. I think the show hit all the right notes, with the exception of the woman from The Congressional Black Caucus politicizing the event and the AEG Dancers and promoters all over the place. Mariah's and Hudson's renditions of MJs hits gave me goosebumps. Al Sharpton proved he CAN be relevent and not just a pot-stirring attention whore. His "there was nothing strange about your daddy" line was the most memorable of the event. Brooke Shields took us inside her unique relationship with Michael. What gay boy on earth doesn't wish they could sneak into Liz Taylor's bedroom and peek at her 7th wedding gown? This was a celebration of Michael's life. Sure it was BIG and FLASHY and maybe even OVER THE TOP, but I left it with a feeling that there is hope for us all. Even someone as broken and lost as MJ. I remembered the times Michael made me feel good after this. Listening to his records and dancing to his music. His work will live on. I'm not a "release the doves!" Jack-O nut either, just a fan that can appreciate all the good he did as well as the strange and bad.
MJ's Memorial
The Michael Jackson’s memorial was one of the touching memorial. Almost of the people flew in to witness the musical icon memorial day while some visit the internet to watch the segment of Michael Jackson memorial service full video. Almost of the personality in showbiz was there from Mariah Carey, to Usher to Jennifer Hudson. You could tell that every performer had a hard time holding back tears.