Archive for "Michael Jackson"

UK Television Will Have A Live Séance With MJ

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 12:00 am.

michael-jackson

Even in death Michael Jackson can’t be left alone.

A British television network is looking to wake him up tomorrow night for a network special.

Sky 1 is planning to broadcast a program dubbed “Michael Jackson: The Live Séance.”

British psychic Derek Acorah will attempt to contact Jackson’s spirit in an effort to get fans “to connect with their hero one last time.”

Sky 1’s Stuart Murphy told Yahoo UK: “There is an insatiable appetite to find out more about Michael Jackson. He was an extraordinary figure and the curiosity surrounding his life — and his death — stretches well beyond fans of his music.”

Hopefully if Michael does in fact answer the call, he yells a lot of expletives at Murphy for waking him up.

Source

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious


Are Michael’s Kids Headed For Primetime?

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 12:00 am.

jackson-kids

Us Weekly claims that there’s infighting in the Jackson family over whether or not Michael Jackson’s three children should appear in the A&E reality show called The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty starring his brothers.

Us claims that Ms. Centipede herself, Rebbie Jackson, has refused to be in the series arguing she “feels Michael would spin in his grave if he knew his kids would be on this show.”

Meanwhile Janet is said to be on board and mama Katherine “is just going along with things,” the source continues.

Now how many of you actually believe that Janet Damita Jo Jackson would be cool on Mike’s kids being on a reality show with her brothers?

I don’t and E! News didn’t seem to either.

After reaching out to A&E they were told the Mike’s babies “are not part of the show.”

But don’t fret, there will still be plenty of the King of Pop’s kinfolk on the show.

Executive producer Jodi Gomes told Us: “We have 23 cast members with the last name Jackson. They’ve done a great job opening up about losing a brother.”

We’ll see about that.

Source: 1, 2

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

Oprah To Do Michael Tribute

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Friday, September 4, 2009 at 12:11 am.

oprah10

Michael Jackson has been dead for months now and people were wondering why Oprah never chimed in with her thoughts on Jackson’s life and legacy.

Rumors swirled that because of Jackson’s previous allegations of child molestation Oprah was reluctant to discuss the man who gave her one of the most in depth interviews of his career.

Well, those people can hush up now as Harpo Productions has announced that the The Oprah Winfrey Show will dedicate an entire episode to Michael Jackson.

The episode, set to air Sept. 16, will feature excerpts from Winfrey’s 1993 interview with Jackson.

A press release from Harpo (who this woman) says Winfrey will remember “the King of Pop with never-before-revealed personal details” from the interview.

Hopefully, the Oprah of 2009 does a nice introduction to the bonus footage or otherwise people will still think the Queen of Daytime is throwing shade to the King of Pop.

Source

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

Keep It In The Closet

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 11:25 pm.

spencer-heidi

I never understood the appeal of Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag.

They have no talent and based on the few minutes of my life that I did spend watching The Hills, they’re not all that interesting either.

I’m not sure why they’re famous, but I do applaud their efforts to remain relevant and make money as celebrities – though I’m clueless as to why they are famous.

But one thing I don’t cut for is making asinine statements for the sake of getting some press. Such is the case for Heidi’s hubby, Spencer, who compared his bride to the late great Michael Jackson.

Earlier this week, Heidi embarrassed no talent blonds with singing aspirations everywhere when she performed what looked like at best looked like a pre-school level impersonation of Britney Spears.

It was so bad that even a nun would give it a side-eye, but to Spencer, it was like watching the King of Pop entering the body of his wife.

He told MTV:

“I would say [she is] the new modern day, 2010 Michael Jackson. Like, Michael Jackson’s in heaven. The Holy Spirit now has Michael Jackson juice, so boom! For all we know, Heidi gets possessed with Michael Jackson’s divine spirit.”

When asked if Heidi was the “new Michael Jackson,” he replied: “Oh, way bigger!”

Now ya’ll know he doesn’t really believe that and if he does, he needs to take his reality show tour to Celebrity Rehab.

Source

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

Jacksons Sign Up For Post-MJ Reality Series

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Friday, August 21, 2009 at 12:00 am.

jacksons

Before Michael Jackson died, the other four brothers who made up the Jackson 5 had shot a one-hour pilot for A&E that was to include some sort of reunion with Michael.

However, Michael never agreed to do it, and judging from his constant denials of a reunion tour, was never going to do it.

So the show was passed on, leading the other to go figure out how to go back a dollar elsewhere.

That is, until now.

A&E has approved moving forward with the series, only now the center of the show will be on how the Jackson brothers are grappling with Michael’s sudden death.

It’s been reported that none of Michael’s brothers had seen him in years outside of a few minutes at their parents’ 60th wedding anniversary party earlier this year.

As sad as Michael’s death has been, between LaToya fielding offers to join reality shows, Papa Joe pushing a new label, and now word of this show for the Jackson brothers it seems his death has done wonders for the careers of every Jackson not named Janet, Rebbie, or Katherine.

Will this be heartfelt TV or exploitation?

Source

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

TV One Gears Up For Michael Jackson Week

Published by Starr Rhett on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:22 am.

Starting Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, TV One presents Forever Michael Week, a seven-day tribute to the King of Pop. The week kicks off with a new documentary titled, The Michael Jackson Story, where his life is chronicled from his days as a child in Indiana through his last days, via footage and interviews with his mother, Katherine Jackson, Gladys Knight, Rev. Al Sharpton and more.

The week will also include The Jacksons: An American Dream miniseries, and Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, the concert that commemorates his 30 years as a solo performer.

The special programming was originally scheduled to celebrate the kickoff of Michael Jackson’s highly anticipated London concerts.

I’m wonder if the documentary will unearth information MJ fans don’t already know. His story has been told so many times that I’m hoping there will be a refreshing new twist. As for the rest of the week, I don’t think I’ll be watching the American Dream movie for the umpteenth time this month (thanks Vh1), but I could go for the 30th Anniversary Celebration, with performances by Usher, Destiny’s Child, Mya, ‘N Sync, etc.

Are you tired of King of Pop tributes, or is it the more the merrier?

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

Al Sharpton On Bill O’Reilly, Defends Michael Jackson

Published by Starr Rhett on Monday, July 13, 2009 at 11:42 am.

This is late but in case you missed it, Al Sharpton appeared on Bill O’Reilly last Thursday, to defend Michael Jackson’s honor. I don’t usually like to give O’Reilly unnecessary attention, but it’s good to see different sides of what people think about certain aspects of African-American culture every now and then (just for a reality check).

O’Reilly has done nothing but mock and express extreme disdain for the fact that people revere MJ, and is doing what he can to soil the man’s legacy. He raised a question about Michael Jackson having White children, saying that if MJ was an African-American icon, then why would he have Caucasian offspring. In MJ’s defense, Al Sharpton said that the fact that MJ’s kids aren’t Black (as far as we know) has nothing to do with him being a Black icon, and I agree.

Jackson’s White children and plastic surgery are rooted in deeper issues that stem not just to his childhood, but to slavery. The Black psychology is still very damaged and It’s sad that MJ was living proof, but that doesn’t take away from the good things he did for the world and for entertainment. I refuse to believe that O’Reilly is not aware of that fact. The man might be a conservative, right-wing fool but he’s smart, and more tuned in than he let’s on. Controversy sells, so I guess he’s doing what gets him ratings. In the end, I’m glad Sharpton held his own. See for yourself:

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

Michael Jackson’s Funeral Draws 31 Million Viewers

Published by Starr Rhett on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 11:00 am.

Michael Jackson received a homecoming fit for a king. Not only did friends, family and fans overwhelmingly pack LA’s Staples Center to pay their last respects, but 31.1 million U.S. viewers watched coverage of the public memorial service, according to Nielsen.

The memorial service was carried live from approximately 1p to 4p ET on 18 broadcast and cable networks with a combined household rating of 20.6. The participating networks were ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Telefutura, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, HLN, BET, E!, MTV, VH1, VH1 Classic, TV Guide Network and TV One. Jackson’s memorial coverage in the U.S. is on the heels of Princess Diana’s 1997 funeral, which totaled 33.2 million, and also behind Ronald Reagan’s funeral in 2004, which got 35 million viewers.

It still hasn’t registered in my brain yet, that Michael Jackson is gone. His presence, talent and humanitarianism will sincerely be missed. At least his contributions will live on.

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

The King of Pop’s Send-Off

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 12:00 am.

michaeljackson5

Today history will be made as the world collectively gathers around their respective TVs and computers to watch the memorial service for the world’s greatest entertainer.

Michael Jackson’s funeral promises to be the biggest since the ceremony honoring the late Princess Diana.

Arguably, the ceremony may even take on greater significance as Michael is not only the first individual of color to receive such attention in his death, but as an entertainer, not many black or white have achieved his level of celebrity.

Already the Jackson family has announced a star-studded line-up for his memorial service.

Mariah Carey, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, and John Mayer have been confirmed to take part in the festivities.

It’s been rumored other celebrities like Beyonce will participate, but as of now that is still unconfirmed.

There’s also word that Jermaine Jackson may close out the service with a performance of Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.”

Hopefully, just to lighten the mood, other Jackson relatives are allowed to perform. You all may think I’m clowning, but I think Rebbie Jackson should do “Centipede.”

Michael Jackson wrote that song and it makes you want to toss your RAID can out.

I’m just saying, let’s not make the whole event melancholy. I don’t think the King would want it that way.

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious

Celebrating the King of Pop’s Most Creative Music Videos

Published by Starr Rhett on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 11:30 am.

Michael Jackson’s massive influence on pop-culture can’t be denied. Contemporary pop artists try to emulate him and those who will eventually emerge, will do the same. One of the most important contributions from MJ (of a sky high list of many) is that he is the reason why pop-culture has embraced Black music. Black artists have been stolen from for years, without being given the recognition they deserved and when MTV was a fledgeling network in the early 80s (when they actually did play music videos) they drove the point home by blatantly snubbing Black artists.  However, Michael Jackson’s Quincy Jones-produced Thriller (1982) couldn’t be ignored.

Michael Jackson was hurt by the fact that MTV was so blatant with their discrimination and urged Columbia Records to do something about it. The label threatened to pull all of its other videos if they did not place MJ’s “Billie Jean” into rotation. That act allowed other African-American artists, including Prince, to finally get the respect they deserved.

“Thriller” spent 37 weeks at number one and sold 104 million copies worldwide. Seven of its 9 songs were in the top 10 and at the time, he began treating his music  videos like mini-movies, some of which still can’t be topped. Do you watch BET’s annual year-end video count down? I’m still waiting for another music video to trump “Thriller.”

I’ve taken this moment to highlight MJ’s most creative videos. It’s cliche, but I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t. Rest in peace King of Pop, the one and only who ever lived and ever will be.

1. “Thriller” (Of course!) – I may have been a baby when this came out, but I’m still fascinated and terrified by this video. And yes, I know the dance. Who doesn’t?

2. “Billie Jean” – This video worked because it was overstated simplicity. I love the city theme and how he was being followed by the spy. Best of all is when things he touched would light up (FTW!).

3. “Remember the Time” – It’s like Coming to America, the musical.

4. “Beat It” – It was like an updated version of West Side Story. Who could be mad at that? By the way, I had that jacket. Oh yes!

5. “The Way You Make Me Feel” -Another example of overstated simplicity. MJ was trying to get with the fly girl, in what became the cutest guy-girl dance duet in pop music history. As corny as men may have thought it was, I’m sure there were thoughts of trying this at home. Omarion paid homage with the video for his 2005 single, “Touch.”

6. “Black or White” – It was cool to see him traveling around he world dancing with Earth’s different people in accordance with their culture, but with a pop twist. Plus, the morphing montage at the end was visually amazing.

7. “Bad” – Michael Jackson was never hardcore but he always got a pass when he did stuff like this. Dancing in the train station equals epic win!

8. “Smooth Criminal” – We still don’t know who Annie is, but the 1940s gangster theme is cool enough to distract us.

9. “Liberian Girl” – The video was totally off topic, but Michael rallied all of his celebrity friends and associates to make it seem like they had shown up to a video shoot but didn’t know who was directing. At the end, it turns out the “director” was MJ. Now, that’s creative!

10. Is up to you! What are some of the MJ videos that you think are most creative? “Leave Me Alone,” anyone?

  • SEND TO A FRIEND
  • Digg It
  • Delicious