OOk. Jackson's Public Memorial Concludes After Remarks From His Daughter, Paris
Who did not see the spectacle that was Michael Jackson's Memorial Service? I'm sure if you haven't seen it, you'll be seeing clips of it on the news for days. I wouldn't be surprised if they even aired it again, but this time with yet even more commentary.
Elvis Presley may have been the King of Rock N Roll, but Michael Jackson, the King of Pop got a much bigger, celebrity extravaganza. Elvis's funeral was held in the living room of Graceland, August 18, 1977 and attended by a handful of celebrities. Graceland was opened up to the masses and an estimated 30,000 came to view Elvis lying in state. Then President Jimmy Carter called in 300 members of the National Guard to deal with crowds.
It's definitely a different time. Los Angeles Police Department was well prepared.
I started watching on ABC, then switched to CBS because I got sick of the commentator and his guests saying that Michael Jackson was one of the 3 most popular figures in our time. The other 2 being the Pope and Queen Elizabeth. Nice banter, is that the results from some actual survey? I wasn't thrilled with Katie Couric talking over the beginning of every person/song, but at least the banter wasn't as inane.
I'm not a fan of Rev. Al Sharpton, but I enjoyed his speech. At the end he said, "There wasn't nothing strange about your daddy," he said later, addressing Jackson's three children in the front row. "It was strange what your daddy had to deal with!" and the crowd rose to their feet.
Yes, there were times that my eyes started to well with tears, it was a memorial service after all and I am human. It was interesting to hear the humorous stories that Berry Gordy, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Brooke Shields told. Those stories showed the fans and the media a different side of Michael Jackson.
I was a bit disturbed by the end of the event. I think it should have ended after the big production number with the London cast. We didn't need to see his brother Marlon break down. We especially didn't need to see family members pushing Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson to the microphone. Janet, pushing the microphone in front of Paris, where she burst into tears after saying, "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine! I just wanted to say I love him so much." To me, that seemed wrong on so many levels. Granted, the child could have expressed an interest in speaking and she was prodded to move the event to it's end, but the cynic in me thinks it may have been choreographed by the family.
Lola's Diner
©2008-2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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6 comments:
It was a FREAK Show. I heard on the radio today (Garry Meier) that they are trying to erase all his weirdness and pedophile tendencies in the background so we all forget. I'm confused by this coverage--who the heck cared???
I began watching the memorial this a.m., but then I had to leave. Good enough because I was stunned and, frankly, appalled when I realized that the crowd was applauding for . . . the casket. I was horrified. I was a liturgical organist for many years and I played for numerous funerals & memorial services, frequently with the casket placed in the front of the sanctuary, draped in the white funeral pall. NEVER id any attendee applaud. I guess that's the difference between having a funeral (and that's what it was, given that the body was there, as opposed to a memorial service) in a church/sanctuary vs. a stadium or arena.
As for his daughter . . . she might have asked to speak. That was the first thing that went through my mind because the family seemed not to be pushing her, but enveloping her. And she went into Janet's arms where she was lovingly sheltered and protected. I found that touching. But was troubled by her being up at the microphone at all. I would have tried to dissuade her, asking if she wouldn't be more comfortable speaking at the private family event. I just thought it was awkward and inappropriate to expose her in that fashion. Just my opinion.
I just finished watching most of it. I didn't see the end because the DVR didn't keep recording, but I have seen the Paris portion on the news. They shouldn't have had her speak. The poor girl couldn't contain herself.
I did think it was tastefully done, the music pieces they performed were well-chosen. But i still have to admit I didn't get weepy for him. I simply cannot forget all the child molestation charges. Maybe for his family's sake, people will remember only the good stuff. It's a shame. I would have felt more about him if not for that. He was a lonely, tortured soul. It's just a shame he veered off into such a weird and disturbed place.
My .02.
I'm afraid I have to agree with you on the family staging Paris' tearful remarks. No doubt the children are heartbroken but I thought it very odd that these children who have been masked and covered from prying eyes their whole lives were paraded on stage at this point. MJ had limitless talent but can we ever forget the rest?
I watched it on NBC and I thought they did a good job of leaving the commentary to a minimum. For most of the service they actually didn't say anything.
Sharpton got on my nerves a little bit (like he always does) but I also got choked up by his comments to Jackson's children.
I felt very uneasy about Paris and the two other kids having to grieve publicly like that. It just didn't seem right. And while I do believe Paris WANTED to say what she did, I can def. see why it looked like she was forced up there. You could totally tell that Janet and Latoya where very enthusiastic about her speaking.
I hope the man can rest in peace now. Everyone has said their goodbyes.
Dropping by from sits. Have a great day. Now following your blog.
Ms Cupcake
ZenCupcake
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