Bill Maher: US Is Just Like Michael Jackson--"Fragile, Over-Indulgent, In Debt, Over The Hill" (VIDEO)

On "Real Time" Friday Bill Maher went on a diatribe about how the reason America mourned Michael Jackson so intensely--or as Maher put, lost its "collective shit" over Jackson--was because, well, "Michael Jackson is America." Maher argued that this was case by suggesting that both America and Jackson could be described as "fragile, over-indulgent, childish, in debt, on drugs, and over the hill."

WATCH [segement begins around the 1:45 mark.]

Comments

[A-team]

Whether you believe it or not, your life is not under your control, am I right? Whether you believe it or not, you will not know when the end will come, am I right?Are you sure you`ll reach your house safely today?I am not sure.Be very clear, one of the many problems in this country is the problem of selective amnesia.
Let us face the reality;let us come to a practical solution,not an idealistic solution.The younger generation today is more updated and intelligent than our generation, Bill.All you need is to drop your ego and respect youngsters­.Fortunate­ly or unfortunately the whole societal setup has turned from specialization to updating.So be ready to respect the next generation­.Otherwise­,relax.

One of my favorite Michael Jackson`s songs is "Man in the mirror". Is there any use in holding a mirror in front of a blind person? Ultimately speaking, all conflicts are nothing but the mind`s craving to express it`s inner violence. Let`s grow up.Om Namah Shivaya!!!

[Melissa]

Bill Maher is a creepy wierd guy who thinks he is the most intelligent man in America. I think not.

[fixer2009]

Despite his vulnerabilities, MJ had far more modest intelligence and classiness in public than Mr. Maher - to judge by this - ever had.

[holeybuybull]

The majority of the posts defending Michael Jackson and attacking Bill Maher, only serve to prove the veracity of Bill's comparison of MJ to the USA.

[fixer2009]

The specious logic of circular argumentation ...

[Vieweraudience]

"Bill Maher went on a diatribe."
"Sun rose in the east this morning."

Some things just don't need explanation.

[Vieweraudience]

"Bill Maher went on a diatribe."
"Sun rose in the east this morning."

Somethings don't need to be explained in the first paragraph of a story.

[seattlemom]

Amen to Mr Maher.

[Shellly]

Members of the media were shocked that although Michael hadn't done much work in a number of years, he was still relevant and fans still had that much love and respect for him. It wasn't members of the media who filled the stapels center and concert houses all over the world, they were fans of Michael who did this. A few might not like him and will not respect him in death, but there are millions more who do and they will prevail.

[fixer2009]

Amen - if the public outpouring is a symptom of anything else than genuine affection, I'd say it's a symptom of an underlying wellspring of collective regret that the media-generated discourse hadn't showed more loyalty and respect for the accomplishments of an outstanding popular artist during his lifetime instead of unjustly exploiting him as a convenient rhetorical symbol or for sensationalism

[steamboat]

1) Much ado about absolutely nothing !

2) Jackson was indeed "fragile, over-indulgent, in debt, over-the hill"

3) DOUBLE STANDARD here at work, folks. When it was announced Jackson died (shown on TMZ) Joan Rivers said, "now maybe my grandson can take a walk and be safe.".........So why aren't the blogs going after her? I'll tell you why: There is a different rule for women and minorities then for a white man. Even evidently a liberal white man like Maher......And there is a different rule if the joke is at a minority then if at a conservative (ok for Letterman to make trash remark about Palin's daughter).......And I'll argue this with any of you do-goodies and minorities who disagree with me. Bring it on?

[LiveLifeNow]

Both sexes have been taken to task for taking cheap shots against Michael. Jackson. Tim Russert's wife ,Maureen Oath cam on Hardball the day after MJ died and said a lot of nasty things she could not prove about MJ. .That being said I just want Bill Maher to do better next week because I think he is capable of being much better than this.

[AnaisKarim]

You know nothing about the real Michael Jackson or you would realize that what you just stated has no basis in fact. It's fueled by the tabloid media which is apparently your only source of information.

[diva555]

why was michael fragile...maybe from being locked in his childhood closet so much and the whippings... and since when is fragile so terrible...let's see you do those moves bill....lets' see those white bony legs...!!

yes he was over indulgent but also, the most charitable entertainer in history

ironically, probably not in debt...est 400 million debt, est value of total beatles catalog 2 billion, MJ owned 1/2....and in death he'll earn billions more...check the billboard, itunes or amazon charts recently...one month solid of MJ..and he's just getting started...

over the hill, certainly not in his prime, but looked great during concert announcement compared to trial days, sold the hell out of the tickets....he could have extended this concert for 2 years, people hungry to see Michael again

Nothing mentioned about talent, voice, songwriting, dancing, bringing black entertainers to MTV, innovation, greatest kid singer that ever lived and in his prime (that's the opposite of over the hill, bill) the most amazing entertainer who will NEVER be equalled...

I'm around alot of people in the music business who worked with michael, toured with him, wrote with him, etc...nothing but lovely things to say about this gentle soul

[Melissa]

The media went way over the top in the Michael Jackson coverage. Two weeks of 24 hour coverage was absolutely ridiculas.

[Knowledgeseeker]

Michael was a product of America.

[octopi]

And Bill Maher? Would he have this job in any other country? No.

[Green-Zanto]

Europe is a lot more progressive and tolerant than we are when it comes to television...of course he could have his program elsewhere. He could also have it in Canada, New Zealand, or Australia. Of course there's less to criticize and satirize in those governments, but still, the US is not the only place by any means where he could do his job. Why on earth do you think that?

[Knowledgeseeker]

no comments

[OneRepublic]

I agreed with virtually everything he said except for the fragile part, somehow I don't correlate Toby Keith with "fragile"

[mew-too]

Bill Maher is the cat's meow. He always tells it like it REALLY is.

[THEPILGRIM]

I love Bill Mahrer he is witty and right to the point and speaks the truth as it is. In a land like ours where we have obviously to many cowards that don’t speak the truth often and loud I find that very refreshing. That being said I do not always agree with him.

[GabrielXL]

Question: Why do people think Michael Jackson invented the "Moonwalk"?

I remember first seeing it done by break dancers in New York when it was called "The Backslide". Of course this was before anyone really knew what break dancing was. I guess you have to be popular to make a claim on something and have people "know" that it's yours.

[situationcritical]

Michael Jackson learned the "Moonwalk" from his friend Marcel Marceaux. Marceaux began teaching Jackson the art of pantomine in the 1970s. Really people, he credits every one from whom he ever learned, including the two young kids who taught him break-dancing in the mid-80s.

[GabrielXL]

That still doesn't belie the fact that people were doing it long before he was. Second, I doubt the veracity of that story because in the 70's Michael would have been in his early to mid teens which would beg the question, "Why would he bury such a move until he was in his 20's+?" As I stated, the move (as I knew it) was a break dancing move that was done long before I'd ever seen M.J. do it, so it is/was by no means an original. Also, Marcel Marceau was a mime and I've seen him perform the move (I assume) is called Moonwalking. It/he was effective in suspending reality, but he wasn't actually "backsliding", was he? In regards to the move at it pertains to dance, it's true that M.J. made it popular, but he is by no means the original innovator which was the crux of my argument.

Now, I understand that perhaps you admire M.J., but there's no need to be dismissive with your comment. I asked the question... not "people".