"The Jacksons:" The Ultimate Reality Show
I must be losing it. I'm finding myself near-obsessed with the Michael Jackson story and all its bizarro, sordid and sensationalistic details. From Larry King's nightly hour-long expert-testimony-filled JackoFests to Matt Lauer's morning Today Show tours through Neverland, I've become like a jammie-clad high school girl catatonically-captivated by The Hills. The only thing missing is the incessant texting to my pals to gab about it all.
Let's face it, if you're into train wrecks, it doesn't get much better than this. In the age of reality television, this is the ultimate real-life family freak show. Welcome to The Dead King of Bel Air. The life and death of Michael Jackson is a deliciously perfect blend of The Swan, Wife Swap, The Bachelor, American Idol, Celebrity Rehab, Survivor, Cops and The Surreal Life. And I'm fucking hooked.
There's one helluva ensemble cast in this sideshow. We have Papa Joe Jackson, the verbally and physically abusive patriarch who mourned his son's death by immediately basking in the limelight of the BET Awards while practically hawking T-shirts from his trunk. There's sister Janet, who also chose the BET stage to share her pain. There's brother Jermaine, whose healing process required a little Neverland facetime with Lauer . There's also Diana Ross, who likely is about as surprised to learn she's the children's back-up guardian as I would be if I was in the will. (By the way, if something happens to me I think I'd like Joni Mitchell to raise my young daughter. Joni's mature, mellow, sings great and probably has a mad-cool house in Laurel Canyon. Nah, that's a dumb idea. Better stick with the existing plan).
We also have the shameless, attention-starved, sycophantic, blood-sucking media-whore leeches Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, who've been about as ubiquitous as Gov. Mark Sanford's love life this past week. Rumor has it that the Dynamic Duo of Dogma are fighting over who gets to eulogize MJ who, a week after his death, is still not buried. I guess when the family's too busy attending awards shows and giving Neverland tours that leaves little time for funerals. Apparently, they can't find the proper place for Michael's grand send-off. Seems like the Rose Bowl, Staples Center and Dodger Stadium are all booked. May I suggest a quaint little church in the Valley perhaps? One large enough to accommodate family and close friends? Ya know, the way other people do it? This is supposed to be a funeral, not a fucking Jackson Reunion Tour. How about just putting the man in the ground with some dignity already?
I suspect the Jackson Family Circus is about to get even more
freakish though. We've yet to to hear from Debbie Rowe, the surrogate who bore two of MJ's kids, and whether or not she's gonna fight to get them back. We've yet to hear from the Supreme Diva herself, Ms. Ross, who's either out at Toys R' Us stocking up on goodies or huddled with her lawyers and publicists. There's the 2002 Will and Testament, which may or may not actually be the "Last." There's the certain legal battles over Jackson's bazillions and the greedy landgrab that'll come from all sides. There's the much-anticipated toxicology report and official autopsy results, which may or may not paint a sad tale of a drug-riddled overdosed cultural icon. Then there's the countless nurses, doctors, lawyers, promoters, colleagues, spiritual advisors and friends who are crawling out of the woodwork to share the juicy lurid details of Michael's life in their insatiable quest for their proverbial 15 minutes. We're also sure to have more tell-all books, TV shows and bio-pics than we could ever have imagined. And speaking of movies, here's a little prediction: "The Michael Jackson Story," starring girlfriend-beating pop star Chris Brown in a career-reviving role. The back-story is tremendous: one tortured soul portraying another.
To be sure, Jackofest is going to be with us for a very, very long time.
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The media bury us in coverage of the death of a celebrity, then when we scream ENOUGH they blame us for watching it. I'm happy to say I haven't watched more then a few minutes of Jackson stories on TV since the frenzy started. I think we're morally obligated to turn the channel each time another one comes on. (It helps that cable news is banished from our house. It's heaven.) What could be more undignified than Matt Lauer leading viewers on a televised tour of Michael Jackson's toilets and closets.
The media are trying to have it both ways: They're exploiting Jackson's creepy, horrifying life while simultaneously trying to burnish the image of the talented boy singer on the verge of his big comeback.
I'm sure the family is grieving and dealing with the passing of their son, brother, and father like any normal family behind closed doors. I find it unfair and hypocritical to insult anyone because they don't "appear" to be coping the same way you cope with loss. In New Orleans we have a funeral march complete with a jazz band, dancing, singing, and drinking. To many that would appear odd.
Nevertheless, we are talking about a WORLD icon who was a trailblazer, having changed entertainment history, as well as having been an international humanitarian. And believe it or not, as an African American, MJ broke down many racial barriers that opened the hearts and minds of people to allow other African Americans like Oprah Winfrey, and Barack Obama to be able to succeed. Michael did much more than sing and dance well. The repercussions of his success and his fame had an immense effect on Black America socially as well as the world.
I found it only befitting that someone from his family spoke at the BET Awards, which was changed in 2 days to become a tribute to him (albeit not a great production). I find a your comment to be judgmental in a way that is passive aggressively prejudiced. if MJ had passed before the American Music Awards or the Grammy Awards and Janet spoke during a tribute to him, would you have made the same comment?
For the record, I am so turned off by "pop culture" that I cannot identify a single tune by Michael Jackson. Unlike our President, I do not have all of his songs on my iPod. In fact, I do not own an iPod.
I did, however, happen to read Bob Herbert's op-ed article about Michael Jackson in today's NY Times (Sunday, July 5). It strikes me that this article is worth a read.
read it. Definitely worth it.
"In many ways we descended as a society into a fantasyland, trying to leave the limits and consequences and obligations of the real world behind"
frenzy&hysteria as a form of denial.
Lendall I'm a Fan of Lendall I'm a fan of this user permalink
For the record, I am so turned off by "pop culture" that I cannot identify a single tune by Michael Jackson
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HAHA!! That's a lie. Everyone knows at least one Michael Jackson song. That's like saying you don't know who the president of the United States is....
goodness gracious.
Sure, Jacksons death has created a media frenzy. But the attention they recieve is fueled by the people who watch it. What is sad, is how there are people dying everyday because we are at war, and here a pop icon dies, and suddenly everything has to stop. The Jacksons maybe a controversial family, but only because they are in the spot light and have been exploited by media, and turned into characatures. And who gives them that power? the audience. Your blog post saddens me, because the obsession with Michael Jacksons death, and the misunderstanding you promote, are exactly why American culture is empty and superficial. He was an excellent artist, a genius, and it is sad that the last years of his life he was turned into a monster.
Well said Andy. Despite being appalled by it all I too find myself hooked on this reality show. Cant look away even tho at times u want to barf at the insanity of it all...
The Jackson family isn't the only family with problems, look across America. It is just easy to jump on the Jacksons. Everyday you read in the paper or see things going on with families where you wonder what the hell is these people doing? So lay off the Jacksons. No one, no family is perfect. I bet if you look in your own family you will fine B.S. going on too. Andy Ostroy knows all this, but it is easy to attack the Jacksons cause they are famous and in the spotlight. Now while I do not disrespect the Beatles, or Elvis, Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer ever. 1.6 million fans tried to get the 17,000 tickets being given out for MJ memorial. ................... .Redcloudwinter............Maureen Orth is a liar. Even if President Obama never said a word, and if the Big O never say a word, look all over the world and see the love which were there for MJ. President Obama wrote a personal letter to the Jackson Family. As for all the windowless rooms,people see what they want to see. I saw one little room behind a closet, maybe you saw and heard what you wanted to Redcloud.So I don't know where you're coming from. The people I watch who visit Neverland talked about what a beautiful place it is. The Jackson Family is not perfect, they have their problems like we all do, but I do believe they are a loving family.
well I don't know what the Jacksons are like in private but I suspect one reason we all "tune in" is that most of us, whether one admits or even recognises it , or not, come from famiies with their own pecularities and perhaps even dysfunctions.
I think we watch not because the Jacksons are so different but because at some level, they really aren't that different at all.
RIP MJ....obviously a lot people loved your music.....
Enjoyed your post ... Pathos is the word I use to best describe this family and situation. On one side there is definitely a tragedy of loss and inability to help a family member, and on the other side is the grasping by all for attention and money.
Unfortunetately in our bizarre culture, Jackson's death appears to be great for our economy.
These people are no different than those who drug poor Presidents Regan and Ford all over hell and back before burying their carcass. At the time, I said to myself.....just bury the men for god's sake !!
I am old enough to believe that Elvis was the greatest ever. If the Jacksons are smart, they will bury MJ at Neverland and turn it into another Graceland. Memphis and the Presley's make a fortune off of Graceland.
(Tried to post earlier, but it never appeared.) Great post, Mr. Ostroy. You said exactly what I have been thinking about all the sharks circling around this major media event: Joe Jackson, Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc.) While I admit MJ was a great talent and certainly a tortured soul, all this hype is over the top creepy. The memorial should be a mass hysteria fest.
I loved "Waitress" and I thought Adrienne was absolutely brilliant as a writer and actress. I hate that we won't be able to see more of her talent. I send my sympathy to you and her family for that dreadful loss.
I wonder how the statistics compare for deaths due to legal, prescription drugs and deaths due to illegal drug use? I see more over-use/abuse of legal medication than self-medication and 'legal' is certainly more socially acceptable in most circles. Hopefully MJ will set a solid legal precedent against big money pharmaceutical corps and physicians that flood innocent and vulnerable people with their poisons for profit.
Am I the only one baffled by this? The author is shocked (shocked I tell you!) by the parade of people surrounding this tragedy. His solution? Join the parade. Honestly, Mr. Ostroy, you might want to start with the man in the mirror. I can't remember when I've seen so much judgment piled so high. By the way, Joni Mitchell is anything but "mellow" and does not live in Laurel Canyon.
You make a good point...
This is what one of the commentator on CNN said:
"Now that the spender is gone, the Estate is even gonna get bigger"
That should explain Joe the Jackson's behavior. They don't care about him, they only care about what is in it for them. All of them, save the kids.
Nobody would have every questioned ROSE KENNEDY if she ended up taking care of her children's kids, would they??
Besides, Celebrities live the life of ridiculousness in these times. You have to be crazy to be a celebrity in these times.
Look at Farrah Fawcett, broadcasting her failing health on National TV , while trying to avoid lawsuits pertaining to said subject. You think, who surrounds these celebrities?.
Likewise, poor Ed McMahon was fodder for the press over the last 2 years of his life, as he was almost evicted from his Mansions and couldn't pay the mortgages,
Celebrities die, than there our those, that ten years later, you truly see the effects of their death and disappearance from the Planet, Michael Jackson truly is one of them.
One of the things I don't understand is why he would want his mother to have custody of his children. He was very open at how his father abused his as a child, so why would he want them to have that kind of access to them? Especially since Michael's children, who will now be subject to endless media attention, can be the cash supply to Joe that Michael was to Joe when he was a child.
What's the better option? Having a known abuser have direct access to them, or split them up and give two of them to a mother who relinquished them for money?
MJ's mom is separated from husband joe. she lives in calif. in a house mj got her with servants, etc. joe lives in las vegas, nevada and has been ex communicated by the family until this death. he will not be raising kids.
Leave this family well alone, if you please. They must have been doing something good --because they produced Michael Jackson, a musical genious who shook the world with his music in life and continues to do even more so in death.
Have a heart, grief has a way of bringing out either the best or the worst in families. This family and the world have lost a genius. The world views him as an icon but for the family he's a son, brother, uncle, cousin, father and so on. Just put yourself in their shoes before you judge them?
This family is an outstanding one that America and the world should really be proud of!
"This family is an outstanding one that America and the world should really be proud of!"
You can't possibly be serious.
See Andy Ostroy's Profile
#1. I have been in worse shoes. My wife, actor/writer/director Adrienne Shelly (WAITRESS) was brutally murdered 2 1/2 years ago.
#2. I do not judge anyone. I merely comment on actions and bahavior on its face
#3 "Outstanding" family? Really? C''mon...no seriously...really...c'mon...are you serious? Really? That's a joke, right?
Did not know about Adrienne. So, sorry about your loss. I can't imagine how you continue to deal with it.
Best wishes to you and totally enjoyed your post as I too have been fighting my addiction to the coverage this week.
Actually Andy, I think they are outstanding to have that much talent in one family. Did they have their problems? Sure they did, but what family doesn't? Neither you nor I know the dynamics of their home life, so its easy to make comments on the outside looking in.
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