If Only This Is It Were It

At some point, we've got to let Michael Jackson go ... for a little while, at least. Sure, he was an amazing talent -- a flawed hero -- but the circus that came out of his death has now spun into an all-out marketing blitz that milks every last dime of the King of Pop's fans' money and the artist's spotlight. If I see one more Jackson being interviewed on a tabloid TV show or another clip of his daughter crying at his overblown memorial service, I'm going to -- pardon the blatant use of an MJ song -- "Scream." I wish it stopped there. Case in point: has there been an awards show Joe Jackson has missed since his son's passing? That doesn't even begin to touch the surface.

Next month the much-hyped This Is It will hit theaters, and I have no doubt that it'll be a smash success, and more importantly, a fitting final chapter in Jackson's roller coaster legacy. The film will reinforce what a remarkable talent he was. I'm sure it'll be poignant and entertaining. Still, it doesn't take a genius to realize the film's release is a mere calculated marketing move to cash in on Jackson's popularity, which is at an all-time high. While director Kenny Ortega seems very sincere about the whole thing, the timing is off. This Is It has been hyped since minutes after the MJ memorial service. I'm surprised a trailer didn't air during it.

MTV hyped that trailer during its lackluster Video Music Awards last month -- a nice bookend to an awards show that started with Madonna ranting about her fellow '80s comrade's lack of a childhood ad nauseum. Ever since then, TV stations have shown teasers of teasers, teasers of the trailer, and trailers for the trailer. It's enough already. Everyone preaches how people wanted a piece of Michael when he was alive, and that still rings true in death tenfold. I think the movie was just made so that it could score in the box office, fly off DVD shelves three months later, and sell posters and T-shirts in between. It's all very sad. The media, like the mourning Jackson family, love this and can't get enough of it.

The Jacksons have always lived in the spotlight, and feed off of it. The media give into them each time. It's a rinse/repeat cycle that will continue forever. That said, I'm hopeful with This Is It that we'll finally be able to close the door on Michael Jackson's death. I'm not saying we forget the man and his music, and the good that he did do, but I'm saying it's time we move on with our lives. We've lost so many talented stars recently yet they're already off the front pages. Farrah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze's courageous battles with cancer -- aside from a well-intentioned but mediocre dance medley on "Dancing with the Stars" for the latter's -- is yesterday's news and it stinks. Yet, Michael Jackson's still making headlines. This Is It should be it for awhile. It's time to mourn on our terms - not the media's nor the marketers nor the Jacksons.

 

 

Follow Jon Chattman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecheappop

Comments

[Killashandra]

I find it interesting that the same media who eroded and degraded this man's spirit for over 15 years and never seemed to get enough of the 'freak stories' are now claiming ' Enough Michael Jackson.' I expected the worst from this film. I was genuinely scared that it would - like most other things in Michael's life that he had no control over - be a disappointment. Yes, Michael doesn't dance or sing full out, but he never has in previous rehearsals for other tours either. But to expect the film, or indeed the tour to be a return to the glory days of Bad or Dangerous is to expect too much - even from Michael. Because the truth is, Michael was no cheap addict trying to get high, he was a sensitive man with serious physical difficulties and a damaged psyche who couldn't sleep. But he was still prepared to come out and gig 50 dates. See the film, hate it if you want, but don't blame Michael for not being who he used to be. Look to Tom Sneddon and those who tore him to shreds for over 15 years for that; the damage you see is their handiwork - and what was done should never ever be forgotten.


Our loss, whether we know it or not - is incalculable.

[curious virgo]

We've lost so many talented stars recently yet they're already off the front pages. Farrah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze's courageous battles with cancer -- aside from a well-intentioned but mediocre dance medley on "Dancing with the Stars" for the latter's -- is yesterday's news and it stinks. ~~

Yet, who did you choose to write about? Did you write any articles on the other lost stars? Or just need to vent to the world? There is a reason he was so loved and appreciated by millions, worldwide. It was more than just his incredible creativity and performances. Perhaps you'd have a different opinion if you took the time to know him, which is so much more than the "Tragic Icon" Rabbi Boteach and others make him out to be. In spite of being stalked to death by the salacious media, he led a wonderful life and did more charity work for numerous causes than any of his detractors. The media should give it a rest, unless they want to highlight his incredible acheivements, awards, and humanitarianism. Rumors and inuendo are more profitable.

[Irish55]

I have to kind of laugh when people (like Jon Chattman) write articles about subjects who they believe are being written (or spoken or whatever) too much about. Are you doing this for free Mr. Chattman? Or did someone pay you to write an article on your belief that Michael Jackson is being written about too much? It all seems very easy. Every day there are stories on this site and others that I don't wish to read about - so I don't. The same goes with the newspaper and TV shows, the radio, etc. Obviously there is huge market in all things related to MJ . As for the Jackson - I feel badly for them. If they give interviews or plan TV shows - they are seen as capitalizing on MJ's death. If they were to do nothing - I feel pretty sure that the howls - at least from some quarters - would be almost as loud. And isn't Michael's estate entitled to benefit from Michael's music? It was, after all, his. Shouldn't his children receive the benefits as he wished? I for one am happy to hear about Michael - he was truly a once in lifetime talent; and I'm thrilled that I will have the chance to see MJ perform one final time. The headlines will die down soon enough - in the meantime Mr. Chattman, I suggest that you turn the channel and read something else. And let the rest of us enjoy it

[Irish55]

Don't want to harp on this subject - but I just wanted to amend something I said at the end of my comment. When I say "let the rest of us enjoy it" - I mean let those of us who care about the film "This Is It' enjoy it, let us enjoy MJ's music, let us celebrate the man - his immense talent and his huge good heart. Let his fans and his admirers have this time. Like I said - the headlines will die down soon enough.

[GroveGal10]

What is the purpose of your post? If you don't wish to watch the outpouring, please don't. Those who wish to continue speaking of him have that right. As far as capitalizing on his fame, it is far from unusual. He was an immense talent. The movie gives his fans a last look at what he was attempting to do. With all the media about his debts, hopefully his children will now have more financial stability. Seems like a wonderful win-win situation to me.

[Keima]

Michael will be in the news for a very long long time. And will be forever in our hearts.