Michael & Farrah: This Is Huge

Brian Williams just bumped Farrah Fawcett for Michael Jackson. Two American icons who meant so much to so many in so many surreal situations during their heyday, dead today; Farrah suffering terribly with cancer, Michael suffering terribly with everything.

Brian Williams was appropriately shocked when he announced on the NBC Evening News that word had just come in of Michael Jackson's death "just as they had prepared a memorial for Farrah Fawcett." And with that, Fawcett's struggle was set aside. She became the follow-up story. For the first time, I really felt for Farrah.

I like Brian Williams, but his sentiment seemed inappropriate even to someone as insensitive to any of this as I am.

Comments

[Shake-A-Spear]

Those who pray to God and believe in the power of prayer should ask that celebrity deaths not be bunched up. Give guys like Brian Williams enough leeway to concentrate on one death at a time. Tell God that about 10-14 days apart might be a minimally proper interval. Amen.

[gorgonopsid]

Sal,
Speaking of giving people their due, I remember an incident a couple of decades ago of two celebrities dying on the same day-- Count Basie and Ted Knight. Oh, the dewy-eyed encomiums and fond reminiscences of "Ted Knight"s comic genius". Every major network had a five- minute prime-time news spot with interviews and "favorite Ted Knight moments" from the Mary Tyler Moore show. Count Basie got a three-sentence obituary. My father and I, both jazz musicians, were outraged. My mother snapped "No one knows who Count Basie is. Everyone knows Ted Knight!" I'll bet the majority of people don't know either of them any more, but in terms of who left more and deeper experiences for future generations to enjoy, my money's on the Count.

[Dustee]

It is my considered opinion that Michaels death was a shocker to everyone while Farrahs death was pretty much expected.

So, I think Brian Williams went to the shock story. And that makes sense to me.

Never the less, both Michael and Farrahs death were tragic and I pray both of them are at peace.

[seachild]

talk about irony...ju­st yesterday while going on a lunch break/walk (i am currently residing in england, so several hours ahead of ny/california) and i was reading about Rod Temperton (songwriter for countless MJ tracks) and listened to OFF THE WALL, thinking 'wow, Michael is/was so incredible­...listen to this!'...a­nd hours later, that dreadful news

R.I.P.

[MissingAmerica]

Not an easy call. Farrah showed us how to live and die; Michael showed us the opposite. However, Michael also shared his Godgiven talents with us for about 40 years. We will never see the likes of this young man again. Many tributes are on tonight on various stations which have expanded their formats to pay tribute to both these icons.

I was thinking this evening about the week. We lost Ed McMahon, a household voice and face for decades; Farrah Fawcett, a blonde turned wonderful actor and brave survivor and Michael Jackson, an incredible icon who changed the face of music forever. Now we hear Walter Kronkite is about to meet his end.

Bryan Williams has a difficult job. The world will never see the likes of these people again.

[duze]

When Farrah went home today, God told her "go back and pick up your brother"

May Farrah and Michael Rest in the Perpetual Light of our Lord Jesus Christ

We ask in Jesus name to bless their families, watch over their children, and show us all how precious the life he gave us really is. God treats us all like little children, he always makes us desire exactly what he wants us to have.

[longislandlol]

death in threes-- you hear three- and say ah- no more for a little while- ed,farrah,michael

[Halsey]

at first glance...t­he 3's..but..­David Carradine's tragic death...ma­kes it 4...so much for urban legends..

Farrah's died with dignity and grace...pr­epared with those who loved her the most by her side, her pain now over...but my God the woman fought a brave fight..wou­ld that I had her courage as I face cancer and spend way too much time asking "why me"...ther­e is no why..cance­r does not care if you are rich or beautiful or famous...

Michael, while perhaps not 100% unexpected was till a shocker...­50!...and (maybe a rumor)...r­eceived a shot of friggin demerol the day he died... like Elvis..too many enablers..­.making too much money keeping him "happy"...­(and yes..Anna Nicole)...­. I Know Michael suffered chronic pain..but demerol...­my gosh...his poor little body could not handle it..he looked like Karen Carpenter in his thinness..­.

both these Icons...wi­ll live on..in memories. Michael was the "bigger" star, if you will...sad­ly, Farrah was able to say goodbye in grace, surrounded by those who loved her....poo­r Michael... at least , yes, he DID have an Angel to guide him to the light (or whatever awaits us)....

Peace to all the unknowns who also died yesterday.­..

[seachild]

Brian Williams may have APPEARED INSENSITIV­E...but the fact is Michael Jackson touched people THAT MUCH...eve­ryone is in shock...ev­en top journalist­s...it's obvious Michael's touched his life some way...and for that brutal honesty, i don't think Mr. Williams should be blamed..

it's akin to the journalist crying while reporting on the Hindenburg­...he was fired because he got too emotional.­..but he was FEELING THE MOMENT...b­eing human...a good thing, for a change

[Sal Nunziato - Huffpost Blogger]

Again Seachild, I will say, I am not blaming Brian Williams for reacting to MJ's death. I am simply saying, find a better way. This isn't some local cable channel. This is NBC. It was ham-fisted. I am not a Farrah fanatic. I am simply pointing out a lame transition.

[seachild]

i understand what you're saying, but i guess...yo­u know...lik­e your title says, 'THIS IS HUGE'

bad timing...a­ll around...a mistake in 'editing'.­..but there you have it

respect

[shel3364]

In a strange way, Michael's death may be a blessing (I know that's not the right word) for Farrah's family. With his death dominating the news, maybe they can grieve in peace.


My condolences to both families.

[jeburr24]

I think it's sad when two major celebrities die in the same day, because one death will inevitably overshadow the other, as Jackson will with Fawcett (not to mention Ed McMahon).

I remember the day that both Sammy Davis Jr. and Jim Henson died. To me it seemed like most of the tributes went to Davis, who was indeed a magnificent, groundbreaking entertainer but whom I did not know very well. I felt sad because it was Henson I was really mourning for. Having grown up with Sesame Street and the Muppet Show, I felt like a major part of my childhood had been wrenched away much too early. Kermit's voice has never sounded "right" since his passing.

Today we lost Farrah Fawcett, who was a major icon during my 70s childhood -- I remember how everyone wanted her feathered hair! So I was still absorbing that when I came home and heard about the death of Jackson, a major icon of my teenage years in the 80s. The man was an incredible, one-of-a-kind artist, and I think his death would have overshadowed almost anyone else's. Still, it's too bad that Fawcett's death was so close to his that it will likely be crowded out in the shuffle. Both deaths are tragic, and both people deserve our respect. May they both rest in peace.

[NicolePa]

It just seems like yesterday I was watching reruns of Charlie's Angels after school in the 6th grade (early 80's). I thought the character Farah Fawcett played (Jill Monroe) was so incredible as well the car she drove on the show--the yellow Ford mustang. I remember pretend playing with friends that we were the Charlie's Angels and we would always argue over who got to be Jill.

And I vividly remember singing along with Michael Jackson's "Rock with You" on my am/fm radio back in the 5th grade while getting ready for school. That has got to be one of the greatest songs of all time.

Great memories. Farah and Michael--you are greatly missed. May you both rest in peace.

[LindyK]

Of course Michael Jackson is going to trump Farrah. It's simply her bad luck to die on the same day. And anyhow we have been mourning her imminent passing for some time now. Get real, bro.

[lauriemann]

I think Farrah did the best with what she could, so I give her lots of credit. While Michael was an extremely talented, troubled person, he made some horrible choices and squandered his career and his life. But both were pop icons, for better or for worse.

[Shayrae]

Why are we playing one upmanship here? We have had two shocks today. These two families are in deep pain, as we should know. i don't think any of us would appreviateLet's just be respectful and give our condolences to both Farrah and Michael's families. RIP to two people who had an impact on our lives and our culture.

[Sal Nunziato - Huffpost Blogger]

Simply bad producing by the NBC executives. No need to blatantly flaunt the fact that MJ is "bigger" than Farrah, by exclaiming "we were gonna do THIS, but now we're not." Report one, then report the other.

[SpaghettyIrish]

The 70s and 80s, all in one day. Odd how things happen. Makes me wonder who the 3rd one will be.

[kristin1030]

The third was first--Ed McMahon a couple of days ago.

[bustitbaby]

The third one was Ed. McMahon.