In a Sense, Abroad Part Trois: Some Final Mutterings on the American Media's Michael Jackson Multi-Network Thanatothon

Some title, huh?

I say "American media" because in true elitist fashion, I am on holiday with my family outside of the states -- in the south of France, to be exact -- where my mother-in-law lives. We visit her every year at about this time and immerse ourselves in the region's culture, delightful political incorrectness and its relatively unspoiled beauty.

And along with drinking copious amounts of rosé and pretending not to look at the topless women scampering along the beaches of the cote d' Azur (which may put some of the less gracious in mind of ogling a variety of speckled meats swaying in a delicatessen window) it's also an occasion to observe the country of my birth from an edifying distance.

And sometimes it's like watching a psychotic ranting on a street corner.

Descriptions of the extravaganza of Michael Jackson's funeral have been leaked to us courtesy of emails from friends as well as news reports from the papers and Sky TV, all of which place the event in a more seemly context, rather than the 24 hour in-your-face saturation at home. And it begs several questions:

1) What the fuck is going on with the mainstream media in America?

2) Is there no indignity heaped upon the late entertainer -- and the American public -- who, like it or not, must have their optic nerves burnt to a frazzle in the contrived glow of this mercilessly inane spectacle?

3) Why does the wine back home give me a throbbing headache, while over here it's like drinking gallons of colored happy-water?

You gotta see it from where I'm standing to understand. Because it's times like these when it's all too apparent that the US of A has had its soul hijacked by interests who see it only as a platform for consumerism. Because it seems like Michael Jackson's life has been one long fire sale.

From my Frenchified perspective, I saw something of this tortured person's life in a different context, away from the controversies and eccentricities which consumed his later years, away from the obvious damage wrought upon his physical and psychological being and away from the bazaar-like spectacle of his death. From this distance, it is fairly placed among the myriad sociopolitical events occurring around the globe and given, perhaps, a more fitting presentation.

Having digested the grosses of the Dead Elvis industry and processed the ratings gains wrung from Lady Di's sensational departure, the media -- no dopes they -- are pulling out all the stops to make this a red-white-and-blue banner event among all the black bunting. That's what they do best. Eschewing thoughtful content for knee-jerk saccharine schmaltz, the media has been commandeered by the men who brought you "Headless Body in Topless Bar" and made it The Only Thing You Can See TV simply because it shoots grappling hooks into eyeballs in the hope that it sells. Not informs. Not enlightens. Not moves. Sells.

And don't get me wrong -- there is a place for exploitation. It's called The Side Show. Tragically, that side has slithered to the center and only the saddest of the freaks seem to matter to the media, who have made their living of late with cheaply manufactured versions of reality, lauding the mediocre and exiling expertise to the fringes.

Over here, as his music emanates from the car radio or his videos play on the television screen free from the distraction of glitzy accompanying commentary, one is treated to a rich, aural biography. It is impossible to ignore this young man's truly unique gifts, seeing him give as much as he could, move in ways most people wished they were able, lose himself in a song the way we all should be able to lose ourselves in life's wonder; his plaintive, honey voice singing "Got To Be There" still innocent, before any deviant behavior was beaten into him, before the time that digital harmonizers could make any cheerleader or aerobics instructor into a pop idol. He was once natural, rare, real.

But instead of nurturing artists, modern pop culture discards them, seeming to prefer exploitation to preservation. We ignore the lessons our elders seek to teach us; we trivialize the life and death experiences of the dwindling corps of World War II veterans needs to pass onto us; we marginalize our struggling public school teachers by paying them low wages and paying them little mind. Instead, we devise garish celebrations around people whose stardom was bred into them like a prize winning Pekingese.

Not everything should be for sale. The passing on of knowledge shouldn't. Love shouldn't. Mercy shouldn't. The market place has breached our personal sanctums, it's in our living rooms now, in our brains, in our blood.

We mistake commerce for culture, fanaticism for reverence. And having witnessed as much as I could take of Michael Jackson's star-studded memorial LIVE from the Staple's Center I am now certain there is an afterlife: it's called marketing.

The first two questions about the media and the indignities heaped upon blah blah blah, hopefully, were addressed in the rambling dissertation above. I mean, if you've come this far, even whether or not they have you might actually think so, such is the power of the media (of which I am, at this moment, a part of).

As to the final query: "Why does the wine back home give me a throbbing headache while over here it's like drinking gallons of colored happy-water?" that I fear is another corporate conspiracy rant for another time.

Right now, I'm putting up my sabots, popping in a J5 greatest hits CD, upturning my gourd and watching the show from a safe distance. Vive la vie! (They make thesauruses here, too!).

Comments

[PresidentRobertBooth]

***Really?! Wow! How life-changing. I guess no other celebrity has done charity work before or since***

Charity work IS life changing, to the people benefitting from it.

***and if Michael hadn't broken the "MTV color barrier," no black performer would ever have appeared on it, huh? And of course, MTV really is so important to the survival of our culture, after all. I especially love all those wonderfully entertaining "reality shows" they now broadcast, seemingly 24-7. Get a grip***

First of all, put your bile aside, and think logically.

Whether or not you like MTV, it revolutionised music coverage, and MJ played a huge role in it.

[noralou]

The average American would rather get their knickers in a twist over Michael Jackson, Diana, Princess of Wales, Farrah, etc. than tax their brains by becoming informed and involved in the real world.
If we want change, we must stop watching these public masterbations of hysterical grief. If the ratings go down, the tabloid-like coverage starts to decline.
Come on people: you have a TV remote -- USE IT!

[situationcritical]

Web -- all I'm understanding is that you are listening to the Jackson Five's greatest hits. Me too.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Wine headaches are a funny thing. When I was younger reds caused more headaches. Now I love a glass or three of merlot a couple times a week, and a single glass of white can cause a headache instead. I've had fellow migraine sufferers tell me the tannins are a trigger for them, but I guess it's no longer one of mine.

Also, nobody around here thinks you're like any of the main stream 'corporate media', and these folks would let you know pretty quick if they thought doing TV or movie comedy (when wearing one of your other hats) was affecting the integrity of what you write.

Safe travels abroad and returning home, Mr. Steve, for you and your family.

[Dan Beyer]

Steven you are spot on! But what do we expect from for profit organizations existing in a materialistic society where money is our G-d and "Greed is Good"? It's a business! Do I need to say it again? It's a Business! Even (perhaps especially) our own Government seems to be a business! Judging from the way the communication venues seem to regurgitate each others gruel, It seems that the Infinite channels available in our nascent digital universe do not really have much to say. Perhaps we could go back to 3 broadcast networks? Now that transponders saturate the sky and servers are planted everywhere on the planet Goldman Sachs needs for the outfits it invested in to make payments on the capitalization it engineered. It's not a conspiracy if it's not illegal or secret even! - www.DanBeyer.com

[rsprags]

I notice that many reporters and others like repurgs have this jealousy issues with entertainers, sports figures, artist folks, etc unless they know for a fact they can be count on to go on a religious stations or RNC Campaign rally!
If you didn't like the coverage watch FIXED News and go to their website for further news!

[Lee2320]

For the fans it was actually a very touching memorial service, if you ask me.

As for the round the clock news coverage given to Michael Jackson's death by the News Media in this country, I thought it was quite peculiar and rather hypocritical that the same commentators who were sitting around gleefully wondering just a few years ago, how Michael would survive in prison if he was found guilty of child molestation, are now singing his praises, and commiserating how the World has lost one of it's greatest entertainers.

I suspect Michael is rolling his eyes somewhere and giggling at how he got the last laugh on his media nemeses.

[GarthR]

It's time for Rupert Murdoch to step in and change the failing Fox Business Network to the Fox Bereavement Network (they can keep their current acronym). As the bloated ranks of aging celebrities continue to die off, FBN can establish it's niche as the 24/7 celebrity obituary network. Then when the next big death comes along, FBN can vault into dominance in the same way CNN attained credibility during the first Gulf War. Maybe this would leave some room for alternative programming on the regular news networks. Plus, like a Pharoah building his pyramid in preparation for the big day, Rupert would be building a personal broadcast monument he can count on when his time arrives.

[CindyMax]

"...platform for consumerism." Doesn't matter what it is, anything at all can be a platform for consumerism.

I didn't watch any of the coverage about which you write, Steven. I just felt very, very sorry for the kind of life Mr. Jackson led. That was enough.

[TomR]

Hey man, you're in France. Whaddaya doing watching tv? I only wonder when Michael's brain will be reunited with the rest of him. Weird.

- Tom

[Jodi Lampert - Huffpost Blogger]

Another great article, of course. I seem to remember a story about a long swim that must have been the last trip to France. I've actually written something similar on Huff Post, but my stuff seems to go straight to Archive! I tried to send it to you, but could not, so I hope it's not rude for me to link it, here.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jodi-lampert/michael-jackson-rip-3-dec_b_225623.html
I have such a problem with these people still behaving like they had nothing to do with what Michael Jackson became. Another one of these families that -- to this very moment -- acts like everyone else is crazy when they say, "Um, he had no chin or nose." I loved him, so. But he suffered.
And, how's the French cheese????? Mmm.
Jodi

[maigesheng]

Well Steve, it appears as if most of the comments disagree with you.

To complain about respecting and admiring a very famous recently dead icon, your not going to make alot of fans that way.

[GardenerNorCal]

No one complains about all the infomercials on Sundays.

[jennyjen]

Now you have done it Steven.

I must live in the south of France one day.

Hey - universal healthcare right?

[kappa08]

go back to sleep....people are allowed to feel for a day.
I too was very glib about the whole event until I watched a few minutes of what looked like a tasteful goodbye someone that has inspired so many.
I find it somewhat disingenuous this coming from a student of the arts and someone so in love with his own words that they spill out like a glutton on holiday.
It's easy for all of us to play couch judge and point and laugh. But at the end of the day. PEOPLE WANTED THIS. Maybe not you, me or even the snarky commentators that deserve to speak.

Go back to your "elitest" self serving activities and give the death of a genius, a world entertainer, a brother, son and father the rest he deserves.

[maigesheng]

Yeah. I thought he was joking when he said he was an elitist. I dont think going to France makes one elitist. But as I read into his article, I thought the same as you. Go back to sleep, goody two shoes. The MJ thing is almost over.