Michael Jackson's Final Freak Show

Tuesday, 7th July 2009

The Washington Post's Lisa de Moraes has the right attitude to today's media-overload as at least 16 networks compete to see who can provide the most gruesome coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial today. Odds are that ABC will be the winners, if only because they have Martin Bashir on their books...

We're guessing Jackson fans probably won't be watching ABC's coverage, Bashir being the guy who profited most by taking down Michael Jackson. In case you just came out from under a flat rock, Bashir's the guy who did that 2003 documentary, bought by ABC, that led to Jackson getting slapped with those child-abuse charges and Bashir getting offered a job at ABC News. In Jackson-fanatic circles, Bashir is That Backstabber Who Has Michael Jackson's Blood on His Hands.
On the other hand, they'll be passing up a surefire Watch Bashir Make Michael Jackson's Memorial All About Martin Bashir Drinking Game, given the number of times Bashir is sure to turn the discussion to himself. You know, like: "Michael Jackson had been preparing for his eagerly awaited comeback concerts in London, which were due to begin next month -- and it was in London where I first met him back in 2003 and later that year began filming a documentary that would have huge ramifications" (Bashir on ABC's "20/20" the night of Jackson's death)...

...CNBC will dip in and out of the service while spending the day discussing the financial aspects of Jackson's death, as in who stands to profit most -- besides, of course, Martin Bashir, who has been madly remaking himself as Michael Jackson Fan Club president, even to the extent of pooh-poohing his own damning documentary: "Certainly when I made the documentary there was a small part of that which contained a controversy concerning his relationship with other young people," Bashir told ABC News the day Jackson died. "But the truth is that he was never convicted of any crime; I never saw any wrongdoing myself. And whilst his lifestyle may have been a bit unorthodox, I don't believe it was criminal, and I think the world has now lost the greatest entertainer it's probably ever known."

Emphasis added, of course. Enough, people, enough.

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Jeremy

July 7th, 2009 5:13pm Report this comment

"Enough" must include yourself, Alex. You've just started a really good (and quite important) thread about Bercow's speakership and change, and now you've covered it with this...*shakes head*

Paul

July 7th, 2009 5:32pm Report this comment

As I write, they are trasporting Jacksons casket to the Staples Centre, and I have visions of it being on stage, seranaded by diverse pop stars.

Wall to wall coverage in the UK too, what a sad indictment of our society.

Augustus

July 7th, 2009 8:28pm Report this comment

What if......he suddenly jumped out of the casket?

taami

July 7th, 2009 8:29pm Report this comment

I'm still praying for a day when people with skin disorders like vitiligo and with autoimmune diseases like lupus, aren't labeled "freak" and "weird"; still hoping for a day when being acquitted in a court of law means not being retried by the press. Guess today is not that day.

De Rigueur

July 7th, 2009 9:27pm Report this comment

taami:

Right on. We're with you on that.

We should also include those who suffer any disease or weakness not be "labled" as freaks.

BTW my wife has Vitiligo. But then I myself have suffered from depression. Don't think we are freaks. At least our friends don't treat us so.
But no doubt the media would. Watch your words Alex.
God Bless

Daveyone

July 9th, 2009 5:02pm Report this comment

'Memorial like a macabre circus!'said Gordon Smart of the Sun what Tosh! No more then the Princess Diana's Funeral with it's helium balloons and applause during the service I was there and still can't believe it but who is to say what is right or wrong certainly not Mr. Smart and the rules of normality are different for those in the celebrity spot light, remember how Her Majesty the Queen was vilified for not returning to London early enough when the family and especially the young Princes were having to deal with the loss of their mother
I wonder how someone called Smart came up with a headline including 'Circus' but just how did this 'clown ' think the King Of Pop was to be commerated the words of Smokey Robinson, the song by Stevie Wonder, 'Smile' sang by Jermaine and the heartrending words of Daughter Paris I for one thought was all as it should be and as I have said before the legacy for all time should be the MUSIC

Verity

July 10th, 2009 3:12am Report this comment

The "King Of Pop" is, and always will be, Elvis.

No one related to Michael Jackson. They bought his DVDs as entertainment, but people, buy and large, didn't relate to him as a person. Everyone in the world related to Elvis

Sorry Michael Jackson died at 50 with young children, but he wasn't anything but a passing side show.