Is anybody going to be watching this today? I'll be at work, but I'll tivo it for sure.

I'll be watching. I may be turning it back an forth, though. What times does it start?

I'll be watching. I may be turning it back an forth, though. What times does it start?

11am pacific time and 1pm est

I'm definitely going to watch, and tape it. This is a huge thing, and I definitely don't want to miss it!!!

No, likely not.

No, likely not.
Same here. Plus, I'm sure it'll be available online somewhere sooner or later.

I am, watching The Michael Jackson Funeral

Same here. Plus, I'm sure it'll be available online somewhere sooner or later.
i already saw presales for the coverage on ioffer and ebay. i will probably flip back and forth between the regular shows i watch and the funeral but i won't watch it in full

I'm missing it. But I'm sure there will be highlights on all the evening news/talking head/infotainment programs.

I couldn't...too sad.

For those who are watching it, is his casket open or closed?

I'm watching it right now - things are really slow, though. Nothing has really happened yet. It hasn't actually started yet, but the coverage has been going pretty much since midnight last night on all the cable news stations, and 1pm today on the broadcast networks.

For those who are watching it, is his casket open or closed?

Closed.

I'm trying to watch but it's running very late and I got bored. Just now is really getting started.

I'm off from work for the next few days so I'm watching it. Mariah Carey looked really sad singing I'll Be There.

and now Queen Latifah is speckintg.

I'm not officially watching it, but my mom has it on loud and clear in the other room. The Maya Angelou poem was beautiful.

I'm off from work for the next few days so I'm watching it. Mariah Carey looked really sad singing I'll Be There.

Mariah was fantastic, full of emotion. These speeches are really getting to me. It's another sad day, that's for sure.

I'm not officially watching it, but my mom has it on loud and clear in the other room. The Maya Angelou poem was beautiful.

I agree the poem was beautiful.

I really enjoyed Jennifer Hudson's performance. I thought she did a wonderful job. One thing I can definitely say is that after hearing all these singers singing his songs makes me appreciate Michael all the more. Don't get me wrong, these singers are good, but they just can't pull it off like Jackson did. Once again, that's not a slam on any of these singers, only a tribute to how great Michael truly was.

I just heard some audio from the service. Al Sharpton was rambling on, talking about how every time Michael got knocked down, he'd get right back up again.

But if that's the case, then why is everyone gathering at Staples Center today?

Jennifer Hudson's did a great job Singing.

I just heard some audio from the service. Al Sharpton was rambling on, talking about how every time Michael got knocked down, he'd get right back up again.

But if that's the case, then why is everyone gathering at Staples Center today?:clap:

I'm watching it....the performances have been pretty good.

The performances have been amazing. And Brooke Shield's speech is so far the best thing I've seen today. What a beautiful, heartfelt, and emotional speech - this is something I will never forget.

I caved. Brooke's speech almost brought me to tears.

Wow, what an amazing performance Jermaine Jackson just put on. I think that was the best tribute I've heard so far. He did an amazing job!!

Brooke's speech was very touching. I also liked John Mayer's guitar rendion of Human Nature.

Brook Speech was so touching I started Tearing up

I caved. Brooke's speech almost brought me to tears.

You could tell it was from the heart. She did a fantastic job.

Also like John Mayer's performance. Very soft, very touching.

What a great memorial service. I'll admit I have had mixed feelings about Michael Jackson for years now, but this was truly beautiful. It was far better than I expected.

What a great memorial service. I'll admit I have had mixed feelings about Michael Jackson for years now, but this was truly beautiful. It was far better than I expected.I agree. I don't think there was much said during the service that could be disputed....it was wonderful. I'm not even a Jackson fan, but it's hard to ignore such a wonderful and extrordinary service.

IMO, the best part of the whole service was at the end when his daughter Paris wanted to talk.

An absolutely perfect tribute. The whole thing was amazing (although I do admit I left the room when Sharpton got up because I figured he'd turn it into something political).

I just kept on thinking how much Michael would have loved it. It must have been so tough on his band to play each song knowing they were on the same stage only 2 weeks ago with the man and now he's lying in state before them.

I loved Magic's story of them sitting on the floor eating KFC together and could just picture it.

I know I criticized him before in life, but no matter what you feel about the guy, he was the best entertainer the world has ever seen and made the biggest worldwide impact of any. His love and talent outweighs any of the strangeness and until you've walked in someone's shoes, we'll never know what it was exactly like to be him. But we can thank him for the good that he did do and keep good memories for his children. They don't deserve to grow up hearing garbage about him.

Rest peacefully now Michael.

I agree. I don't think there was much said during the service that could be disputed....it was wonderful. I'm not even a Jackson fan, but it's hard to ignore such a wonderful and extrordinary service.

IMO, the best part of the whole service was at the end when his daughter Paris wanted to talk.

Paris coming out and saying what she said put me in tears. You could tell she truly loved her father - I feel so sorry for those poor children. What a way to end such a great service.

Paris sure was the icing on this cake. As touching as the whole memorial had been, her short but emotional speech took it to yet another level.

Why did Michael have to leave us? :(

I saw some of it while I was getting a haircut....Too much hype.

And I think Elton John may be coming out with a Michael Jackson version of "Candle in the Wind".

My God, when I saw his daughter speak that really made me start to cry. Those poor kids. :( Such a wonderful person lost to the world.

And I don't care what anyone says, he truly deserves the "hype."

what Paris said also put me to Tears.

The Kids are in my prayers

man, i am so disappointed i missed this. :( i'm sure i'll catch it somewhere, though, whether it re-runs or if it's on the internet or something.

but i read the quote his daughter said it seriously almost made me cry. and i NEVER cry at stuff like that.

Michael was such an incredible person...it's so moving that so many people watched this and were so effected by it.

I haven't been watching it, but have been reading stuff online about it.
I did, however, see his daughter Paris speak about him. Even though all she said was a sentence, it was enough to make me cry. His children loved him, that was clear.

Michael was a great entertainer and I think the music industry is going to feel his loss for quite a while. There was only one MJ and no one else is going to come close to him. I just hope his children grow up knowing how much he loved them. It's such a shame they lost him so early in their lives. And I hope now that he has passed, all of the rumors about him being a child molester will finally be put to rest as well. They weren't the truth and he doesn't deserve to be remembered for that-neither do his kids.

:rip: MJ. You are sorely missed. :(

I missed it because I was at work today. I hated it that they didn't turn the TV on when I was at work. If it's an encore presentation of it tonight maybe I will watch it.

I did get to watch it, after all. Paris by far stole the show. I don't think there were any dry eyes left after she spoke. Marlon's eulogy and Jermaine's rendition of "Smile" were also heartbreakers.

All in all, the ceremony was very tasteful. It was very moving with lots of laughter and tears. I think everyone involved did a great job putting the service together. I thought it was especially sweet and moving that Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy were all dressed alike - and each all wearing a single white sequined glove. :cool:

Paris sure was the icing on this cake. As touching as the whole memorial had been, her short but emotional speech took it to yet another level.

Why did Michael have to leave us? :(

I'll have to agree with you on that one. I'm usually not that emotional but that almost put me over the edge.

The ceremony was both beautiful and sad... my heart broke twice... when Brooke Shields spoke and when Michael's beautiful daughter Paris shared her grief... :(

UO: I didn't watch it and won't give this media circus any more attention. The same media hypocrites who bashed MJ for years and called him "weird" and stuff like that, now want the ratings.

They don't care about him, they didn't when he was alive and now that he's dead, suddenly they can't say enough nice things about him?

Sorry but the hypocrisy of it all makes me nauseous.

Well, at least they're saying nice things now.

Rev. Al Sharpton gave an uplifting speech for sure...

It was a real beautiful service. Paris's speech brought me to tears. I loved Brooke's speech too and Jermaine's song "Smile." Very touching. :(

That was a very nice service on TV. I watched it on the E! channel at 7:30 tonight. Now, I'm watching 20/20 with Barbara Walters Remembering Michael Jackson on ABC.

the whole service was beautful and touching

if Anyone Missed The Michael Jackson Memorial you can watch the repeat start at 10:00 pm Until 1:00 am CT Time on MSNBC

It was a real beautiful service. Paris's speech brought me to tears. I loved Brooke's speech too and Jermaine's song "Smile." Very touching. :(
Ditto.

I just wish now that the memorial is over, they will stop this stupid speculation and put Mr. Jackson on the back burner until something OFFICIAL is released about his death. I think the family (and he, as well) deserves the respect at least. It's been in the spotlight for almost 2 weeks, give it a little rest already! I think it should be done, at least out of respect. CNN Headline News (or whatever they call it now) is the worst about this, at night.

Back on the subject of the memorial, I think it was very tasteful. Not too extreme, not crummy (but I didn't expect that). Very well executed.

A beautiful memorial for a beautiful person, to say the least.

This morning I was thinking "Oh God, why are they making such a big deal out of his death, treating it as though he were in charge of the world or something?" But then I realized that Princess Diana's service was fairly large and she was a big "celebrity", although not in the same way as Michael was.

In our society, I think that entertainers are more loved than politicians and public figures. Just my observation. Michael was a huge star, and everyone who is anyone knows at least something about him, even if they weren't a fan. So it's only fitting that they would have a big memorial service for him for the world to see.

I was at work and fortunately we have a TV and everyone in my office is seemingly a Michael fan, so I watched about an hour of it (from 11-noon) during my lunch break. I saw Stevie Wonder sing, Jennifer Hudson sing "Will You Be There?" (that was a great rendition of that song), Magic Johnson talking about the KFC (that was a cute story), Brooke Shields talking about her friendship with Michael (very touching. Didn't think she was going to be able to get through that. It was nice to learn something about her and Michael's relationship. I never really thought that they were a couple, but I had seen pictures of them together. She eemed really sincere in the way she was talking about how they liked to laugh and so forth. It seems they shared a bond of being famous at an early age. I laughed when she said that she started acting at age 11 months and he was 5 years old when he started in show business and she told him he was a slacker!

I didn't know it was going to be on today, so I didn't record it, but I'm sure that it will be on Youtube or something later. I would have liked to have seen his daughter's speech.

I liked John Mayer's performance of "Human Nature" but I wish he would have sung as well.

Loved Jermaine Jackson's "Smile" song. I didn't know that song had been written for a Charlie Chaplin movie, nor did I know that the song was Michael's favorite. It's funny that the song is about smiling when you are sad but it's such a sad song; does the complete opposite of what it's intended to do.

I know that a lot of us have felt guilty for criticizing Michael in the past, now that he's gone. I've done the same thing, many times and have rolled my eyes repeatedly at the ridiculous things that have been said about him. It's so weird how there has been this huge change of heart all across the world. It's almost like you can feel it in the air. Before he was ridiculed and so forth, and now he's a much loved icon. I don't think I've ever noticed that drastic of a change toward someone before now.

I think it's only natural to feel guilty for saying bad things about someone after you've found out that they have passed away. I think everyone does it, even with people they know and love. But I really did like Michael Jackson to an extent. His early music (Thriller, Off The Wall) is what I'll remember the most.

Andrea

This morning I was thinking "Oh God, why are they making such a big deal out of his death, treating it as though he were in charge of the world or something?" But then I realized that Princess Diana's service was fairly large and she was a big "celebrity", although not in the same way as Michael was.

In our society, I think that entertainers are more loved than politicians and public figures. Just my observation. Michael was a huge star, and everyone who is anyone knows at least something about him, even if they weren't a fan. So it's only fitting that they would have a big memorial service for him for the world to see.

I was at work and fortunately we have a TV and everyone in my office is seemingly a Michael fan, so I watched about an hour of it (from 11-noon) during my lunch break. I saw Stevie Wonder sing, Jennifer Hudson sing "Will You Be There?" (that was a great rendition of that song), Magic Johnson talking about the KFC (that was a cute story), Brooke Shields talking about her friendship with Michael (very touching. Didn't think she was going to be able to get through that. It was nice to learn something about her and Michael's relationship. I never really thought that they were a couple, but I had seen pictures of them together. She eemed really sincere in the way she was talking about how they liked to laugh and so forth. It seems they shared a bond of being famous at an early age. I laughed when she said that she started acting at age 11 months and he was 5 years old when he started in show business and she told him he was a slacker!

I didn't know it was going to be on today, so I didn't record it, but I'm sure that it will be on Youtube or something later. I would have liked to have seen his daughter's speech.

I liked John Mayer's performance of "Human Nature" but I wish he would have sung as well.

Loved Jermaine Jackson's "Smile" song. I didn't know that song had been written for a Charlie Chaplin movie, nor did I know that the song was Michael's favorite. It's funny that the song is about smiling when you are sad but it's such a sad song; does the complete opposite of what it's intended to do.

I know that a lot of us have felt guilty for criticizing Michael in the past, now that he's gone. I've done the same thing, many times and have rolled my eyes repeatedly at the ridiculous things that have been said about him. It's so weird how there has been this huge change of heart all across the world. It's almost like you can feel it in the air. Before he was ridiculed and so forth, and now he's a much loved icon. I don't think I've ever noticed that drastic of a change toward someone before now.

I think it's only natural to feel guilty for saying bad things about someone after you've found out that they have passed away. I think everyone does it, even with people they know and love. But I really did like Michael Jackson to an extent. His early music (Thriller, Off The Wall) is what I'll remember the most.

Andrea
Very beautifully said. I bolded what I like to point out, as I agree 100%. Everyone I talk to about this that is upset by his death seems to say how guilty they feel, how they wish it didn't take his death for them to realize how wonderful he was, etc. I'm one of them. It's almost as if now that he's passed, he's able to set the record straight to many of us.

Just a question about the memorial service. When I was watching it live, I wasn't sure if that was his casket down in the front, covered with flowers, but I just watched some clips on CNN, and saw the pallbarers carrying the casket. It was a little emotional to see that, even though I hadn't been a big fan of Michael's for many years.

Okay, now my question is this... my friend at work was really ticked about the casket being there because she had read that the family was going to hold a private burial/memorial for Michael before the public service. So did they have another service for him, or was this one "it"? I thought this was more like a way for fans to get to mourn his passing and pay tribute to him through a memorial service, but with the casket being there, it seems that this service was the main one. Kind of surprising to me. I don't really follow the details of the memorial plans and so forth, because the media always makes it sound like tabloid material.

I saw the video of his daughter. Wow, that was really touching, when she got up to speak. Loved how the family gathered around her and it was cool how his brothers were all wearing the "trademark glove".

Andrea

Just a question about the memorial service. When I was watching it live, I wasn't sure if that was his casket down in the front, covered with flowers, but I just watched some clips on CNN, and saw the pallbarers carrying the casket. It was a little emotional to see that, even though I hadn't been a big fan of Michael's for many years.

Okay, now my question is this... my friend at work was really ticked about the casket being there because she had read that the family was going to hold a private burial/memorial for Michael before the public service. So did they have another service for him, or was this one "it"? I thought this was more like a way for fans to get to mourn his passing and pay tribute to him through a memorial service, but with the casket being there, it seems that this service was the main one. Kind of surprising to me. I don't really follow the details of the memorial plans and so forth, because the media always makes it sound like tabloid material.

I saw the video of his daughter. Wow, that was really touching, when she got up to speak. Loved how the family gathered around her and it was cool how his brothers were all wearing the "trademark glove".

Andrea
If you weren't moved when Paris spoke, you are made of stone. I also cried during Marlon's speech. WOW.

Paris was in the Frount Page of our News Paprt

Rev. Al Sharpton gave an uplifting speech for sure...

Are you serious? Al Sharpton?

Are you serious? Al Sharpton?
I have to admit, I zoned out during Al Sharpton. That guy just annoys me. Thanks goodness Jesse Jackson didn't speak (though I did see him onstage with the rest).

Paris was in the Frount Page of our News Paprt
She was also on the front page of "Aftonbladet", one of our two leading tabloids.

I have to admit, I zoned out during Al Sharpton. That guy just annoys me. Thanks goodness Jesse Jackson didn't speak (though I did see him onstage with the rest).Jesse was up there at the end with the family it looked, trying to get in front of the camera, but apparently he moved or was told to move.

That was the right thing to do. He was not supposed to steal Michael's spotlight.

Tuesday's Michael Jackson memorial was viewed by an average of 30.9 million people in the U.S., according to figures from Nielsen Media Research.

A total of 19 networks carried the proceedings live from about 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., including the major English- and Spanish-language broadcasters and cable news outlets, as well as MTV, VH1 and others.

While Jackson's celebrity spurred worldwide interest in his death, the ratings for his memorial did not quite match those for the 1997 funeral of Princess Diana, which, despite airing during the early morning hours in the U.S., drew an average of 33.2 million viewers. President Reagan's burial in 2004, which happened during prime-time in much of the country, was watched by 35.1 million.

These Jackson figures, however, do not include viewers who watched live by streaming online, which likely accounted for at least several million more users.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/07/michael-jackson-memorial-watched-by-309-million-on-american-tv-.html

I have to admit, I zoned out during Al Sharpton. That guy just annoys me. Thanks goodness Jesse Jackson didn't speak (though I did see him onstage with the rest).
I actually turned the channel when that idiot was talking. lol

I didn't watch it, I was at work. I was never a big Jackson fan, though the Thriller music video was a big part of my childhood.
My wife who IS a big Jackson fan took a "personal" day off so she could watch it, when I called while on break to ask how it was I could till she had been crying. She said it was when Paris talked.

Jesse was up there at the end with the family it looked, trying to get in front of the camera, but apparently he moved or was told to move.
GOOD!! :clap :clap :clap

I actually turned the channel when that idiot was talking. lol
I don't blame you. :lol:

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/mariah-carey-apologizes-for-jackson-memorial-performance-200987

Mariah Carey Apologizes for Jackson Memorial Performance
Wednesday July 8, 2009

Mariah Carey wishes she had done a better job performing Jackson 5's biggest hit, "I'll Be There," at Michael Jackson's memorial Tuesday at Los Angeles' Staples Center.



In a post on her Twitter page, the singer (who wore a black Jenny Packham gown to the service) says she was just too overcome with emotion. As Carey sang the song with frequent collaborator Trey Lorenz, photos of Jackson flashed on a huge screen above them.

"Trying to sing today was basically impossible for me," writes Carey. "I could barely keep myself from crying. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to pull it together and really do it right, but I was literally choked up when I saw him there in front of me."

"One thing I know is, we will never really have to say goodbye to MJ. His legacy lives on through his music and the millions of people. He inspired with his timeless music. He will be forever in our hearts," she adds.

I have developed this sudden love for "Human Nature" after John Mayer performed it yesterday. Even though he didn't sing and it was all instrumental, I had Michael's version in my head all day long, and couldn't wait to open Youtube and listen to i! Now it's one of my favorite Michael songs!

Andrea

yeah, i love Human Nature too. its a beautiful song.

NEW YORK – Some 31.1 million people in the United States watched the Michael Jackson memorial on television, with millions more catching video streams on their computers.

The Nielsen Media Research estimate on Wednesday provided only a slice of the audience for the Los Angeles event. But it did offer insight on how the memorial compared to other events: President Barack Obama's inauguration in January was seen by 38 million people on TV, and the "American Idol" finale in May had 28.9 million viewers.

Eighteen different networks carried the memorial live, including all the big broadcasters and cable news stations, along with MTV, BET and the three largest Spanish-language stations. It had an audience share of 56, meaning that 56 percent of the televisions turned on during the memorial were tuned into Jackson.

Nielsen does not immediately have an estimate of Jackson's worldwide audience, a task that could take weeks.

Twelve years ago, 33.2 million people in the U.S. watched Princess Diana's funeral. That happened early on a Saturday morning, as opposed to the middle of a workday, and people then didn't have the option of watching it on their computers.

Complete estimates of the Internet audience were not immediately available, but individual Web sites reported some heavy traffic. MSNBC.com said it streamed nearly 19 million videos on Tuesday, a record for the site. Video streamers spent an average of 12 minutes on the site, MSNBC.com reported.

CNN.com said it had 10.5 million live streams, the second busiest day in its history. It streamed nearly 27 million videos on Obama's inauguration day. ABC News said its Web site had nearly 6 million video streams, with traffic up 70 percent over a typical day.

Nielsen said 3 percent of the online conversations on Tuesday were about the Jackson memorial, the third-highest percentage it has ever seen after the day Jackson died and Obama's inauguration. Early indications are that Wednesday's percentage was higher than Tuesday's, Nielsen said.

The event combined musical moments from the likes of Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey with remembrances from Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson and others. Brief heartfelt remarks by Jackson's 11-year-old daughter at the end stole the show.

Former President Reagan's funeral in 2004 was seen by 20.8 million viewers in the daytime hours, but his prime-time burial had an audience of 35.1 million people, Nielsen said. The opening ceremony of last year's Beijing Olympics had 34.2 million viewers.

Breaking down Tuesday's audience, CNN and ABC both had 5.3 million viewers for the memorial, Nielsen said. NBC had 5.1 million, CBS had 3.9 million, Fox News Channel had 2.2 million and MSNBC had 1.4 million.

Even for those viewers who watched Tuesday's Jackson memorial, there was still an appetite for more in prime time. ABC, CBS and NBC each had Jackson specials at 10 p.m. EDT and they had a combined audience of 20.5 million viewers. ABC won bragging rights for its Elizabeth Vargas-hosted hour focused on Jackson's children, with a leading 8.6 million viewers.

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/mariah-carey-apologizes-for-jackson-memorial-performance-200987

Mariah Carey Apologizes for Jackson Memorial Performance
Wednesday July 8, 2009

Mariah Carey wishes she had done a better job performing Jackson 5's biggest hit, "I'll Be There," at Michael Jackson's memorial Tuesday at Los Angeles' Staples Center.



In a post on her Twitter page, the singer (who wore a black Jenny Packham gown to the service) says she was just too overcome with emotion. As Carey sang the song with frequent collaborator Trey Lorenz, photos of Jackson flashed on a huge screen above them.

"Trying to sing today was basically impossible for me," writes Carey. "I could barely keep myself from crying. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to pull it together and really do it right, but I was literally choked up when I saw him there in front of me."

"One thing I know is, we will never really have to say goodbye to MJ. His legacy lives on through his music and the millions of people. He inspired with his timeless music. He will be forever in our hearts," she adds.
It wasn't a great performance per se, but it was very emotional and heartfelt. In the end, that's all that matters.

I just heard that Michael Jackson was Burried with his White Glove.

And I heard, that he won't be buried until they get his brain back.

I through he was already Buried that what I heard.

I made a song for the celebrities that died throughout that week.

http://amiright.com/parody/60s/dion48.shtml

I hope you like it.

The memorial service was beautiful. Jennifer Hudson's performance was outstanding, Al Sharpton's speech was surprisingly good,and that 12 year old boy from Britain's Got talent ripped apart the stage and Paris made me cry. God bless his children. My children also lost their father so I can relate. RIP Michael, I love you. May you finally find peace.
Tanisa

I Just fround out Today that The Michael Jackson Memorial had 31 Millionaire Viewers.

I watched it...woke up@TEn to atch the coverage...had downstairs TV going & upstairs TV playing & TMZ/CNN streaming live Video.

I Just fround out Today that The Michael Jackson Memorial had 31 Millionaire Viewers.
Where did u find this out....I was curious to when they would release that info...& thats just in the U.S. it was watched ALL around the world.

Does anyone else think the memorial will get a DVD release?

I fround out on Entertainment Tonight

Does anyone else think the memorial will get a DVD release?
Maybe it will, and if it does, I might buy it, because even though I recorded it from TV, I had to change discs in the middle of it, so I missed a minute of it.

Does anyone else think the memorial will get a DVD release?

I can't believe it wasn't a pay-per-view event in the first place! Somebody missed the boat on that one!

Where did u find this out....I was curious to when they would release that info...& thats just in the U.S. it was watched ALL around the world.
That sort of information is released all the time. It's discussed on the previous page of this thread.

I made a song for the celebrities that died throughout that week.

http://amiright.com/parody/60s/dion48.shtml

I hope you like it.
Very nice. I left a comment.

Does anyone else think the memorial will get a DVD release?


I think they will do..... I just have a feeling.

So how many viewers were there?? I missed it because I was working :(

I think they will do..... I just have a feeling.

So how many viewers were there?? I missed it because I was working :(
I got off work early so I watched it - I watched the whole thing, actually.

I fround out on Entertainment Tonight
Actually that was just the U.S. estimated numbers. The numbers for the entire world are still to come and can only be estimated because of all the different ways it was broadcast - both television and the internet.

I'm sure, without a doubt, it was the most widely watched "special" to date - even over Princess Diana.


I agree - everything was perfect, and for once, I even liked Al Sharpton - with the "your daddy wasn't strange" comment. It made me feel a bit ashamed in the past for some of the jokes I enjoyed about the guy, but then at the same time, no matter what, I never wanted him dead or his children to have to go through what he did. From anything I've seen now of the children, he did a great job raising those kids. He could have been pink with purple polkadots, but in the end, not only was he the world's greatest entertainer, but a pretty good dad and that's all he wanted to achieve in life so you've got to give kudos to that.

With all due respect to Princess Diana, I would really love the ratings for Michael's memorial to become greater than the one for hers. And worldwide, it's very likely, that it might be the case. For example, I think people in many Asian countries, like Japan and China, rather watched Michael's memorial than Diana's.

With all due respect to Princess Diana, I would really love the ratings for Michael's memorial to become greater than the one for hers. And worldwide, it's very likely, that it might be the case. For example, I think people in many Asian countries, like Japan and China, rather watched Michael's memorial than Diana's.
I think Michael's ratings will definitely be higher than Diana's in this case.

I agree with you guys. Diana was MY personal hero, and she was huge in North America, Britain, Africa and some parts of Europe, but Michael was enjoyed more worldwide and as you say, into Asia bigtime. Just Japan alone with their population!!!
Also, Diana came on the scene when she was 19 and passed at 36, Michael was known HUGE to my generation at age 10 up until he was 50. And again, no respect to Diana, but Michael also was big with the charities.

Funny how you miss people you never even really knew or met huh?

I agree with you guys. Diana was MY personal hero, and she was huge in North America, Britain, Africa and some parts of Europe, but Michael was enjoyed more worldwide and as you say, into Asia bigtime. Just Japan alone with their population!!!
Also, Diana came on the scene when she was 19 and passed at 36, Michael was known HUGE to my generation at age 10 up until he was 50. And again, no respect to Diana, but Michael also was big with the charities.

Funny how you miss people you never even really knew or met huh?
I know, but you really did grow up with them. They were always around, in the news, and in the case of Michael, you always had his music as the soundtrack of your life - whether you liked it or not!

I agree with you guys. Diana was MY personal hero, and she was huge in North America, Britain, Africa and some parts of Europe, but Michael was enjoyed more worldwide and as you say, into Asia bigtime. Just Japan alone with their population!!!
Also, Diana came on the scene when she was 19 and passed at 36, Michael was known HUGE to my generation at age 10 up until he was 50. And again, no respect to Diana, but Michael also was big with the charities.

Funny how you miss people you never even really knew or met huh?
I can't really understand how I was effected by Michael Jackson's death. I hadn't been a fan of his for over 20 years. I was really critical of him during the last 15 years or so. Then all of a sudden he dies, and I can't stop thinking of all the times I had watched him practically grow up in front of my eyes. I still see myself watching the Jackson 5 on TV and I couldn't be no more than 5 or 6. He was a part of my life.

Maybe you suddenly just realised, that you had been wrong about him? Well, better late than never, I suppose.

I think Michael's ratings will definitely be higher than Diana's in this case.


Re: TV Ratings, somewhere along the line of this story, someone pointed out that Diana's funeral took place on a Saturday, whereas Michael's service took place in the middle of the week. So that can have an effect on ratings.

Very nice. I left a comment.

Thanks.

Normally, I don't let anyone comment on my parodies that I leave on there. But since this was about MJ, Farrah, Ed, and Billy...I wanted to see some feedback from the people who remembered them on TV.

Re: TV Ratings, somewhere along the line of this story, someone pointed out that Diana's funeral took place on a Saturday, whereas Michael's service took place in the middle of the week. So that can have an effect on ratings.
Plus in Diana's case, there wasn't internet streaming. The net hadn't really caught on back then.

Over 31 million people watched Tuesday's memorial to the King of Pop on television—and an additional 30 million are estimated to have viewed the program online. How does that compare to past celebrity funerals? The Daily Beast has some historical context.

Princess Diana — (9/6/97) 33.2 million viewers
Michael Jackson — (7/7/09) 31.1 million
Pope John Paul II — (4/8/05) 8.8 million
President Gerald Ford — (1/2/07) 15 million
President Ronald Reagan — (6/11/04) 20.8

Thanks for sharing those numbers, Brian. Very interesting.

Thanks for sharing those numbers, Brian. Very interesting.


Not a problem :)

Thanks.

Normally, I don't let anyone comment on my parodies that I leave on there. But since this was about MJ, Farrah, Ed, and Billy...I wanted to see some feedback from the people who remembered them on TV.
You're welcome. You can set it up so people can't comment?

Over 31 million people watched Tuesday's memorial to the King of Pop on television—and an additional 30 million are estimated to have viewed the program online. How does that compare to past celebrity funerals? The Daily Beast has some historical context.

Princess Diana — (9/6/97) 33.2 million viewers
Michael Jackson — (7/7/09) 31.1 million
Pope John Paul II — (4/8/05) 8.8 million
President Gerald Ford — (1/2/07) 15 million
President Ronald Reagan — (6/11/04) 20.8

Thanks for the information and I know over a million of people would watch those celebrities funerals on television.

There was a blurb on imdb recently that said MJ wanted to play the title role in a movie version of Phantom of The Opera. I never really thought MJ could transition over into the movie world but when I read that I thought "if only". I think he was born to play that role. I can really picture him in that part. Its too bad it never came to fruition.

Even though Michael mostly was a singer and a dancer, he also did a bit of acting. Throughout his life, he appeared in five movies (even though he only was in one scene in one of them, and two of them were "only" featurettes). These movies were "Free to be... you and me" from 1974, "The Wiz" from 1978, "Captain Eo" from 1986, "Moonwalker" from 1988 and "Ghosts" from 1996. And some of his best music videos, like the ones for "Thriller" and "Bad", were also some sort of short movies, where he also did a bit of acting. And about ten years ago, there were also a lot of rumors going around about him being in a movie about Edgar Alan Poe, that never was made for some reason. And I've even heard somewhere, that he was considered for playing a young Kunta Kinte in "Roots".

Even though Michael mostly was a singer and a dancer, he also did a bit of acting. Throughout his life, he appeared in five movies (even though he only was in one scene in one of them, and two of them were "only" featurettes). These movies were "Free to be... you and me" from 1974, "The Wiz" from 1978, "Captain Eo" from 1986, "Moonwalker" from 1988 and "Ghosts" from 1996. And some of his best music videos, like the ones for "Thriller" and "Bad", were also some sort of short movies, where he also did a bit of acting. And about ten years ago, there were also a lot of rumors going around about him being in a movie about Edgar Alan Poe, that never was made for some reason. And I've even heard somewhere, that he was considered for playing a young Kunta Kinte in "Roots".

"Free To Be...You & Me" wasn't a movie, it was a weird TV special/variety show hosted by Marlo Thomas inflicted on us kids in the 70's. Michael Jackson sang a duet with Roberta Flack. Another segment had baby puppets in a nursery(voiced by Marlo Thomas and Mel Brooks)trying to figure out the difference between boys and girls. Rosey Grier singing "It's All Right To Cry", and some animated bits like "Ladies First". I think there was even poetry reading.
I used to have the album....ack! I'm havin flashbacks:eek:

There was a blurb on imdb recently that said MJ wanted to play the title role in a movie version of Phantom of The Opera. I never really thought MJ could transition over into the movie world but when I read that I thought "if only". I think he was born to play that role. I can really picture him in that part. Its too bad it never came to fruition.


He wouldn't have even needed any makeup.

He wouldn't have even needed any makeup.
Ouch. :lol: As talented a singer as Michael was, I don't think he had enough vocal range to pull it off. But we'll never know now.

"Free To Be...You & Me" wasn't a movie, it was a weird TV special/variety show hosted by Marlo Thomas inflicted on us kids in the 70's. Michael Jackson sang a duet with Roberta Flack. Another segment had baby puppets in a nursery(voiced by Marlo Thomas and Mel Brooks)trying to figure out the difference between boys and girls. Rosey Grier singing "It's All Right To Cry", and some animated bits like "Ladies First". I think there was even poetry reading.
I used to have the album....ack! I'm havin flashbacks:eek:
Oh yeah. :D Well, I don't know much about it, since I'm Swedish, and I wasn't born yet in the 70s, but I've seen that duet between him and Roberta Flack on YouTube. Maybe he didn't act as much as sang in "Free to be... You and me", so it maybe doesn't count.

He wouldn't have even needed any makeup.
Hey, that's not a nice thing to say, is it?

Ouch. :lol: As talented a singer as Michael was, I don't think he had enough vocal range to pull it off. But we'll never know now.
Michael had an incredible vocal range, even if his voice became more and more fragile by the years (it would take less and less time before he became hoarse), which was why he lip-synched a lot on the History tour. I think he could have pulled off a movie though. But yeah, we'll never know now. :(

Even though Michael mostly was a singer and a dancer, he also did a bit of acting. Throughout his life, he appeared in five movies (even though he only was in one scene in one of them, and two of them were "only" featurettes). These movies were "Free to be... you and me" from 1974, "The Wiz" from 1978, "Captain Eo" from 1986, "Moonwalker" from 1988 and "Ghosts" from 1996. And some of his best music videos, like the ones for "Thriller" and "Bad", were also some sort of short movies, where he also did a bit of acting. And about ten years ago, there were also a lot of rumors going around about him being in a movie about Edgar Alan Poe, that never was made for some reason. And I've even heard somewhere, that he was considered for playing a young Kunta Kinte in "Roots".
His acting in "Ghosts" is absolutely brilliant! He's like some quirkyy Johnny Depp character. :lol: I highly recommend that vid.

Yeah, "Ghosts" is absolutely his best acting. He was good in "The Wiz" as well.

And oh, I forgot to mention his quick cameo in "Men in black II".