Michael Jackson’s public memorial service, aired by all major news channels and streamed online for the millions of fans at home, who were not lucky enough to win a ticket, brought a tear to the eyes of many. However, it also brought a cynical smile on the lips of a few, who have gone to lament the state of our celebrity culture, where it has become acceptable to parade a coffin in front of a live audience and bring mourning children to deal with their loss in front of the cameras.
Two such media outlets that have been utterly offended by the display of grief are the British publications / tabloids the Daily Mail and The Sun. No matter how much they disagree with the family’s decision to let organizers AEG Live go ahead with the public memorial or to bring the coffin with Michael’s dead body on stage, both admit that the ceremony was heart-felt and moving on many an occasion.
Still, that does not stop them from labeling the memorial nothing short of a circus, a tacky, sick and bizarre ceremony that stands as proof that celebrity culture has come to suck the meaning out of everything in life, even of the tragedy that is losing someone you love. Mourning children, who have not even learned to deal with their loss and who still need time to come to terms with what has happened with their father, should not, under any circumstance, be pushed like that in the glaring spotlight, the tabs say in more or less words. Celebrities who are looking to make their way back in the good graces of the media (and both name Brooke Shields here) should not piggyback on the passing of a great singer and entertainer to do so. All in all, the Michael Jackson memorial was ill-advised and in very bad taste, the publications conclude.
“The King of Pop’s funeral in Los Angeles broke new ground in questionable taste by having his coffin centre-stage of his memorial service. The world’s final taste of the Michael Jackson phenomenon was a singing, dancing, schmaltzy spectacle that eclipsed anything even this city of make-believe has ever witnessed. And one that underlined how overwhelming the culture of celebrity has become. Nearly two weeks after he died, Jackson still had the power to bring everything to a standstill. He also had the capacity to shock.” Paul Harris of the Mail writes in one of today’s pieces.
Gordon Smart of The Sun echoes the same sentiment. “When 11-year-old Paris Michael Jackson, who has spent her childhood hidden from the spotlight behind a veil, was pushed in front of a microphone to address 19,000 people and billions more at home – my mind was made up. This wasn’t a memorial for a pop icon or the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen. It was a reminder of why Michael Jackson became a deeply unhappy, lonely man living an utterly bizarre existence. It was a macabre circus.” Smart writes.
Be that as it may (fans are free to disagree, of course), the memorial did not completely lack touching moments, represented by A-list singers who gave their own renditions of Michael’s greatest hits and favorite songs. Among them were Mariah Carey, brother Jermaine Jackson, Jennifer Hudson and Usher. See the videos below.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 'singing, dancing, schmaltzy spectacles' part of what the The Sun and Daily Mail feed off? Weren't these two trashy excuses for journalism one of the worst offenders when it came to the publication of tabloid rubbish exploiting Jackson before and after death? Amazing as to what extent that hypocrisy can know no boundaries.
Oh and Paris wasn't pushed, as Smart wrote. Any idiot could see it was her decision to speak. How ironic that these so called journalist failed to acknowledge the human reality of Jackson's passing and that poignant moment of truth presented through Paris's brave words and tears.
That 'schmaltzy spectacle' is more than what both Harris and Smart will ever get from the world in their passing. Doubt most of us will even notice.
Paul who?
I am so sick of millions of people all acting like they care so deeply for this sick bastard. no one cared about him a few weeks ago. you are just millions of lemmings weeping for a child molester who died of a drug overdose and it burns me up. Sony is making billions off this circus. Selling albums like hotcakes now. last hit: 20 years ago. poor kids made to talk about how they feel about losing their daddy in front of 200 spotlights, and 19,000 fans. just awful to do to them.
I totally agree with Deta Von. These people are so amazing, why all the complaints now after the memorial has happened. Every one was well informed about the memorial in due course but no one aired thier viws on how they wanted the memorial program to be and what they didnt want to see take place. But immediately after a good and fair good bye to our King of Pop, the Mr/Mrs know it all then decide to air their ridiculous, old fashioned and full of jealous views around.
Comment #6 by: Karen from Jamaica on 16 Oct 2009, 04:10 GMT
I have a question: Since when did tabloid publications have a conscience, a sense of wrong or wright ....a sense of morality? The writers of this article have the audacity to criticise when I am sure that they had contributing like all the others to the rise OF MICHAEL AND IN BRINGING HIM DOWN!!!! Like everyone else who grew up on Michael's music and were amazed by his genius to entertain and speak of love and humanity and like those who during his trying times FAILED to support him AND NOW come graciously to talk of how his death is tragic and how they'll miss him, we were all happy that we got a chance to reconnnect with him and say a FINAL FAREWELL. I'm sure he'd hav been happy to know that people were always there with him. And his daughter was not FORCED she went becausse she wanted to. Thank God she did! Because I believe here words transformed the nay sayers who believed he was not a good father or even a PERSON for that matter!
Comment #7 by: Karen from Jamaica on 17 Oct 2009, 06:38 GMT
I'm sorry I didnt see this comment earlier.....and I'm glad i dint cuz I mite hav been angrier. You are so judgemental and to tell you the truth, if you think no one cared about Michael Jackson because he was out of sight and out of mind.....you clarely made a sad mistake. You live in denial to the day the world bowed their heads in respect to a HUMAN BEING who contributed to people's lives in such a way that they'll never forget. Your comment wont take that away. Your irrational thoughts wont take that a way. How did his message of parents showing love to their children or his message of preserving the earth translate to being a 'sick bastard'? Step in his shoes for one moment and think of how, after dealing with all the adversities that life can throw at you when you are at the top of your game, you would be able to LIVE. He is one of the strongest persons I hav ever seen. He suffered so many ailments and pain....barely complained because he figured there were others who needed that attention. He dealt with his suffering in private and in the best way he probably knew how. He wasnt perfect and we accept that - No one is. Dont judge others especially those who havent inflicted harm on others. You, like many others deep down know that this man never touched a child inappropriately and even after so much evidence to show that these cases were extortion attempts. He let it slide to avoid a long drawn out case case he had a mission - to help people of the world with his music and money :-)I believe if the courts could prove it AGAINST ALL ODDS ...he deserves to be as stated.... INNOCENT. Cut the man some slack...deal with reality....research if you have to, How Michael did what he could to help others and be a FATHER which was his biggest dream before u think it reasonable to call him names he did not deserve. Leave those names for real child molestors that walk the streets or pretend at churches looking for our sons and daughters. And as for his kids public mourning....their father was a public figure...they were born into the spotlight. The family has certainly not abused their privacy. This was just a moment to share
