The End of an Era: Jacko Loses Neverland!

We all knew - or at least suspected - that Michael Jackson is not the happiest man on earth right now, and he probably effectively forgot the meaning of the word "carefree". I hate to sound like I'm quoting from the lyrics of a James Blunt song, as they usually leave me extremely depressed (on second thought, I think I actually am quoting from one of his songs), but trouble seems to be his own friend now, and it's back again - big time. Michael Jackson is about to lose his famous Neverland Ranch, which is reportedly set to be sold at auction on March 19th. I know I've been telling you about how Jacko is deep in debt and he's on the verge of losing his famed ranch on at least two previous occasions, but this time, it's all looking serious - and I think he really needs a miracle right about now.

On Monday, Financial Title Company - the company that acts as trustee to the property - apparently let Jackson know that unless he coughs up a whooping $24,525,906 by March 19th, a public auction will go forward in Santa Barbara in front of the county courthouse. And they're not fooling around: when they say "the property", they actually mean it, as the house itself is not the only thing that will go under the hammer. "When Neverland is auctioned, it will include everything: all personal property inside, all fixtures and appliances, furniture, and "all merry go round type devices", any rides, games. The auction literally includes every single thing that is or isn't nailed down", Fox News reports.

And while this is essentially sad news, I personally think it was pretty much inevitable - after all, Jackson himself doesn't seem to be doing too much to stop the snowball from running downhill. In the end, he left Neverland in June 2005 and he never set foot there again, now is currently living at the ranch and none of the famed animals in the zoo are there either. As Fox reports, all the rides are either shut down, or already sold out. Financially, Jacko is apparently closer to actual ruin than he's ever been, and since he brought this whole mess upon himself, no one will jump in and save the day this time. Which is sad - but again, predictable. Stay tuned, and we'll keep you posted on all the developments.