The Biggest News Story Ever...

Happy After The Holiday Weekend!

Thank you for the thousands of emails (From what I have been told - assistant is working over time - thank you) over the passing of Michael Jackson. Quite frankly, just as you, I am in complete disbelief and some level of non-response (Well, it happens when I am not interested in melodramatics)...

So, for today's Blog, let us get out our bright Red Leather Members Only jacket (The one with the zippers all over it), white socks, penny loafers and discuss the the situation in greater detail in this special edition Blog.

The Meaning of Michael Jackson
First an acknowledgement, regardless of whether or not you personally like or dislike the life or music of Michael Jackson, I largely agree with many of you that the announcement (Note: Story broke first by TMZ) of Michael Jackson's hospitalization and final resolution was received with disbelief and shocking reality, followed by disappointment.

Michael Jackson forever changed the face of Music and left us with an indelible crevasse in the landscape of Entertainment. Truly, a great loss and an irreplaceable talent.

Let The Non-stop Media Coverage Begin...
Over the past week, we have seen literally round the clock 24 hour media coverage (TV, Web, Radio, Print) concerning the untimely details surrounding the news.

It is almost impossible to turn on any of your appliances (TV, Computer, Radio) without hearing the 'Latest' in what now appears to be an on-going saga of epic proportions to rival any television night-time soap (Okay, that is a plug for Melrose Place). As my good friend Joe frequently laments, "Real life is stranger than fiction" and as a Writer, I could not have dreamed of such an intricate character arc (Well, maybe...).

Since the 'Event', we witnessed an in exhaustive media feed up-to-the-minute details to a celebrity obsessed insatiable public; the type of full-scale coverage any celebrity would absolutely love to receive. The PR reps for every celebrity should be quite busy for months trying to find ways to associate their client with the biggest news story on the planet.

Wait, is this the biggest news story on the planet?
Quite possibly. Over the past week, we have heard comments and reactions from everyone and their brother (Including Jackson's brother Jermaine and sister Janet), even the President himself has chosen to comment on the matter, as well as a couple of outspoken political opportunists (Who shall remain nameless).

Further, a pre-emption of the Evening News on every major mainstream network continues to dominate over any other story (Particularly International news) with updates, segments, and retrospectives occurring every 15 minutes (Just in case you forget).

In addition, there have been a number of tributes across various networks including NBC, ABC, CBS, E!, CNN, Vh1, and a number of others (Forgive me if you had a special and I did not mention your network). I have yet to see or hear of MTV providing a video epilogue, after all Michael made MTV and the most compelling videos ever played on the network. I will Mr. Redstone's people (Sumner Redstone is the Chairman of MTV parent Viacom).

Speaking of well covered, TV Guide has dedicated an entire web page to Michael Jackson that includes videos, news, and "Life in Pictures" features - this microsite is very well done and the most comprehensive collection so far online dedicated to Michael Jackson.

TV Guide Michael Jackson Special

The Final Show
Reports have been confirmed that Tuesday's Memorial service at the Staples Center here in Los Angeles (Best known for NBA Laker Games with Jack Nicholson in the front row), will indeed be televised for millions of interested fans, on lookers, spectators, and anyone else outside of the 1.6 million hopefuls who did not receive lottery style invitation.

My speculation is that EVERY major network will simultaneously broadcast the event. By every network, I am largely referencing the "Big 3" NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX (News) along with the CW (Local Affiliates).

With more than 750,000 fans in attendance, coverage of the service will begin in the early afternoon and will most likely continue into the early evening.

Really, I have never attended a Memorial service, so I am not sure what to expect from the event; I would not appreciate having to sit through hours of family eulogy, speeches from opportunists, hack performances (Oops, I mean tributes performed by other artists), video retrospectives, nor concert. So, what does that leave to transpire? We will have to wait and see how the event unfolds.

The Memorial is estimated to dwarf the Oscars and the Superbowl combined, with coverage available through every media outlet conceivable: Cable, Network, Broadband, Online, Wireless/Mobile, and Satellite (For our friends outside of the United States). In addition, the repeat broadcast of the event and the recap. Had enough?

On a side note, tickets to the Memorial have been reportedly available on eBay with some reportedly listed as much as $15,000 - is that not amazing and ridiculous? Of course.

The After Affect
Long after the Memorial service, we can expect the media coverage to continue as details of Jackson's life continue to unfold for the interested.

Debates will continue over Jackson's estate, was he or not the biological father, guardianship of the children (Mother, Diana Ross, Debbie Rowe, or some other unknown), financial value and control of the trust, drug investigations, doctor indictments, who owns the music publishing rights for his yet to be released 100 songs and the Beatles catalog, and endless various comparisons between Elvis Presley (Alleged King of Rock-n-Roll) and Michael Jackson (Alleged King of Pop), and tons more in which we have yet to be bombarded - well, don't want to spoil the fun for the fans, but it will be of interest; Again to some.

Alright, let's go listen to 'Beat It' and discuss our grief over some Frozen Yogurt at Pink Berry (Hey, it's on me).