If I See One More News Bit on Michael Jackson

So, I have survived the many news shows, television specials, 24/7 radio broadcasts of Michael Jackson’s music and speculation surrounding the autopsy.  I just have one thought:  ENOUGH ALREADY!

Last night, four days after his demise, I skimmed the TV channels.  Fox was doing an American Idol tribute.  Dateline was doing the life story of Michael.  Nightline is STILL doing spots in the evenings.  The news channels like Nancy Grace, Larry King and MSNBC were doing up-to-the-minute news briefs concerning the autopsy.  TV Land was playing “The Jacksons: An American Dream” in a continuous loop.  Give me a break!

I will admit that Michael Jackson was a ground breaker when it came to the music world. He did musical things that no one else was doing at the time. He was very talented. But why do we idolize him, making him out to be some sort of God? I wonder where all his iconic fans were when he was alive? Had he had the following he has now when he was suffering financially, he may not have had to withdraw from society, seek spiritual guidance and do a comeback tour. He might have retired in style—with the deed to Neverland in his hands.

What about the other celebrities who have recently passed away?  Let’s see, though not a lot written about them, those who received honorable mention (more than three lines in the newspaper or at least five seconds on the TV news) were Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Fred Travelena, and there was another B-movie actress whose name escapes me right now—to which I can’t find any information on as of today.  All of these folks died within the week that Jackson did, yet you only heard bits about them.    Their families grieve as well and wish for them to be remembered by the public.  Yet, their achievements are masked by speculation and thrill seekers into what truly happened to Michael Jackson. 

I have even heard that people are searching for autopsy pictures of Jackson to SELL.  Is our world that sick?

Why is Michael Jackson a big enough deal to cause stimulus overload?  I have his albums in my collection and enjoyed his music.  But I guess I fail to see why people are so obsessed with his death, rather than his life.  Does it really matter how Jackson died?  His own father, Joseph Jackson, shows no emotion—he only shows detachment.   

The reason Michael is so popular after his death—and I’ll probably be crucified for this opinion—is  NOT because of his legacy or that people idolize him. I think fans are more curious about the dirty facts around what killed him.   That’s the sad truth.  People are more obsessed with the speculation and the possibility of it being a homicide rather than just another star that died from a drug overdose.  Can we remember Anna Nicole Smith and Heath Ledger?

And what ABOUT his iconic fans?  I think what truly gets under my skin about all the air time is the fact that his fans act like they knew him personally.  They talk about him as if he was some sort of God.  They weep outside the gates of his compound—these same people probably would not even weep for their own family members in the event of their deaths.  And yet, they spend countless hours in sadness, depression, despair—some camping out in front of the Neverland Ranch, waiting for the ticket booth to be built that will collect money for giving these same fans an eventual tour of the property—and hopefully paying off Michael’s pharmacy bill of one hundred thousand dollars.

I wonder, had He died the same day, would Jesus Christ get as much publicity?

Look, I liked Michael.  I liked his music and believe he wasted a great talent with his crazy antics.  But enough already, huh?  I’d like to see regular programming return!