Posted on 06/29/2009 7:36:57 PM PDT by Mozilla
The real strength of American popular culture, in fact, is its democratic impulse -- a willingness to take into account the reality that, for most people, entertainment is an end in itself. American entertainment bows to what economists call "consumer sovereignty," and (Michael) Jackson's popularity, with its demonstrable impact on music, dance and fashion, was a clear example of that.
That accounts for the fervor that has the performer's fans organizing candlelight vigils around his star on Hollywood Boulevard and mass "moonwalks" in London. But what explains the saturation media coverage of Jackson's death -- coverage that crowded out virtually every other news story since midday Thursday? Friday, for example, was an extraordinarily busy news day: Repression tightened dangerously in Iran, and President Obama traded words with his Iranian counterpart; the brewing crisis with North Korea bubbled along; the House passed major legislation on climate change; and, in California, the budget crisis took another suicidal turn.
Yet on cable TV and on newspaper websites, it was all Michael, all the time. So, how did a pop singer heavily in debt and desperately hoping for a comeback, one who hadn't really sold any music for years, one who was best known for his bizarre life, obsession with cosmetic surgery and for the allegations of pedophilia against him, become in death the most beloved media figure since JFK?
America's serious news media -- whether print, broadcast or cable -- are in the grip of a collective nervous breakdown. Embracing popular culture and its icons seems somehow therapeutic on several levels: It appears to address charges that serious media are elitist, as well as the manifest indifference of younger readers and viewers to conventional news.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Absolutely too much coverage!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When EVERY channel had wall to wall coverage for days than yes it was too much. I think Farrah got RIPPED OFF. Fox News was the most pathetic of all (I expect more is why). I don’t mind the news covering the unexpected death of celebrities, but why not give a quick one hour overview and then do the funeral (another hour) and that is IT!!! Two hours of coverage is adequate to me.
I was very, very young when both events happened, but was the coverage this intense (bordering on ridiculous) when Elvis died and John Lennon was murdered?
IMO, the coverage is perverted and as sick as those reporting it and the sick human they’re covering.
Yep, it is providing cover for Obama. But you also have to look at all the coverage Anna Nicole got and she isn’t 1/10th the celebrity that MJ is.
Someone media outlet wondering if it was too much? That’s an understatement. Could not believe the cable networks that kept going on about Jackson like he was some hero. YUCK!
Michael Jackson died?
Elvis is dead?
There are rumors going around that the original kid who brought the first case is going to out that his father spurred him to bring the charges to extort money. It will be very interesting to see what comes out now.
The “media” doesn’t want to cover the damage and destruction being done to our country by this administration so they need SOMETHING to fill all that empty air time.
Wait: I have tickets to one of the MJ concerts. Are you saying that he is actually not going to show up? I want my money back.
Glenn Beck was hilarious today on this matter.
“Yes America, Michael Jackson is still dead.”
Pop (popular) music is the kiddie pool of music. Adult tastes have little interest in it.
John Lennon was murdered?
I was sitting in a hospital waiting room when Viera and Lauer came on this morning, and the first 30 minutes were nothing but MJ coverage.
Hey la slimes... you really have to ask???????????
LLS
Yes that is right. The media wants to hide the destruction of this country by the Liberals. Michael Jackson was their excuse to hide Obama’s agenda.
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