Posted on 07/07/2009 7:58:55 AM PDT by kristinn
The Jackson family has decided to bring Michael's body to the memorial service being held today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, putting off the announced plans for a private internment at Forest Lawn cemetery from 8 a.m. PDT to after the service.
The 10 a.m. PDT service is being broadcast on all the major American broadcast and cable news networks, as well as in theaters across the country, the Times Square jumbotron in New York City and on TV screens around the world.
From Entertainment Weekly, performers and friends expected at the service include: Kobe Bryant, Mariah Carey, Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, Shaheen Jafargholi, Magic Johnson, Martin Luther King III, Bernice A. King, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Brooke Shields, Usher and Stevie Wonder.
Michael's Jackson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor declined an invitation to speak at the service, writing in part on Twitter: "I cannot be part of the public whoopla."
In a strange but fitting twist of fate, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus elephant parade through the streets of Los Angeles is set to take place this morning with the elephants arriving at the Staples Center just hours before the service for the circus' scheduled run at the arena.
FILE - In this July 15, 2008 file photo originally supplied by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, take an early morning stroll en route to the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Stefano Paltera, file) (Stefano Paltera - AP)
Michael, your work here as a pedo is done here on earth...
Limelight...grief for the magazine covers...
NO.
They’re using Paris not.
I’m outta’ here.
>:-(
This is almost worse thant the ‘American Idol’ thread. May the Jackal rot in hell.
Marlons twin died at birth hence that last little tribute for Michael to give Marlons twin a hug.
This is getting pretty emotional.
Very tragic that the family would display themselves in this manner.
OMG That was a heartbreaker.
Now that broke my heart and made me cry. His daughter telling him he was the best daddy and she loved and missed him.
oh god, what a trainwreck! Janet takes Paris off the stage crying...
I still think Janet or LaToya should get custody of them. They're the best of the worst.
sw
That was difficult to watch.
They probably have people looting Neverland while people are watching this.
Oh it was!
Tearjerker..I could feel the hurt in Marlon’s speech..
GOD Bless them, may they find comfort in the LORD...
Amen, lewisglad.
closing with ‘Man in the Mirror’ as the brothers wheel away the casket
He was her father and she loved him.
wHAT A DISGUSTING THING to use these kids...its all about money, always has been. this is so tragic.They used MJ all his life for the money and the parasites are usisng him in death.
No jesse jackson??? What happened?
oh god, what a trainwreck! Janet takes Paris off the stage crying........
Adorable and good luck to Paris and her brothers. Just don’t let them live in any house that has Joe Jackson in it. Joe ruined Michael.
Janet needs custody of those kids, didn’t she have an illegitmate one by El Debarge that they kept secret for like 20 years?
This is the biggest 3 ring circus I’ve seen in 20 years. It makes me want to vomit.
Who’s paying for this extravaganza? We are.... >:(
Where are they when our dead sons and daughters come home from afar? After giving their lives in defense of this country they don’t get much more than a guy playing taps for his fallen brother or sister. This is a joke.
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