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)
JJ must be persona non grate after threatening to cut off Obama’s lemons
:)
Nice father, dopes it up so his kids are orphans. Yeah, right, what a great father...great role model for black Americans.
If it was what she wanted to do, I am glad they gave her the opportunity.
No custody for Latoya please if Diana Ross and Katherine pass away soon!
He may have been a freak, but apparently he was a wonderful father. God Bless those children.
I honestly don't think they used Paris. The family was up there and she was talking with Janet. I truly believe that she chose to speak.
She loved her daddy - that's all he was to her - very much. I refuse to deny her that.
It looked like to me that it was not planned. She decided she wanted to say something.
MJ definitely had his talents. But I just don’t like his music and his image and pedo activities. But all in all this MJ funeral looked good and was not a disaster
I have to say, I expected it to be really bad and have to admit, I thought it was very well done. I could have done without Al Sharpton and Sheilah Lee Jackson.
Fox describing Paris as a showstealer. Disgusting. Blood sports. That’s what our society is. I guess I’m guilty of it too because I’m viewing it.
My mother was a wonderful person...her wake was held in my niece’s backyard with no tv cameras or hollywood types just those close to her including the home care nurses who we made friends with...hardly what we saw today BUT she couldn’t moon walk so that must be the difference
Joe and Kathy Jackson live in seperate houses now, thank god.
When I die, I expect you guys to do something like this.
It was quite dignified. More so than I thought it would be.
I was a fan of the jackson five and of MJ in his early times.
THIS is a disgusting memorial.
Amen. Comfort, and salvation.
The benediction is mostly humanist, unfortunately. I hope the family has or finds religion that transcends this public show. May the Holy Spirit be heaped on them all, in life.
GREAT! ending Prayer!
In the name of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST...
Praise be to GOD!
I had to turn it off when Paris got up there. Too much for me, but she did want to speak and Janet was trying to help her get through it...
Re: “WHY WERE all the men wearing black glasses? are they all blind?”
*********
Oh come on — I always wear dark glasses at family funerals if I think I’m going to tear up and look like a raccoon from the make-up. Makes sense close family would wear sunglasses.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.