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)
How many times will it be re-run this weekend and tonight?
I did not see it that way....I still believe most people have the Love of GOD in there hearts....All they need to do is take the time to HEAR—T what is in there HEART...
:)
Re: “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”
********
Agree — I think all things considered, this event went well and was not a disaster at all.
I am old. I have no earthly idea what you've just said. It might as well be written in Aramaic.
Supposedly AEG was going to try and pay for some of the costs but there is no way they can cover 1/3rd of LA PD being on work duty
We'll keep the thread "bumped"...:)
sw
Look apple pappy it is all coming together...everyone is stepping up and providing entertainment. Maybe we can get the Good Humor truck to stop by
brb = Be Right Back
It is very telling. I mourn the little boy who sang with his brothers and the young man who sang Off the Wall and Rock with you. Even though I liked some of the post Thriller stuff I just never understood or cared for the Post Thriller MJ. Even before he died I joked to my cousin that it seemed like some Alien Grey came and took Michael’s place. He really just did not seem like the same person.
” Like this whole thing is a show. An extravaganza”
Ummm....yeah.
I was thinking about that this morning. Some very attractive British Royal walked in and Katie Couric( I believe) was all breathless saying that Cindy Crawford had come to pay her respects.
We can knock this all we want but the fact remains that society created the monster so to speak. Michael Jackson fed into it and let his demise happen to himself.
He was hugely talented. He let it go to waste over the last 15 years. He should be open to critcism in death.
The family made a bad choice in allowing Sheila Jackson Lee a voice , even Sharpton spoke with dignity as one who grew up with Michael Jackson.
It is an American Tragedy.
OH well, can we now move on to real issues.
IMO, they deserved this & it WAS dignified and proper for a person who was a famous musician all over the world.
I really would think I was at DU reading the posts here today. Have some compassion for the family (minus father Joe) at least!
we need food...my family expects to be fed...I will bring chicken rangee...men love it
I give AEG 3 days before announcing that they will be releasing this on DVD and Blue Ray. Too bad Billy Mays is no longer with us to pitch it.
Michael just kinda was always the same young boy from the time his dad Joe was beating him with that belt for missing dance moves as a kid...
I didn’t watch it, but I saw his daughter speak on Youtube...
she broke my heart.
// I’m going to say a prayer for his kids. (right now after I hit “Post”.)
The most moving moment for me was when his daughter spoke and broke into tears. That broke my heart. If it was the anesthetic drug that killed him, what was he thinking in taking that stuff at home?!?! Those poor kids. I lost my sister a few years ago and can understand the Jacksons’ pain. God bless those three kids.
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