Misfit's Blog
Farrah Fawcett made one last request before she died which was to protect the children. Shortly there after, Michael Jackson died.
Just a sampling of some of the jokes I've heard since news broke of Jackson's passing. This isn't a post about being upset about jokes being made at a celebrity's expense, it comes with the territory even in death. Remember shortly after Steve Irwin died, he appeared on South Park with a sting ray hanging out of his chest. If a celebrity was close to you (as close as someone can be without actually knowing them) then it will hurt, otherwise it won't.
The great tragedy in the passing of Jackson is that such jokes are of a pretty serious nature. The before mentioned joke about Irwin was poking fun at the unusual circumstances surrounding his death, where as the jokes about Jackson are about his life. I am not a fan of Michael Jackson. Like most, I'm familiar with his work and there are some songs I enjoy more than others but I do not own any of his work. As a child I liked him enough to want to watch his videos and I remember renting Moonwalker on at least one occasion. And even though I don't consider myself a fan I cannot deny the man's immense talent. The King of Pop title bestowed upon him carries less meaning today because pop music is utter drivel. For Jackson it really was art. It had the melody and familiar hooks but there was true musicianship behind it. Michael Jackson's first solo material was borderline disco, but he would release songs more in-line with rock and R&B as the years went on and created a truly diverse portfolio. And the man could certainly put on a show.
Before the allegations of child molestation, Jackson was considered a great humanitarian and a champion for under privileged children. If not for the scandals that shocked the world Jackson would be celebrated tenfold today. The president would be able to make a speech or issue a statement about the great human being we as a society lost and should now grieve. Instead, an unofficial statement was released by Obama's PR man that expresses condolences for the Jackson family but also acknowledges the sad truth about Jackson's public image.
My opinion is that Jackson should still be acknowledged for his charitable contributions and the entertainment industry should celebrate his life. Like most, I was shocked when the allegations first surfaced about molestation, even though it was widely reported he would have children over for sleepovers at his Neverland Ranch. It's been well documented that Jackson was a man-child, though I won't entirely excuse him there as he demonstrated many times that he was a functioning adult. I think he was able to act as an adult when the situation necessitated it, and when around children he was able to act as a child. He likely did things most would consider taboo such as sharing a bed with a child or multiple children, but I do not think he ever had any bad intentions.
Jackson made himself an easy target. From the moment his star took off and the money started rolling in he solved all of his problems with money. If he could make a problem go away with money, any sum, he was willing to do. That is why I think he settled out of court with the parties accusing him of misdeeds which he would do many times with other organizations over various issues. It's no wonder he amassed such a massive debt in his lifetime because I honestly think he was never sure of how much money he had as it has also been said he surrounded himself with bad people, as in the people who were in charge of his estate. It is even being asked if he had a will, which seems ludicrous to think he would not. Anyone with any equity should have a will, for a multi-millionaire to not have one would be shocking.
In the end, I think the satirical portrayal of Michael Jackson on South Park was spot on. For those who have not seen the episode, Jackson is portrayed as an overgrown kid. He shows no interest in adult matters and would rather ride his train in the backyard and have the neighborhood kids over to play. Matt Stone and Trey Parker could have gone the easy way and just railed on Jackson for the pedophilia claims, but chose not to. I think they felt they were giving their audience an honest, though extreme, portrayal of the real Michael Jackson. We'll never know if he was guilty or innocent (he was found innocent in the second claim, but the first accusation didn't make it to trial after a monetary settlement was reached) or how child-like he truly was. I have my opinion but I can't blame anyone for having a different one. Michael Jackson was a hard person to accept, but I think he was so hard to accept because he was too genuine for this world. We as a society cannot accept someone that could be so selfless and so concerned about the well-being of children he isn't related to. To most it just doesn't make sense and there has to be some other motivation there, something sinister. It is a bad view of our society. Michael Jackson held up a mirror, and this is what was reflected back.
R.I.P.
# 2
Pacman83 @ Jun 26
We all have our secrets and MJ was no different...i will remember him for the influences he had while i was growning up. All the Good Times. R.I.P. Michael Jackson.
# 3
blackscorpion11 @ Jun 26
I refuse to speculate on any of the accusations against michael during his time because i have no first hand knowledge..
What i'm sure of is that he was a great entertainer, one that excited us in a way that's not likely to be seen again for a long long time..
Rest in peace MJ
What i'm sure of is that he was a great entertainer, one that excited us in a way that's not likely to be seen again for a long long time..
Rest in peace MJ
# 4
deaduck @ Jun 27
The Thriller album served as part of the soundtrack to my years in high school so as Jackson grew more and more bizarre, I mentally had to distance myself from the impact his work had made at that time in my life.
Even in the sadness of his passing, I can't say that he didn't make a horrible series of life choices that made him bigger than his music. It's tainted any sorrow I could have had for him as an artist and a human being.
Just my feelings.
Even in the sadness of his passing, I can't say that he didn't make a horrible series of life choices that made him bigger than his music. It's tainted any sorrow I could have had for him as an artist and a human being.
Just my feelings.
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I love michael jackson as an artists. His work is genius. But as a person personally? I don't know because I never met him but his legacy is in his music.