Michael Jackson

[blue]

Thriller and Off The Wall aren't the albums I'll remember him for. I was just starting listening to music when the album Bad was released. I've played a tape with that album for hours during homework. Dangerous was his alltime high for me. Great tracks, and another beautiful ballad (Gone Too Soon).

I think that's the case for my daughter as well, Paul. What was that film he made, with 'Smooth Criminal' on? Holy god, she loved that.

Sad that he died so early, specially for his children. But I'm quite sure he wouldn't have released any groundbreaking album or song anymore.

Probably not, I think his best stuff was done when he was still pretty young.

As for his children, one can only imagine how weird their lives have been thus far ... having to wear veils in public and so on. I think I'm right in saying that they haven't had any consistent contact with their respective mothers, so the loss of the only parent they've known will be traumatic for them. I'm assuming the extended family will step in and care for them, but truth be told, all those Jackson siblings seem to have been left with pretty deep-rooted damage from their own upbringing. Jermaine seems about the most normal of them. Apparently all the other brothers have been arrested at various times for domestic abuse - which is hardly surprising, given that they grew up witnessing their own mother being physically abused by their father, not to mention being on the receiving end of it themselves. These patterns replay themselves over and over again sometimes in succeeding generations of families, which is one of the reasons I get so angry at the way society continues to avoid dealing with the issue properly.

There's an older sister, Rebbie, who's managed to keep right out of the limelight and seems to have led a remarkably normal life compared to her siblings. She might be the best person to take on the kids.

And as for Madonna, if she would have died... I guess the hype would be even bigger. Because she managed to stay on top of the charts in the last years.

Madonna is going to live to be 952, at least. Seriously, out of Death and Madonna, who would you put your money on to win?

[bigmouth]

almost] RIP Michael Jackson

As for his children, one can only imagine how weird their lives have been thus far ... having to wear veils in public and so on. I think I'm right in saying that they haven't had any consistent contact with their respective mothers, so the loss of the only parent they've known will be traumatic for them. I'm assuming the extended family will step in and care for them, but truth be told, all those Jackson siblings seem to have been left with pretty deep-rooted damage from their own upbringing. Jermaine seems about the most normal of them. Apparently all the other brothers have been arrested at various times for domestic abuse - which is hardly surprising, given that they grew up witnessing their own mother being physically abused by their father, not to mention being on the receiving end of it themselves. These patterns replay themselves over and over again sometimes in succeeding generations of families, which is one of the reasons I get so angry at the way society continues to avoid dealing with the issue properly.

I feel sorry for them as well. Michael Jackson must have been - besides being a huge genius - quite irresponsible.

[d.a.walker]

While I never cared for his music one bit myself, he was obviously a very talented man who's personal life overtook what brought his fame initially. It's certainly very sad for his family, but the morbid fascination that began way before his death has now gone into a sickening frenzy that once again reaffirms why I don't watch TV, listen to the radio or buy newspapers.

Let him go with some dignity is what I say, but no doubt various types will be rubbing their filthy hands with glee at his passing and waiting for the cash to just flood in. He may have physically died only a day or so ago, but his real death is going to be dragged out for months, if not years.

Fame has a too high a price.

[blue]

The media frenzy was entirely to be expected, I think - particularly as this involves an American icon. It's not a pretty sight, it never is, but interesting to observe nonetheless. Even the BBC got very caught up in it - I had BBC News 24 on for most of Thursday night into Friday morning, and MJ was the *only* story covered all night. It wasn't until the breakfast programmes came on at 6am that they remembered a little contretemps happening in the streets of Tehran. Amazing.

[RobB]

I do feel sorry for his kids. I think they're 12,11 and 7, and already they have their mother (of the eldest two) and grandmother squabbling over their custody.

[blue]

Jesus. I just mentally threw up watching his scumbag father being interviewed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgli9UYU ... r_embedded

Good god. [censor]

He should not be allowed anywhere near those children, let alone have custody of them. Surely the authorities will step in and make sure they don't go to him and Katherine?

[sound world]

I am not going to watch that. After reading about what the father did to his own children when they were young,I won't be able to bear it.

I always used to pour scorn on Jacko for whitening up and seemingly being ashamed by his blackness,but on reading the papers over the last few days,it's clear that his father was largely responsible for MJ's continual need to disfigure himself.

[blue]

Indeed. Actually I was reading an interesting link today regarding vitiligo, the condition that Michael blamed for his skin turning white - a study published in February this year concluded that children who had been abused were more likely to develop the condition as adults. It's stress-related.

One only has to look at the issues some of his siblings have with self-image too, to get some idea of the psychological impact of their childhoods - Janet with her constant yo-yoing weight, LaToya turning herself into a walking Barbie doll with cosmetic surgery. So very sad.

That clip seriously makes me want to reach through the screen and punch Joe Jackson. Such complete indifference to the fact that his child has just died - no, it's all about the family losing their 'biggest star', and how he wishes Michael could see how everyone is reacting to his death! Oh my dear god. I really just don't know what to say about people like this, who have such a total absence of normal empathy for others, even their own flesh and blood. This is the defintion of a sociopath. His poor children.

[paul-pgss]

I think that's the case for my daughter as well, Paul. What was that film he made, with 'Smooth Criminal' on? Holy god, she loved that.

Oh, that's a favourite of mine too. It was for the movie Moonwalker. Although that movie was not really my thing. I was really digging the Teenage Mutant Turtles around that time.....

As for his children, one can only imagine how weird their lives have been thus far ... having to wear veils in public and so on.

Their lives have been weird for sure. But the veils was a good idea I think. Those kids haven't been photographed without veils before Michael's death. I really think that it would have made it possible for them to enjoy a "normal" life when they've growing up. I really thought it was a wise decision to sort of disguise them instead to use his children as some sort of jewelry (as some other artists - hello Brad and Angelina - do).

Madonna is going to live to be 952, at least. Seriously, out of Death and Madonna, who would you put your money on to win?

Well I'm really hoping that she'll dress a bit more appropriate at that age. At the moment I'm really feeling that she's underdressed for her age. Her body is a fit shape but still she's become too much of a naked granny for me.

[paul-pgss]

While I never cared for his music one bit myself, he was obviously a very talented man who's personal life overtook what brought his fame initially.

Well I guess it is because of us that his personal life overtook the music he got famous for. It is us who buy the magazines that are publishing all the lies and dirt that is written about actors and singers. It is us who visit PerezHilton.com or watch all those gossipprograms on television.

There are so many stars right now being famous for doing nothing special. I mean I deserve fucking stardom more than Paris Hilton because I'm absolutely better in bed.

It's certainly very sad for his family, but the morbid fascination that began way before his death has now gone into a sickening frenzy that once again reaffirms why I don't watch TV, listen to the radio or buy newspapers.

Couldn't agree more Daniel. Amen.

[paul-pgss]

Indeed. Actually I was reading an interesting link today regarding vitiligo, the condition that Michael blamed for his skin turning white - a study published in February this year concluded that children who had been abused were more likely to develop the condition as adults. It's stress-related.

I didn't know that. It would be a good explanation for his skin. I can't really imagine that he really has bleached his skin. I read on a site that bleaching your skin isn't even possible.

One only has to look at the issues some of his siblings have with self-image too, to get some idea of the psychological impact of their childhoods - Janet with her constant yo-yoing weight, LaToya turning herself into a walking Barbie doll with cosmetic surgery. So very sad.

It is clear that growing up with that kind of fame and family isn't really good for your selfimage. These ladies both are pretty obsessed with their looks.

That clip seriously makes me want to reach through the screen and punch Joe Jackson.

The only thing that makes sense is him saying that he wished his son had received this kind of acknowledgement earlier. Because let's face it. Michael's music hasn't been played on radio or television for years now because of the childabuse-courtcase. And now he's dead his music is being played everywhere and that whole pedofilething is not spoken about.

I guess the media has their own perception of truth.

[sound world]

While I never cared for his music one bit myself, he was obviously a very talented man who's personal life overtook what brought his fame initially.

Well I guess it is because of us that his personal life overtook the music he got famous for. It is us who buy the magazines that are publishing all the lies and dirt that is written about actors and singers. It is us who visit PerezHilton.com or watch all those gossipprograms on television.

There are so many stars right now being famous for doing nothing special. I mean I deserve fucking stardom more than Paris Hilton because I'm absolutely better in bed.

Hey,Paul,you're really on form tonight! Great!

[blue]

There are so many stars right now being famous for doing nothing special. I mean I deserve fucking stardom more than Paris Hilton because I'm absolutely better in bed.

I really don't understand this need some people have to film themselves fucking and put it out for public perusal. I mean I'm sorry, but even the best looking people look absolutely ludicrous when having sex. How people find it in any way a turn on is a mystery to me. Sex is only sexy when you're doing it, not looking at it.

[sound world]

I really don't understand this need some people have to film themselves fucking and put it out for public perusal.

Hang on,am I being incredibly naive here,or do people like Paris Hilton actually sanction their sex tapes? (I don't watch much telly,I'm not really up with how dumb the world can be).I always thought they were being secretly filmed,or their boyfriends were taping them for some sort of macho bedpost-notching.
Oh dear.

Sex is only sexy when you're doing it, not looking at it.

Seems like the evidence to the contrary (on the net,anyway) is overwhelming. Although I think there's 'sexy',and there's 'fucking'; and the varieties in what people find 'sexy' are seemingly endless.

[blue]

Paris Hilton supposedy leaked her sex tape herself. Sheer narcissism, I guess.