EW’s Simon Vozick-Levinson and Missy Schwartz, and Essence.com’s Emil Wilbekin live-blogged today’s emotional memorial to Michael Jackson. Click “Replay” on the widget below to see their running commentary. Note: The live blog widget is closed to comments, but you can share your thoughts in the regular comments feature at the bottom of this page.
More on Michael Jackson on EW.com:
Michael Jackson: A life in pictures (1991-2009)
Michael Jackson: A life in pictures (1958-1988)
Michael Jackson: 10 top videos
Michael Jackson: 18 milestones
Is Michael Jackson haunting Neverland Ranch?
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Live blogging a memorial service? Really? Seriously? It’s just so… weird
This is just tacky.
dawn, you are right…totally tacky
dawn, you are right…totally tacky
Oh good, I am not the only one who finds this a bit disturbing. I mean really, what are they going to comment on, who is sobbing and who looks distressed? I just hope they will at least refrain from trying to be witty or snarky.
It is so sad to see so many willing to overlook Jacksons criminal transgressions because he could sing and dance. The man only avoided prison because of his money, this says little of America’s justice system. Another nail in the morality coffin.
yeah, tacky was the first thing that came to mind for me, too. i mean, really? are there no boundaries anymore? sheesh.
In a world of perversion where Priest, Politicians, Judges, and the Elite as well as the common man will, and do themselves, all of the things that they preach to be terrible and wrong and immoral while condemning others for the same things but hide behind the fact that they themselves have not been caught. I will say now that I would bet my life that Michael never molested a child. But once again because the people that condemn him have there own perverted thoughts of the acts as I am quite sure Michael did not, he just had love and happiness that he wanted to give to the world and especially children, because he never had a childhood. And because he never had a childhood because he gave his childhood up to be the most Loving, Giving, Talented Entertainer in the History of the World as we no it. Peace & Love Michael, you will always live in my heart…
And to all you F*%@&* Up accusers…as Michael said ( Look at the man in the mirror ) for you to think he is a pervert you must be one
In a world of perversion where Priest, Politicians, Judges, and the Elite as well as the common man will, and do themselves, all of the things that they preach to be terrible and wrong and immoral while condemning others for the same things but hide behind the fact that they themselves have not been caught. I will say now that I would bet my life that Michael never molested a child. But once again because the people that condemn him have there own perverted thoughts of the acts as I am quite sure Michael did not, he just had love and happiness that he wanted to give to the world and especially children, because he never had a childhood. And because he never had a childhood because he gave his childhood up to be the most Loving, Giving, Talented Entertainer in the History of the World as we no it. Peace & Love Michael, you will always live in my heart…
And to all you F*%@&* Up accusers…as Michael said ( Look at the man in the mirror ) for you to think he is a pervert you must be one
This is a disappointing response to a funeral by EW. I really am surprised that you are offering a live blog of the memorial service. This is beneath you. Perhaps you can choose not to do it. Just because it is turning into a “whooplah” ( tm Liz T.) does not mean you have to sink to their level. Bummer.
They should have hidden the Memorial Tickets inside Wonka Bars! http://hidensneek.com/2009/07/06/michael-jackson-memorial-biggestfuneralever/
Michael would have liked that! I bet those memorial tickets make the chocolate taste awful though?
tacky ew tacky
this is tacky and slightly disturbing
This is really tacky. I expect more class from a magazine like EW. This is really low.
I don’t know how I feel about bloggin this event, but the BET awards were also blogged because it turned into a an MJ tribute. Tuesday is a Memorial Service – not a funeral. It’s supposed to be a celebration of his life. I actually wish they had waited until perhaps the Saturday after the private funeral to conduct the memorial service.
E! is also blogging… I for one can’t believe it. Blogging a memorial service? I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks thats messed up. This isnt a concert or award show.
E!, EW and others who do a LIVE blog should really rethink it..
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/07/06/tv-tonight-tuesday-july-7th-2009/
I know the site’s far from perfect, but I still ready pretty much EVERYTHING on EW.com and certainly all the blogs, because I enjoy the humor and insight you guys bring to pop culture.
However, I’m going to have to pass on live blogging the memorial service for a man who’s dead. I’m not going to boycott the site or anything, I’m just going to sit this one out because, as many others have said on here, this reeks of tacky.
EW.com is live-blogging a MEMORIAL SERVICE?!?!? Let’s remember that’s what it is, people – not an awards show or concert. Would you want someone live-blogging or Tweeting your grandmother’s funeral? I expect more class from you, EW.
What a bunch of killjoys. What is the problem with liveblogging a memorial service for such a huge figure in pop entertainment, in an entertainment blog? And this isn’t the family service, it’s a spectacle, a tribute. Loosen up, geez.
The whole notion of a giganto memorial service is just odd, never mind the media portion of it. But then again, so is a multistory gold plated statue of oneself towed on a barge on the Thames, so maybe the tack is fitting.
I am so over this, the man had two beats the one he used for all the songs he did with Jackson five, and the one he used for Billie Jean and all his solo stuff. He was an old eccentric who could not keep his sh*t together for his family. Why are we celebrating this? Seriously, did we expect any other outcome from him? Is this his last I told you so? I’m pretty sure there are other entertainment stories happening, I’d really love to hear them and stop seeing this freak’s face everywhere.
First I want to give my condolence to the family of Michal Jackson, second I want to say how out rage I am about how the court is handling the will of the POP STAR MICHAEL JACKSON WISHES for his mother to have custody of his three children. My question is why do you pay hundred of thousand dollars for lawyers to draft a wills that do not get followed, what do we need lawyers and judges for if they don’t follow the person who is deceased will? They say put it in writing if you want to make it legal, but Michael’s WILL is in writing. I believe all the court is suppose to decided is the will LEGITIMATE THAT’S IT! If it real it suppose to be followed that was Michael Jackson wish. It was his fame, it was his money, those are his children and the courts should follow the written will.
stay classy EW
I think that K8 is spreading the kind of hate that our society can no longer tolerate. (That accidentally rhymed, which means it must be a poetic sentiment to be shared with the world entire.) Michael Jackson changed the course of pop culture, race in America, even wearing gloves. He did so many things like that. Even his ghost, which was caught on video by CNN at Neverland, is still around to remind us. I think he should be celebrated for what he gave us, which was pretty much all of his God-given talent and abilities. Anyone who knew him personally seems to think he was a caring, selfless human being who seriously just wanted to entertain and give back to the world. Regardless of the clouds that formed over him in his later years, we need to focus on the good and what we absolutely know: that there will NEVER be anyone like him every again. His string of hits and his international impact are unprecedented. Let’s celebrate this fool.
I’m over all the MJ drama. Let’s just bury the guy and be done with it. I feel for his family and it’s a sad passing…but blogging the funeral, all the baby mama drama, Al Sharpton and his BS…is just way over the top. I can’t even say RIP MJ…because the media won’t allow it!
I spent the last two weeks reading EVERYTHING I could about Michael Jackson with the purpose of writing a very poignant and factually accurate account of the incredible life he lived. If you’re a fan of the King of Pop, or if you’re a fan of good writing, check out my story on the world’s most famous entertainer.
http://balmer.typepad.com/keithsmooth/
A Funny Writer, A Funny Blog
yeah,right! about that ghost thing by cnn, the only shadow cnn saw was that of their competitors ratings and profit shares drop. why is it no one see God, but Michael, Elvis, really now people.
He’s America’s version of Princess Di!!
With all of the media coverage and comments in the blogs, I’m starting to understand why the US isn’t loved or respected in much of the world. You don’t like or respect Michael Jackson that’s cool but to spew venom at a dead man is so… I just don’t have words. Say what you will about the man his talent was undeniable and his legacy is amazing. Why ridicule people who were affected by his music and contribution to the world? Nobody’s perfect. Why not celebrate the fact that in this day and age someone can unify the masses with a message of joy?
People can we focus on other issues too, like oh say North Korea?
Otherwise RIP MJ. We’ll miss you. Now let’s hope you get some rest, away from us.