Today, The Hollywood Reporter reported that A&E had been shooting a reality show — tentatively titled The Jackson Family — which followed Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy Jackson as they prepared to release a new album and launch a tour. (The one-hour special the network had already filmed would serve as a "backdoor pilot" for a series.) Of course, since all the footage had been shot prior to Michael Jackson's death, one has to imagine that the network will have to somehow amend the program to acknowledge the obvious tragedy within the family. (A&E has yet to return EW's calls.) Though I would be intrigued by a special boasting new interviews with the family about the recent, tragic changes in their lives, an entire series balancing on Jackson's death would seem a bit unsettling. No doubt, A&E would score an enormous ratings boost with a show like this, and they do have a history of airing a somewhat classier brand of reality show than those on, say, E! (Then again, it IS the same network that aired Dog the Bounty Hunter.) Still, with all the over-saturation regarding Jackson's death, maybe A&E should simply shelve the idea for a while, and allow the family to grieve behind the cameras for once.
Your thoughts, PopWatchers? Does the idea of a Jackson reality show make you queasy? Or do you think A&E would handle it as yet another fitting tribute to the late King of Pop? Would you want a show like this to focus on all Michael, all the time, or would you like to see it take a different direction?
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Comments (1-21) of 21 Add your comment
JUST SAY NO !
I really don’t know how to feel about this. Its seems like a chance for the jackson brothers to get back in the spotlight and Michaels death is the fuel to get it started. I just hope they realize how important their brother is to the jackson 5, b/c Michael was the voice. I WILL WATCH THE SHOW>>>>>
disgusting. even in death Mj’s name is being pimped. The family has to realize they are losers. They will never be like Michael.
Because they’d been working on this before the death, I can’t really get mad about anything being exploited. It’s a good point about A&E reality shows being a bit classier than others. I’m interested either way.
I would watch this. Besides, it’s not exploitive. A&E started filmining prior to Michael’s death
I personally would have watched this whether MJ was dead or alive cause I always found the family to be interesting and often wondered what they were up to. Now that MJ is dead, God rest his soul, I think they should at least wait awhile before airing anything right now.
Absolutely NOT!!!!!!!!!!
I’m hearing crickets.
HELLLLLL NAWWWWW!!!!
NO WAY. But then, I can’t understand the interest in any of these shows. I just don’t get it.
I don’t know whether or not a ‘reality’ show for the other Jackson brothers would be a good idea for them. I would watch, so maybe other people like me would want to. These guys are very talented and it’s kind of sad for me to think that they really haven’t had the success they deserved after Michael went solo. If a show is done well, it could work.
The Jackson family special started production a long time ago so it’s not exploitive. But, I don’t see people being interested long term in a reality series about Michael Jackson’s brothers and sisters. There might be a fascination with the children, but no way are they going to allow the children to be exploited. That doesn’t mean they won’t grow up to be entertainers. That’s in their genes and environment. When the kids are mature enough to handle showbiz, they’ll have all the guidance anyone could ever want or need.
Having been a longtime fan of The Jacksons/Jackson Five and not just Michael Jackson, I would love to see a show on the brothers. It’s so sad that people would say they lack talent, those that say that are the Jonny come lately Michael fans. Please A&E, let us see life behind the scenes of one of the top selling musical groups (record sales)of all time.
What do you mean “Then again, it IS the same network that aired Dog the Bounty Hunter.”
For your information fucko, Dog’s highly rated show put A&E on the map, and it is their flagship program! I guess you don’t like good guys then.
Ok, so go smoke some more meth then, you stupid icehead goof!
I would definitely watch this. I am a huge fan of the whole Jackson family. I am very intrigued by their fame, talent, and also how dysfunctional the whole family is (case in point, Jermaine and Randy have children by the same woman). Plus, I’m sure they can use the money. Reportedly, most of them are broke except for Janet.
Is there no end to his brothers cashing in? Yes they started the taping before Michaels death but without Michael how interesting would it had been? Now he’s gone and woo haa ..They have a show and are lining their pockets. Its sickening. A reality show? Are they gonna have Joe on their beating their asses as he did when they were kids? Kathrine turning her back and only deciding she wanted to leave the old man when he cheated! Its time to let Michael rest and his family minus the girls (Janet/Latoya and Reb) have been living off him for years. Even in death he’s supporting them. Have these boys no shame, no pride, no motivation to take care of themselves and stop living off Michael and their mother?
The Jackson 5/Jacksons was a group. Michael was the lead singer amongst others who contributed to a product that launched him into super-stardom. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Randy are very talented individuals and had their very own fan base during their prime. Certainly Michael became the “mega-star” at his craft, and that was simply the way that it was destined to be. It’s unfair to discredit or minimize his brother’s talents. I don’t think that they’re doing anything other than what a musician would do when they’re lacking an instrument. Michael is gone now–and he will be missed. His brothers still have lives to fullfill until their time is up.
I think Rebbie is probably right and that Michael would not want his kids in a reality show. HOWEVER, I also think the kids are old enough to say yes or no, and I doubt the family would force them to do anything. I’m guessing they a) want to do it and b) probably won’t be in the show much anyway save for a few scenes here and there. It might be good for the kids to get their mind off the loss of their father by staying busy. If the show is done the right way, it could be good. I’m interested in seeing the family talk honestly about Michael’s death and what it’s done to them. I’ve always been fascinated by The Jacksons. For sure, they are dysfunctional, but I also beleive there is real love there. This family came from nothing and they ALL worked together to pull themselves up to levels of fame like few on earth have ever seen. Michael was the star, but they all had talent. I have no real problem with them doing the show – esp. since they started it before Michael died. Michael is probably shaking his head and chuckling up there in heaven. If nothing else, he always had a good sense of humor about his family, whom by the way, he loved despite it all.
I grew up in the Jackson 5 era, I loved the group and I would love to see a reality show featuring the brothers. Although I did not know Michael personally, I do know that he DID NOT want his children in the public eye. He went to extreme lengths to protect their identities and keep them out of the media. He wanted them to have the normal childhood he never had. He would be very disappointed in his family if they allowed the children to be included in a reality show. He would never approve of this.
[...] you may recall, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that footage had been shot of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy Jackson back in July [...]
You Know What ?? I Think It’s Such A Tacky Idea … Once Again His Lousy Lazy Brothers Intend To Capitalize On Michael’s Death And Worse Now Using His Children ?? You Know That Michael Would Never Have Allowed This… Where Have His Brothers & La Toya Been All These Years ? Tell Me ? You Know Where ? NOWHERE ! As Per Their Choice … Always Wanting And Expecting Michael Once Again To Carry Their Lazy Asses Through …. Pretty Disgusting … Bunch Of Low Lives … Anything For Money … I Refuse To Watch That Crappy Show EVER When It Does Air … No Class & Surely No Respect For Their Brother Michael
And Now The Mother Just Going With The Flow ?? … Sad Pretty Sad But Then Again She Needs To Keep Her Siphening Husband And He Lazy Son’s Jermaines Soon To Be Ex Wife And Their Child Supported Ha ? Since He Dosen’t Do It … Bunch Of Blood Suckers ALL Of Them !