Am I the only person who can't understand why Michael Jackson is freaking EVERYWHERE?

[Anonymous]

I'm 29, and my friends and I were just as touched. Even my 85 year old grandmother made a point to watch the memorial, and nothing ever takes her away from her afternoon soap operas! Not many artists can inspire multiple generations like that.

[Anonymous]

Oh and I also disagree that his music had no staying power -- MJ was sampled a lot over the years. And Human Nature amongst a few other always got regular rotation on my Ipod

[Anonymous]

37, loved his music up through high school, and graduated 20 years ago. Haven't heard a good new song from him in 20 years.

So yeah, I liked him and remember his music and videos being a big part of the scene around my childhood.

Still don't get why he gets a Pope-like funeral, worldwide mourners, and around-the-clock coverage-- unless it's because people enjoy the more bizarre aspects of his life, like dangling his child out of a window and having children as unaccompanied guests at his home.

Seems like self-congratulatory Hollywood crap. Glorifying entertainers as if they were something more than entertainers.

[Anonymous]

31, was a huge fan way back when, not so much recently - but yeah it's pretty sad. I'm a child of the 80's and you can't think of that decade without thinking of Michael Jackson.


On the flip side, can someone explain the hoopla over Farrah Fawcett to me? I'm not being catty, I'm just not old enough to remember Charlie's Angels. Is there a comparable celeb from the last 20 years to compare to understand how big she was?

[Anonymous]

I found the whole thing WAY over the top. The guy was increadibly talented, and influential on the pop scene and all, but I can't get past the weird self-hatred stuff.

I am neither dry nor borking and would have preferred some news on CNN, too.

[Anonymous]

oh, and to 17:33:

Regarding Farrah:
There is NO ONE from right now who compares to her influence in the 70's. EVERYONE wanted that hair and many of us spent upwards of an hour a day trying to achieve it. That poster was absolutely everywhere. I can't really explain her influence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He made some good records when I was in middle school.

25 years ago.

Am I missing something?

My thoughts exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 37 and yes, Billie Jean is on my playlist. It's one of my favorite songs ever.

Come on. This MJ fever is like a summer trend. Billie Jean? I liked it 25 YEARS AGO!

And everyone on TV is overlooking all the pedophilia allegations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:31, was a huge fan way back when, not so much recently - but yeah it's pretty sad. I'm a child of the 80's and you can't think of that decade without thinking of Michael Jackson.


On the flip side, can someone explain the hoopla over Farrah Fawcett to me? I'm not being catty, I'm just not old enough to remember Charlie's Angels. Is there a comparable celeb from the last 20 years to compare to understand how big she was?

I don't get the whole Farrah thing either. I realize this is going to sound callous, but I just don't care (probably like how some of you are feeling about MJ). the only explanation of the Farrah hoopla that I can come up with is that she was the Jennifer Anniston of her day. Maybe?

Oh, what was I going to say? Oh yeah, Michael's music. Face it people, it is pretty good even after all those years. Current pop songs can't even come close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 37 and yes, Billie Jean is on my playlist. It's one of my favorite songs ever.

Come on. This MJ fever is like a summer trend. Billie Jean? I liked it 25 YEARS AGO!

And everyone on TV is overlooking all the pedophilia allegations.

Yeah, I know what you mean.
I liked him even before that, in Jackson Five!

But he morphed into a weirdo with fake nose, fake hair, and messing with little boys.

[Anonymous]

I think the people who just don't "get" his influence on culture and the music industry, probably are not music people. They are probably the types who just listen to radio tunes and have a small scope of refrence. It is like a casual wine drinker who cannot distinguish the difference between Cakebread and Berringer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Now I never liked Madonna as a performer but you could argue that she has had a bigger influence on pop than MJ. She ushered in the idea of the big brand and was earlier in launching MTV's success.

Umm no I don't think you can argue that Madonna has a bigger influence on pop than MJ. And she absolutely was not earlier in launching MTVs success. Thriller was released in 1982 and Billie Jean was in heavy rotation on MTV in 1983. It is widely acknowledged that the videos for Billie Jean and Beat It put MTV on the map. Madonna’s first album was released in 1983, AFTER MJ appeared on Motown 25. As far as being a brand – did you forget about the multimillion dollar contract that MJ had with Pepsi. And I think athletes like the other MJ took the lead in celebrity branding. I don’t get how Madonna fits in on the branding front.

[Anonymous]

LOL! Washed up Madge does GAP commercials, does that count?

[Anonymous]

I remember in high school during the 80s it was extremely uncool to ever listen to "Top 40" pop music. It was as taboo as having a flip hairstyle or wearing plastic jewelry and fluorescent colors. Maybe it was just a prep school thing but some of the early or later classic rock Beatles, Dylan, Clapton, Rolling Stones, Big Chill type soundtracks, euro stuff like Yaz, the Smiths, Talking Heads, or folksy James Taylor were the in thing at our school and the other prep schools where our friends and siblings went too. If anyone listened to MJ they certainly never admitted it.

[Anonymous]

Well, you don't have to worry about it much longer. Looks like Sarah Palin has found a way to weasle her way back into the media spotlight that she claims to 'hate' so much.