The coverage of Michael Jackson's death is still going strong two weeks after his death. As far as the coverage is concerned, all I'll say is that it is what it is. That's American media for you.
One thing has struck me, though, with the endless coverage of his life and death. This man had all the talent in the world. He was a very talented singer and had a remarkable stage presence. As an entertainer very few could be considered his equal. I remember a time when it almost seemed like there were no other singers in the music industry. All people cared about was Michael Jackson. And yet, in spite of this, as we're all looking back on his life, I've come to the conclusion that I'm glad I'm not him. And I'm not referring to his recent death, either.
It was as if he reached the pinnacle of success, got as far as his talent as a singer and entertainer could ever take anybody and asked himself, "Is this all there is?" We all know what happened after he hit the top. He became reclusive. His circle of friends became very small. Reconstructive surgery after reconstructive surgery, to the point where he became unrecognizable. Dangling his own child over a balcony. And all the drug abuse, which we are only now learning the full extent of.
I'm not saying all this to say that he was a very bad man, or that it negates the contributions he made to the world of music, or that he should be reviled and hated. What I actually feel toward Jackson is not hatred, but sadness. He had all the talent in the world. So many people in the world loved him. But it appears that there was one significant person who hated him: Michael Jackson himself. His personal life appears to have been a very sad one, and a tremendous tragedy.
So in spite of all the talent and adoring crowds, I'm glad I'm not him. And I do mourn, not because he died, but because he hadn't lived in a long time, if ever.
Comments (8)
It seems to be a common theme with superstars.
Oh.
And I'm glad youre not MJ too.
@Kontzicles - zOMG! You're alive!
This is so insightful. I agree. Well said.
he should have stopped with the surgeries after filimg BAD. he looked his best, then, i think.
well, other than as a child.
I'm just glad I'm not one of his kids.
WHAT!? Michael Jackson died?
Me too. One only has to look at his nose to know that he was pretty screwed up. Its a shame no one really tried to help him. Everyone just watched him and said 'he's talented but weird/screwed up'.
This reminds me so much of Princess Diana's death back in '97. I was literally seeing stuff about her death a year or two after the fact on TV. Hopefully THIS doesn't go on for that long...
Actually, for the sake of the media, they might want to keep it up since they SURELY don't want to talk about the takeover of the American economy, Iran, N. Korea, you know, things that matter.