Michael Jackson Funeral and Memorial July 6/7, 2009

[Shortline Bus]

Finally the nearly 2-week media circus involving MJ death is almost over. The public memorial service is set for this Tuesday 7/7/09.

 

An estimated 500 million or more worldwide is expected to watch this event from LA. Meanwhile his 'private funeral' for family and close friends alike only was planned to be held before then by tommorow. Here story.

 

 

Los Angeles prepares for massive gathering of mourners to attend Michael Jackson memorial in LA on Tuesday

 

by Joe Kemp In Los Angeles and Samuel Goldsmith In New York

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

 

Sunday, July 5th 2009

 

 

They'll descend on the city like the zombies in the "Thriller" video.

 

Los Angeles is bracing for the massive throngs of mourners who'll descend on the city Tuesday to say goodbye the late King of Pop.

 

Free tickets to the mega memorial at the Staples Center were awarded to 17,500 fans Sunday. Some 1.6 million people entered the lottery to win a seat.

 

Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG Live, hopes no one will scalp their tickets. "We're hoping people have dignity," Leiweke said." "Those who would take advantage of this, shame on them."

 

Winners were notified via email on Sunday and will be able to pick up tickets Monday.

 

City officials Officials said there will be no funeral procession and warned the ticketless to stay away from the Staples Center in downtown as cops plan a giant security deployment to handle the surge of people.

 

"There's no way to get to this venue if you don't have a ticket," said LAPD Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger.

 

The Rev. Al Sharpton urged locals without tickets the memorial to hold "love vigils" in Jackson's honor.

 

Speaking at the First A.M.E. Church in L.A. Sunday morning, Sharpton said, "Let the media deal with the mess while we deal with the message."

 

"Gather here in youth centers, gather here in auditoriums, gather here in church basements, and have love vigils as you watch the family's celebration" he said.

 

Almost all of the hotels in the LA area are already sold out for the next couple of days leading to the memorial. Despite the warnings hundred of thousands of Jackson fans is still expected to line Downtown LA streets for the memorial.

 

TV Networks NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment will air the memorial live starting at 10 a.m. California time(1pm New York time). Other US stations such as CBS, MTV, BET and Fox News will make a last minute decision. Dozens of networks globally will also air the event as a projected 500 Million people or more worldwide is expected to watch.

 

Meanwhile, California politicians raised questions about who should pay for the municipal costs associated with the memorial as the state faces one of the worst budget crisis in US History.

 

L.A. City Councilwoman Jan Perry said the extra police officers will be paid for with a special overtime fund reserved for events, parades and protests.

 

These funds are utilized for events like the Lakers NBA victory parade last month.

 

Some city officials questioned the wisdom of spending an estimated $1 million in overtime funds when the Jackson estate could easily foot the bill.

 

"If the Jackson family is going to spend $25,000 on a gold casket, I would think that AEG and the Jackson family could help defray the costs, so it's a safe and secure environment for mourners that want to come," said L.A. City Councilman Dennis Zine.

 

c)2009 NY Daily News, Inc.

 

I do think the Jackson Family or some organztion should pay for part of the costs. Feel free to comment on the news coverage of his passing and Reactions to the memorial service/funeral. Again keep it to topic please. Thanks

[Shortline Bus]

I am surprised this memorial did not take place at either Dodger Stadium or the LA Coliesum.

[Maserati7200]

whoa, my birthday is July 7th! :eek:

[mark1447]

I heard that the British people might be heading to LA, look at TMZ:

BTW RIP !!

 

The British Are Coming ... For Jackson

Source: TMZ.com

 

There are reports as many as a million people may come to L.A. for the Michael Jackson memorial on Tuesday. We can tell you for sure -- there's a British invasion.

 

A rep from British Airways tells us there has been a "huge influx" of reservations in the last few days by people from England trying to make their way to the memorial. The rep says people are "flying as close to L.A. as they can and then taking connecting flights."

 

In addition to non-stop and direct flights to L.A., flights from Heathrow to San Francisco and from Heathrow to Denver are almost full.

 

The rep says they expect all flights -- direct and indirect -- to be sold out by the end of the day.

[Shortline Bus]

I heard that the British people might be heading to LA, look at TMZ:

BTW RIP !!

 

The British Are Coming ... For Jackson

Source: TMZ.com

 

There are reports as many as a million people may come to L.A. for the Michael Jackson memorial on Tuesday. We can tell you for sure -- there's a British invasion.

 

A rep from British Airways tells us there has been a "huge influx" of reservations in the last few days by people from England trying to make their way to the memorial. The rep says people are "flying as close to L.A. as they can and then taking connecting flights."

 

In addition to non-stop and direct flights to L.A., flights from Heathrow to San Francisco and from Heathrow to Denver are almost full.

 

The rep says they expect all flights -- direct and indirect -- to be sold out by the end of the day.

 

 

I hope MJ UK fans have alot of money. Besides lack of hotel rooms the news tonight(7/5/09)is already reporting a few people on craigslist and ebay are already selling tickets to the Tuesday event for as much as $2,000 a person.:eek::confused:

[mark1447]

I hope MJ UK fans have alot of money. Besides lack of hotel rooms the news tonight(7/5/09)is already reporting a few people on craigslist and ebay are already selling tickets to the Tuesday event for as much as $2,000 a person.:eek::confused:

 

Just curious, ive seen British people love MJ but since he travels a lot to the UK. What made British people love him so much.. Thats a good thing tho. Just curious.. Never knew people off England love pop.

[Shortline Bus]

Just curious, ive seen British people love MJ but since he travels a lot to the UK. What made British people love him so much.. Thats a good thing tho. Just curious.. Never knew people off England love pop.

 

Lons story short the UK has an important place in Rock/modern pop music since world war 2. Remember the Beatles and The Rolling Stones they both orinaglly British bands.

 

As my mom was raised in London, going back to the 1950's many younger British people loved R&B/Rock Music especially from Black(Afro)American and soulful artists such as Chuck Barry, Little Richard and of course Elvis.

Later they also embraced the Motown era too where MJ began his carrer in late 1960's.

 

Even now in last 25 years or so, many people in the UK prefer Dance/Disco, reggae and R&B music than what many teens here in US now prefer Rap and Hip HOP. Dont mistake me rappers like RUN DMC and Eniemn are popular but artists from Donna Summer to UB40 to MJ are huge.

Even with the child sex abuse charges Jackson still had support of most of his British and Europe fans. That why he has toured overseas often than play in his home country in last 15 years or so.

 

 

Mark i would take all day & night to explain but for last 50 years or so, most British teens have been in ove with R&B/"Black" Music from the US since days of Elvis and Chuck Barry. Please do a search on wipedia on British Rock/Pop music and that site would give a better details on your question.:ok. cool:

[mark1447]

Lons story short the UK has an important place in Rock/modern pop music since world war 2. Remember the Beatles and The Rolling Stones they both orinaglly British bands.

 

As my mom was raised in London, going back to the 1950's many younger British people loved R&B/Rock Music especially from Black(Afro)American and soulful artists such as Chuck Barry, Little Richard and of course Elvis.

Later they also embraced the Motown era too where MJ began his carrer in late 1960's.

 

Even now in last 25 years or so, many people in the UK prefer Dance/Disco, reggae and R&B music than what many teens here in US now prefer Rap and Hip HOP. Dont mistake me rappers like RUN DMC and Eniemn are popular but artists from Donna Summer to UB40 to MJ are huge.

Even with the child sex abuse charges Jackson still had support of most of his British and Europe fans. That why he has toured overseas often than play in his home country in last 15 years or so.

 

 

Mark i would take all day & night to explain but for last 50 years or so, most British teens have been in ove with R&B/"Black" Music from the US since days of Elvis and Chuck Barry. Please do a search on wipedia on British Rock/Pop music and that site would give a better details on your question.:ok. cool:

 

Thanks for explaing, I didnt know people other then British liked him in Europe. Weird :confused:

[Shortline Bus]

Thank television for MJ reaching popularity worldwide that no music entertainers since the Beatles and Elvis has ever reached.

 

Remember music legends from Mozart to Frank Sintara to Jazz greats Countie Basie, Benny Goodman and Louie Amstrong(all of them in pre world war 2/modern pop music)all became legends after their death before television.

 

MJ, Elvis and The Beatles are the first to have global popularity while still alive in last 40 years or so.

[Shortline Bus]

Please no flame wars but here are some very controversial comments from Republican LI-based US Congressman Peter King. I dont agree with everything he has said in this clip but still intresting to watch. MJ fans please leep your cool but this is his views only. Please reply.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6dngVeyZ7Y

[UlmerPark B6]

I am surprised this memorial did not take place at either Dodger Stadium or the LA Coliesum.

 

Staples Center is big enough for a concert crowd, and since his body is not avaiable for viewing, they will most likely celebrate his legacy, so Staples Center is reasonable. I feel sorry for those ticket holders who has to have those wristbands on them until tommorrow.

[mass production]

RIP King Of Pop Michael Jackson (1958-2009):cry:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbv-5h_oXZw

[mass production]

Michael Jackson Final Rehearsal "This Is It" Tour...just days before he died...

 

[Shortline Bus]

RIP King Of Pop Michael Jackson (1958-2009):cry:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbv-5h_oXZw

 

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

So did anyone watch the memorial from LA today? Reactions?

[Daniel The Cool]

Thanks for sharing.

 

So did anyone watch the memorial from LA today? Reactions?

 

I watched it. I was sad

[mass production]

Thanks for sharing.

 

So did anyone watch the memorial from LA today? Reactions?

 

I did... it was so emotional for me to watch:cry:

[Shortline Bus]

Here story of the tv ratings for MJ funeral.

 

 

Michael Jackson's memorial 2nd most-watched funeral on modern era, on Network TV after Princess Di, say Nielsen ratings

BY Daivd Hinckley AND Richard Huff

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

 

Updated Wednesday, July 8th 2009

 

Every major network covered Michael Jackson's memorial service at the LA Staples Center, and for good reason - 30.9 million viewers tuned in.

 

Measuring viewership on 18 networks that carried the live coverage, 1-4 p.m New York time, the ratings service Nielsen calculated the average audience at 31.14 million viewers.

 

That makes it the most-watched daytime funeral Nielsen has ever measured involving a celebrity in modern ratings era since 1970. President John F Kennedy's funeral in November 1963 techincally still is the record. That public memorial of the slain Commander in Chief was watched by unbreakable 98% of sets tuned on in the US but Nielsen never had an accurate count. JFK's funeral was watched by about 100 Million Americans on just '3' networks then, according to various studies.

 

Princess Diana's funeral, which began at 6 a.m (US Eastern Times) drew an estimated 33.25 million viewers spread across eight networks on Sept. 6, 1997.

 

Former President Ronald Reagan's mid-day funeral drew 20.8 million people on June 11, 2004. A prime-time program on Reagan's burial that same evening drew an estimated 35.07 million viewers.

 

The remarkable Nielsen numbers for yesterday's Jackson memorial slightly undercount the total viewership, since Nielsen didn't release figures for local stations such as WPIX/Ch. 11 or cable networks like NY1 and Current.

Adding in the dozens of local tv stations and on dozens of radio stations also broadcasting it live and total US Viewership is closer to 60 million people breaking Diana's record.

 

On-line viewership also soared yesterday, perhaps reflecting fans who were at work during the service and watched it on their computers.

 

MSNBC reported nearly 19 million online streams, topping the network's previous high set this January during President Barack Obama's inauguration.

 

CNN said it had the second largest streaming day in its history, with 10.5 million streams in all and 4.4 million during the memorial service. The network recorded 26.9 million streams on Inauguration Day.

 

ABC News Digital reported close to six million live streams of the memorial service on abcnews.com and its partner sites.

 

Foxnews.com reported 3.4 million streams.

 

The coverage was also a hit abroad. United Kingdom rating services earlier reported that six million British viewers watched the Jackson service and globally an estimated 500 million people tuned in.

 

c)2009 NY Daily News, Inc.

[SubwayGuy]

Of course it was the most watched. People want to watch TV. It was the only thing on TV. Therefore, anyone who watches TV by default watches that.

 

Look, I feel bad for his family, and for him, and whatnot, but let's be real here. Too many people in this country need to get something called, well, I don't know...LIVES. They never met him, they listened to a few songs of his on a walkman back in the day, they probably didn't give two shits about him 3 weeks ago and had forgotten all about him, and heck the day before he died they may have been the same ones making Michael Jackson jokes...but the second he died it was how "meaningful" he was to them and "inspirational" and how he personally touched their lives with his music, and best of all how they "felt they knew him." So they sat there, and public opinion turned his funeral into a publicity stunt and news ratings which is VERY disrespectful to his family regardless of how polite the family was during the whole thing.

 

Most people are pretentious phony pricks. That's why every time someone dies, a million "RIP so and so" groups spring up on Facebook and 3 weeks later no one is posting in them. They just pretend to care to get guilt off their chest that they never should have had anyway. Michael was an entertainer and a unique performer, but the way this thing was covered you would have thought Jesus died again. And the real joke of it all is his family had to put up with it. While what his daughter said was very sad and touching, it should NOT be on youtube for a bunch of phony jerks to "comment on" and yet that is exactly what it is. A bunch of lonely losers clinging to the memory of someone they didn't know and offering their unwanted opinions on a ceremony that should have been private and for the family, not for public consumption by these pathetic sad sack idiots.

 

And the news coverage made that happen.

[metsfan]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A341 Safari/528.16)

 

Guys stay respectful and PG-13.

 

- A

[Maserati7200]

Of course it was the most watched. People want to watch TV. It was the only thing on TV. Therefore, anyone who watches TV by default watches that.

 

Look, I feel bad for his family, and for him, and whatnot, but let's be real here. Too many people in this country need to get something called, well, I don't know...LIVES. They never met him, they listened to a few songs of his on a walkman back in the day, they probably didn't give two shits about him 3 weeks ago and had forgotten all about him, and heck the day before he died they may have been the same ones making Michael Jackson jokes...but the second he died it was how "meaningful" he was to them and "inspirational" and how he personally touched their lives with his music, and best of all how they "felt they knew him." So they sat there, and public opinion turned his funeral into a publicity stunt and news ratings which is VERY disrespectful to his family regardless of how polite the family was during the whole thing.

 

Most people are pretentious phony pricks. That's why every time someone dies, a million "RIP so and so" groups spring up on Facebook and 3 weeks later no one is posting in them. They just pretend to care to get guilt off their chest that they never should have had anyway. Michael was an entertainer and a unique performer, but the way this thing was covered you would have thought Jesus died again. And the real joke of it all is his family had to put up with it. While what his daughter said was very sad and touching, it should NOT be on youtube for a bunch of phony jerks to "comment on" and yet that is exactly what it is. A bunch of lonely losers clinging to the memory of someone they didn't know and offering their unwanted opinions on a ceremony that should have been private and for the family, not for public consumption by these pathetic sad sack idiots.

 

And the news coverage made that happen.

 

And what really annoys me is the news acts as if they are sad that he is dead. They couldn't give half a rat's ass about it. All they care about is ratings. I'm sure in some form the media was happy that 9/11 happened so they could leech of this story.

[Messino]

This pretty much sums it all up.