Michael Jackson...memories of Pop Star's Death & the "Wake" at UCLA!

After gulping down the last tasty morsel of lunch, I headed towards the Research Library on the campus at UCLA on June 25th.

Once I stepped outside the cafeteria, I immediately spied a helicopter buzzing overhead.

Two teenage girls dashed by and were chatting each other up excitedly.

I managed to overhear a snippet of the conversation.

"I hear that Michael Jackson is in that helicopter and that he overdosed," one of the pretty students exclaimed in shock.

Say what?

I was knocked out by the news.

At this juncture, I tore up the front steps of the library and plunked myself down at the nearest computer terminal just inside the building to the left of the main foyer.

I began to conduct a search on Jackson and possible alerts on his health.

Nada!

Were the major news outlets afraid that the rumors were all a hoax?

Or, were they simply in the dark about the overdose, I wondered.

Now, the frenzy at UCLA was reaching a fever pitch.

"Michael Jackson may be dead," one conjectured, as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Then - a few minutes later - one of my inside sources revealed the awful truth.

"Michael Jackson overdosed and was rushed to the hospital."

I immediately logged into "The Tattler" at the Blogger web site and proceeded to pen a post (which I summarily published a scant few seconds later).

On the heels of publishing the news alert, I proceeded to "tweet" a flash about the shocking news on Twitter.

Within minutes, the speculation about Jackson's untimely demise was streaking around the blogosphere at break-neck speed.

Then, I spied a tweet from TMZ, confirming that Jackson had - indeed - passed to spirit.

So - I posted an update on "The Tattler" - and followed up with another tweet.

Post:  06/25

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/06/michael-jacksondead-50-re-post.html

After scanning a few news releases which were flooding in from major media outlets around the world, I packed up my briefcase and strolled outside.

I took a shortcut across campus and trotted down to the UCLA Medical Facility where dozens of reporters, paparazzi, and TV crews were now parking their vehicles haphazardly along both sides of the street and scrambling up the front steps of the hospital.

By now, hundreds of Jackson fans - lookie-loos, too - were swarming into the tiny square to take up a vigil for the much-loved Pop Star.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the hospital attempted to control the ensuing chaos, by updating the media every few minutes or so about the specifics as the events unfolded before our eyes.

At long last, it was also announced that a doctor in the employ of UCLA (and a member of the Jackson family) would be issuing statements shortly.

Which they did.

There was a stunned silence when it was confirmed that the beloved King of Pop was dead.

Then, something phenomenal happened.

Fans hoisted up portable CD players - which began to ground out the Pop Star's hits - as they began to dance and make merry with each other.

The once-sad gathering suddenly became a celebration of the "thriller's" life!

Essentially, the evening turned into a magical uplifting wake!

Post:  06/25/2009

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/06/michael-jacksonfans-celebrate-life-of.html

In sum?

It was a remarkable memorable day - one that I shall cherish - the rest of my own short sweet life!
Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz


 

Flightlinez...Fremont Street zip-line thrill ride a hit with tourists!

Since my last trek to the desert a wild thrill ride has been installed high above the street level on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.

Nightly, tourists -and locals alike - are plunking down big bucks (day passes are 50 smackeroos) to hop on a high-wire contraption (about 850 feet in length) to slide the-light-fantastic at 30 mph underneath a $70 million video screen as ecstatic friends and family cheer 'em on from the packed street level below.

“They’re like rock stars!” one excited regular blurted out to all within earshot one heady night, when the conversation turned to the subject of the ballsy-nerve of the adventure-seekers.

Uh-huh!

And, pity the poor devil who happens to be standing directly beneath an intoxicated dude, when he unexpectedly spills his guts after a bout of motion sickness suddenly sets in.

Great photo opportunity, though!

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Larry King..tries to trap Depak Chopra and place blame for Michael Jackson tragedy!

It should have been obvious to the keen observer last night that Larry King was clearly laying a trap for the New Age self-proclaimed Guru - Depak Chopra - or at a minimum was pining to toss a little of the blame for Michael Jackson 's untimely demise in his direction.

Was Depak one of the much-scorned inner circle enablers responsible for Michael Jackson's death now shrouded with mystery and intrigue?

According to Depak?

No.

The soft-spoken articulate man was inclined to offer up a handful of scenarios for the viewing audience to digest.

In one instance - when Depak mentioned that children who were abused were often susceptible to various disorders in their adult years - King was quick to interrupt and underscore that a news report released earlier that day stressed there was no evidence supporting that theory or line of thinking.

Ah, King was obviously laying in wait for unsuspecting Chopra!

Without doubt, the scandal-chasing talk-show host tried to seize the moment to discredit Depak on the air, without fair warning.

But, the Spiritual leader was quick on his feet and managed to out-fox the mouthy late-night talkpiece with the penchant for loud tasteless ties!

In fact, Depak not only adeptly sidestepped King's deceitful maneuvers, but managed to score points when he proceeded to clarify for the record that one respected journal just published an article on the issue in support of the theory based on a research project conducted with a handful of qualified subjects.

Without skipping a beat, King pounced.

"Are you saying they're wrong?"

"They're obviously not up on the literature," the best-selling author responded coolly.

Obviously miffed at failing to snare his prey, King sprang into the attack mode on a different front to save face.

"Some say (he didn't specify who) that you tarnished Michael's reputation," he retorted with an accusing tone in his voice.

In his defense, Depak noted in so many words that he simply refused to gloss over the facts.

Depak admitted on air last night, for example, that on occasion he spied an IV Drip in Jackson's bedroom.

In addition, he also witnessed the presence of pharmaceutical paraphernalia out-of-place in a home environment setting without medical supervision.

Michael knew that Depak had a license to write prescriptions for narcotics and tried to trade off of their friendship for access to drugs he felt he needed to alleviate his pain, according to Chopra.

"I refused to write the prescriptions, " Depak noted for the record without blinking an eye.

"Did Michael get angry?" King probed further.

"Yes."

On the heels of this admission, Depak added that Michael was quite a manipulative individual.

And, he added as an afterthought, Michael was difficult to refuse, on occasion.

"That is the problem with celebrity. Doctors are afraid to say no."

The sentiment echoed those expressed by a Jackson attorney on a talk show earlier.

"Michael begged me. He said - 'that machine runs the business' - so, I have to have it," the lawyer fessed up to the interviewer.

Based on that curious argument, the Pop Icon also demanded a doctor be hired 24/7 to administer the drugs at his home at his whim.

So, the handler complied with the request.

In the final analysis, Depak Chopra - in spite of what Larry King may think - is an honest individual who meant well.

In fact, Chopra is exalted in some quarters for a spiritual slant on the natural order of things, which some find quite insightful.

The truth of the matter?

In essence, his new age musings are just watered-down interpretations of the teachings of wise old masters, presented in a palpable new way.

Sadly, his quick-fix solutions were too flimsy to provide a lifeline for Jackson.

Clearly, it was the fault of handlers - business associates, superficial friends, doctors (even Jackson family members afraid to engage in tough love for fear of losing favor with Michael who held the purse strings) - that are responsible for his death.

In due time, the truth shall be revealed.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...brief encounter on set of Music Video! Directed by MJ...

Years ago, a casting office rang me up out-of-the-blue, and offered me a gig on a high-budget Michael Jackson Music Video shooting on the backlot at Universal Studios.

I was particularly keen on the fact that MJ was directing!

One of the main characters in the evil plot line was a nasty villain with a gang of thugs always on the lookout for trouble.

Although, I generally steered away from night shoots, it was difficult to resist a golden opportunity to rub shoulders with the legendary Pop Icon on the fast-track to super stardom.

Michael was at the height of his creative powers, having just come off of the gargantuan success of the multi-million-dollar best-selling album, "Thriller".

Although a few unsubstantiated rumors abounded about the King of Pop's fascination with plastic surgery (and an obsession over the alleged benefits of pure oxygen) the celebrated hit-maker appeared for-all-the-world a down-to-earth musical genius.

Shortly after I strolled up to the backlot at Universal to check in with the 1st Assistant Director, the wardrobe department corralled me and a handful of actors cast to play the mean dudes, and hustled us off to get fitted for our ubiquitous costumes which consisted of warrior-style uniforms - custom-made in imposing durable black plastic - with helmets to match.

Right from the get-go it was obvious the assignment was not going to be a piece of cake.

For instance, all the actors required assistance to facilitate the task of fitting each snugly into the high-tech threads in a body-fitting fashion, from behind.

In addition to being difficult to maneuver around in, the sinister slabs of armour were also inclined to obstruct the eyesight and hinder breathing as well.

Too late to back out.

No matter; after all, I was what you called a "trooper" in those days.

The show must go on, 'ya know, and all that sentimental crap.

The production company was relentless.

The shoot often ground on for hours on end and required a lot of painstaking detail to satisfy the "man" in the chair.

Michael was a stickler for perfection, after all.

To make matters worse, the cameras didn't generally start rolling 'til around the witching hour, or wind down until the sun started to climb lazily in the East the following morning.

Maybe Michael was a Vampire - like the one he play-acted in Thriller - after all.

As to the elusive Pop Icon?

During the duration of the shoot he remained out-of-sight, directing from afar.

Yup!

One of his lowly handlers was assigned the heady task of hustling us in-and-out of our trailers, positioning us on the set, calling us into action, and what-have-you.

Not a peep from MJ the mega-Star at the helm of the million-dollar extravaganza!

On occasion when logistics slowed production down - the other dudes and I would twiddle our thumbs, chew the fat, or huddle up in the trailer to stay warm whenever a night chill chose to usher itself in unexpectedly.

The lot of us - trekked in-and-out, back and forth, this way 'n that - as directed.

But, no MJ in sight!

One fine night under a starlit sky - just as we were about to wrap - I spied the mysterious superstar nimbly stepping out of a trailer across the lot.

For one brief second he glanced in my direction - burst into a wide smile for a second or two - then departed into the good night with little ado.

A close encounter of the 3rd kind, alright!

And that, as they say, was that.

In spite of the fact the shoot was long and drawn-out and terribly boring - quite stressful, too - one thing made it all worthwhile.

Why, of course, all the pretty checks that flew into the mailbox shortly thereafter with gobs of golden time tacked on.

Time to party-hearty and raise a mug to MJ in thanks!

The King of Pop paid the rent that month, too.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...protestors disrupt memorial @ Staples Center briefly! One Child-molestor finger-pointer arrested...

(AP Photo/Nick Ut)

In a news flash a short while ago, CBS reported that at least one irate protester outside of the Staples Center - accusing Michael Jackson "out loud" of being a child molester - was arrested for being unruly and causing a disruption in the street as fans and invited guests prepared to attend the much-anticipated Memorial Service for the King of Pop.

In addition, a dozen or so cohorts allegedly held up disparaging signs that screamed out nasty comments in bold handwritten scrawls:

"You're Going to Hell", "Mourn for Your Sins", and "Jacko in Hell".

Obviously, the impromptu protest was directly related to past allegations that the celebrated musician once molested children who were guests at his Neverland Ranch just outside of Santa Barbara, California.

Jackson vigorously fought those allegations openly in court and was acquitted of all charges.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...how to get tickets for Memorial Service!

Today, when I logged into Twitter, Ryan Seacrest (DJ) was thoughtful enough to post a tweet with instructions on how to take a shot at scooping up (free) tickets to the Memorial Service planned for Michael Jackson to be held here on the West Coast early next week.

Jackson family spokesperson Ken Sunshine (& CEO Tim Leiweke) appeared at a news conference Friday and unveiled the well-thought-out detailed arrangements to commemorate Jackson's recent passing into spirit.

Fans, tourists, friends, plain old folks, paparazzi - even members of the media - are invited to pay their last respects to MJ - and may do so - by entering a draw at staples.com web site.

Info: staplescenter.com.

The Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 7th, at the Staples Center (live) in the Nokia theater.

There will be simulcasts on three screens.

The broadcasts will commence at 10 am.

Tickets

There are 17,500 tickets available in total.

11,000 tickets will be handed out to people to attend the service inside the Staples Center.

In addition, 6,500 tickets will be reserved for individuals who wish to view the service from a simulcast at the Nokia theater.

A balance of 9,000 tickets have been reserved for the Jackson family to use at their discretion.

Draw Instructions

Fans have trouble registering due to high traffic at the web-site are asked to be patient!

Once the winners are drawn, they will be notified on Sunday between 11 am and 8 pm, and provided with a Code for a Ticketmaster ticket.

Winners are asked to arrive early at the Staples Center on Monday morning to pick up their two tickets and two wristbands in person.

Winners must pick up their tickets in the manner instructed because there will not be any future distribution of tickets at either the Staples Center or Nokia theatre.

Organizers are also recommending that individuals without tickets wishing to attend watch the Memorial Service from home since no spectators will be allowed to accumulate outside of the downtown Staples Center during the Memorial Service.

Registration

Once an entrant's registration has been received, accepted and processed at the staples site, the following online notice will appear on-screen with these final instructions:

"Your registration for your chance to attend the Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service has been received."

"If your application is successful, you will receive an e-mail on Sunday, July 5, 2009 after 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) with your exclusive unique code and instructions on how to obtain your two free tickets to attend the Public Memorial Service. "

"A valid ticket will be required to enter STAPLES Center & L.A. LIVE area on Tuesday, July 6, 2009."

"Tickets will be distributed for either the public memorial service in the STAPLES Center or at the live television broadcast in the adjacent Nokia Theatre."

"Please add info@staplescenter.com to your address book to ensure successful email delivery."

From moi?

Good luck!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

TMZ...Michael Jackson scoop! Stooping low, according to legit press...

On Sunday, I was perusing the weekend edition of the LA Times, when I spied a feature criticizing TMZ gossip-mongers for swooping down like vultures on the Michael Jackson tragedy - and patting themselves on the back after-the-fact - for scooping the rest of the ravenous blood-thirsty pack come press deadline.

"Everyone knows we broke the story," Levin boasted in so many words.

Frankly, I was a little surprised by Harvey's curious conduct in this regard.

For starters, in my estimation, it is pretty much a given on the cut-throat landscape of news (and scandal) reporting on the West Coast, that Levin - or one of his eager-beaver cub scouts - will usually nab a breaking-news feature long before the competition has finished scratching around trash bins and dirty laundry for the clues.

Is Levin feeling the heat?

Aw, come on!

Those other newsies are a bunch of jealous cry-babies, anxious to carve up your territory, Harv.

Yup, they're lookin' to knock 'ya off your high horse.

In this shake-down scenario, anyway.

"This is a critical moment for TMZ, " the Times' writers snicker.

Naw, don't think so.

You'd like to bet the farm on it, though, right?

After throwing a little scare into Levin, who was no doubt anxiously perusing the red-hot copy on the sidelines, the troublesome twosome proceeded to sing the TMZ host's praises for a paragraph or two.

"Its reputation for breaking big celebrity news has made TMZ.com an online sensation with an estimated readership of 4.1 million according to Web Measurement Services."

Then, Scott Collins and Meg James go in for the kill.

"But the Jackson drama puts the spotlight on TMZ at a delicate time: its tactics have stoked growing outrage among publicists (hate 'em!) and government officials (they come in handy, on occasion). "

For this reason, the dynamic newsies at the Times, conjectured that advertisers have been hesitant to plunk cash down for print ads at TMZ.com or for lucrative commercial spots on the TV version of the pot-boiler bill-of-fare which broadcasts in tandem with the webbie offering.

Others will come running, so what's the big deal?

In fact, just as I was pondering this, the article zig-zagged off and noted for the record that TMZ officials were pleased with the outcome in recent days.

After all, the Jackson "scoop" took TMZ to a new level of recognition.

And, some touted that outcome as a triumph of the new rich media over the staid old.

Even still, in spite of silly off-point hysterical musings over the issues that missed their mark for the most part - and a lot of positive press for TMZ - the slightly-harried-looking Levin complained that "no one" gave TMZ the credit - for not only getting the story right - but getting it on tap for consumer consumption before the ink at big gun media outlets was even dry.

On the contrary, when I penned and posted my report on Twitter at approximately 3:23 pm on the fateful day in question, I noted that Levin and TMZ.com were abreast of the story as it was unfolding.

Specifically - I gave Levin and his team the nod for getting the word out to fans and the public in general - about Jackson's cardiac arrest, the CPR efforts by a firefighter to revive the ailing Pop Star, and the subsequent whirlwind emergency flight by helicopter to UCLA Medical Center.

Apologies accepted, Sir!

The front-page article went on to probe some of the tactics TMZ has allegedly facilitated in the past to unearth documents and obtain highly-sensitive information with the sinister aim of securing said for "exclusivity" rights.

Hard-core critics like Rob Silverstein - Executive Producer at Access Hollywood - griped that the TMZ staff were not beneath paying for top-secret paperwork and crucial eye-witness testimony.

Along with high-profile rivals, Silverstein contended that Levin and his company have been engaging in unethical journalistic practices which most news-gathering organizations do not allow reporters and editors to entertain from the get-go.

"But, I don't have absolute proof," the annoyed Exec fessed up.

In response, individuals on the other side of the battle lines simply shrugged, and innocently argued that people "just wanted to get their stories out".

Levin, who usually sidesteps the issue, confided to a New York Times reporter (in the wake of the pointed fingers and raging controversy) that the site paid "tip fees" that usually led to stories.

But, spokespeople for TMZ stressed for the record that the mad money laid out for "leads", were not used for "buy outs" or "exclusivity agreements".

The lawyer-Levin - well-versed in the law - is no fool.

The New York Times would probably scrounge about - and ferret out any smoking gun by simply enlisting the sniffing capacities of their own well-placed moles - so the genial gossip maven was smart to "admit" up front.

All of the characters in this tawdry tale sound like scrappers and dirty street-fighters to me.

To add a little color to the mix - and twist the knife in just a tad - the Times' staff writers also took a brief foray into the shadowy realm of TMZ's routine sleaze-ball coverage - sensational peak-a-boo out-takes and scandalous low-brow celebrity teases, for instance - they argued sullied legit attempts by TMZ to gain solid footing in mainstream reporting around the country where ethics in journalism are a prerequisite.

What is the crime committed here?

TMZ led the horses to water, and they slurped it all up, naturally.

Which segues into the next titillating point.

Popularity is up!

"We're very pleased with the ratings," quipped the Senior Vice President of programming for Fox, which airs TMZ on 17 stations around the country.

It is no mystery then as to why Fox intends to broadcast TMZ for at least two more years.

If he isn't already, maybe Levin should start slipping a little something into that designer cup glued in his hand during broadcast - brimming with a mystery elixir 'til now - to help him relax.

Is that the next scandal brewing?

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson..."wake" celebrates the life & music of Pop Icon! UCLA unlikely host...

Michael, what happened?

This morning's papers were awash with news about Michael Jackson in the wake of his unexpected death yesterday afternoon at the UCLA Medical facility in Westwood (CA).

Many of the insightful detailed reports echoed each other.

There were eye-witness accounts of mourning fans, thoughts on what amounts to a colossal loss to the creative end of the music industry, reports on weepy candle-light vigils, and up-close and personal interviews with contemporaries who sang the Pop Icon's praises now that he has departed from this mortal coil and passed into spirit.

From where I stood, however, the overwhelming news event smacked more of a celebration of Michael's life & music.

A "wake", if you like.

Indeed, in a mass turn-out in front of the UCLA Medical facility late yesterday afternoon and early into the evening, fans demonstrated their love for a performer who was many things to many different people.

Yes, Jackson was a musical genius, an original given to unexplained excesses, a talented artist prone to self-destruct at any moment, you name it.

Once the news swept out from the inner recesses of the UCLA medical facility that doctors were desperately trying to work their magic to restore life to a frail shell of a human being that was fast expiring - fans descended on the well-manicured courtyard outside the hospital - and began their vigil.

But, what I beheld before me was not a teary-eyed assembly of mourners, grief-stricken beyond comprehension - but rather - a joyous throng of devoted fans who chose to celebrate his life and music the best way they fathomed they could.

The spirited music-lovers mimicked his style (many turned out with gloved hand, signature Fedora-style hat, outfitted in eye-catching outerwear festooned with sequins that glittered like stardust in the mid-afternoon sun), as they sang out the catchy - at times tricky - arrangement of notes and words of a dozen or so of his memorable hits.

Occasionally, emotions took hold - at which point a handful of high-spirited fans - broke into a contagious dance that continued on into dusk.

When the familiar strains of "Thriller" hit the air, the mood shifted gear and the fans went into a wild frenzy.

Young tots, hip teens - even older snazzily-dressed Jackson fans - let loose and danced individually and in pairs (even trios, at times) - inside a "magic circle" like moths drawn to a flame.

At one point, a beaming Afro-American male spied my own lithe bod gyrating to the unique beat of the mega hit from yesteryear and was inclined to give me a nudge.

"Go on, man. Get in there. It's your turn."

Hesitant, but willing nonetheless (dancing is my first love), I stepped into the glare of the spotlight at the heart of the hypnotic beat of the pop hit and danced up a storm.

A roar went up from the crowd.

"That was the beauty of it," I thought to myself.

This "wake" was all inclusive.

At this point, for me anyway, the lines blurred somewhat.

One moment, I was logging the "historical event" from a reporter's point of view for posterity; in the next, I was swept up, across a great divide.

All the walls came tumbling down as I relaxed into the warm and fuzzy moment.

The world shifted.

I was transformed from an unbiased commentator on the sidelines into a bona fide fan capable of appreciating the remarkable compositions of a uniquely gifted musician who had just passed into spirit before his time.

Even still, Michael Jackson's rich legacy of sound - pure in it's creative genius - shall march on.

Such was the potent power of the Prince of Pop's musical gifts.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...concerts sold out! Is an Ebony & Ivory gig on horizon?

Although Michael Jackson's concert tickets weren't snapped up in 7 seconds flat - and failed to mirror the frenzied rush for hot-ticket seats for the McCartney gig slated for April - the Pop Icon was able to boast sold-out shows a few hours after the box office opened its windows.

A thriller is obviously second banana to a mop-top!

Unlike the former Beatle, Jackson pitched his concerts tickets well-in-advance.

Maybe the Pepsi-pusher wasn't sure he'd be able to fill the house; in that event, a sell-out no doubt boosted the child diddler's morale somewhat.

Opening night is slated for July, with a series of gigs to span through the year, and into February of 2010.

Although the unpredicable King of Pop is titling his tour - "This is it" - to signal a final curtain bow, I expect he'll return amid a blaze of glory for an encore, and abtly title the extravaganza - "That was it, then" - or something appropros.

Cher's been pulling that stunt for years, and getting away with it ad nauseam, go figure!

A kind-of eureka moment hit me like lightning out-of-the-blue this morning.

Maybe McCartney & Jackson should team up for a duet on the rocky road back into the spotlight.

Ebony & Ivory!

Great gimmick, eh?

Colonel Parker look out.

http://www.julianayrs.com