Tuesday, May 11, 2010

And here we go again...

The last couple of weeks have been interesting if you, like me, like to receive Google or Yahoo alerts, keeping you abreast of all news related to anything Michael Jackson. Sadly, what made the stories noteworthy was not so much what was printed and reported, but what was missing. When I say “interesting,” I by no means mean surprising. It is more of the same disturbing and at times infuriating reporting about Michael.
On April 29, 2010, during her True Crime series, Aphrodite Jones aired her reports about Michael’s 2005 Child Molestation case. As she has done previously in her book, the Michael Jackson Conspiracy, she outlined the reasons Michael was found innocent. She also briefly discussed the 1993 allegations and the infamous settlement.
Sadly, the report, the show, and her findings, once again got all but buried, garnering very little media attention. On her own site (http://www.aphroditejones.com/) Miss Jones only shows a short report from Daily News and one segment plugging her report on Larry King. Charles Thomson (http://charlesthomsonjournalist.blogspot.com/) addressed her upcoming report in his blog and revealed further background information about the ’93 allegations, as he had in the past. I challenge you to google the program in your down time and find any main media reports discussing Miss Jones, her documentary, or findings that show Michael in a positive light. An article on NY Daily News by David Hinckley discussed Ms Jones report, but makes it clear, the program should be considered more of a “love letter” than a serious account (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/04/29/2010-04-29_aphrodite_jones_defends_michael_jackson_and_blames_king_of_pop_foes_for_his_deat.html).

As coincidence would have it (yeah, I am not buying that one, either…), the same day, EXTRA managed to broadcast its segment about Jason Pfeiffer, a- let me try to be kind here- portly man, who claims to be an ex dermatology (first clue) assistant and CEO of a medical company (I really want to do some research into this one- sounds interesting), telling us (once again- this is not his first attempt to sell this story..oops, did I say ‘sell’????) that he was Michael Jackson’s secret lover. His story is backed up by our ever present, favorite ‘friend’ of Michael’s: the highly credible Dr. Arnold Klein (second clue-if you read nothing else, alarm bells should be going off at this point). Yes, the Arnold Klein, who was on every show imaginable (and some quite unimaginable) discussing his friendship with Michael. Oh, by the way, he also claimed to have fathered Michael’s children (how many men have by now claimed to have donated sperm?), he wanted to sue the estate to reclaim a jacket he supposedly lent Michael (as what- a tent?), and he tried to sell a car on eBay that he managed to tie Michael’s name to as well. And those are only the minor things I can come up with that make the dear Doc suspect as a credible source.
I won’t go into details of why I believe the claims to be totally ridiculous. And none of my reasons would have anything to do with homophobia, as implied by Extra reporter Alicia Jacobs on her facebook site and her tweets she fired off after being barraged by negative comments. The fact of the matter is I have a problem with ANY “secret lover” revelation that is used for commercial gain after Michael passed. Several come to mind, but that will be another entry. Mr. Pfeiffer, like those other “secret” lovers, wives, etc, etc., had a chance to tell his story- when Michael was alive. Of course, he being alive might also have meant he could or would react. How convenient that all those secret lovers and wives as well as self proclaimed friends and spiritual advisors did not feel the need to discuss all those lovely (and fictitious) memories when the man himself could have spoken up.
So, back to the interesting –but not horribly surprising- part of all this: While Miss Jones’ report went unnoticed, the Extra report has been all over the place- both nationally and internationally. This is very similar to Gene Simmons’ derogative comments spreading like wild fire, while Jennifer Batten’s reports went dead the moment they hit the internet. And mind you- Miss Batten actually worked with Michael for YEARS, so it stood to reason that she might know what she was talking about. But no, that was not news worthy.
I found one interesting article, asking the question “Was the Media complicit in Destroying him (Michael)” on http://www.sawfnews.com/Gossip/63678.aspx. Please read the letter sent by a former non-Michael Jackson fan, who did her research and came up with her own conclusions.
I think the answer is a resounding YES. The media has and continues to report only negative and derogatory news about Michael Jackson. There are some noteworthy exceptions, Charles Thomson and Aphrodite Jones being some of the major voices out there, but after a year of hyping Michael’s name and attaching it to anything and everything to make money, the trend has not changed. And with Dr.Murray’s trial dates as well as the first anniversary of Michael’s passing approaching, I fear the truth about Michael will continue to be buried under the caricature.
Unless we, as fans and consumers continue to speak up.
Never underestimate the power of one- especially when many individuals join together. And while the continued trend of sensationalism is disheartening at times, we need to keep hope for change- and with it, Michael- alive.