The Jacksons are at odds over the inclusion of Michael Jackson’s three children in an upcoming A&E reality show about the famous family, Us Weekly reports in its latest issue. A source tells Us Weekly the buzzed-about program will include Michael’s kids — Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7 — though not everyone’s happy about it. Eldest sister Rebbie, 59, who has refused to be in the series (called The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, tentatively set to air in December), “feels Michael would spin in his grave if he knew his kids would be on this show.” While Janet, 43, is on board, mom Katherine “is just going along with things,” the source continues. Still, one of the creators of the program — which will be either five one-hour episodes or 10 half-hour episodes — says the family shines on the series. “We have 23 cast members with the last name Jackson,” executive producer Jodi Gomes tells Us Weekly. “They’ve done a great job opening up about losing a brother.” (A Jackson family rep couldn’t be reached.)
Michael Jackson’sThis Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London’s O2 Arena.
Chronicling the months from April through June, 2009, the film is produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show.
Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at Jackson as he has never been seen before.
In raw and candid detail, Michael Jackson’s This Is It captures the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius and great artist at work as he creates and perfects his final show.
Kenny Ortega, who was both Michael Jackson’s creative partner and the director of the stage show is also directing the film, which is being produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware. Executive producers are John Branca and John McClain.
The film will be distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Releasing. Tickets for the limited two-week engagement of the film go on sale beginning September 27.
Janet Jackson expressed her grief over Michael’s death on Twitter.
“I love you, Mike, and I miss you,” Janet, 43, wrote Wednesday afternoon.
She signed her Tweet “Dunk,” which is Michael’s nickname for her.
Janet was among the 200 family members and close friends who attended Michael’s funeral at Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary in Glendale, Calif. late Thursday afternoon.
Michael’s children — Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7 — were comforted by Janet, LaToya and their five brothers, who served as pallbearers. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy Jackson all wore suits with the late singer’s signature black armband and sequined glove.
Macaulay Culkin and girlfriend Mila Kunis, 77-year-old Elizabeth Taylor, Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, baseball star Barry Bonds, Chris Tucker, Al Sharpton, Kenny Ortega and Corey Feldman were also there.
In his first national interview since being paroled, Dr. Jack Kevorkian defended Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been targeted in the manslaughter investigation into Michael Jackson’s death.
Even though Jackson’s death has been ruled a homicide, Kevorkian, 81, told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto Wednesday that Murray did not commit murder by providing Jackson with lethal amounts of the anesthetic propofol. (Murray, who maintains his innocence, says on the morning of Jackson’s June 25 death, he gave Jackson 25 milligrams of propofol diluted with lidocaine to keep him sedated — after repeated demands from the singer.)
“I don’t think he was malicious,” Kevorkian said. “Murder is defined by forethought …Did the doctor have forethought? I doubt it.”
He added, “The patient got what he wanted. He is the one who said yes or no to take a drug.”
That’s the same mindset Kevorkian said he had when helping terminally ill patients die, which led to an eight-year prison sentence on second-degree murder charges.
“I have no regrets,” said Kevorkian, who is now the subject of an upcoming HBO biopic, starring Al Pacino. “Everyone I helped welcomed death. I do what a physician should do — what is best for the patient, period. If I did it with malice or forethought and without permission than I would be a murderer. But, they forgot the definition of murder when they criticized me; because it’s so negative, they win by fear.”
But he said he won’t go back to “helping” people die now.
“Why should I go to prison again?” he told Cavuto. “I lost 1/10th of my life already in prison; I’m not going to lose the rest at this age.”
Michael Jackson’s death has been ruled a homicide, the Los Angeles County coroner announced Friday.
According to the coroner’s report, the drugs propofol and lorazepam were found to be the primary drugs responsible for his death.
Other drugs detected were: Midazolam, Diazepam, Lidocaine and Ephedrine.
Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, told police he gave the singer propofol the morning of June 25 after a series of sedatives failed to help Jackson sleep. Murray is the target of what police term a manslaughter investigation.
Jackson died June 25 at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest.
A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide.
The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the doctor who was with the pop star when he died.
The official says the coroner determined a fatal combination of drugs was given to Jackson hours before he died in his rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the findings have not been publicly released.
Forensic tests found the powerful anesthetic propofol in Jackson’s system along with two sedatives, the official says.
Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, is the target of a manslaughter probe headed by Los Angeles police.
Michael Jackson’s personal physician will be charged with manslaughter within the next two weeks, FOX News reports.
A law enforcement source says Dr. Conrad Murray could be arrested as soon as next Wednesday.
Next week, investigators plan to execute one more search warrant – possibly at a Los Angeles pharmacy — in an attempt to gather more evidence, so the arrest would likely happen the following week, according to the report.
Fox News reports that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office is currently in talks with investigators about whether they will offer Murray the option of surrendering in Los Angeles, or if he will be arrested in Houston, where he is currently staying.
Murray reportedly told investigators he administered a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol to Jackson in his rented Beverly Hills mansion in the hours before his June 25 death.
On Tuesday, he posted a video on YouTube, stating: “Please don’t worry — as long as I keep God in my heart and you in my life, I will be fine. I have done all I can do. I told the truth and I have faith that the truth will prevail.”
Fox reports that Jackson’s longtime dermatologist (and father of his two eldest children), Dr. Arnold Klein, will also be charged for medical malpractice.
As investigators continue to build their case against him, he will not be arrested for at least another two weeks, according to the report.
