The Michael Jackson Memorial, or I have too much time on my hands...

I couldn't decide what to do for my celebratory 100th Post so I'm deciding to "live blog" during the Michael Jackson Memorial Service.  It's all anyone is talking about and I'm figuring that as many people world wide that are watching this, there are still some of you that are at work and unable to watch.  So here it is, the MJ Memorial Service, as told by me!

I've decided to go with Charlie Gibson (love!) and ABC for my coverage.  The MTV/VH1 "pre game" coverage was better, but for the service itself nothing can top Charlie (who is with Martin Bashir, and Barbara Walters and Cynthia McFadden reporting from inside the Staples Center with Robin Roberts outside).  Sorry CNN, Fox, NBC, CBS, Fox, et al.  Charlie wins.

OK, so Smokey Robinson is reading letters.  He just read one from Nelson Mandela.  Can you imagine, Nelson Mandela sending a condolence letter to your family?

A choir is singing.  Something about the King.  Assuming they don't mean MJ, as in the King of Pop.

The coffin just got rolled in.  It's super shiny and silver and covered in beautiful flowers.

Oh crap, here comes Mariah Carey.  I feel the tears (not from me but from the thousands in the Staples Center) coming.  She did I'll Be There with some back up singer.  Mariah, what is up with the hand movements you are doing?

Hey there Queen Latifah!  She's reading a poem Maya Angelou wrote about MJ. Wow, that's heavy.

Uh oh, it's Lionel Richie.  And he's singing!  Something about Jesus.  Now he's speaking.

Berry Gordy looks good.  I'm glad he shared some humor during his speech, including a tale about the Gordy's vs. the Jackson's baseball games.  I guess the Jackson's use to win a lot.  And Michael wasn't a good catcher.

OMG!  All the Jackson brothers are each wearing one silver sequined glove (and matching yellow ties).

Time for a video montage!

You Are Not Alone will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

Here's Stevie Wonder.  He's the epitome of cool.  I love the red sunglasses.  A tribute to MJ's iconic red leather jacket?  And now a song...  

Here come Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.  Was MJ a basketball fan or are they just here because the Staples Center is also a basketball arena?  There's a picture of Magic and MJ.  Magic looks awfully shiny and plastic in that photo.  Maybe that was before he cured HIV?  I think Jamie and Kobe Bryant have the same tie.  I guess Kobe shops at Target too.  Oh yeah!  Magic Johnson was in that MJ video with Eddie Murphy.  OK, Magic, you've proved your credibility.  

Here's a fun tidbit, MJ liked KFC.

How come they're not showing Janet?  I want to see Janet!

Jennifer Hudson looks beautiful.  She's singing that MJ song I know but I don't know the name of.  It's sort of gospel-y.  Maybe Hold Me or Will You Be There?  The back up singers are doing some funny choreography.  This is truly a production.

Back to Charlie showing us the crowd in a park in Harlem watching on a big screen.

Here's the Rev. Al Sharpton.

And while he speaks, here are some other things.  The LAPD reported that this is the biggest deal since the 1984 Olympics.  Wow.  Earlier I saw a clip of MJ on the Dating Game when he was little.  He was wearing the coolest yellow suit.  I was watching CNN for coverage of the private family service and there were no less than 100 black cars waiting outside of the funeral home.  I wonder how many people stayed home from work to watch this, or are taking long lunches?  If I was the boss I would just allow my staff to gather in the conference room and watch this.  It's crazy to think that anyone is getting anything done right now.  They rolled in TV's the classroom when I was in 7th Grade so we could watch the OJ verdict live, this is a much bigger deal.

Blah, blah, blah, Al Sharpton is still talking.  The crowd is going wild for him, though.  He said something about MJ being the Jackie Robinson of music.  OK...

Now Charlie and Martin Bashir on commenting on Al Sharpton's comments.

I hear clapping but all I'm seeing is an empty stage.  Oh, here's John Mayer.  Perhaps the only person's presence I don't completely understand.  He looks nice though.  I like his vest.  He's playing something on his guitar.  I'm not sure what it is yet.  Now the rest of the band has joined in.  The song sounds familiar.  But I still don't know what it is yet.  I can say one thing for certain, John Mayer is a bad ass guitar player.  So I guess I don't know MJ that well.  Jamie knows this song but I still don't.

Anyway, Brooke Shields is talking now.  I guess her and MJ were like BFF.  She's crying.  I think she's the first one that's spoken that has cried on the pulpit.  Oh snap, now Martin Bashir is saying that MJ and Brooke weren't really great friends.  

The orchestra is playing.  Who is coming on stage?  Oh, Jermaine Jackson.  Now he's singing a song called Smile.  You know, not one of those Jackson boys aged well.  I think it's the surgery they've all had.  They look plastic-y.

So that Smile song is like some really famous song I know nothing about.

MLK III and Bernice King are speaking now.  Their prayers and condolences are with the Jackson family (duh).

OK, I'm bored.  How much longer is this going to be?  Perhaps I picked the wrong Post 100 blog topic.

Some congress lady from Texas.  I'm glad the government is involved now.  This makes it that much more credible.  WTF?  OMG, she's talking about how you're innocent until proven guilty, is she referencing the molestation charges?  Really?  We have to talk about this here and now?  Who invited her?

I know we started late, but it's already been an hour and a half.  Someone finally gave Charlie a copy of the program (he was driving blind before) and according to him Usher is up next.  I say for a finale everyone gets on stage and sings We Are the World (my fave song).

Usher is on stage.  I hope he dances.  He, like MJ, can dance!  No dancing, just really sad singing, Gone Too Soon.  If this is supposed to be a celebration then why aren't we singing fun songs?  I bet everyone would love a little Billie Jean right now.

We're coming full circle, Smokey Robinson is going to take the stage again.  Maybe he will sing something fun?  

Ooh!  Another video.  Here's little MJ with the Jackson 5 in an awesome pink hat on Ed Sullivan.

OK, Smokey, do something fun!  Y'all are losing me.  Nope, just talking.  Sing a damn song.  You were on Motown with MJ.  Sing a Motown song.  Oy.  B-O-R-I-N-G.  I wonder if they are serving beer inside the Staples Center?  

Up next is someone who I am unfamiliar with and who's name I can't pronounce or spell.  He's from Britain's Got Talent and he's not the crazy cat lady so I dunno.  Oh, but he's like a kid.  Cute.  Wow, what a voice.

And Kenny Ortega is speaking now.  He's a choreographer.  Oh, I guess the kid was going to be joining MJ on stage in London for those 50 shows.  What an honor for a kid.  Too bad plans have changed.

Ooh!  It's almost over.  Now a performance from what was supposed to be the London shows.  And a performance!  That will be fun, right?  This Memorial needs some fun!  And a performance means dancing.  Yea!  These two hours (not including the "pre-game") have been looooong.

OMG! OMG! OMFREAKING!  They are doing WE ARE THE WORLD!!!  I win!!!  Or rather, we all win.

And now they are doing something else.  We Are the World was the perfect finale.  I hope you top this with something amazing.  Nope, Heal The World.  

I'm done.  BTW, I think MJ ripped himself off writing this song because it sounds an awful lot like We Are the World.

Peace.

P.S. I quit blogging before the family could speak especially his daughter.