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Of the nine executive producers credited on “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty,” four are Jacksons — Marlon, Jermaine, Tito and Jackie. From that much information, viewers will know better than to expect a blistering exposé. But then, it’s probably better to keep the dream, and the myths, alive anyway. The six-hour reality miniseries, premiering Sunday night on the A&E channel, marks the first time that the family has opened its doors to filmmakers, and even if the family controlled the final result, there still are revealing and remarkable moments. None is more traumatic, of course, than the tragedy that brings Part 1 to a sobering close: June 25, 2009, when the Jacksons learned that their brightest star had fallen. We in fact hear a recording of the 911 call placed when Michael was discovered unconscious, and see clips of the fan hordes who mourned in New York, Tokyo, Africa and London as news of his death circled the planet. Michael’s passing devastated the family and also changed the nature and structure of the documentary, which was already well into the planning stages. Jermaine and the others decided to go on with the project, letting themselves be filmed as they grieved for their loss and the world’s. The film ends with the dedication, “In Loving Memory, Michael Joseph Jackson, Aug. 29, 1958 — June 25, 2009.” Since we know what’s coming, the first 40 minutes or so of Part 1 also seem imbued with sorrow, partly because the brothers seem disheartened and a bit disoriented as they get together to plan a comeback — including a concert tour and a CD — celebrating their act’s 40th anniversary. Michael was to be a part of that. He still is, of course, but not as intended. Unfortunately, much of the footage that precedes the heartbreak is humdrum and routine, capturing the brothers and other members of the real and extended family as they talk about themselves, visit one another’s lavish homes, sport around in a white Rolls-Royce, play backyard basketball (in scenes that seem like shameless padding) and take a sentimental journey to their home town of Gary, Ind. They, along with a song from Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man,” immortalized the once-industrial city, which looks sadly abandoned now. Even so, a grand banner greets the brothers when they arrive: “Welcome Home, Jackson 5, Keepers of the Dream.” Earlier Jermaine had said nostalgically, “What’s real is Indiana — 2300 Jackson Street,” the address of their amazingly tiny childhood home. Tears flow even before Michael’s demise. Jermaine confesses to his brothers and to the camera that he always felt “like an outsider” in the act and even more so during 10 years he spent on his own, accomplishing precious little. Divulging his hurt to the family, he breaks down weeping, followed by a major hugging session for all. Although this part of the film is compelling, not much else really is, and you may get the feeling you are watching outtakes from a documentary rather than the real thing. Even more disheartening is a little recorded moment from an edition of “The Carol Burnett Show” in which Burnett introduces the Jackson 5, all decked out in powder blue. The scene brings back cheering and charming memories, which are, like the film clip, cruelly cut short. Even though the footage looks beautifully preserved or restored, we don’t get to hear a single Jackson 5 song, nor watch any of their heavy-on-charm choreography. The filmmakers put too much value on intimate embarrassments and far too little on simple but satisfying entertainment, which would have helped with the hour’s pacing and range. It’s all several shades too somber, and it seems awfully churlish of the producers to tease us with mere glimpses of the Jackson 5 when a few complete numbers — even just one — would have been most welcome relief. Janet Jackson literally phones in her contribution, unseen as she calls on her birthday; no one says which one. Then the brothers go back to rehearsing wearily in a recording studio, failing to spark or to recapture what one of them calls “that old Jackson 5 magic.” Tito tells his brothers, “You guys sound like the Supremes,” which is true even when they talk. The remaining five hours will follow the Jacksons as they try to get their act, or as close to it as possible, together. It may be interesting to watch them struggle, but it’s not likely to be fascinating, especially when the man at the center of it all is not there. “His spirit is very much alive,” Jermaine says of Michael, but that turns out to be more of a problem for “The Jacksons” than a blessing. The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty (one hour) premieres Sunday night with back-to-back episodes on A&E at 9. | ||
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Since Dr. Conrad Murray went back to his regular practice last month, late Michael Jackson’s family have been upset that he still maintains his medical license. Sister, Janet Jackson and mom, Katherine Jackson are building a wrongful death law suit and “an appeal to U.S. authorities” to take away his license and the right to practice. Jermaine Jackson told Larry King that Dr. Conrad Murray should have refrained from practicing at least until the end of the investigation, which is now going to continue into 2010.
Dr. Conrad Murray was pressured to return to work in order to start paying back the growing child support alimony he was ignoring. | ||
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December 02, 2009, (Splash News) – Janet Jackson will perform for the grand final episode of The X-Factor, in which four contestants will fight it out for the crown. Star judge Simon Cowell originally hoped to have Jackson’s late brother Michael on the show. But the king of pop died before he could fulfill his UK mega-tour. The X-Factor and its off-stage dramas have been delicious of late, especially those involving Jedward, a twin act that was disqualified, Danyl Johnson, a bisexual contestant with a temper, and Dannii Minogue and her outspoken shtick. Still in the running are Johnson, Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon and Joe McElderry. All have been allowed to choose their own songs for the final weekend. Jackson will perform on the Sunday night final and also give her view on the Saturday night performances. An insider said: “The Michael Jackson numbers will be huge crowd pleasers – and each contestant will want to do Janet and the Jackson family proud.” | ||
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Here is a trailer of the new movie, Why did i get married too? I think it’s going to be gooood and i cannot wait, it comes out in April 2010. | ||
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Janet Jackson said the realisation of her brother, Michael’s, death only hit her three months after his death, as she prepared to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards. Janet Jackson said the realisation of her brother Michael’s death only hit her three months after his death. The ‘Make Me’ singer said she had avoided everything that could remind her of her Thriller’ singer brother after he suddenly passed away in June, until she was about to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, when she saw a huge picture in tribute to him. Janet, 43, said: “It hit me before I was about to do the performance, and it hit me when we were in rehearsal. “There was a huge image of him on this screen, and I started to cry. I had to step away.” She also said that she is continuing to come to terms with the singer’s death, of acute intoxication by the anesthetic Propofol, but that she feels in future things will get easier. She added: “You know, a day doesn’t go by where you don’t think about him. It’s always there, in every sense. “But it will get better. It’s not easy, but I know with time it will get easier. But it will never be easy. It’s my brother.” 30 November 2009 05:45:11 AM | ||
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Out of all the pop princesses who came after her, Janet Jackson holds a special place in her heart for one in particular. Miss Jackson reveals to The Times that she “loves” Alicia Keys’ music and spirit. “She has such a beautiful soul,” she tells the U.K. newspaper. “I love her for that. There’s not a lot of them.” In addition to Keys, the 43-year-old singer “enjoys” Lady Gaga and appreciates the flattery from her younger peers. “I think it’s great for someone to emulate you,” she says. “It lets you know that they’ve watched your work and admired what it is you’ve done.” Jackson’s greatest hits album Number Ones is available now. | ||
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Janet Jackson paid loving tribute to late brother Michael Jackson at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September. But on Sunday night (November 22) at the American Music Awards, it was all Janet. The singer’s powerhouse singing-and-dancing clinic opened the show and included the new single “Make Me,” a song featured on her recently released greatest hits collection, Janet: Number Ones, as well as a trip through her back catalog, leaning heavily on Control. The singer performed on a night when Michael is nominated for five awards, including Artist of the Year. Opening in silhouette, Janet and her dancers bounded into “Miss You Much” as she skipped across the stage, throwing off some of her classic side-to-side shuffles and head fakes while wearing a buckskin outfit and brown suede boots. Though the outfit featured a plunging neckline, it was somewhat demure for the artist known as much for her provocative outfits as her chart dominance. After a bit of “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” she busted into “If,” cribbing a move from her brother and grabbing a crotch … hers and that of a male dancer. Jackson then slid into the new single, “Make Me,” a fun-time disco jam that returns to her high-energy early singles and features a lyrical hat-tip to Michael’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” Crowd shots found members of the Black Eyed Peas, brother Jermaine Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Carrie Underwood cheering Jackson on during the fast-paced routine. The medley ended with the hyped-up “Together Again” as Janet stood alone at center stage, smiling as the audience showered her with applause. | ||
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Janet rocked it!! And it was so cute to see Jermaine Jackson in the audience supporting his baby sister. She looked beautiful! And the media site will be back up soon. | ||
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» Posted by Lena on November 19th, 2009 | Filed Under: Family, fan love, interview, michael jackson, videos | ||
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In case anyone missed it, here is part one of Janet’s interview with Robin Roberts. She looks beautiful and it bought tears to my eyes. You can watch the full episode HERE | ||
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