Michael Jackson

[Gutmutter]

Short of starting a new thread in the movie section, I just wanted to comment on "This is It". So sad! He was so thin! None of the songs are in full voice or costume, which is a shame. Too bad he never got to perform the pieces the way he envisioned them. Very touching movie.

[Google]

 

[psycobabe007]

Just saw "This is It". I loved it!

There was commentary in there about all of the features that were being added (costumes, pyrotechnics, lighting, movie features, etc) as to help the audience visualize what would have been the end result, which was classic Michael in every way, down to the lighted crystals on his "Billy Jean" costume. It would have been a wonderful event had it taken place.

It was just fascinating though to kind of see this almost "unplugged" version of Michael a little. Too often did we know anything else but the drama and spectacle of his life.

[MizDaisy]

Joe's predictable demand for money from MJ's estate. The only surprise is it didn't happen sooner.

Joe Jackson Wants Money from MJ's Estate | TMZ.com

Joe Jackson claims there was "no justification" for him to be excluded from getting money from Michael Jackson's estate ... and now he's asking a judge to grant him a monthly allowance.

Joe just filed papers in L.A. County Superior Court, claiming he's "entitled to his own independent family allowance."

In the docs, Leonard Rowe -- a guy who claims to have been MJ's manager -- says Michael used to give his mother Katherine up to $60,000 a month to live on, and that Michael instructed her to give half of it to Joe.

Joe claims Michael's estate has "earned more than $100 million dollars in the first seven (7) weeks following Michael Jackson's death" and is "well able to afford a family allowance for Joe Jackson."

Joe says he has $15,425 in total monthly expenses, including the following:

-- $2,500 eating out
-- $2,000 for air travel
-- $3,000 for hotel bills
-- $1,000 for groceries
-- $1,200 for rent
-- $50 in charitable contributions

[Bearcata]

Originally Posted by MizDaisy

Joe's predictable demand for money from MJ's estate. The only surprise is it didn't happen sooner.

Joe Jackson Wants Money from MJ's Estate | TMZ.com

Out of a $15,000 a month living expenses he gives only $50 to charity. Doesn't that kinda say it all.

[paridy]

And now the rest of the money grubbing clan has a new reality show coming up. Ugh.

[KeepItReal]

Originally Posted by paridy

And now the rest of the money grubbing clan has a new reality show coming up. Ugh.

Well at least the reality show was in the works before Michael died. Wasn't it suppossed to culminate in convincing Michael to do a reunion tour? I hope none of the children inherited Joe's level of greed. Sad thing is the brothers should have their own money. It's been reported that Joe squandered away all of their childhood earnings. Considering that he managed the group through 90% of their career (except Jermaine of course) it's sad to think that all of that work and lost childhood went to benefit Joe more than anyone. Now he outlives the biggest moneymaker he ever produced and he's looking for his cut. I hope Janet lives a good long life because that man would be on the estate of that single, childless woman quicker than the blink of an eye. Think of the joy of not having to split it with 3 kids and a creditor.

[tapper01]

he is some piece of work. He is not a true father

[KeepItReal]

Originally Posted by psycobabe007

Just saw "This is It". I loved it!

There was commentary in there about all of the features that were being added (costumes, pyrotechnics, lighting, movie features, etc) as to help the audience visualize what would have been the end result, which was classic Michael in every way, down to the lighted crystals on his "Billy Jean" costume. It would have been a wonderful event had it taken place.

It was just fascinating though to kind of see this almost "unplugged" version of Michael a little. Too often did we know anything else but the drama and spectacle of his life.

I caught the movie last weekend, and it was a very interesting piece. I didn't expect to enjoy it the way that I did, and although Michael wasn't singing in "full voice" (he mentioned quite a few times how he was conserving his voice), he still sounded like he had it to me, and he certainly still had the moves. He was indeed painfully thin, and on a more humorous note that jacket with the pointy shoulder pads that made him look like an electric guitar was killing me. Whoever created that thing is likely out of a career because who else can get away with wearing that! It's not your average saturday night out on the town outfit that's for sure.

I loved how respectful he was of those who were performing with him, and how in awe they were of him. It was good to see how much of a perfectionist he was when it came to his shows. All of these things we had heard about before, but it was nice to have a glimpse of it. Just wanted to add that his dancers were great! Very talented group of young people.

[MizDaisy]

Apparently, Joe's strategy to get more money from MJ's estate is to make as many wild accusations as possible in the hope that someone will believe he actually has a case.

Michael Jackson News - Yahoo! Music

Joseph Jackson, singer's father, lobs accusations
AP, Nov 10, 2009 4:00 am PST

LOS ANGELES – On the eve of a hearing in the Michael Jackson estate, a lawyer for the singer's father filed a 60-page motion Monday that intensifies a bid to get money from his son's estate by making accusations of fraud against the administrators of his will.

Joseph Jackson's attorney, Brian Oxman, filed a blizzard of documents in court late Monday claiming that the singer believed his old friends John Branca and John McClain had defrauded him. He also accused both of conflicts of interest and said they should be removed from administering the will..

Joseph Jackson was omitted from his son's will with all of Michael Jackson's assets going to his mother, his children and children's charities..

Howard Weitzman, one of the attorneys representing Branca and McClain, issued a statement Monday night in response to the motion. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Tuesday morning..

"These claims filed by Joe Jackson are so outrageous that they don't deserve any response," said Weitzman..

It was unclear whether Joseph Jackson has the legal standing to challenge its provisions..

Oxman said in a phone interview that the father is allowed to challenge the executors as "an interested party who has the right to be an executor or personal representative.".

Most of Oxman's accusations were aimed at Branca, the attorney who represented Jackson for more than 20 years and is seen as the architect of his financial empire. Branca parted ways with Jackson in 2006 and then returned to work with him shortly before the singer died..

Oxman claimed that Jackson believed Branca had committed "crimes" against him including embezzlement and funneling money into offshore accounts. But Oxman acknowledged in the interview Monday night that may not be true..

"It's not the truth or falsity of the accusation," he said. "It's that Michael believed it and that's why he terminated him.".

Branca has said he was not terminated; he resigned because he felt Jackson was being influenced by people who did not have his best interests at heart..

Among the items attached to the motion filed Monday is an undated report from a New York private investigation firm, known as Interfor, allegedly hired by Jackson to investigate Branca and his connections to Tommy Mottola, a music executive with whom Jackson was feuding..

The one page report refers to "rumors of irregularities involved in the accounting of legal fees" but cites no evidence..

Instead, it related finding a former employee who described Branca as "brilliant" and quoted a paralegal as saying "Branca is very quiet, intelligent, shy but lovely with a funny sense of humor.".

Michael Jackson's 2002 will omitted any mention of his father. The two had an often-strained relationship..

Oxman claimed father and son had reconciled and "Michael loved his father."

[Wind Dancer]

Does Joe realize he could ask for $2500 LESS per month if he didn't go out to eat?

By my math that means he spends $600 per WEEK eating out.

Maybe someone needs to show him the location of his nearest Mickey D's?


BTW--I don't think he hs standing to challenge the provisions of the will. The will is very clear about who does get money. If Michael had died intestate that would be a different matter. But this will was judged executable and is very clear in its provisions.

IMO Joe is sol.