Michael Jackson, not a black or white story [updated]

It was strange watching the television news media struggle with the early reports and coverage of Michael Jackson’s hospitalization and then death. First there was a sourcing issue — though everyone gave this newspaper its due, folks at CNN, MSNBC and other outlets refused to acknowledge that it was TMZ that first reported the superstar’s death because, presumably, TMZ is a gossip website and that's just tacky.

Once the death was confirmed, another issue arose. How does one eulogize a superstar who, even without the various accusations of pedophilia, was something of a freak? Or was, as several talking heads put it, “a troubled individual.” In recent years, Jackson has been more infamous than famous, known for his increasingly alarming appearance, the charges of child molestation and his subsequent business-arrangement marriage that led to his single fatherhood.  

It’s hard to remember another celebrity death in which the crowds gathering to mourn were repeatedly compared to the crowds that gathered for the recently deceased’s sexual abuse trial.

But what’s a poor newscaster to do? Michael Jackson is perhaps the most fatally flawed historical icon since Napoleon. Al Sharpton was right to remind crowds that Jackson and his family broke a color barrier — the Jackson 5 were beloved by teenyboppers of every race and, at his height, Jackson’s fan base was international. But there is also no denying that he was a troubling figure, with his self-professed devotion to children, his queasy Neverland bubble, his strange and lavish shopping habits (Did he really buy the body of the Elephant Man? Sleep in a decompression chamber? ) and the whole mask thing. In later years he became a professional eccentric, glimpses of him in public a bit like alien sightings. 

It all made the standard news loop eulogy a little ... complicated. “Who are all these people and why are they here for this man?” MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann asked at one point, and for once he wasn’t waxing rhetorical. It isn’t that the media wasn’t willing run with the superlatives — Jackson was perhaps the most popular performer of the 1980s, with continued success in the ‘90s, the first performer to make $100 million and winner of too many awards and maker of too many hits to name. But as a Fox taped segment pointed out, it was easy to forget all that in light of all the subsequent scandal, plastic surgery and general eccentricity. The television eulogy text is supposed to run heavy on the praise, couching any criticism in endearing tones. Hours before, coverage devoted to Farrah Fawcett would have led one to believe that she was one of this country’s most significant entertainers which, God bless her, we all know she was not. But Jackson, who could lay genuine claim to such a title, had such a complicated history that unadulterated praise seemed simply inaccurate.

On CNN, a Jackson biographer predicted that drugs and anorexia would be the ultimate causes of his death and a family friend made vague accusations of enabling by Jackson’s family. Soon terms like “the King of Pop” and “one of pop culture’s greatest icons” took on a canned flavor as everyone rushed to figure out what went wrong and to point out the very obvious perils of fame and fortune. Dead only a few minutes, and Michael Jackson was already a sobering lesson to us all.

But the excavation has just begun because Michael Jackson is a national mystery, his death of Rosebudian proportions. (Reporters on every network found themselves groping when asked where his three children were or even if he still had custody.) Now, maybe we will know the truth about the man whose music moved so many, who seemed to become a spectral victim of his own fame before our very eyes, who in death will become perhaps more visible than he was in life.    

-- Mary McNamara

Photo credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story stated that Fox News did not acknowledge that TMZ was the first outlet to break the Michael Jackson hospitalization. Fox News did in fact credit TMZ with the news.

Related: Pop star Michael Jackson dead at 50

Related: Celeb twitterers react to Jackson's death

Related: TV misses out as gossip website TMZ reports Michael Jackson's death first

Related: Fans mourn Michael Jackson

Related: Michael Jackson discography

Related: Photos: Michael Jackson | 1958-2009

Comments

[Tom]

Excellent piece. Ms McNamara's comments are always thoughtful and apt. One of the best critics the Times has ever had.

[Chris O.]

Good for you, Mary for putting this into perspective. Most of the other reporters are falling over themselves in praise of this strange, troubled and talented person.

[Susan Stiffelman]

I love this honest take on such a complex man. As horrified as I was about the alleged molestations, I can see this as an utterly fragile person whose demons and wounds had an immense stronghold.

As someone who works with children, I am distracted by wondering where they are in this drama, and who is caring for them.

Susan Stiffelman

[TERESA]

MICHAEL WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE AN ICON

[Shauna]

My sentiments exactly. I first thought: Wacko Jacko dead?! And then thought: the King of Pop dead? I remembered my childhood crush and desperately trying to emulate the moonwalk and I smiled. It was the first time I had smiled at the mention of Jackson's name in years. It's a strange death to mourn indeed. Thank you for your insight, Mary.

[Dr. Al Hathaway]

MJ has blessed us by using God's gifts to the fullest. We honored him by making his a treasure we were able to behold. He is now singing with the angelic voices.
http://blog.alhathaway.com/2009/06/life-is-fleeting.html

[Dave from Tampa Bay]

MIchael is so fascinating because he went from beloved child star to a young adult icon to a strange troubled freak show. No one will ever question his talent but no one can question that for much of his adult life he was a lonely, tortured soul. And there lies the irony, he never wanted that adult life as he didn't trust it and didn't like to think of himself as such, yet when the adult urges could no longer be ignored, he preyed on the innocence of young children, a Peter Pan gone bad. It's sad because I think he was 95% a sensitive, caring, fantastic human being. The saddest part was that he tried everything, from changing his skin, his face, his nose and even his persona but the wanna-be forever child could not get away from that one thing...the man in the mirror.

[Susan]

Most fatally flawed historical icon since Napoleon? What an ignorant statement.
Napoleon created and made history; Michael Jackson made music. Or, if all else fails, have you forgotten Hitler and Stalin? Do us all a favor and bring back Howard Rosenberg.

[martini]

Today we lost an all american Farrah and extraordinary talent Michael...you both will be remembered forever.

[Jesse]

Insightful piece as I have always overlooked recent allegations and the fact that in recent years MJ was a troubled man. I think many people mourn him and remember his better moments because he was part of a positive/fun time in their own life i.e. trying to do the moon walk or busting out MJ dance moves in the club

[Michael Jackson Fan]

To all the fans who want to cement your thoughts on this tragedy, you can comment your feelings at themichaeljacksonmemorialsite.com

God Bless

[Sandra Carter]

I only wish that he was able to find a way to cope with his stardom and to fight off his demons while he was alive. I believe that it was his fame and greatness which ultimately took him from us. As much has he was loved by his family, friends, and fans, that could never remedy the deep pain and feelings of emptiness that he carried in his heart. He had reached a point of greatness and genius where he could not outdo himself, and yet a part of him never had a chance to live--the little boy who wanted to be a little boy, loved unconditionally out of the spotlight. The dichotomy was too much for him to bear. May he finally have the peace and unconditional love that he was so desperate to find here on earth as he rests in the arms of his Maker.

[Sarah]

FWIW, BBC world news and France 24 both mentioned TMZ and LA Times as sources. I think they wanted confirmation from his family, to be sure the result of the doctors work -- which came soon enough. These were broadcast Thursday around midnight central time on my local PBS station. Your article is excellent, on such a complex man. Hope you write more. One man on the BBC program said fans were split, half playing his songs and dancing, half with candles and memorials at the university. True?

[Keith D]

All I Can Say Is That 3 Celeberties passed away this week and no matter how their personal life was That they were HUMAN. They brought joy and sadness to our lives. They were like family in there own right to every human beings and no matter how their lives turn out good or bad we shoudn't judge them. Let them rest in peace and learn from ther situiations that fame is fickle.

[The Grim Sheckster]

What can be gaudier than this freak's life? His death and all of you idiots obsessing about it. Get over it people, this man's (?) contributions to humanity and world are what, Neverland and pedophile tendencies?

[teddybear]

Michael Jackson will be missed, great excellent singer! Let him rest in peace now! Love Ya Michael Jackson! You Was Awesome!

[Kelly]

I think the detractors have some valid points, but I would stress that we live in very different times than Napoleon or Henry VIII or even Hitler; before the days of media saturation, the opulent and sordid lives of monarchs and dictators were what fascinated the masses. Now we look to celebrities to satiate our need for human triumph and tragedy. Whether Jackson's contributions to the world were more or less important is not the point; the fact is, just about every human being on earth knew who this guy was and had an opinion about him, whether it was reverence, fascination, disgust, or determined disavowal of his importance (which takes some energy in itself). You don't have to like what the guy did or even think it amounts to much, but it's unquestionable that he made a hell of an impact on the world.

[melodylane]

I'm finding myself angry at his father for taking such a front seat in this. Calling him a family leader is not what I'd call him. But then again we have Jesse Jackson up front and center and he did absolutely nothing to prevent Joe from taking advantage of all the kids.

Meanwhile I wish the family and the young Jackson kids, and the siblings time to heal and a good future.

[J.F.X.. Jones]

Remember another famous recluse, Howard Hughes. At the time of his death he was said to weigh less than one hundred pounds. Both icons were severly toubled individuals. But that said may they both rest in peace.
Oracle

[EricP]

"he preyed on the innocence of young children"

Dave - Your comment shows how brainwashed one can become by the media. MJ clearly had some emotional issues and thought of himself as childlike. To say he preyed on young children is irresponsible and tarnishes his legacy. His accusers were losers trying to make a buck. Do the research. There are facts about those kids and their families that destroy their credibility entirely. MJ was a genius. Think about it. Most child stars end up losers by age 15. MJ created a 35+ year career. He created the wacko persona to feed his fame and fortune. Make no mistake about it. He played the media.