Michael Jackson has won the coveted title of America's most foolish person, for the third year running.
Around 80% of 1,030 people, who took part in the annual April Fool's Day survey, felt that Jackson deserved the title; ahead of his sister Janet and domestic goddess Martha Stewart.
Well as the saying goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Jacksongate Tapes
It seems that there are some tape recordings of Michael Jackson talking to a nine year old Utah boy, made in the 1980's, floating around.
The recordings were allegedly made when Jackson was in his thirties. On them he reportedly talks about his battle with anorexia, how he hated his hair, how he was desperate to sleep with a woman, and how he didn't lose his virginity until the age of 32.
It is reported that Jackson befriended the boy in 1985, and would often call him late at night to talk. The tapes are now being held by publicity agent David Hans Schmidt.
Schmidt said:
"There is some dynamite stuff on them...I believe they will demonstrate that Jackson is, or at least was, heterosexual."
The more pertinent question is, why on earth would a 30+ year old man be baring his soul to a 9 year old boy?
The recordings were allegedly made when Jackson was in his thirties. On them he reportedly talks about his battle with anorexia, how he hated his hair, how he was desperate to sleep with a woman, and how he didn't lose his virginity until the age of 32.
It is reported that Jackson befriended the boy in 1985, and would often call him late at night to talk. The tapes are now being held by publicity agent David Hans Schmidt.
Schmidt said:
"There is some dynamite stuff on them...I believe they will demonstrate that Jackson is, or at least was, heterosexual."
The more pertinent question is, why on earth would a 30+ year old man be baring his soul to a 9 year old boy?
Come Fly With Me
Cynthia Bell, the a flight attendant on Michael Jackson's private aircraft, gave her testimony yesterday.
She said that Gavin Arvizo once showed off an expensive watch that Jackson had given him, and boasted that Jackson would buy him anything.
Bell said that this incident happened in 2003, during a Florida-to-California flight with Jackson and members of the Arvizo family.
The prosecution believe that the watch was a bribe, to prevent Gavin from revealing that Jackson gave him alcohol. The defence would have you believe that the Arvizo's were out to "take Jackson to the cleaners".
Bell testified that she served Jackson wine in a Diet Coke can, but did not see Gavin drink from it.
The idea for serving wine in cans came, it seems, from Bell herself. She said that "Michael Jackson is a very private drinker."
Bell went on to testify that Gavin was rude and unruly throughout the flight, at one point starting a food fight by throwing mashed potatoes at a sleeping doctor who was travelling with Jackson.
Bell said that Gavin made a number of complaints during the flight:
"His chicken was warm. 'I want a side of coleslaw. I don't want it on the same plate.' ... He was very demanding throughout the entire flight,".
The prosecution asked Bell if she saw Jackson cuddling the boy. She said she did not think so, but Jackson had an arm around the boy while listening to music.
Bell was asked: "What do you define as cuddling?"
She smiled and said: "I'd have to show you."
This provided a little light relief for the court.
She said that Gavin Arvizo once showed off an expensive watch that Jackson had given him, and boasted that Jackson would buy him anything.
Bell said that this incident happened in 2003, during a Florida-to-California flight with Jackson and members of the Arvizo family.
The prosecution believe that the watch was a bribe, to prevent Gavin from revealing that Jackson gave him alcohol. The defence would have you believe that the Arvizo's were out to "take Jackson to the cleaners".
Bell testified that she served Jackson wine in a Diet Coke can, but did not see Gavin drink from it.
The idea for serving wine in cans came, it seems, from Bell herself. She said that "Michael Jackson is a very private drinker."
Bell went on to testify that Gavin was rude and unruly throughout the flight, at one point starting a food fight by throwing mashed potatoes at a sleeping doctor who was travelling with Jackson.
Bell said that Gavin made a number of complaints during the flight:
"His chicken was warm. 'I want a side of coleslaw. I don't want it on the same plate.' ... He was very demanding throughout the entire flight,".
The prosecution asked Bell if she saw Jackson cuddling the boy. She said she did not think so, but Jackson had an arm around the boy while listening to music.
Bell was asked: "What do you define as cuddling?"
She smiled and said: "I'd have to show you."
This provided a little light relief for the court.
Psychologist Speaks
Stan Katz, the psychologist who first told the authorities about claims that Michael Jackson molested Gavin Arvizo, testified yesterday.
He said that it would be "extremely rare" for a child that age to make a false allegation.
Katz was prohibited by Judge Rodney Melville from testifying directly about the credibility of Jackson's accuser, or whether he believes the molestation occurred. However, Katz said children over five rarely fabricate claims of molestation.
He then went on to elaborate that accusers, who appear to be truthful, sometimes change their stories and embellish or exaggerate; contrasting this with those who lie "children who make false allegations are usually consistent, almost scripted."
Katz admitted that he has done no research on civil suits involving teenagers in abuse cases, but said: "I don't recall any adolescent or preadolescent making claims for profit."
He said that it would be "extremely rare" for a child that age to make a false allegation.
Katz was prohibited by Judge Rodney Melville from testifying directly about the credibility of Jackson's accuser, or whether he believes the molestation occurred. However, Katz said children over five rarely fabricate claims of molestation.
He then went on to elaborate that accusers, who appear to be truthful, sometimes change their stories and embellish or exaggerate; contrasting this with those who lie "children who make false allegations are usually consistent, almost scripted."
Katz admitted that he has done no research on civil suits involving teenagers in abuse cases, but said: "I don't recall any adolescent or preadolescent making claims for profit."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Arvizo's Declined Money
The defence in the trial of Michael Jackson have been dealt a severe blow with the testimony from Jamie Masada, owner of the Laugh Factory, saying that Janet Jackson (nee Arvizo) refused money from a mystery millionaire.
This evidence contradicts previous claims that Janet was trying to get money out of Jackson. The revelation came during court proceedings yesterday, when Masada who first introduced Michael Jackson to Arvizo took the stand.
Masada said that a "particular person" had offered money to Arvizo's family, after seeing a documentary about Gavin who was suffering from cancer at the time.
Masada said that Janet Arvizo rejected the money and only asked for "friendship and prayers". He also said that Mrs Arvizo had once called him from Jackson's Neverland Ranch in tears, saying the family were being held hostage there.
This evidence contradicts previous claims that Janet was trying to get money out of Jackson. The revelation came during court proceedings yesterday, when Masada who first introduced Michael Jackson to Arvizo took the stand.
Masada said that a "particular person" had offered money to Arvizo's family, after seeing a documentary about Gavin who was suffering from cancer at the time.
Masada said that Janet Arvizo rejected the money and only asked for "friendship and prayers". He also said that Mrs Arvizo had once called him from Jackson's Neverland Ranch in tears, saying the family were being held hostage there.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
The Jackson Five
Macaulay Culkin
One time friend of Jackson, who has denied being molested.
Jordie Chandler
Accused Jackson of molesting him in 1993. Was paid $25M by Jackson, case never came to trial.
Jason Francia
Son of Jackson's former maid. She was paid $2M in 1993, and he never testified.
Wade Robson
Admitted in 1993 that he slept with Jackson, said that nothing happened.
Brett Barnes
Admitted sharing a bed with Jackson, denied anything sexual took place.
One time friend of Jackson, who has denied being molested.
Jordie Chandler
Accused Jackson of molesting him in 1993. Was paid $25M by Jackson, case never came to trial.
Jason Francia
Son of Jackson's former maid. She was paid $2M in 1993, and he never testified.
Wade Robson
Admitted in 1993 that he slept with Jackson, said that nothing happened.
Brett Barnes
Admitted sharing a bed with Jackson, denied anything sexual took place.
Turning Point
Judge Melville's ruling yesterday, allowing allegations of past sexual molestation to be admitted to the Jackson trial is a turning point in the case.
Up until now the defence have been winning the argument. Now, the prosecution will turn the case into a judgment about Jackson's lifestyle and character.
The ruling has already identified that there are five allegations about past behaviour. One of these relates to Macaulay Culkin.
Culkin's publicist, Michelle Bega, said on Monday that he "is presently not involved with the proceedings and we do not expect that to change."
It is likely that the case will now get rough and dirty.
Up until now the defence have been winning the argument. Now, the prosecution will turn the case into a judgment about Jackson's lifestyle and character.
The ruling has already identified that there are five allegations about past behaviour. One of these relates to Macaulay Culkin.
Culkin's publicist, Michelle Bega, said on Monday that he "is presently not involved with the proceedings and we do not expect that to change."
It is likely that the case will now get rough and dirty.
Past Allegations Allowed
Judge Rodney Melville said yesterday that he would allow prosecutors to introduce evidence relating to five previous incidents of alleged abuse by Michael Jackson.
Judge Melville said:
"I'm going to permit testimony with regard to sexual offenses and alleged pattern of grooming activity by the defendant,".
Prosecutors are trying to establish that the charges are part of a pattern of behavior by Jackson, saying he has a history of winning over his victims with lavish stays at his Neverland Valley Ranch. This practice of lavishly treating his guests was called "grooming activity" by the judge.
Under the ruling, jurors in Jackson's trial will be allowed to hear about a 1993 case in which he paid some $23 million to settle with the family of Jordie Chandler who accused him of sexual abuse.
Chandler will not testify, but one other man, the son of a former Jackson employee, who has charged Jackson with abuse will take the witness stand.
Defence lawyers sought to block the testimony, arguing that prosecutors were trying to bring in a parade of witnesses with grudges against Jackson.
Judge Melville said:
"I'm going to permit testimony with regard to sexual offenses and alleged pattern of grooming activity by the defendant,".
Prosecutors are trying to establish that the charges are part of a pattern of behavior by Jackson, saying he has a history of winning over his victims with lavish stays at his Neverland Valley Ranch. This practice of lavishly treating his guests was called "grooming activity" by the judge.
Under the ruling, jurors in Jackson's trial will be allowed to hear about a 1993 case in which he paid some $23 million to settle with the family of Jordie Chandler who accused him of sexual abuse.
Chandler will not testify, but one other man, the son of a former Jackson employee, who has charged Jackson with abuse will take the witness stand.
Defence lawyers sought to block the testimony, arguing that prosecutors were trying to bring in a parade of witnesses with grudges against Jackson.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Jackson Plays To The Gallery
Michael Jackson appeared on the net yesterday in an interview with Rev Jesse Jackson, and declared that he was "completely innocent" of child molestation charges.
Then, for good measure, Jackson stated that he is the victim of a conspiracy and asked fans around the world to pray for him.
Oddly enough Jackson did not choose to elaborate in his conspiracy theory; eg saying who it was that was conspiring against him, and why.
He cited the gag order as preventing him from backing up his claims.
Jackson then went on to "play the race card". He said that he was just the latest of several "black luminaries" to be unjustly accused, citing former South African President Nelson Mandela and former heavyweight boxing champions Muhammad Ali and Jack Johnson as others.
Precisely how he can compare his case with that of Mandela's past imprisonment is beyond me. They are totally different situations, and involve very different personalities.
Playing the race card is merely playing to the gallery of public sympathy. It will avail him nothing in the courtroom.
Jackson then gushed:
"I just want to say to fans in every corner of the Earth, every nationality, every race, every language, I love you from the bottom of my heart..I would love your prayers and your good will, and please be patient and be with me and believe in me because I am completely, completely innocent. But please know a lot of conspiracy is going on as we speak,".
Jackson then tried to pull the sympathy vote for his "back pain"; noting that he was in "intense pain" since falling in the shower earlier this month. This contradicted an earlier part of the interview where he said that his health was perfect.
Seemingly, if the interview can be believed, Jackson has been "hand fed" by Elizabth Taylor.
"Elizabeth Taylor used to feed me, to hand-feed me, at times...Please, I don't want anybody to think I'm starving; I'm not," he quickly added. "My health is perfect, actually."
I fail to see how this form of discussion is helpful to his case or his image.
Then, for good measure, Jackson stated that he is the victim of a conspiracy and asked fans around the world to pray for him.
Oddly enough Jackson did not choose to elaborate in his conspiracy theory; eg saying who it was that was conspiring against him, and why.
He cited the gag order as preventing him from backing up his claims.
Jackson then went on to "play the race card". He said that he was just the latest of several "black luminaries" to be unjustly accused, citing former South African President Nelson Mandela and former heavyweight boxing champions Muhammad Ali and Jack Johnson as others.
Precisely how he can compare his case with that of Mandela's past imprisonment is beyond me. They are totally different situations, and involve very different personalities.
Playing the race card is merely playing to the gallery of public sympathy. It will avail him nothing in the courtroom.
Jackson then gushed:
"I just want to say to fans in every corner of the Earth, every nationality, every race, every language, I love you from the bottom of my heart..I would love your prayers and your good will, and please be patient and be with me and believe in me because I am completely, completely innocent. But please know a lot of conspiracy is going on as we speak,".
Jackson then tried to pull the sympathy vote for his "back pain"; noting that he was in "intense pain" since falling in the shower earlier this month. This contradicted an earlier part of the interview where he said that his health was perfect.
Seemingly, if the interview can be believed, Jackson has been "hand fed" by Elizabth Taylor.
"Elizabeth Taylor used to feed me, to hand-feed me, at times...Please, I don't want anybody to think I'm starving; I'm not," he quickly added. "My health is perfect, actually."
I fail to see how this form of discussion is helpful to his case or his image.
Past Ruling
Judge Rodney Melville will today hear arguments about whether Michael Jackson's past molestation allegations can be used as evidence against him.
Jackson had settled a civil suit in 1993 with the family of Jordie Chandler, whom he allegedly molested, paying $20M to drop the case.
In 1995 the law in California over sex crimes was chnaged, allowing previous allegations to be admitted to trial.
Jackson had settled a civil suit in 1993 with the family of Jordie Chandler, whom he allegedly molested, paying $20M to drop the case.
In 1995 the law in California over sex crimes was chnaged, allowing previous allegations to be admitted to trial.
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