Jackson Goes Green

Michaal Jackson has reportedly paid $20K for an environmentally-friendly car.

The car is powered by electricity and petrol, and is the car of choice for Hollywood celebs keen to display their green credentials.

Janet Keeps Her Distance

It is reported that all the Jacksons, including Michael, have agreed to perform a 40 city world tour.

All of them except for Janet it seems.

A source has reportedly told New York Post's Page Six that Janet's music producer, Jermaine Dupri, is:

"...wary of having her be associated with Michael because he's gotten such bad press."

Reunited?

It is reported that The Jackson Five are planning to reunite for a tour next year, that at least is what Jermaine Jackson has told the BBC.

Jermaine said that Michael would take part, and concert dates had been discussed.

Quote:

"Michael will be involved.

We feel we have to do it one more time.

We owe that to the fans and to the public.

There's been so much going on, getting over all the hurdles that we all were faced with during Michael's trial.

But we are stronger than ever. I'm gonna say thank you, thank you, thank you so much to all the fans and the supporters of my family all over Europe, all over the UK especially, who came out to show their love and their support."

Michael Jackson's representatives have not confirmed the veracity of Jermaine's claims.

The Kindness of Strangers

Following the example of Blanche Dubois in "A Street Car Named Desire" it seems that Michael Jackson, according to reports, is relying on the kindness of friends. He spent last week at the Beverly Hills home of his good friend Ron Burkle.

A source is quoted in Pagesix.com as saying:

"The whole family has been hiding out. They were holed up in Burkle's place behind the Beverly Hills Hotel. They even refused to come out of their rooms and hid when Burkle had guests over".

Friedman Attacks Bain

Fox's Roger Friedman has turned his guns on Michael Jackson's spokesperson, Rayomone Bain. In a stinging attack on Bain, entitled "Neverland Nevermore: Jacko's PR Lies", Friedman describes Bain's recent statement that Jackson was never in default on his $23M Neverland loan as a lie.

He then ups the ante, by noting that he has been receiving emails and faxes from Jackson's fans blaming Bain for Jackson's recent difficulties.

Friedman claims that the emails show evidence of Bain sanitising the Jackson's web fan pages of all criticism of her.

Then, for good measure, he notes that the fans despise her.

The clock is ticking on the loan default, Jackson has until 19 January 2008 to resolve this; then it will be clear as to whether Bain is right or wrong.

Neverland Safe?

Despite reports about Michael Jackson being in danger of losing Neverled, as a result of defaulting on his debts, Raymone Bain insists that all is well.

She claims that Jackson's former advisers refinanced the loan in 2006. The loan matured last month, and now he is refinancing the $23M loan again.

Quote:

"Mr. Jackson is in the final stages of refinance and will not lose Neverland Valley Ranch."

So that's alright then.

Jackson doesn't live in Neverland anymore; he now resides in Washington, as does Rayomone Bain.

No Change

In an interview published in Ebony, Michael Jackson claims that he has barely changed since releasing Thriller.

Quote:

"That Michael is probably the same Michael here."

I guess he is ignoring the change in skin colour and facial features then?

Refinancing

Fox reports that Michael Jackson has edged forward in his battle to remain vaguely solvent.

His business partners, Sony, are helping him refinance his $300M loan with Fortress Investment Group. In theory, if the deal goes through, Barclays will buy the loan.

However, this does not cover the separate debt of $23M with Fortress held on Neverland.

Therefore he still faces losing Neverland, that being said he doesn't live there anymore.

Does it therefore really matter to him whether Neverland is lost or not?

Ebony

Michael Jackson has been spotted in Brooklyn doing a photo shoot for the front cover of Ebony magazine.

Apparently, during the shoot, he went on about hwe he loves children.

Given that he has deliberately changed his skin colour, and is in financial freefall, why is a magazine that focuses on the contribution that African Americans have made to the world so keen to put him on the front cover?

Jackson Bankrupt

The Mirror reports that with debts of over $320M, and having learned that Neverland may be repossessed in 90 days, Michael Jackson is considering declaring himself bankrupt.

Then what?

Jackson To Lose Neverland?

Reality may finally be catching up with Michael Jackson, as his Neverland ranch is now under serious threat of repossession.

He has 90 days to pay back a $23M loan plus interest, or he will lose Neverland and other property.

Jackson has reportedly defaulted on the $23M loan with Fortress Music Trust, which he was to have settled by October 12.

A notice of default was filed in Santa Barbara Country on October 22.

The value of Neverland is reported to be $17M. However, any sensible person buying it would undoubtedly have to spend a large amount of money removing the amusements and other assorted paraphernalia.

Jackson's Drug Issues

Fox reports that Jackson has admitted to being impaired by his prescription medication in the past.

Jackson has used this impairment as the basis for explaining why he doesn't recall signing various legal documents.