One Last Big (Yet Moving) Show for Michael

@ byemike01 - As a parent, would I allow my child to stay at Neverland. Sure, if I was there… if not, no way. Not b/c it's - MJ, but it's b/c I'm a good parent. Why would any parent send their child to stay with a stranger for a weekend. That's a no-brainer. These parents of the children that sent their child to stay there, or allowed their children to stay in his bed (a parent testified to staying at MJ's house while their child stayed in his room) need to be looked at closer. Is it not possible to see the reasonable doubt in their charges of child abuse against MJ? It sounds like a set up to me - sending your child to a stranger for a weekend or allowing your child to stay in a stranger's room, only to sue them later. Setup or child neglect on behalf of the parent. But it's unfortunate for MJ that instead of resting in peace, he still has folks like yourself and the media wanting to defame his name/character.

You sir are GAUDY. How disrespectful can you be? Regardless of your opinion is it too much to ask that you show some respect for the family. Show a little and write about how much good the man did for his fellow human beings. How much have you or any of the other naysayers on this page done? As for the criminal charges remember in this country a person is innocent until proven guilty. What are you and all the other people who left tasetless comments guilty of? Just remember you reap what you sow. I'm done reading TIME. Hope you are not bold enough to issue a collectible.

GAUDY!? I am so aggrieved after reading Mr. Ponchewecki's nonchalantly contemptuous description of this man's MEMORIAL service ON THE VERY DAY OF HIS MEMORIAL.

According to Merriam Webster: "GAUDY implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation ."

Mr. Ponchawacki, what EXACTLY was gaudy about this service? Everyone was dressed in black mourning clothes, the crowds attentive and respectful, some speakers said a few words and some entertainers sang a few songs while some photos played in the background.

You should be reprimanded by your reporters for inaccurate and irresponsible editorializing.

Most of the people upset about this article would find something wrong even if it were a puff piece.
It's like seeing racism everywhere.
This is a mass sickness.
A gold coffin, everyone wearing sequin gloves, that is
the definition of GAUDY, morons!

It wasn't strange and it wasn't gaudy. It was a beautiful memorial for a deserving individual. This article is in poor taste, to say the least, unprofessional and very negative. It may not be a direct attack on Michael Jackson, but there is a lot of unnecessary sarcasm in this article. Maybe you were trying to be witty? Have some respect Mr. Poniewozic!! If you can't write something decent when covering a memorial, then pick a different topic. How could this be published on this day of all days. Shame on you. I'm surprised CNN put this link on the front page.

this guy should pick up a dictionary:

gaud⋅y1  /ˈgɔdi/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [gaw-dee] Show IPA
Use gaudy in a Sentence
–adjective, gaud⋅i⋅er, gaud⋅i⋅est. 1. brilliantly or excessively showy: gaudy plumage.
2. cheaply showy in a tasteless way; flashy.
3. ostentatiously ornamented; garish.

The service was neither "excessively showy", "cheapy showy, tasteless or flashy" and the casket was not "ostentatiously ornamented."
In fact, it was a simple gold coffin - no embellishments, sedated flowers (I've seen more at nearly ALL funerals I have attended), and the service was extremely tasteful and understated.
AEG did a brilliant job - another word this blogger dude should look up - as he obviously knows nothing about brilliance, or even modest intelligence.

I grew up in the 60's. The Jackson 5 and Osmond Brother's were our generations Jonas Brothers, (my granddaughter's favs today). There is no way anyone who was/is a fan of Michael could even relate the family's processional to the Staples Center as the OJ chase. This is a low blow. OJ did it...Michael didn't. My thoughts and prayers are with his children and the Jackson family. It was a beautiful memorial service...nothing gaudy or presumptuous. Just fans and a family remembering a beloved special man! I know it will not happen...but, I hope the media will give these 3 children a chance to continue their normal life, as they have lived it. I believe all parties with regards to the children can come to a reasonable solution. Mrs. Jackson is a loving woman and knows the importance and influence of a mother's love. I so appreciate the Jackson family allowing ME to be a part of this service via the media.

Your comments are careless and inappropriate...completely unworthy of the stature of this event. I feel as if TIME chose the most out of touch, paid-off, pissed-off, desk-jockey to cover the funeral. I am angry right now that you chose to sh#t on this beautiful testiment to an icon, without any regard for the billions (yeah, I said it) of people who have just lost someone they have been encouraged and inspired by. Here's some advice, do yourself and everyone else a favor - if you aren't feeling the assignment and can't do the people who would be reading this article any justice, simply don't and pass it off to someone who gives a damn.

ps....I, like others here, had to get a doggone acct/pw just to respond to this nitwit...but it's worth it - because I want TIME to know....this 5th grader caliber of writing will NOT convince anyone to buy their crappy magazine...nor the "gaudy" MJ keepsake edition.
(apologies to the 5th graders even)

90% of the thoughtful writers reponding to mr. clueless would do a better, unbiased job of commentary -- what great responses!

(i also clicked over from the cnn site, where i was following coverage - did not know this was TIME and won't make that mistake again. However - this could be one of those "phishing" sites, too, where the person just lifts TIME'S logo? I mean, really? This is the low brow caliber of TIME now? or just a fake site by some lunatic? LOL)

Time, seriously poor form on your part. Gaudy, not hardly. This was a class act. Peaceful, spiritual,loving and moving. I wish journalists could find a way to keep their personal feelings out of reporting the real news. I won't be purchasing your magazines or reading your blogs ever again.

I'm amazed by the reaction that this article has received from overwrought Michael Jackson fans. There's absolutely nothing inappropriate about what James Poniewozik has written here. If you can't handle hearing what a disinterested journalist thought about the memorial, go hang out at the fan sites.

As someone who thought Jackson was a terrific entertainer and a terrible human being, I thought Poniewozik was probably more respectful than Jackson deserved.

I am not surprised by Mr Poniewozik. I wonder who will show up for his funeral. I hope that he never have to experience burying a child. Every culture and individual has a right to bury their loved one in the style of their choosing. When I was a little girl, I remember my grandmother sobbing about the passing of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Cable and Mahalia Jackson because she was a true fan and loved their respective art. I knew of Michael's generosity...and as old as I am; I enjoy his music...and his dance moves make me want to get up and dance. HIs music always put a smile on my face...or the melancholy sound of his ballads touches my humanity. I believe Michael was wrongly accused by greedy parents who exploited his vulnerability. The truth will eventually come into the light because those that lied will be tortured by that money ill-acquired. But in the meantime, I pray for his children, their mother and MJ's mother, may they do the right thing. I also grieve for James Poniewozik because his writing reveals his personal despair and jaded life.

Mr. Poniewokik:
Strange article, with all respect. It's obvious you're not an MJ fan, but "the spectacle was the sort of thing an American Idol finale aims for"? What in the world does that mean? And "gaudy"? We must have been watching two different broadcasts.

Jackson's memorial was a lot better than most of the services I've ever attended, the ones with the parade of "friends" who want to give a last shout-out to their buddy in perfectly bad English. I thought Jackson's service was terrific - respectful, tasteful and even subdued, with true friends of Jackson's who spoke - and sang - from the heart.

What I find a "spectacle" is all the crappy journalism we've had to endure in print and on television this past week.

Wow!!! It takes a lot to get me upset. But the level of ignorance in this has taken me there. It is funny that today I received a notice to renew a membership with Time. I will decline. There was nothing over the top or gaudy with the service or the casket. This was a celebration of his life and although his circle of friends were more known than mine, I have been to home going ceremonies like this. I pray for his children, family, friends, and fans. I also pray that others will allow him to rest in peace.

I think that some people seem to destroy what they don't understand. I never knew that MJ had donated so much of his time and money to those in need. It's a shame that the only thing the press seems to cover is the bad things. When I see MJ I see a man that all he wants to do is have his chance at childhood back. I'm not a college professor or a big time writer but even I can see a troubled person. I really don't think he did the things he was accused of. I think he was a target for a fast buck. I think being around children gave him something he had missed out on. I think being around children was something he never got to do. Now come on people look at Neverland Ranch. What do you really see? Someone that wants to be a child...I know his father pushed him to be a star but he really didn't have to. That child was just born with a gift and you know it. Look at his face when he was with the Jackson 5 performing. He had so much character it just spilled out. He just got too big too fast and we helped. And to think someone that went though what he did the first time in court would ever do something so stupid as to do it again. Now come on. We as humans just have to see something bad in someone. I feel sorry for the man. So what if he was a little different and did things a little different. As far as the face surgeries to me that is someone wanting to be someone else. Now how many of us would do the same if we had the money.. I think the biggest crime here is that stone that we have thrown. Look at all the good he did. If people had turned on me the way they did him at the first sign of trouble I sure wouldn't have been in a giving mood would you? No I'm not a fan even though I did dance to alot of it in my day. I'm just stepping out of the box for a moment to look in. I feel for his family and his children and for him. Maybe now he can rest. But me and you both know he never will because bad news sells better than good. And where are those articles on his charity work...Get my point...I bet you can find some main page articles on his court troubles but NONE on his charity...But again that's what sells and we are the ones that go out and buy it on the news stands....

The author's use of the word "gaudy" was an uneducated one. The word gives the impression his funeral was fake or cheap in a grandiose way. His funeral was a big event, yes but it was fitting considering his popularity and 45 years of success in the entertainment business. Would you have used the word gaudy to describe Princess Diana's funeral? I doubt it. Her coffin was in front of everyone as it is at most funerals. Why should his be different? Elton John sang at her funeral, and Mariah Carey sang at his.
You never really told us what was 'gaudy' about MJ's funeral. You should have if you included it in the title of your article. For an otherwise well written article, it was a bad choice of words.

I know the old guards (Times, Washingto Post, NewYorkTimes and a bunch of other papers and periodicals) are exceedingly challenged by HuggintonPost and the zillion bloggers...so from time to time you have to stoop low to keep up but this was the lowest. So how low do you plan to stoop?

Michael Jackson's death is a sad thing for his family and close friends as all deaths are to those left to mourn. However, a memorial service for Michael Jackson is not a historic news event nor does it warrant continuing live coverage. He was NOT a hero or dignatary. His life did NOT change the world and neither does his death. He is not someone anyone should emulate nor pay tribute to other than for what he was, an entertainer. I am appalled at the way this very disturbed and somewhat perverted entertainer has been sainted.

So,the funeral procession had unintentional overtones of the O.J. chase? What parallels are you working with to come to that conclusion?! Perhaps TIME released this article to rake up some unintentional overtones of its own. These types of overtones I would expect from a tabloid or some small minded rag but maybe Mr. Poniewozik and the editors at TIME have a new format bent on appealing to a select group of people that feast on less substance and objectivity. A true embarrassment for such a respected
magazine.

Whenever I read articles like this that so obviously lack an overall perspective, I always want to ask how old the columnist is.

For people like rcaden to say most of us posting here are "overwrought" fans is totally missing the point.

this guy had an assignment and quite simply, could not fulfill in a true journalistic way - that is - with Truth, Integrity, Factually and Fairly.

It's not that hard - so he obviously went out of his way to be extremely opinionated (and WRONG) in his choice of words.

One thing about good writing - it should be done in context.
This lame effort shows no context of Michaels' 50 year-old life and 45 years as an entertainer. Imagine how many lives he touched - certainly worthy of the dignified, respectful and quite frankly, extremely subdued service (ie: John Mayer doing the instrumental - quiet...subdued)

I suspect MJ had fallen off many radars in recent years, but I made an effort to research his life over the last few days and there is an abudance of info out there. With CONTEXT then, you can appreciate the service for what it was....and it was far from the way this guy described it.
It's one thing to have an opinion and be right.
it's another to be careless, thoughtless, reckless and just flat out wrong -- as this guy is.

For anyone interested in reading an excellent and extraordinarily insightful article about MJ -- and very prophetic as well -- please see this link to a People magazine article written in -- get this -- 1984!!!!! (yea, People, but by the writing , you would think it was the WSJ)

I was so impressed by this guy's writing -- the epitome of superiority -- I was moved to learn more about the author.
I read this yesterday and thought...THIS is how journalists used to write -- THIS is talent.
A far cry from the crap this guy is trying to pass off as
"reporting"

anyway -- here's the link:

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20196979,00.html

I dont want to come across as being skeptical....However this was quite the "spectacle". I wasnt a HUGE Jackson fan...i really wouldnt even label myself as a fan...but i enjoyed his music....I liked his videos. Everyones entitled to live their life. However in all this Hoopla that we saw today we tend to overlook the fact that this man was accused of child molestation...yes he was aquited but would he have been had he NOT been Michael Jackson? I think not and let us not forget he paid out LARGE sums of money to make this go away. Was todays memorial service really an appropriate place for this subject to even have been brought up? There were times during the service I was brought to tears and was truely touched and I liked hearing the stories his friends shared. It made him seem somehow more"human". Did we really need all the political grandstanding on "innocent until proven guilty" yea lady Im glad you know your job...but we really didnt need proof of that at this time. Did anyone get on CNN and read anderson coopers article or read any of the comments left on that site??? someone said they were touched during Paris' speech. I was too but I agree with that person that after seeing it a second and third time perhaps it did look a bit "staged" I want to believe with all my heart that she meant what she said but i watched the kids whenever they showed them they looked bored they didnt really look all that upset where was the emotion? Where were the tears? Even when paris broke down I didnt see any emotion from either of the boys. let us not forget these kids were in the presence of their father more than most American kids are now adays..I have children the same age (11 & 7) and I hope to GOD if I were to go tomorrow they would show more emotion than those 3 kids showed today..You out there that have kids: Take a look at the replay and watch the kids do they look distraught is how they were acting how you would want your kids to act if you were to pass away tomorrow?? Dont get me WRONG: My heart breaks for these kids it really does..I fear that the kids are now being thrust into the spotlight that their father so sheltered them from. I dont want to see the children separated I dont want to see Joe Jackson get a hold of them either.. what will happen to these poor kids its for them that my heart truely breaks...some of these people out there are pissed at Rep King but why..?? FREEDOM OF SPEECH, baby...Freedom of Speech.It works both ways.. And hes right... There is WAY too much "Political Correctness" nowadays..when is it going to stop its gotten to the point you cant even speak your mind without people thinking you are a "freak"....I would like to add here that just a few days before Michael died another ICON passed away from cancer where was her fanfare? She had a tasteful and private ceramony and I think thats perhaps what the JACKSONS should have done...they should have atleast had the kids go the private one and then not to the "public" one I think that would have been more along the lines of what MJ wouldve wanted for his CHILDREN....

James Poniewozik , you call yourself a journalist? You need a lesson in class. While thd media coverage has been way to much the timing of your article and your bias was not necessary. I don't believe I will read anymore of your articles. Time should be ashamed of themselves.

I feel that the writer of this article told a recap of the event as he saw it only. It reminded me of a personal blog entry...yet this is TIME magazine.

I personally felt that the event was very classy and authentic. I loved the pauses during the memorial, and I loved John Mayer's instrumental, I loved his brother Marlon's farewell, and I love Magic Johnson's comments...

I feel that the reason why the world has been exposed to MJ media coverage overkill...is because people tune in...in the millions maybe more...so because of that reason ( regardless what people write on blogs,in articles, or say in person)...that's why its a big deal.

Michael Jackson was and is a big deal...

He's this generations Elvis.

May he now rest in peace.

- Mashawnda Dowell
http://www.mashawnda.com

James Poniewozik , you call yourself a journalist? You need a lesson in class. While the media coverage has been way to much the timing of your article and your bias was not necessary. I don't believe I will read anymore of your articles. Time should be ashamed of themselves. This was a very tasteful tribute. Well done to the organizer. Poorly done Mr. James Poniewozik !!!!!!