A new low for ABC News? ABC decided Saturday to bump its daytime soap operas (and, in the MDT/PDT, a re-run of The View -- so that's an upside) to provide live coverage at 1 PM EDT/12 PM CDT/11 AM MDT/10 AM PDT (9 AM for Sarah Palin and, so everyone in the U.S. is covered, that's 7 AM in Hawaii, thus bumping GMA) of Tuesday's memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
It won't be an ABC entertainment division production, but an ABC News broadcast. As reported by TV Newser and announced by David Muir on Saturday's World News, which already had a graphic for “Remembering Michael Jackson” with an image of Jackson standing in for the “I” in Michael, Charles Gibson will anchor.
[UPDATE, Sunday at 4:50 PM EDT: NBC has announced it too will provide live coverage as will Fox, so my doubt about Fox, which only carries one hour of news a week, was misplaced.]
So far, CBS and NBC have yet to announce live coverage on Tuesday, though obviously it will be wall-to-wall on NBC's MSNBC and while it's doubtful the news-light Fox will air it, the Fox News Channel certainly will show it as well as CNN. TV Newser had item on CBS News sending Katie Couric to Los Angeles to anchor the CBS Evening News and 48 Hours from the Staples Center which will also be the venue for The Early Show.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Comments Policy
I'm personally sick of the MJ coverage
July 5, 2009 - 01:17 ET by shawn228....,but I agree that the Michael Jackson funeral is big news. Nothing wrong with this imo. Its not like ABC is being irresponsible, they know we can all get the real news elsewhere.
He had my vote
True, but media brickbats for Palin while highlighting
July 5, 2009 - 09:12 ET by jondelwichethis troubled man really does present such a contrast
of our media, indeed, of our country:
Jackson's self- inflicted legal woes are brushed aside for the most part, while Palin's abuse at the hands of the Lettermans, or Dems filing faux ethics charges, is ignored.......
Jackson or Palin, now remind me, which one is the whackjob?
Who does the media claim is the whackjob?
America deserves what it gets.
Should we fly our flags at
July 5, 2009 - 01:20 ET by RR GOPShould we fly our flags at half staff?
I'm sure this will be even more awe-inspiring than the Reagan funeral.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
Hey, even the Brits are
July 5, 2009 - 06:33 ET by motherbeltHey, even the Brits are remembering Michael.
Coldstream Guards (this was apparently captured by a tourist camera, hence the poor quality)
A commenter below says it was a practice for the Basel Tattoo in Scotland; a coincidence, not a tribute. And it's at the Guards' barracks, not the Palace.
Still, kinda cute.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
The correct salute for
July 5, 2009 - 07:04 ET by Jack BauerThe correct salute for Michael Jackson is to lower the sequined pants to half staff ...
Followed by a backwards moonwalk whilst grabbing your crotch.
New Low...surely you jest
July 5, 2009 - 01:25 ET by bigtimerNew Low...surely you jest here Brent.
Not a new low...we haven't seen anything yet...we have three and half more years of 'O' to go....the networks have just begun...with abc in running to stay the lowest...
Well heck...we can't forget CBS and Katie Cupcake...we all know about nbc/msnbc ...shucks, CNN is about as low as you cable-wise..
In the leftist world....the lower, the better.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
spray of hope and sanity
July 5, 2009 - 02:09 ET by lbcdawnlbc... Hey gal...you have
July 5, 2009 - 02:15 ET by bigtimerlbc...
Hey gal...you have brought a smile to my face to close the night out with pretty soon...nice to know my old stompin' grounds still has some common sense. ;-)
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Happy to be of service
July 5, 2009 - 02:20 ET by lbcdawnNew Low
July 5, 2009 - 06:58 ET by allanfWhat about ABC's "The View" which features three liberal women betting up on a sweet fairly conservative woman?
modern science
July 5, 2009 - 04:55 ET by CatherwoodThe instrument has not been created that could measure my indifference to a funeral for a singer, nor measure my indifference to ABC, NBC, and CBS news programs. What about cap and trade, socialism, the health care meltdown, Islamic terrorism?
Amen
July 5, 2009 - 06:52 ET by ApodicticWell said.
Not to mention Democratic tomfoolery
July 6, 2009 - 09:41 ET by Mary Louise TurnerThere are dozens of topics more worthy than the funeral for an entertainer, such as: how "Ears" & Co. stole Minnesota's Senate election, numerous scandals involving Democrat politicians, and so forth. But Noooo....
Is Barry Soetoro scheduled?
July 5, 2009 - 05:23 ET by Red JeepIs Barry Soetoro scheduled to do the eulogy? He has to stick his nose in this funeral somewhere.
ABC/TMZ
July 5, 2009 - 05:44 ET by RovinWho's really surprised that ABC needs all the exposure they can muster in the attempt to be relevant. This is their last big chance before the summer ratings send them into the tank. ESPN has been carrying them for a few years now, and like the rest of the liberal news networks, they just don't get it with their one-sided reporting. Half the nation has turned them off. The other half are lemmings.
Rovin
Ashes to Ashes
July 5, 2009 - 06:35 ET by kilrodFirst let me say "May God Have Mercy on the Soul of Michael Jackson". But other than that ; Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, lets bury this bastard and git on the Bus.!!~~!!
kilrod
Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
real reason
July 5, 2009 - 08:11 ET by CatherwoodOf course the real reason for all this coverage is that the dead singer is black. ABC would not feel obligated to cover this story if the singer had been white.
Cather
July 5, 2009 - 09:02 ET by boomerconI have to agree with you on that point, but as to the issue of ABC News, I submit that this is nothing more than business as usual for that outfit.
They haven't had an honest straightforward, unbiased news report in so long that I cannot recall what or when it might have been (if indeed there ever was one).
It's a "show" in a prime time slot. There's no "news" to it.
They're going to anger a lot
July 5, 2009 - 09:43 ET by Kat Outta the BagThey're going to anger a lot of old ladies -- my aunt included -- here on the east coast by pre-empting their soap operas for this circus. Too bad I'll be at work when it's on...gash darn it!
→ Have they decided?
July 5, 2009 - 09:46 ET by Cool ArrowAre they really going to bury him deep into Yucca Mountain?
I'm surprised Al
July 5, 2009 - 10:51 ET by Kat Outta the BagI'm surprised Al Gore doesnt' speak up and demand they recycle the plastic freak.
An obsessive devotion to soaps
July 6, 2009 - 17:46 ET by UnsaneMy mother is far worse. You had BETTER pray your God will help you if you DARE interrupt All My Children or General Hospital for ANY reason whatsoever. Even if all the local affiliate does is run a crawl on the screen warning of severe weather, I can hear her screaming from 40 miles away quite clearly.
(I really don't get this obsessive devotion to such...silliness, such tripe, but it is what it is.)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Unsane~
July 6, 2009 - 18:27 ET by Kat Outta the BagIt's the same with my aunt, although I will cut her some slack since she's bedridden in a nursing home and doesn't have much else to do. I know not to visit her during her "stories" because her eyes and ears will be riveted to that TV. She's not going to be happy tomorrow when ABC cuts into them for this circus of a funeral...
jessieH
July 5, 2009 - 10:16 ET by jessieHjessieH I hope they got mr. obama's permission........
TV
July 5, 2009 - 10:38 ET by LorraineI don't watch television, and this is a big part of the reason.
Jackson Funeral
July 5, 2009 - 10:59 ET by charlietexasWarning....this funeral now shown by the State run Media and funded by the bankrupt State of California and Los Angeles will become a political platform and will be a rerun of the Paul Wellstone Memorial......
Jackson Funeral
July 5, 2009 - 11:03 ET by charlietexasWarning....this funeral now shown by the State run Media and funded by the bankrupt State of California and Los Angeles will become a political platform and will be a rerun of the Paul Wellstone Memorial......
700,000
July 5, 2009 - 11:48 ET by slickwillie2001LAPD saying as many as 700,000 people might flood into LA to try and take part in the memorial events. Where will the money come from to manage that many people?
The Mayor of LA said that
July 5, 2009 - 12:11 ET by CacciatoThe Mayor of LA said that every year they set aside a certain amount of cash in the budget for unforeseen, large scale events such as this.
Maybe the state of
July 5, 2009 - 12:17 ET by Radical1979Maybe the state of California should have been putting money away for large unforseen events, such as paying their bills.
I think the city should charge for parking and admittance to pay for this private event. The money saved should be kept for things like fire and flood damage, and other events that affect all of the city's population.
Really?
July 5, 2009 - 12:19 ET by ParagrouperI didn't know that any State or local government entity in California had any money left to set aside.
"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." - General George Patton Jr
Believe it or not he's part of the fabric of what is great about
July 5, 2009 - 14:21 ET by vaboxrboythe US. For people of my age- I'm 40. There was always MJ and/or the Jackson 5. He was successful through 4 decades of American music. He performed in Russian and other countries who were enemies of the US. He raised awareness and money for starving people in Africa as well as sick kids here stateside. Yes, he had many troubling issues and I personally was hoping that he would be found guilty during the last trial, but please, look at the whole picture and realize that for people born in the 60's and 70's, this was a man who gave us not only entertainment, but also the thought that we could see past our petty differences and solve big problems. He integrated the music world and painted a briighter picture for a world which we obviously can't achieve. Go ahead and attack my comments if you will, but please give the man some respect at LEAST until he is in his grave.
God bless,
chuck
vaboxrboy~
July 5, 2009 - 14:32 ET by Kat Outta the BagI grew up in the '70s myself and am familar with the the music of the Jacksons and especially Michael's solo career. His music was not my personal taste, but I understand it was for many people. I saw him strictly as an entertainer and not someone who made me think I could "solve big problems" just as I don't find that sort of inspiration from any other entertainer. But if he did that for you, that's great.
i never felt that he could
July 5, 2009 - 14:41 ET by vaboxrboyi never felt that he could solve any of that either, but I think for a lot of people he did. I mean before him, who was performing in Russia or East Germany? He had people fainting on all continents. I was much more into Morrisey and The Cure, etc. But I appreciate his contribution to pop music, music videos, and the hope of greater things that I love so much about America.
I felt the same way when Elvis died even though it was the same cause and he died in his bathroom.
Could they cover it less, of course. Do they care about anything but ratings? No. Nearly 2 million folks applied for tickets to the memorial so follow the dollars.
i never felt that he could
July 5, 2009 - 14:41 ET by vaboxrboyi never felt that he could solve any of that either, but I think for a lot of people he did. I mean before him, who was performing in Russia or East Germany? He had people fainting on all continents. I was much more into Morrisey and The Cure, etc. But I appreciate his contribution to pop music, music videos, and the hope of greater things that I love so much about America.
I felt the same way when Elvis died even though it was the same cause and he died in his bathroom.
Could they cover it less, of course. Do they care about anything but ratings? No. Nearly 2 million folks applied for tickets to the memorial so follow the dollars.
Could they get around to
July 5, 2009 - 14:33 ET by Radical1979Could they get around to putting him in his grave sometime soon?
Regardless of what he contributed to entertainment, I still believe was a pedophile and that colors everything else he did in my mind.
Radical~
July 5, 2009 - 14:37 ET by Kat Outta the BagJust be glad they're not keeping him on ice until sweeps month in August.
Kat, LOL
July 5, 2009 - 14:39 ET by Radical1979Kat,
LOL
I LOL your LOL also Rad!
July 5, 2009 - 14:58 ET by RukusLOL 2.0. : )
Gary
I want my country back!
Actually
July 5, 2009 - 15:23 ET by talkradio55... July is a sweeps month, which is most likely why ABC is doing this.
Liberalism is a lie unto itself.
"Regardless of what he
July 5, 2009 - 15:11 ET by Kat Outta the Bag"Regardless of what he contributed to entertainment, I still believe was a pedophile and that colors everything else he did in my mind."
Agreed. Maybe he really was perfectly innocent and didn't do any kiddy fiddling, but any grown man who has sleepovers with other peoples' kids (and don't get me started on the parents who allowed it only because he was a celebrity) is simply setting himself up for speculation and accusations. And the way he physically disfigured himself is just plain tragic. The biggest emotion I can conjure up for Jackson is pity because he was obviously a deeply troubled individual.
Respect?
July 5, 2009 - 20:17 ET by m4ster chiefSorry, but a drug-using, kid-addicted, freakish entertainer will never get an ounce of respect from me as long as there is one American soldier, sailor, Marine, or airman serving his or her country in distant lands. And...
If you give me just a fraction of the money Jackson controlled and wasted over the last twenty years...not only will I raise awareness, but I will actually FEED and provide shelter for hundreds of thousands of the poor in Africa, Darfur, and Los Angeles, CA. And...
I'm proud to say I have never knowlingly heard a single note sung by Jackson...NEVER (knowlingly.)
And I would not have strolled across any street in America to attend one of his concerts if you gave me free tickets in the center section and free popcorn.
I'm not a hater despite my words here. Just don't ask me to give my respect to someone like Michael Jackson.
→ Mr. Miyagi
July 5, 2009 - 20:20 ET by Cool ArrowMy Tuesday Plans
July 5, 2009 - 14:23 ET by sic721Rather than watch the "Al Sharpton/Joe Jackson Travelling All-Stars and Motor Kings Revue", I've rented all 13 episodes of "Farmer Takes a Wife" and both seasons of "The Ropers". If that's not enough, for back-up, I have "Battlefield Earth" and "Caddyshack II".
I'm covered.
"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within."-Cicero
sic you've gone the
July 5, 2009 - 14:40 ET by Radical1979sic you've gone the highbrow route over the "Al Sharpton etc".
I'm curious how much of an infomercial for Joe Jackson's record label this turns out to be...
good day
July 5, 2009 - 18:18 ET by cgolaswill be a very good day not to watch TV and go out and enjoy the weather
This is Princess Di all over
July 5, 2009 - 18:26 ET by msh1973This is Princess Di all over again...glad I am back to work (took a few days off). Crazy.
msh... It will be
July 5, 2009 - 18:34 ET by bigtimermsh...
It will be sickening .....not watching any of it.
I could not believe I heard Tues. as a Spectacular Event taking place on FOX this morning.
Disgusting...all of it.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
No Wonder
July 5, 2009 - 19:40 ET by sic721duh One didn't postpone his trip to Russia to attend "this great American icon's" services. Heard an offhand remark and googled,
Michael Jackson To Be Buried In Traditional Muslim Style?
click
"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within."-Cicero
Latest update 8:25 P.M. Sunday..
July 5, 2009 - 19:45 ET by m4ster chiefLate today the major networks announced that immediately after the Michael Jackson funeral service on Tuesday, they will also broadcast live memorial tributes to the late John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer. Jackson's father, when learning of the planned broadcast, stated, "Well, Michael did look up to John and Jeffrey for their work with children, but he never killed and ate kids like they did, as far as I know."
Some food for thought
July 6, 2009 - 17:40 ET by UnsaneWhen that dark day in the world of music arrives when the three musical geniuses of Rush go to take their respective dirt naps, there will not be a PEEP from the media. I would dare say than not even CBC will notice.
But for a guy who specialized in bubblegum music, we can, will, and MUST stop everything as if he is a head of state.
(scratches head)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)