Archive: June 2009 (41-50 of 373)

Jun 27 2009 11:12 PM ET

Joe Jackson issues statement to fans on behalf of family

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Categories: In Memoriam, Music

The Jackson family issued a statement to fans of the late Michael Jackson, via the singer's father, Joe Jackson. According to People.com, the statement, issued today, reads:

"In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find thewords appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter. Ourbeloved son, brother and father of three children has gone sounexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, hisfamily, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication withthe outside world seems almost impossible at times.

Wemiss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. ButMichael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all ofhis faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you – who Michaelloved so much. Please do not despair, because Michael will continue tolive on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message,because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacywill live forever."

Jun 27 2009 09:16 PM ET

Oscars 2010: Honorary Oscars moved off of awards night

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Categories: Misc.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced plans to move the presentation of noncompetitive awards — including honorary Oscars as well as the Irving G. Thalberg and Jean Hersholt humanitarian awards — out of the annual awards telecast, according to Variety. The plan is to present these honorary awards at a separate dinner event in November, at least three months prior to the March awards ceremony.

In addition, the Academy announced a change to the nominating rules for the Original Song category. "If no song achieves a minimum average score of 8.25 in the nominations voting, there will be no nominees and thus no Oscar presented for the category," according to the Academy press release. "If only one song achieves the required minimum, it and the song with the next highest score will be deemed the nominees." Previous rules dictates that there could be no more than five but no fewer than three nominees.

Jun 27 2009 07:36 PM ET

Michael Jackson: Francis Ford Coppola remembers the pop star as 'innocent, eager and joyful'

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Categories: In Memoriam

Francis Ford Coppola — who directed Captain Eo, a 3-D fantasy film starring Michael Jackson that was shown at Disney theme parks — issued this statement to EW.com about the pop star: "I knew him slightly, mainly during the time I worked on Captain Eo. Every Friday, I'd buy him a present — something small and fun — and he'd be very excited about what it was. He was very sweet, but also very deliberate. He loved to learn and during rehearsal he had fun learning how to properly salute and do an about face. He got a kick out of being military. He reminded me of a kid — innocent, eager and joyful." Jackson died on Thursday at the age of 50.

More reflections on Michael Jackson's death:
Steven Spielberg remembers Michael Jackson (EW exclusive)
Mark Romanek, director of "Scream" video, remembers Michael Jackson (EW exclusive)
Elizabeth Taylor issues statement on Michael Jackson
Lisa Marie Presley writes emotional blog post about Michael Jackson's death

Justin Timberlake: 'We have lost a genius'
Janet Jackson: 'Grief-stricken and devastated'
Michael Jackson: Friends and colleagues mourn his passing

Jun 27 2009 06:20 PM ET

Jackson's concert director hatches plan for tribute

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Categories: In Memoriam, Music, Music Biz

Kenny Ortega, the concert director behind Jackson's comeback tour, hopes to launch a tribute to the late pop star in place of the shows Jackson was supposed to headline this summer in London, according to the L.A. Times. Ortega told reporters that he was envisioning a show that would make use of the costumes and choreography intended for Jackson's "This Is It" tour. Though there are no official plans at this point, Ortega is apparently also considering a collaboration in the style of Jackson's 1985 "We Are the World" charity tune. "Maybe part of what we were planning to do in London and beyond — maybewe can share some of these ideas in a different capacity," Ortega told the Times.

Jun 27 2009 05:54 PM ET

Michael Jackson: Lisa Marie Presley says King of Pop was afraid he was going to die

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Categories: In Memoriam

Lisa Marie Presley, former wife of Michael Jackson, revealed yesterday that the King of Pop — who died suddenly on Thursday — feared that he would die like her father, Elvis Presley. In an emotional post on her MySpace blog, Presley wrote, "Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general. I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death. At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, 'I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did.' I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that." Presley noted, "His family and his loved ones also wanted to save him from this as well but didn't know how and this was 14 years ago. We all worried that this would be the outcome then." Despite years of "indifference and detachment," she described herself as being "truly, truly gutted" and having "unstoppable tears" over Jackson's death, and insisted that her marriage to the pop star was not a "sham," contrary to media reports. "It was an unusual relationship yes, where two unusual people who did not live or know a 'Normal life' found a connection, perhaps with some suspect timing on his part," she wrote. "Nonetheless, I do believe he loved me as much as he could love anyone and I loved him very much." She also declared about Jackson: "He was an incredibly dynamic force and power that was not to be underestimated. When he used it for something good, It was the best and when he used it for something bad, It was really, REALLY bad."

Jun 27 2009 05:24 PM ET

Michael Jackson: Police want to talk to doctor

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Categories: Music

According to People.com, Los Angeles police are looking to question Michael Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who was with Jackson when he went into cardiac arrest. Murray, who had recently closed his private practice, had been treating Jackson for three years. Jackson reportedly requested that Murray be at his side two weeks ago. Authorities also seized Murray’s car, in case “it may contain medications or other evidence that may assist the coroner in determining the cause of death,” an LAPD spokeswoman told People. On Friday, a Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office spokesman said the autopsy revealed no signs of foul play.

Jun 26 2009 11:20 PM ET

Michael Jackson: Sunday's BET Awards to honor musician

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Categories: In Memoriam, Music

Sunday night's 9th Annual BET Awards will be dedicated to Michael Jackson, who died June 25 at the age of 50, according to CNN.com. BET Networks' CEO, Debra L. Lee, said the awards show, which honors African Americans in various entertainment media, will pay tribute to the musician's legacy. It is expected that many of the celebrities attending the show, including scheduled performers such as Beyonce and Ne-Yo, will also acknowledge Jackson and his influence on them. The BET Awards, which is hosted by Jamie Foxx, will air live on BET Sunday at 8 p.m. (the show will be tape-delayed on the west coast).

EW's Chad Schlegel and special guest Emil Wilbekin, managing editor or Essence.com, will be live-blogging the BET Awards at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday. Get a reminder here.

Jun 26 2009 10:28 PM ET

Michael Jackson: Cause of death may not be determined for another month, coroner says

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Categories: Music

A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner's office said in a press conference on Friday that the coroner has concluded a three-hour autopsy of Michael Jackson and "the cause of death has been deferred, which means that the medical examiner has ordered additional testing." The tests, including toxicology, are expected to take an additional four to six weeks. Spokesman Craig Harvey told reporters that there was no sign of "external trauma or foul play," but he confirmed that Jackson had been taking prescription medication. Jackson's body will be turned over to his family as early as 6 p.m. Pacific time on Friday.

Jun 26 2009 08:41 PM ET

Michael Bay and DreamWorks to partner on James Frey sci-fi project

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Categories: Books, Movie Biz

After the huge success of the two Transformers movies, it's no surprise that director Michael Bay and DreamWorks are partnering again. What is surprising is the project. According to Variety, DreamWorks has preemptively acquired screen rights to I Am Number Four, the first of a six-book science-fiction series from writer James Frey (A Million Little Pieces). WME agency has been keeping the author of the series under wraps, shopping it Thursday under a pseudonym. But a source confirms Variety's report that Frey wrote the book with another unnamed author. Bay is on board to produce and possibly direct the film. 

Jun 26 2009 08:20 PM ET

Michael Jackson: Elizabeth Taylor honors her good friend

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Categories: In Memoriam, Music

Screen icon Elizabeth Taylor is speaking out about the death of her longtime friend Michael Jackson. "My heart…my mind… are broken," she said in a statement. "I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together."

Taylor revealed that she had been packing her bags for London — the location of Jackson's much anticipated comeback concerts — when she heard the tragic news. "I still can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. It can't be so," she said. "He will live in my heart forever but it’s not enough. My life feels so empty. I don't think anyone knew how much we loved each other. The purest most giving love I've ever known."

The obviously distraught star continued: "Oh God! I'm going to miss him. I can’t yet imagine life with out him. But I guess with God’s help… I'll learn. I keep looking at the photo he gave me of himself, which says, 'To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever.' And, I will love HIM forever."

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