Joe Jackson is stoking controversy again. The father of late pop icon Michael Jackson, who died of undetermined causes June 25 at age 50, told ABC News today that his son was not physically capable of performing the 50 shows slated for his This Is It comeback concerts in London. "I was worried about his health because all the shows that I'm seeing—no artist can do those many shows you know, back to back like that," said he elder Jackson, who's been criticized for comments he's made in the wake of his son's shocking death. "I knew Michael couldn't do all those shows." Joe Jackson asserts that the singer initially agreed to do only 10 shows, but that concert promoter AEG Live added dates when the concert series proved enormously popular. In a statement released today AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips acknowledged that tour dates were added, but put the initial figure closer to 31. (AEG previously released video footage of Jackson rehearsing for the concerts just days before his death, moving a bit slower than he had in the past but seeming ready to perform.) Phillips also maintained that with the concerts spread out until February of next year the pace would have been manageable for Jackson. "If [50] was too many, then one would have been too many," he said. The King of Pop's This Is It tour was slated to begin today.
Archive: July 2009 (211-220 of 322)
FX picks up animated series for fall
FX is jumping into the animation pool. The cable network announced today that it has ordered six episodes of spy spoof Archer from Adam Reed, one of the creators of Frisky Dingo and Sealab 2021. The cartoon comedy takes place at ISIS “an international spy agency, where global crises are merely opportunities for its highly trained employees to confuse, undermine, betray and royally screw each other.” Jon Benjamin (Family Guy) stars as super spy Sterling Archer (a.k.a. “Duchess” when he’s undercover). Joining him will be Arrested Development’s Jessica Walter as his mother/boss, Aisha Tyler (Ghost Whisperer) as his ex-girlfriend/co-spy Malory, Chris Parnell (30 Rock) as her new boyfriend, and Judy Greer (Miss Guided) as Malory’s secretary. Archer premieres this fall on FX.
Farrah Fawcett confidante to publish diary
Farrah Fawcett’s longtime friend, Alana Stewart, will publish a diary she kept during the late actress’ three-year battle with anal cancer, Harper Collins imprint William Morrow announced today in a press release. Fawcett, known best for her role on Charlie’s Angels, died June 25 at age 62. A portion of the proceeds from sales of My Journey with Farrah: A Story of Life, Love, and Friendship will go to The Farrah Fawcett foundation to benefit cancer research. “Farrah had originally encouraged me to write this book. It was her idea,” said Stewart in the publisher’s statement. “My hope is that people will find this book to be a heartfelt tribute to my friend of thirty years and her valiant fight against cancer.” My Journey With Farrah hits bookstores Aug. 11.
Morgan Spurlock tapped for 'The Simpsons' 20th anniversary special
FX announced today that Super Size Me's Morgan Spurlock will produce and direct next year's The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice. The documentary special, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the animated program, will air Thursday, Jan. 14 on Fox. According to FX, the documentary will focus on the "cultural phenomenon of The Simpsons." Says Spurlock in the press release: “When they first called meabout this, I thought it was a prank and I hung up…And then myagent called back and said, ‘No, no, this is for real,’ at which point Ifainted. Then when I woke up, I called everyone I knew because it was thecoolest thing I could ever get to do in mycareer.”
Susan Sarandon and John Goodman to star in Kevorkian biopic
Susan Sarandon and John Goodman are the latest actors to sign on to star in You Don't Know Jack, HBO Films' biopic about Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the doctor who was famously convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 after assisting in more than 130 suicides. The project—which is loosely based on the book Between the Dying and the Dead, by Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie—also stars Al Pacino, and is being directed by Barry Levinson. Sarandon will play Janet Good, an activist who supports Kevorkian, andGoodman will play Nicol, a friend of the infamous doctor.
'Hong Kong Phooey' adaptation nabs director
Inspector Gadget 2 director Alex Zamm has been tapped to direct the live-action/animated adaptation of the 1970s Hanna-Barbera series, Hong Kong Phooey. The script, written by David Goodman, follows a janitor who becomes a skilled kung-fu master after he's transformed into a dog.
Jason Statham in final negotiations for 'Blitz'
Action star Jason Statham is in final negotiations to star in Blitz, Lionsgate U.K.'s adaptation of Ken Bruen's best-selling thriller, says Variety. In the film, Statham will play a cop assigned to track down a serial killer who's murdering police officers. Filming is set to begin in London Aug. 10.
A&E Jackson reality show: What now?
According to the Hollywood Reporter, an hour-long reality special following Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy Jackson — commissioned months before Michael Jackson's death — will likely have to change its tone following the King of Pop's passing.
Tentatively titled The Jackson Family, the A&E show was scheduled to air next year, and the network had already finished shooting for the special. No additional footage has been shot since Jackson's death, but it appears as though A&E has not made a decision regarding whether or not to air the special. "We have started discussing internally and with the family but have not yet decided what direction to take with the show," A&E execs told Hollywood Reporter in a statement. "We are respecting the family's wishes right now, and at the appropriate time we will all decide what direction this program to take, so stay tuned."
Talk about it on PopWatch: Jackson family reality show: Good idea?
Paramount eyes 'Max Steel'
Paramount Pictures, the studio releasing this summer's G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, is joining forces with Joe Roth to acquire Max Steel for an adaptation. The Mattel toy, which was introduced to U.S. kids in 1999 as an action figure, is a teenage boy recruited by a secret agency after he's infected with nanobots and becomes superhuman. Roth will serve as executive producer. Mattel and Roth are currently looking for a screenwriter and director.
LaToya Jackson claims Michael Jackson was murdered
Michael Jackson's sister LaToya told UK tabloid News of the World that she believes Jackson was murdered. "And we don't think just one person was involved. Rather, it was a conspiracy of people. I feel it was all about money. Michael was worth well over a billion in music publishing assets and somebody killed him for that. He was worth more dead than alive," she said. She told the paper that her brother was "being inappropriately treated by people who got him hooked on drugs," and that millions of dollars in cash and jewels are missing from Jackson's home.
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