I admit it, I watched the Jackson Memorial at the Staples Center live today. In fact, I am replaying it as I type, becuase I wanted to see if what I thought I saw was in fact what was.

There were times I was genuinely moved by the service. Many times I wondered if what I understood of the Jehovah Witnesses religion was accurate, becuase there was a bunch of Kingdom stuff laced throughout.

The thing that bugged me was the end, the way the family got up and put Paris up front to perform for the world. If you get past the emotion of the moment what jumps out is an Aunt telling a child to “speak up”. I got the feeling this whole thing was rehearsed, down to the tear wiping and glove wearing and flower tossing end.

[flv:/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ParisGoobye.flv 480 368]

This was an Extreme Family Makeover. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Ty jumped out of the crowd with bullhorn in hand telling them to “move that coffin”.

Don’t misunderstand me, I am truly grieved saddened over the loss of Michael, but this was not about him! My guess is if Michael is half the man they said he was, he would have much rather had the money spent by L.A. to support this show spent on charity.

Icky. It was icky. I think it was business as usual at Jackson Inc., and they rode the back of their brother all the way to the grave.

I wonder if the people Michael was trying to protect his children from was his family?