MICHAEL JACKSON �
THE �TONIGHT� INTERVIEW by Martin Bashir
(Broadcast on ITV, 3/ 2/ 03)
Media manipulation should leave the living legend that is Michael Jackson the fuck alone. Still he is scrutinized and mocked, but for what? From this ITV �Tonight� universe-exclusive interview the 44-year old came across as the nicest guy in the world, having taken the plunge to be interviewed for the first time in a decade, and in and around his vast �Neverland� estate no less with cameras delving around his funfair, zoo and recording studio � and even up the superstar�s favourite tree, at the top of which he thought up songs such as �Heal The World� and �Childhood.�
There�s no doubting that his eccentricities remain at the forefront of everything he does and says, yet the media know they blow the smallest of things all out of proportion. No wonder he�s prone to perform irrational stunts now and again.
Interviewed by the tactful yet pressing Martin Bashir, this was a compulsory insight into Jackson�s live. I wonder what Jackson wanted out of it though. And you do wonder how much he was glossing over the truth and the facts, especially when questioned about the facial cosmetic surgery he�s subjected himself to over the years. He says he�s only had 2 operations. But can two operations really transform a coloured man into a white man? Hmm. But that�s not important� who cares? Despite gross rumours that his face was falling apart, he is looking great � even if clever lighting does help a great deal. Mmm. I wonder if he shopped around for his surgery?
He doesn�t believe in shopping around for material possessions, that�s for sure, as he�s shown blowing something in the outrageous region of between one million and two million pound on a ramshackle host of pictures, ornaments, pots, pans and general arty nickable-knacks in one lucky man�s store, before proceeding to show off his prized replica of Tutankamun�s tomb. But it�s alright, Michael�s worth around a billion pounds� and his savings are surely profiteering in a high-interest account.
Which bears him in good stead for his future. Obviously he never needs to work again, which is fortunate after the huge disappointment of recent record releases, the popularity of which may have been affected and overshadowed by prevailing allegations at their time of release� most likely associated with the charge thrust against Michael concerning child abuse in his �Neverland� retreat, which is 3 hours drive from Los Angeles should any of you want to try find the oasis of overblown wealth. Trust me, if you did turn up for tea, lonely Jacko would be thankful of the company.
Sure, he is a wacky weirdo � but his moments of sheer insanity are understandable when the media lives your life for you if you are a sought-after celeb of his stature.
You just had to feel even sorrier for him though when the interviewer in Bashir, who Jackson had let into his life for an entire 9 months and who he�d trusted, turns on him and starts probing with unnecessary questions that clearly upset Jackson. Especially when he tells of the beatings his father used to give him, and of course when the subject of his �Neverland� sleep-overs are led from hand to mouth to try and further establish what it is that Jackson loves so about hanging out with children rather than women. He is a virtual recluse, a father of three (with his newest child �Blanket� courtesy of a surrogate mum - he was that desperate for another child of his own) and a man who will eternally strive to avoid �growing up� at all costs.
Bashir really had no right to ask after the child abuse court course that was settled by MJ offering the child accuser�s parents a hefty, unclosed paycheck for the boy�s troubles. That�s all in the past.
All MJ rightly wants is widespread peace and love in the world. Hey, who doesn�t?
And as his fans proudly protest in his continued support� I agree - �Fuck the press.�
Here is a man who�s earnt every dollar he has through producing some of the greatest pop records of all time. He is his own man, living the charmed life of a boy who has it all.
And while I�m jealous of his money, his obvious loneliness confirms the proposition that money can�t buy you happiness. So I wish MJ mansion-loads of future happiness.
(STEVE RUDD)