Quote: Tim Walker @ July 8 2009, 12:29 AM BSTI've no reason to doubt his kids' genuine grief.
Me neither, I just thought she may have been pushed into saying something.
Quote: zooo @ July 8 2009, 12:30 AM BSTI think this is more about us than her.
Most of us can only look at the whole MJ thing with cynicism, with all our energy going into making crap jokes about everything.(and of course when I say 'our' I mean YOUR.)
Ha!
Quote: zooo @ July 8 2009, 12:30 AM BSTI think this is more about us than her.
Most of us can only look at the whole MJ thing with cynicism, with all our energy going into making crap jokes about everything.(and of course when I say 'our' I mean YOUR.)
Don't think I've personally made any nasty cynical comments or crap jokes about MJ's death, zooo. 
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 8 2009, 12:20 AM BSTHate to sound like a cynic (but I am one, so there it is), but did his daughter Paris' little speech, tears and hugging by the family, strike anyone else as a tiny little bit stage-managed? Forgive me if this sounds terrible, it's just that before she was due to speak she was extremely composed and chatting to others. Please do tell me if I should go and flog myself as penance for this thought crime.
I've only just watched this on your recommendation and - JEEZ! - you aren't kidding. I'm not even sure she was actually crying - see how quickly her face was obscured at the end?
I know it's wrong to think this but it's inevitable when you put a girl up on stage for such a mawkish freakshow that people will think this. If the family didn't want to encourage our thought crimes then they shouldn't have exposed her to the spotlight. It's tantamount to child abuse, which...
You're an idiot.
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 8 2009, 12:37 AM BSTDon't think I've personally made any nasty cynical comments or crap jokes about MJ's death, zooo.
Oops sorry, when I said 'your' I didn't mean youuuuu specifically. I meant you lot on the site.
Erm.
I can see how that could be slightly confusing though.
s'OK, dear. 
(Come to think of it, I did write the 'He was the People's Pedarist' line, so I'm guilty as hell! *hangs head in shame*)
Quote: zooo @ July 8 2009, 12:49 AM BSTYou're an idiot.
That did mean me specifically? Righty ho.
Just expressing an opinion.
Quote: zooo @ July 8 2009, 12:27 AM BSTThere is a limit to reasonable cynicism y'know! Her dad died a week ago, do you really think she'd need to 'act' crying? Or be able to. She's only 11.
Her dad died as well?
Blimey. That is bad luck.
Quote: Chappers @ July 8 2009, 1:01 AM BSTHer dad died as well?
Blimey. That is bad luck.
(Apologies, zooo, but...)
Isn't calling someone an idiot against forum rules? But it's okay zooo, I forgive you
This isn't about the girl, it's about people putting her in that position as part of a freak show. That's my opinion.
This whole selling tickets for your celeb fuelled song and dance funeral spectacular has got me thinking.
Imagine how much dough we could rake in when Andrew Lloyd Webber finally dies? - We could book the Paladium, get some top A listers in, get them to do a medley of Webber's greatest show tunes and best of all, the sad mourners can console themselves with tubs of ice cream and giant boxes of Maltesers in betwixt the teariness. It would be a real money spinner.
Finish the show with 'Memories' sung by Sarah Brightman and there won't be a dry eye in the house, especially from my bank manager.
'Andrew Lloyd Webber's Memorial Service - a great night out!' - The Observer
'Finally, a tacky showbiz funeral where you can bring the kids!' - The Daily Mail
Right, you lot book the theatre, I'll go murder Lloyd Webber.
To be fair, I think the Jacko memorial was free. Tickets allocated at random.
The souvenir O2 tickets for concerts that will never happen, though - that could be a good money maker for your Lloyd Webber bash.
Yes, the tickets were free and allocated by random to anyone who'd applied.
The kid crying was, IMO, genuine. Whether she wanted to speak herself, or whether she was encouraged to by the family, is another matter.
Quote: zooo @ July 8 2009, 12:49 AM BSTYou're an idiot.
Is that what it says on the badge? But zooo, he's right or I agree, at least.
Quote: Aaron @ July 8 2009, 1:58 AM BSTYes, the tickets were free and allocated by random to anyone who'd applied.
The original tickets were free but were then re-sold on eBay. I'm sure the cost of the memorial service was re-couped by the television rights and subsequent DVD that will be released. Solid gold coffins ain't cheap!
I think the whole affair was very, very sad (in a number of ways), though I found Maria Carey's funeral dress particularly moving.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ July 8 2009, 2:29 AM BSTre-sold on eBay.
Fair point. I suspect that that was only a tiny minority though.