Explain, please, to these Americans the appeal of a certifiably weird, 50-year-old pop star with a questionable past who hasn't put out a popular album since 2001. I'm talking about Michael Jackson, who today sold out a "final" series of 50 concerts--more than 1 million tickets--in London in less than 5 hours. The enormous O2 Arena says that thanks to the sales, it can now weather the recession for at least two more years. Fans who have been lining up since Wednesday to get a place in line to assure themselves of tickets are beside themselves. And all of this is in spite of the fact that when MJ came to London a couple of weeks ago (see picture at left) to announce his return to the stage, he kept his loyal fans and the press waiting for some 5 hours before he showed up to make a 4-minute, incoherent appearance. There appear to be no limits to the ability of some people to fall under the spell of a celebrity--even one like Jackson who despite his undeniable talent early in his career has become somewhat of a standing joke for any wanna-be stand up comic. I don't think we are alone in marvelling at the oddity of it all. The London papers seem to be taking a similiarly incredulous view of the situation. On the good side, the amazing ticket sales more than guarantee that Jackson should be able to wipe out his $50 million worth of debts.
Friday, March 13, 2009
British Go Mad For Michael Jackson
Explain, please, to these Americans the appeal of a certifiably weird, 50-year-old pop star with a questionable past who hasn't put out a popular album since 2001. I'm talking about Michael Jackson, who today sold out a "final" series of 50 concerts--more than 1 million tickets--in London in less than 5 hours. The enormous O2 Arena says that thanks to the sales, it can now weather the recession for at least two more years. Fans who have been lining up since Wednesday to get a place in line to assure themselves of tickets are beside themselves. And all of this is in spite of the fact that when MJ came to London a couple of weeks ago (see picture at left) to announce his return to the stage, he kept his loyal fans and the press waiting for some 5 hours before he showed up to make a 4-minute, incoherent appearance. There appear to be no limits to the ability of some people to fall under the spell of a celebrity--even one like Jackson who despite his undeniable talent early in his career has become somewhat of a standing joke for any wanna-be stand up comic. I don't think we are alone in marvelling at the oddity of it all. The London papers seem to be taking a similiarly incredulous view of the situation. On the good side, the amazing ticket sales more than guarantee that Jackson should be able to wipe out his $50 million worth of debts.
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