MJ's Kids Enjoying Karate Class - December 2009 - Encino

The Mourning Jackson 4 Dynasty! An Attempt to Reclaim their Bygone Celebrity.

"The Jacksons Dynasty" reality show, is very much about Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito, men who seem unwilling or unable to let the untimely and more than troubling death of their world-famous brother detract, or even delay, their own myopic plans for recovered glory.

(1) A scene in which the family lawyer informs them that they are contractually obligated to perform a show scheduled before Michael's death is particularly chilling. Jackie briefly argues that they can't because they are grief-stricken, but he is quickly convinced otherwise, and soon the brothers are scarfing up canapés and congratulating themselves on their grace under pressure. They’re still doing this (i.e a concert reunion) because they have to, you see (!!!).

(2) Jermaine has taken it upon himself to be the show’s drama queen. In one sequence, he recalls his break from the Jackson 5 in the mid-1970s, saying his decision to stay at Motown when the others went to CBS Records was not because he was married to Berry Gordy’s daughter. “Motown introduced us to the world,’’ he says, sobbing and inspiring tears!

(3) Tito also plays press manager for other family members toward the end of the second hour, when he takes us on a detour to meet his three sons, a band called 3T. We see 3T trying to record an album but feeling paralyzed by the loss of their Uncle Michael. They’re desperately hoping the world will still be interested in them, just like the rest of the Jackson family. Promotion, promotion, promotion!

(4) At a dance rehearsal the borthers spin and glid like the boy band they once were. In the studion, though, things aren't as smooth. Jermaine commadeers the microphone, and when he goes to lunch, Jackie erases the tracks, saying they "didn't have that Jackson 5 magic". And there you want to say: "of course they didn't -- the magic came from n° 5"!!!

If Michael weren't dead, their antics and self-obsession would be no more or less disturbing than that of other reality show participants. But then, if Michael weren't dead, it's hard to imagine the show seeing the light of day.

One word: PITYFUL...

I generally have a hard time believing anything that any of the "other" Jacksons say. No, I’m not suggesting they’re out-and-out liars. It’s just that their lives have been so thoroughly distorted by media overexposure, they’re always straining to counter public perception, or to feed the tabloid ticker. And their comments are so sopped with grandiose warm-and-fuzzies about love for the fans and love for one another, they generally seem more disingenuous than honest.

Michael Jackson: The King of Art Basel Miami, FL - December 3rd, 2009

Painted by Kehinde Wiley, who's work usually puts hip-hop youth in the context of classical Royal portraiture, the piece was actually commissioned by MJ himself. Unfortunately, MJ died before he could give his input, but Wiley finished it anyway. It's being displayed for the first time at Art Basel. And it's gorgeous!!!

Yvon Lambert also presented two works, Gold Bubbles and Silver Bubbles, by artist Jonathan Monk. Less "my cup of tea"!

I wouldn't be too surprised if we saw more Jackson-inspired artwork at the satellite fairs. Stay tuned!

MJ's Children in Las Vegas for Thanksgiving - November 26th, 2009