Oprah’s interview with Michael Jackson’s family upsets fans

As reported now all over the Internet, Oprah and her mobile interviewing unit arrived last week at the Jackson compound in LA to interview the Jackson family and more disturbing for many it was believed that Michael’s children were part of this interview.

Update: Some family members are stating that Michael’s children were indeed not interviewed. For that reason, we will take out references regarding the fact that they were part of the interview.

Pictures surfaced from inside the house. Fans are curious, torn and outraged about this interview, what it shows and who may be involved.

Reports are surfacing that Oprah interviewed Katherine, Joe, other family member.

Oprah could not have believed her decision to do this would not be met with some reaction. Maybe that is what she wanted.

Objections we are hearing are that many are not surprised that Joe Jackson, known to exploit his past connections for media exposure, made the rounds but many don’t understand Katherine’s co-operation. This is the very mother that Michael seemed to adore, left 40% of his entire worth (including future earnings) and most importantly …..left as caregiver to the 3 people he cherished most…his children.

Lets face it, Oprah is huge and would provide the family the exposure they need to get any message out (is it about their loving child/brother/father). The purpose of the interview may be that but many are furious as this was the same woman whose career skyrocketed after MJ’s 2 hour interview. She is the same woman who did nothing to defend him during the years of accusations both during his life and through constant references – following his death.

Now in fairness initially at the time she could argue no-one knew what the truth really was and having had similar issues in her own past she would be sensitive to the children/families making the charges. The issue, however, continues that even after being found to be innocent on all counts, experts reporting that there was no evidence to support the charges and now even jury members themselves stating there was nothing to lead them to believe the accusations were anything but an extortion attempt, she did nothing to defend him.

Watching the special following MJ’s death that was billed as the tribute to ‘the king’, one could not help but notice how many times Oprah referred to the fact that the footage was ‘before the accusations surfaced, etc.’ Her bias seemed evident so much so that it seemed to suggest she believed him guilty. I can say I myself have watched this special several times and feel very uncomfortable at her references over and over again about this. Considering she herself had legal issues, fought for her reputation and won…one would wonder why she believed the legal system served her fairly to find out the truth but she would not afford MJ the same recognition.

Past interviews with Lisa Marie with Oprah are painful to watch as it is evident she seemed to suggested that LMP must have been a little off to consider marrying MJ. The mockery was evident even if not spoken. Now in fairness Oprah was not the only one….Dianne Sawyer’s interview was truly disgusting. Her comments were ‘Michael Jackson…really….what were you thinking (laughter laughter). Shall we interpret what Dianne meant – how could you marry a weirdo, a wack job…a nutbar….etc. Look the way he looks…he wears makeup ….his is a complete weirdo. That type of distasteful mockery did not stop Sawyer from getting on the news following his death to talk about his genius….what he left the world etc. We have to ask…..Dianne Sawyer when did he go from being an ugly wack job to being the next coming of ‘you know who…..’

There are many who could have done an interview. Janet when she finally spoke publicly about her brother did not choose to go to the woman who profited from him yet seemed to turn her back as fast as possible. Actually I stand corrected on that one…she did do the Oprah circuit as well when promoting a movie and of course the discussion came around to her troubled brother. Let’s face it….the world wants to talk about Michael….they care only so much about the rest of the family….they are defined by MJ because of his contributions, news coverage, genius, isolation and ultimate death. This is not to diminish their lives but he is the one who supported them, kept them in the spotlight and will be remembered forever. This new generation barely knew about this family (even Janet) but after his death they are all over the news.

Maybe the rest of the family could have considered his relationship with Oprah. Being such a media powerhouse, maybe his feelings towards her and her treatment of him should have been considered before giving another ‘interview of a lifetime’. I do remember the fellow who aired the ‘footage you were not supposed to see’…defending Michael when the media was in a frenzy over the Bashir interview. Maury Povich narrated that special…maybe they could have considered talking to someone like him (maybe a bit more worthy of an interview).

Now some Jackson family members are speaking publicly about their disappointment with the decision to agree to this. As usual, fans hear from Randy Jackson, MJ’s younger brother…who seems to have the guts on a fairly regular basis to question some of the decisions being made.

I am not trying to suggest the motive or purpose of Michael’s parents in doing this interview. I can, however, as a parent, state the only fact I know for sure. I would definitely not grant an interview to a woman who sat by and mocked or allowed mockery of my son on national TV, reiterated the fact of charges that were later dismissed whenever possible…even after his death, etc. I personally would not give this person the time of day regardless of the ratings, exposure, etc. The level of betrayal I would feel as the parent of a boy would never allow me to talk to a person who did this never mind contribute to the economic success of such a person.

It was first reported that MJ’s kids were interviewed but family members are disputing that. Fans everywhere were furious that the children may have been involved as Michael Jackson shielded his children from the public eye even when it meant he himself was mocked and ridiculed for it. He feared, according to reports, for their safety and knew first hand that once you open that box….you cannot get the privacy back. He stated openly he had NO CHILDHOOD, felt robbed of his privacy, and hated the media. Not being naive to the fact that these kids will never have a normal life away from the spotlight, fans want the family to understand that they do not want his children paraded in front of the public.

Now Lisa Marie….she is getting a lot of angry correspondence as well and we would suggest that we consider that she is an adult and can make her own decisions, has come out in his defense since his death, and maybe mocked and ridiculed him during some of these interviews due to divorce anger…she is certainly not the first ex to say or do things they regret…and lets face it…he was probably not an angel in their marriage either….so we can cut her some slack assuming she has something to say and that there maybe a real purpose to her agreeing to a sitdown with Oprah.

Now, to Oprah….some suggest it may be a time for her to apologize, to really be remorseful, and consider that her contribution to the media hate frenzy that surrounded this guy maybe helped contribute to his isolation, pain and ultimate death. She knows the power and influence she has on pop culture and that very influence affected his life and attitude. I do remember the wonderful speech that Madonna made to the world clearly stating she felt that she and others had turned their back on him when he needed them. She had the guts to acknowledge she contributed to this sad legacy …wonder if Oprah can do the same.

So in closing ….and I know I have rambled a bit….I can’t argue with the feelings that many fans are stating about having complete outraged that this woman entered MJ’s family home (oh by the way…the one he technically owned and afforded all of them to live in), interviewed his father and mother, and toured their private areas ..so that it will later be aired on national TV for the whole world to see.

Lets see what other Jackson family members participated. We will be interested to see if Janet, Jermaine, Tito, and other family members attend this performance or will they be like their brother Randy who publicly states his disagreement to these decisions.

Just a thought and seems to be what we are hearing from many fans ….let us know what you think.