June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson Dead At 50

by Choire posted @5:51 PM

TMZ is or is not jumping the gun by announcing Michael Jackson (the pop singer, not Barry Diller's #2) dead. We'll wait for Us Weekly until we believe it. However: "paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home around 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived." Also: it's a fairly safe bet for TMZ to say that, points out Awl friend Tom Scocca. After all, even if he becomes alive later, he certainly was dead. Update: It's not as solid as their front page, but word inside the LA Times is that he is indeed dead. Also duly noted: "I will always remember this day as the day MJ killed AIM." Update: The LAT says "Michael Jackson is in a coma." This is a total meltdown of news organizations and the medium by which news spreads, which is to say, the Internet. Update: He is confirmed dead by sources other than TMZ. And you know what? Reactions varied!

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49 Comments / Post a new comment

  1. ljnd [#86]

    CNN is reporting that very few people recover from cardiac arrest (different from heart attack), and because of his health issues the prognosis is not good. So I think they're teeing up what they can't actually say.

  2. mjwilstein [#934]

    Here's CNN's breaking news report:

  3. Tuna Surprise [#573]

    Who's going to complete our celebrity death trifecta? Farrah, Michael and ______? Quick, someone check on Lindsey Lohan!

  4. saythatscool [#101]

    I'm just happy that he and Ryan O'Neal were able to tie the knot before he left this terrestrial plane.

  5. wiilliiaamm [#225]

    I should not be alone right now. I am going to go isolate with a bottle of sangria and some uppers.

    My childhood is dead. Long live my childhood.

  6. sauer [#148]

    Ryan O'Neal's ego and need for more Today show appearances would like this news to go fuck itself.

  7. pemulis [#903]

    What's the difference between Michael Jackson and Neil Armstrong? One walked on the moon, and the other is dead.

    Also, the dead one probably molested a bunch of children.

  8. hazmathilda [#839]

    My friend the paramedic goes "Cardiac arrest? He's dead." CONFIRMED!

    I didn't see this happening today.

  9. afarerkind [#379]

    NPR's "the Two-Way" blog hilariously reported that Michael Jordan died at one point.

    A commenter said, "Not to be nit-picking, but don't you mean Michael Jackson?"

  10. chrissth [#250]

    He touched a lot of lives.

  11. BillyMilder [#723]

    If Michael Jackson would have known how much love he was gonna get after he died, he would have died a long time ago.

  12. cherrispryte [#444]

    Is there something fundamentally wrong with me that I'm pissed that he died because all possible media outlets will now hold a MJ-athon, rather than covering Iran?

  13. FeyBoohoozer [#410]

    This is a very, very sad day.

  14. sauer [#148]

    NOW the "King" of pop label is fitting. Eerie.

  15. Tuna Surprise [#573]

    Michael Jackson:Farrah Fawcett :: Princess Di:Mother Theresa

  16. IBentMyWookie [#133]

    This is NOT a good day to be a cherub.

  17. WindowSeat [#180]

    Cory Feldman shopping tell-all as we speak.

  18. SarahHeartburn [#70]

    Now will everyone lay off Twitter so the Iranians can use it again?

  19. Vulpes [#946]

    Does this mean his kids get to take those masks off now?

  20. missdelite [#625]

    Which nose does he get in the afterlife?

  21. Hez [#147]

    NOT TODAY, ELIZABETH TAYLOR. You hear me, lady? Not today.

  22. My Number Is My Address [#237]

    I'm not looking forward to the Yurp's first MJ-free day. He was a lot bigger over here and they have a lot more dignity to lose.

  23. sigerson [#179]

    I must half-heartedly point out that he was acquitted. He died a free man, albeit one who paid $20 million to one kid and only got indicted because he didn't have the dosh to pay off the cancer survivor. So, yes, probably a weirdo but you can't say he was a pedophile.

    I'll just remember the music and delete pretty much everything after 1985 or so. Rest in peace.

  24. Charismatic Megafauna [#745]

    Is anyone else perversely excited to see what Sean Delonas comes up with for Sunday?

  25. dothetrikey [#1113]

    i liked some of his post 85 output: black and white, bad, dirty diana…

 

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