Captain EO, the 3D short starring Michael Jackson as an intergalactic hero sent to deliver the gift of song to the evil Supreme Leader (played by Angelica Huston), officially re-opens at Disney today! This also means I need to start making plans to get out of Colorado and into a Disney theme park so I can see it again after about 20 years of only being able to relive it through grainy clips on YouTube. Besides, who wouldn’t want to see something that combines Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, vintage 3D, and Michael Jackson?!
Disney posted this video of fans describing their favorite Captain EO memories. I think my favorites have got to be Michael’s awesome space suit, the little fuzzy alien flying out into the crowd in 3D, and the Supreme Leader’s wicked fingernails.
Do you remember the time (couldn’t resist!) when Michael Jackson did a voice on The Simpsons? Remember how everyone was excited to hear him sing “Happy Birthday Lisa” on the show, but he wasn’t allowed to because of contract restrictions so they had a sound-alike do it? Well now, thanks to YouTube, we have a version of the song by the REAL Michael Jackson. Check it out!
A reporter trying to cover fan reactions to Michael Jackson’s death was rudely interrupted by an inebriated idiot several times during his broadcast. Finally, enough is enough and he smacks the guy. I say, right on!
There is no way I can string together a sentence that can fittingly express just how much Michael Jackson meant to me or how deeply devastated I am by his death.
The word “epic” is unworthy of describing his life, his career and his iconic level of fame. Not only was he the most significant artist in music history during his life, but the news of his death today nearly shut down the entire internet. The way the story unfolded in the news marks a major change in journalism and social media that will surely have implications for years to come. The biggest comfort to me, and surely many other fans, has been the overwhelmingly positive nature of the coverage and comments. Aside from the few who feel the need to make jokes or spread malicious garbage, most everything I have read, listened to and seen today regarding his passing has expressed sadness and appreciation for the light he brought to the world.
To me, Michael Jackson was much more than a singer, a dancer, and a celebrity. To me, he represented The Dream, the hope and optimism that can keep us going in our darkest hours. Whenever I felt like I was wallowing in the lowest points of my life, I had The Dream to lift me up and make me believe things would get better. The Dream is that magical part of childhood, the wild imagination, which makes us believe anything is possible, that the future will be brighter than the present. Today, I feel like my childhood is officially over because The Dream is gone.
In time, I am sure that I will be able to once again feel that optimism and inspiration that Michael Jackson represented in my life. Today, however, I am left with sorrow and disbelief.
Many kids of the 80s are so quick to turn their backs on the King of Pop, but I’m proud to say that I love Michael Jackson. In the words of Dave Chappelle, “He made Thriller… Thriller!”
In recent years (or decades depending on who’s talking) Michael has become more of a “Trashwire” celebrity, someone who’s kooky antics are fun, trashy tabloid fodder.
I recently saw a post on Digg that said that Michael recently converted to Islam and will change his name to Mikaeel. Of course, this was accompanied by a photo of him, covered from head to toe in “a traditional Arab women’s veil”.
My question to the world is this:
Is this really shocking to anyone? Is anything Michael does shocking to anyone anymore?
I feel like that bit on Weekend Update, “Really?!? With Seth and Amy”, where I just want to say, “Really, folks? Really? You’re really that surprised when Michael Jakson does something weird? Really?”
Anyway, I had to post the link because, despite the fact that I detest all these little short blurbs about “Jacko’s” daily misadventures, I find it rather irresistable to keep up with such non-news.
