MTV the place to be for Michael Jackson TV mourning
MTV is the place to be as the cable channel extends its non-stop, wall-to-wall Michael Jackson tribute with a stunning array of Jackson music videos and music performances though 8 p.m. Friday. What's going on at MTV in the wake of Jackson's death is nothing short of a profound cultural experience.
In addition to the endless stream of music videos, there are cut-ins from mtvnews.com featuring music journalist Kurt Loder who started at the cable channel in the 1980s. He brings instant credibility and history. There is also a Twitter crawl across the bottom of the screen with fan thoughts and tributes for a strong new-media, multi-media thread of consciousness.
But it's the music videos that really resurrect the greatness and spirit of Jackson's work. If you are near a TV and feeling the loss of Jackson, get over to MTV for comfort, solace and, perhaps, even a melancholy re-connection with your own past. This is televisual collective mourning -- and celebration --at its best.
(Pictured Michael Jackson with his 2006 MTV Award)
As the music video for "You Are Not Alone" played, a tweet just moved across the screen saying, "I feel like part of my childhood died."
That encapsulates exactly what's happening in a shared-history sense on MTV today: A generation that grew up with Jackson and his music videos on MTV returns for this day of remembering and mourning. And the artist's music and performance are at the heart of it as they should be. The synergy and energy on MTV today are awesome.
I cannot praise MTV enough. Like so many one-time media enities, MTV is not what it used to be these days as new technology and changing viewer habits ravage former giants. In fact, the channel had a large layoff of staff this very week.
But the people who are still employed at the downsized MTV understood this profound cultural moment and their channel's inside track to the hearts, minds and memories of fans looking for a place to mourn Jackson. Making the decision Thursday to go wall-to-wall with their vast music video library was brilliant. This was the one place on TV that you could experience the greatness of Jackson rather than hear experts talk about it to TV anchor faces.
The music video, "They Don't Care About Us" is playing onscreen as I write this, a tweet says, "...we are mourning our own generataion's childhood." Jackson is soaring across the screen in this throbbing Third-World vision by director Spike Lee.
All praise to MTV. This is a transcendent TV moment.
Comments
pop star jackson dead at the age 50.its suddenly shocked me.
Posted by: gobind | June 26, 2009 2:10 PM
Kurt Loder is the most appropriate host for this event. He gives credibility to MTV.
Posted by: NotableM | June 26, 2009 2:13 PM
I am greatly sadden at the death of Michael Jackson. He was a brilliant entertainer and ICON. He shaped my life and millions of people. I like to send my condolence to his family.
Posted by: Cheryl | June 26, 2009 2:44 PM
I am greatly sadden at the death of Michael Jackson. He was a brilliant entertainer and ICON. He shaped my life and millions of people. I like to send my condolence to his family.
Posted by: Cheryl | June 26, 2009 2:44 PM
Only appropriate that MTV would lead with tributes to Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson (and Madonna) actually made MTV what it is. In turn Jackson's and Madonna's careers owe much to MTV in its' infancy.
Posted by: ruth | June 26, 2009 3:28 PM
Absolutely-this is a transcendent tv moment. We can easily become distanced from the intertwined visual, aural and emotional experiences that are such a part of our experience of culture.
Hi Marieka, What a concise, focused description of the way we connect with such a text. Thanks. Z
Posted by: marieka | June 26, 2009 9:56 PM
Micheal Jackson was an inspriation 2 all kinds im only 16 && I knew a lot I mean a lot about micheal he was so talented I loved him so much his voice was like an angel && he danced like oh ma god he danced like no one could ever dance he was tha best I mean tha best i guess I would say that micheal jackson is ma hero ma idle and I love him and I will always treasure him in ma heart!!!
Posted by: Latiana Bonner | June 27, 2009 3:06 AM
R.I.P Michael.
You were the greatest showman god put on this earth,now god has called you home.You were a massive part of my childhood and you will be always be in my heart.You are a beautiful angel in heaven.You're music lives on in my heart and i will always remember you and love you.I just cant stop loving you Michael.xxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Niki Maybury | June 27, 2009 7:36 AM
R.I.P Michael.
Love& Prayers to the Jackson family,friends&fans.xxx
You were the greatest showman& entertainer god put on this earth,now god has called you home.You were part of my childhood& you are a beautiful angel in heaven now.Your music will live on in my heart forever.I will never stop loving you.You will always be a part of me.Love always&Forever,Niki,Michael&Lauren from Scotland.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Niki Maybury | June 27, 2009 7:48 AM
He will be missed by his many fans across the world. I wonder if his family will to a memory tour in this honor since tickets were already sold in London. Keith Green's family did this when he was killed in a plane crash in his memory.
Posted by: Sherry T. | June 27, 2009 12:21 PM
Michael jackson was my hero and i listened to him every night before i went to sleep and still do. i an in so deeply hurt to hear that he will no longer be able to grace up with his presence but his music will never die. I LOVE YOU AND WE WILL MISS YOU. THERE IS NO ONE IN THE WORLD LIKE YOU.
Posted by: Mandy dowden | June 28, 2009 12:47 AM
you know you hear alot of michael jackson was this and was that but i am not going to say was because was is past tense and michael jackson and the love his fans have for him is VERY much alive. I LOVE YOU MJ!
Posted by: Mandy dowden | June 28, 2009 12:59 AM
MY GOD BLESS THE JACKSON FAMILY AND KEEP THEM IN PEACE. MIKE IS ONLY SLEEPING FOR A WHILE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. LOVE PJ
Posted by: phyllis jones | June 29, 2009 12:00 AM
michael will always live in each of us i have to admit that when my mom call i didnt beleave her she was like turn on the TV i was in a dazes i love me some micheal jackson see i was around when il be there, you wonna be startting something was was out i just hope that his kids at lease get there wish becouse so many kids are not heard and to sum it up i would like to say ya we didnt let micheal live and breath while he was here on earth so lets let him now and personly my hold heart and sole goes out to the jackson family ps michael jackson die on my 38 birth june 25 1971 i love u so much micheal and now my u finally rest in peace love always one of your dearst fans 4 life.
Posted by: venice young | June 29, 2009 6:40 PM