Morning Links: Michael Jackson memorial today in L.A.

Today is the big memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for fans to remember the self-proclaimed King of Pop, Michael Jackson, who died on June 25th. 

• Celebrities set to appear or perform, include: Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Brooke Shields, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Berry Gordy, Martin Luther King III, John Mayer, Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson.

• There is speculation that this memorial service could cost Los Angeles taxpayers more than $2.5 million.

• Some of the Jackson siblings may have had a wake for Michael last night, according to People. Randy and LaToya were among a group that showed up at Los Angeles' Forest Lawn Cemetery last night for what some are calling a 'family wake.'

• Liz Taylor is skipping the memorial, saying that Jackson wouldn't want her mourning to be a public spectacle. "I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event," she posted to her Twitter account.

• Also skipping the memorial is Debbie Rowe, the ex-wife and mother of two of Jackson's children. Her lawyer says, "The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy. ... Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately."

• • •

Katherine Jackson, meanwhile, was turned down in her request to become the executor of Michael's will. L.A. Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled Monday that the men Jackson named as executors in his 2002 will, John Branca and John McClain, will act as estate administrators until an August hearing. Katherine, however, will remain as  temporary guardian of the three Jackson children.

• • •

Fox News is reporting that Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was not licensed in the state of California to prescribe even a strong cough medicine, let alone controlled substances. Federal agents tell Fox that if Murray did provide Jackson with Demerol or Oxycontin, he did so illegally.

• • •

Kal Penn, whose character abruptly left Fox's House, showed up at his Obama Administration job in D.C. Penn left the world's most popular show to become an associate director in the White House's Office of Public Liaison. He will represent the administration in all things arts and in relations with Asian-Americans.

• • •

Jenna Fischer of The Office is getting married again. The actress became engaged last week while vacationing in Europe with boyfriend Lee Kirk. Fischer's first married to filmmaker James Gunn ended in 2007.

• • •

Professional golfer Phil Mickelson, whose wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, has announced that his mother has now been diagnosed with the same disease.

• • •

American Idol judge Kara Dio Guardio was married on Sunday in Prospect, Maine. The song-writer turned TV talent judge became engaged on her birthday in December last year, to boyfriend Mike McCuddy.

-- Dave Valenzuela

Comments

[BobbyCat]

I watched as a delusional Michael Jackson told a horrified Diane Sawyer that he slept with young boys and claimed there was nothing wrong with that. Maybe he was never convicted of child molestation but I can add two plus two - the guy was a pervert and should have been locked up, but he bought his way out of jail.

I don't understand how the media and millions of Jackson's fans can be so blinded to his obvious and dangerous addictions. Sure, he was talented and I liked his early work, but Michael Jackson was a freak, a drug addict and a pervert and should have been incarcerated.
It will be a cold day in hell when I honor any child molester.

[Mark]

Good riddence Wacko Jacko.