Morning Links: Jackson Brothers reality show on hold
MTV is reporting that cable network A&E had a reality TV series planned for the Jackson brothers -- sans Michael -- before his June 25th death. The Jackson brothers -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon -- pitched and recorded a one-hour special for the network, following their progress to record a new album. The special was viewed as a possible "pilot" for a full-fledged series if ratings were strong enough.
The network is reported to be reviewing footage and discussing with the family which direction to take the show, since the Jacksons have not recorded any further footage since Michael's untimely passing. As of right now, it is unknown how editors will address the death, or when the special will air.
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The British tabloid that revealed that LaToya Jackson says her brother Michael was murdered paid her an undisclosed sum for the candid four-hour interview, sources have told CNN. The one-time Playboy model was estranged from the family in the 1990s after she said publicly that Michael had acted inappropriately with children. It's not unusual for tabloids to pay for interviews and information, but it appears to be in questionable taste for a grieving sister to make her brother's "murder" into a payday.
The mayor of Los Angeles has returned from vacation, and says that the city of Los Angeles will pay the $1.4 million in expenses related to Michael Jackson's memorial services. While Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was away in South Africa on vacation, acting mayor Jan Perry concocted the PayPal idea -- which only raised $35,000 anyhow -- to help pay for expenses. Villaraigosa called the donations "ridiculous" and said, "This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection, period. The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical."
Concert promoter AEG is planning a Michael Jackson This Is It! tribute concert. AEG wants to produce Michael's final concert experience as a tribute show. Dancers have been kept on retainer. Sets are in storage under lock and key. They want it to be exactly the way it would have appeared, short of Jackson performing.
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Concert T-shirts that would have been sold at the London concerts have been selling as collector's items, among other merchandise. The shirts are selling at the official store at $30 each. Shirts for the corresponding dates will be sold until midnight of that day and then retired forever.
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Tony Romo is said to have broken up with Jessica Simpson last week, just a day before her 29th birthday, according to People. A source tells the magazine, "She is heartbroken. She loves Tony. But it's been difficult lately. He's busy with his career and she's getting ready to shoot her show .They decided to part ways."
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After a difficult pregnancy and a long labor, actress Mira Sorvino welcomed her third child -- a son -- to the family. Holden Paul Terry Backus was born to Sorvino and husband Christopher Backus. The mother said, "He is my miracle baby. With everything that threatened this pregnancy and both of our lives, he came out of it completely unscathed: perfectly healthy, beautiful and wonderful!"
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More babies ... This time '80s teen movie star Molly Ringwald welcomed a set of twins to the world on Friday in Los Angeles. The fraternal twins, daughter Adele Georgiana and son Roman Stylianos, join big sis Mathilda Ereni.
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American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has signed a three-year extension with the show for a reported $45 million, which makes him the highest paid reality TV host. The contract is through 2012, and gives Seacrest not only a $10 million a year raise, but also opportunities to develop other projects under the 19 Entertainment banner.
-- Dave Valenzuela
I like what a letter-writer said today: No more "reality TV" shows; let's focus on the reality of solving society's REAL problems.
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall, Jr. | July 14, 2009 at 05:32 PM