Michael Jackson's Death: Continuous Television Coverage on June 25, 2009

Pop icon Michael Jackson was nothing if not controversial. Having undergone several plastic surgeries completely transforming his appearance through the years and been twice accused of child molestation, Michael Jackson created a media circus wherever he went.

His three children have always been shrouded either with cloth or covered by masks. His strange behavior has been analyzed through the years. Yet, even with his oddities, Jackson is considered the King of Pop.

The Death of Two Stars on June 25, 2009

June 25, 2009 started out with the death of actress Farrah Fawcett. As news coverage on this event was playing out and television networks were planning specials about and coverage on the actress’ death, Michael Jackson was being brought to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, a neighbourhood in Los Angeles. From that moment, Jackson’s condition completely took over the airwaves.

The Los Angeles Times, ABC, and the Associated Press confirmed his death, which was then picked up by the other networks. CNN was reluctant to do so, saying only that they could confirm the entertainer was in a coma. All Los Angeles local channels as well as the 24-hour news networks switched to all-Jackson mode. Nothing except the death of Jackson could be found on the network affiliates and the news networks.

Completely pushing the death of Farrah Fawcett off the radar, Michael Jackson’s death is being compared to those of John Lennon and Elvis Presley because they were all relatively young and their deaths were unexpected. To many, Jackson is the younger generation’s Elvis.



Through all the ups and downs of his life, Michael Jackson’s fans stuck by him and continued to revere the entertainer.

Filling Air Time with Everything about Michael Jackson

News anchors and reporters talked hour after hour filling air time with comments about and memories of Jackson. The controversies, his financial problems, his health, and his children were scrutinized as well as his triumphs in the music industry. The talking heads on TV managed to fill up many consecutive hours with information and comments about the pop star.

Other topics of discussion during the hours after Jackson’s death were his upcoming concert tour and the heart problems that could have been the cause of death. Statements by Jackson’s friends and colleagues rounded out the hours of air time.

The last time Michael Jackson was seen on camera in public was May 17 in Beverly Hills at a local art show where he walked under an umbrella with his children beside him, all wearing masks. This video was shown many times while the reporters verbalized about the singer and his life.

Jackson’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In Los Angeles, the news crews were camped out at the hospital, Jackson’s rented mansion, his Neverland Ranch, his family’s house, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jackson’s star on the famous sidewalk was concealed because of preparations for a movie premier on Hollywood Boulevard, so fans were detoured to the Jackson’s’ star, which was a tribute to the Jackson 5 singing group.
Residents in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009 had no other news. When other cities around the country resumed regular scheduled programs, Los Angeles, the entertainment capitol of the world, remained with the story of Michael Jackson. Being so celebrity conscious, Los Angeles was completely consumed by the events of the day, going so far as to follow the helicopter transporting the body to the coroner’s office.

The Legacy of Michael Jackson

History will tell whether the entertainer will be mostly remembered for his music or the controversy attached with his life and lifestyle. His Thriller album is the best selling album of all time.