Score one for Lady O. I watched her interview with Michael's mom, Katherine, his kids: Paris, Prince and Blanket; and his father, Joe. All I have to say is that Joe Jackson came off as an a**.
Katharine Jackson knew her son was addicted to pain medicine and her son lied to her about his usage. She recalled that the day he died, she was told to come to the hospital and knew something was wrong and she kind of knew her son had died. Even though, she prayed that her initial instincts weren't true. It was Michael's private doctor who broke the news to her about his death. And she still can't believe that he's gone. The image of her son she remembers is him as a little boy with The Jackson Five. As she was about her memories of her son and his death, she apologized for her tears.
She couldn't believe that her son married Lisa Marie. Katherine liked her and claimed that Michael really loved her. The first time Katherine talked to her on the phone, she said that Lisa Marie sounded like a "dude"...a "brother" and that surprised her.
She whispered that answer to not offend her.
I was so impressed with Michael Jackson's children. They were articulate, well-behaved and shared wonderful memories of their father. They talked about the games he played with them and Paris praised him as the best dad ever.(She has pictures of him all over her world.) She basically told Oprah that when her dad died she didn't know how she would go on without him. They talked about the first time they realized who their dad was in the world of entertainment, saw old J5 footage, and understood why they had to wear masks for security and privacy reasons.
The part of the interview that tripped me out Joe Jackson's set arrival. Oprah quickly addressed the "divorce" rumor. Joe and Katherine denied it and that they had ever filed; even though they live in two separate locations. Joe also denied that Michael was afraid of him. He spinned it to suggest that Michael may have been afraid of his "strict discipline standards" and Joe patted himself on the back because if it wasn't for his strict discipline he would have "lost" his sons to the streets of Gary, Indiana.
When asked if he beat his children, he split hairs with his answer. He denied beating or whipping his children. Oprah reminded him back in the days that's what parents did. While playing the word semantic game with Oprah, Katherine got frustrated and told him that he might as well confess that he did beat Michael. Joe finally confessed. His reasons for the denial: word choice and the images it brings up. Joe used a strap not a whip. Whatever, Joe.
Hats off to you, Oprah. This was a one-of-kind interview. If it runs again, you have to watch.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Friday, November 12th 2010 at 10:58AM
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