The Michael Jackson media circus
Editorial cartoons are a clunky medium for doing tributes.
It's difficult to tread the line between sincere and sappy, because brevity is the soul of an effective cartoon, and you have to hit the sentiment just right or it blows up in your face.
While I respect Michael Jackson's work, I am not a fan; so at first I decided to pass on the subject. That was before, one by one, my colleagues came by asking what I was planning to draw in response to his death. It became apparent that this is one of those mega-topics you cannot avoid, because it is so much a part of common existence that it demands commentary.
Fearing that my lack of requisite grief would cause a tribute to ring hollow, I decided that the best way to honor Jackson, the man and the artist, was to comment on my own profession and the way it is exploiting his demise (being mindful of how the Princess Di extravaganza eventually played itself out).
Endless electronic wallowing on the air, in print and on the Internet seems to be the modern way of mass grieving. Many people must need it, or it wouldn't pump ratings, circulation and net hits the way it does.
I do not argue with that. It's just a shame that taste always has to be a victim in the race to be the most saccharine. It debases us all.
And another thing: Poor old Farrah Fawcett, a figure equally worthy of our respect, has been all but forgotten in this orgy.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
Mr. Lowe, could you repeat that in English?
Posted by: Billy | June 26, 2009 3:18 PM
Farrah Fawcett equally worthy to Michael Jackson? Seriously? Even with his questionable history, the best selling musical artist of all time vs. Charlie's Angel pin-up? You've certainly be debasing something...
Posted by: joey | June 26, 2009 5:19 PM
Chan says:
Thanks for your comment, Joey. Certainly nobody is equal to Michael Jackson in terms of notoriety, and his talent was prodigious. When I said "equally worthy of our respect," I meant that Farrah Fawcett's battle with cancer and her candor about it were inspiring, and as a human being, she had a lot to contribute. All this has been eclipsed simply because the two of them happened to pass away within hours of each other.
If "best selling" were the yardstick by which we judged the relative worth of people, then Jesus, who sold nothing...well, you get the picture.
Posted by: Chan | June 26, 2009 5:41 PM
No class.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 26, 2009 6:29 PM
Chan,
You need to draw and not write.
Posted by: Brian | June 26, 2009 10:21 PM
Totally agree with Chan's take on the Ultimate Pedophile's exit stage left.
Elvis may have greeted Farrah
upon her arrival where he is.
I admit I always thought MJ
would leave this earth by being blown away by a a sawed
off loaded with double aught
buck aimed at appropriate spot by an irate parent of one of his victims, even if
he'd paid off (reason for
being broke). assume that
hot place is "rockin'" now.
Posted by: MileHigh Florida Transplant | June 26, 2009 11:10 PM
And Farrah Fawcett's death eclipsed Ed McMahon's death the day before (24th)...
Posted by: Old Boca Man | June 27, 2009 2:42 AM
A lot of people died on that day, throughout the world, does that mean that the lives of all those people meant nothing to their families?
Michael Jackson, like him or not, was the biggest celebrity to DIE that day. The news of his death was clearly going to overpower Farrah's. Sadly, Ed McMahon was going to be pushed aside too.
All sentiment aside, none of us were there to witness the pedophile allegations against MJ, I'm starting to wonder if any of it was true. Despite the fact that there were rumors and cases going on, some parents still allowed their children to 'stay' with him. Seems to me like they saw a gravy boat and were waiting for it to dock at their front door.
Never in a million years would I allow my 9 year old son to stay at another adults home, no matter who he/she was.
Makes you wonder though, because every case was settle for undisclosed amounts of HUGE CASH.
When someone passes on, proper etiquette is simple; if you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all.
RIP Ed, Farrah & MJ
Posted by: PYT | June 27, 2009 1:27 PM
A lot of people died on that day, throughout the world, does that mean that the lives of all those people meant nothing to their families?
Michael Jackson, like him or not, was the biggest celebrity to DIE that day. The news of his death was clearly going to overpower Farrah's. Sadly, Ed McMahon was going to be pushed aside too.
All sentiment aside, none of us were there to witness the pedophile allegations against MJ, I'm starting to wonder if any of it was true. Despite the fact that there were rumors and cases going on, some parents still allowed their children to 'stay' with him. Seems to me like they saw a gravy boat and were waiting for it to dock at their front door.
Never in a million years would I allow my 9 year old son to stay at another adults home, no matter who he/she was.
Makes you wonder though, because every case was settle for undisclosed amounts of HUGE CASH.
When someone passes on, proper etiquette is simple; if you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all.
RIP Ed, Farrah & MJ
Posted by: PYT | June 27, 2009 1:27 PM
Totally agree with Chan's remarks. Farrah was fearless in her fight with cancer and let us see it. Yes, Michael was talented, but what else did he do but screw up his face, life and now we'll really find out how many children?
Posted by: Pat | June 27, 2009 2:45 PM
It's all a hoax: Michael's flipping burgers with Elvis up in Michigan, somewhere.
Posted by: pete | June 27, 2009 2:59 PM
I find it almost impossible to believe that so many seemingly intelligent people would spend so much time and effort to honor a child molester and deviant freak, that could sing and dance. Big deal----sorry to see any young person die, but this guy was NOT a credit to the human race. Singing and dancing are not traits to be idolized. Decent behavior and honor are so much more important-but rarely, in today's world, recognized.
Posted by: JOEL GOODMAN | June 27, 2009 3:19 PM
Somehow I'm reminded of a Chevy Chase bit every time I turn on the TV these days: "And in other news, Michael Jackson is still dead."...
Posted by: Tom | June 29, 2009 5:48 AM
The true loss here is Billy Mays, he was on TV more than Farrah, sold more than MJ and was a better speaker than Ed. Billy will be greatly missed and the entire world should morn his loss.
Posted by: Pointman870 | June 29, 2009 8:11 AM
Trackback:
http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/06/28/cartoon-of-the-week-628/
Posted by: From Scratch | June 30, 2009 4:37 PM
Enough already, let the man rest in peace. I agree with your article. Too many people want a piece of the Jackson pie and now the 2nd generation of Jackson children are being prepped for pop stardom.
Posted by: kathy | July 1, 2009 1:25 PM