Ever since the King of Pop died, mainstream media has been nigh on obsessed with rehashing Michael Jackson’s life and legacy.
Though Jackson’s June 25 death was sudden, it was not entirely unexpected: The previous issue of Rolling Stone had contemplated if Jackson would be fit enough to perform his “final curtain call” in London this month.
And while rumors still swirl about the cause of death, it’s almost as though the last years of Jackson’s life, his increasing eccentricity and the out-of-court settlements didn’t matter. Sure, no one wants to speak ill of the dead, but has everyone really suffered from collective amnesia?
Granted, he was a talented performer who won 13 Grammys and made cutting-edge music videos. But really, before he died, when was the last time you listened to him? What was the last MJ album you bought?
Perhaps more disturbing is that Jackson’s death has dominated the news cycle for two weeks, despite a disputed election in Iran, riots in China and a U.S. visit by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The country nearly shut down for his star-studded three-hour memorial service on Tuesday, which was broadcast on TV and streamed online.
So what is it with Americans’ obsession with fame and celebrities? Why are they so fascinated with a tragic life and a tragic death?
Do they need to find themselves normal so much that they will scarf up any detail that validates the tragedy? Are they so curious about another’s life that they will salivate over any detail released and reported — confirmed or not — or over any update from a doctor, family friend or hanger-on looking for 15 minutes?
As many a would-be star can tell you, “fame” and “celebrity” are fleeting and the public is fickle. Just as America had mostly forgotten about Michael Jackson and his music (except for his tour announcement, intermittent baby-dangling and slumber-party episodes), America will again turn its attention to the next big thing, the next thing everyone is talking about.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Americans could actually invest their time in matters of importance? Say, healthcare reform? Or responding to climate change? Or, gaining equality for gays and lesbians?