How long are the cable news channels going to be the Michael Jackson Is Dead channels?

[backscatter712]

When I was at a friend's house, I tuned it, and of course, on CNN, HN, MSNBC and FOX, it was all MJ, all the time.

They'll spend hours babbling, tossing up graphics, interviewing pundits and saying absolutely nothing of substance over a story that can be summed up in four words: "Michael Jackson is dead."

You gotta love it - CNN couldn't be bothered to cover Iran until Twitter shamed them into it by scooping them and hitting them with #cnnfail. ABC's Obama town hall was nothing but right-wing loaded ambush questions for Obama. When thousands of people demonstrated for universal health care in DC, absolutely nothing, even though a few dozen right-wing tools with teabags will get fawned over for hours.

We'll get no real news for the next two weeks. No health care coverage, no Iran coverage, they'll be the Michael Jackson Is Dead channels. I'm sorry he died, but you know this will be a circus that will eclipse the Anna Nicole Smith coverage...

I hate what passes for media in this country.

[provis99]

1. how long did they spend on Reagan or Bob Hope?

There might be a week of this. They gotta cover the autopsy, funeral, wake, toxicology report, and retrospectives on his life yet.

[musette_sf]

8. exactly my thought

you beat me to it.

Reagan in particular. on the phone with H this morning, we were cracking jokes about Ed McMahon lying in state in the Rotunda for (seemingly) a week a la RWR. so count on at least a week.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

16. Remember Gerald Ford?

They had him lying in state in THREE DIFFERENT CITIES!

I really thought they'd have "Gerald Ford Goodbye Tour" t-shirts for sale, but when I went to downtown DC, no dice.....................

[goclark]

2. Michael Jackson is real news

One of the greatest entertainers in the world.

After two straight days of the Missing Gov. in Argentina ~ a celebration of the life and contributions of Michael Jackson are deeply appreciated by millions all over the world.

[msongs]

3. now maybe all those little boys can tell the real story nt

[liberalmuse]

4. Hopefully it will all be over soon...

like by the time I'm hooked back up again after my move. No internets, no cables (I caved and am having them hook the bad shit back up again), no phone. Maybe I'll actually get something done next week. I pay my respects to MJ, but the cable news can get beyond ridiculous in the name of "paying homage".

[Autumn]

5. Probably about a week, it comes at a

good time for them that way they can ignore anything unpleasant for their masters..

[backscatter712]

6. This breaking news just in: Michael Jackson is still dead.

His condition is stable and not expected to deteriorate any further.

We'll continue to discuss his situation and bring you all new developments... :eyes:

[spin]

14. Good one! (n/t)

[SoCalDem]

20. Is Franco still dead too?

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=29165

[backscatter712]

22. Yeah. I'd better have the interpreter for the hearing-impaired translate the news...

MICHAEL JACKSON IS STILL DEAD!!!

:evilgrin:

[boppers]

24. How about Abe Vigoda?

[tularetom]

7. It's a good thing there was no cable "news" when Elvis took his plunge off the crapper in 1977

The coverage on network news was sickening enough as it was.

Yes, Michael Jackson is dead. He was very talented but he had a lot of personal problems.

Just like Elvis.

WTF more is there to say? I predict they'll find something to keep this going for a week.

[notesdev]

9. Until the next

a) political sex scandal
b) missing white girl
c) economic catastrophe

pick one!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

15. You forgot

shark attack.............

[pinto]

10. Pre Iraq War I this is what they did, 24/7. Police chases, crime, deaths and weather .

:shrug:

[4lbs]

11. ABC and CBS are airing specials on him tonight. So

I figure NBC will have one tomorrow.

[Joe the Revelator]

12. Why do you care so much about what the cable channels put out? MJ dying is HUGE news

Its going to be around for awhile. Deal with it.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

13. We have E! on right now,

because we watch Chelsea Lately, and no one's interested in changing the channel, busy with other things, and a two-hour Michael Jackson special just came on - with a WARNING before, about sexual content.

I mean, who can ever get enough?

Although, I found this interesting: http://tinyurl.com/ll9aub

[lindisfarne]

17. How long is DU going to? n/t

[mullard12ax7]

18. As long as it sells, which will be for weeks

Real news hasn't sold well for years, so they make it up or buy it from propagandists. Death sells well for a while if lots of hero worship is involved, like painting Raygoon as the most liked prez ever which he wasn't. The media creates idolators then gives them what they want, it's one of many propaganda techniques.

[medeak]

19. no shit k&r

[SoCalDem]

21. They've got shitloads of video, dammit..

They have to play each one at least 10 times, and of course the new ones of all the grieving fans..

My guess? until after the funeral.

[cherish44]

23. I'm sure it'll cool down after the funeral

Unless someone is arrested for murdering him or something.