We can't believe that he is gone. Seeing the gold casket carrying Michael Jackson's body on stage made it feel like it was true that the King of Pop was dead. The Michael Jackson memorial service program is posted online. Live Coverage replay video added.

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ABC has Nightline correspondent Martin Bashir as a commentator during the memorial service. It seems inappropriate since the reporter was involved in the documentary that caused Michael Jackson's grief and a legal trial. The King of Pop was eventually exonerated but his reputation and career were never able to fully recover.

Some Michael Jackson fans believe Martin Bashir was partly responsible for Michael Jackson's death and should have been barred from any memorials dedicated to the superstar.
Paris Jackson Cries at Michael Jackson Memorial

Michael Jackson's manager said that MJ's drug use increased after he saw Martin Bashir's 2003 television documentary, in which Jackson revealed he slept in a room with children. Mr Wiesner told the Sun: "It broke him. It killed him. He took a long time to die, but it started that night. Previously the drugs were a crutch, but after that they became a necessity. [source]

Mariah Carey sings "I'll Be There" and can't seem to hit the high notes anymore. What happened to Mimi's voice? Mariah's back up singer Trey Lorenz accompanies the diva. Poor guy never had a career as anything more than Mariah's back up singer after his record deals failed.

Michael Jackson Memorial Service photos.

Queen Latifah reads a poem inspired by Maya Angelou. Memorial service highlight videos below.

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Michael Jackson memorial - Jermaine Jackson Smile

JENNIFER HUDSON MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL PERFORMANCE 07-07-09
John Mayer with Human Nature @ Michael Jackson Memorial

Brooke Shields Speaks at Michael Jackson's Memorial

Reverend Al Sharpton to Jackson Children: 'Wasn't Nothing Strange About Your Daddy'
Smokey Robinson Reads Letters from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross at Michael Jackson Memorial

1:50 PM : Lionel Richie co-writer of "We Are The World" sings a Christian spiritual.

1:54 :Motown founder Berry Gordy says Michael was like a son to him and sends his condolences to family members."Michael Jackson raised the bar and then broke the bar." Berry Gordy says that Michael was not just the King of Pop but "the greatest entertainer that ever lived." It is so true. That was a beautiful speech.

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2:04: A video montage plays with Michael Jackson clips. It's too bad that no one said all these nice things about Michael Jackson while he was alive. It makes the sadness even deeper and the tears flow even more. We can't believe that Michael Jackson is gone.

2:06: Stevie Wonder is led to the stage. Stevie sings "I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer. "We can't help but love you forever Michael." We cry even more. This is so sad because Michael Jackson was struck down too soon.

2:14: Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson on stage. Kobe talks about Michael Jackson as a humanitarian. Kobe and Magic are fighting back the tears. Magic recalls how Michael asked him to be in the John Singelton directed "Remember the Time" music video. Magic tells us all "This is a celebration of his life of his legacy and opening up doors for African-Americans."

2:21 : Jennifer Hudson is very pregnant. Her non-existent baby looks like it is about to come any minute. Jennifer is accompanied on stage by the back up dancers who were scheduled to join Michael Jackson during his O2 Arena concert dates in July.

2:25 : Rev. Al Sharpton preaches about the Jackson family dream from humble beginnings in Gary Indiana. "It was Michael Jackson's dream that changed culture all over the world. Michael Jackson put on one glove and broke down the color curtain." Michael Jackson was the great uniter who brought the world together.
"Millions around the world are going to uphold his message. Focus on the journey and out sang his critics. Everytime you counted him out he came back in Michael never stopped." Al Sharpton thanks the family for sharing the dream and giving us Michael Jackson because nothing will fill their loss. Sharpton tells Michael's children "there wasn't nothing strange about your Daddy. It was strange what he had to deal with." Michael's children are sitting with the family Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket do not have their faces covered. Paris understands and rises to her feet to applaud Al Sharpton's eulogy. Paris seems strong for little girl who just lost her father. We hope that all of the children are okay.

2:34: John Mayer performs "Human Nature" on his guitar. The crowd screams and claps. The applause is moving. Will John sing? His voice will be recorded in history forever in front of a global audience in the millions. John chooses to strum the guitar. Good choice. The song sounds pretty. Wonder why they didn't have the legendary BB King perform this song instead of John if he wasn't going to contribute vocals. John greets the family hugs Jermaine, Jackie and Randy.

2:37: Brooke Shields fights back the tears. Brooke admits she dated Michael and breaks down like she is still in love with him. "Michael loved to laugh. MJ's laugh was the sweetest and purest of everyone I've ever known." Brooke says she told Michael "what is up with the glove?" He was caring loving,pure,non jaded and a lover of life." Brooke reads a passage from the Little Prince. Brooke Shields tells us that Michael's favorite song is smile and that what everyone should do. Our tears flow even harder.

2:43 : Jermaine Jackson sings Michael Jackson's favorite song "Smile" . Jermaine sounds good. MJ's sequined glove is helping Jermaine hit the high notes. Jermaine tries to sing while fighting back the tears. Jermaine gets a standing ovation.

2:52: Martin Luther King III : Michael Jackson was the best at what he was.
2:59 : Representative Lee speaks on behalf of everyman and woman. She hints at the criminal allegations against Michael explaining that we are "innocent until proven guilty." She quotes Psalm 23 , " The Lord is my sheperd I shall not want." We are the world and we are better because Michael Joseph Jackson lived.

3:07: Usher sings "Gone Too Soon." A photo montage plays in the background showing Michael with his family and friends. Usher almost can't finish the song. Usher finishes through tears and is comforted by MJ's family near Michael Jackson's casket.

3:12 : Cute little Michael Jackson video of the pop star singing on the Ed Sullivan show with the Jackson 5.

3:13: Smokey Robinson talks about the joy of having Michael Jackson sing his song "Who's Loving You". Michael Jackson was his little brother who will live on forever.

3:19 : 12 year old Britain's Got Talent singer Shaheen Jafargholi sings Michael Jackson's "Who's Loving You.". Simon Cowell got a chance to introduce the kid to a global audience.

3:27: We are the world is performed on stage with the family. Everyone has a chance to see Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket. Paris is singing. They continue with "Heal the World."

3:30: The Jackson family says their final goodbyes. Michael's daughter Paris is pretty. She stands next to her aunt Janet who hugs her tenderly. Maybe Janet will get custody of the kids. Diana Ross has released a statement that she will raise his kids.

Paris Jackson talks about her dad who she loved so much. Our hearts break even more. Paris had the strength to say goodbye to her daddy.

3:40 : Reverend Pastor Smith makes closing prayer.

A thunder and lightening rainstorm from the heavens lets us know that Michael Jackson is crying with us. We love you Michael you made the world a better place.

PHOTOS: The Michael Jackson Memorial (socialitelife.celebuzz.com)

Michael Jackson's weeping daughter caps memorial (cbc.ca)

Michael Jackson's Memorial Lures the A-List (abcnews.go.com)

Memorial To Jackson 'The Giant And Legend' (news.sky.com)

Will Jackson memorial stop the world? (ctv.ca)

Michael Jackson's Memorial Lures the A-List (abcnews.go.com)

Memorial To Jackson 'The Giant And Legend' (news.sky.com)

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Comments

MSNBC is now showing the Martin Bashir interview with Michael Jackson and I must say that Martin is a dog for the way he conducted that interview. For him to tape Michael, then go back and create a sinister mood by doing his own (Martin's own) voice-overdubs complete with gloomy music, and do that without Michael knowing what the final outcome would be, is underhanded, dirty dog journalism. And now this guy is the lead anchor on Nite Line who mostly seem to cover sexual/or homosexual issues (anyone notice that?). Now Michael's being tried in the media who seem to be interested in taking his seemingly white kids from the black Jackson family, and to return Michael's money back to where they think it belong. And they can't stand the fact that he owns 1/2 of the Beatles song catalog. Journalism has become the art of dirty dogs. There's so much of it on TV they have to keep the wheel spinning. Thank you BET for your take on his life.

Posted by: Thinker | July 11, 2009 at 01:12 AM