The Muppets Take On...

"Bohemian Rhapsody???"

It's actually pretty funny and cool. Enjoy!

Hey There Obama (Drink the Kool Aid)

(h/t Granite Grok)

New Blog

Hi, folks.

I just thought I would announce that I now have a new offshoot to the ConChrist blog called Moonwalker.

Because there is so much information that's going to be coming out about the death of Michael Jackson, I decided to put it over on to an entirely new blog to examine and dissect. If I didn't, this would turn into the Michael Jackson blog. Over there, I'm going to not only have news as it comes out, but also see if I can find some stuff that people haven't seen in awhile or might not have ever seen as well as some classic stuff as it pertains to Jackson.

Check it out.

The First Concern Should Always Be For The Kids

Regardless of how much money Michael Jackson made in his lifetime, or how weird he was or whatever, the first concern now that he's gone is what is going to happen to his three kids.

Now, since his death, Joe Jackson has given some hints about the idea of getting Jackson's three kids into show business. The Daily Sun out of the U.K. has confirmed my suspicions, and no one is happy about his plans.

MICHAEL’S father Joe is lining up the King of Pop’s children for a world tour as The Jackson Three — despite family members accusing him of trying to “exploit them like Jacko”.

Former Jackson Five manager Joe is said to have approached Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year old Prince Michael II — known as Blanket — to hit the stage next year.

But one of Jacko’s family is said to be “livid” at the scheme, which will add fuel to the bitter custody battle for the youngsters.

Jackson’s biographer Ian Halperin said yesterday: “Joe wants the children to go on a world tour in 2010. He has also already offered recording contracts to two of Michael’s kids.

“Now he is talking about getting them the world’s best backing band and taking them on tour as The Jackson Three.”

Halperin said yesterday his source for the allegations is extremely close to the family and may soon speak out publicly — out of concern for the future of the youngsters.

He told The Sun: “One of the family members is livid. He is saying Joe seems intent to do this no matter what.

“He wants to exploit the kids the same way he did Michael.”

Now, according to the story, Debbie Rowe, mother of the two oldest children, and Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, are close to an agreement where Katherine would have physical custody and Debbie would be able to visit the kids at the Jackson home. Part of that agreement: that Joe has no say in the upbringing of the children.

Putting these kids on the road would further give in to the freak show that was Michael Jackson's life. If they want to go into show business when they get older, fine. But right now, especially if Joe is proposing to be their manager, is not the time for these kids to be in the spotlight. They've already been through enough.

This is a Rare Video...

This was a film that Michael Jackson made in the late 1990s called "Ghosts." In the movie, he plays two main characters -- the Maestro, who entertains the children in the small town with scary magic tricks, and the Mayor, who wants the "freak" to leave. He's also in the credits playing a couple of the ghouls, as well, although I think they're all essentially the Maestro character. From watching the film, you can tell that it's an expression of how he was feeling about how he was being treated in the press at the time because of the first accusations of molestation.

This is actually pretty good and worth checking out. It's 40 minutes, and features 3 songs from "Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix" and "HIStory" -- "2 Bad," "Ghost," and "Is It Scary."

Michael Jackson - Ghosts
Uploaded by Wakazai. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Jackson Concerts To Possibly Go On?

Although I write about both entertainment and politics, when I focus on the former I try not to get into gossip and just focus on the projects. Well, this is a story about a project that still might go on.

As everyone knows by now, when Michael Jackson died he was scheduled to do 50 shows at O2 arena in England. This leaves the promoters of the concert in the lurch. But they are hoping to find a way to recoup the possible losses.

In an exclusive interview with SKY News, Randy Philips said he would like the Jackson family to be on stage and take part in the show, with celebrity friends of the late icon rotating as stand ins for Jackson.

On Monday, the concert promoters announced that 750,000 Michael Jackson fans could get full refunds for the pop star's canceled 50-night "This is It" concert extravaganza — or opt to receive souvenir tickets instead.

If the show is indeed canceled, the move could help recoup some of AEG's losses from the ill-fated tour. Fans could choose to receive the actual tickets, which it said feature graphics "inspired and designed" by Jackson himself.

If they are able to pull it off, it will be interesting to see how they do it.

Live Blog: Michael Jackson Funeral

Okay, as someone who was a Michael Jackson fan at one point in my life during the 1980s, and has found herself listening to more of his music over the past couple of weeks, even I think that the coverage is a little excessive. But since this is partially an entertainment blog, I'm going to cover it here while I watch the live feed from foxnews.com.

As far as all the other stuff going on around his death -- I don't really care too much about that, I was just a fan of the music. Although I think that if they find that it was Propofol in his system, the crap is going to hit the fan.

The memorial is expected to start about a half hour late at last reports so they can get everyone in to the Staples Center.

1:15 PM -- They just read a letter from Nelson Mandela to the Jackson family giving his condolences.

1:20 PM -- Started watching Fox News coverage. They're talking to Aphrodite Jones, author of "Michael Jackson Conspiracy." Talking about the will and the craziness surrounding Michael Jackson in his life.

1:32 PM -- Service is starting. Sounds like a gospel number.

1:33 PM -- They're bringing in his coffin now.

Can I just mention how weird it still is to see the words "Michael Jackson 1958-2009" pop up on the screen?

1:36 PM -- Pastor Lucius Smith is starting the memorial.

1:39 PM -- Mariah Carey is singing "I'll Be There." She's in pretty good voice. She, of course, made the song popular again when she did a cover of it in 1992.

Foxnews.com is goofing on me right now online as they bring in the different feeds. So expect some hiccups in the liveblogging.

1:45 PM -- Queen Latifah is speaking now. She's eulogizing him as a fan.

She's reading a poem by Maya Angelou that she wrote for the occasion.

1:50 PM -- Lionel Ritchie is singing "Jesus is Love." He co-wrote "We Are The World" with Michael Jackson.

1:55 PM -- Berry Gordy is speaking now. He signed the Jackson 5 to Motown.

2:03 PM -- Baby break -- have to go get the baby. Will do an update in a minute.

2:05 PM -- Video tribute. I don't know why they included the shot of him making out with Bubbles...

2:07 PM -- Stevie Wonder is now onstage. "This is a moment that I wished I didn't live to see coming..." "God must have needed him far more." He's now performing a song that I don't know the title of because CNN is not captioning the service.

Correction: "Why Didn't You Stay?" is the title of the song. Written for the service.

Really nice song. Probably Stevie's next hit ala "Candle in the Wind."

2:15 PM -- Michael Jordan is now speaking. Speaking of MJ's Guiness Book of World Records, including most charities supported by a rock star.

Clueless on who this is talking now...anyone know?

2:22 PM -- Jennifer Hudson now singing "I Will Be There."

2:25 PM -- Rev. Al Sharpton is now speaking.

Quote, to MJ's three kids: "There was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with."

2:34 PM -- John Mayer now performing "Human Nature". As an instrumental.

2:39 PM -- Brooke Shields now speaking about her memories.

She's definitely getting emotional about this. She tells stories of when they were kids together, sneaking to get a peek of Elizabeth Taylor's dress before her wedding and realizing she was sleeping in the same room.

2:47 PM -- I think that's his brother Jermaine singing "Smile."

His voice is starting to crack from emotion. But otherwise he's in pretty good voice.

2:52 PM -- Son and daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. are now speaking.

I'll have to cut it here on the live blogging, unfortunately...my son is getting fussy, and when hubby gets home I'm going to have him take over on taking the baby for the rest of the night.

Speaking of Memorial Services for Dead Celebrities...

Westboro Baptist Church is planning on picketing the Michael Jackson memorial service on Tuesday. This is going to end well.

From their press release:

07/07/2009 Staples Center - Michael Wacko Jacko Jackson is in hell! 1111 S. Figueroa St WBC will be there to remind you to stop worshiping the dead. We will be there to tell you to Thank God for the death of this filthy, adulterous, idolatrous, gender-confused, nationality-confused, unthankful brute beast. We will be there to remind you that God Killed Wacko Jacko. There is a God, and a Day of Judgment. For you to wallow and murmur against God for his righteous Judgments is sin and will cause YOU to join Michael in hell

This is more publicity than they deserve, really. With the number of people that are expected to at least show up outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles (never mind get in), I expect L.A.P.D. to keep them as far away as possible for their "safety."

Literal Videos

It's not a new concept -- the idea is that the singer is actually singing about what's actually going on in the original video. But it's getting some attention because of this literal version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart."



The user who created this video, dascottijr, is one of the better artists doing the literal videos. This is his version of "I'd Do Anything For Love (ButI Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf.



User Dusto McNeato started the concept, with his version of "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears being one of his best.



Check it out on You Tube.

The Mystery Behind The Death of Issac Hayes?

Roger Friedman of Fox News is reporting that there are still some unanswered questions regarding the Sunday death of Issac Hayes.

Here is what we do know:

-- Hayes was a member of the Church of Scientology.
-- He suffered a stroke in 2006, shortly after the release of the "South Park" episode "Trapped in the Closet." It was reported to the press at the time as "Exhaustion."
-- A few months after his stroke, a statement from members of the Church of Scientology announced that he was quitting the show due to the conflict over "Trapped in the Closet." It was never confirmed directly by Hayes himself, and no one saw him during this time.
-- Friedman, after his "announcement," said in his article that Hayes was in no condition to quit the show because of the stroke. CoS reps denied that he had a stroke.

Here's some things we might not have known about the "Trapped In The Closet" affair -- Hayes wanted to stay on the show.

Push came to shove on Nov. 16, 2005, when “South Park” aired its hilarious “Trapped in the Closet” episode spoofing Tom Cruise and John Travolta. “South Park” creator Matt Stone told me later that Isaac had come to him in tears.

“He said he was under great pressure from Scientology, and if we didn’t stop poking at them, he’d have to leave," Stone said.

The conversation ended there. Isaac performed Chef’s signature song at the Blues Ball a week later with great delight. Although he was devoted to Scientology, he also loved being part of “South Park.” He was proud of it. And, importantly, it gave him income he badly needed.

Also, some other questions that haven't been asked so far:

But there are a lot of questions still to be raised about Isaac Hayes’ death. Why, for example, was a stroke survivor on a treadmill by himself? What was his condition? What kind of treatment had he had since the stroke? Members of Scientology are required to sign a form promising they will never seek psychiatric or mental assistance. But stroke rehabilitation involves the help of neurologists and often psychiatrists, not to mention psychotropic drugs — exactly the kind Scientology proselytizes against.

Read the whole thing. Friedman is in a position to know Hayes because he was featured in a documentary that he did back in 2003. Hopefully the authorities can get to the truth of the matter, and Hayes can get some peace now that he's gone.

McCain "Safe" Ad Uses Music From a Video Game

(h/t GamePolitics)

I don't know how many of you are video game fans, but some of you might have recognized the music used in Senator John McCain's recent ad titled "Safe." The music used is from the game "Medal of Honor: European Assault."

However, composer Christopher Lennertz is not too happy with the use of the music in the ad -- because he's an Obama supporter.

I have been receiving many emails and calls for the past week regarding the use of my music in a national television ad for John McCain's presidential campaign. The ad is called "Safe" and prominently features a track entitled "Casualties of War" that I wrote for Medal of Honor: European Assault. While I do not control the ownership of this piece, I am extremely disappointed its placement in this commercial. I did not authorize the use and was not made aware of the situation. Regardless of party affiliation of support, I would like to think that someone who believes in the American ideals of business and creativity like Sen. McCain supposedly does, would not want to disgrace or inflict any hardship or ill-will on the artists who create in this country by using their works to promote products and agendas which with they disagree.

As an American, I have the utmost respect and admiration for our troops and all of their sacrifices. In fact, much of the inspiration for my music in this piece came from having a grandfather who served this country honorably as an officer in World War II. I respect John McCain for his service to this country, both in the military and in Washington, but I do not and have never supported his candidacy nor his agenda for this country. I am dismayed that my music has been used to promote his platform and even more disappointed that a candidate who claims to be the best voice for American entrepreneurs and business owners in this troubled economy so flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property...

As an artist, business owner, and patriot, I proudly support Senator Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States of America...

Whoops.

Sounds similar to the situation with the ad that Hillary Clinton had during the primaries, 3 a.m., where it turned out that the little girl used in the ad in stock footage was a Obama supporter.

"When Jack Thompson Talks To God"

A parody of the Bright Eyes' song "When The President Talks To God," it was written by "Super Columbine Massacre RPG" creator Danny LeDonne and singer/writer Cory Antiel.



(h/t GamePolitics)

Let Me Introduce You To...No More Kings!

I first heard the group on local radio station Rock 101 out of Manchester, NH, this week. Their song "Sweep the Leg" brought out the film geek in me, and I couldn't get the tune out of my head.



Now, after having been on their site, I want to get their debut album. From what I've heard so far, you can expect this band to go pretty far if a major label discovers their talent.

The No More Kings website can be found here.

We Should All Love Jesus

Apparently, Mark Lamont Hill was "freaked out" by a 15 year old's profession of her faith.

Last night on CNN Headline News's "Showbiz Tonight," so-called Hip Hop Professor Marc Lamont Hill noted that he was "freaked out" by Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus's claim that she loves Jesus. Host AJ Hammer played a clip from a YouTube video where Cyrus and pal Mandy answered fans' questions, this one dedicated to their religion:

Are we Christian?

Yes!

Yes. We are.

We love Jesus. Happy Easter by the way. He died for our sins. That is how great he is. That`s why we do what we do. I sing and act Jesus. Not the acting but I sing and dance for Jesus. Actually, I act for Jesus, too. And now that I think about it, I do everything for Jesus.

Yeah, we are. For Jesus.

Hill was asked by Hammer if he was concerned about Cyrus -- her sudden fame coupled with her youth. His reply?

Exactly. I man, this video freaks me out. I wasn`t inspired when I saw it. No 15-year-old loves Jesus that much. Either she`s heavily calculated or a weird kid and either way, seems like she`s hurdling towards Lindsay Lohan/Britney Spears territory. These were both really good girls who were completely obsessed and a few years later they are hanging off of bar tops. That`s a dangerous thing.

I honestly don't see anything "weird" about this at all.

As pointed out in the broadcast, Cyrus comes from a showbiz family -- her father is country star Billy Ray Cyrus, who has said in numerous interviews that if he ever saw the Britney/Lindsay behavior coming from his daughter he would pull her out of show business. And she happens to be a Christian.

To put in context, though, this is the same guy who "doesn't know" that Louis Farakkan is a racist and thinks the Jeremiah Wright story is a "quasi-controversy."

And a white teenager professing her love for Jesus he gets "freaked out" about.

LA Times Gets Conned, Also

And this time, it's no little story like the Rickroll Phenomenon. (h/t Michelle Malkin and Patterico)

Los Angeles Times Editor Russ Stanton said today he will launch an internal investigation into the authenticity of documents used in a story last week asserting that the newspaper had uncovered new evidence implicating associates of rap impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs in a bloody 1994 assault on hip-hop superstar Tupac Shakur.

Stanton ordered the review after the editor of the celebrity-centric website, The Smoking Gun, told the newspaper that he had reason to doubt The Times' account and in particular the FBI records that were supposed to buttress the story.

The website this morning posted a story saying the records -- purportedly statements by an unnamed informant to an FBI agent, which the newspaper posted on its website -- appeared to be forgeries. The Smoking Gun said the documents seemed suspicious for multiple reasons, including the fact that they appeared to be written on a typewriter, rather than a computer, and included blacked-out sections not typically found in such documents.

Although The Times has not identified the source of the purported FBI reports, The Smoking Gun story asserts that they were created by convicted con man James Sabatino, who the website contends was a starry-eyed music fan with a long rap sheet and a history of exaggerating his place in the rap music world.

The purported FBI reports were filed by Sabatino with a federal court in Miami four months ago in connection with a $16-million lawsuit he filed against Combs. Sabatino, who is serving time in prison for fraud, claims he is due the money for a business deal gone bad.

"The Times appears to have been hoaxed by an imprisoned con man and accomplished document forger, an audacious swindler who has created a fantasy world in which he managed hip-hop luminaries," the report on the website says.

Doesn't ANYONE have fact checkers anymore?

"I'm Not Ready To End The Fight"

What it would sound like if the Dixie Chicks were remotely proud of their country.

Thanks to Allahpundit for posting the original link to the video.

Click on the picture to watch.