Yesterday we reported on the many tributes paid to Michael Jackson at Sunday’s BET awards. We focused on Janet Jackson’s brief, classy and emotional statement on stage at the awards show. Michael’s father Joe did not make an on-stage tribute, but he did speak to several members of the press both on the red carpet and backstage at the event. One interview in particular was noticed by many – this CNN interview 79-year-old Joe did on the red carpet with the young CNN anchor/reporter Don Lemon. To his credit, Lemon seemed to be aiming for a simple, dignified interview with the patriarch of the Jackson family. What he got was a bizarre, halting, unemotional interview with a man who was using a public tribute to his son as a way to cross-promote his record company. Here’s some of the transcript of the interview:
Don Lemon: I know it’s been really tough for you guys.
JJ: And? And? [pause] Yeah, it has. It’s been really tough, remember we just lost the biggest star in the world, the biggest superstar.
DL: Why did you decide to show up here tonight? To pay tribute to your son?
JJ: Yes, to pay tribute to my son, to Michael.Joe then brings up his publicist or some kind of spokeswoman who reads a statement from Joe while he stands right there. Joe says that he wished Michael had been recognized more in his lifetime, and Joe also says he has “a lot of concerns” about Michael’s doctors, et cetera. Then Joe goes off at the end of the interview:
JJ: But I want to make this statement…this is a real good statement here. Marshall and I… we own a record company called… tell him…
Marshall Thompson: Renz Records… (??) … the technology, Blue Ray, that’s the next step.
[Transcribed from CNN]
To make matters worse, a few hours later, Joe Jackson tried to take it back. He told the Associated Press: “I was asked a question last night about the record company… We have a lot of good artists fixing to come out… I was asked that question and I answered just like it was asked because they wanted to know what else I was doing.” Except Don Lemon didn’t ask about the record company, Joe volunteered that information, apropos of nothing. Jesse Jackson and a ton of other people chimed in, you can read some of those comments here.
I thought Joe Jackson’s comments were gross and insensitive, but I also think the guy’s 79 years old and that grief takes many forms. I think Joe was most likely always a piece of work, most likely an abusive bastard, and that little has changed. But just because he isn’t beating his breast and wailing doesn’t mean he isn’t grieving in his own way.
When it was announced yesterday that Michael’s mother Katherine would be taking temporary custody of Michael’s three children, and that she had filed papers to be the kids’ permanent legal guardian, many commented that they hoped Joe wouldn’t be around those kids. Some theorized that Joe and Katherine were basically living apart – well, our hopes have been dashed. Joe gave a press conference outside of the “Jackson compound” where the kids are staying with Katherine. Joe began to talk about the kids, and he said that they “belong” with he and his wife:
“We’re the parents. This is where they belong,” he said Monday at a press conference with Rev. Al Sharpton outside the Jackson family estate in Encino, Calif. “We’re going to take care of them and give them the education they’re supposed to have.”
Asked about Debbie Rowe (the biological mother of two of Michael’s three children), Joe said, “Debbie Rowe has nothing to do with what we’re doing.”
He said the children — Prince, 12; Paris, 11; Prince Michael II, 7 — are with other young ones in the Jackson family and are “happy with the kids they’re around.”
“We have kids back there, small ones like they are,” he said. “They were never around other kids. They’re happy.”
Asked if nanny Grace Rwaramba will look after the kids, Joe said, “We’re looking at that, too. She’s a good friend of the family and of the kids.”
Joe [also] denied rumors that they will bury Michael at his former Neverland Ranch. “That’s not true,” he said.
[From US Weekly]
I really don’t know who the kids should go to in this situation. I was okay with them going with Katherine when I thought Joe wouldn’t get near them. Debbie Rowe seems… odd. And not in an “eccentric” way, in the “she wouldn’t be able to figure out how to cook dinner” sort of way. What’s the conventional wisdom for the kids going with Janet?
Photo is from BET Awards. Credit: Albert L. Ortega / PRPhotos
The man is obviously not right in the head.
I’ll second that.
Good luck to those kids….they’re gonna NEED it.
That sux. Doesn’t he see how badly he messed up poor MJ? I hope and pray her doesn’t do that to these poor babies.. HE IS AWFUL !!!!!!
so joe that has been living sperately from Katherine all of a sudden consider themselves are co-living patners and that the children has to live with them;i guess when money is involved joe forgets that him and Katherine do not live together presently or for years.
Katherine jackson better not let that man back into her live, i have no problem with joe trying to be a father to his kids and being their for his grandkids but i would puke if all of a sudden he now wants to live with Katherine again just because she has custody of the kids
I try not to judge how people grieve, but this man is just… wrong. In the beginning of the interview, Lemon asked how he was doing, Joe says “GREAT!”
He was smiling and seemed to be in an absurdly good mood. Then he brought out his publicist, lawyer and bussiness partner, WTF?
And look at his face. It gives me nightmares. MJ is known to have said that as a grownup he still felt like vomiting whenever his father walked in the room.
Joe Jackson is a cold, cruel man. I believe he is probably sorry that his son died, but, like every psychopath, is incabable of any real emotion.
PLEASE keep those kids far far away from him.
His lawyer was on the Early Show and was like “Joe Jackson is great! Michael loved him!!”
PUHLEEEZE!!!
The only hope those kids have is that Joe is too old and weak to beat them.
Nothing worse than an evil old man in the early stages of dementia.
He gives me the creeps. He was a bad father with his own kids. He has exhibited no sad emotion whatsoever since his son died. He did not ‘help’ his son even when he clearly needed someone to intervene and put a stop to those enablers. Those children should go to Rebecca or Marlon and lead a normal life. This man is all about money money money. I don’t doubt that he is doing ‘GREAT’ his words.
Did anyone see his open mouthed laugh on Saturday when his son’s body was not even cold yet?
His sister Janet, I agree, would make an amazing parent and would be most likely to think of Michael’s wishes when raising the kids Janet seems to have the tenderness her brother Michael had. That is what those kids need now. I really hope Janet contemplates it, for the sake of the children. I am relieved, however, that Joe had enough sense to not take their nanny away from them.
I think Brad and Angelina should adopt them.
I’m only half joking.
Last night Dateline reran an interview with Micheal Jackson where he discussed his father’s mental, verbal and physically abusive behavior. He hated his father, and explained why he would never lay a hand on his own children. Joe Jackson is a monster and should not be allowed to be involved in the care/custody of the grandchildren.
I really hope the nanny comes back to take care of those kids, Katherine is too old, taking care of kids that age can run down anybody.
I think Livia is on to something.
I hope Madonna doesn’t read this board though. She would be all over it herself…..
IMO..those kids would be better off in foster care with strangers, than with the likes of Joe and Katherine, considering what they did to thier own kids.
The kids would be best off with any of the Jackson sisters – Rebbie, Janet, or even Latoya! At this point Latoya would probably be the best bet.
Rebbie is the most stable and has been out of the spotlight the longest. However, all of her kids are grown so she may not want to take in young kids.
Janet would be excellent, but she is still a performing artist. She travels a lot. She may not want to raise three young children.
Latoya is messed up like Michael was, which is why she could probably raise them the way he wanted. I think her past experiences with Joe will keep her from working for him for the money. Plus, her career has stalled for a LONG time (try late 80s).
it’s been said that there’s a testament. And Michael left his money to his mother, his children and some charity. NOTHING to this stupid man that Joe Jackson is.
I can help having chills everytime i see this guy face. He’s so creepy, and to remember his stupid interview at the BET Awards promoting his new record label?! WTF!!!!! I bet he gonna try to live again with Katherine just to put his dirthy hands on MJ money.
Crazy a-hole! Why didn’t you died instead of your son? Nobody would miss you, not even your family.
I hope the latest news i heard were true. That the last will of MJ didn’t contemplate his father, only his mother, children and some charity instituitions.
Between Joe Jackson and Al Sharpton those kids dont stand a chance.
The only relatives in that whole fcuked-up menage that I would leave those kids with are Rebbie or Marlon, but neither one has come forward as a resource. Both of them have raised families of their own and may not want to get involved in the mess, especially once the family starts fighting over who gets what. At least Rebbie and Marlon appear to be fairly stable, compared to the rest of the Jackson clan.
Joe Jackson is a living nightmare and I believe he and Katherine are responsible for MJ being so out of touch with reality that he fought his way through life with drugs.
And I would probably take drugs and hide out too if I had to look at that nasty old trout face frowning and yelling at me all the time as a kid. Just hideous. Yeah, tha blu-ray technology thing, yeah — gotta wonder if he has any earthly clue wtf it even is.
One more thing – everybody assumes Janet wants kids? What in hell makes you think that??
@ Ursula: Rebbie’s real name is Maureen, not Rebecca.
I don’t think Joe was “acting” bizarre… I think Dude IS bizarre, that ain’t acting, that’s HIM.
@Livia: GREAT IDEA! I’m totally onboard. BRANGELINA TO ADOPT JACKSON TRIO!!!!
Jeane – that’s what I got too…psychopath vibes. I think MJ would hate the idea of his kids being anywhere near his father. That man has already done enough damage.
“remember we just lost the biggest star in the world, the biggest superstar.”
I think that says it all. Apparently Joe doesn’t think of him as his son.
hopefully they’ll get the nanny back,and she will call joe out on anything he does…
also,when MJ and his sibs were children,child protective services was not as prominent;children’s rights were not as prominent,and the cameras were not on them immediately. In this case,the lenses are watching;the world is watching,and the history has been made public.
I imagine it will be much harder for him to parent in the same way this time around…
Not impossible,but harder-at least,I hope so.
I think it is terrific Katherine wants to care for the kids-especially if the kids have a relationship with her and are comforatable with her.I’m not trying to be mean,but it’s a lot of work to raise 3 kids,and I wonder how someone her age-79- could handle it? I know she raised her own kids,but she was younger then,and more than likely she will have help of some sort(family or hired),but I can’t help but think if a custody battle takes place(the odds are high it will),I wonder if a judge would take her age into consideration when thinking about the long term care of the kids? I saw on one of the many shows that have aired since MJ passed that Rebbie has come forward and said she is willing and would love to help with the care of the kids.
As far as Joe goes,even if he maintains a home in Las Vegas,you know he’ll be back in that house quick hoping to get in on that cash they’ll be getting from MJ’s estate.
in the I’m just joshing vein.
There might be something to this Madonna angle. Not only did she date Jackson. She truly is just about our only 80’s icon on par. (plus the whole glove fetish they share) Anyho, she’d spoil them rotten and leave them with nannies. Plus new Kabbalah masks for everyone. lol. Something to think about.
I’d be more worried about the mental anguish Joe could inflict on these kids. Any good 12 year old can physically take on an 80 yr old man but he only needs to be near them for a minute before he can say something to damage them for life.
i feel the best for the kids would be to have their nanny as a primary caregiver in their life, and also be able to build a relationship with their mother, and also have a relationship with their grandmother and aunts and uncles. in terms of the jackson family swooping down and taking over the kids and michaels estate, it is downright wrong. katherine allowed joe to abuse michael, and cause him and others to get screwed up so she is responsible too. michael’s children, i believe, were told horrible things about debbie rowe by michael and the jackson family, as they are seriously dysfunctional, and she should have a chance to get to know her children, and vice versa. who gets primary guardianship is for the courts. the mother prevails in reality.
do not list my email address..as you stated you will not.
right on.
I don’t think Katherine should get the kids at all. I mean — what the hell was she doing while joe was physically & sexually & verbally abusing her kids? Where was she & why didn’t she stop it? I hope Michael included a note in his will that if he were to pass, the kids wouldn’t go to his father. It seems like a logical thing to do, right?
I think the nanny, Grace should have the kids. Or, maybe the kid’s natural parents. I hear the dad’s a dermatologist…. sounds respectable.
geez he looks like a black version of josef fritzl now, creepy
@kh: aaaaghh!! you are absolutely right!!
must be some universal template for “abusive megalomaniac psychopath father”
No matter who gets the kids. It CANNOT be Michael’s parents.
I think I don’t need, out of respect to Michael, to even mention a tiny bit of the things his parents are responsible for, and how he turned out had a lot to do with what they did to him.
They are her children, and if she will have a therapist that will assist her, I think that could be an option.
That could also be a good thing for both her and the children to finally connect.
i hardly have any words for this man….a disgrace, despicable, a monster! MJ NEVER had a chance for a normal life! and his mother and family were no better cuz they didnt protect him! I hope u can rest in peace Mike like u so deserved..we luv u RIP
i too, am horrified by the thought of this opportunist having ANYTHING to do with these children. they may have already lived a life that was bizarre; one example being that their father had them wear masks as he did on outings. don’t get me wrong: i liked MJ and will miss his music.
that being said, when i saw and HEARD this–this–parody of a caring parent going on and on about launching a new record company, i thought about those kids. if the rumors are wrong and they ARE biologically MJ’s, can you imagine just what Joe would try to do to them? can anyone picture the scenario repeated as he pushes yet another innocent to achieve the dream(s) he never could?
does anyone SEE just WHY MJ did what he did to his face and appearance all those years? because i’m sure that every time he looked into the mirror, he saw his father looking back out at him and he sought to change what he saw. kinda gives that song, “Man in the Mirror” an ironic meaning.
can anyone understand the psychological torment that never left MJ his whole life? who can say what or how long abuse inflicted upon an innocent child can impact them in their adult lives?
i’ll say one thing: if this were an ordinary family and the exact set of circumstances occurred, Child Protective Services would have taken those children away from Joe and Katherine and placed them in foster care, barring another close relative taking them in. as much as i admire Katherine for mothering such a talented clan, i also am appalled that she would stand by and let her so-called husband inflict damage upon the children she bore–in suffering and in hope for a better life.
MJ will not and cannot rest in peace knowing what his father might/could do to those children.
@ kh and chic1234let: U r so true ,guys!!
That s scary how much they look alike!! Maybe someone created an evil cloning machine…
Kidding…half kidding actually.
I pray that US justice will take the better decision for these kids.
Can t imagine any judge in their right F…..g mind giving their custody to Evil Jo !!!
It will lead them to the same path their dad took .
You know, I’ve been wondering about the sexual abuse someone up there mentioned.
So many pedophiles have had the same things done to them as children. It isn’t an excuse but this may have been the reason behind all the weird stuff he’s done or been accused of.
WTF? I knew his father was abusive, but I didn’t hear anything about sexual abuse. Sweet Jesus.
yeah, i agree katherine should not have the kids, she did nothing to help her own kids, when joe was abusing them, and she is now almost 80 years old, she will do nothing to save michael’s kids from him either, she had no guts then, and she has no guts now, they should go to someone stable, and young, so they are not taken away again when she dies, the youngest kid is only 7 years old, i am pretty sure that she will not be around until he is 18. that joe is the most evil person i have ever seen, he looks like a demon as well as he acts like one.
He always did look creepy to me.
I have read 8 books on Michael since his passing, he really came from a dysfunctional family. I’m not suprized he changed his facial features and turned out the way he did. He owned the very home his mother and father occupied most of their lives in Encino, Everyone wanted money from him, he probably felt like a bank for the family.At least Michael is at peace now. They can not touch him or hurt him any more.