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By David Knox on June 27, 2009 / Filed Under Programming 74

jspecial

TAGS » Michael Jackson The King of Pop

POSTED IN » Programming

74 Comments »

Belinda June 29, 2009 at 4:03 pm -

@Jason, did MusicMAX play the full Black or White video with Michael’s panther “fit” at the end? Rage ended with The Simpsons bit.

Rage will have a proper Michael Jackson special later in the year. Hopefully they dig through the archives and find some gems.
mac June 29, 2009 at 3:50 pm -

no worries Mac lol
Mac June 29, 2009 at 2:08 pm -

(@mac: I’m quite happy with you and I sharing the same name – you spell yours without a captial ‘m’ so we’s is different ).
Quentin June 29, 2009 at 1:39 pm -

Yes, I watch a bit of it and thought it was rushed! Clumsy indeed – especially that part when Wilky paid Karl out on a Moonwalking night during the logies. tsk tsk — I can see that Wilky wants Karl’s job! LOL!

Then again, they’re the only channel that was able to turn an MJ tribute overnight. I know Australian talent isn’t as great as the one they have in the US, but I like what Nine did…Though rushed & clumsy, they risked it! They’re walking the talk – “You get your breaking news first with Nine…”

Seven is too polished to run something like this; and Ten is disciplined when it comes to showing their shows…They stick to their schedule, which is good (and bad).
mac June 29, 2009 at 12:41 pm -

1:32am is a different mac than 12:00pm, probably best david to not allow more than one user to use the same username to avoid confusion .
TV tragic June 29, 2009 at 12:36 pm -

Seeing Karl S smiling throughout the show gave me the irrates. Why do nine persist with him. He is wrong for this type of show. Wilkins also got on my nerves. annoying that’s what they were on the night…………
Sarah June 29, 2009 at 12:34 pm -

I agree with the criticism about the special – taking a shot at Wilkins is easy but at least he knows the music and can talk about him with knowledge. What did Lelia McKinnon add to the program? Nothing. Maybe she was there to be the “female” influence. They didn’t need 4 hosts – 2 would have been fine. It was half a tribute, half an update on the story. Only playing two songs in full is pretty poor – people wanted to see the music clips. I am surprised they didn’t drag out Richard Reid……….
David Knox June 29, 2009 at 12:30 pm -

JB check out this answer which covers your question….
mac June 29, 2009 at 12:00 pm -

@pt ryan: many networks(including overseas) reported jeff goldblums death, although it was still pretty slack, all media outlets that did report it could have easily checked to see if there where other sources that did not quote the original source, even when i heard it i was sceptical. over all i think nines coverage was good that morning was good though.
christa June 29, 2009 at 11:25 am -

omg it was shocking, too much rabbiting on and not enough music
Rage did a much better job!
callas June 29, 2009 at 10:05 am -

That 80′s footage of Richard Wilkins on the couch with those tight stonewash jeans exposing his crotch like that (ewww) should have come with a parental guidance warning !!!…..does anyone know why the gorgeous Tom Steinfort is reporting from the states now… has he moved there permanently ??
Jason June 29, 2009 at 9:40 am -

On Saturday afternoon MusicMAX played a 50 clip marathon for MJ’s songs including the full length versions of Thriller, Bad, You Rock My World and Black or White, various Jackson 5 songs, We are the World and even his performance at the Mowtown Awards (which was the debut of the moonwalk)

I feel sorry for you if you don’t have cable – they had the better tributes on Saturday.
PT Ryan June 29, 2009 at 9:32 am -

Glad I skipped this. I can’t believe Nine haven’t benched Wilkins for a while after that Jeff Goldblum fiasco. Then again, this is Nine we’re taking about….
No article? June 29, 2009 at 8:57 am -

There’s no article?
Mac June 29, 2009 at 1:32 am -

@JB : This is a blog. As such, David can write what the hecky-thump he likes and the rest of us can love, hate or be indifferent to it as we see fit – our responses seem very much appreciated by the author. Just so happens this is one of the most genuinely insightful blogs around.

I look forward to agreeing and disagreeing with you more in the future, David! On this MJ ‘special’ though, I wholeheartedly agree.
JB June 28, 2009 at 11:35 pm -

As much as I agree with you and love this site, can you please add an “opinion” tag and section to the site? A lot of the reporting lately seems to be blurring the lines, and I think a better distinction between reporting and opinion would be good for the site.

Just some constructive criticism, still love your work.
RichoTB June 28, 2009 at 9:53 pm -

Its clear that Gerald forgot to take his pills this morning. Those anger management classes should be doing more for the boy than that.
Pip June 28, 2009 at 8:53 pm -

I turned off after the second comment by Richard Wilkins on Karl’s Moonwalking at the logies. Cringeworthy.
JohnTV June 28, 2009 at 8:50 pm -

you know what is appalling? We have had Karl on TV everyday of the week!! What has Australia done to deserve that ????
Camo June 28, 2009 at 5:37 pm -

see Neon Kitten…firstly i dont work for 9, and the incinuation that i do is wrong and appalling… I was stating that people bags things on this site and it seems that they could be professional bloggers on this site…be it in the 9 7 or 10 camp…who do you barrack for??? All iam saying is that iam tired of the people who watch something..then just go about bagging it…if you were a fan and didnt like it…then thats sad..(wasn’t like his death was expected) so a hastily thrown together show should be acknowledged, if they put a months worth or pre production into and it as as bad as they say then sure bag it…. for the record who i work for is my business and its not one of the big 3….
Andrew June 28, 2009 at 4:53 pm -

I watched the special and thought it was completely fine. Richard Wilkins was fine, can’t see the problem with him. Got to see a whole bunch of clips of Michael’s video clips and performances. Got to see where he recorded his music. I couldn’t see anything wrong with it. I enjoyed it anyway.
John June 28, 2009 at 4:21 pm -

I’d still like to see 9 apologise for this. It was incredibly disrespectful.

When Peter Stefanovic began his correspondence saying “it’s fantastic to be here” I was absolutely shaken.

This was not tribute special because of the anniversary of Thriller it was a tribute show because he had died.

Where was the respect, the dignity. This is a sad occasion not a time for awful television whores like Karl Stefanovic to get paid because they give up their Saturday nights to make completely unclever, snide remarks about someone they have little interest about and an even they have little interest for.

Apologise 9.
gerry June 28, 2009 at 2:23 pm -

@ mac,

NINE’s main two reporters were Peter Stefonovic (Karl’s brother) who is permenantly in the U.S. He was on the tribute yesterday.

The other one (who is on the news) is Tom Steinfort. He works on Nine News Melbourne as a permanent reporter. That is, he lives here, not in the U.S. What an experience he must have had getting to report on this event. I’m sure he’ll never forget it.
gerry June 28, 2009 at 2:19 pm -

It’s interesting how so many people here say that they hate Karl, Richard and Leila, and yet they obviously watched the tribute yesterday to complain about the “appalling” standards. If you don’t like them, then why the hell are you watching the show you dumb sh*ts!

@ George: “Come on Nine, lift your game.”
At least Nine did their own tribute unlike the lazy ar*ses at Seven that will just air something from USA. Nine had less than Two days to put the thing together, I doubt you could do any better!

Nine must be happy they purchased all those massive plasmas – they are using them for everything.

@ Ed,
Agree with everything you said. Sunday Night is credible? What a joke. Last week I turned on the tv and Mike munro was pantless!
alfagirl June 28, 2009 at 2:06 pm -

It’s not about bashing 9. Any station that showed that mish mash clip show would also deserve a scolding. It’s about respect for the subject and the viewer. Those of us who watched it probably were feeling sad and wanted to wallow in nostalgia and relive the music of our youth. We did not need to be subjected to those giggling fools. If it was supposed to be a tribute why not show the whole song? I know time constraints. Well wait a day edit the thing properly and be respectful.
Danny June 28, 2009 at 2:00 pm -

Me thinks Lucy = Channel 9 publicist
psychoex June 28, 2009 at 1:57 pm -

Supposedly less talking more music… we are not huge MJ fans but kids wanted to see the music… which I must say Rage did a much better job the night/morning before this trash…. another reason why i don’t watch any program with Richard Boofhead Wilkins…. dissappointing but not totally unexpected… “a-p-p-a-l-l-i-n-g”… harsh?? I would say it was spot on
Ted June 28, 2009 at 1:49 pm -

Maybe someone should have slipped Karl a drink or 2 to liven up the show. As for Richard, he must have photos of someone in management.
mac June 28, 2009 at 1:39 pm -

also it was good to see 9 had their own reporter at the scene outside the hospital as it showed the impact mj had on the public with all those people gathering out side the hospital. (does anyone know his name i could find it on nines website, also is he permanently based in LA or did he just happen to be their on another assignment when news broke)
mac June 28, 2009 at 1:29 pm -

also i think karl, lisa, richard and all those who where part of fridays today show did a great job, as it wouldn’t be easy to cover such a huge breaking story, im glad both nine and seven had extended coverage as obviously this is something the public was very interested in. what was disappointing though is that other than news updates ten had no coverage till the 11am news as far as i could see, did they talked about mj at all the 9am with david and kim anyone, as when ever i had a look they where doing unrelated interviews which just looked silly when such a major story was breaking at the same time.
mac June 28, 2009 at 1:22 pm -

appalling is a bit harsh, although it wasn’t perfect overall it served it purpose it being i tribute to mj musical career, although i could have don’t without richard putting poor leila on the spot.
David Knox June 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm -

And while Nine ran its special on Saturday, Seven had Scary Movie 3 which featured a Jackson sketch you can see on YouTube
vid June 28, 2009 at 11:14 am -

@ rob….yawn!!!!
Judith June 28, 2009 at 11:12 am -

I never intended watching this show, in fact we have stayed off CH9 since they decided to run nothing but constant ‘MJ’ since Friday morning, thank goodness for the ABC
Ed June 28, 2009 at 10:55 am -

LOL at people who called Sunday Night credible – 60 Minutes may not be what it used to be, but it is still far more credible than Sunday Night is, and will ever be, providing it even returns following Dancing With The Stars.

Anyways, at least Nine attempted an Australian made Michael Jackson tribute, unlike Seven, who’s airing an imported documentry, which unlike Nine’s who had Friday and Saturday to produce, was made prior to Jackson’s passing, so they’ve had weeks, if not months, and years to produce something that will be, and should be of more quality in comparison to Nine’s! Not only is Sunday Night doing a report on Jackson’s passing, but 60 Minutes is too, do good on Nine for trying something original with last night’s tribute, unlike seven! Nine nobody can deny is damned if they do, and damned if they don’t, seriously… When David wrote of Nine’s decision to air their Michael Jackson tribute last night, people wrote about were just milking the issue for all it’s worth, well… Have we heard of anyone complaining about Seven over capitalising on the issue?! Many argued there was no need for the tribute and didn’t want it, obviously they’re not fans, but now people are just winging for the sake of it!

And as far as the hosts go, if you don’t like Karl, Richard, or anyone else on the program, don’t bother watching it, regardless of whether you’re a Jackon fan or not, because we don’t want to hear your winging; if you watch the program don’t winge! That’s the way the cookie crumbles, if you want to watch the tribute, then you have to be prepared to put up with the hosts!

But really, do we have to bicker, I mean the King of Pop’s passed away, let’s celebrate him, his life and his career, without fighting unnecessarily…
Dan June 28, 2009 at 10:42 am -

Totally agree with the comments about this so called special. It was suppose to be less talking and more about Michael Jackson, well the two boof heads wouldn’t shutup and kept their stupid mugs on the screen for most of the night.

I realise 9 has invested a lot of money and time with Karl Stefanovic but it’s time to cut your losses and ditch this loser, he is the definition of a crap presenter. If a guy doesn’t have a personality then you can’t create one of an autocue.

As for Leila McKinnon, the only way we’ll get her off our screens is if their is a divorce any time soon. What is it with channel nine, it’s full of wives, brothers, sisters, son’s, etc all with jobs and talent has nothing to do with it. With any luck 9 will finish third a few more times this year and then the network will fold.
Ducko June 28, 2009 at 10:27 am -

Apalling it may have been, but obviously it rated well. Just like ACA & Today Tonight, which IMO are two apalling shows which rate well.
Nathan June 28, 2009 at 9:59 am -

I enjoyed it! Great tribute! At least Nine did something live! Well done Nine.
steven g June 28, 2009 at 9:31 am -

The show was crap !
Lucy June 28, 2009 at 9:20 am -

@ Rob

If Richard Wilkins (nee Wild) is a 95yr old man what does that make Ian Molly Meldrum?

And I love Molly!
Age is irrelevant.
Bundynelle June 28, 2009 at 9:14 am -

Oh good, I wasn’t alone in finding CH9′s ‘MJ Special’ appalling! Someone forgot to tell Karl & Dick that it wasn’ the ‘Karl & Dick’ show. We could have done without the ‘Karl at the Logies’ snipping, the ‘ha ha look at Richard & the Mullet in 1987′ sniggers, as well as Leila & her “Look at me in the ‘Thriller’ recording studio whilst I badly moonwalk”….. Good Grief!!!
Lucy June 28, 2009 at 9:13 am -

David,

Appalling is a bit harsh to be honest!
You all watched due to the amount of comments and alot of you would have to have kept watching to pass such detailed comment.
So if Nine is so appalling it doesn’t say much for the smarts of most people that have past negative comment .
Very smart programming move by Michael Healy.

Nine won the Night Nationally 27.5% and the week 26.3%.
Jezza of the city June 28, 2009 at 8:18 am -

I watched it for 30 minutes in the hope of a well scripted,edited and presented tribute instead we got these two jokers and one of the very worst TV shows in history. It should have been titled “CH9s Insult to Michael Jackson”. After 30 mins I kinda knew it was not going to get any better, so I switched off.

Shame on you Channel Nine.
Danny June 28, 2009 at 7:51 am -

Here here to Rob. Couldn’t have said it better. Nine bosses need to listen seriously before the network sinks any further. Boys Club needs to be abolished!
Craig June 28, 2009 at 7:26 am -

The one on ch7 is likely to be better as it was meant to pay tribute to Michael and be part of his tour, not to celibate his death and it’s from ITV who do great work. I don’t know if mel and kochie will introduce it but IMO it should be better.

As for TENs coverage, well Friday night they just took a direct pick up of CBS, nothing more which in it’s self is not bad but they could have at least done something local but it was late notice.
Andrew June 28, 2009 at 7:21 am -

I didn’t think it was too bad,i agree with Angelsgals comments.
Neon Kitten June 28, 2009 at 6:26 am -

Rob, well said. Very, very well said.

Trent, Camo: I hope Nine’s paying you overtime.
John June 28, 2009 at 6:18 am -

Can someone please explain to me what it is that Richard Wilkins has?Why is he still employed as an entertainment reporter when 9 have lost many talented people over the years.What hold does he have over this station.
And Karl & Cameron are vulgar,untalented & void of any personality.Karl should be allowed to have a few beers before he starts,he might be interesting then.
I will never understand RW’s longevity on australian tv…ever.
Rob June 28, 2009 at 3:23 am -

Dear Ch9 execs, Brace for impact.

I know you’re reading this so please take special notice. Richard Wilkins (nee Wild) is a 95yr old man reporting on pop culture. WTF? He has lacked any sense of credibility on such topics since 1989 and yet you persist in employing him. You may think “Rob knows who Richard Wilkins (nee WIld) is, that’s a win for us!”. Sadly, like so many things these days, you’re wrong. I don’t care what his chemistry with the Carson Cressley rip-off Hollywood reporter on Today is like. I can tell he doesn’t want to be there and I can tell he doesn’t give a s**t about his seg, the show or your network. And if I can tell, everyone can tell. He offends me. He offends us. Please remove him from your network and I’ll consider not switching over to Ch7 whenever his withered, used-up head appears on my screen spouting s**t about Lady Gaga that his 12yr old graduate producer has stolen from Perez or Tyler Durden without credit. Seriously, you pitch younger and this is what you get.

In addition, merchant banker Karl Stefanovich is not an appropriate host for anything which the viewing public might even have a bare shred of emotion for. His smug, smarmy, aloof, arrogant persona is not suited to life in general, let alone a retrospective work about one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. I know you’ve signed him for 2yrs or whatever but seriously, keep him in his frigging box. The ability to read an autocue and smile/laugh on command is not grounds to host television.
rattle June 28, 2009 at 2:11 am -

Hah, hah! I chose to give it a miss as I just knew it was going to be cringe worthy TV and it looks like I made the right choice.
damo June 28, 2009 at 12:56 am -

i wonder how bad channel 7 will do it. i am guessing mel and kochie will host it. well done 10 last night
Andrew June 28, 2009 at 12:21 am -

i wish I’d seen this… train-wreck TV…
Barrie June 28, 2009 at 12:12 am -

In defence of channel 9 – I saw the BBC World News specials this morning and the one with David Vine & Mica Paris (what not to wear) was just as bad. 30 mins of just agreeing how sad it was. nothing else. lets cross over to someone by satellite “hi yes I agree how sad it is”
postcard June 28, 2009 at 12:00 am -

Please please please tell us it will be repeated – I don’t like to miss full-frontal fast turnaround TV spectacles, especially when they get crits like this one! Does anyone know if it will get another run across the weekend or next week?
Trent June 27, 2009 at 11:48 pm -

Why was this appalling? So much better than Ten’s stupid little thing last night and probably will be better than Seven’s imported documentary. At least Nine had the guts, to present an Australian live tribute.

Plus there is nothing wrong with Karl Stefanovic and Richard Wilkins.

There is something seriously wrong with all those people picking on Channel Nine. I’d like to see you guys do a better job.
Dean June 27, 2009 at 11:32 pm -

I’m glad I didn’t see this then lol. I was mostly watching VH1 and CNN
Rod June 27, 2009 at 11:20 pm -

I think 90% of the media coverage of this event has been appalling. “Tabloid drivel” is probably a kind description.
mikeys June 27, 2009 at 11:18 pm -

@Mike She’s (Leila) is partner of David Gingel or some other Nine boss man guy…

@Ed – you seem to have time on a Saturday night to post your pro-Nine one-liner… If Nine had done a decent job of things, we’d all be applauding – the failed, so we comment as such…
Natalie June 27, 2009 at 11:10 pm -

@Reubot – I saw the MTV one too and thought it was great, a celebration of Michael Jackson, as the host said. Didn’t see the Nine one and, reading these comments, I’m glad to have given it a miss.
Craig June 27, 2009 at 11:06 pm -

I tuned in, saw the hots and switched over to Mythbsters, enough said!
nick June 27, 2009 at 11:05 pm -

This was probably the biggest, most hastly thrown together piece of garbage to grace our screens in long time. Absolutley Sh*t hosts and reporters.
“Ohh it’s fantastic to be here Karl” shut up Leila, the mans fricken died not releasing a new album. Inappropriate, just, words can’t describe. It was completley unncessary, a bunch of MJ film clips cut together in random order with Karl continously saying ”tapp ya feet to that one!” No good, looking forward to some more credible viewing on Sunday Night and the 7.30 special on Monday, on 7.
Nine continues to think that quantity will get them ahead, shove more more and more and they’ll like us again. It’s the quality guys, and this can be said about various aspects of the network.
Ed June 27, 2009 at 11:01 pm -

What a pack of whining, moaning babies you are. Anyone who stays at home on a Saturday night and devotes 90 minutes of their life to gleefully, deliberately and voraciously hating on channel nine is beyond pathetic.
Reubot June 27, 2009 at 10:40 pm -

I didn’t see this but I saw most of the one MTV did, which was good, included some footage from his past VMA’s performances and had comments from many current performers whom he had an influence on.
Mike June 27, 2009 at 10:37 pm -

Karl made a fool of himself again,acting like stupid schoolboy.Karls constant fake laughs and grinning really childish.Richard should of hosted alone,oh and channel nine bosses decide to send there worst reporter on there network Leila McKinnon over to america to cover story.gee Leila gets all the major stories to cover.
Tepee June 27, 2009 at 10:23 pm -

LOL David – a very succinct editiorial. It was good to see some archival footage but apart from that Nine could really make their grabs for ratings a bit more coherent. Karl appeared to be more interested in Wilkins’ 80s hairstyle, Leila McKinnon thinking she’s a comedian was particularly vomit-inducing, not to mention the set looking a bit povo. Rickard Wilkins wasn’t that bad but Karl was indeed appalling.
Brodie June 27, 2009 at 9:49 pm -

It was pretty horrible. They would have been better off just airing an MJ 20 to 1 special…
mikeys June 27, 2009 at 9:45 pm -

@camo it’s easy to say ‘don’t watch’ but for Jackson fans we are are eagerly (albeit, sadly) watching all these ‘specials’ for obvious reasons.

For Nine to essentially chuck together some show-biz dregs, a few brotherly ‘hosts’ and an hour of junky, ramblings between two obvious nobodies, and sell it as an MJ special is pathetic…

I would preferred they hadn’t shown anything.
camo June 27, 2009 at 9:39 pm -

funny thing is…you all watched…. I didnt so that says i truely didnt care…

so do us all a favour and dont watch it and then bag it…if you think 9 do a terrible job…then ummm….don’t watch…either that or watch and stop bagging 9 all the time…its boring except for David whose job it is to watch and give a report… its the same people that get on here and bag everything…makes me think there is a agenda here
mikeys June 27, 2009 at 9:34 pm -

Best editorial yet David – on’ya.

This ‘special’ was just trashy BS, yardscraps of information, much tension (albeit hilarious “You did the moonwalk at the Logies”), a waste of air-time and frankly – could someone please take Richard Wilkins out the back and put him (us) out of further misery.
John June 27, 2009 at 9:20 pm -

This made me sick.

Have some god damn respect.

Tribute show indeed.

Why Karl Stefanovic has a job bewilders me.

This was the most disingenous piece of garbage I’ve ever seen.

Not that 9 plays anything worthy of mention I will now boycott the network until there is an apology for this disgusting display.

“It’s fantastic to be here” said the Apollo Theatre correspondent… are you kidding me?

Karl Stefanovic’s constant grinning and fake laughter was truly appalling. This was a sham.
tai June 27, 2009 at 9:17 pm -

“a-p-p-a-l-l-i-n-g”
Hahahaha!
Guy June 27, 2009 at 9:16 pm -

So true David! Its the worst thing i have seen this year. I have a disliking to Karl and Richard but i got over that for the first 5 minutes. I stopped watching 15 minutes in. Nine are the worst creators of News Specials in 2009. Cant wait to see Sunday Night and the Jackson special on Monday on Seven.

Nine sack them both! LOL
angelsgal June 27, 2009 at 9:10 pm -

i didnt think it was hat bad, there were a few harmelss jokes, and light harted which was good considering how bad the mood is. However it did feel unstructured, it might of been better if they started from the Jackson 5 to his last album, highlighting the success of Thriller and Dangerous a little more. It wasnt great, but it wasnt appaling imo
George June 27, 2009 at 9:09 pm -

Appalling to say the least. I tuned out a while ago because it was so shoddy and sloppy. Nine are obviously doing it in a desperate attempt to win ratings, but hopefully most people will see that and wait for the good tributes and documentries to come out.

Come on Nine, lift your game.

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