Across the nation yesterday fans stopped mid-workday to bid farewell to Michael Jackson. In a funeral fit for a King of Pop, the Jackson family was joined by celebrities, lifelong friends, and orators, with Jackson's golden coffin on the stage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Thousands of fans were there; millions more watched on television and the internet. Joining us to talk about it is Alessandra Stanley, a New York Times television critic.
Josh Rogosin, an independent public radio producer, has been staked out at the Staples Center in Los Angeles since way before the dawn. He's been talking to fans and mourners who have begun to fill the streets of downtown Los Angeles in preparation for Michael Jackson's memorial service. The Takeaway joins Josh on the street along with fans from across the nation; we also talk to Aaron Flournoy, a waiter at Bennigan's in Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana.
As fans across the world await the memorial service for Michael Jackson, The Takeaway takes a moment to discuss his legacy as a legend, a performer and as an African American man from Gary, Indiana. We are joined by Steven Gray, reporter for Time Magazine, who wrote Michael Jackson and the Black Experience for Time.
Michael Jackson will be buried this morning at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles. The cemetery is a famous resting spot, but Jackson apparently wanted to be buried at his beloved Neverland Ranch. Joining The Takeaway to discuss whether we should defer to the dead when it comes to disposing of their mortal remains is Randy Cohen, The Ethicist for The New York Times Magazine and author of the Moral of the Story Blog.
For more, read Randy Cohen's blog entry, Michael Jackson’s Body, in The New York Times.
"The physical presence of the dead is very, very meaningful for the living simply to grasp the idea that death has occurred."
— New York Times Magazine columnist Randy Cohen
Michael Jackson will be laid to rest this morning in Los Angeles in a private ceremony in the Hollywood Hills. The funeral is for family and friends only, but at LA's Staples Center thousands of his fans are gathering to say their goodbyes to the King of Pop. Over 16,000 lucky fans were able to get tickets to the service, while many thousands of devoted fans are expected to line the streets surrounding the arena. Joining The Takeaway from outside the Staples Center is Josh Rogosin, independent public radio producer and downtown Los Angeles resident. Also joining the conversation is Belinda Luscombe, Time Magazine's editor-at-large, who wrote much of the magazine's Jackson coverage.
Robert McNamara died early this Monday morning. McNamara served as Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War under both Presidents Johnson and Kennedy from 1961 to 1968. McNamara later admitted tearfully that America's pursuit of the Vietnam War had been "terribly wrong." Joining The Takeaway to discuss the man and his legacy is Larry Korb, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense, who has known McNamara for over two decades.
"I can't remember another public official with the courage to confess error or explain where the country went wrong."
—
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Larry Korb on Robert McNamara
Here's Robert McNamara reminiscing about his life and legacy in the film "The Fog of War":
Former NFL quarterback and MVP Steve McNair was found shot to death on July 4th. Police have ruled it a homicide, but while the cops sort through the clues, The Takeaway looks at McNair's athletic achievements. He brought speed, agility, accuracy and leadership to the field, and will be remembered for his toughness, playing through endless injuries. Joining us to talk about Steve "Air" McNair's legacy is The Takeaway’s sports contributor, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin.
Fans are already putting together tributes on YouTube. Here's one:
Academy Award winning actor Karl Malden died yesterday at the age of 97. He died of natural causes in his home in Brentwood, California.
Here is the role he is most famous for, as Father Berry in "On the Waterfront."
Entertainer Ed McMahon has died at the age of 86. He was recently hospitalized in Los Angeles for pneumonia, and also suffered from cancer. McMahon was famous for his role on the "Tonight Show" alongside Johnny Carson. Our partner The New York Times is calling him "America's Top Second Banana." Below are just a few of his most memorable moments:
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