Michael Jackson: Entertainer for the ages?

[0:00] ..." It's Robert Thompson a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University. "...

[0:15] ..." traditional I mean as one would expect anything having to do with Michael Jackson it was on a grand scale. What could be named a huge venue I mean this is not the kind of memorial service that most about with. Would get but this one after all Michael Jackson. But the way it actually went alone was I think. Fairly understated very tasteful and exactly what you'd expect in the memorial"...

[2:20] ..." Will Michael Jackson be remembered in this way as they pop icon or. Will his son. Shady past addition to put it that way well"...

[2:57] ..." as long as people are leaving that world wide during the time Michael Jackson was. There will be of course they very ambiguous. Set of memories. -- this incredible performer one of the great entertainers of"...

[3:48] ..." all the rest of this. Will probably be something for historians of Michael Jackson. Two remember but that's going to Guam that would take."...

[4:00] ..." your observations might put it like it. And that's Robert Thompson at Syracuse University. I Diane Stern WBZ Newsradio 1030."...

[0:00]" It's Robert Thompson a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University. "

[0:07]" I was called to -- hours or however long was. Your impression. It would in many ways very traditional I mean as one would expect anything having to do with Michael Jackson it was on a grand scale. What could be named a huge venue I mean this is not the kind of memorial service that most about with. Would get but this one after all Michael Jackson. But the way it actually went alone was I think. Fairly understated very tasteful and exactly what you'd expect in the memorial service. Although beaten musical superstar people got up -- said nice things about Michael they reminisced about the era. A particular relationship with him. At a number of people. Performed there was nothing. -- there were a few kind of disturbing. Moments and I think one of those happen. Be the one that's the biggest clip of the date. And that's of course when its title get up at the toward the very end. And in one way she gets up and you know she's unveiled its almost as though you know she's literally the video -- state. She's been liberated them to some extent from the bizarre experience. But then she opened tomorrow of course and remind them that you know I love my -- degrees steady. And then of course we -- conceded she's been put up -- You know four. The spectacle for up to watch almost is -- processes started all. All over again. But with the exception to that kind of uncomfortable -- relatively talking. Moment. It was fairly traditional. The only thing that made its strange is that it was being covered by every single network and every single people who at 24 hour."

[2:20]" Will Michael Jackson be remembered in this way as they pop icon or. Will his son. Shady past addition to put it that way well that will that come back again and there are certainly right now it's it seems to be all about the music."

[2:35]" Right well of course for the memorial presentation obviously. We -- we've all been the funerals of people that have less than exemplary life and a memorial service is not the kind got to bring that pop up they denied they view. Walked over the bad stuff briefing which is probably as it should be for a memorial. -- For as long as people are leaving that world wide during the time Michael Jackson was. There will be of course they very ambiguous. Set of memories. -- this incredible performer one of the great entertainers of the twentieth century. And at the same time the fact that he was one of the great soap opera. The lately -- well. However -- generations past we get a hundred years in the future and nobody is yet leaving that remember when -- Then I think is enduring legacy will in -- be is artistic. Achievements I think a hundred years from now will actually still be listened to -- every now and again in May be watching the videos. Home every now and again. Whereas all of the other stuff the court cases in the neverland in the dangling the child and all the rest of this. Will probably be something for historians of Michael Jackson. Two remember but that's going to Guam that would take."

[3:59]" Well I thank you very much for your observations might put it like it. And that's Robert Thompson at Syracuse University. I Diane Stern WBZ Newsradio 1030."