I’m not a particularly big fan of either Farrah Fawcett or Michael Jackson. But it’s kind of hard to ignore that they both passed away today. In fact, network news agencies are scrambling. CBS and NBC have announced special news programs airing at 10 p.m. tonight. CBS is focusing solely on Jackson, while NBC’s Dateline is looking at both Fawcett and Jackson.
ABC and Fox haven’t sent anything out yet, but who knows? Update – ABC just announced a special 20/20 tonight on Jackson at 9 p.m.
The thing that’s surprising about the CBS move is that they had some idea about Fawcett – whose bout with cancer has been reasonably well-publicized. On the other hand, NBC does have all that footage from the broadcast earlier this spring.
Ah well. How important you consider either Jackson or Fawcett will largely depend on your experience and how important you consider the cult of celebrity. Personally, I am saddened by the passing of two more people from the planet. So I nod in recognition of the iconic status of each and move on. Only time will tell how profound their ultimate legacies will be.
Might be worth talking to your kids about, though. One of the great realities of death is that it does help us get our priorities in place.
Anne Louise Bannon
Your Family Viewer
