CBS and Jackson Friends Again?

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,13167,00.html

 

CBS and Jackson Friends Again?

 

by Lia Haberman

 

November sweeps didn't quite go down the way CBS programming execs had planned.

 

First came Gippergate, the Ronald Reagan biopic yanked from the Eye network under pressure from conservative lobbyists.

 

Then there was the Michael Jackson musical special, scuttled after the entertainer became the focus of a criminal investigation for child molestation.

 

Now, the Tiffany network is ready to try again with Jackson, who's facing nine felony counts--Ron and Nancy remain too hot for broadcast TV.

 

The trades have reported that CBS is in hush-hush negotiations with Jackson's reps about rescheduling his Number Ones retrospective for January in exchange for a news interview.

 

A CBS rep declined to comment and said, "We don't comment on rumor."

 

The special, tied to the release of Jackson's greatest hits CD, was originally scheduled for Nov. 26 but indefinitely postponed in light of the "Thriller" singer's legal woes.

 

"Given the gravity of the charges against Mr. Jackson, we believe it would be inappropriate at this time to broadcast an entertainment special," said a statement from CBS last month. "However, we are very mindful that Mr. Jackson is innocent until proven guilty. We will consider broadcasting the special after the due process of the legal system runs its course."

 

Sources suggest communications have remained constant between Jackson's camp and network suits, with the most recent deal discussed being the rescheduled special in exchange for a sit-down with 60 Minutes' Ed Bradley.

 

Bradley has been after a one-on-one with the embattled entertainer for close to a year. The newsman reportedly came close to talking to Jackson in February but was turned away from the Neverland gates at the very last minute.

 

There has been no word if the formal interview would take place in conjunction with the special or if they would remain two separate broadcasts.

 

Jackson was charged Dec. 18 with seven felony counts of molesting a child and two felony counts of plying the same child with an "intoxicating agent," said to be wine. He's due to be arraigned Jan. 16.

[Mole 0]

Okay....

 

I heard it sucked anyway.

[2GOLD 0]

Anything for ratings.

 

And America loves the mountain like fall of Michael Jackson....I don't know why, but they do.