If you think about it, after yesterday’s shocking death of Michael Jackson, Madonna may be the most famous living person in the world. There are only a handful of stars left in that stratosphere. You can name presidents, Popes, Oprah. But for sheer celebrity power, it was really only Michael and Madonna atop a mountain of fame so universal it transcended borders and languages and possibly time itself. As we all know, the spectacular, strange and ultimately sad life of Michael Jackson ended yesterday. After the news broke, I couldn’t help wondering if Madonna felt lonely, if only for a moment, standing by herself on top of the world.Their lives were intricately intertwined, yet followed sharply different paths. They were both born in the middle of America, only 13 days apart. They both rose to fame in the 80s, pioneering the age of wanting your MTV. They both sang and danced and entertained in a way no one had seen before. They both thrived on reinvention, even if one’s was less calculated and more pathological. They were both icons, in the truest sense of the word. But from there, their lives forked. The details of Michael’s spiral from fairy tale to cautionary tale don’t need to be rehashed. Whereas Madonna has been able to remain both relevant and relatively (dare I say it) normal. Well, as normal as anyone known globally by a single name who has sold 200 million albums and starred in more than a dozen major motion pictures can be.
Through her smarts, strength and savvy, Madonna has built a career that is both impressive and unparalleled. No one succeeds at that level and for that long by accident. She is unquestionably talented, but it is her staying power that truly dazzles. Quite simple, she has something that so many others lack: the will and the might to shape her own destiny. In light of this singular moment in our pop culture history, and in honor of Pride, I can’t think of a better crush this weekend. The king is dead, long live the queen. Happy weekend, all.
51 comments:
Huh? Madonna? Huh?
I was CERTAIN that today would be about Farrah. I don't even know what to say about this post.
It's your weekend crush so it's you perogotive. But I am disappointed.
Spot-on post as always, Ms Snarker. Thank you for existing.
One less child molester on planet earth - its a start.
oh I forgot if your rich and famous there are no rules. All the people mourning this monster are as sick as he was....
Why don't we mourn Jeffery Dalmer or Hitler??? Sick
well said, DS...
I love this post! MJ was a true talent and a musical genius. There is no doubt that he had a troubled personal life but the feelings stirred up by his music and his dance moves far outweigh his troubles in my mind. And Madonna, she is amazing and she will miss MJ passionately, as will I.
Hmmm...have to say, I wasn't quite expecting a Weekend Crush today. At least not Madonna...
THANK YOU, to whoever made the one less child molester remark. I will not deny the ENORMOUS mark MJ left on pop culture, or deny that he was a talented fellow. But, he's still a pervy, dirty, gross man, and I'm not sorry he died.
I really like this blog, but yes I was hoping for a Farrah edition. As for jackson, I wonder if the boys he allegedly molested can come forward now? I think that's the only way we will ever know whether or not he was a pedophile -- or just obliviously inappropriate and boundaryless -- as are many adults who grew up without good boundaries.
That last sentence from your blog gave me the chills...
Love your post, Miss Snarker. It's been years since I'd seen that picture of them. It's awesome.
RiP Michael...
Oh Snarker, you're breaking my heart.
Such predictability in your posts these days. It's a crying shame.
To the poster that asked if the boys that he molested could come forward now. My answer, and remember I'm just a poster, I would believe that he paid them all off and made them and their families sign iron clad legal deals to NEVER talk. As soon as anyone comes forward they will be slapped with a slander suit.
Beside after the fact how do you prove abuse, you can't its just he said, he said and with MJ dead it just can't be proven.
Molesters NEVER admit to their sickness so in truth he got away with it as most molesters do.
What bothers me a lot are the people who think that molesting children is no big deal and because you can sing and dance thats what is more important. THATS SICK!!
Post from these people really sadden me. It is NOT ok to rape children no matter how rich and famous you are.
And yes why isn't this Weekend Crush about Farrah instead of this screwed up child rapist??
While your 'crush' might not be directly on Michael Jackson, you are indirectly piggybacking on the news of his death.
Would you have chosen Madonna if he had not passed away? I think not.
Noticing how the haters all posted anonymously. Hmmm...way to keep it militant girls.
To Sophia, would she have chosen Farrah if she had not passed away? I think not.
I think this is an interesting and thoughtful association. The death of one icon leads us to look at others, certainly.
(I realize Jackson is a controversial figure; I obviously can't forgive the harming of children. But have we forgotten that nothing was ever proven? We may never know the truth, but if he was innocent--as legally, he is-- what a sad way to remember him.)
What about Cher?
Seems a bit odd to not choose Farrah for the weekend crush out of anyone.
I mean...her hair man. Her hair was just wonderful.
Also the day Cher dies is the day the world bcomes awash with the tears of millions of gay men. I'll have my umbrella put aside for that day.
I love Madonna, but I think today would have been a nice day to honor Farrah.
Hey people, lay off. Write your own blog and it can be about whoever you choose. Geez. People get so weird, like they own someone because they read their blog.
Wow, what a bunch of haters here. Really. Michael was a legend and a music genius. I also believe he was mentally ill and no one would or could help him. I do not know if he ever harmed any children or not, but I would not put it past any of those parents to say it happened to get at his money.
As for Farrah, I am a lesbian and my crush was never on her. I absolutely loved Kate Jackson, mmmmmmm. Leave Dorothy alone and find your own crush. Love the post Dorothy. Madonna and Michael are amazing and deserve every kudo they get.
I don't remember such an outburst of displeasure toward DS and/or her posting. If one can just remember MJ's extraordinary talent and nothing else, it will allow one to feel sad about his death. Mark Sanford, Governor of SC, should thank MJ for taking Sanford's sexual dalliance and visit to Argentina off the front page.
azinthehouse
Its interesting that every thread about MJ that I've read online has had passionately conflicting comments duking it out. And its no different on this site. Its the first time I've read angry posts here.
He really was a controversial figure. Nevertheless, RIP.
As for Madonna, given her iconic status and phenomenal success, despite the relentless hate that she's subject to from the media, is a fitting weekend crush.
azinthehouse: EXACTLY!! Though over here in SC, he hasn't slipped too far off the radar.
DS, I always enjoy your posts...maybe you could treat our eyes to some lovely Farrah pictures sometime soon (hell, just the red bathing suit one would make my day!)? After all, she's not at ALL bad to look at
Just googled Farrah Fawcett tank top...some nice pictures for a Tuesday! :) :)
Whatev. I love Madonna.
Although she may not be of your or the other readers generation, she is not only the most famous living person who is a celebrity, she was named one of the 100 most beautiful women in film of a;; time, and comes in second to Angelina Jolie in a survey of the Hollywood's most beautiful women: DESPITE being 68 years old!
I am talking about actress Raquel Welch who currently has a Foster Grant Sunglasses commercial appearing on television right nmow and she is lOOKING good! Um I'm NOT just saying that cause I'm her top friend on MySpace either :oP
DS's post was mostly about M, not MJ, though the post clearly explained why MJ's death made DS think about M.
I don't have a crush on M, but I can understand why others, including DS, can and do have a crush on M.
The world would be a much more sad and messed up place if all of us agreed on who was, and who was not, crush-worthy.
I don't even know what to say about those who seem to think they should determine who should be the object of someone else's crush, and when. So, I won't.
Madonna is superb. Not a huge fan of her music, but I absolutely love her in A League of Their Own. Yeah, I know, I'm gay.
And I am saddened by the passing of Farrah Fawcett. However, being an older "Gen Y" kid, I never felt super connected to Farrah or her work. MJ, whether you love him or hate him or are apathetic about him, was the biggest pop icon during my childhood & early teen years. It's just odd having an artist I blasted on my walkman via cassette tape die.
I'm not a fan of Madonna and still find it odd that Jackson's death was mentioned in the context it was here, instead of a blogpost just about him and saying RIP.
But this is a blog and just because she posted something i'm not intersted doesn't bother me.
still love your blogging DS...more boobies next time though : D
I'll never forget an interview with Madonna on MTV where she was lying on a table in a white dress and all her rosaries. It left an impression on my 6 year old heart.
I really appreciate your weekend crush DS. The passing of another superstar who is Madonna's age must certainly bring her own mortality in to sharp relief. I bet a lot of your readers totally got the connection rather than believing you were pardoning MJ's sins and crimes.
As for Farrah, her death was pushed aside by the same Media machine that made her career such a struggle. And that is truly a shame.
"All the people mourning this monster are as sick as he was...."
^ Save the negativity for another site. There is a such thing as separating the art from the personal lfe of the artist. Especially since none of us know if he was guilty of the crimes he was accused of. His influence on music and entertainment was HUGE and can not be denied and if you can not see this and you only see a dark "monster" that may or may not have even existed then I feel sad for you and your judgemental ways.
And for all the people appalled that Farrah wasn't the crush. Get over it. I agree with the person above who commented that if Farrah hadn't passed away she wouldn't have been the weekend crush so why be it now!
Personally I appreciate this post. I read Madonna's quote on MJ's death and she said she couldn't stop crying. Then I moved on to thinking about Michael and other things BUT your post brought me right back to Madonna's quote and it made me think about alot of things. I appreciate your weekend crush and your blog.
NO disrespect to Farrah may she rest in peace but if this post had been a Farrah weekend crush it would have been a big yawn.
As far as I'm concerned, Madonna is God! But that's a fan speaking. I think for a woman to become a true icon like Madonna, you'd have to come a long way in her time - and even in this time she can still top the charts, have the most profitable tour of the year and be a wonderful mother to her children - while getting a lot of crap from the press. Whether you love her or hate her, you gotta admit, she's a self-mad woman, she's come a long way and she IS the QUEEN of pop. I hope she'll inspire us for many years to come <3
Hmpppf, that should be self-made, not self-mad....although Madonna is mad in her own way ;-)
To the 4:37 comment
(I didnt write that comment you yourself were responding to) but while I agree that MJ's music was amazing, (separate completely from whatever life he may or may not have led ~ which I agree has never been proven) people are not mourning the end of his musical career- most of his recent releases are mediocre, they are mourning his life.
While I would not agree with judging someone as a 'monster' purely from press acting as judge and jury, if you believe he did commit the crime as the above poster did there is no reason you would mourn his death, regardless of his great contribution to music.
"There is a such thing as separating the art from the personal lfe of the artist."
I don't get how that is possible.
Hitler was a great artist, just never published properly...so can people be forgiven for seperating his personal life with his public life?
No nonsense. And while Hitler is a very stretched comparison to MJ it still serves as a point.
If he (MJ) did commit the crimes he was accused of then it doesn't matter if he was the only musician in the world. being an 'artist' means damn all when you've done horrible things to your fellow man.
If he was a paedophile and kept making new records would you still buy them simply because it's him?
There's thousands of musicians and songs in the world. I'm sure you can live without this one.
Ahhh arguing on the internet. Always fun.
Personally, more boobies would have been awesome, but still a great read, Miss. S!
And yes, RIP Farrah, Morton, and all the other celebs who passed away the same day but were overshadowed by the King of Pop.
"Wow, what a bunch of haters here. Really. Michael was a legend and a music genius."
I don't think anyone who finds child abuse wrong is a hater. People are stating their opinions which they have every right to. Just as you do with this genius nonsense.
I don't care how you felt about MJ you sure have the right to express it. Lets not hold anybody accountable for anything, except those of us who aren't a genius or pretty, or rich, then we have the privilege of being arrested and harassed for parking illegally,spitting on the sidewalk or whatever. Screwed up!!
As far as the proven, it can't be proven unless you arrive minutes after the act to get that all important DNA, which really doesn't always count. Remember OJ.
Omg! I didnt know there were so many angry lesbians in this site??? Mj s not a child molestor, I wonder if your brother or your son would get accused of sometjing he didnt do how you would feel. And also how would u feel is ingnorant people would keep saying he was guilty after he was proven innocent....anyway
THANK YOU DOROTHY! for not being obvious...Madonna is amazing! And it is Pride way!!
But....you sould have gone with Janet Jackson! She's way prettier and actually has gay friends and gives waaaaay more money to LGT community than Madonna . Maybe next time...
"Mj s not a child molestor"
No one knows that for sure.
Are you people serious? Comparing Micheal Jackson to Hitler? I am not a Jew, but I am extremely offended that that comparison was even made! And those who say one less child molester? Be careful with your wording, because it's hate-filled. Have we not learned from the past comments of others (not on this site), One less black, one less Jew, one less gay, the list could go on and on. Wishing (praising) death on another is very sad state of affairs in my opinion.
I am a jew and I'm not offended by the remark because I see what the actual intent was. They wanted to show that people seem to not give a shit about paedophiles and think that being a great musician outweighs being a bad person.
If he was, as it's been said. We haven't a clue. For the sake of the kids involved I would hope he wasn't.
One less child molester would be a blessing and I don't see where anyone was asking there be one less gay, black or jew. last time I checked biing any of the 3 wasn't a sin, but being a molester was.
""Wow, what a bunch of haters here. Really. Michael was a legend and a music genius."
"
Its sad and troubling to live in a society where anything goes. Where there are no rules and live and let live are so distorted that sick, evil people are not held accountable. If you want to personally hold them accountable you get called names. whew.
MJ was not proven to be a molester but; ah he was. You don't have little boys sleep in your bed with you night after night and say you never touched them, you don't dress like a little boy yourself with the to short pants, the underwear on the outside of your pants, ringlets, grabbing yourself constantly, looking and acting like a little boy was his way of flirting, building an amusement park for kids. Get serious ladies.
No one can prove I'm a lesbian. I've slept with more the a couple woman, but; hey I never touched them and if they say I did they are just making it up to get money. Now go ahead prove I'm a lesbian - I dare you!!
He was a talented man, he was no genius. If you liked his music ok, no harm no foul, but; because there are still people in the world that want at least a few lines in the sand that doesn't mean their wrong, or haters. I think the real haters are the ones who spout live and let live with no understanding of its meaning.
It means do what makes you happy as long as its not hurting other people, the planet etc, etc. Touching little boys just doesn't fall under live and let live.
There's nothing hateful about that.
God, a man just died. Is it necessary to re-open the case? what about the parents of those children, and the money they accepted? If my child was abused, no money would do...
Dorothy, you wondering if madonna feels lonely at the top of the world, is very strong, and beautiful. I wasn't much of a MJ fan, but I'm sad anyway he died so young and went through such a mess with his life.
RIP
This is one of your finest posts. I've sent it to several friends. Well done, Ms. S.
so funny- that's the first thing i thought too.
Wow... just wow. My heart broke when I heard the news of Michael Jackson's death, but even sadder is the fact that right now my heart breaks again while reading these comments.
How people can inherently believe without a shadow of a doubt that he abused those children. Nothing was proven. I don't know Michael Jackson, nor do I know the children or their families. And neither do the people on who left these hate-filled comments. What gives you the audacity to to think you know what happened? Or that your opinion is better that the judicial system.
What a shame. Kudos, Ms. Snarker.
Wow, Ms. Snarker... did you anticipate this heated reaction to your post? I've been reading this blog a long time, and the intensity of people's reactions here is a bit startling to me. I choose to not participate in the MJ debate. (Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, right?) Instead, I want to voice my appreciation for your blog. The heart, humor, and thoughtfulness you put into your writing make DS a happy little highlight of my day. Many thanks.
LOVE THIS POST.
I thought about Madonna almost as soon as I heard about MJ, with them both turning 50 this year and like you said I thought that he was probably the only person with a similar level of fame (and adoring/psychotic fans) to her so it must have been comforting over the years. She has said she couldn’t stop crying and that must be part of the reason.
XXXX
"Its sad and troubling to live in a society where anything goes. Where there are no rules and live and let live are so distorted that sick, evil people are not held accountable."
Its sad and troubling people like yourself judge people as sick and evil without personally knowing the person or the people who accused them of sick and evil things.
"Its sad and troubling people like yourself judge people as sick and evil without personally knowing the person or the people who accused them of sick and evil things."
Everybody, judges everybody, we do it all day every day. Just as your doing with the above post DUH!!!
Grow up!!
I'm saddened and disgusted by some of the comments here.
Michael was not a child abuser. He was found not guilty in a court of law. Anyone who followed the trial would know that the case against him was very weak and he should not even have been charged. Sadly, the false accusations probably contributed to his early death.
Michael was an easy target because he was seen by many as a freak, but people need to wake up and realise that he did not fit the profile of a paedophile. Most paedophiles are the types of people who on the suface,
appear to be normal, ordinary, married men with children, pillars of the community etc. Noone would ever guess by their outward appearance or behaviour that they were abusing children.
Michael was so trumatised by the childhood abuse he suffered at the hands of his father he would never have hurt a child in a million years. His love of children and childhood was not remotely sexual in nature. The fact that some people find that hard to believe says more about them than it does about him.
Micheal worked hard all his life to make people happy, to entertain and to do good in the world. He deserves all the accolades he's been getting. There'll never be anyone else like him
Let him rest in peace now and stop hounding him even in death for crimes he didn't commit.
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