June 26, 2009 10:03 AM PDT

The 404 remembers the King of Pop, Michael Jackson

by Justin Yu
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In a very special, and very serious, episode of The 404, we sit down to reflect on the many ways Michael Jackson changed the world. From his music to his dance and music videos, MJ's ubiquity is undeniable. Heroes come and go, but legends never die! Rest in peace, Mike!

We've never done this before, but Michael Jackson had such a positive effect on all of our lives that we felt the need to take a moment and show him our appreciation. Obviously, we're not the only ones numbed by his passing--news sites across the Internet couldn't keep up with the hordes of people desperately trying to hear the news. Like so many people, Wilson and I spent hours poring over Michael's fantastic career, but there's something so edifying in knowing that the entire world shares this loss.

The real testament to MJ's success is the love from his fans--his live shows drew tons of people, many of whom often fainted at the sight of their favorite musician onstage.

Michael was also famous for bringing his most adoring fans up onstage for a quick hug before getting aggressively taken off the stage kicking and screaming for another chance to hug their hero. Isn't it weird to think about how many people have enjoyed his music? We all have our stories, whether it's dancing to "Thriller" at a prom, or singing karaoke to "Never Can Say Goodbye." Check out this episode and help us pay tribute to the King of Pop.


The 404 remembers the King of Pop, Michael Jackson



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Justin Yu covers desktop computers, printers, and peripherals for CNET. When he's not scouring eBay for useless ephemera or eating hot dogs for breakfast, he spends his time making fun of Internet culture every morning on The 404 podcast. E-mail Justin.
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by toosday June 26, 2009 12:10 PM PDT
I hate to really draw a comparison between these two events, because I totally understand that they are IN NO WAY the same in terms of magnitude, but for the first time since Sept 11, 2001 I was stopped on the streets by complete strangers asking me if I had heard the terrible news.

I suppose that is a good example of the impact Michael Jackson had on people. He is the beloved, yet tragic Shakespearean figure.
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by What_Wrong_With_The_World June 26, 2009 3:46 PM PDT
An Email I sent to the man who forced me to create an account...Dan Ackerman

"You and I both know what I'm talking about.That article of http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10273229-1.html?tag=mncol (hours after his passing) had about as much substance as a Sarah Palin speech at a Cocktail Party. So lets just skip the diagnoses of your ill-informed, unintelligent, demonizing article that you unsympathetically SMACKED together and get to the part where you clean off your desk of Rogaine, hair plugs, and family photos of those who are to be embarrassed of any connection to you what-so-ever, (be it blood, sperm or sheer friend-of-the-moron) and turn in your resignation... Watch out for the MJ Fan barrage awaiting you near the exit sign of your building sir."

Idiot - A person of subnormal intelligence... Better put "Dan Ackerman"
by wallet55 June 26, 2009 2:35 PM PDT
nice, as well as balanced. However it is worth noting that when the Beatles broke up, Louis Armstrong died, of course when Elvis died (very similar pattern there) and even to some degree, though slower, when Kurt Cobain died, the same thing was said each time: "there will never be another superstar like him (them)" those days are over. Somehow, despite emergence of radio, television, video, internet, people always find a way to have another superstar.
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by justin.yu June 26, 2009 3:01 PM PDT
You make a good point, but i doubt that another star will come along that will influence POP music as heavily as mike. few people, if any, will ever be able to parlay a wildly successful childhood career into an EVEN MORE wildly successful adult career. actually, i can't even think of any other pop artist that's done it.

i think all of those artists deserve all the credit in the world for catapulting their own unique genres into stardom: Beatles for britrockpop, Armstrong for jazz, Elvis for American Rock 'n Roll (no matter how controversial), Kurt Cobain for grunge rock, and Michael Jackson for pop. They're ALL music legends, but in their own right.

Thanks for commenting, wallet55!
Justin
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by What_Wrong_With_The_World June 26, 2009 3:49 PM PDT
An Email I sent to the man who forced me to create an account...

"You and I both know what I'm talking about.That article of Michael Jackson, http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10273229-1.html?tag=mncol (hours after his passing) had about as much substance as a Sarah Palin speech at a Cocktail Party. So lets just skip the diagnoses of your ill-informed, unintelligent, demonizing article that you unsympathetically SMACKED together and get to the part where you clean off your desk of Rogaine, hair plugs, and family photos of those who are to be embarrassed of any connection to you what-so-ever, (be it blood, sperm or sheer friend-of-the-moron) and turn in your resignation... Watch out for the MJ Fan barrage awaiting you near the exit sign of your building sir."

Idiot - A person of subnormal intelligence... Better put "Dan Ackerman"
Reply to this comment
by crisante June 26, 2009 11:44 PM PDT
Michael Jackson's legacy as a pop star will probably endure forever. Someone will come along and be bigger than he was, but he will always be remembered. I like a lot of his music and if it comes on the radio I'll probably listen. I'm not going to plan a marathon weekend of listening to his music though.

However, you can't deny the last 15 years or so that they speak about on the 404. During this time he was essentially a freak. Maybe I should refer to it as emotionally disturbed or he was under a lot of pressure and that had to be hard on him. The guy had serious family issues starting with his father. Just look at LaToya if you need another example from the family.

Remember Michael how you want as a great musical performer that forever shaped pop music, or as strange eccentric figure that was once a pop star. Listen to his music and live in the past when you wore the red jacket with the studs, a white sparkling glove and moonwalked your way across the mall or watch a episode of South Park or Family Guy where they poke fun at him. Either way your doing your thing like Mike did.
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by ultimate_mex_hustler June 27, 2009 11:59 AM PDT
FYI michael jackson died in 1988 in that pepsi commercial that set him on fire. Plastic surgeons then tried to put him back together and created that white dude that died 3 days ago.....
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by SX10 IS June 28, 2009 8:01 AM PDT
Humph. The only celebrity whose death I mourned (and still mourn, 2 1/2 years after his death) is Steve Irwin (d. Sep. 4th, 2006). And unless his family loses another member, God forbid, or Jeff Corwin croaks (God forbid!), it'll stay that way.
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by epex2 June 28, 2009 10:46 AM PDT
This article written by Justin Yu and associated 404 video about Michael Jackson are much better than the very insensitive and inaccurate article by Dan Ackerman. As I indicated in my comment under Dan's article, people across the globe are suffering because of Michael's death, and Dan showed very poor judgment with his article, writing on behalf of an organization (CNET) who I'm sure does not aim to offend.

Dan's article still has not been modified as requested, so I will continue to draw attention to it.
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by rhapsodyartist June 28, 2009 12:37 PM PDT
We can't testify to what Dan Ackerman thinks about Michael Jackson, but we at The 404 think he's one of the greatest musicians of all time, and we're all pretty bummed about his death. He'll be missed.

Wilson
by brettsutherlin June 28, 2009 6:33 PM PDT
Sad to see him go. Brett Sutherlin
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by Jonnartt June 28, 2009 7:13 PM PDT
lmao- I'm so delighted w/ this post, I must express it. I could not have put it better.
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by Tod Smith June 29, 2009 7:33 AM PDT
The guy had IT.

RIP MJ!
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by sav1981 June 29, 2009 8:11 AM PDT
Smooth Criminal is the best freakin music video in history in my opinion. Thanks for getting me interesting in music Michael. RIP.
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About The 404 Podcast

A pop-cult fix for a generation that grew up playing Nintendo and watching Saturday morning cartoons, the 404 podcast, with hosts Jeff Bakalar, Wilson Tang, and Justin Yu, gives you the latest news in gadgets, social media, video games, and movies with snarky commentary and the occasional tasteless joke.

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The hosts of the 404
Wilson G. Tang Wilson Tang is an associate producer for CNET TV. He's a part-time artist and filmmaker and has written and directed several films. He likes long walks on the beach and girls.
Jeff Bakalar Jeff Bakalar is an editor for CNET Reviews, getting all the dirt on the gaming industry. After spending a few years in the world of film production, he has settled down and currently lives in New Jersey. He's an avid writer, gamer, and full-time pessimist.
Justin Yu Justin Yu can be found tinkering with printers and other peripherals for CNET, when he's not adjusting his headphones, riding his bike, or eating hot dogs for breakfast.
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