Circus comes to town after Michael Jackson -- literally
LOS ANGELES — The circus is scheduled to arrive a few hours before the circus is to start.
About six hours before Tuesday’s 10 a.m. (PST) Michael Jackson memorial service at Staples Center, about a dozen elephants from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey are to be marching from Union Station to the arena.
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The circus starts a five-day engagement on Wednesday, the day after the tribute to Jackson. No word on whether any of the pachyderms was a lucky winner of the lottery to see the Jacko service.
It would have been an upset if the aftermath of Michael Jackson’s death WASN’T filled with bizarre touches, from Joe Jackson pimping his record label to Larry King’s broadcast from Neverland Ranch to the ongoing custody drama to the constant stream of reports about alleged drug abuse on Michael’s part.
Police in Los Angeles are warning, pleading, practically BEGGING people to stay away from the area near the Staples Center if they weren't among the winners of the lottery to attend. Some are estimating as many as a million people will flock to the neighborhood, even though the surrounding streets will be blocked off and you won't be able to see anything other than a bunch of other people that can't see anything.
At a news conference Sunday, a police official suggested fans watch the service on TV or in a restaurant with friends.
You could also just, you know, go to work.
The local L.A. newscasts are buzzing with stories about some of those 8,750 fans that were chosen from some 1.6 million entrants. There was much talk of “the lottery” and “lucky winners,” many scenes of fans screaming and hugging and weeping with joy.
Of course, there’s no money in this lottery. What you’ve won is the chance to attend a memorial service. Yes, it’s going to be an extravaganza. Yes, you’ll be telling stories about it forever. But something that gets somewhat lost in all this is the reason for all the madness.
A man died. A freakishly talented freak, a wildly controversial figure, an icon to some and a devil to others — but he was just a man, too. As all those Jackson devotees sing his name, wait in line to sign a giant condolence card (who’s going to read it?), weep him — worship him — praise him, a lot of other good people, from soldiers who fought in Iraq to school teachers who devoted their lives to helping children to “regular” folks who lived quiet, decent, selfless lives, are also being put to rest this week.
Rest in peace to all.