Jackson Free Press

UPDATE 2: Here is more information about Michael Jackson:

(CNN) -- Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death.

A Los Angeles fire official told CNN that paramedics arrived at Michael Jackson's home after a 911 call.

Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN.

Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles Thursday morning.

Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m.

Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center.

Asked specifics of the patient's condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws.

The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the "King of Pop." Jackson had many No. 1 hits and his "Thriller" is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

UPDATE: I'm still looking for an updated link on Michael Jackson, but I'll give you a summary of what occurred based on what I heard on the news. Jackson was rehearsing in L.A. for an upcoming London concert when he went into cardiac arrest. He was not breathing when he was rushed to UCLA. He went into a coma and later died.

Here is more information about Farrah Fawcett:

(CNN) -- Farrah Fawcett, the blonde-maned actress whose best-selling poster and "Charlie's Angels" stardom made her one of the most famous faces in the world, died Thursday. She was 62.

Farrah Fawcett rose to fame in the 1970s, thanks to a best-selling poster and the hit show "Charlie Angels."

Fawcett's death was confirmed by Paul Bloch, one of her representatives at Rogers and Cowan, an entertainment public relations firm.

Fawcett, who checked into a hospital in early April, had been battling anal cancer on and off for three years.

Bloch told CNN that Ryan O'Neal, Fawcett's romantic partner since the mid-1980s, and her friend Alana Stewart were with Fawcett at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, when she died.

"Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world," O'Neal said in a written statement.

And Ed McMahon:

(CNN) -- Ed McMahon, the longtime pitchman and Johnny Carson sidekick whose "Heeeeeeerre's Johnny!" became a part of the vernacular, has died.

Ed McMahon had suffered several health problems in recent years.

McMahon passed away peacefully shortly after midnight at the Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center, his publicist, Howard Bragman, said Tuesday

McMahon, 86, was hospitalized in February with pneumonia and other medical problems.

He had suffered a number of health problems in recent years, including a neck injury caused by a 2007 fall. In 2002, he sued various insurance companies and contractors over mold in his house and later collected a $7 million settlement.

Though he later hosted a variety of shows -- including "Star Search" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes," McMahon's biggest fame came alongside Carson on "The Tonight Show," which Carson hosted from 1962 to 1992. The two met not long after Carson began hosting the game show "Who Do You Trust?" in 1957.

Previous Comments

ID

149007

Comment

So sad about all, but especially Michael who was so devastating as a performer, entertainer and singer that even racism or race prejudice couldn't deny his gifts and place in history. I enjoyed conversations with white music lovers concerning how Michael stacked up with Elvis, Springstein and other great white musical entertainers. I said then and I'll say again that Michael had no peers unless you count Prince and he isn't really a peer although great, no doubt. I wanted to see Michael return and do one last great set of shows before moving on or retiring. Michael's talent was so awesome that he transcended all limitations set for people like him. Anyone who can do that is a friend and mentor to me, no matter their race, sex, flaws or gender identification.

Author

Walt

Date

2009-06-25T16:59:19-06:00

ID

149010

Comment

Yes, Walt, it is sad when three icons are gone in a week. It reminds me of when Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes died because people knew about Bernie's health problems, but Isaac's death was unexpected. I wasn't surprised about Farrah because I already heard earlier in the day that she was in her final hours, and Ed's death was unexpected to me even if he was 86 because there was nothing in the news about him being ill, but Michael's death was a COMPLETE surprise. He was trying to make a comeback and never got past the rehearsals. I'm concerned about the three children he left behind, though.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-25T17:12:00-06:00

ID

149018

Comment

Farrah- you lived on my wall for years, you will be missed. Ed-Where's my money? Michael- never cared much for your music, but you were talented. Godspeed all

Author

BubbaT

Date

2009-06-25T18:45:27-06:00

ID

149020

Comment

Bubba, I was pretty young when Charlie's Angels was on TV, so I actually remember Cheryl Tiegs more than Farrah on that show. However, I loved her performance on the TV movie "The Burning Bed." And yes, I never got my check either. However, the death of Jackson is probably sending shockwaves among those of my generation. I remember when I was around eight and I watched him perform on Motown's 25th Anniversary Special. The song was "Billie Jean," and I was mesmerized when I saw him moonwalk and stand on the tips of his black loafers. The next day, a bunch of kids (including myself) were trying to duplicate those moves - emphasis on the word "trying".

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-25T19:15:50-06:00

ID

149024

Comment

Yet again I'm amazed how often celebrities seem to die in threes...

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-06-25T20:03:19-06:00

ID

149026

Comment

MJ's death is very shocking. He was truly an American and international icon. He was taken from us way too long. I'm also saddened by Farrah Fawcett's passing, too.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-06-25T21:27:32-06:00

ID

149027

Comment

Yet again I'm amazed how often celebrities seem to die in threes... Jeff, that also creeps me out. Remind me to never become a celebrity. I'm also saddened by Farrah Fawcett's passing, too. I am too. She fought to the end, and I hate that she didn't get to marry Ryan O'Neill. He asked her recently, but she got too weak to go through with it. I also hate that her son was in jail during this ordeal. I was also hoping that after Ed McMahon did that Superbowl ad with MC Hammer, he would have a few more years left in him to make a few bucks. Well, he doesn't have to worry about that any more. You know, after Bea Arthur died a month or two ago, I still can't look at a Golden Girls rerun.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-25T21:56:48-06:00

ID

149047

Comment

unclassy but funny!

Author

BubbaT

Date

2009-06-26T10:56:45-06:00

ID

149049

Comment

That was chuckle worthy....but inappropriate... I wasn't a Michael Jackson fan per se, especially anything after the blackness started to fad from him. But that Thriller album was and is the best album EVER made. So for that, he will always be the greatest. He shall be missed. I always got Farrah mixed up with Cheryl Ladd. I did some research on her and she has really been ill for a long time and suffering. So I'm glad that she isn't suffering anymore. Ed -- simply one of those people I thought would live forever. I'm still not use to the idea of him being gone yet. RIP to these three fallen talents. If nothing else, they were REALLY good at what they did. Godspeed.

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-06-26T11:02:38-06:00

ID

149050

Comment

Some people have no class...but what are you going to do? Personally, I try to refrain from joking about the recently departed out of respect for the family and mourners. But not everyone shares that viewpoint. I admit, I probably would have laughed at that joke if it were told when he was alive...

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-06-26T11:03:05-06:00

ID

149057

Comment

I was 5 years old when "I Want You Back" was released (October 7, 1969, according to Wikipedia) and it's the first song of the Jackson 5 I remember. The other girls in my classes were either a-swoon over Michael Jackson or Donny Osmond. (Me? Thanks to a sci-fi loving grandma, my walls were covered with DeForest Kelley.) But Michael Jackson has been such a huge contributor to the music world and to my music listening history that I can't help but be saddened at his passing. I wonder what else he could have done. Farrah Fawcett: Loved her on "Charlie's Angels", and she made such a huge impact in "The Burning Bed." She was extremely talented and had much more going for her than just the hair. Ed McMahon: worth staying up for on The Tonight Show. I imagined Johnny up in heaven saying, "Heeeeerre's Eddie!" :) He had an awesome and wicked sense of humor. The tribute that Conan O'Brien did on The Tonight Show is well worth digging up on YouTube: it really showed the best of Ed McMahon.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2009-06-26T12:15:14-06:00

ID

149063

Comment

I think I'm the only guy in the world who didn't have a crush on Farrah. She just didn't do it for me. Ed? Well, I didn't watch Johnny Carson much. Mikey? When he was making music, he was magic. Forget his personal life, which he never could control. His life is in his music.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-06-26T13:18:06-06:00

ID

149080

Comment

My nieces were watching some of MJ's videos today, and they kept asking me how he moved backwards like that, how he stood on his tiptoes like that, or how did he lean over that far without falling. Brought back a lot of memories. [img]http://thinkersroom.com/blog/images/moonwalk.gif[/img] [img]http://www.moviecritic.com.au/images/michael-jackson-smooth-criminal-lean1.jpg[/img]

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-26T19:05:46-06:00

ID

149082

Comment

LH, is this the Tonight Show clip of Ed McMahon you were referring to? Funny stuff...

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-26T20:34:08-06:00

ID

149084

Comment

I found this YouTube video which is a video and photo montage of Farrah Fawcett. Go here to view it.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-26T20:45:26-06:00

ID

149085

Comment

L.W., that's the one. The story on the Alpo commercial: when they were getting ready to do this in-show commercial, the regular dog wasn't there and the stand-in dog wasn't hungry. So Johnny came up and did the pooch. One of the best clips ever. The best, of course, being the Johnny Carson and Ed Ames tomahawk incident. :)

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2009-06-26T21:31:19-06:00

ID

149091

Comment

LW, my kids have been asking similar questions as they've watched his videos. I'm always happy to present them with real music from a phenomenal artist like MJ, in contrast to the noisy crap they usually like to listen to playing on the radio these days.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-06-27T07:36:34-06:00

ID

149097

Comment

they say it happens in threes, but I think now, it's fours. tv pitchman billy mays died today. i used to see his infomercials and think "what a clown." but after watching his Discovery Channel show Pitchmen, i realize he is a down-to-earth family man and seemed like and all round good guy. RIP, Billy. can't you hear it now? "hi, BILLY MAYS HERE WITH THE ALL NEW STREETS OF GOLD POLISH! IT SHINES, IT CLEANS, AND IT'S ONLY $19.95!"

Author

2599

Date

2009-06-28T15:05:13-06:00

ID

149098

Comment

2599, I just did a blog entry on Billy Mays. He was annoying to some people, but to me, I liked the fact that he enjoyed his work. He also owned every product he pitched, so he stood behind whatever he sold.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-28T16:55:58-06:00

ID

149099

Comment

I also think the happens-in-threes rule had been broken. Remember David Carradine, Dom DeLuise, Bea Arthur...

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-28T16:57:36-06:00

ID

149100

Comment

LW, He didn't own each product he pitched. Unless you mean "own" as in took full liability for their performance because his name was on the line. If you watch his show Pitchmen on Discovery, the products are owned by the inventors. If you get Billy and Sully (Anthony Sullivan) behind you, though, they take care of everything. Obviously, then, Billy would have gotten a cut. I did hear him say many times on this show that he would not put something out there that he didn't personally agree with or know that it worked.

Author

2599

Date

2009-06-28T18:49:44-06:00

ID

149102

Comment

Oops, wrong choice of words, 2599. I should have said he "used" the products. He actually used OxiClean, etc. in his own home. That shows that he had faith in what he was selling.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-06-28T20:08:12-06:00

ID

149105

Comment

yes, when you put it that way, absolutely. i read somewhere yesterday that he actually gave guests to his home bottles of the different cleaners before they would leave!

Author

2599

Date

2009-06-29T00:15:19-06:00

ID

149228

Comment

Here are some pictures taken during Farrah Fawcett's memorial service. Be sure to look at the program cover, which I think captured the essence of who she was.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-07-01T12:41:07-06:00