Michael Jackson Tribute Ruined By BBC Commentators July 8, 2009
Posted by Ruth in : Music, Ruth's Ramblings , trackbackLast night I spent the evening watching the Michael Jackson tribute on BBC2, and I have to admit, I spent the two hours going through a whole box of tissues as I found the whole thing so moving, but what was up with the BBC commentary?
The reason I am writing this blog is because I want to know if anyone watched the commentary on BBC2? For me, some of the comments made by Trevor Nelson and Paul Gambaccini were just disrespectful and completely uncalled for when millions of people were watching this tribute to their hero.
We do not need remarks such as “bet Simon Cowell will be happy” with regards to the Shaheen Jafargholi performing Who’s Loving You? or “I thought she was to go on for ever and ever” after one of the speeches. Fair enough if they were commentating on a light-hearted event such as Eurovision or something, but this was a memorial, would it hurt to retain a little bit of professionalism.
The BBC are supposed to be a credible news source, but they way these commentators behaved last night was appalling, even I – who isn’t a huge Jackson fan, but appreciates his music and mourns the loss just like millions of others – became angry at their scathing remarks as the night went on.
When Usher walked over and touched the gold casket they couldn’t help but jibe; “I wondered how long it would be until someone came down and touched it.” and then, the final nail in the coffin, if you excuse the pun, had to be after Paris’ emotional speech, when they bantered; “Oh I’ve never heard her before” …. “yeah its her public début”
So, as the world bid a final, and very emotional farewell to a musical genius, the BBC showed their view on the King Of Pop as they made snide comments at every opportunity. It’s a shame that what should have been a celebration of his life, just turned into a sham at the hands of the British taxpayers money.
But please, tell me, am I being over dramatic or do you agree with me?
Ruth.x
I agree with Fiona, above. Blatant racism at its most ugliest.
Just proves that their hatred towards non whites is more prominant than their love for children and music.
The bbc are a bunch of hypocritical overpaid buffoons.
So it’s hardly surprising that they display this type of devious jealousy as a millions of people decided to tune into Sky to watch the life of a musical genius, rather than opt for bbc’s, as per usual, overly funded, boring, repetitive, TV Tax Tax Tax fund!
I haven’t listen to it and glad I didn’t.He was talented person who could sing and dance like the ones he sing Beat It and the Thriller Oh my goodness how about when he did the Moonwalk and sing the song Bad.He was a person who had feelings too.To me they was saying the bad things about him just to get his money.Now maybe they can leave him alone.R.I.P. Michael.
Make sure you guys complain on the BBC site – they need to respond to this.
Disgraceful really….
I watch the Memorial Service of Michael and I cry when his brother sing Smile and I’ll Be There.It broke my heart when his daughter how she loved her daddy and miss him.
TOTALLY AGREE. Trevor Nelson was the instigator for the snide remarks made. He certaintly wasn’t the right person to cover this event as he has not developed the commentary skills needed to capture the emotion and magnitude of such an event.
Quote RASSO
“Bob Geldof came before We are the World’. Well I just checked these facts and unless I am very wrong, MJ did his bit a good 6 months before LiveAid. He started it. Why would they take so much glee in telling us that the American didnt say feed the children first?”
Erm….. because he didn’t! MJ may have co written the We Are The World song in 1985 but it followed the release of Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984 & the commencement of plans for Live Aid. However I do agree with you all about the inane chunterings of Gambaccini and Nelson, they and the BBC should be ashamed
Totally agree that the snide comments were uncalled for, imagine such comments were made at Diana’s memorial/funeral? How much more of an uproar would there have been then? The commentator(s) should be ashamed of themselves.
In mark contrast, the CNN coverage were far more professional and humble in their coverage.
shehen – comment no 49.
We could all argue for hours about the life of Michael Jackson and the number of stations covering the service, but that didnt give the commentators the right to be flippant, cynical and downright disrespectful at the memorial service of someone who has just passed away. And THAT is what we are complaining about!
First of all Michael Jackson going away service was beautiful as well being a black person , or should I say a person of color, that is the traditional service , other than having a preacher that would have preached a sermon, therefore unless you are familiar with other cultures , it is best that we as people allow our silence to shine
I wholeheartedly agree and also wrote to the BBC. I am neither an hysterical fan of MJ or an over-emotional person, but was incensed at the manner in which these two opinionated jackasses behaved. I had previously watched the Sky coverage which was wholly respectful and silent throughout. I then watched a recorded version of the BBC2 coverage last night with a friend from overseas and was so disgusted, i was ashamed to be British. I believe it was, to a degree, this kind of unrelenting media crassness and public humiliation that was inflicted on the fragile star for so long in life that contributed to his untimely and tragic death. To listen to the two cynical, self-opinionated idiots disprespecting him, his beautiful family, not to mention all the millions of viewers and fans who tuned in to pay their last respects, was unforgiveable. It is also equally unbelievable how far our sense of morality has slipped in this country that we have to even ask if we are over-reacting. I attempted to complain to Offcom, but was informed (via Offcom website) that all complaints re the BBC should be sent directly to the BBC. Does anyone know if this is correct? If it is, it sounds as if viewers have no independent form of redress? Please someone tell me I am wrong.
You all made fun of him while he was alive, but now that’s he’s dead there has been an about face. Michael J was wierd, no doubt about it, and he certainly wasn’t the world’s greatest musician. He could sing and dance, end of story. Stop this stupid cult of celebraty.
“Celebrity”… look it up!
People, please, get a grip! Banter or not, tribute or not, it was so boring that I turned off – a memorial (isn’t that like a wake?) is supposed to be a celebration of life, not the sombre affair of a funeral! I liked Michael Jackson’s music, but let’s not get carried away here, wasn’t it just a few years ago that he was condemned by the majority for his behaviour with children?
As for calling him the most influential performer of all time – NO WAY! This has almost got to the ‘godlike, idol’ adulation that the death of Diana had on people and, for me, this is not healthy!
I thought it was awful and couldn’t believe my ears when I heard their comments. I today wrote to the BBC and complained and received the following statement – within 1 hour of sending it. I then came accross this forum – I hadn’t realised that others too were so offended by them. I’m not a massive fan but was appaulled at what I was hearing.
“hanks for your e-mail regarding ‘Michael Jackson Memorial’ broadcast on the 7 July.
We apologise if you were upset or unhappy with the commentary on the Michael Jackson Memorial event. It certainly wasn’t our intention to come across as insensitive or disrespectful in any way and we very much regret if you felt this way.
Unfortunately, the BBC had no control over the event and very little information about its content right up until we went on air. Even after the Memorial began, it proved highly unpredictable with unexpected and unexplained gaps in the event coverage.
The commentators were, therefore, coping with an extremely challenging situation and striving to piece together as much information as possible for viewers. We’re very sorry that in the midst of these difficult circumstances some of their comments appeared misjudged and inappropriate and we hope that this didn’t detract too much from what was an extraordinarily moving Memorial service.
Both Trevor Nelson and Paul Gambaccini are huge fans of Michael Jackson’s music and have enormous respect for the legacy he has created.
We’d like to assure you that we’ve registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.”
Hi, it’s Rob here from comment 15. just thought I’d post the response I had from the BBC. here you go:
Thanks for your e-mail regarding ‘Michael Jackson Memorial’ broadcast on the 7 July.
We apologise if you were upset or unhappy with the commentary on the Michael Jackson Memorial event. It certainly wasn’t our intention to come across as insensitive or disrespectful in any way and we very much regret if you felt this way.
Unfortunately, the BBC had no control over the event and very little information about its content right up until we went on air. Even after the Memorial began, it proved highly unpredictable with unexpected and unexplained gaps in the event coverage.
The commentators were, therefore, coping with an extremely challenging situation and striving to piece together as much information as possible for viewers. We’re very sorry that in the midst of these difficult circumstances some of their comments appeared misjudged and inappropriate and we hope that this didn’t detract too much from what was an extraordinarily moving Memorial service.
Both Trevor Nelson and Paul Gambaccini are huge fans of Michael Jackson’s music and have enormous respect for the legacy he has created.
We’d like to assure you that we’ve registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.
Regards
BBC Complaints
im glad I didn’t watch the bbc2 version. Why did they have people speaking for ? I watched it on Sky News who just let it run… no commentators… only people speaking were those giving speeches, singing… every-time someone came on there was a caption on the screen to say who it was. I don’t think there was any need for commentators… why did we need to hear someone else views throughout the memorial ?, surely that should have been done at the end of it.
have written to BBC to complain, suggest you all do similar !!!
It was ruined by commentators’ crass comments (prob. trying to be anarchic, trendy + controversial ?) yawn …….zzzz……..
I WAS ABSOLUTLEY DISGUSTED. I felt so angry to the point of where i had to put my TV on mute except where the speeches & performances were on.
Paul Gambaccini’s comment after Ushers performance of
“and usher has just caressed the mother” was one of the comments forgotten….along with the MANY OTHERS. I heard BLATANT sniggering during two of the speeches. JUST AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.
I thought it was me being sensitive! I thought Paul Gambercicini was awful!! I could not believe what I was hearing he was so disrespectful. I heard him at one point say something like “thank goodness she’s finished talking, now let’s get back to the music” like it was some kind of concert! He had absolutely no respect for the occasion, the family of Michael Jackson or for the peope listening and watching. He should never be allowed to do anything for the BBC again. I for one will never listen to anything he has to say again and yes, I hope he in particuar is reprimanded by the BBC. I felt that Trevor Nelson to his credit, did try and steer things, and sounded himself at times a litte taken aback by Paul Gambercini’s comments…and I’ve contacted the BBC.
May MJ Rest in Peace. May his Family be Blessed and Be Strong. Long live our memory of all the good brought to the world by MJ – the love, the knowledge of the suffering of the poor and the unfortunate, the kind words, the inspiration, the gentleness in such a harsh world . . .
The commentary was appalling and insulting and insensitive. I’ve always had a lot of respect for the BBC as a professional and unbiased media service…but now my view is drastically changed. I should have watched the ceremony on Sky or CNN. I can’t believe how Trevor and Paul used this as an entertainment show to make casual candid and trivial comments that were insensitive and disrespectful. The family were so considerate by letting us be part of their farewell to Michael, and I expect everyone – for once – to be polite and quiet if they had nothing good to say.
God Bless.
I also agree that Trevor Nelson & Paul Gambercini were V insensitive, firstly to his family & secondly to all his fans.
Their comments seemed totally pointless & as Trevor considers himself a big MJ fan he should of known better than to make cheap pointless remarks.
I wonder if they have both replayed the event & realised how they came across, or are they that arrogant that still have not realised ????
SHAME ON THE BBC COMMENTATORS. NOW WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE R E A L L Y ABOUT. I’m sick of giving your behavior anymore attention. DONE—- THIS IS R FROM UNITED STATES. Ugh !