FoxNews Now Playing Michael Jackson Videos Without News

Great.

Shep Smith is playing about a minute and a half to two minutes of Michael Jackson videos, without any reportage or over-talk, in between minute-long shots of the crowds at Neverland or wherever.

The only "news" on display during these MTV flashbacks is their chyron and crawl, which simply repeats the news that Michael Jackson's condition remains stable, and dead.

Yes, there are ratings to consider. There is also integrity and newsworthiness to consider. This story is no longer breaking and, for obvious reasons, not likely to take a sudden dramatic turn.

It's a story. You note it. You do a quick retrospective. You interview some friends. And then you move on.

More Pills: Jackson's own spokesman -- well, former spokesman now -- hints pills may in fact have been involved.

Shep Smith is now interviewing a former Jackson attorney who drops the bombshell revelation that Michael Jackson's father was very proud of the Jackson 5.

BREAKING: The attorney reveals that her "heart goes out" to Jackson's fans, whose lives, we are informed, largely turned on what music Michael Jackson was making.

BREAKING: "It's a very sad day." The attorney reveals that it's a sad day especially for his parents.

BREAKING: MUST CREDIT ACE: Former stunt-wife Lisa Marie Presley also says it's very sad.

BREAKING: Snap poll of Jackson confederates interviewed by Shepard Smith reveals that 37% of respondents say this is "sad," 44% are "shocked," and 26% are "stunned."

BREAKING: This is so hugely important even Iranian resisters can talk of nothing else.

BREAKING: Michael Jackson was very "excited" about his upcoming tour, and believed it would return him to his former prominence. Just like his previous much-hyped tours did.

BREAKING: Liz Smith notes that he didn't need to invent "new moves." His fans just loved his old ones.

BREAKING: Liz Smith "goes there:" Outpouring of grief over Michael Jackson's death will rival or exceed that demonstrated after assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

BREAKING: Shep Smith now interviewing former FoxNews anchorbabe Arthel Neville. She reveals she had his posters on his wall when a little girl. She reports "shivers" on her body as she realized he was dead.

BREAKING: "My heart is overcome with sadness." So says former "date" Brooke Shields.

I'm waiting for the "con" side on the important national debate over whether this is sad.

posted by Ace at 07:03 PM

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