Michael Jackson’s family have claimed that Doctor Conrad Murray – who was of course convicted of the involuntary manslaughter of Jackson – received a four year sentence instead of three years due to his participation in a documentary.

The film, which was entitled, ‘Michael Jackson and The Doctor: A Fatal Friendship’ was made as the Doctor’s trial played out. It aired last month here in the UK on Channel 4, and across the world on various networks.

A source said to be close to Jackson’s family told the Sun, “I hope it was worth it. It cost Murray another year on his sentence.”

Jackson’s family, friends and many fans were outraged by the documentary, in which Murray “showed no remorse” over Jackson’s death, or the circumstances surrounding it.

At the time of Murray’s trial, Jackson’s mother Katherine begged the presiding judge to watch the film… Read more & comment »

John Branca and John McClain, who are both executors of Michael Jackson’s estate, have sent an open letter to NBC and MSNBC blasting their decision to air the documentary ‘Michael Jackson and The Doctor: A Fatal Friendship’.

Branca and McCain claim that the documentary, which will air in the UK on Channel 4 soon, shows Murray “smearing the reputation of his ‘friend’” – the ‘friend’ being Jackson of course – and they further accuse the network’s executives of paying Murray a fee in excess of $1million for taking part in the film.

TMZ and website legendarymichaeljackson both obtained a copy of the letter that was sent to NBC and MSNBC, and in it, Branca and McCain write…

No sooner was Conrad Murray ordered led away in handcuffs after his conviction on manslaughter charges in the death of Michael Jackson than we discovered your MSNBC network inexplicably will showcase him in primetime Friday night as if he is worthy of celebrity… Read more & comment »

Hot on the heels of the news from America that doctor Conrad Murray has been found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of US pop legend Michael Jackson, Channel 4 have announced they are to air a special documentary that spotlights the case.

Since Jackson died in 2009, cameras have been following all the events that led up to Murray’s trial in which he was accused of providing fatal doses of a drug called propofol, which, it was said during the trial, Murray had ordered a massive 15.5 litres of for Michael’s use.

The drug is of course one that is normally only used in clinical settings due to its potency as a sedative.

In ‘Michael Jackson and The Doctor: A Fatal Friendship’ we’ll see footage that was exclusively obtained by October Films featuring Murray it the run up to, and during, his trial… Read more & comment »

Michael Jackson’s children “really like” going to school for the first time.

Prince Michael I, 14, Paris, 13, and nine-year-old Prince Michael II, also known as ‘Blanket’ – who are now in the custody of their grandmother Katherine Jackson following his death from an acute Propofol overdose in July 2009 – are now experiencing a normal education after years of homeschooling and are “enjoying” their life at the moment, according to their aunt La Toya.

She told ‘Access Hollywood’: “For the first time they have gone to school and they really like it, so I’m very happy for them. It’s taught something totally different about people and life. They’re just enjoying themselves.

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Channel 4 have reportedly canceled a special Michael Jackson themed episode of Bo Selecta, over fears that it would upset his family.

The channel are already facing a court case with Michaels former bodyguard, Matt Fiddes, after he claimed that they portrayed him badly in the show ‘The Jacksons Are Coming ‘. They are hoping that the decision to cancel the show, will encourage The Jacksons to back them in their legal battle.

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MTV has won the TV rights to the Michael Jackson movie, This Is It.

Variety has reported that the TV network will retain the rights to the film for six years from 2011.

The concert film shows Jackson rehearsing for a his planned concerts in London O2 Arena. In it’s opening weekend it grossed over $23 million – in the United States alone. With the film’s current worldwide revenue gross of over $196 million, the film is the highest grossing concert movie in history.

ABC will air an interview with Janet Jackson, her first proper interview since the death of her brother Michael.

The show will air during a prime time slot on November 18 and Janet will also be letting a camera crew into her Malibu home for the first time.

Derren Brown has blasted ‘spiritualist medium’ Derek Acorah’s for taking part in a Michael Jackson seance for Sky 1.

Brown wrote on his blog:

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Sky1 have announced that world-renowned psychic medium Derek Acorah will attempt to make contact with Michael Jackson on Sky1 HD in two specially-commissioned shows, MICHAEL JACKSON: THE LIVE SÉANCE and MICHAEL JACKSON: THE SEARCH FOR HIS SPIRIT to be broadcast in November.

The programmes, both presented by broadcaster and Jackson fan June Sarpong, aim to give fans a final chance to connect with their hero, himself a firm believer in psychic ability. Acorah, whose high profile on screen séances have to date been restricted to historical and mythical figures will lead proceedings in MICHAEL JACKSON: THE LIVE SÉANCE; an hour long live special from a secret location familiar to, and previously inhabited by, Jackson and where the famed psychic medium will attempt to contact the music legend.

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In what’s sure to be a controversial move, Leigh Francis will be bringing Michael Jackson back, Bo’ Selecta style.

The Avid Merrion star launches a new Bo’ series on the 24th of September and will be dusting off that MJ mask and adding some angel style wings to make it all a little more realistic.

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The trailer for Michael Jackson’s This Is It documentary is to premiere at the MTV Video Music Awards next week.

The clip will show MJ rehearsing for his stint at London’s O2 Arena in July.

“There’s obviously lots of emotion around Michael and the memory of Michael, but I think it’s going to be a pretty celebratory kind of night all around,” said VMAs executive producer Dave Sirulnick.

The movie’s website will go live at the same time the trailer is shown, and the movie will hit cinemas for two weeks on October 28.

MTV has announced that Janet Jackson will make a special appearance at the “2009 Video Music Awards. ” Janet will pay tribute to her late brother, Michael Jackson at the awards.

Janet, open the entire show with her tribute to honor Michael’s celebrated career. It is not yet clear whether she will be performing.

Michael Jackson was laid to rest last night at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The service was a private event, attended by close family and friends only.

The pictures of the tribute ceremony and stars arriving can be seen below.

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Oprah Winfrey is reportedly planning to dedicate an episode of her talk show to the late singer Michael Jackson.

The tribute show will air in America on the 16th of September and will include excerpts from Oprah’s 1993 interview with the star.

A press release from Harpo Productions said the show would honour “the King of Pop with never-before-revealed personal details” from the interview.

Dermot O’Leary has hit out at the press for continually printing stories about the death of Michael Jackson. The X Factor host thinks that media should spare a thought for the singers children before reporting on every angle of his demise.

O’Leary met Jackson at London’s O2 arena in March this year,when he announced his upcoming ‘This Is It’ residency.

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