邁克爾·傑克遜一直在努力贏回“流行音樂之王”的頭銜。當你已經在這個圈子裏幹了35年，而且其中大多數時間都作為這個圈子中的一個傳奇而存在的話，你就知道怎麼找到門道。至少邁克爾·傑克遜做到了。
“流行音樂之王”每走一步都不簡單，當他出現在貝弗利山豪華酒店的時候亦不例外。他遲到了2個小時。先進來的是他的保鏢，他們做了一系列的安全檢查，包括窗簾後面、壁櫥裏和浴室。然後保鏢們把燈調暗。但門終於敞開的時候，進來的不是邁克爾，而是兩個沖進來的小孩子：Prince，4歲，他的深色頭發漂成了金色；而3歲的Paris，肩上跳動著褐色的卷發。最後，他們的父親出現了。
他的樣子一如既往：他雕塑般的臉頰，一雙鹿一般眼睛，他像平時一樣以那種獨一無二的眼神凝視著我們。他很瘦，穿著一件藍色的軍式襯衣，招牌式的短黑色褲子配白色的襪子。然後是他的鼻子--今天，在他那著名的鼻子上，貼著一塊醫用繃帶。
“是止痛貼，”他解釋說，聲音很輕但非常自然，“因為過敏了。”
他的孩子們就在他腳邊的地板上玩耍，而他則禮貌地以一種迷人的獨有姿態談起他的生活。他是一個對媒體壓力既感氣憤又能夠自我解嘲的人，這也許是邁克爾最令人驚訝的地方。有個時候，當想到在演唱會上女孩子們在他面前暈倒的情景，他不禁咯咯地笑了起來。
當然，他又有些憂心忡忡。43歲了，他正處於他事業的交叉路口上，正在努力使自己從80年代的偶像轉變成為當代流行世界的統治者。他回歸的第一步就是最近在麥迪遜廣場花園的兩場演唱會，這是他12年來在美國的第一次公開表演。這場演出被錄製成長達2個小時的電視特別節目“邁克爾·傑克遜:獨唱生涯30周年慶典”於東部時間11月13日晚9點在CBS播出。現在他正在焦急地等待他的最新專輯《萬夫莫敵》（Invincible）的反應（至截稿止，首支單曲“You Rock My World”已登上Billboard熱門歌曲榜的第10名。該曲的音樂錄影也在MTV臺反復播放）；此外，他還自己譜寫製作了一首和“We Are The World”相似的作品“What More Can I Give”，這首歌已成為獻給“ 911”事件受害者們的公益歌曲。他還會在明年夏天上映的電影《黑超特警隊2》（Men in Black 2）中客串一把。
最後，是一個作為父親的邁克爾，他和他孩子之間的深厚感情和他自己的童年給我們留下了最深刻的印象。
————————————————————————————————————————————
TVG：這個電視特輯慶賀了你漫長的職業生涯。你還記得你第一次登臺的情景嗎？
MJ： 我5歲的時候。那是學校的一次公開演出。我們得穿上白襯衣和短褲。我記得當時他們宣佈說：“現在小邁克爾要為大家演唱一曲“Climb Every Mountain”。我得到了最熱烈的掌聲。當我回到座位上時，我的祖父和媽媽都哭了。他們說：“（我們）簡直不敢相信你唱得這麼好！”這是我記憶中的第一次。
TVG：對你來說做電視節目很不尋常啊。
MJ：我已經回掉了很多，因為我不喜歡上電視，我覺得尷尬。若我做了一場表演的話，要到 一兩 年後我才會去看它，因為我總會對一些東西感到失望。
TVG：那場演出囊括了許多的大牌明星，一定不會讓人感到失望的。
MJ：第二場還好，第一場很糟糕，因為技術上的原因，有很多次演出被打斷中止，而每個歌手之間的表演也有很多冷場，很困難。觀眾們一直在等啊等啊等。
TVG：當你在舞臺上起舞的時候是怎樣的感覺？
MJ：我是節奏的奴隸，一塊調色板，任意而為。你必須如此，因為如果你在此刻思考的話，那你就死了。表演不是思考，而是感覺。
TVG：舞步是你自己設計的嗎？
MJ：有些舞步是我和兄弟們一起設計的。但當我一個人的時候，一切都是即興的。沒有什麼是計劃中的。現在所有的舞蹈學校都在教孩子們一些套路，這是完全錯誤的。
TVG：你認為目前的流行組合，例如N'Sync怎樣？他們是在模仿你嗎？
MJ：我認為他們是非常棒的歌手。我非常瞭解他們，我們每隔一陣子就會湊在一起有說有笑。他們在模仿（我）沒有關系啊，這其實是一種贊美。每個人起步的時候總會把某些人尊為自己的楷模。對我來說就是James Brown、Sammy Davis Jr.、Jackie Wilson、Fred Astaire、Gene Kelly。
TVG：這次的特別嘉賓竟然是馬龍·白蘭度，你是怎樣邀請到他的？
MJ：白蘭度是我的好朋友，我認識他有20年了。他經常光顧我家，喜歡和我的孩子們玩，而我就和他的孫子們一起玩。我們還喜歡一起看電影。
TVG：此外你還喜歡和誰一起消遣？
MJ：伊麗莎白（泰勒）、白蘭度、Gregory Peck，他們都是我非常親密的朋友。他們有的比我大很多，有的比我小很多。我從沒真正和我一樣年齡段的人們交流過。我想這可能是因為我的一生都在俱樂部裏度過，從5歲時起，我就在那兒看人們喝酒、打架，這都是如此令人厭惡。現在當有人對我說：“嘿，我們去俱樂部玩吧！”我會說：“沒門。”如果我去了，那對我來說就不會再是個派對，而是數不清的簽名和合影。
TVG：關於演唱會後你在Tavern on the Green飯店舉行的派對上發生的事的傳言，是真的嗎？
MJ：那時的情況更糟，我不能呼吸，因為到處都是擁擠的人群。
TVG：你暈倒了嗎？
MJ：那是謠言，危言聳聽，憑空捏造的。和通常一樣，他們喜歡這樣寫我。
TVG：到底發生了什麼呢？
MJ：什麼也沒有。我沒有暈倒，甚至連一點要暈倒的跡象也沒有。長久以來，他們就愛這麼幹，真討厭（轉頭看著Paris，她正圍著咖啡桌又蹦又跳。他溫柔地對她說道：Paris，別吵，不……別撞桌子。正在錄音呢！）
TVG：Liza Minnelli也參加了其中的一場演唱會，你們倆看起來很親密啊。
MJ：我每週都和Liza通電話。我們是從同一個星球上來的，伊麗莎白也是。
TVG：那是個什麼樣的星球？
MJ：那是個叫做Capricious Anomaly（反復無常之所）的星海之地。（笑）哎呀，我叫不出名字,我想是在我們的太陽系以外。但這是真的，不那麼容易被接受。那些童星出身的人們總有很多共同點。你很可愛，人們就愛你；你尷尬地長大後，人們就不再接受你了。很少人可以轉變成為成人明星，而大多數人都自暴自棄了。這令人非常的難過。
TVG：那你是怎樣避免自暴自棄的？
MJ：我想是因為信仰。
TVG：你還是一名耶和華見證教的信徒嗎？
MJ：是的。你知道，我們所謂的先驅傳教，每個月要做90個小時。我無法做到那麼多，因為我很忙。你得挨家挨戶地去。我會穿上一件肥肥的外套，大大的眼鏡，假鬍子，大齙牙，還有如一個非洲式的假發。然後我會去敲門說我們是耶和華見證教的信徒。
TVG：這次的特刊節目是伴隨著你的第七張個人專輯《萬夫莫敵》（Invincible）一起推出的。這算是你的回歸嗎？
MJ：我不把它看作是回歸，我只是每四年發行一張專輯，這得有個創作期。
TVG：這張專輯中有說唱明星Will Smith和Jay-Z的客串。很難想像你和Jay-Z一起工作，他的形象可比你粗暴多了。
MJ：他很可愛。你可能什麼時候聽說過一些關於這些說唱歌手所做的瘋狂的事情，但那很難讓人相信。我看見的他們總是很友好，完全是紳士。
TVG：專輯的第一首歌“Unbreakable”是想傳達什麼樣的資訊？
MJ：（我是）無敵的。我經歷了一切，你不能傷害我。你將我打倒，我會還擊（轉向Prince，他把咖啡桌上的檸檬水弄得丁當作響）。看看你弄的噪音。你應該乖乖的，安靜點兒。
TVG：你以古怪而著名，是為了引人注目嗎？
MJ：（害羞地笑了）那就得看你所說的是哪種古怪了。
TVG：人們叫你怪人傑克（Wacko Jacko）。
MJ：但那一點都不好聽！他們之所以那樣做是因為妒忌，我並沒有做什麼。我只是去了醫院和孤兒院而已。我們帶去大袋大袋的玩具。我為此花了成千上萬的美元，這有什麼怪的嗎？
TVG：因為在媒體中你被那樣地描繪，所以人們就會想知道：“他真的那麼怪嗎？”
MJ：（被激怒了）我接受過Oprah的采訪。我接受過Diane Sawyer的采訪。（人們）都看見我了，（而媒體）則完全是妒忌。這只是我不得不對付的事情之一。
TVG：那你是怎麼對付它的？
MJ：我把它轉變為實際的能量。我將它寫在歌曲中，融入舞蹈裏；它就在我的行動上，我臉上的表情中，成為我的一部分，我創作的一部分。我努力不讓它影響到我，因為如果你不這樣，你就會發瘋的。
TVG：你首支單曲“Your Rock My World”的音樂錄影實際是一部15分鐘的小電影。你是怎麼想到匪幫這個主題的？
MJ：我不知道，念頭總是一下子跳出來的--在古巴，炎炎夏日的夜晚，在一個由這幫痞子們經營的俱樂部裏。我只是希望MTV臺可以播放長篇的版本。我根本就不喜歡短的版本，它不夠味道。
TVG：在這支錄影的製作中你參與了多少？
MJ：當人們提起邁克爾·傑克遜的時候，總認為他只是個娛樂人物，而不考慮我能寫歌的事實。我並不是在吹牛，但我的確寫了不少，還導演了許多的錄影。我並不認為年輕的歌手們精通這些東西，但我想我可以對他們有所啟發。
TVG：當你在製作這個錄影的時候，你是不是在想：“我要做一個和‘Thriller’一樣棒的錄影！”
MJ：不，因為我知道我沒有那個時間，接下來的幾支會更好些。
TVG：你讓你的孩子們看MTV嗎？
MJ：到了特定的年齡時我會的，但現在不，怎麼也得等他們十五六歲吧。
TVG：那你看電視嗎？
MJ：我愛PBS，Discovery（探索）頻道，Simpson（辛普森）家族。我還喜歡“芝麻街”，我能看上幾小時。但我最喜歡的節目是“Malcolm in the Middle”（馬爾科姆一家）。它讓我想起那麼多（我和我兄弟）小時候的事情。
TVG：你喜歡裏面的哪個角色？
MJ：Malcolm，主要是因為他努力想融入社會，但他不能就像E.T.或者班比一樣。他無法適應他人的概念。我常常有那種感覺，一旦離開了舞臺，我就感到不自在，就像沒有我的容身之處一樣。
TVG：你的哪個孩子最像你？
MJ：兩個都像，但在不同的方面。Prince喜歡捉弄人，以至有時你想扯扯他的頭發。我以前總是喜歡捉弄我的姐妹。
TVG：那Paris呢？
MJ：她是個很堅強的孩子。
TVG：他們的母親，Debbie Rowe呢？（一名前護士，她和傑克遜的婚姻從1996年延續至1999年，1994年至1996年間傑克遜和他的第一個妻子Lisa Marie Presley在一起。）
MJ：我聽說她過得不錯，她挺好的，Paris就像Debbie一樣堅強。
TVG：關於你的財務狀況，有謠言說你破產了，所以你的演唱會門票要定高價。
MJ：那是小報垃圾，他們胡編亂造的，他們在為了銷量而找些東西來說。
TVG：在現在的世界形式下，你肯定很關心孩子。當（911）恐怖襲擊發生的時候你就在紐
約，對吧？
MJ：是的，我接到越洋電話說美國被襲擊了。我說：“你們在說些什麼啊？”他們說：“快看新聞。”我不敢相信我看到的一切。然後我從走廊裏高叫著跑下去：“每個人，快，起來！我們得離開這兒！”然後所有人都穿好衣服，我們鉆進車，離開了紐約。
TVG：本次襲擊促使你譜寫和製作了一首全明星錄制的歌“What More Can I Give”以支援受害者（預定參與表演的明星包括Reba McEntire、 Celine Dion、Bozy II Men, Mariah Carey、Ricky Martin、Gloria Estefan、Usher等）。
MJ：我痛恨這如此惡劣的襲擊。我不知道是不是因為電視新聞裏播放了太多遍的緣故，我們的感受是從害怕到憎恨到憤怒再到復仇，而我想媒體對此有很大干係。
TVG：我們聽說你正計劃和布希總統談有關這首歌和它的受益問題。
MJ：我和老布希談過，我們很快將和總統通電話。他們說他們為我所做的一切感到驕傲，還說我是個國際英雄。
TVG：看起來你的使命就是幫助他人。
MJ：是的，我總是這樣做的。有趣的是，由於此次恐怖襲擊，每個人都在努力重編和找這種題材的歌。我在表演生涯中一直都這樣做的：“Heal The World”、“We Are The World”、“Will You Be There”、“Man In The Mirror”；還有關於我們星球的“Earth Song”。除了我沒有人在這樣做，因為這是我心之所在，我在意。我最大的夢想就是能有個“兒童節”--以此能加強孩子們和他們的父母間的聯系。
TVG：你的孩子到哪里都跟著你嗎？
MJ：我去哪兒他們去哪兒。
TVG：當他們開始上學，就不能這樣到處旅行了，那會怎麼樣呢？
MJ：我會在Neverland建一個電腦學校，讓他們和其他的孩子一起。
TVG：這麼說他們可以在網上上學了？
MJ：是的，試問他們怎麼能走入社會呢？他是Prince Michael Jackson，她是ParisKatherine Michael Jackson，那實在太困難了！
TVG：為什麼你認為你對孩子們會有這樣的影響力呢？
MJ：我會詳細告訴你這是怎麼來的，因為我沒有童年。當他們痛苦的時候，我能感到他們的痛苦。而當他們絕望的時候，我能感到他們的絕望。我非常地關注這種情況以及當今我們孩子們的狀況。如果有一天孩子們可以和父母們相處緊密的話，那就會很不同了。如果我可以有一天的時間和我的父親相處的話，那麼我們今天的關系就會有所不同了--哪怕一天。
TVG：你和你父親的關系如何？
MJ：現在好了很多了，他變得更好相處了。這是他有孫子後發生的變化，他現在有30多個孫子啦。
TVG：你父親認為你的演出怎麼樣？他參加了嗎？
MJ：他參加了。但對于我父親來說，如果他覺得你的演出還做得不錯的話，他就會說，“還不錯。”他不會說：“啊，你幹得太棒了。”我想他不懂得如何表達感情（邁克爾看著Prince，他把一個橡膠球粘在他的鼻子上滿屋子地爬，嘴裏一邊??作響，一邊戳戳一些記者的臉頰）。
MJ：（溫柔地）Prince，噓，你答應過我你會安安靜靜的，記得嗎？
TVG：你還想在你的事業生涯中作些什麼呢？
MJ：我熱愛電影，我會做更多的導演和表演，我覺得世界上最有力的藝術表達方式就是電影。我想和Liza Minnelli演部電影，我們正在計劃。影片內容是關於兩個努力奮鬥想要出人頭地的藝人的故事；但他們到處被人拒絕，裏面會有最棒的舞蹈，我不是在開玩笑。因為我看得到，我在這裏感覺得到（他指著他的心，與此同時，Prince步履蹣跚地穿過房間，坐在他父親腳邊。Paris爬上Jackson的膝蓋，蜷著身子坐在那裏，而他則撫摸著她的頭發）。
TVG：邁克爾·傑克遜當父親了，這是我們所沒有見過的一個形象，你是個好父親嗎？
MJ：我盡了我的全力。我努力帶給他們許多樂趣。有一年我穿成一個小丑的樣子，帶著整套行頭--假鼻子，油彩，然後我給他們發糖果和曲奇餅幹。
Prince：（微笑著）還有霜淇淋。
MJ：還有霜淇淋！
TV Guide interview
01 November 2001 When you have been in show business 35 years - when you have been a legend in show business for much of that time - you know how to make an enterance. At least Michael Jackson does. The King of Pop doesn't simply arrive anywhere, and his appearance in a lush room at the pricey Beverly Hills Hotel is no exception. He is two hours late. He is preceeded by his bodyguard, whose security check includes peeks behind curtains and into closets and bathrooms. Then the guard dims the lights. When the door finally swings open, it is not Jackson but two small children who bolt into the room: Prince, 4, whose dark hair is bleached blond, and Paris, 3, whose brown curls tumble to her shoulders. Finally, their father arrives.
His image is ubiquitous - his sculpted face and doe eyes peer at us from supermarket stands seemingly daily - and yet unique. He's slight, wearing a blue military shirt and his trademark short black pants and white socks. And then there is his nose. His famous nose, which, on this day, is covered by gray bandages.
"It is analgesic tape," he says, quietly but good-naturedly. "For allergies."
With his children playing on the floor by his feet, he talks about his life, politely and with an amazing sense of poise and self-possession. He is a man at time indignant about the press but able to laugh at himself, which may be the most surprising thing about Michael Jackson. At one point, he doubles over giggling at the thought of how at concerts women have fainted in his presence.
And yet he is aprehensive. At 43, Jackson is at a crossroads in his career, urgently trying to transform himself from '80s icon to a player in the current pop scene. His first step in a climb back to the top were the two recent concerts at Madison Square Garden , his first public performances in America in 12 years. They have been edited into a two-hour television special titled Michael Jackson: 30th Annviersary Celebration airing Tuesday, November 13 (CBS, 9 PM/ET). He is anxiously awaiting reaction to his latest album, Invincible [at press time, its first single, "You Rock My World" had reached No. 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart, while the video has been an MTV staple]. In addition, he has written and is producing a "We Are The World"-type song called "What More Can I Give?"; its proceeds will benefit victims of September 11 attacks. And he will make a cameo in next summer's film sequel "Men In Black 2".
In the end, it was Michael Jackson the father, a man deelp connected to his children and his own childhood, who left the most lasting impression.
tv guideThis television special celebrates your long career. Do you remember the first time you ever stepped onstage?
Michael
I was 5 years old. And it was at a public school recital. We had to wear white shirts and short knickers. And I remember them saying, "Little Michael Jackson is coming up to sing 'Climb Every Mountain.'" I got the biggest applause. When I went to my seat my grandfather and mother were crying. They said, "[We] can't believe how beautiful you sound." That's the first one I remember.
tv guide It's rare for you to do a TV special.
Michael
I've turned down so many because I just don't like to go on television. I get embarrassed. So I'll do a performance, but I won't watch it until almost a year or two later because I'm always disapointed in something I did.
tv guideThe concerts that were filmed for this special were packed with big stars. That couldn't have been disapointing.
Michael
The [second] show was good. [The first show] was horrible because, technically, there were a lot of breakdowns and intermissions in between each act. It was very difficult. The audience was waiting and waiting and waiting.
tv guideWhat does it feel like when you're dancing onstage?
Michael
I am a slave to the rhythm. I am a palette. I just go with the moment. You've got to do it that way because if you're thinking, you're dead. Performing is not about thinking; it's about feeling.
tv guide Do you plan the dance steps?
Michael
Certain steps are set with my brothers. But when I'm alone, it's all improvised. Nothing is planned, ever. All the dance schools now teach kids to count, and that's completely wrong.
tv guide What do you think about current pop groups like N'Sync? Are they imitating you?
Michael
I think they're very good singers. I know them very well, and we hang out every once in a while and laugh and play. I have no problem with them imitating [me]. It's a compliment. Everybody has to start out looking up to someome. For me it was James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly.
tv guide The special feaures an appearance by Marlon Brando. How did he get involved?
Michael
Brando's a good friend of mine. I've known him for about 20 years. He comes to my house all the time. He loves to play with the kids. I play with his grandchildren, and we love to watch movies.
tv guide Who else do you spend time with?
Michael
Elizabeth [ Taylor ], Brando, Gregory Peck, these are very close friends of mine. Either they're much older than me or much younger. I've never had real contact with a person my age level. I think this happened because all my life I played clubs, since I was 5 years old. I saw people drunk, fighting, and it was just disgusting. When people say to me today, "Hey, lets go to a club," I go, "No way." If I go, it's not a party for me - too many autographs and photographs.
tv guide Was that true at your postconcert party at [the] Tavern on the Green restaurant?
Michael
It was worse then - I couldn't breathe because everybody [was crowding around].
tv guide And you fainted?
Michael
That's a rumor. It was sensationalism. [The press] made it up. As usual. They love doing that to me.
tv guide What did happen?
Michael
Nothing. I didn't faint. Not even close. [The press has] done his for so long, and it's disgusting. [Gently, to Paris , who is skipping around the coffee table] Paris , you can't make noise. You can't - no, don't bump the table. [The reporters are] tape recording.
tv guide Liza Minnelli also sang at your tribute concerts. You two seem very close.
Michael
I speak to Liza every week. We come from the same planet. Like Elizabeth does.
tv guide What planet is that?
Michael
It's called Capricious Anomaly in the Sea of Space . [laughs]. Gee, I can't name it. Just beyond our solar system, I think. But this is true, and this is not to be taken lightly: People who grew up as child stars have the same thing in common. You're cute, they love you; you go through the awkward stage, they don't accept you anymore. Very few make the transition to adult star. And most of them become self-destructive. And it's very sad.
tv guide How did you avoid self-destruction?
Michael
I think religion entered in?
tv guide Are you still a Jehovah's Witness?
Michael
Yeah. I've done, you know, we call it pioneering. We do 90 hours a month. I don't do as much now because I'm busy. You go door to door. I wear a fat suit, pop-bottle glasses, mustache, buck teeth, and, like, an Afro wig. And I knock on the door and say we're Jehovah's Witnesses.
tv guide This special is in conjunction with the launch of your seventh solo album, Invincible. Is this your comeback?
Michael
I don't see it as a comeback. I only do an album every four years. It's just that I've been on hiatus, writing.
tv guide The album features rap stars Wil Smith and Jay-Z. It's hard to imagine you working with Jay-Z, whose image is a bit rougher than yours.
Michael
[He] was just so sweet. And you hear these crazy stories about something [some of these rappers] did the next day, and it's hard to believe. I always see them to be very kind. Perfect gentlemen.
tv guide What's the message of "Unbreakable", the first song on the album?
Michael
That [I'm] invincible, that I've been through it all. You can't hurt me. Knock me down, I get back up. [To Prince, who begins to bang his Snapple lemonade on the coffee table] See the noise you're making? You've got to be nice and quiet.
tv guide You are known fr being eccentric. Did growing up in the limelight have something to do with that?
Michael
[Smiling coyly] It depends on what kind of eccentricities you're talking about.
tv guide People call you Wacko Jacko.
Michael
But that's not nice. They do that because they're jealous. I haven't done anything. I go to hospitals and orphanages. And we take huge bags of toys. I spend thousands of dollars. What's so wacko about that?
tv guide Because of the way you are portrayed in the press, people wonder, "Is he strange?"
Michael
[Exasperated] I did Oprah. I did Diane Sawyer. [People] saw me. [The press] is just completely jealous. And it's just one of those things that I have to deal with.
tv guide How do you deal with it?
Michael
I turn it into positive energy. And I write about it; it's in my movement, it's in the expression on my face. And it becomes a part of me, part of my creation. And I try not to let it get to me. Because if you do, you'll go crazy.
tv guide Your first video, for the single "You Rock My World", is actually a 15-minute short film. How did you come up with a gangster theme?
Michael
I don't know - the idea just kind of happened. In Cuba . Hot summer night. A club run by these hoods. I just wish [MTV] would show the long version. The short version I don't like at all. It's not entertaining enough.
tv guide How much are you involved in the video-making process?
Michael
When you say Michael Jackson, people always think of an entertainer. They don't think of the fact that I write songs. I'm not trying to brag, but I write them, and I direct a lot of [the videos]. I don't think [younger artists] are aware of those things, which I think would be inspiring for them.
tv guide When you were making this video, did you think, "I want this to be as good as the one for 'Thriller'"?
Michael
NO, because I know I didn't have the time to execute that. There are ones that are coming up that will be better.
tv guide Do you let your kids watch MTV?
Michael
At a certain age I will, not now. They are going to have to be 15 or 16.
tv guide Do you watch TV?
Michael
I love PBS, the Discovery Channel, The Simpsons. I love Sesame Street . I could watch it for hours. But my favorite show is Malcolm in the Middle. It reminds me so much of [my brothers and me] when we were little.
tv guide Which character do you relate to?
Michael
Malcolm. Mainly because he tries to fit into society, and he doesn't - like E.T. or Bambi, he can't adjust to other people's concepts. And I feel like that a lot of times. Once I'm offstage, I feel awkward, like this is not where I'm supposed to be.
tv guide Which one of your kids is most like you?
Michael
Both, but in different ways. Prince likes to tease, to the point where you want to pull his hair. I always used to tease my sisters all the time.
tv guide And Paris?
Michael
She's the tough one.
tv guide How is their mother, Debbie Rowe? [A former nurse, she was married to Jackson from 1996 to '99. Jackson was married to his first wife, Lisa Marie Presley, from 1994 to '96]
Michael
I heard she's doing good, she's fine. Paris is strong like Debbie.
tv guide Regarding your finances, there are rumors that you are bankrupt and that's why you charged high prices for the concert tickets.
Michael
That's tabloid garbage. They make things up. They're looking for something to sell a paper.
tv guide With the state of the world right now, you must be concerned for the kids. You were in New York when the terrorists attacked, right?
Michael
Yeah, I got a call from overseas that said America 's being attacked. I said, "What are you talking about?" They said, "Turn on the news." And I couldn't believe what I saw. And I screamed down the hallway, "Everybody, quick, get up, we've got to go." And everybody got dressed, and we got in the car and drove farther out [from the city].
tv guide The attacks prompted you to write and produce an all-star recording of the song "What More Can I Give" to benefit the victims. [Reba McEntire, Celine Dion, Bozy II Men, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Usher are among the artists scheduled to perform.]
Michael
I was sick over the notoriety of the attacks. I don't know if [television news] played it too many times, but we went from fear to hate to anger to vengeance. And I think the media had a lot to do with that.
tv guide We hear you are planning to talk to President Bush about the song and its proceeds.
Michael
I talked to [Bush] senior. We have a phone call coming up very soon with the president. They told us that they're very proud of what I'm doing and that he said I'm an international hero.
tv guide Your mission seems to be about helping people.
Michael
I've always done that, yes. It's funny now, because of the this [terrorist] attack, everybody is trying to regroup, find songs about this kind of stuff. I've done it all my career: "Heal The World", "We Are The World", "Will You Be There", "Man In The Mirror", about the planet, earth songs. And nobody was doing it but me because that's where my heart is. I care. My biggest dream is to have a Children's Day, where children can bond with their parents.
tv guide Do your kids travel with you everywhere?
Michael
Everywhere I go.
tv guide What will happen when they start school and can't travel as much?
Michael
I'm going to build a computer school on the grounds [of Neverland, Jackson 's estate]. With other children.
tv guide So they can go to school online?
Michael
Yeah. How can they go into society? He's Prince Michael Jackson. She's Paris Katherine Michael Jackson. It would be too difficult.
tv guide Why do you think you have such an affinity for children?
Michael
I'll tell you exactly where it comes from. Because I never had a childhood. When they're in pain, I feel their pain. And when they're in despair, I feel their despair. I have such concern about the plight and the state of our children today. If there was one day where kids could get with parents and bond, this would make such a difference. If I had that one day with my father, it would have made a difference in our relationship today - just the one day.
tv guide What is your relationship with your father?
Michael
It's much better now. He's a much nicer person now. He's mellowed out a lot since he's had grandchildren, you know. He has thirtysomething grandkids now.
tv guide What did your dad think of the concert special? Was he there?
Michael
He was at the show. But my father, if he feels you've done a good show, he'll just go, "Good show". He won't say, "Oh, you did wonderful." I don't think he know's how to show affection. [Michael looks at Prince, who is crawling around the room with a rubber ball stuck on his nose, chattering and poking certain reporters on the cheek.] [Sweetly]Prince, shh! You promised me you'd be quiet, remember?
tv guide What else do you want to do with your career?
Michael
I love movies. I'm going to direct more and act more. I feel the most powerful artistic expression in the world is film. I want to do a film with Liza Minnelli. We are planning a movie together. It's about two struggling entertainers trying to make it; they get turned away everywhere they go. With some of the best dancing ever. I'm not joking. Because I see it, I feel it here. [Points to his heart. Meanwhile, Prince toddles across the room and sits at his father's feet. Paris crawls into Jackson 's lap and sits there curled up, while he strokes her hair.]
tv guide Michael Jackson as a father. It is an image we never see. Are you a good father?
Michael
I try my hardest. I try to bring them a lot of fun. Once a year I dress up like a clown, with the whole gear - the nose, the paint. And I give them candy and cookies. [ Prince smiling says : And ice cream]. And ice cream!
沒有留言:
張貼留言