is it posted already?
Transcript: Interview
Robin: "But now, our exclusive interview with Michael Jackson who turns 50 today. Our correspondent, for all things cultural, Chris Connelly spoke to the pop icon on the phone about the ups and downs of his life, career, his future..and Chris, I heard it was a surprising conversation. Do tell!"
Chris Connelly: "Yeah..kind of surreal to be talking to Michael Jackson, especially over the phone in a voice that faded in and out like a radio station when you're driving in a car somewhere. He said he'd take questions about his career and so that's what we talked about..that, and turning the big 5-0."
[Thriller, Victory & Motown 25 footage shown]
Chris: "Still one of the biggest stars in the world and one of the most private. On the eve his 50th birthday, Michael Jackson gave us a rare interview."
Chris: "How do you plan to celebrate your 50th birthday?"
Michael: "Oh, I'll just have some cake with my children and we'll probably watch some cartoons."
Chris: "Facing a personal milestone that finds many people looking back, Jackson is focused on the future which he thinks is brighter than ever."
Chris: "Looking back on your career Michael, what would you have done differently?"
Michael: "I am still looking forward to doing a lot of great things, so that's hard-I think the best is yet to come in my true humble opinion."
[Jackson 5 footage is shown]
Chris: "Well that would take some doing. Consider the electrifying start of his career in 1969 as the eleven-year old front man for the Jackson 5, serving up the catchiest tunes in Motown history with singing and dancing skills that seemed almost unearthly."
[More Jackson 5 footage is shown. A clip of young Michael is shown, being asked who he started listening to, to develop his style. "James Brown," he responds.]
[Cut to picture of Michael with James Brown at the BET awards]
Chris: "4 decades later, seems his taste hasn't changed that much."
[On the phone..]
Michael: "I am just watching a little James Brown show right now."
Chris: "Is that right?"
Michael: "I love James Brown. Yes."
Chris: "As successful as he was with his brothers in the Jackson 5, Michael's career and his sub sequential celebrity exploded when he went solo, leading to he says "the best days of his life." "
[Cuts to footage of the 84 Pepsi Commercial]
Chris: "As you look back on 50 years in your career at what point in your career do you think you were the happiest?"
Michael: "The happiest? The recording of the Thriller and Off the Wall albums. That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world. You know, I enjoyed it very much."
[Cut to Off the Wall footage]
Chris: "While Off the Wall was a huge debut, Thriller would become the biggest success in music history and redefine the landscape of Pop."
[Cut to Thriller footage]
Brian Hiatt from Rolling Stone Magazine: "It sold estimated as many as 100 million copies worldwide. Every household in America, maybe every household worldwide had to have a copy of Thriller. Um..kids wanted to dress like him, dance like him, be him."
[Billie Jean and Beat It footage is shown]
Chris: "Thriller spawned mega-hits like Billie Jean and Beat It which videos MTV and elsewhere kicked down the doors separating black and while artists."
[The Way You Make Me Feel, footage is shown]
Chris: "By the mid 80s, Jackson was every inch the "Thriller," his every appearance setting off a frenzy of fan adulation, his every performance - a jaw dropping marvel, like when he first busted out The Moonwalk."
[Motown 25 footage is shown]
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone Magazine: "He might as well as walked out and flew off the stage. It was one of those things that isn't hyped up. Even when you watch it now, it's astonishing. It is one of the greatest televised performances ever, by anyone."
[Cut to Motown 25's Moonwalk slowed down]
Chris: "Decades later, it's fair to wonder: Can Michael Jackson still do all that? Oh yes he can, he says."
Michael: "Yes because I am expanding a lot of the avenues..people some of the things I do and say "Why don't you show this to the world? People don't know you do these things!" Well, maybe I will."
[Cut to Black or White footage]
Chris: "His difficulties have been well documented but through it all, Jackson's music retains its legions of fans. And of a new generation that has clearly felt his influence..like budding teen star Chris Brown."
[Cut to footage of Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown]
Chris Brown: "Me personally, I've been a fan of his since I was younger so me being able to listen to him and be inspired by his dancing as well as his music actually drives me to be more creative."
Chris: "Jackson says he's a fan too."
Michael: "Some of the younger newer artists- I think Chris Brown is doing wonderful and Timberlake. I really admire what they are doing."
Chris: "Is there anything you sacrificed by having amazing career, 40 years and counting?"
Michael: "A lot of hard work sacrificing your time and your scheduling - your childhood. Giving up your life for the medium."
[Cut to pictures of Michael as a child]
Chris: "Jackson says he wants to give his kids the kind of childhood they never had."
Chris: "Would you like them to have the same kind of upbringing you did in terms of getting into show business at an early age? Or do you want to say "Whoa, take a moment. Enjoy your childhood." "
Michael: "I am letting them enjoy their childhood as much as possible. I really do - I let them go to the arcade and go the movies and do things. I think that comes naturally, I want them to get to do the things I didn't get to do."
Chris: "It must mean a lot to you to be able to see your kids be able to do things you weren't able to do, huh?"
Michael: "Yeah I get pretty emotional when I see them having a wonderful time - when they are on a ride and they are screaming and they are happy and they are running. It makes me emotional."
[Bad footage shown]
Chris: "Still Jackson remains the most elusive pop star of his time..elusive enough to have avoided the one organization that seems to have track down everyone his age."
Chris: "You know when most people turn 50, the AARP find them and sends them an AARP card - have you gotten an AARP card in the mail?"
Michael: (laughs) "Not that I know of."
Chris: "You never know they can find you wherever you are."
Robin: (laughs) "I'm sure he'll be getting a call very soon, Chris. I know you were able to ask him some other questions that we weren't able to share with people but you did ask him who he would want celebrate his birthday with even people that are no longer with us?"
Chris: "Yeah - we asked if he could have anyone around that is no longer around to share this milestone with him and he listed three names - Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and James Brown. Three huge influences on his life obviously."
Robin: (smiles) "I knew James Brown would be in there somewhere. Thank you Chris."
[End of segment]
Originally posted on KOP Board - found German Malibu Forum
