Thriller! Good grief, he'll end up with a bigger send-off than Lincoln. The Decline and Fall....

O.J. is in prison, but A.C. was available to reprise his role.

It will still be a slow speed progression, but this time the long line of police will be in front.

Wake me when they get to the part where they auction off his children.

Wow, maybe they could borrow the Popemobile and stand him up in the big glass cage.
Add the glove on the right hand waving to the crowd...

as goofy in death as in life...
Do you suppose there is anything IN the coffin?
The Ringling Circus opens tomorrow at the Staples Center so the elephants are all out back. I think 'wacko Jacko" would like that.

CNN said tickets were being scalped at up to $9000 each. Some on ebay even reached like $275k, but the auction was cancelled.

Adding a new "stage" -- the 6th -- to the death & dying process (which applies to survivors as well)(with apologies to Elizabeth Kübler-Ross):

1) Denial:

* Denial is usually only a temporary defense for the individual. This feeling is generally replaced with heightened awareness of situations and individuals that will be left behind after death. [1]

Example - "I feel fine."; "This can't be happening, not to me."

2) Anger:

* Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy. Any individual that symbolizes life or energy is subject to projected resentment and jealousy. [1]

Example - "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"

3) Bargaining:

* The third stage involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay death. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. Psychologically, the person is saying, "I understand I will die, but if I could just have more time..." [1]

Example - "Just let me live to see my children graduate."; "I'll do anything for a few more years."; "I will give my life savings if..."

4) Depression:

* During the fourth stage, the dying person begins to understand the certainty of death. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the dying person to disconnect themself from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer an individual up that is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed. [1]

Example - "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die . . . What's the point?"; "I miss my loved one, why go on?"

5) Acceptance:

* This penultimate stage comes with peace and understanding of the death that is approaching. Generally, the person in the fifth stage will want to be left alone. Additionally, feelings and physical pain may be non-existent. This stage has also been described as the end of the dying struggle.

Example - "It's going to be okay."; "I can't fight it, I may as well prepare for it."

6) Profiteering:

* This final stage comes with litigation and merchandizing of the death that has occurred. Generally, the person in the sixth stage is quite dead and won't be able to do anything about how their demise will be capitalized upon and exploited. Furthermore, all of the profiteers will declare that the deceased "would've wanted it this way," and "is smiling down on us," and "would be honored." Any sense of irony or guilt or propriety are usually non-existent. This stage has also been described as the beginning of the legacy tour, brought to you by (corporate sponsor).

Example - "Tickets are pre-sale reservation only"; "I can't afford a ticket, I may as well stand outside the arena and twatter about it all -- or better yet, get a network gig doing it!"

Send his ashes into orbit with Bubbles at the helm, on pay per view.

The family had a private memorial at Forest Lawn Cemtery, and I'd bet he was interred there. The casket was symbolic and served as a beginning and end to the public service. Say what you may about the spectacle, but I found it quite dignified and moving. The freak that was his public persona was not there.

Send his ashes into orbit with Bubbles at the helm, on pay per view.

A Don King Production!

Thanks for the hardest laugh I've had in a while. What an image.

The casket was symbolic and served as a beginning and end to the public service. Say what you may about the spectacle, but I found it quite dignified and moving. The freak that was his public persona was not there.

Even with the $25k gold plated casket?

Im surprised Flavor Flav wasnt the MC.

Having actually watched what I expected to be a spectacle, instead seemed pretty appropriate considering his life. Musical interludes by Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Usher, etc.,etc. Eulogies by family and friends including Kobe and Magic, Brooke Shield, etc. His Daughter's final comments left me a bit misty eyed, and I have never been a fan, but who can't relate to a child's love for her father? Yeah, he was far from perfect, but who is? Let me know.

Certainly not Kobe. When I go, please ask him to stay home, or wherever he's cavorting at the time.

Please, just bury the poor man, for better for worse. He had children, which obviously are not biologically his, but who cares. Everyone knows when this is over his family, crewed by his father, will have squeezed the last dime out of this man - pedophile, talent, idiot savant - whatever.

If this family had any pride or respect for this man, they would have had a private service and left it at that. No lottery for tickets. Good Grief.