The King Of Pop: One Year Later

Tomorrow (June 25) will mark the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death and I honestly can’t believe how fast time flies. It seems like it was last week that the Internet was flooded with the news that one of music’s greatest performers had left us. I remember going home and staring at the television for hours watching all the tributes and old videos on MTV and VH1. It was so great to see MJ back on those music channels but so sad that it was because he was gone.

June 25 is also my Dad’s birthday which is interesting since his photos of MJ are some of my favorites. I remember talking to my parents the day Jackson died and they told me a story about running into him and his brothers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the late seventies or early eighties. My Dad, always ready with his camera, took a photo of my Mom with MJ. My parents have countless great music stories but this one was one of their best for sure.

To commemorate MJ’s death there will be slew of specials honoring the man that gave us incredible dance moves, showed us that transforming from kid star to pop icon is possible and reminded us that fame comes at a price.

Here are a few of them in case you want to tune in:

CBS: The Early Show (Friday, June 25, 7-9:00 a.m.) The entire 8 a.m. hour, billed as “The King of Pop: One Year Later,” will see Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, Julie Chen & Co. hosting a special tribute performance by James Morrison in London. Also on hand will be guests Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Smokey Robinson, who will share what Michael Jackson’s music has meant to them.

CNN: Michael Jackson—The Final Days (Friday, June 25, 8-9 p.m.) CNN’s Don Lemon talks with Jermaine and Tito Jackson about their brother’s death and drug abuse. Also on hand is Jackson crony Dr. Deepak Chopra and famed choreographer Travis Payne, who shares details about working with Michael Jackson on preparations for his “This is It!” tour.

MTV: Michael Jackson’s Top 10 Video Countdown (Friday June 25, 5-6:30 p.m., Saturday June 26, 8-9:30 a.m.) MTV determines MJ’s Top 10 videos based on the number of views each has received on MTV.com. The special features running text commentary, Jackson’s VMA performances, and rare interviews he granted MTV.

MTV: Michael Jackson’s Influence on Music (Friday June 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.) A compilation of videos featuring top music artists discussing Michael Jackson’s influence on their work.

TV Guide Network: Gone Too Soon (Friday, June 25, 9-11:00 p.m.) Ian Halperin, New York Times’ No. 1 bestselling author of Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson, spent five years researching Jackson and declared in December 2008 that the King of Pop had only six months to live. He was only off by one day. Halperin directs this documentary about the factors that he believes contributed to Jackson’s untimely death.