Well, according to Digital Spy (and I'm not regarding them as bastions of journalistic integrity) it is:
Psychic medium Derek Acorah will attempt to contact Michael Jackson in a live séance on Sky1.
Two newly commissioned shows, Michael Jackson: The Live Séance and Michael Jackson: The Search For His Spirit, will air in November.
June Sarpong will host the events, which aim to give fans "a final chance to connect with their hero". The séance will apparently take place at a secret location which was once inhabited by the 'Thriller' popstar.
If you're not familiar with the oeuvre of Acorah, he's an inexplicably popular, rather silly man who has made a career out of pretending to be possessed by ghosts on television. He also does those appalling 'Is there anybody there?' psychic shows where bereaved people's still-fresh grief is exploited as popular entertainment. All these ghosts or spirits have a Liverpudlian accent for some reason, though he's been known to try and get 'into character' on occasions, with mixed results.
I suppose it's fair enough when you're getting into the character of someone like a deceased 16th century stable lad and saying that he's talking from beyond the grave, but a contemporary figure like Jackson...?
This could end very badly.
In the best (or is it worst?) case scenario, Acorah fails to 'make contact' with the recently dead pop star in the show, but maybe gets through to Elvis or Schubert as second prize, who tell him that Jacko's around and happily singing Billie Jean in heaven.
In the worst (or is it best?) case scenario, Acorah becomes Jackson, adopts a cringeworthy falsetto and says some shit about how much he loves his fans. Who knows? Perhaps Acorah will start moonwalking across the set before launching into a sparkling posthumous version of Man In The Mirror.
Either way, it could be one of the tackiest TV moments in history. I'm not sure what it says about Sky, but it's the sort of crud that even ITV would balk at. Is there a race to the bottom?
7 comments:
I stumbled across Derek's TV show the other day (the one where he stands in an eye-molesting pink studio and offers 'readings' to members of the audience). It was like Cold-Reading for Dummies, with a supplementary course in Stating the Bleeding Obvious.
"Did someone here have a pet that passed away recently? Maybe a dog? You, madam? Yes? Yes! And tell me, when he died, he was quite old wasn't he? Yes? And... And I'm sensing that maybe towards the end... He wasn't as strong as he used to be, yes? Yes, and his legs in particular became weaker, didn't they? Am I right? Yes. But he's telling me that you loved him very much and took good care of him, is that right madam? Yes? Tell me, is that your husband, madam? Yes? Because I'm picking up that sometimes sir, hahaha, you'd give him special little treats and food in secret, wouldn't you? Ahaha! Yes. Well, he's telling me that he's very happy where he is now, and that he's grateful for you looking after him. Ahhhh. Yes."
The séance will apparently take place at a secret location which was once inhabited by the 'Thriller' popstar.
Exeter City Football Ground!
Oh good lord no.
No no no no no no no.
That is all.
I think this is excellent news. Michael Jackson's estate was left in financial ruin, but think of the fee that the estate must be getting for Michael Jackon's posthumous appearance on this show! It may be enough to put all that right and secure his kids' future.
After all, they're not going to have him interviewed on TV and not pay for it, surely? Not to pay him properly for his time would be almost as disrespectful to a dead man as if they were just pretending he was there.
You have got to be fucking kidding me?
Civilisation is crumbling...
Acorah was sacked from Most Haunted for being caught out cheating. A new guy on the programme left fake made up 'clues' around about the place Derek was supposed to be investigating with his magic powers, and Derek repeated them on the show. One of them was an anagram of DEREK FAKER. Google it.
It's a bit weird that a show that exists to pretend places are haunted should sack someone for pretending a place it haunted, but I've never been able to understand this sort of thing.
I particularly enjoyed Derek's Most Haunted 'Mary Loves Dick' routine (probably best you don't google that) particularly the unedited footage which includes a member of the crew asking, once Acorah has finished beggaring about, if his display of hysterical gibbering means Derek wins the money.
So I think we can all see exactly how this will play out. And I for one cannot wait!
Post a Comment