WHAT KILLED Michael Jackson?
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office knows. But it’s not telling.
The coroner’s office said yesterday that police have asked for the cause and manner of Michael’s death to remain sealed while detectives investigate events leading up to his death.
Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter declined to comment on when the results might be released and said his office would not respond to questions about it.
* Vienna’s majestic 14th-century Schoenbrunn Palace, once home to Emperor Franz Joseph, will serve as the backdrop for what organizers billed yesterday as a “global” farewell tribute to Michael next month.
World Awards Media GmbH, the promoter, said members of Michael’s family and a “high-profile lineup of international stars” will perform on a multimedia stage built in the shape of a giant crown on the palace grounds. Forget Wiener schnitzel. Austria will now be famous for cheese.
“For one incredible night Michael Jackson’s unforgettable music will be brought to life again,” World Awards Media said on its Web site. “Some of the world’s leading artists will perform Michael’s greatest hits live in Vienna in front of one of the most fascinating historical sites in Europe and celebrate the life of the ‘King of Pop.’ “
Jermaine Jackson said recently that Vienna was special for Michael, who “loved castles.” Tickets go on sale Aug. 20. The palace has enough standing room to accommodate 85,000 people. The daily Oesterreich said giant screens would be set up in parks around Vienna to handle the expected overflow.
* As for Michael’s movie . . .
Very busy L.A. Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff yesterday approved a Friday deal among Michael’s estate, promoter AEG Live and Columbia Pictures. A proposed contract states that the movie will feature footage of Michael’s final rehearsals for his planned series of London concerts. The film could also include videos prepared for display during the shows.
AEG Live has said it has more than 100 hours of footage, which would make for one very long movie – but imagine the DVD extras.
Under the terms of the proposed contract, the film will have to be screened for Michael’s estate and cannot include any footage that puts him in a bad light.
Columbia Pictures paid $60 million for rights to the film, and Michael’s estate is slated to receive 90 percent of its profits.
Yeah, but they’re movie “profits,” so the film will have to gross around a trillion dollars.