MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL PHOTOS.

I think Michael would have been so proud of his adorable kids today...as well as his family and fans. Today's memorial service was beyond beautiful. Sad yet uplifting. Emotional yet encouraging. Below are pics from Michael's memorable memorial from earlier today. I enjoyed every minute of it. But it's still so hard for me to accept the fact that he's gone because he has literally been a part of my entire life. Rest in peace, Michael.

But the coup de grace came during Paris' impromptu speech from the stage surrounded by the Jackson family. “I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much,” she said through tears. Her aunts Janet Jackson and Rebbie then took her into her arms for a hug before the entire Jackson family then left the stage, closing the service that lasted more than two hours. I'm still trying to understand how Janet, Rebbie and LaToya were able to contain themselves after Paris spoke. She was indeed her daddy's little girl.

The moving tribute was especially startling because it marked one of the first times Michael's daughter has ever been heard publicly. Something else I want to add: we all know that Katherine only has temporary custody of her grandchildren for now. It's also been reported that Debbie Rowe (the mother of the two oldest kids) is seeking custody which would separate them from their baby brother, Blanket. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that these kids belong with the grandmother they know. Anyone could see the bond Katherine shares with those kids. Therefore and thus and such, it would be a great dishonor for any judge to tear them away from her. With all of the love and support Katherine has from her other kids, Michael's kids will always be loved and taken care of. That's all Michael wanted.

PARIS EXPRESSES HER LOVE FOR HER FATHER

To check out pics of black celebrity men at this event, including Usher's touching tribute to the King of Pop and my own personal review of it and why I can never watch it again, click HERE.

MANY, MANY MORE PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

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FINAL PLANS FOR MICHAEL'S PUBLIC MEMORIAL; BODY ALLEGEDLY UNSUITABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING.

UPDATE:

According to cbsnews.com, the PR firm Sachs & Associates announced that within the first hour-and-a-half of allowing fans to sign up for the drawing, the Web site received 500,000,000 hits, averaging 120,000 per second. Duplicate registrations are not allowed, so those seeking a chance are being asked to log on only once. Meanwhile, an additional server has been added to accommodate the volume of traffic.

Ain't that something?!! Even in death, Michael continues to break more records; sending legions of fans, stans and haters in a complete frenzy.

If you plan on attending Michael Jackson's public memorial on next Tuesday, there are a couple of important things you need to know. A press conference was held today where Los Angeles city and law officials carved out the details of how folks can receive free tickets to the memorial. First and foremost: If you don't have a ticket, you ain't getting in. You will be turned away from the Staples Center by the LAPD. Below are more key points from the press conference.

• 17,500 tickets are available; 11,000 will be issued for the Staples Center where you can attend the memorial as it broadcast live. 6,500 tickets are available for the Nokia Center (across the street from the Staples Center), where you can watch the live telecast of the memorial.
• Tickets are only available to U.S. citizens.
• You can register for free tickets (at least two) today at Staples.com; the deadline is tomorrow at 6 p.m. They're treating it like a web lottery. You register and then there's a random drawing. If you're selected you'll be contacted on Sunday by email with directions.
• You must provide a valid ID in order to attend the memorial at either location. I believe they'll also give you some type of code or wristband.
• For the public's safety, there will be no big screens/speakers outside of Staples Center. So if you want to experience the celebration of Michael's life, either register for a ticket or watch it from the comfort of your own home. There will be no outsiders/bystanders outside the Staples Center besides law enforcement officials.
• A live feed will be provided by every network free of charge.
• There will not be a funeral procession before or after the service.
• Officials refused to answer questions on if there would be a public viewing of Michael's body at the memorial. According to newsweek.com, Michael's mother Katherine and sister Janet are allegedly opposed to having a public viewing because Michael's body isn't in shape to be viewed by the public.
• No details about the order of service (i.e. who's performing, which celebrities are expected to be in attendance, etc.) were announced.
• A private funeral for the Jackson family (and invite guests) will be held before the public memorial. Plans are underway to have more memorials across the United States.
• Still no word on where his final resting place will be.
  

Good luck in being able to register for tickets and having your name drawn!

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MICHAEL JACKSON'S LAST REHEARSAL + A MEMORIAL HAS BEEN PLANNED.

What you see above are images of Michael Jackson at his last full dress rehearsal, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as he prepared for his 'This Is It' tour which was scheduled to kick-off in just a few weeks. Today CNN provided exclusive video footage from that rehearsal. Unfortunately what no one knew is that just a few short hours after Michael wrapped that rehearsal, he would later be found dead in his home at the age of 50. Over 100 hours of rehearsal footage has been captured on tape and according to some reports, there are plans to release it on DVD. Let's cross our fingers. Check out a clip below.

Watching the video emoted bittersweet feelings for me. Michael looked like his regular self; although several media reports claimed he was too frail to rehearse even after being given a clean bill of health back in March. It didn't look that way to me. All I see when I look at this video is a man who was determined to give his fans what they wanted. A chance to see him live in concert performing his past hits for one last time. He even took it a step further by reverting back to his hairstyle from his Smooth Criminal days. Bless his heart! LOL!

He will be thoroughly missed.

In related news, the Staples Center will also be the site of Jackson's memorial service, which is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the 20,000-seat Los Angeles coliseum, according to a person briefed by a family representative. Still no word on where Michael's final resting place will be.

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PICS: BERNIE MAC'S FINAL FAREWELL DRAWS OUT THOUSANDS TO STAR-STUDDED PUBLIC MEMORIAL IN CHICAGO.

Bernie Mac's wife, Rhonda, is comforted in front of a large poster of Mac, which she embraced before the start of a memorial service for the comedian.

Thousands of fans of late comedian Bernie Mac streamed into a South Side memorial service Saturday to hear Hollywood and political celebrities remember a Chicagoan who made people laugh on both TV and the big screen. Mac's fellow Original Kings of Comedy brought the house down as they broke down in tears, unable to contain their grief. In the same sentence, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and D.L. Hughley would flip a joke, causing the crowd to scream in laughter. "This dude is a very popular guy," Cedric said of Mac. "You know y'all were like `let me get four tickets to the funeral!' He's still the hottest ticket in town." Hughley recalled Mac's well-known taste in clothes. "Bernie would wear colors that crayon hadn't even invented," he said. Rev. Jesse Jackson told the audience "Bernie Mac is a serious funnyman" who loved his family and cared about the tomorrow's youth. Jackson recalled that Mac recently told students at Crane High School that they should "live above their circumstances" and not "self-destruct." "Between birth and death is a dash," Jackson said. "But between that dash between birth and death, he made a statement."

Oprah Winfrey, Sen. Barack Obama. Rep. Maxine Waters and the O'Jays sent their condolences. "Michelle and I were so deeply sad to hear about your loss. ... He ... (made) us laugh and laugh hard," read Obama's statement. Obama went on to write that Mac could say things others couldn't. "Bernie Mac will be sorely missed," he wrote. Actor Andy Garcia, who starred with Mac in "Ocean's 11," sent along remarks, saying "I'll see you upstairs." Don Cheadle, another actor from that film, was in attendance. The White Sox organization delivered a #1 jersey with Mac's name on it to his widow, Rhonda. Comic and actor Chris Rock also took the stage.

As part of the acknowledgments, they aired a tribute to both Mac and Hayes, playing snippets of some of Mac's famous comedy routines -- the profanity was bleeped out -- over some of Hayes' more famous compositions. Inside the church, rows of burgundy-colored soft cushion chairs were set up in front of the stage. On either side of the stage, two large projector screens flashed photos of Bernie Mac's life. The photos showed film stills from Mac's career, red carpet photos from events like the Golden Globes and private moments with friends and family members. The crowd inside cheered and clapped when new celebrities arrived. People took photos and hugged celebrities that they were able to call over.

Some people slept outside overnight to guarantee a place inside the 10,000-seat House of Hope at 752 E. 114th St. Doors opened at 10:30 a.m. for a memorial that began about a half-hour after its scheduled noon start.

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SOURCE: CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

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