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When Princess Diana passed away I remember feeling that odd sensation that I had known her all along, and I caught myself literally crying and somewhat mourning her. I felt like that for a while, I mean, not like crying every day nor anything like that, but I did sense a loss. Even today, when I see her children on TV I sort of wonder what she would think of them now that they are so grown and handsome. Especially the redhead.

I think it is because people want to associate with famous and wealthy people and somehow convince themselves that they had indeed known them. You don't see too many people crying over horrible accidents that occur every day.

I think we can spin this topic in a positive light, and in this attempt, I will post a comment.  I think that thr worldwide mourning of a celebrity can lend itself to mass hysteria or the maudelin sentimentality that we have seen.  However, there is something universal that is shared when people worldwide share their mourning in a collective sense.  For example, in the case of Michael Jackson, is has been very interesting to see people from different narratives and backgrounds share similar experiences about "the first time I heard 'Thriller" or "the first time I saw him moonwalk."  In a world that is becoming closer and closer in terms of links and information sharing, the shared worldwide mourning of celebrity deaths could be one more connection that we share.  Granted, this is an extremely positive spin to much of what has been witnessed, but I feel there is something to be said here.

I think that the mourning of Michael Jackson has reached a level of mass hysteria that is creating a circus-like atmosphere, instead of a dignified one that the quiet private man deserves.  His family is using his death to profile their own issues, especially his father who is trying to promote a new record company while discussing his son's funeral arrangements on television.  This behavior has brought out the worst in people, who are already fighting to prove that they loved him best.  Even his family is fighting and positioning for his money, his assets, even his children.

Michael Jackson's enormous talent will never be forgotten, but he was not a head of state or royalty, he was an entertainer and therefore, the coverage is over the top.  But it is because the various media outlets don't want to be left out of the craziness surrounding what will be a very public funeral.

I can understand that his family wants to celebrate his life, give his fans a chance to grieve, but he was an entertainer, not someone like Princess Diana who did so much to help the world in so many charitable ways.

I also heard that there are fans of Michael Jackson's who are so overwhelmed that they are committing suicide because they can't live without him.  This is ridiculous!

The death of Michael Jackson seems in many ways much the same to me as the death of Elvis Presley.  It is a different generation who is in mourning over a pop star.

Fans of Elvis Presley acted in many ways much the same as the fans of Michael Jackson have acted. There was investigation regarding the death of Elvis and also regarding Michael Jackson. The fans of Michael Jackson are a generation younger than Elvis fans, and certainly appreciative of his music.

I think the behavior of Michael Jackson's family is very much like buzzards fighting over a carcass.  The entertainer was a very reclusive and private person, but he certainly enjoyed his ability to entertain and work up a crowd.  He also certainly had issues with his family.  I am not sure he would want his parents to have custody of his children, but in these circumstances, who else would step up and take responsibility for them? We are going to see the depths of dysfunctionality that Michael sought to avoid all through the news and press.

The problem I have with the entire Michael Jackson death coverage by the press is that there are other things going on in the world that are of at least as much news worthy reporting.  What is going on in the world that we are not being told during all of this media circus surrounding Michael Jackson's death?

Looking for an idol/icon has been a long human obsession, be it Jackson or Lady Diana. We live in the midst of hard realities, and love to build our phantasies/myths that represent larger-than-life images/dimensions. This may be hysteric, but who can live this life without a little bit of hysteria? The masses are the common lump of routine ordinary living; allow it to be a little spicy, a bit saucy, a bit absurd even.