Your Guide to Today's Jacko Media Orgy

Director is 'sorry' family members were hurt by omission

(NEWSER) - The Academy Awards acknowledged its snub of Farrah Fawcett and apologized for it while simultaneously defending the decision. After being criticized by everyone from Roger Ebert to Tatum O’Neal, the Oscars’ “In Memoriam” director says he felt Fawcett’s “remarkable television work” was better honored at the Emmy Awards. So why was Michael Jackson included? Because of the big-screen documentary This Is It, People reports. More»

He's just such a tool.

(NEWSER) - Hey, if Spencer Pratt thinks he can be the next Brad Pitt, why shouldn’t his wife be the next Michael Jackson? In yet another example of the reality show couple’s delusions of grandeur, Pratt called Heidi Montag "the new, modern-day, 2010 Michael Jackson” following her Miss Universe “performance," MTV reports. Except—of course—“way bigger.” More»

25-year-old front and center at memorial

(NEWSER) - A Norwegian Michael Jackson impersonator might be the King of Pop’s love child, the Mirror reports. Omer Bhatti, 25, was seated with Jackson's family in the front row at his Los Angeles memorial service, and resembles his youngest potential sibling, Blanket. Bhatti reportedly lived at Neverland Ranch as a child, and his mother says of Jackson, “He was the King of Pop. But for us he was so much more.” Elsewhere: More»

How much it will cost? Where is his body? And what caused his death?

(NEWSER) - Fans are donating to the city of Los Angeles in an effort to defray the cost of Michael Jackson’s memorial, E! reports. The final total is still in the works, and some famous friends and corporate sponsors are rumored to have donated generously. More from the aftermath:

• Los Angeles could break even, an economist tells the AP, thanks to the tourists who flocked to the city for the memorial, bringing in an estimated $4 million.

Fans pouring into Staples Center all morning

(NEWSER) - Mariah Carey kicked off the memorial service for Michael Jackson today, singing "I'll Be There," as the singer's body lay in a golden casket, covered in red flowers, at the foot of the stage at the Staples Center. And his 11-year-old daughter got in the last word with a tearful tribute to her dad. Among the speakers and performers:

• Queen Latifah eulogized Jackson as a friend and inspiration who opened up the world to many African Americans, including herself.