Still Thrilling: 1.6M Vie for Jackson Memorial Tickets

(NEWSER) - The carefully guarded children of Michael Jackson made a rare public appearance at his memorial yesterday, but for one of them it was even more revolutionary: Prince Michael Jackson II—aka Blanket—was seen fully for the first time, Fox News reports. Blanket, who was famously dangled by his father from a Berlin hotel balcony in 2002, appeared with brother Prince and sister Paris. More»

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.

(NEWSER) - Organizers will give out 17,500 free tickets to Tuesday’s Michael Jackson memorial at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, the Times reports. The drawing will occur Sunday, and ticket-seekers can register online. Trying to avoid a rush, the promoter kept some details secret, saying only “there will be no distribution of tickets at Staples Center” or the surrounding entertainment complex. The event will also be streamed online and broadcast on television. More»

20,000-seat coliseum will host farewell to the King of Pop

(NEWSER) - A memorial service for Michael Jackson will go ahead Tuesday at Los Angeles’ Staples Center next week, CNN reports, and, according to TMZ, will follow a private, family service at a local cemetery. It’s unclear whether Tuesday’s public event, set for 10am, will be at Staples’ 20,000-seat arena or a smaller venue within the complex. More»

Service could be Tuesday at Staples Center

(NEWSER) - As speculation focuses on Tuesday as the date for Michael Jackson’s public memorial in Los Angeles, how the city will pay for crowd control and security is sure to become an issue, the Times reports. Private donors and AEG, which owns Staples Center—the likely venue for such a service—donated money to cover the costs of the Lakers’ recent championship parade and rally. AEG could also sell tickets to the memorial, though price is unclear. More»