Jacko May Have Had Love Child

Liz Taylor might know the whole story

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson’s rumored “secret son” has a long history with the family, sources tell MSNBC. Omer Bhatti, who called himself Michael J, told Jackson’s nephew that Michael was his father “out of the blue” in 1992, says a family friend. Bhatti was a constant presence at Neverland Ranch from then until 2000 or ‘01. “We have every reason to believe it’s his son,” says another friend. 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.

City, hard-up for cash, also concerned about costs

(NEWSER) - Now that Michael Jackson’s memorial has a time and place, cash-strapped Los Angeles must move on to the next problems: Where to put tens of thousands of mourners, and how to pay for it. “If you can imagine 100,000 people show up and you have 20,000 capacity, there is not sufficient room,” a city councilman tells the AP, adding that the cost of police overtime is also a concern. 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»

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»