Fall TV Blog

Michael Jackson’s brothers brought a gold, rose-covered casket carrying the King of Pop onto the stage at the Staples Center while the gospel song “Soon and Very Soon” by Andrae Crouch played. People in the crowd immediately began to weep and wailing could be heard coming from the audience. The lyrics — “Soon and very soon we are going to see the King” — have new meaning.

Mark J. Terrill/AP

Michael Jackson’s music had stopped playing at the Staples Center and a soft murmur from the crowd in a church-like atmosphere was interrupted when Smokey Robinson began the service with a quote from Jackson pal Diana Ross:

I want you to know that even though I’m not there at the Staples Center, I’m there in my heart. I decided to pause and be silent. This feels right for me. Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express. Michael wanted me to be there for his children, and I will be there if they ever need me. I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him. Thank you, Katherine and Joe, for sharing your son with the world — and with me. I send my love and condolences to the Jackson family.

Later, Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, entered the arena and the crowd offered a standing ovation.

Harrison Funk/Zuma

A hearse carrying the King of Pop has departed the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles en route the Staples Center on Tuesday for the star-studded memorial service.

Rick Bowmer/AP

Lights going from bright to dim at the Jackson memorial. An announcer says, “Ladies and gentlemen we ask that you kindly take your seats, the memorial service will start very shortly.”

Diana Ross’s son Evan is there clutching the hand of his girlfriend, Cora Skinner. Tyler Perry was spotted walking in on the ground floor. Fans screamed his name and said, “We love you!” Perry smiled at them and waved.

Also, the Dancing with the Stars male dancers are sitting on the ground floor towards the back of the Staples Center.

Stevie Wonder is set to sing “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer,” from his 1971 album Where I’m Coming From, at the Jackson memorial. The song, which was also featured in Janet Jackson’s movie Poetic Justice, is a ballad whose lyrics are eerily appropriate:

I never dreamed you’d leave in summer
I thought you would go then come back home
I thought the cold would leave by summer
But my quiet nights will be spent alone

Why didn’t you stay?

Ron Galella/WireImage

Five walls, the first set up since Friday, are available outside the main entrance to the Staples Center for fans to sign.

One tribute reads:

Michael,
I had to come and make my mark, I loved you growing up and will always love you and all your music you blessed us all with!
Love Lucee Cesena

Jae C. Hong/AP

Jennifer Hudson was spotted backstage at the Staples Center with Usher.

Hudson will perform the song, “Will You Be There,” with a choir and the Michael Jackson tour dancers at the memorial in Los Angeles. The song, released in 1993, is off Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album, but was also featured on the Free Willy soundtrack. It has a big gospel, cathedral-like feel and is the perfect kind of song for Hudson to lead with her powerhouse pipes.

Kevin Mazur/MJ Memorial/WireImage

This is a page from the 16-page color program that was distributed for free as fans made their way into the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles for the Michael Jackson memorial service on Tuesday.

The page reads,”To the world, Michael is an icon. To me, he is family. You will forever live in all of our hearts. I miss you Mike and I love you. –Dunk”

Dunk is a nickname for Jackson’s sister, Janet, who got the moniker as a chubby kid from Michael and her family, because her size made her look like a donkey.

This 16-page color program was distributed for free as fans made their way into the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles for the Michael Jackson memorial service on Tuesday.

Melvin Price, of Northampton, England, shows off his ticket to the Michael Jackson memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. With more than 1.6 million fans reportedly requesting tickets, Price was one of the lucky 17,500 to win a lottery, which distributed 11,000 entries into the Staples Center. Another 6,500 fans won tickets to watch on big screens at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live across the street in downtown Los Angeles.

Rick Bowmer/AP