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Jacko comeback put back five days

By | Published on Thursday 21 May 2009

So, this is a good start don’t you think? The launch of Michael Jackson’s much much hyped comeback will now take place five days later than originally planned, with the 8 Jul launch show now taking place on 13 Jul.

The next three editions of the ‘This Is It’ residency at The O2, due to take place on the 10, 12 and 14 Jul, will be pushed back all the way to March 2010, by which point the one time king of pop will almost certainly be dead. Well, perhaps not, though given how many people are betting against Jackson completing his 50 date residency at the Dome, having your start-of-run tickets switched to end-of-run tickets has got to hurt. Given Jackson’s doctor was so keen to tell us how healthy the singer is when denying those skin cancer reports last week, couldn’t Jacko reschedule the postponed shows sooner onto one of his many days off? Seemingly not.

Anyway, anyone thinking the postponement of the launch of This Is It is a that sign Jackson is not at the peak of health as his doctor suggested, or that the usual Jacko politics is threatening this big show from happening at all, should go and sit on the ‘too-cynical-for-their-own-good’ step and read this official statement from promoters AEG Live. They delay is, of course, simply because the “sheer magnitude of the concerts” means a few more days are needed to make it work.

The promoter and Dome owner said in a statement yesterday: “AEG Live and Kenny Ortega, Michael’s directorial partner and creative collaborator, have elected to move back a few of the opening shows in order to meet the challenges presented by such a massive and technically complex show Organisers are determined that all Michael’s legions of fans attending the opening nights get to experience the same high quality staging that is planned for all of the spectacular shows”.

The boss of AEG Live, Randy Phillips, added, “Kenny and Michael are, at the same time, both creative pioneers and perfectionists. This show has grown in size and scope, thereby necessitating more lead time for manufacture of the set, programming the content for the massive video elements, and, most importantly, more time for full production and dress rehearsals in the world’s busiest arena, the O2”.

He continued: “As much as we agonised over this change in the original schedule, we are sure the fans will understand when they experience the level of entertainment Michael Jackson intends to deliver while also ensuring the safety of the musicians, cast and crew and the crisp execution of the production. It is AEG Live’s sincere hope that those lucky enough to have purchased tickets will have enough time to change their personal schedules and travel plans if they are coming from outside of London. We do not want anyone to miss this once in a lifetime experience”.

Full refunds are available for anyone who can’t make the rescheduled shows. Not sure what odds you’ll get at the bookies on this whole thing collapsing into one big sorry mess now, though I’m not letting you leave the cynic step to go find out.



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