With all the press coverage given to Michael Jackson, you'd think a special about his life would trample the ratings of all the other networks. Apparently, that isn't the case as an ABC special about the life of Farrah Fawcett won in the ratings against a similar Michael Jackson retrospective on CBS.
I think it likely helped that Barbara Walters hosted the ABC special (which was a 20/20 special and therefore had more name value than a generic special), whereas the special on Jacko was simply a CBS documentary. I'm still amazed at the rapid turnaround time that the networks can produce specials like these. They have turned it into an art.
It is debatable over who was the bigger name, although both were icons on their time. Jackson seems to be getting more coverage because his death was more of a surprise than Farrah's. Either way, Thursday was a hell of a day.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-26-2009 @ 4:36PM
h0sti1e17 said...
Who is bigger is debatable? You have to be kidding me. If you are older than 40 it might be, but the general population no way. Farrah could have walked in to my living room and I would've had no idea who she was. I recognize Ryan O'Neal more (do watch Bones). Michael Jackson is recognized by 10 year-olds , she wasn't.
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7-07-2009 @ 9:07AM
Benjh said...
"It's debatable who was a bigger name"?
"A hell of a day"?
Who the Heck are you??? How do people let you write?
There's thousand ways to explain farrah's ratings beating Michael.
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6-26-2009 @ 4:41PM
Tim said...
Those who remember Farrah, do so. Each had their own legacy of fans. Of course, comparing one star to another is like apples and oranges. Check out my farrah memories at: http://tvtimepodcast.com.
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6-26-2009 @ 4:43PM
Tim said...
That special was already in the works because they had heard that Farrah wasn't doing well, that's how it was done so fast.
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6-26-2009 @ 4:54PM
Lori said...
Too many people were in shock, I was watching CNN trying to find out what was happening. I was in shock, never expected him to die. I think if specials were to air this weekend they would garner a bigger result.
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6-26-2009 @ 5:02PM
Kramme said...
Isn't the simple answer - as your source also explains - that Michael Jackson's death was covered intensely on a myriad of stations at once, thereby fragmenting the viewers between them, whereas coverage of Fawcett was limited to ABC. It's a bit appalling that you don't mention this.
Finally, to say that it is debatable who of the two is the biggest star is ludicrous. With all due respect to Fawcett and her great achievements, her importance is minuscule next to that of Michael Jackson. Everybody everywhere knows who Michael Jackson were. While on the other hand, as a Dane, I have been hard pressed to find anyone who knew who Fawcett were.
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6-26-2009 @ 9:54PM
Ian said...
Farrah Fawcett is known by millions of people, and is still one of the most recognizeable sex symbols in history. She is still considered the number 1 poster pin-up girl of all time, even beating out Marilyn Monroe and Pamela Anderson. She was also a very successful dramatic actress. Her importance was hardly "miniscule" compared to Michael's, and the only reason why anyone under forty knows about Jackson is because of the child molestation trials.
She might not be as big a star as Michael, but she was a HUGE star in her own right.
Many people are appalled that her death has been overshadowed by the media coverage of a self-destructive, narcissitic, bizarre, creepy has-been like MIcahel Jackson. I loved his music but was skeeved by him.
Farrah Fawcett's last 3.5 years were spent valiantly battling a grim and unusually cruel form of cancer, and she shared her struggle via her documentary which airs tonight again. She believed that she would beat the dread disease and that it would inspire others to fight cancer.
Michael Jackson spent his time in seclusion and in exile and being sued by promoters.
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6-30-2009 @ 11:44PM
Elizabeth said...
People are reminding all of us about all the untruth's that was said about Michael Jackson, Now I was remember very clearly when Farrah Fawcett was asked if she knew any Black people? Farrah said no, and I do not care to know any. Now we can mourn these two wonderful people as we should, or we can sling mudd both ways, and ruin someones reputation for ever. chill out Ian
7-07-2009 @ 12:36AM
debra said...
Very well said.
Debrahereandnow.wordpress.com
6-26-2009 @ 7:27PM
shaun said...
in other news: CRAIG FERGUSON IS THE KING OF LATE NIGHT!!!
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6-26-2009 @ 7:24PM
Man said...
Fawcett's special was promoted. During The View Walters made special note to all the viewer that the special was on that night. Those viewers had already scheduled to watch.
Going by TiVo neither were on the line up instead it showed Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.
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6-26-2009 @ 7:26PM
RobynM said...
Even when both are equally deserving, someone always gets overshadowed in these situations. I seem to recall that the media was similarly divided when Sammy Davis Jr. and Jim Henson died on the same day back in '90.
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6-26-2009 @ 11:45PM
Natalia said...
I think people are focussing on the wrong issues with MJ. He is gone physically forever, we need to remember him in all his glory. He bought great joy to a lot of people. It is sad that we could not have helped him but he fulfilled his purpose and people need to stop finding fault and dwelling on what we did not like about him. We all do things that are not pleasing to another, we all have fears which we hide from... Do not judge him appreciate what he has given us and learn from his mistakes(especially the media).. keep him in your prays. Rest in peace Michael Jackson...
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6-27-2009 @ 5:28AM
Carol Stein said...
I did not always admire Fawcett's lifestyle but I certainly admired her valiant struggle for the past few years. Her friends' comments have underscored her courage.
I will take this lesson with me.
I didn't admire Jackson, either, and he has left me no lessons except somewhere along the line, he was so terribly unhappy.
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6-27-2009 @ 11:01AM
KB said...
I happen to like Farrah more, but let's not joke...Michael Jackson was INFINITELY more famous. His death ranks up there with Elvis and Lennon in terms of fame and shock.
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7-02-2009 @ 3:56PM
janie said...
Yes, M J's death does rank up with Elvis and Lennon's as far as the suprise but let's face it, it stops there. Elvis was loved and he gave back to many who needed help along the way. Lennon, never hurt anybody but gave pleasure through his music.
Jackson, well I am suprised that people are not remembering the lives he destroyed. He admitted he liked sleeping with young boys. To me, ruinging someone's life is more important than all his "talents"
6-27-2009 @ 4:42PM
Mike Gainer said...
Her biography got better rating? Yeah, because everyone was watching to find out who she was.
I still don't know. Something about a nipple...that's all I heard.
MJ was the best.
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7-27-2009 @ 4:26AM
janie said...
I think Farrah is to be commended for her brave battle and having lost a son, at 32 years of age to cancer, I also hope her battle helps others.
Mike, you lost out , not knowing who Farrah is. She is a wonderful example of goodness and braverly. She was a beautiful person inside and out IMO.
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7-09-2009 @ 10:01PM
Cam said...
No disrespect to Ms Fawcett who I'm sure was very lovely but Michael Jackson was probably the best known person on the planet period
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6-28-2009 @ 11:14PM
TonyBrisbane said...
I was watching this video (don't worry, I'm not spamming) http://www.newsy.com/videos/658 and realized just what an incredible impact MJ had on the world. I was never a big fan, but now I realize that he was much more than a pop singer to many many millions of people. I don't think any words or images can really show his contributions to the world; people just seem to know it in their hearts.
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