The four-month trial of the 47-year-old pop star Michael Jackson drew a media frenzy that provided some memorable images, including the defendant dancing on top of his SUV outside the courthouse and a star-studded celebrity witness list.
Thousands of reporters descended on the courthouse for the verdict. Michael Jackson has long fascinated the American public that just can’t seem to get enough titillating details about his unorthodox life.
Hear a discussion on what the frenzy sorrounding Jackson’s trial says about the pop star and about American culture today.
Guests:
Tricia Rose, chair of the American Studies department at the University of California at Santa Cruz and author of “Longing to Tell: Black Women Talk about Sexuality and Intimacy.”;
Paul Farhi, style reporter for the Washington Post. He spent a month in California covering the Jackson trial.
