I was "Lost" but Now I'm Found

Several years ago I gave up on ABC's "Lost". In a couple seasons "Lost" had devolved into a most enigmatic and unsatisfying series. Last night's concluding episode left me confused and most grateful that I did not waste more time on the program.

I applaud innovation. I am attracted to strong story lines, great writing and powerful characters. But following a strong start "Lost" veered off the road into the marshes. There the program became mired in absurdity, ambiguity and obfuscation. It is unclear whether the show rigidly followed the producer's original outline. Whatever the circumstance, it always felt like it was being thrown together on the fly. Worse, its twists and turns truly challenged even its most ardent fans.

The concluding episode felt self-indulgent. I would have never in a million years guessed that "Lost" would have ended that way. All dead? All reunited? In a church? So this got me to thinking, what would I have done?

Locke, Desmond and Jack enter the cave and find Marlon Brando, reprising his role as Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, sitting on a rock sipping on a bowl of Vietnamese soup. Brando says, "I expected someone like you. What did you expect? Are you an assassin?" "Yes," says Locke, "I have been sent to free the island." With that he stabs the Kurtz character and frees everyone on the island.

Or Locke, Desmond and Jack enter the cave, attracted by the bright light visible from miles away. Inside they come upon a waterfall and drop Desmond down by rope. There Desmond encounters Morpheus who says, "We've survived by hiding from them, by running from them. But they are the gatekeepers. They are guarding all the doors; they are holding all the keys. Which means that sooner or later, someone is going to have to fight them." Desmond's face turns ashen as he responds, "Good luck with that," and scampers back up the rope. Then a huge explosion destroys the island.

Or Hurley enters the cave with Locke, Jack and Desmond. They decide that since Hurley won millions at the lottery he should be the one remove the rock plugging the light below. All three of them strain to lower him by rope. Hurley wades through the pool of water, pulls the plug and is sucked into the hole. Then Hurley is awakened from a deep sleep thanks to a friend who splashes cold water on his face. Hurley is sprawled on the ground in an alley. The friend says, "Hurley, Hurley, I am sorry you didn't win the lottery." Without missing a beat Hurley says, "Dude, you won't understand, but I am thrilled I didn't win the lottery!"

Or Locke, Jack and Desmond enter the cave and are greeted by Jimmy Hoffa and Judge Crater who instruct them to take a seat. Suddenly the music begins and Elvis walks out into the bright lights, his sequined jacket ablaze, singing "Amazing Grace".

To paraphrase the final words of Jack's father, "It's time to move on."

Michael

Michael Jackson was a brilliant singer, song-writer and dancer. He was a leading entertainer and musician for more than three decades. The world was his stage. So it is only proper that we celebrate his exceptional musical accomplishments. But let us not celebrate this life.

There are so many questions about Michael's life. There was his childhood in Gary, Indiana, apparently filled with abuse. This we should not celebrate. There were many accusations of pedophilia, including some very explicit news accounts, and reports of substantial out of court settlements. This we should not celebrate. There was a lengthy addiction to drugs, including Valium, Ativan to help him cope with chronic pain and Xanax for panic attacks. This we should not celebrate. There was his whitened skin and his clef chin. This we should not celebrate. There was a child who became a man only to do everything possible to remain a child. This we should not celebrate. There were his children who were frequently shrouded in veils and always denied a normal life. This we should not celebrate.

Yes, there were many generous acts. Jackson supported about forty charities. He did do many good things. But these cannot answer the questions. There was the unprecedented We are the World campaign. But this cannot answer the questions. Yes there were many shrewd business decisions. Yet there were so many terrible personal decisions.

Yes there was Thriller, Off the Wall, Bad, Dangerous and History. Yes there was Beat It, Billie Jean and Black and White. Yes there was the Jackson Five as well as an extraordinary solo career. Yes there was the moonwalk, the hat and the glove. Yes there were the break through music videos and magical dance routines. Michael Jackson was a break through talent, a one of a kind. But this does not answer the questions.

Michael's music is an exsceptional legacy. As an entertainer, he was the best. As a role model for our children, Michael was among the worst. Michael's music moved us, inspired us, lifted us from our sorrows and troubles. Yet so much in Michael's life disappointed us.

As millions around the world watch the endless television coverage of Michael's memorial, let us keep this brilliant life in proper perspective. Let us celebrate the King of Pop. Let us celebrate his music.

King of Pop

Little more than a week ago the Americans watched in amazement as a nascent democratic movement surged through the streets of Tehran protesting the government’s rigged presidential election. The protests were followed by a brutal government crackdown that resulted in many deaths and thousands of arrests. Social networking sights became the frontlines in a propaganda battle that had moved beyond television and radio.

But when the man known as the “King of Pop” died last Thursday the world’s attention immediately shifted to Michael Jackson. He was the first global “crossover” super star because his music transcended all borders. His musical influence and tragic personal story extended from his hometown of Gary, Indiana, to Gabon and Egypt. Little Richard and James Brown inspired Jackson when he was a young boy. He was already a budding child prodigy who in his lifetime would become a prolific singer-songwriter, record producer, musical arranger, dancer, choreographer, actor, author, businessman, financier, philanthropist and inventor.

Media coverage of Jackson’s death has been non-stop. Cable news outlets are filled with coverage, network specials are drawing millions of viewers and websites have enormous traffic. Meanwhile album sales of his great hits are booming. While interest in Jackson’s death in the rest of the world has eased, many Americans can’t get enough coverage.

There has not been such a media-frenzy since the tragic death of Princess Diana in August 1997. Americans consumed hours of wall-to-wall coverage detailing the highlights and scandals surrounding her life. She was so beautiful and innocent, yet her life story was complicated. British pop star Elton John sang “Candle in the Wind” at her funeral in Westminster Abbey. It was an English tragedy playing out on a global media stage.

The first “King of Rock and Roll” died tragically in 1977. Elvis Aaron Presley was born of humble origins in Tupelo, Mississippi, but would go on to be the world’s first rock-and-roll super star and an American cultural icon. His music, a blend of rock, country, blues and gospel, was loud and passionate. He swiveled his hips (“Elvis the Pelvis”) in his patented dance move that drew screams and swoons from his fans and disdain from many parents during the Fifties. Presley is the only performer to have been inducted into four music halls of fame.

Word of Presley’s death reached the CBS Newsroom in New York about 5:30pm, August 16, 1977. The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite was number one in the ratings at a time when there were no cable outlets. Cronkite was on vacation when the executive producer decided not to lead the broadcast with Presley’s death. However, ABC News and NBC News did make the story their lead. It would be the lowest rated CBS Evening News in years as viewers immediately switched to the other two networks for Presley coverage. Remarkably, the CBS News producer who made that call later said, ‘If on my epitaph it reads, “The man who did not lead with Presley’s death,” I can live with that.’

Americans love their shooting stars. Stars who demand attention, win affection and adulation, and then prematurely burn out. They are often extremely talented and, at the same time, extremely flawed. They fill tabloid magazines, websites and conversations in Laundromats. Presley, Princess Diana and Jackson all died suddenly at a relatively young age. Yet they had become part of our lives; we grew older with them.

Because Jackson achieved so much and his music had such a phenomenal impact, today our collective bandwidth is bursting. And this coming Tuesday America’s attention will be focused on Michael Jackson’s funeral in Los Angeles. Untold thousands of adoring fans will be at the Staple Center in an event worthy of the King of Pop.

Meanwhile, many Iranians will continue their campaign for a fair election, U.S. troops will continue their attacks on Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan, North Korea will remain unstable, U.S. unemployment will remain at about 10%, more homes will be foreclosed and more children will die of disease, war or abuse.