My heart goes out to the families, friends and fans of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and Billy Mays. I’m not sure I can remember a time when four celebrities passed away so close to each other, and it’s made for a week of mourning, reflections, and retrospectives on television, especially on the news…

Michael Jackson’s music is everywhere in the air in New York City today. Walking along this morning, his songs were pouring into the streets from the doorways of shops. There was a crowd of about ten people, outside, singing “I’ll Be There” at the top of their lungs. Even my snooty Brooklyn coffee shop had…

I join with the legions who are mourning the death of Michael Jackson today. As Neil Diamond would have written–and will likely add to his stage version of the song–Michael is “Done Too Soon.” His was a genius that went unmatched when he was in his prime. And his was also a story umatched in…

Rapper Chris Brown has copped a deal after pleading guilty to one felony count of assault on ex-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. He received probation, community service, and will need to attend domestic-violence counseling. He faced more than 4 years in jail had he been convicted on the charges. Rihanna didn’t seem to care that Brown got…

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