I'm feeling strangely nostalgic as both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson passed away today. Both of them were icons in 80's when I came of age and I'm guessing no one really understands how big these figures were in the pop culture of that time unless you were there.

Farrah was the biggest sex symbol of her time. I recall in high school, boys were completely gaga over Farrah. She was what you talked about the day after a Charlie's Angels episode (man, did you see Farrah!). But I think the bigger impact was on girls at that time. EVERY girl wanted to look like Farrah, and the "feathering" of their hair sometimes took on ridiculous proportions.

For me, the connection to Michael Jackson ran pretty deep. I grew up watching an animated version of him every saturday morning on the Jackson Five cartoon. He was definitely considered a musical prodigy. In the early 80's when Thriller came out, he was as big as they came. You couldn't turn on MTV without watching his videos. Every club played his music and everyone danced to it. And, believe it or not, he looked extremely hot after his first surgeries--pity he couldn't leave well enough alone! Throughout the 90's, he descended into a caricature of himself, and eventually he got so bizarre both physically and mentally that it was like looking at a sideshow freak. But, still, I can't help remember what he was like at his height! I wonder what people must have thought of him who only knew him as the train wreck that he became.

Ah, well, it's the passing of an age, I guess. Probably for the best!

Don't say that... both of them were so young! (50 and 61)

Also, you can feel better cause Hulu just released Voltron season 2

It is really strange comparing MJ of the 80s to MJ or the 90s (and all the bad jokes associated with it)
But I guess it was no different than New Kids On the Block in 1988 vs NKOTB 1992

I was a little old for Voltron! I must admit in college we were prone to... shall we say sitting in smoke-filled rooms and watching He-Man and Thundercats...

-wonders how old you people actually are-

Well Estarra is eternal so....

I loved Voltron as a kid, we used to get it on our satellite and I'd watch it every day when I came home from school.

Just yesterday I was watching Michael Jackson videos on YouTube, and wondering if he really was making a comeback. I love his music, and his videos. Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean...

I miss him already

I loved Smooth Criminal, absolutely loved it.

Jackson 5ive Cartoon - just to prove it exists and to really date myself! There was also an Osmonds cartoon, believe it or not, but it wasn't as cool (at least through my child's eyes). Yes, there were rats and a snake to provide comedy relief--I have no idea why.

Very sad day.

I remember a CNN story about someone who won a ticket to a Michael Jackson concert this summer...so sad now to think about it
RIP

what, no love for Ed McMahon?

I think many of us (the majority?) only really knew MJ in trainwreck mode. When I was very young I remember hearing people speak well of both him and his music and there was major cognitive dissonance thinking back on that fact when I saw the bizarre-faced guy years later and was told it was the same person.

Is it too soon to joke about how they'll probably find the real Michael Jackson locked in the basement?

Eh, probably not. My first image on hearing that he'd collapsed in his home was of him grabbing his crotch and heart, buckling his knees, screaming "OW!" and falling to the floor. And no one realizing something was wrong for ten minutes or so.

I only ever first heard of him over the Neverland Ranch and pedophilia ordeal.

However, only today I learned that, apparently, ABC123 was his song. I always liked that as a kid. How bizarre. :S

There's only been a few stars who ever got as big as Michael Jackson was... maybe Sinatra, Elvis, the Beatles. Ta-Nehisi Coates of the Atlantic remembers MJ and ranks him with "Jackie Wilson, Aretha, Etta, Big O, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye". I'm sure there's lots of interesting retrospectives out now that give an overview of his career--check it out, it's fascinating! Or just check out his performances!

The only name I recognise starting with "Ta-Nehisi" is the Big O, and that's because it's an awkward mecha anime.

Take from that what you will.

Is anyone else concerned about the well-being of Michael's kids?

Rest in Peace, MJ I liked your Man in the Mirror song best