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The Jackson Family Honors

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The Jackson Family Honors
Directed byDwight Hemion
StarringMichael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Berry Gordy
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerJermaine Jackson
ProducersDwight Hemion
Gary Smith
EditorAndy Zall
Running time120 minutes
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseFebruary 22, 1994 (1994-02-22)

The Jackson Family Honors is a 1994 Jackson family reunion television special, starring Michael Jackson, tribute honorees Elizabeth Taylor and Berry Gordy, and celebrity guests performers. It was billed as a humanitarian event to raise money for charities. The musical benefit was filmed on February 19, 1994 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was broadcast on February 22, 1994 on NBC.

Description

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The show was intended as a charity event with proceeds going to Los Angeles earthquake relief charities and the American Red Cross, amongst others.[1][2] It was the hope of the Jackson family and Gary Smith, the producer, that NBC would make the event a yearly television special.[3] The show was Michael's first stage appearance since he cancelled the remainder of his worldwide tour in November.[4]

The show was initially scheduled for December 11, 1993 in Atlantic City.  It was rescheduled by NBC for February in Las Vegas.[4][3][5][6]

Over 20 members of the Jackson family sang "Goin' back to Indiana".[7] Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Paul Rodriguez, and Bruce Hornsby were among the performers.[3]

The musical benefit was filmed on February 19, 1994 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.[5] While ticket prices were reduced after the show was rescheduled, of the twelve thousand tickets sold, fans paid as high as $1,000 each.[8] 250 reporters showed up.[3]

After two hours of live performances and videos of Michael Jackson, Michael appeared and was given a standing ovation which lasted five minutes. He presented lifetime achievement awards to Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, and Elizabeth Taylor, for her work for on behalf of AIDS patients.[3] He notably said to the audience "I love you. Love, loyalty and friendship."[7][8]

Michael joined the Jackson family and celebrity guests for the finale song "If You'd Only Believe".[3][9]

Litigation

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After the show ended up losing money, producers Smith-Hemion filed a breach of contract lawsuit against members of the Jackson family, claiming that they were promised Michael Jackson would perform solo, saying the problems began when Michael cancelled his performance for the original 1993 date, and unpaid bills. Michael testified he only agreed to appear onstage, not to perform. In 1996, after confusion amongst the jurors, U.S. District Judge Laughlin Waters declared a mistrial.[10][11][12]

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "Jacksons plan on a family affair". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  2. ^ "Michael Appears Briefly at 'Jackson Family Honors' Show". Los Angeles Times. 1994-02-20. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Weinraub, Bernard (1994-02-21). "The Jackson Family Reunited, Sort Of". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  4. ^ a b "Report: Jackson special did little for charities". UPI. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  5. ^ a b Philips, Chuck (1 Apr 1994). "PRODUCER SUES JACKSONS OVER 'HONORS'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 Oct 2022.
  6. ^ "'JACKSON FAMILY HONORS' GETS NEW, LATER TAPING DATE". Deseret News. 1994-02-04. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  7. ^ a b BERNATH, WAYNE. "CROWD BOOS JACKSON AT FAMILY SHOW". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  8. ^ a b "NAMES &". The Washington Post. 21 Feb 1991. Retrieved 11 Oct 2022.
  9. ^ Jacksons, The; Bronson, Fred (2017-10-24). The Jacksons: Legacy. Running Press. ISBN 978-0-316-47374-3.
  10. ^ "Mistrial Declared in 'Jackson Family Honors' Trial". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  11. ^ "Mistrial declared in Jackson case". UPI. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  12. ^ Archerd, Army (1995-03-22). "Suit vs. Jacksons yields no payment". Variety. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
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