I'm sifting through a bunch of old La Toya Jackson TV footage (for a reason that, like Janet's ex-husband's old group used to sing, time will reveal), and I came across this clip from a 1989 episode of The Phil Donahue Show that blew my mind. In it, Phil enthuses that the Jacksons:
- Haven't been rocked with scandal
- Aren't on drugs
- Have Joseph to thank for their good fortune
I cannot believe there was a time when these statements seemed more or less true. (It is post-Elephant Man bones, though, so the no-scandals thing isn't entirely true.) I cannot believe that there was a time when Joseph seemed like anything but a giant cockroach made out of leather and opportunism. This is some alternate-reality shit.
The utter blankness of LaToya's face while Phil was gushing about her father revealed more than time. And - gah! - I had successfully erased all memory of DeBarge. All undone with a click of a mouse. Curse my curiousity!
Posted by: carole | August 11, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Poor LaToya, she's just biting the hell out of her tongue there.
Posted by: Laura | August 11, 2009 at 02:23 PM
There is a MUPPET in the audience at 0:46!!!
Posted by: Alli | August 11, 2009 at 02:40 PM
LaToya looked visibly uncomfortable when Phil was extolling the virtues of Joe Jackson, and made a point of talking about what an excellent mother she had. Poor thing.
I suspect there must be a VH1 series in LaToya's future.
Posted by: Nicole | August 11, 2009 at 05:35 PM
LaToya's earrings OWN.
Also, yes to Muppet at 0:46, no to Phil Donahue's cloying sycophancy, "Oh we should probably mention the mother". Should we though? Only 9 kids? Hardly worth mentioning really.
Posted by: Sarz | August 11, 2009 at 08:08 PM
Is it sad that I want a curtain tassel for a earring now?
Posted by: Dany | August 12, 2009 at 03:12 AM
For business or for pleasure?
Earlier this year La Toya was at least slated to film her own reality show entitled "Simply La Toya" for one of the Viacom networks (VH1, MTV or E!), but there's been no solid news about that.
Posted by: Toy Soldier | August 12, 2009 at 10:58 AM
OMG, that girl is visibly, audibly terrified.
Posted by: Melissa | August 13, 2009 at 04:23 PM
OMG there IS a muppet in the audience.
Gawd, I had forgotten how annoying the Donahue's mannerisms were. 1989 was still relatively close to the halcyon days for Michael, altho I know I was already grumbling about his increasingly pale and feminized visage (little did I know it was still relatively normal at that point.)
On a related note, 1989 was also the halcyon days for Donahue, Jenny Jones (maybe she was a few years later) and Geraldo. I'm not sorry they've gone away.
Posted by: Vanessa M | August 13, 2009 at 05:51 PM
That was beautiful and made me use up at least 4 tissues. Your Grandma would be so proud of you, obviously the seeds she planted have flourished.
Posted by: adult go kart | November 14, 2011 at 03:10 AM
Thank you scanner. It is too bad the media isn't getting it right. But that is probably not just circumstance.
Posted by: pedal go karts | November 14, 2011 at 03:12 AM
This is so very inspirational and educational. And I just smiled when I saw the photo of you with your book at the end of this marvelous piece! Thank you for sharing this!!! And many congratulations to you! Rated with admiration.
Posted by: kid tricycles manufacturer | November 14, 2011 at 03:14 AM