Michael Jackson
Photo: Time Life Pictures/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Im

The A&E network reality show depicting the aftermath of Michael Jackson's death on his family, "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty," is slated to premiere on Sunday, December 13, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. According to an A&E spokesperson, the series will kick off a six-show run that night with two hour-long episodes.

The show will focus on the lives of brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Marlon Jackson as they make preparations for a reunion tour that was reportedly to include a performance by Michael at a concert in Texas next summer. Shooting on the series cranked up again following Jackson's death in June, and episodes will also reportedly focus on the brothers' reactions to the shocking passing of the King of Pop.

There have been conflicting reports about whether Jackson's three young children — whom the singer vigorously tried to hide from cameras and paparazzi during his life — will appear on the program. An A&E spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on whether the children will be included in the show.

In a 30-second preview of the show, tagged "You only think you know them," the brothers can be heard in voiceover discussing their comeback. "It's been 20 years since we were in the studio," one says. "How are we going to make this happen?" another replies.

"I never wanted to hurt y'all; I never wanted to be separated," a third pleads over stock footage of their modest upbringing in Gary, Indiana, as the phrase "The wait is over" flashes on the screen. "We've never forgotten where we come from," another says. "What do we got? Each other. Let's show them who we are."

The second half of the clip shows the brothers rehearsing dance steps to the strains of the group's hit "ABC," as one of them intones, "We're family; we'll be Jackson 5 until the day we die."

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Jackson 5 parody on Australian TV's "Hey Hey It's Saturday"
Photo: CBS

An Australian TV channel has apologized for airing a skit in which a group of singers dressed in blackface to parody the Jackson 5, according to The Australian newspaper.

Harry Connick Jr. was serving as a guest judge during Wednesday's airing of "Hey Hey It's Saturday" and reacted strongly to the act, which showcased four men in wigs and black face-paint singing and dancing alongside a Michael Jackson impersonator caked in white makeup. The group's name was the Jackson Jive.

A spokesman for Channel 9, which carries the program, said in a brief statement, "It was never intended to offend and we regret any offense [the act] caused."

According to The Associated Press, at the end of the show, host Daryl Somers apologized to Connick. "I know that to your countrymen, that's an insult to have a blackface routine like that on the show, so I do apologize to you," he said.

The American singer responded, "I just want to say, on behalf of my country, I know it was done humorously, but we've spent so much time trying to not make black people look like buffoons, that when we see something like that we take it really to heart."

"I had no idea I was going to be a part of it," Connick later told the Fairfax Radio Network, according to The Australian. "I have absolutely no hard feelings and I'm not even upset, but I felt I had a responsibility to respond."

Anand Deva, a member of the Jackson Jive group, said the act was not intended to be offensive, though he said they would not have performed the segment in America. "Clearly, all of us want to apologize," Deva told Fairfax. "I mean, we have offended some people, no doubt, particularly Harry Connick Jr."

This is not the first time the Jackson Jive have appeared on "Hey Hey It's Saturday." The group performed 20 years ago on the long-running show, which was canceled in 1999. The show on which Connick appeared was the second of two reunion shows.

• Harry Connick Jr.
• The Jackson 5

Maxwell's <i>BLACKsummers'night</i>
Photo: Columbia

It's a rough month to release a new album, because no matter how many units you move, the figure will likely pale in comparison to the massive posthumous numbers being put up by Michael Jackson. That's the case again next week, when the top four Jackson albums on the Top Pop Catalog chart will easily best the figures posted by the leaders on the Top 200 current album chart.

While Jackson and Jackson 5 albums hold the top 12 spots on the Catalog chart, the current albums chart is topped by soul smoothie Maxwell, who has broken an eight-year hiatus with the first of a planned trilogy of albums, BLACKsummers'night, which debuts at #1 on sales of 316,000, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.

The #2 slot is filled by the chart debut of the Hannah Montana 3 soundtrack, which moved 137,000 copies, followed by last week's #1, the Now 31 pop compilation (101,000), and the #4 debut from pop punkers All Time Low, whose Nothing Personal rang up 63,000 in sales.

The rest of the top 10 features the usual suspects: Black Eyed Peas' E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) (#5, 63,000), Brad Paisley's American Saturday Night (#6, 44,000), Rob Thomas' Cradlesong (#7, 41,000), Taylor Swift's Fearless (#8, 36,000), Eminem's Relapse (#9, 34,000) and the Jonas Brothers' Lines Vines & Trying Times (#10, 34,000).

After a solid #4 debut last week, indie darlings Wilco's Wilco (The Album) shed 66 percent of business to drop to #11 (34,000). R&B singer Jeremih suffered a similar swoon (51 percent), as his self-titled debut moves down nine spots to #15 in its second week on the charts.

Los Angeles good-time rap duo LMFAO hit #33 in the chart debut for their Party Rock (11,000) album of, well, party anthems, while longtime Americana act Son Volt shuffle into the #44 spot with their glum latest, American Central Dust (10,000).

And that's about all the chart action worth talking about until next week, when Daughtry return with their second album and Jack White's latest side project, the Dead Weather, hit the charts with their debut.

• Maxwell
• All Time Low
• Eminem
• Taylor Swift
• Rob Thomas

Donnie Wahlberg
Photo: CBS

New Kids on the Block probably wouldn't have existed without The Jackson 5, and that is a statement that New Kid Donnie Wahlberg won't argue against. The Jackson 5, in many respects, laid the groundwork for bands like New Edition, NKOTB, the Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC.

"Michael Jackson was the first musical artist that I looked up to, aspired to be like," Wahlberg said. "He was the first person to ever really inspire me to dream to what's bigger than what was in front of me."

He explained that there's a clear line drawn from the Jackson 5 to the New Kids on the Block. "There's an obvious chain of influence there," he said. "There's always someone who sets the bar. ... Michael Jackson was a child and he was a superstar. Rather than kids across America and across the world looking at adults performing, they were looking at someone like them performing. You could become like Michael Jackson ... suddenly the whole playing field changed."

He continued that "from the Jackson 5's influence on New Kids on the Block, his personal influence on me to his personal influence on other members on the group" has been substantial. According to Wahlberg, It's been equally substantial on a number of other artists making music today. "I defy anyone to find an artist today who's out there making music who's not somehow influenced by Michael Jackson," he said. "There's no artist today who wasn't impacted by Michael Jackson. It's his swagger."

Don't miss "Michael Jackson: Picking Up the Pieces," Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, featuring a special report from MTV News.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

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Tito, Jermaine, Michael, Marlon and Jackie Jackson in 1978
Photo: Gregg Cobarr/WireImage

With the passing of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop leaves behind eight siblings, each of whom has at once point been a recording artist. From the Jackson 5, to Michael and Jermaine's solo careers, to Janet becoming one of the leading female artists of her generation, the Jacksons seemed born with music in their bones.

Rebbie (May 29, 1950)
The oldest of the nine Jackson siblings, Rebbie didn't get a shot at stardom with her brothers. It wasn't until 1976 that she began a professional singing career, albeit one in the background: She was a backup vocalist on albums by the Emotions and other R&B acts. In 1984, fresh off the record-breaking success of Thriller, Michael produced Rebbie's hit single "Centipede," which rose to #4 on the R&B chart. Since then, she's come out with several albums, the last — 1998's Yours Faithfully — on Michael's MJJ record label.

Jackie (May 4, 1951)
Along with Michael, he was lead singer of the Jackson 5. After recording 13 albums for Motown, the group signed with CBS Records in 1976 and became the Jacksons. Their first few efforts faltered, but the 1978 album Destiny re-established their reputation and produced a top-10 single in 1979, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)." As a solo artist, Jackie released a self-titled debut in 1973 and Be the One in 1989.

	Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

Tito (October 15, 1953)
After the success of Destiny, Tito and the Jacksons released the platinum-selling Triumph in 1980 and the multiplatinum-selling Victory in 1984. After Michael and then Marlon left the band, Tito became a successful studio musician. In 1989, the Jacksons returned for a largely Michael-free album called 2300 Jackson Street, the final Jacksons album.

Jermaine (December 11, 1954)
In 1972, while continuing to perform with his brothers, Jermaine released his first solo record, which produced the top-10 single "Daddy's Home." When the Jacksons left Motown, Jermaine left the band, as he was married to Motown founder Berry Gordy's daughter. Subsequently, he carried on releasing solo material, including hit singles like the Stevie Wonder-produced "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" and the dance track "Dynamite."

LaToya (May 29, 1956)
LaToya got her start singing backup vocals for the Jackson 5 and went solo with a 1980 self-titled album. She continued to churn out solo music but is perhaps best known for posing nude for Playboy in 1989 and writing a tell-all autobiography that led to estrangement from some siblings.

Marlon (March 12, 1957)
The guitarist for the family group, Marlon left in 1987 to pursue a solo career. His first single "Don't Go" — from debut album Baby Tonight — climbed as high as #2 on the Hot R&B chart. But Marlon's subsequent efforts proved considerably less successful. He appeared on only one track on 2300.

Michael (August 29, 1958)
He's the King of Pop for a reason: More than 750 million records sold worldwide, eight platinum or multiplatinum albums, 13 #1 singles and 13 Grammy Awards. Read more about his legendary career.

Randy Jackson (October 29, 1961)
Randy joined the group after Jermaine left in 1976, though he'd been performing with his brothers as a percussionist for some time. He performed on hit Jacksons albums like Triumph and Victory. Following the band's dissolution, Randy became a successful studio musician and also formed his own band, Randy & the Gypsys, which put out an album in 1989. He reunited with his brothers for 2300.

Janet Jackson (May 16, 1966)
The youngest Jackson appeared with her siblings onstage and on television but embarked on a solo career starting with a 1982 self-titled record. 1986's Control proved to be her breakout album, eventually going platinum five times and spawning hit singles like "When I Think of You." Her next two discs, 1989's Janet Jackson' s Rhythm Nation 1814 and 1993's Janet, became even more successful, each going platinum six times.

MTV will be paying tribute to MJ throughout the weekend with music videos, exclusive performances and calls and tweets from celebrity admirers and friends.

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

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Jermaine Dupri
Photo: Mark Mainz/ Getty Images

Are they or aren't they?

According to multiple published reports, the Jackson 5 were set to appear at Jermaine Dupri's J5-themed New Year's Eve bash at the multiplatinum producer's Studio 78 nightclub in Atlanta.

JD supposedly announced the famed quintuplet's appearance at his party while hosting his radio show on Atlanta's V-103. But in a statement released exclusively to MTV News, JD clarified his comments.

" 'Jermaine Dupri and Friends' is a Jackson 5 celebration," he explained, "meaning music is in the air and lots of J5 loving everywhere. [But] if you're coming to stargaze and not party, don't come."

Jermaine Jackson recently confirmed that the Jacksons are attempting to reunite for a tour early next year, and he said high-profile siblings Michael and Janet were onboard. But according to the New York Post, JD was said to be against Janet — his girlfriend — participating. A source told the newspaper that the producer was insistent Jackson stay in the studio recording her next album, due next year on her new label, Island Def Jam, where JD serves as an executive. The report also said that JD allegedly wanted to distance Janet from Michael specifically for fear of her getting sucked into some of the bad press he has received.

Amid the rumors of tension between Dupri and the Jackson family, the producer spoke of the group and announced his New Year's Eve plans over the radio airwaves.

A representative for JD said the producer didn't exclude the Jackson 5 from the party, but he wanted to emphasize that the gala was primarily a theme celebration, not a promoted event featuring the legendary group.

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Michael Jackson
Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty Images

More than 20 years after their last tour together, the Jacksons are gearing up for a family outing in 2008 that could include the most famous member of the Indiana-bred musical clan, Michael. That's according to brother Jermaine, who told BBC 6 on Monday that some dates have been discussed and a tour could take place sometime in 2008.

"Michael will be involved," the singer/guitarist said. "We feel we have to do it one more time. We owe that to the fans and to the public." The group has not performed live together since the 1984 Victory tour, which took place in the wake of MJ's mega-platinum solo album, Thriller. The band, which officially broke up in 1990, released a final album in 1989, 2300 Jackson Street, which only featured Michael on the title track.

Jermaine was confident that Michael would be involved in the tour, saying, "He has to be. ... He is a Jackson. He was at the meetings. Michael will be involved." He also suggested that there might be some new songs to go along with the tour, saying the band is "in the studio at the moment."

There have been regular rumors of a possible Jacksons reunion tour for years, but Jermaine told the BBC that the outing kept getting derailed, most recently by Michael's child abuse trial in 2005. "There's been so much going on, getting over all the hurdles that we all were faced with during Michael's trial," Jermaine said during his interview with the station's "The Music Week" program.

"But we are stronger than ever. I'm gonna say thank you, thank you, thank you so much to all the fans and the supporters of my family all over Europe, all over the U.K. especially, who came out to show their love and their support."

The Jackson 5 featured the five eldest Jackson sons: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. Beginning in the late 1960s and through the mid-'70s, they scored a series of huge hits for Motown, including "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There," mostly propelled by preternaturally talented pre-teen Michael's thrilling falsetto vocals and stunning dance moves. The group later added brother Randy to the mix and was renamed the Jacksons.

Michael Jackson's spokesperson, Raymone Bain, could not be reached for comment at press time. Michael has reportedly been at work on his next solo album for more than a year, working with artists ranging from Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas to DJ Whoo Kid, Akon and Chris Brown.

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Michael Jackson performs with the Jackson 5 on "American Bandstand" circa 1973  
Photo: Dick Clark Productions

Two of the most popular music shows in TV history are expected to arrive in American living rooms next year — one returning to the small screen after lying dormant for 12 years, and the other making the trip over from the U.K.

ABC plans to mark the 50-year anniversary of "American Bandstand" with a two-hour special hosted by Dick Clark and scheduled for spring, according to a spokesperson for Dick Clark Productions. Clark, 71, will highlight performances from the show's four-decade run and introduce some of the most memorable moments involving the weekly guests and the dozens of dancing young people that collectively served as the show's co-stars.

Many consider "American Bandstand" a key ingredient in early rock and roll's success by having brought the new genre into mainstream America's living rooms week after week. Among the artists whose careers were jumpstarted by the program are the Jackson 5, the Beach Boys and Buddy Holly.

The program that eventually became "American Bandstand" was first titled "Bob Horn's Bandstand" after its original host. It debuted locally in 1952 on WFIL-TV in Philadelphia. In 1956 a 26-year-old Dick Clark took the reins, and in August of the following year ABC renamed the show "American Bandstand" and began airing it nationally. The first song played was indicative of things to come — Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." The last episode of "American Bandstand" aired in 1989.

Meanwhile, "Top of the Pops," a 37-year-old weekly British program that examines the weekly singles chart, is staging an invasion of U.S. airwaves next year. The WB has commissioned a pilot episode of the hour-long show, and if it meets with the approval of network executives, "Top of the Pops" will begin airing domestically, according to Andrew Solt Productions, co-producers of the show along with the BBC.

Each week the show ends with a live performance by the artist with the #1 single, and Solt said the same will hold true for the U.S. version. Performances will primarily take place in a Los Angeles studio, or, if the artist is on tour, a traveling camera crew will come to them. Footage shot at the "Top of the Pops" London studio could also be used.

The producers are currently in talks with Billboard to license the music-industry trade magazine's weekly singles chart.

• The Jackson 5
• Buddy Holly
• Jerry Lee Lewis

The Jackson 5 (l-r): Tito, Jackie, Marlon, Randy and Jermaine
Photo: VH1

One day before the first of his tribute shows, Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years, takes place in New York, the biggest news surrounding the would-be extravaganzas is not that M.J. is gracing a U.S. stage for the first time in years — it's who exactly will be with him.

'NSYNC canceled their involvement, then later pledged to rejoin the soiree (see " 'NSYNC, Jackson 5 Plug Their 'Dancing Machine' Back In"). It was reported in the New York Post Thursday (September 6) that Britney Spears is bowing out of the lineup; however, her management refuted that report on Thursday. Even if there are more changes, M.J. can definitely count on at least five people to be there: his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Tito.

"We're just going to kick some booty," Jermaine told VH1 News on Wednesday at the siblings' New York hotel suite. "It's just great to be a part of it and see so many people want to support that whole thing. We're very excited to bring that magic and excitement to what [Michael's] trying to achieve."

In July, the gala's organizers announced that Jermaine had pulled out of the show after he sent out a press statement, which was also attributed to Randy, blasting the high price of admission to the shows.

"The exorbitant ticket prices being charged by the promoters will prevent some of our most loyal and true fans from attending the shows," the statement read. "Further, it is almost embarrassing that no charities have been named to benefit from this most momentous occasion."

"I never backed out and I never said I wasn't doing the show," Jermaine, who still feels paying upwards of $2,500 to see the show is too much, insisted. "My whole statement was misinterpreted" (see "Jermaine Jackson To Reunite With His Brothers Onstage After All").

"He was off the show because I was playing his parts [during rehearsals] and I was playing them better than him," Randy, the youngest of the brothers, chimed in before laughing.

One of the tribute's guest stars, former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who'll be playing guitar on "Beat It," said that the Jacksons are no joke onstage. He's seen a sneak peek of their routines.

"I had my first rehearsal last night and there's this whole cavalcade of high profile entertainers that are [performing]," Slash said Wednesday. "I got to see the Jackson 5 perform for the first time in 17 years.

"There's a whole medley of old songs that I haven't heard since I was a kid," Slash continued. "It's gonna be an amazing show. They're doing the moves together, Jermaine's playing bass, the whole nine yards. It's great."

Slash said that Michael's solo sets are equally as on-point.

"The thing about Michael — all the media blitz aside and inquiring minds wanting to know about his personal life and this and that and the other — is when it comes to working, he is a consummate professional," the guitarist said. "He is one of the natural big-time talents I've ever worked with.

"When we go in to do rehearsals, we go in and we snap through things, and he's got such a natural feel about his moves, his singing, it all just comes spontaneously. It's amazing to see."

During the shindig, the audience can expect to hear some changes to "Beat It." Slash vows that his guitar riffs won't sound anything like the riffs made famous by Eddie Van Halen on the original recording of the song.

"I just did it my own way," Slash said. "I told [Michael] going into it, 'I'm not gonna learn the Eddie Van Halen solo, because that's Eddie's and I'll leave it alone.' I went in and just improvised yesterday and I'm gonna be playing later on today, and I'll just make up my own solos as I go. It's all about improv with me."

The rocker's heroes agree with that credo.

"We haven't had a lot of rehearsal, but once we get on the stage it's a lot of magic and it all comes back to us," Jackie said. "Once we hit the stage, we just feed off one another, it feels great to be back. All the brothers together, including Michael, it's just a great feeling."

"We try not to rehearse too much, when we get onstage we want it to be as natural as possible and not too staged or contrived," Randy said. "Things happen in a funny natural way when it's impromptu."

Sort of like when the brothers start joking on each other when asked about who they are looking forward to seeing the most at the two-day tribute.

"I wanna see Mike," Jermaine said immediately. "Mike's gonna pull some tricks out."

"I've always wanted to sit in the audience and watch the five [brothers] perform but I can't," Marlon said.

Seeing that his brother left himself open, Jermaine chose his mark. "If you sit down, it will still be five of us," he said with a laugh.

"But it won't be the same," Marlon playfully rebutted.

The first installment of Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years will take place Friday at New York's Madison Square Garden with a second show happening Monday.

Whitney Houston, 'NSYNC and Aaron Carter are among the other scheduled performers. The event's organizers said that at least 50 movie and TV stars will also be involved, including Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor and Angie Dickinson.

Michael Jackson's new album, Invincible, is due in stores on October 30 (see "Michael Jackson's Invincible Due October 30"). He'll perform the first single, "You Rock My World," during his homage-paying fiesta.

• Michael Jackson
• The Jackson 5
• Slash

'NSYNC's Justin Timberlake
Photo: Preston C. Mack/ ImageDirect

The 'NSYNC/Jackson 5 dancing machine has gone kaput.

The Celebritys have pulled out of their planned September 7 performance with the Jackson brothers at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years concert for logistical reasons, according to the event's organizers and 'NSYNC's label, Jive Records.

"Due to scheduling conflicts, Michael Jackson and 'NSYNC will not have time to rehearse the 'Dancing Machine' number with the Jacksons in the way Michael planned to present it," producer David Gest said in a statement Wednesday (August 22).

'NSYNC are scheduled to rehearse their MTV Video Music Awards performance (see "'NSYNC, Missy Elliott To Perform At Video Music Awards") on August 29 and 30 — the same days Jackson hoped to rehearse for his shows, according to Gest.

"The two schedules just conflict, and 'NSYNC will not be in New York prior to that," Gest said. "Michael looks forward to working with 'NSYNC in the future, as he is a very big fan of the group."

An 'NSYNC spokesperson said she had no further comment.

Organizers of the anniversary celebration have also announced additional details about the shows, which will take place at Madison Square Garden on September 7 and 10.

Jackson will perform "You Rock My World," the first single from his upcoming new album, Invincible. Comedian Chris Tucker, who is featured in the opening monologue of the song, will be part of the performance.

Aaron Carter has been added to the September 10 show, as has Whitney Houston, who was originally slated just for the September 7 show.

Other entertainers scheduled to introduce performances are Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Samuel L. Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal. Taylor will be among 50 veteran actresses who are scheduled for a special appearance. Angie Dickinson, Patty Duke and Debbie Reynolds are among those expected.

The Jackson 5 are still slated to perform "Dancing Machine" and other numbers. It will be their first time onstage together in 11 years (see ).

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