Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Interview With Michael Corrett

Aired August 29, 2003 - 11:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it's a thriller for fans. They're throwing a 45th birthday party bash for the King of Pop, that's tomorrow night. The three-hour extravaganza will take place at L.A.'s Orpheum Theater and comedian Steve Harvey will be the emcee.
A ticket will cost you up to 100 even though they kind of start at 30 bucks. But the word on the street is Michael Jackson might make an appearance so it just might be worth the 100 bucks.

Well 25 party guests from that party will be chosen to spend the next day at Michael Jackson's estate, the Neverland Ranch. Well Michael Corrett is a correspondent for the entertainment show "Extra" and he will be at the party. He's got an invitation,

No, you are in Los Angeles. Michael, are -- do you have a ticket for both parties?

MICHAEL CORRETT, "EXTRA" CORRESPONDENT: As a matter of fact what I -- I spent the day yesterday with Michael's fan club president, Deborah Donnelly, and I was there at the theater. And I will obviously be going to the show tomorrow night. So I got a lot of the inside scoop yesterday.

WHITFIELD: Wow, let's talk about the first big party, which is being thrown by the fan club. What is expected to happen? Are some of his closest friends going to be there or is it just anybody who can afford to get a ticket?

CORRETT: No, what it is basically -- as you said, it is a party thrown by the fans for Michael. And what Michael knows so far is that he's got a party for him and he's going to be at the Orpheum Theater. But other than that, it's a complete surprise to Michael. So, Michael, if you are watching, please walk out of the room now.

There are a lot of celebrities already scheduled. There are celebrity performances as well, Macy Gray is already scheduled, John Singleton. There's a lot of other celebrities that are now in limbo because of the VMA Awards last night.

As a matter of fact, one of Michael's fans, because of that scheduling has donated his private jet that right now is in LaGuardia waiting to board some of those people from last night.

So it will be a surprise to Michael and also to the executive producer Tina Treadwell (ph) and to Deborah the fan club president as to who is getting on the plane and arriving. WHITFIELD: Wow. And talking about surprises, let's talk about how these very lucky 25 people, I think kind of randomly selected, right? or they'll be selected by chance.

CORRETT: They're going to be doing a raffle tomorrow at the event so that in the show, they're going to choose 25 people out of the audience to go to Neverland.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

CORRETT: I'm hoping one of them is me.

WHITFIELD: Yes because those tickets are $5,000, some of the money goes to proceeds. I don't know what happens the rest of it, except to maybe pay for a smashing party.

CORRETT: Actuality, well that party is in September. But this is a private party that Michael is throwing personally for these 25 people the day after the event. So it's really -- that's really a pretty special parting gift.

WHITFIELD: Very special gift for the very special man, M.J.

CORRETT: Yes, and Michael himself is supposed to be -- he will be there. I went to his private box there yesterday. So he will be there. And he will be actually taking the stage.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well he better be there. Michael Corrbett in L.A., thanks very much. I appreciate it we'll look for the low life down scoop post-party the action.

CORRETT: My pleasure. Absolutely.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired August 29, 2003 - 11:54   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it's a thriller for fans. They're throwing a 45th birthday party bash for the King of Pop, that's tomorrow night. The three-hour extravaganza will take place at L.A.'s Orpheum Theater and comedian Steve Harvey will be the emcee.
A ticket will cost you up to 100 even though they kind of start at 30 bucks. But the word on the street is Michael Jackson might make an appearance so it just might be worth the 100 bucks.

Well 25 party guests from that party will be chosen to spend the next day at Michael Jackson's estate, the Neverland Ranch. Well Michael Corrett is a correspondent for the entertainment show "Extra" and he will be at the party. He's got an invitation,

No, you are in Los Angeles. Michael, are -- do you have a ticket for both parties?

MICHAEL CORRETT, "EXTRA" CORRESPONDENT: As a matter of fact what I -- I spent the day yesterday with Michael's fan club president, Deborah Donnelly, and I was there at the theater. And I will obviously be going to the show tomorrow night. So I got a lot of the inside scoop yesterday.

WHITFIELD: Wow, let's talk about the first big party, which is being thrown by the fan club. What is expected to happen? Are some of his closest friends going to be there or is it just anybody who can afford to get a ticket?

CORRETT: No, what it is basically -- as you said, it is a party thrown by the fans for Michael. And what Michael knows so far is that he's got a party for him and he's going to be at the Orpheum Theater. But other than that, it's a complete surprise to Michael. So, Michael, if you are watching, please walk out of the room now.

There are a lot of celebrities already scheduled. There are celebrity performances as well, Macy Gray is already scheduled, John Singleton. There's a lot of other celebrities that are now in limbo because of the VMA Awards last night.

As a matter of fact, one of Michael's fans, because of that scheduling has donated his private jet that right now is in LaGuardia waiting to board some of those people from last night.

So it will be a surprise to Michael and also to the executive producer Tina Treadwell (ph) and to Deborah the fan club president as to who is getting on the plane and arriving. WHITFIELD: Wow. And talking about surprises, let's talk about how these very lucky 25 people, I think kind of randomly selected, right? or they'll be selected by chance.

CORRETT: They're going to be doing a raffle tomorrow at the event so that in the show, they're going to choose 25 people out of the audience to go to Neverland.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

CORRETT: I'm hoping one of them is me.

WHITFIELD: Yes because those tickets are $5,000, some of the money goes to proceeds. I don't know what happens the rest of it, except to maybe pay for a smashing party.

CORRETT: Actuality, well that party is in September. But this is a private party that Michael is throwing personally for these 25 people the day after the event. So it's really -- that's really a pretty special parting gift.

WHITFIELD: Very special gift for the very special man, M.J.

CORRETT: Yes, and Michael himself is supposed to be -- he will be there. I went to his private box there yesterday. So he will be there. And he will be actually taking the stage.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well he better be there. Michael Corrbett in L.A., thanks very much. I appreciate it we'll look for the low life down scoop post-party the action.

CORRETT: My pleasure. Absolutely.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com