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Showbiz Tonight

Special Live Coverage of Michael Jackson`s Funeral

Aired September 03, 2009 - 23:00   ET

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

A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Now, on a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the funeral of Michael Jackson. Seventy days after his sudden and shocking death, Michael Jackson is being laid to rest. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live on the scene at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in California where friends and family have gathered for the private burial.

Plus, the great mystery still surrounding his death and legacy. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live for the funeral of Michael Jackson.

Brand-new Chris Brown drama. It`s Chris versus Oprah. Tonight, why Chris Brown is taking on Oprah over his beating of Rihanna. And wait until you hear what Oprah has to say about it.

And is Levi Johnston really going to pose for "Playgirl"? What is he thinking?

TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York City. Tonight, it is a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Michael Jackson`s funeral. Seventy days after his sudden death, Michael Jackson finally being laid to rest.

Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you right to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California - that`s where Jackson`s family and friends gathered tonight for a private burial service.

Only his family and closest friends were invited to attend, but SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you unprecedented access to this special event.

And joining me live from the site of Michael Jackson`s funeral in Glendale, CNN`s Ted Rowlands. Ted has been covering the service all night.

Ted, this night was a very long time coming. And it looks like we are still waiting for the service to get started even though it should have started over an hour ago.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, 7:00 p.m. sharp was what was written in the invitation. It is an hour after the time where service was to begin and the family has yet to arrive here.

A lot of guests have arrived though, including Elizabeth Taylor, Macaulay Culkin and dozens of other people that were close to Michael Jackson throughout his life. In fact, Elizabeth Taylor got here about an hour and a half ago. They are waiting inside up above a hillside here.

We do not have access to the actual ceremony from where our - at our vantage point. There is a pool camera which is providing images coming out of there. Basically, what is taking place is they have a series of rows of white chairs outside - outside of the mausoleum here, and that is where the service will take place once the family arrives.

HAMMER: Even as I`m watching these live pictures, Ted, it`s almost amazing to me this thing even came together. Because as we reported before, the Jackson family was torn about where to bury Michael.

Jermaine saying he wanted Michael to be buried at Neverland. Michael`s mom Katherine didn`t want that to happen. What are you hearing, if anything, about how they ultimately chose Forest Lawn as his final resting place?

Well, what we`re hearing and what was apparent was that there was a struggle, a family feud, if you will, about what people thought within the family that Michael Jackson wanted to be his resting spot.

Jermaine Jackson thought that Neverland Ranch during Michael`s lifetime at its best was the most peaceful serene place that Michael Jackson would have wanted to be laid to rest. Others in the family completely disagreed saying that after the child molestation trial, Michael Jackson said he never wanted to return there. And those family members took that to even in death.

In the end, they finally, after two months` time, came to an agreement and have decided on, quite frankly, a gorgeous place. This cemetery is beautiful and it is expansive. And the spot where Michael Jackson is going to be laid to rest is simply a beautiful, beautiful spot.

HAMMER: Yes. I have been looking at images of it all day long. I have to say it is a spectacular location. We all saw, of course, a much different kind of a service, a massive public memorial for Michael at the Staples Center that was open to the fans.

Thousands came out for it. It was broadcast around the world. This is, as we mention, a private event and very different. Are you getting a sense of the vibe, Ted, which I have to imagine, is quite different than that night at the Staples Center?

ROWLANDS: Absolutely much different. The Staples Center was a performance on a lot of levels and a celebration of the life of Michael Jackson with the different performers that we saw. And the tributes were more of a public tribute.

This, you get the sense because of its setting and because of the people invited, is very private. The people invited here are the people who touched Michael Jackson or were touched.

And not just celebrities. You know, we`ve mentioned the celebrities, but there were other people. There`s one - Dave Rothenberg. Now, he goes by Dave Dave, a young man who was burned by his father, a horrific case that got national attention. Michael Jackson saw him and befriended him and they formed a lifelong relationship.

Miko Brando, Marlon Brando`s son. People like that are also here. It`s a group that the family assembled, the folks that thought that Michael Jackson would have wanted to be here at such a private intimate ceremony.

HAMMER: Well, CNN`s Ted Rowlands - I want you to stay right where you are, live at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale. I want to bring in an "Extra" correspondent, Carlos Diaz, also live at the scene of the burial in Glendale.

And with me in New York is Midwin Charles who is an attorney with the law firm Midwin Charles and Associates.

All right. Once again, guys, it has been 70 days since Michael Jackson`s shocking death. I want to roll out the SHOWBIZ news line - take you back. It was June 25th when police responded to that 911 call that Jackson had collapsed at his rented mansion. He was later pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center.

A public memorial, as I mentioned, for Jackson was held on July 7th. That was at the Staples Center at Los Angeles. Some 17,000 fans were able to attend that. And tonight, as we have been saying, only Jackson`s family and closest friends have gathered for this private burial service.

Carlos, I want to start with you. Do you think that the family is going to finally move past all of the drama now that Michael Jackson has made it to this final resting place?

CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Well, there is still a lot of drama left, A.J., as you well know. There is still discussions about the estate. I mean, they have, you know, settled the custody battle with Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket.

But now, you worry about the estate battle which is going to be going on. Also, you do not have a clear-cut definition of the person behind Michael Jackson`s death. And I think that`s where things will intensify in the next coming weeks and months.

HAMMER: And as we`re looking at some live aerial shots of the scene around the Forest Lawn Cemetery, you know, we have to keep in mind, among this drama, only late yesterday a Los Angeles judge finally approved Katherine Jackson`s request that Michael Jackson`s estate foot the bill for the cost of her son`s burial, which I don`t quite understand.

But Midwin, separate from all of that, all this drama that`s been going on since Michael died, the fact that he was one of the biggest stars in the world, it almost makes us forget at the end of the day, this is a mother burying her son.

MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: That`s exactly right. And I think her push to get this done in style and the way that Michael would have wanted shows us that that`s exactly what`s at heart here. And it wasn`t until little Paris kind of had that emotional outburst at the memorial service did it really hit home for everyone.

You know what? This was a man. He was someone`s father, someone`s uncle, someone`s son. And so that`s what really brought it home. I think Katherine has been stoic throughout all of this in planning this funeral service that we are seeing tonight.

HAMMER: Well, Michael`s ex-wife, Debbie Rowe who, of course, is the biological mother of Jackson`s two oldest children, was reportedly invited to be there for the private burial service tonight.

And as we know, Rowe and the Jacksons have also worked out a custody deal. Ted let me go back to you. Do you get the sense that what the custody agreement now behind them, Debbie Rowe and the Jacksons are actually in a pretty good place?

ROWLANDS: I think they have been in a good place for a very long time, A.J., because they worked it out. And what we`re seeing here, we just saw Joe Jackson go by in the lead car. This is the Jackson family now arriving. Twenty-six cars in all, carrying direct family members of Michael Jackson arriving here with the police escort some one hour after the services were supposed to begin.

This convoy of cars now making its way into the Forest Lawn Cemetery to join the others that have been waiting to lay Michael Jackson to rest. And I just saw a vehicle carrying the Jackson children, or at least it looked like one of the children in one of these SUVs that just went by.

HAMMER: Hearing that, Ted, and seeing these live pictures as the family comes in is very sobering and it certainly brings us back to what tonight is all about for the Jackson family.

But of course, we can`t ignore that this is all against the backdrop of a homicide investigation that is still going on. As we know, Jackson died of a lethal combination of propofol and a sedative. And it does seem that arrests are inevitable.

Carlos Diaz, back out to you, live in Glendale, do you think that the police have sort of been waiting around for Michael`s burial service to happen before they go through and make any arrests, just let this event take place?

DIAZ: You know, A.J., I think in a perfect world, that would be a good scenario. But I think the police in this investigation have said all along this investigation will take as long as the investigation needs to take.

They want to cross all the T`s and dot all the I`s. They want to make sure they get every fact correct. So I really don`t see any correlation between any kind of arrest being made and the fact that Michael Jackson is being laid to rest as we speak.

And you know, we`re seeing the cars going by and, you know, at the memorial back at the Staples Center, they were all dressed in black with yellow ties. It seems now tonight, it`s black with red ties to commemorate Michael Jackson this evening.

HAMMER: Midwin, what do you think? With the burial, once it`s over with, will that certainly begin a new chapter in this investigation?

CHARLES: Of course. I mean, there have been so many different chapters with this investigation beginning back on June 25th when this happened. But I think one of the things that the investigators are focusing on is what exactly can they prove?

For example, if Dr. Murray is arrested, how much can they put together, the information for him to be actually convicted?

HAMMER: Yes.

CHARLES: So you are going to see a whole bunch of other things. They are poring through the evidence. They are poring through the records. They are poring through everything that they found at the home as well as the autopsy reports.

HAMMER: Yes.

CHARLES: So there is going to be a lot more that`s going to be uncovered as time goes by, for sure.

HAMMER: For sure. It certainly is stunning as we watch these live pictures as the service getting set to begin in Glendale, California.

Ted Rowlands, Carlos Diaz, Midwin Charles, I thank you. I don`t want you to go anywhere, because coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, much more of our continuing live coverage of Michael Jackson`s funeral.

Moving on, for the moment, there is brand-new Chris Brown drama we`ve got to talk about.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS BROWN, SINGER: When I look at it now, it`s was like, wow. I can`t believe that actually happened. It`s really like - it took a toll on me. And I was just like, wow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Chris Brown, speaking out about beating Rihanna. But wait until you hear this. Now, Chris is taking on Oprah. The brand-new war of words and what Oprah has to say about it.

Also, Levi Johnston certainly isn`t shy when it comes to dishing dirt on Sarah Palin. But, ponder this - is he bold enough to bare it all for "Playgirl?" It looks like it might actually be happening. What is this guy thinking?

And Madonna`s 9-year-old son getting into the act on Madonna`s "Stick and Sweet" tour. Can Rocco hold his own in the family business? I`ve got this unbelievable video. You have got to see it. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.

We have a gentlemen here that needs help and he`s not breathing.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, we have a gentleman here that needs help. He`s not breathing.

JERMAINE JACKSON, BROTHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: My brother, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. We will love you, Michael, always. I love you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: You`re looking at some band-new images. The family of Michael Jackson just arriving at his funeral 70 days after the death of the King of Pop. We will have much more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s live continuing coverage of Michael Jackson`s funeral in just moments.

And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer, live in New York.

Tonight, Levi Johnston`s most shocking move yet. The teenage father of Sarah Palin`s grandchild has never been shy about making claims about Sarah Palin. And he may put some of the bravado to use in a whole new way posing for "Playgirl." This shocking announcement just came after Johnston dished even more dirt about life at the Palin household.

Here is CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Don`t jump, Levi Johnston, not when you`ve just made it into "Vanity Fair." And to add to your vanity, now "Playgirl" tells CNN it`s finalizing the details that they`re very close to negotiations to have Levi pose at least semi-nude. Even at the "Vanity Fair" shoot, Levi and his manager were talking about "Playgirl."

LEVI JOHNSTON, FATHER OF SARAH PALIN`S GRANDCHILD: I would do it. I guess (INAUDIBLE) posing for women.

MOOS: Hey, he`s already posed half-naked in "GQ," his baby was totally nude. For "Vanity Fair," the clothes make the man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What you see right here - Wasilla wear. We are going show you "Vanity Fair" wear. See.

MOOS: And when he stepped outside to pose on a ledge, he was also wearing a harness. Levi explained back when he escorted comedienne Kathy Griffin at the Teen Choice Awards.

JOHNSTON: I was looking down 25 stories. I was all harnessed up, but it was a little scary.

KATHY GRIFFIN, COMEDIENNE: By the way, we`re going to recreate that later tonight at my place. I`ve got the harness, the camera - it`s going to be great.

MOOS: To think that it was just last summer that Levi Johnston was awkwardly was holding Bristol Palin`s hand on stage, getting patted by John McCain as he was welcomed into the political family.

And now, he`s been in a "Vanity Fair" video, waving a mask of his almost, but not quite mother-in-law. He`s spilling more beans, writing that Sarah Palin nagged him about a great idea she had. "`We would keep it a secret. Nobody would know that Bristol was pregnant.` She told me that once Bristol had the baby, she and Todd would adopt him." No comment from Sarah Palin.

"Playgirl" isn`t the only racy outfit out to get Levi. The gay magazine "Unzipped" has a standing offer says its editor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through telephone): He`s a really handsome guy. He`s rugged. He`s a real guy`s guy.

(on camera): And who knew "Playgirl" doesn`t even exist anymore? Although there is an online version. "Playgirl" says that it`s hoping for a long- term relationship with Levi Johnston. Of course, so were the Palins before. Reports are that he wants to keep his skivvies on, but everyone is trying to separate Levi from his Levis.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Now, I want to go back out live to Glendale, California where Michael Jackson`s funeral is about to get underway about an hour and 15 minutes it was originally has been intended to start. Katherine Jackson and father Joe Jackson right there. We will be seeing much more in just a few moments.

Well, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines getting back to what`s going on with Levi Johnston, not a lot of time to look at "Playgirl" these days. They`re way too busy. Look at them. They`re fielding all these calls about Levi dishing the dirt and making all those outrageous claims he`s been making about Sarah Palin.

Let`s get to a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Kris in Arizona who says Levi needs to zip it and we should stop talking about it.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

CALLER: I just don`t think that the media should cover Levi Johnston anymore. He needs to shut up and go away. He is disgusting. And I`m saying this as a person who is not a Sarah Palin fan.

The very person who needs bashing in the media right now is the person who is responsible for him being in the spotlight.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HAMMER: Kris, I appreciate your call. We also heard from Andrea calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Texas. Andrea says Levi just might be telling the truth.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

CALLER: I don`t think he is lying because the fact that he has been in there - I don`t think he`s looking for publicity because if he was, he could have made up a lot more rumors than that.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HAMMER: Thank you, Andrea. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" if you want to let us know what you think about Levi Johnston or anything else at all. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. Call us in the middle of the night. We don`t care. In fact, we encourage it - 1-888- SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Also, your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are online on our homepage and that is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.

Well, tonight, there is brand-new Chris Brown drama to talk about.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: When I look at it now, it`s just like, wow, I can`t believe that actually happened. This really like, took a toll on me. And I was just like, wow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Now, I`m just like, wow. That`s Chris Brown`s take on the night he beat Rihanna. But get this, now, he`s actually started a brand-new war of words with Oprah Winfrey, of all people. Why Chris is lashing out at Oprah and what Oprah has to say.

Also, much more on the funeral of Michael Jackson. And we`re going to take you back live to the scene. Plus, the Michael Jackson mysteries, a lot to talk about there from what`s going to happen to his kids, what`s going to happen to all of Michael Jackson`s money?

And you know those billboards featuring this guy, David Beckham? He is wearing nothing but his underwear. You know, the billboards that stop traffic?

Well, tonight, Ellen DeGeneres has a little surprise for David. We`re going to show you the brand-new billboards that you will never forget. You can`t miss it. This is a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.

It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.

TEXT: Katherine Heigl taking a break from "Grey`s Anatomy" to film a new romantic comedy. Don Imus` radio show will be simulcast on Fox Business Channel.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: You are looking at live pictures of Michael Jackson`s brothers arriving for the funeral of Michael Jackson who died 70 days ago.

You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing live coverage of Michael Jackson`s funeral, these images coming in from Glendale, California and Forest Lawn Cemetery. And it really is striking to see these images coming in. We`re seeing Michael Jackson`s - two of his children right there.

And we`re seeing all of the superstars who is have turned out. Katherine Jackson, Joe Jackson seated next to her, all of the luminaries who are on hand.

Let me bring in Midwin Charles who is joining me in New York tonight. Midwin, as we se this happening, it really snaps us back into perspective what took place here.

Yes, we have been talking since Michael Jackson died about the tragedy of his death, about the death investigation, about the tragic life that he led. But this is a beloved man who died. And it just feels very somber and sobering to me, watching the images.

CHARLES: It does. And like you said, it just brings everything back home. I mean, for the past 70 days, all we`ve heard about is propofol and Diprivan and drug after drug after drug. Custody battles and estate battles.

I mean, I think the American public has just learned so much about what it takes now to run an estate and what have you. But at the end of the day like I said earlier, this is a man who died and two parents - a set of parents have to bury their child today. And I think that`s what it comes down to.

HAMMER: Yes. And that`s something that I think is important for everybody to remember. Because with everything we have been talking about with Michael Jackson, a lot of the reality of it gets lost.

I want to bring in "Extra" correspondent Carlos Diaz. He`s live at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale. Carlos, this service was supposed to begin now an hour and 26 minutes ago. What can you tell us now that the family rolled in, how close are we and has the vibe and the mood started to change?

DIAZ: It`s amazing. You know, you see all these reporters everywhere. And they are huddled around every camera, every monitor they can get around, every TV that has the images that you are talking about right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

You know, reporters can`t get enough of these images because, I mean, you can see the interest that is here. Well, I`m looking over my camera man`s shoulder right now at dozens of fans who have gathered and are chanting "Michael, Michael" about 100 yards off the road.

When I was pulling in, there was a 90-foot banner that said, "Michael Jackson, gone too soon." So obviously, the police have done a great job of organizing this entire event. But the fans are still here to pay their last respects.

HAMMER: Carlos Diaz, I want you to stay right where you are because we have much more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing live coverage of the funeral of Michael Jackson. We`ll be right back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL JACKSON, KING OF POP: This will be it. This is it. When I say this is it, it really means this is it.

RANDY PHILLIPS, PRESIDENT & CEO, AEG LIVE: All I know is the Michael Jackson that hugged me and said good night was a healthy, vibrant human being about to undertake the greatest undertaking of his life.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Now, on a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the funeral of Michael Jackson. Big questions as the King of Pop is laid to rest. Who is responsible for his death? And what will become of Michael Jackson`s legacy? Tonight, the great Jackson mysteries.

Plus, Chris Brown`s very first TV interview since beating Rihanna.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: When I look at it now, it`s just like, wow, I can`t believe that actually happened. This really like, took a toll on me. And I was just like, wow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Tonight, Chris Brown`s first reaction to seeing Rihanna`s bruised and bloody photo. Plus, Brown`s brand-new war of words with Oprah.

And Levi Johnston`s Sarah Palin fame game. Is Levi striking a pose for "Playgirl?"

Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."

TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

Welcome back to the special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.

Tonight, we are dealing with great Michael Jackson mysteries. Michael Jackson is finally being laid to rest tonight, 70 days after his sudden and stunning death. But still, there so many unsolved mysteries surrounding his passing.

His death was ruled a homicide, but who will be held responsible? And what will happen to Michael Jackson`s growing fortune now that he is gone? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is investigating the great Michael mysteries.

But first, let`s go live once again to Forest Lawn Cemetery where Michael Jackson is being laid to rest. Tonight, the funeral service is getting under way.

Joining me just outside the cemetery in Glendale, California is CNN`s Randi Kaye. Randi, quite a night to be sure. And although it was nothing like the massive public memorial, I have to imagine, as we`re watching these images of his children, really the first time we are seeing them since Michael Jackson`s memorial.

We`re seeing his sister. We`re seeing his mother and father. Quite an evening to pull off. What can you tell us about what`s happening now?

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just minutes ago, actually, A.J., the 26th car motorcade of the Jackson family went by here. It was a police escort coming from Katherine Jackson`s home in Encino. And that`s why you`re seeing now the images of the children.

We also can tell you just less than two minutes ago, Michael Jackson`s body inside a hearse was moved from the lower part of Forest Lawn Memorial Park just inside these wrought-iron gates here behind me. It was moved from there up to the great mausoleum in Holly Terrace where he is actually going to be laid to rest.

That is where this very private, supposedly very private memorial service for Michael Jackson and the burial service for Michael Jackson is going to be held here. Just family and very close friends, a lot of celebrities already there tonight.

We saw Elizabeth Taylor come through. Stevie Wonder is there. Macaulay Culkin is there, all here to really not only lay Michael Jackson to rest, but also to celebrate his life, A.J.

HAMMER: But really, it seems - it almost sounds so quiet there. We saw images of the hearse. We`re seeing more images of his friends and family. Now, it seems in such stark contrast as what a funeral should be to what we experienced at the Staples Center. I imagine it`s a very somber evening.

KAYE: Absolutely. We actually have a source inside who sent us an E-mail and all he wrote was, "Serene. Pinch me." So that really tells you the mood in there. And even though the motorcade went by, most of the windows were dark and it was really extra hard to see who was coming by.

But Jermaine Jackson actually rolled his window down and took a look at the media, probably really just trying to soak up what is really happening here tonight as he makes his way up that hill, just about a two- minute drive behind me, to lay his brother to rest.

I mean, there are 60 media outlets from around the world here. And then, also, we have Rev. Al Sharpton inside who is actually Twittering through this entire burial service. He`s been sending out tweets about what people are talking about inside. So this is truly only the way the Jackson family could do it.

HAMMER: Yes. And just striking, Randi, to hear you say 26 cars in that motorcade for the Jackson family. CNN`s Randi Kaye, live from Glendale. Thank you so much for being with us. I appreciate it.

Well, once again, it has been 70 days since Michael Jackson died. Tonight, as Michael Jackson is being laid to rest, still, so many great Michael Jackson mysteries.

I want to bring in also live from the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." Live with us in New York tonight is Midwin Charles, an attorney for Midwin Charles and Associates.

And as we are continuing to see the service get under way for Michael Jackson, I want to deal with some of these mysteries. Of course, this is all set against the backdrop of how Michael Jackson died and who is responsible for Michael Jackson`s death.

Now, Jackson`s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, has been in the crosshairs of this investigation. Carlos, what do you think the chances are that this is the guy who will ultimately be held responsible for Michael`s death?

DIAZ: And that`s the thing, you know. As you said, he is in the crosshairs. Every indication is that he will be indicted in some way whether it is manslaughter, even possibly second-degree murder.

He is the guy that everyone is focusing on. But keep this in mind - even if by some chance Dr. Conrad Murray is completely cleared of all these charges, he`s had to endure all these things. And it is guilt by association.

And everyone that will be named over the next few weeks to have a connection with Michael Jackson in any kind of way is going to suffer at the hands of the public as far as being tried by the public.

So Dr. Conrad Murray has already suffered a lot. And as we talked about before, he is the guy that everyone is looking at right now, including authorities. And he`s the guy that everyone is pointing a finger at right now.

HAMMER: I want to bring in Midwin Charles with me in New York. Midwin, as we`re looking - and Charles, if it`s possible to bring up that live picture again. This is an aerial shot that`s coming into to us, a live picture as his casket is being put in place.

You know, this just snaps everything into perspective in terms of the fact that we lost, you know, one of the greatest stars the world has ever known all summer long. Seventy days we have been talking about how Michael died, the circumstances and what has been going on with the drama surrounding his family and where he will be buried.

And there he is, Midwin. And I`ve got to tell you, I`m having a hard time just finding the words. It`s such a sobering moment.

CHARLES: It`s difficult. I mean, it`s been 70 days yet it`s so fresh. It`s almost as though it just happened. It`s almost as though June 25th is back here again. I mean, it`s just one of the saddest things I have ever seen.

The memorial service was a celebration of his music, his contribution to America and to the world and music and dance and style and fashion. But this funeral is more or less a sending home. You know, this is sending him home in style. This is probably what Michael Jackson would have wanted.

HAMMER: One of the great Michael Jackson mysteries is what`s going to happen to Michael`s legacy, because his life was so complex. We were just hearing a moment ago - I got word that in some of the images, we saw Michael Jackson`s children laying what appeared to be a crown on his casket, perfectly fitting, of course, for the King of Pop. And of course, they are so much a part of what his legacy will become.

Carlos, let me go back out to you. What do you think? Ten years from now, we are sitting around and we are talking about Michael Jackson. Is the first thing we are going to remember, the first thing that we`re going to talk about - his death or his life?

DIAZ: I think it`s his life, his music. I mean, if you listen to the radio right now, how different is a Justin Timberlake song than "Billie Jean?" I mean, his sound is really one of those things that will continue.

And he hasn`t had a hit, a true hit in 10 years. And he`s still as popular now, more popular now than he was, you know, five or six years ago. I honestly believe that Michael Jackson`s legacy will live on. It will endure the test of time. And people will appreciate his music more so than the drama in his life.

HAMMER: Carlos, I agree with you. I think, you know, certainly, it is a part of his story. But it will be overshadowed by what an incredible life that he lived. Randi Kaye from CNN, thank you for joining us a little bit earlier. Carlos Diaz, live out there in Glendale, Midwin Charles, I appreciate you being with us.

We`re going to be back. There is much more to talk about as our continuing live coverage of the funeral of Michael Jackson rolls on in just a moment here on HLN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE JACKSON, FATHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: I was very proud of my son and the legacy of Michael will still go on.

JERMAINE JACKSON: He`s gone too soon - too soon.

PARIS KATHERINE JACKSON, DAUGHTER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine.

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HAMMER: Welcome back to the special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s continuing coverage of Michael Jackson`s funeral. You`re looking at live aerial shots coming in from the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.

This is the site of the funeral service for Michael Jackson before he is laid to rest. We want to look at the family arriving earlier. A motorcade of 26 cars - that is a huge motorcade bringing Michael`s family, his father Joe and mother Katherine, the brothers and the sisters and, of course, Michael`s three children who we haven`t seen since the big memorial service at the Staple Center.

There, you see two of his children seated at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. This was a service was set to begin almost an hour and 45 machines ago. Janet Jackson being seated there.

I want to go back out to Glendale, California live. Carlos Diaz, a correspondent for "Extra" is standing by. As we`re looking at these images coming in, and right now, we see Katherine Jackson, Carlos, seated right next to Joe Jackson.

I cannot remember the last time, perhaps separate from the memorial service, when we saw the two of them side by side. Obviously, their marriage is a unique one. They don`t live together, but they are the parents of Michael Jackson who is being laid to rest today.

DIAZ: Yes. And you can really see it in Katherine`s eyes. I mean, Joe always has that stoic look in any situation. But Katherine, you can see just the anguish in her face. You can see the hurt in her eyes. She has lost, you know, her baby. She has lost her son.

And that`s what really brings it home when you see the parents of Michael Jackson sitting there. And it`s really - it really is a somber scene. It`s much different. I was at the Staple Center which, as you said earlier, was a celebration.

This is a very somber scene, a very quiet scene - very ironic. There is a full moon that has risen in the last hour or so above the cemetery. I don`t want to make any, you know, unusual correlation to "Thriller" here, but it`s kind of like, you can`t help but think about that. And it`s just really one of those things where, as much as of a celebration as it was at the Staples Center a few months ago, this was completely and exactly the opposite.

HAMMER: And what`s very interesting, Carlos, as you well know, being an entertainment reporter, we did not know going into tonight, what kind of access we would be granted.

We knew we were not going to be able to be inside. But we knew that the family would be providing this what is called pool footage of inside the service. And it is stunning to me how intimate we are seeing this.

I cannot recall ever in history seeing a private service open only to family and friends where we are seeing such an intimate at all of the celebrities who are there. I mean, Carlos, run down for us some of the people who were there.

I mean, off the top of my head, just seeing Liz Taylor there, and looking terrific by the way, seeing her up close at Michael Jackson`s funeral. I never would have imagined.

DIAZ: And it`s a very unusual mix, too, A.J. You know, you mentioned Liz Taylor. You would expect Liz Taylor. By the way, a person that`s not here, once again, Diana Ross not here, which is still a mystery to a lot of people.

But you see, you have Liz Taylor. Then you have people like Barry Bonds, you know. But Macaulay Culkin here, you know, who got to be Michael`s friend after "Home Alone" became popular. Corey Feldman who has always been a big fan of Michael Jackson`s. Chris Tucker who has emulated Michael Jackson in the "Rush Hour" movies and became a friend of Michael Jackson, appeared in the video of Michael Jackson.

You do have a lot of stars here. And you`re right, A.J. We didn`t know what to expect coming into tonight as far as what we would be seeing. And we are seeing a lot more. And as I said earlier, the reporters here are gathered around every TV screen they can. They`re trying to get a taste of this as well.

HAMMER: I want to bring in entertainment journalist Lisa Bernhard who is with me in New York. Lisa, I mean, you have to agree, seeing such a close and personal look of a man who was so reclusive and from a family that was so torn about how to handle the service, it is stunning, isn`t it?

LISA BERNHARD: It is pretty stunning. To see close up the grief on their faces - and you know, you mentioned Katherine Jackson. Michael was so close to Katherine. He loved his mother so much and you mentioned him being the baby.

And to see Liz Taylor come out and all these faces out there. And you know, talking before about his legacy and what will live on - will it be his death or will it be his career? I think very much his career.

And you know, we will see that feature film of "This Is It," of the rehearsal which we`ve only seen a snippet of. And my favorite part is the moment at the end when he smiles, when he freezes for the applause and you can hear the countdown. You can hear presumably the director or somebody coordinating the show saying, "Wait for the applause," and that smile that comes out on Michael`s face, where that is where he truly was comfortable and what he loved.

And in October, that will come out as a feature film for all of us to see, that final last dress rehearsal for what was supposed to be those 50 concerts called "This Is It" in London.

HAMMER: And when we talk about his legacy, we can`t help but think of his children. We were seeing some earlier footage of his children there at the funeral service.

I want to bring in Midwin Charles who is with me in New York. Again, Midwin, these were children and we saw two of them tonight. We are not seeing the youngest, Blanket, but we`re seeing the two older children.

And it is stunning to me. We first really got to see them at Michael Jackson`s memorial service at the Staple Center. And now, the family saying it`s OK, obviously, because they`re providing this footage. You can take these close up pictures of the kids.

CHARLES: Yes. I mean, up until that memorial service, few people even knew what these children look like. I mean, Michael Jackson did an amazing job of shielding them from the public because he didn`t want them to grow up the way he did.

And so now, the family has decided - you know what? The children are old enough. They`re clearly well-adjusted. And so, the are OK for showing these pictures. But I think they`ve done a very good job in making sure that the media is at a distance from this.

This is a very personal moment. It`s a very somber moment. And by providing this pool footage, they have been able to accomplish that.

HAMMER: And it`s really interesting also to note that, you know, granted it has been 70 days since Michael Jackson died. But Carlos, we are not seeing a lot of tears right now. I imagine once this thing gets rolling and some people start to speak and Gladys Knight performs as she`s scheduled to, I imagine that that mood is going to change. But yes, there is sort of a placid quality that is coming through these images to me.

DIAZ: You know, the funny thing is or the ironic thing, I should say, is that when Michael Jackson`s casket came into Staples Center, you could hear a pin drop. And when Michael Jackson`s hearse was pulling up this hill, just a few moments ago, everyone here was morbidly quiet.

And that`s thing. You realize, you know, it`s right in your face that this is a funeral, that the King of Pop is in this hearse and that he really is gone. And like you said, A.J., hopefully, just like at Staples Center when people start talking - and these are entertainers - when they start talking and there is singing, hopefully it turns into more of a celebration.

HAMMER: And you have to wonder, Carlos, how it feels for some of the mourners who have come out tonight. You know, Janet Jackson - she is also notoriously private despite being, again, one of the biggest stars in the world.

And these guys are now surrounded by cameras. I mean, we are not seeing any footage of anybody playing to the camera. But it is a sort of an odd juxtaposition at what was supposed to be such a private affair.

DIAZ: Yes. And you know, that is unusual, but you have to understand that they realize that the world wants to be a part of this in some way. And I think they are showing enough images. I think it`s a good mix. I think they`re showing enough images for people to get an idea of what is going on, but not too many images where it`s intrusive.

HAMMER: Midwin Charles, joining me in New York tonight. Another thing that you have to know, speaking of juxtaposition - you know, you put this against the backdrop of all of the drama that has gone on since that 911 call was placed, since the day that Michael Jackson died, a day I certainly will never forget. And anybody who is here talking about it and the world for that matter.

This looks like it has been a relatively, as far as we know, drama- free evening.

CHARLES: It has. It ought to be. I mean, Michael Jackson, especially in the last 15 years, led a very dramatic life as well. And so unfortunately in death, it is also a dramatic death. But you know, here you have people gathering. They are respecting the fact that he lived an amazing life.

And right now, this is a moment for people to sit back and realize we are going to miss him. We are going to live the rest of our lives without him. And that`s what tonight`s really about.

HAMMER: Midwin Charles, Carlos Diaz, Lisa Bernhard, thank you all for being with me tonight. Much more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s live, continuing coverage of the funeral of Michael Jackson in just moments.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKO BRANDO, MICHAEL JACKSON`S FRIEND: I will always think about him and wish he was here and no, it will not be over for me.

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HAMMER: An emotional Miko Brando talks about his dear friend, Michael Jackson earlier tonight on CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE." Miko, of course, among the many long-time friends of Jackson attending his funeral in California tonight.

And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there with continuing live special coverage of the funeral of Michael Jackson. Welcome back to this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Michael Jackson`s funeral. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

And it has been over two months since Michael Jackson`s death. And finally, the King of Pop is being laid to rest. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is live on the scene at Forest Lawn Cemetery in California where friends and family gather tonight for the private burial.

And joining me once again, CNN`s Ted Rowlands who is standing outside of Michael Jackson`s final resting place in Glendale, California. Ted, this service was supposed to have started almost two hours ago. It does appear that it is finally getting underway.

ROWLANDS: Yes, getting under way, late - about an hour late. But also, you know, like the Staple Center service, the memorial there, A.J. There was a lot of anticipation and a lot of wondering of what we would see, who would be here.

And I`ve got to tell you, the images of Michael Jackson`s children at the very beginning of this - first of all, arriving here and getting out and sitting down. But at the very beginning of this service, we saw them walk up to the casket and put flowers on top of the casket.

And it really does bring it home. This is a private family and friends and close people that - of Michael Jackson that are here tonight, celebrating his life and saying goodbye to him as he is laid to rest.

HAMMER: Such a private family, yet so remarkable that they are releasing intimate, intimate images. And it appears, Ted, that this really has been, for all the drama that has surrounded Michael Jackson`s life and death, a drama-free evening. Is that how it feels there live on the scene?

Well, yes and no. Once it started, absolutely. But when the family was an hour late, of course, you know, rumors started about different types of things that could be happening.

There was that drama. But again, as soon as the family came in their limousines and you saw in their faces what they were here for, it brought it back to what indeed it is and that is the burial of someone that they love.

HAMMER: CNN`s Ted Rowlands outside the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California. I thank you so much. The images coming in tonight really just incredible and again much more than we would have expected on such a sobering, sobering night.

Well, that is it for this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Good night.

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