The verdict of Michael Jackson's doctor is in: Now there is a made-for-TV documentary about him.
The controversial show is set to air on MSNBC on Friday evening, although the Jackson family has
denounced it and urged broadcasters not to air it, according to the Associated Press.
Despite the family's objections, fans of the singer may still plan to tune in. In one day, searches
soared 1,525% on "conrad murray documentary." The TV program, "Michael Jackson and the Doctor:
a Fatal Friendship," features Dr. Murray, who was convicted on Monday of providing the singer with a
fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic Propofol. In the special, he describes that in his last words,
Jackson was "begging" for the drug.
The estate's co-executors sent a letter to NBC Universal and MSNBC to "express their disdain" for the decision to air the program that
the networks paid the doctor to air. In a statement, the Michael Jackson estate condemned the show for giving the "convicted felon" a
voice: "MSNBC gives Conrad Murray a platform to shift the blame post-conviction to Michael Jackson, even though a jury considered
the evidence and rejected this very argument."
MSNBC declined to comment. But the documentary's producers said they paid Dr. Murray just "$1" for the sale. The letter from the
Jackson estate questions the amount, suggesting that representatives of the doctors could have received money.
In a news release published by CNN, the broadcast network describes the documentary as a series of interviews with Dr. Murray in
which he reveals "personal details of his relationship with Michael Jackson, Murray's role within the star's family life, the intense
pressures that Jackson felt leading up to his tour, and the events of the fateful day that led to Jackson's death."
Interest in the case continues to buzz on the Web. Searches on Google! for "michael jackson and the doctor", "michael jackson drug
doses," and "michael jackson verdict," all rose in one day.
The Jackson family is also keeping Michael's name off an auction that will sell items from the performer's last home, where he spent
his final days. Julien's Auctions is, according to its website, offering up the "art and furnishings from 100 North Carolwood Drive," aka
Michael Jackson's final home in Holmby Hills. The site does not list the icon's name anywhere, but blogs were buzzing over news
from the Associated Press.
Hundreds of items from the 54,885-square-foot mansion will be auctioned off, including Michael Jackson's death-bed and a
chalkboard from the kitchen with the note, "I (heart) Daddy. SMILE, it's for free." That item is expected to go for $400 as is, according
to the Associated Press. The house will be sold separately. The auction is set for December 17.
