Do you think that Prince's mainstream popularity in 2004 was boosted by Michael Jackson's recent "troubles"?

I mean in the 80s, Prince, Madonna and Michael were like the holy trinity of musical icons. Do you think that the media (whom have always portrayed Prince as being weird) suddenly thought "Well, he's strange but at least he's not Michael Jackson"?

prolly in some aspects...but i dont think that point was brought up in2 the forefront...im pretty sure some people thought of it but i dont think anyone ever said anything.