Yeah ok so this article comes from Fox News' Roger Friedman (who is pretty much reviled by MJ fans lol) But there maybe there is something to this...

Jacko May Be Forced to Perform

Michael Jackson: He’s still in financial trouble. The result is he may be forced to perform live again even though he doesn’t want to.

Indeed, a deal I wrote about several months ago appears to be alive again. Jackson is said to be on the brink of signing to do that exclusive arrangement at the O2 Arena outside London.

I told you before that AEG Live had offered Jackson a $10 million guarantee against 20 shows at the O2 Arena. Now the ante has been upped, and my sources say AEG is pondering 30 shows for Jacko.

The shows would be the same every night: Jackson performing “Thriller,” recreating its videos and all special effects, from beginning to end. An encore might consist of five or six of Jackson’s other hits.

This deal had been offered to Jackson last spring when he was in danger of losing his Neverland ranch to default. But Colony Capital LLC of California came along and bought Jackson’s debt from Fortress Investments of New York. That deal was helped along by Jackson’s latest confidant, a man identified as Dr. Tomhe, a 59-year-old doctor.

Dr. Tomhe — which rhymes with Dr. Bombay of “Bewitched” fame — apparently persuaded Jackson to take the Colony Capital offer exceeding $23 million. But now comes the tough part: Jackson must pay back that money. According to my sources, Dr. Tomhe is urging Jackson to do the “Thriller” shows to show good faith to his investors.

Right now, Jackson is living quite modestly from what I am told. “He’s in a $10,000 a month property in Las Vegas,” a source said. “He still needs cash badly. This is his way out.”

One thing Jackson won’t do: work with his brothers. Last week, Dr. Tomhe issued a press release on Jackson’s behalf denying that he would tour with the Jackson Five. That statement had been made by Jermaine Jackson, who proved once again that the press is so gullible on this subject they will believe anything he tells them. One of the Jackson brothers usually makes the “family tour” announcement a couple of times a year. And the press just eats it up!

http://www.foxnews.com/st...29,00.html

What is going on with the Jacksons that Mj won't work with them?

FriedChickenMan ain't lying about the last bit!

Here's more on Jackson's supposed London run from Billboard:

Michael Jackson Eyeing London Run?

November 07, 2008 , 2:25 PM ET

Ray Waddell, Nashville
There is credence to ongoing speculation that Michael Jackson might be booked for a long engagement at the O2 Arena in London, though no deal has been reached nor performances contracted.

But a source confirms that there is a "standing offer with no expiration" from AEG Live for Jackson to play at the O2. The 02 is operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group, and any Jackson stand at the 02 would almost certainly be promoted by AEG Live, the live entertainment arm of AEG.

AEG Live previously promoted long and hugely successful runs at the O2 by Prince and Spice Girls.

Jackson has rarely performed in public in recent years. Last week, he denied a claim by his brother Jermaine that the entire Jackson family would convene for a tour in 2009. Sources say Michael's decision not to participate may stem from his desire to do his own touring next year.

In related news, it was a banner week for Jackson's seminal 1982 album "Thriller," which jumped 41-1 on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart after selling 31,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan (a 1,000% increase).

The set is 2008's top-selling catalog album, having shifted 688,000 copies.

What a loser.

I'll believe it when I actually see him on that stage, and not a moment before.

Annika said:

Me too. I just don't see it happening.

Timmy84 said:

You're right about that! See, Friedman is capable of telling the truth sometimes

Timmy84 said:

Interesting. And so the plot thickens...will Michael do the O2 Arena tour? or will he continue his tour of bookstores and KFCs in the Las Vegas/LA area? Only Michael knows, but only time will tell

Yes he can!!!!!

NaughtyKitty said:

Time on Michael Jackson's watch will definitely tell.

Michale would be crazy not to accept this deal.He should get out there and perform! He has so many opportunities to tour and make alot of money.Come on Michael,start planning a 2009 tour now!!

SoulAlive said:

then ill call him crazy . michael doenst like jetlags traveling and he has been doing this ish since age 5 or something i can imagine that he has lost his love for music the 2nd time around with trial and all and he just wants to be left alone. well he will be left alone if he gets his finances worked out.
as for the show of him doing thriller in full routine + 5 other hits makes the HIStory tour sound like a spectacle. this is not something i would spend my money on , his show needs to mature

^ maybe he needs to look at james brown videos again so he would get inspired again

I would rather MJ never tour again than only do it because he needed the cash.

Well, the Thriller-Show concept would have been great to coincide with Thriller 25... now that window has passed and if he does the O2 thing it should be a current show with new songs!

Mike needs to get an album out first, lol. I just can't imagine him just TAKING the show unless he has an album to promote it. Everything has now been subsided into "Thriller" that it seemed like the best way for him to recapture success for his career is to redo "Thriller" again this time by concert in London. Give me a break.

if he's doing it against his own will and it will only be a handful of songs, I don't think it's worth it, and I've been DYING to see him perform....

Can you imagine Michael still performing "Thriller" like it's something new:

Like I said... earlier this year, around the release of Thriller 25 it would have been awesome, to have a show where he performs the full Thriller album front to back... but now it's to late for that!

This won't happen. At least not as described, sounds like a 45minute show like MSG in 2001. A waste of money.

This is what I say to that:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...m2BdCbZkKY

pfft...

The Thriller show idea is terrible and I would be very surpised if MJ would even consider this.

It would make him look like a 80s nostalgia act. He doesn't need that.

If he tours again, it needs to be a) because he really wants to and b) a mix of old and new material.

The last thing we want is another MSG fiasco, where you can tell he's put in minimal effort and has just turned up to do the same routines he's been doing for years.

allienicolefen said:

Michael might be the richest entertainer ever, IF counting the assets he owns.

Unfortunately, these assets are right now unavailable because locked down on trusts, societies (Sony/ATV is one of them). These assets are extremely important cause their values increases every year ( Sony/ATV is valued at almost 2 Billion $, and MJ owns a 50% share on it). It would be an error for Michael to sell them in order to get cash.
That's why he should generate liquidities. Thus, he has to work, go on tour, the worst is he could easily make tens of millions of $ in a single year.
But all he does is negociate and renegociate with equities to buy his debts.
<

ive got this from another mjboard

Michael as of 1991 when Dangerous was released was making 37% of every album sold.
Then there is the actual deals per album which is unknown since Invincible, case in point Sony says he got at least 20 million up front to do the album and then Mj's 37% for the total sales as well.

miFinally Forbes magazine published the true realtionship of the value of the catalog how much he makes, etc.

The current MJ deal with Sony/ATV runs out in 2010 and also, Jackson has as reported in Time magazine quite some time ago that Sony BMG being added to the catalog could up the deal breaker for Jackson.

Ok, Michael technically owes Sony for his borrowing against MiJac catalog, so he owes them for that alone which is at least 100 millllion by now.



and ill ad this video because busta pretty much says whats up

Plus also, Sony is the backer of Mj's loans now. 25% will go to Sony of the Sony/ATV if they have to pay the 200 million price tag.

But Sony, and Sony/ATV are trying toi prevent that from happening and have been forcing him to live on a fixed income for the last almost 2 years.

Figure this. On just MiJac he brings in around 35 million dollars. a year off of just sales. Now Sony is taking at least 15 million making Jackson save some, then put the rest towards MiJac.At the end of the year Jackson is given around 15 million even or 2 million a month. I dont remember

Now, Sony/ATV Forbes says that Jackson is gurantted 75 million dollars a year at least at this point. But court papers back in 05 revelaed that Mj makes 100 million gurantted. Now how much of that he is forced to surrender they wont tell me.

But also now Sony/ATV via Forbes own words is valued now at least at 1 billion but could be worth 8 billion by 2010. So either way Jackson wins, if he sells or stays.


and ill ad this video of busta who sums it up

http://www.youtube.com/wa...re=related


lol at the i dont care what your music sounds like i own your ish anyway
[Edited 11/8/08 6:33am]

motownlover said:

No more excuses,no more delays,no more rumors...just tour goddammit! He's not getting any younger.If he doesn't tour now,he'll never be able to.

MattyJam said:

To some people he IS an '80s nostalgia act already. People think his moves haven't changed since 1987, lol.