It’s been a rough week in Hollywood. Not only did we lose our beloved Ed McMahon, but yesterday we lost two pop icons, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Whatever you think about these two with all their craziness, there’s no denying that they were both talented stars.
Jackson’s album “Thriller” will continue to be popular into infinity, and let’s not forget that Fawcett had some impressive movie creds to her name. No, I’m not talking about Logan’s Run, although that continues to be a vintage sci-fi favorite. I’m talking about the more critically acclaimed roles she did in movies like Extremities and The Burning Bed. She acted her chops off in those films.
Let’s take a look at these two and see how they stack up (no, I’m not talking about Farrah’s poster — get your head out of the gutter, people!).
The Posters. Oh, alright, let’s talk about the poster. Yes, there it is and there she is in all her glory. Not only did every boy have one of these in his room or locker, but most girls were coveting her physique and hair and teeth, as well. I know, because I was a girl when this poster came out. As for Michael’s “Thriller” poster, yeah, most girls had one of those, too. I was working in a record store and knew the first time I heard that album, it would be huge.
The Moves. I must boast right here and now that I was able to do the moon-walk back in the day. It’s curious that I can’t do it now, which would really score some points with my kids. I’ll keep trying to re-create it. As for Farrah, I could never in a million years get the bounce she had in “Charlie’s Angels,” and I’m not sure I’d want to.
The Clothes. I actually had a Danskin swimsuit much like hers in the poster, so OK, maybe I did have a little bounce action going. Hey, this was pre-kids, which means my body was completely and totally different than the one I have now. Girls, you know what I mean. And I must confess, I did have a jacket exactly like the one Michael is wearing on his “Thriller” cover. I’m gonna say his has shoulder-pads just like mine did back in the days of Krystle Carrington on “Dynasty.” It was a thing.
The Craziness. These two certainly had some crazy times, didn’t they? And who can blame them? It must be nuts to be a celebrity. Growing up on a farm in Michigan, I never had the opportunity to act loopy on David Letterman or create a theme park in our back forty. In more recent years, I’m sure there were times I wanted to dangle a kid off a balcony, but now they’re both too big for me to pick up, thank goodness.
I’ll remember these two stars as they are in the pictures above — back when all three of our lives were carefree and fun (I’ve still got the fun thing going; carefree, not so much).
Share your thoughts about Michael and Farrah below.
Clacked by Jane Boursaw 
on Jun 26, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
No matter what craziness took over in his later years, I’ll always have a soft spot for Michael Jackson. Apparently it’s been that way since I was born – my parents claim the only thing that would calm me down as a baby was being bounced around to the Thriller album.
I had actually forgotten how much I loved his music until American Idol did the MJ show this season. Granted, everyone’s performances sucked, but it was fun singing along to the iconic songs.
I will surely miss Michael Jackson, he is really worthy of the name King of Pop and he is certainly one of the greatest musicians of all time.