I've never heard of either of them.

I've never heard of him, either.

The Wikipedia article on him says nothing about wrestling. His biggest role seems to have been in The Tonight Show.

After reading about him, I can say I recognise the catch-phrase "Here's Johnny," though I had no idea what it was from. I think I've just come across it in other shows, movies, etc. I've never actually seen The Tonight Show itself.

/. has a poll on how Jackson's death has affected you.

Oy, there will be some internet jokes floating around about his death.

Ummm, professional wrestling is another USA (& Japan - presumably exported at the same time as baseball?) specific. And most people know "here's johnny" from The Shining - that it originates from some television show is the sort of trivia that crops up as a trick question in pub quizes.

It's not an insult for someone to be famous in a limited geographical area, you know. Fame isn't even strongly correlated with talent.

Well, if he was a kiddie fiddler he deserves to be dead.

I've been bombarded with the jokes today, 99% of which are hideous and will not be repeated by myself.

However, I feel it my duty to post at least one.

"Whats the difference between Micheal Jackson and Alex Ferguson? Ferguson will be playing Giggs in August."

You will only get that if you know a little about the English Premiership.

My thoughts? I loved the old stuff from the 80's, but as a person I think he was insane; whether it was his fault or his Dads I dunno...but he was fooked up.

RIP wacko x

Nah, Bowie is the greatest star. However, in my personal list, I'd give Elvis & MJ top 5 billings, albeit only because I'm allowing showmanship as a factor.

The BBC have already gone massively overboard on this story, but I guess their calculation is that they're bored of talking about Iran and don't really want to mention the release of BBC payroll information last night, which was otherwise set to play big nationally. One of the tabloid newspapers is alleging a painkiller overdose, but I can't see how that can possibly be anything other than gross speculation at this point. Though with no-one left to sue them for libel, I don't suppose it matters.

EDIT: after a quick iTunes search, I have Ms Jackson by Outkast, and songs by The Sleepy Jackson, Jackson Jones and Wanda Jackson. No Michael Jackson at all.

I'm sure he'll fade in not too long, but I'm fairly condifent that at present he's probably the world's most widely known person after Jesus. For example, mention Elvis Presley in an isolated area of Africa and they won't know who the hell you're talking about, but mention Michael Jackson and you're sure to get a reaction.

Erg... My sister said, "My only fear now is that MJ will haunt the dreams of our children and get revenge like Freddy Krueger."

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They found a car outside of his place...they say it's his personal doctor's vehicle. Maybe he was tired of being felt up.

Don't know if he really did all of those things...I'm sure at least ONE was true. I'm sure some people where probably just out for money, but I mean come on...with that many people saying they where "touched" by him...you really just got to believe it, ya know. I liked his music (well, some of it) but he was just too damn weird for me to really like. And Blanket...WTF kind of name is that anyway?! It's something he'll have to answer for now I guess. Rest in piece M.J.

Edit:
bamccaig and Ron Novy:

Edit 2:
MJ "My friends are here!"
MJ and blanket
Get that kid away from MJ

Creepy.