Michael Jackson memorial shows power of pop culture

By John Rash

Last update: July 9, 2009 - 4:28 PM

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Recent official state funerals have been held for presidents, the pope and a princess. This week we witnessed an unofficial one for a king.

Of course that's the King of Pop, the nickname Michael Jackson proved he earned by the incredible interest in his professional and personal lives, as well as the response to his death.

And while many may debate the meaning of his memorial service -- which has become kind of a national, cultural Rorschach Test -- no one can deny that as an event, it rivaled a state funeral in impact, if not decorum.

Some 31 million watched the memorial over 18 networks, which was more than double the most recent equivalent event during daytime, President Gerald Ford's funeral, which drew 15 million viewers on Jan. 2. 2007. And Michael's memorial audience was 50 percent higher than the 20.8 million for the June 11, 2004 funeral of the president who presided at the peak of his popularity, Ronald Reagan,

Reagan's burial service, however, played in primetime, and was watched by 35 million, which even topped the 33.2 million who watched bleary (and maybe a bit teary) on a Sept. 6, 1997 morning, mourning along with Great Britain the tragic death of Princess Diana.

To be sure, ratings don't directly equate to influence. No one would argue the King of Pop had a more profound impact than Pope John Paul II. And aggregate audiences often reflect time of telecast, which is why there were relatively fewer viewers -- 8.8 million -- for the April 8, 2005, funeral of John Paul II. Later in the day, millions more saw the view from the Vatican on subsequent network and cable news coverage.

But the small screen tune-in -- as well as the even smaller screen tune-in via live video streams on multiple websites -- is a testament to the power of pop culture.

Indeed, based on audience interest, the pull of pop is as strong as that of politics. All of which helps explain the rise in celebrity candidates, as well as candidates becoming celebrities.

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