AEG's Randy Phillips talks about 'This Is It' (AEG)
To say AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips is a "busy man" is an understatement. As he readies for the unprecedented release of This Is It -- a documentary of Michael Jackson's rehearsal preparations for his 50-date comeback tour before his untimely death -- Phillips somehow fit in an exclusive interview with Examiner.com.
While the close friend of Jackson "still hasn't come to terms with his passing," Phillips shared his excitement about the This Is It film.
"You know reality TV?" asked Phillips. "Well, this is reality film. We were very careful not to add anything ... In this film he is a real person. You are a voyeur. Just a fly on the wall in his life."
Tiffany Warner: Hi, Mr. Phillips. Wow, I'm so glad to finally get you on the phone. Thank you for taking time out to talk to me!
Randy Phillips (chuckles): You're welcome.
TW: OK, let's jump right into it. Many fans in the Los Angeles area camped out for 3 days to buy tickets to This Is It. What should they expect?
RP: One of the coolest experiences. There is nothing like it. You get to see the heart and soul of a performer. He’s creating art … (Fans will) get to see his creative process. Never seen anything like this before. Not from Sinatra or Presley. Fans will see Michael performing, creating. He’s unguarded.
TW: Why only a two-week engagement?RP: Battle between theaters/studios with DVD releases. We were trying to have the DVD out by Christmas but we missed the deadline. The DVD will be available Jan. 20. If it does well in theaters, it might be extended for one or two more weeks.
TW: Immediately following MJ’s passing, there was an overkill of TV specials, songs, tributes, etc. What is going to make this experience different?
RP: You know reality TV? Well, this is reality film. We were very careful not to add anything. Not a lot of ‘talking heads’ footage -- no one saying he was manipulated or weak. [The footage is] from his March 2 announcement at O2 up to June 25 [his death]. It's totally authentic.
TW: LaToya said although she’d support the film, she feels Michael wouldn't approve of it because, in her words, "he's not going all-out." The footage is just rehearsals, and Michael wouldn't want his fans to see him like that. Do you agree?
RP: I appreciate what LaToya is saying, but how can she critique something that she’s never seen? I will let the audience determine. Besides, 50 percent of Michael Jackson is better than 100 percent of other entertainers.
TW: You had a 15-year relationship with MJ. What does this project mean to you?
RP: It’s more like 20 years -- I really miss him. He was a big part of my life. He was infuriating, manic, loving and considerate. Let me tell you a story: Michael had missed two rehearsals … the cast and crew were waiting and he was really late. He hadn’t left his house yet. So I called and yelled at him. We had a fight. He finally got there and I got there a little later. He was sitting in a chair, going over notes. He walked around the table and walked past me. But he didn’t want to be rude so he stopped. Put his arm on my shoulder, tapped it, then walked on. He was mad but he still didn’t want to be impolite. That was Michael.
TW: You were at the hospital when he died? You had to tell the family?
RP: Yes, I arrived before anyone else got there. I was behind him as he got to the hospital. It was horrible and will haunt me for the rest of my life. The social worker and Frank Dileo actually delivered the message to the kids. As I was looking at them, I will never forget the wail -- the scream that came out of his mother.
TW: His death was a shock to the world, yet Michael passed the physical to sign on to the tour, as you said, with "flying colors."
RP: He took the physical in March long before he died. He had a passing bill of health. Michael did not die from ill health, it was a tragic accident.
For part II of the Examiner exclusive interview with Randy Phillips, please click here.
You can follow everything Michael Jackson and see what people are talking the most about on Examiner.com's Real-Time Michael Jackson Tracker.
Find out more news about Michael Jackson here and see some more highlights from LA Celebrity Headlines Examiner Tiffany Warner here.
Comments
This movie is not a true representation of what happened to Michael Jackson in his last weeks, nor is it the polished, live performance that Michael would have wished the world to see. It is their lie. The true story behind is one of neglect, greed, and inhumanity.
THIS DID NOT HAVE TO BE IT. Know the truth and watch this movie with different eyes...read testimonials from REAL fans who were close to him in the last few months, and witnessed first hand what others chose to ignore and keep hidden.
check out This-Is-Not-It dot com
suzanne, stop promoting bloody lies! Michael Jackson lived all his life fighting against tabloids and liers like you! Were you THERE with MJ 24/7 to know whether this is "not a true representation"? MJ was a passionate about his work and his fans. He wanted THIS IS IT for them and his family. Stop belittling his work by spreading lies about how sick MJ was when he really was not. He was addicted to Propofol that doesn't make him a zombie! And who the heck are you calling REAL fans? The ones who are out to destroy him instead of celebrate his last moments on stage? All that sweat and hard work was not for the likes of you. It was for his TRUE LOYAL fans which certainly isn't the slanderous site you mention in your post! Go back and listen to MJ's TABLOID JUNKIE soundtrack before you accuse MJ of being a lier. Because in essence, that is what you are saying. That he signed up for something he was not up for! YOU AND THAT SITE ARE LIARS!
Randy Phillips and AEG should get on their hands and knees and thank MJ for making them rich. They also own the grammy museum which has an MJ exhibition.
Is it safe to use the word exploitation now? MJ was a human, not a commodity.
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