Local Radio Gets Props For Jackson Memorial Coverage

L.A. Radio Outdoes TV Coverage

THE OCEAN COUNTY REGISTER's media columnist GARY LYCAN is a fan of radio's coverage of the MICHAEL JACKSON memorial, writing "Radio did a better job than TV in covering the MICHAEL JACKSON memorial concert JULY 7th. [CBS RADIO News] KNX/1070 broke the news on the plans to take the casket to STAPLES CENTER. Both KNX and [CBS RADIO News] KFWB/980 kept focused on separating news from gossip.

CLEAR CHANNEL Talk "KFI/640 AM had full coverage with BILL HANDEL and GARY HOFFMANN, and later JOHN KOBYLT and KEN CHIAMPOU with TERRI-RAE ELMER and STEVE GREGORY.

Many listeners mentioned they actually turned on the television, but turned down the audio so that they could listen to our broadcast.

"Best coverage, I thought, was on [CITADEL Talk] KABC/790 AM. PETER TILDEN and JOHN PHILLIPS anchored extensive coverage and, respectfully, kept quiet when the concert began. Joined by Michael Linder on scene and Capt. JORGE JARRIN overhead, it was an excellent example of KABC's potential to deliver when it counts in local news reporting.

"On the FM side, [NPR] KCRW/89.9 FM and [CLEAR CHANNEL Rhythmic AC KHHT] "Hot" 92.3 FM covered the events, but [CBS RADIO Classic Hits] KRTH/101.1 FM did wall-to-wall reporting, including a musical tribute to JACKSON for several hours following the memorial, said PD JHANI KAYE.

"GARY BRYAN, LISA STANLEY, SAMANTHA STANDER, BOB MALIK and TIM HALM anchored our broadcasts for over nine hours that day. Many listeners mentioned they actually turned on the television, but turned down the audio so that they could listen to our broadcast either on FM or at K-EARTH101.COM," he said.

Jackson's In Forest Lawn -- For Now; Final Resting Place Not Yet Chosen 

"MICHAEL JACKSON's family is bitterly divided over what to do with the KING OF POP's remains -- so his body has been stashed in MOTOWN maestro BERRY GORDY's crypt until the clan stops bickering," The NEW YORK POST has learned. JACKSON's gold-plated casket was last seen at his public memorial service, and its whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery -- until now.

"His remains were brought back to the white marble, above-ground crypt the MOTOWN record-label founder bought for his family in the Court of Remembrance section of the sprawling, celeb-filled FOREST LAWN CEMETERY in the HOLLYWOOD HILLS.

"JACKSON's body is still missing his brain, which coroners are temporarily keeping for testing. Aside from JACKSON, the simple mausoleum is empty and marked only with a distinctive swooping letter "G."

"For the time being, JACKSON lies with a who's who of HOLLYWOOD heavyweights. Next door is the final resting place of American sweetheart actress SANDRA DEE, who died in 2005. And nearby are ornate crypts for iconic actress BETTE DAVIS, flamboyant pianist LIBERACE and '70s "Chico and the Man" star FREDDIE PRINZE.

"GORDY -- who discovered THE JACKSON 5 -- offered the family use of the crypt until they sort out what to do with the superstar's remains, sources said."

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