The first son of the late Michael Jackson, Prince Michael, is now a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. He’s 16 years old. His first interview will be with the cast of Oz: The Great And Powerful.
For Entertainment Tonight, it’s an obvious stunt-hire. And, well, it’s gross, non? Is the primary intention here really to learn what it takes to be a “producer, director, screenwriter, and actor”? Or is it so that they can help us rubberneck? Do you care what he asks James Franco? Or are you scrutinising him as he’s asking James Franco whatever it is that he’s asking James Franco?
And besides, you don’t need to have experience in broadcasting to know -- most interns start as proper interns, the best way to understanding how a newsroom works: transcribing, running tapes, setting time codes, helping out with edits, running cable, the smaller jobs prepare you for the bigger jobs. The truth in television is that 9 times out of 10, the person on camera is the most powerless. The person on camera doesn’t make decisions. The person on camera hasn’t done most of the research to make the story happen. The person on camera may not have even written what they’re saying. Producers and directors are the ones who do the work on television. It’s very, very seldom the presenters.
Will this kid actually know how to cut a story in a year? Will he know what EVS means? Will he know his way around a control room?
Please.
The son of Michael Jackson?
Of course not.
It’s totally impossible, I know. And it’s not just because he’s a celebrity. It’s also the attitude of so many kids his age now. They come in for an intern position and make a face when they’re asked to photocopy schedules, believing they’d be better served in front of the camera, as the world is being deprived every minute they’re not on the air. As such, they never end up figuring out the value of hustling. Have you noticed how often “follow your dreams” is given as career advice, as opposed to “work really hard”?
Prince Michael seems like a nice enough young man. It’s not his fault. Blame the adults in this situation who don’t know better.
