ONLY in America could any one get away with using the words “reality” and “Jackson family” in the same sentence.
But there the words are, joined together in a pitch for a new TV series about the sprawling, singing, 11-member Jackson family – including the one-time King of Pop, Michael Jackson, his parents and his eight siblings.
The as-yet untitled “Jackson family reality show” is being packaged by a powerful Hollywood talent agency, Endeavor, in association with a self-styled independent promoter/producer and self-proclaimed friend of the Jackson clan, Darnell Sutton.
Details about the proposed show were first reported yesterday in the entertainment-industry trade paper, The Hollywood Reporter, and confirmed later by multiple sources.
Networks including Fox, CBS, ABC and A&E all confirmed they have had contact with representatives of the Jackson family concerning the reality-show idea.
The big question is: Will any of them agree to pick it up?
No deals have been made yet, and conversations with network sources who wished to remain anonymous indicate a high degree of skepticism about what such a show would be like.
The networks also wonder whether the public would embrace a TV show about the wacky, eccentric Jacksons so soon after overdosing on TV coverage of the sordid Michael Jackson case.
Apparently, the show would focus on how the Jackson clan came together in support of their most-famous member following his indictment in November 2003 and on through his recent trial.
Some footage showing members of the family behind the scenes during the trial has already been shot, sources confirmed.
The Jackson family, originally from Gary, Ind., consists of dad Joe, mom Katherine, brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Michael, Marlon and Randy, and sisters Rebbie, LaToya and Janet. It was difficult to determine yesterday if every Jackson would be involved in the show, especially Janet, the second most famous Jackson.
Nor could it be learned whether Bubbles the Chimp or the bodyguard who holds an umbrella over Michael at all times would be involved as well. Despite the reluctance of some networks to get involved in a proj ect with the unpredictable Jackson family, one source indicated a deal is possible in the next few days.
* Jacko’s kid-related legal woes will not be finished if Gloria Allred has her way.
The camera-loving Los Angeles lawyer said she has filed a formal request for Santa Barbara County social workers to yank away Jackson’s three kids, despite this week’s slam-dunk jury verdict exonerating him.
“It was irrelevant whether he was convicted or acquitted for the purposes of removing the children,” Allred said.
Additional reporting by David K. Li