Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael"/ Excerpt @pg151/New Interview Post 3743

[bluetopez]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

^Yes I know he mentioned the Vitiligo. But, why not Lupus? That disease hurts and it would make sense why MJ would need pain medication even more at times. There was even medicine for Lupus that they found at his home after he past. So that's why I'm am surprise he didn't mention lupus by name in his book since MJ did have it.

 

[suzynyc]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

^Yes I know he mentioned the Vitiligo. But, why not Lupus? That disease hurts and it would make sense why MJ would need pain medication even more at times. There was even medicine for Lupus that they found at his home after he past. So that's why I'm am surprise he didn't mention lupus by name in his book since MJ did have it.

Oh sorry I misunderstood. Thought you were asking about Vitiligo. I've no answer for you about Lupus. Maybe Michael just never discussed it with him for whatever reason.

 

[bluetopez]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

That would be even weirder. lol

 

[missred07]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I read relatively fast through the last few chapter in order to join the discussion. I will go back to read in more detail again in those chapter. In general I agreed with Ivy that it's a good read and I really enjoyed it. I admired MJ more after reading the book. However, I don't understand why Frank needed to mention MJ smoking pot. It's not as harmful as it said in the media. However, base on the full context, it's really not necessary to include in the book to fuel the media. That paragraph can totally took off not affecting anything. The other thing is I don't understand why Frank justified Rabbi Shmuley's charity and blame that to MJ's manager(manager or someone). The picture that Frank posed with Shmuley always kind of bugging me. I really want to know did Frank know what kind of fraud Shmuley did? Most importantly, did Frank know what Shmuley did for his first book? I really don't understand how can he go support the second book (although the second book is good read). Although those tapes really value a lot, Shmuley actually went behind MJ's back and release it without MJ's agreement (ya I know he claimed MJ agreed).

 

[Ingelief]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

what i wonder can someone tell me why they had a fallout before 05? Or didnt they? Because frank worked till 2001 for michael. why did he quit?

Also why did it take so long after the fallout about the trial to get back together in 07? What did frank write about that?

thx

 

[elusive moonwalker]

I read relatively fast through the last few chapter in order to join the discussion. I will go back to read in more detail again in those chapter. In general I agreed with Ivy that it's a good read and I really enjoyed it. I admired MJ more after reading the book. However, I don't understand why Frank needed to mention MJ smoking pot. It's not as harmful as it said in the media. However, base on the full context, it's really not necessary to include in the book to fuel the media. That paragraph can totally took off not affecting anything. The other thing is I don't understand why Frank justified Rabbi Shmuley's charity and blame that to MJ's manager(manager or someone). The picture that Frank posed with Shmuley always kind of bugging me. I really want to know did Frank know what kind of fraud Shmuley did? Most importantly, did Frank know what Shmuley did for his first book? I really don't understand how can he go support the second book (although the second book is good read). Although those tapes really value a lot, Shmuley actually went behind MJ's back and release it without MJ's agreement (ya I know he claimed MJ agreed).

i guess cause hes friends with the rabbi.so will blame others for his actions which condidering what hes said and done to mj makes u wonder about frank

 

[TeharaMJ]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

It's little things like that which bothers me about the book the opportunity to spread salacious sensationalised headlines regarding MJ's drug use, smoking pot, Rabbi Shmuley (the thief) and MJ's marriages .... Frank C could have exercised some judgement on it having been so close to the most famous man on earth. That's what is a little disappointing in all of this.

 

[elusive moonwalker]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I guess he had to spice it up inorder to get the book deal with murdochs company. and he had no problem doing that.

 

[bluetopez]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

So he defends Rabbi Shmuley in the book? Well that's disapointing considering Rabbi Shmuley was recently accuse yet again about another charity he stole from. SMH

 

[roomdownstairs]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I guess he had to spice it up inorder to get the book deal with murdochs company. and he had no problem doing that.

So is it fair to say, for those who have read it (which I have not, bar the excerpts/summaries), that it is heartfelt but probably partly about money as well?

 

[Justice_MJ]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Those of you who are pro Frank book, what would you think if Lisa Marie Presley wrote a book about Michael?

 

[AriAnge]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Those of you who are pro Frank book, what would you think if Lisa Marie Presley wrote a book about Michael?

Or Macaulay Culkin, Omer Bhatti, and others? They were close to MJ as well.

 

[loveforever]

I don't know if Liz's part was discussed or not, it seems another inaccuracy from this book. I read some fans book reviews that many said Frank Cascio seemed "sincere" and "honest", but the Liz and Rabbi Shmuley's parts make you wonder how much truth in this book? I also don't believe he and Michael's fall out was just because Michael thought he refused to testify. if it's true when Michael asked him, he could just simply tell him T-Mez didn't want him to testify, and Michael could easily get the truth from Tmez.

From LSA
"I was disappointed to hear that Elizabeth only attended the 30th anniversary concert because Michael bought her an expensive necklace. Then when Michael had to return it to the jeweler she stopped speaking to him for a year until he apologized"

See this is the reason why I can barely take other people's word at value when it comes to MJ. That info on Liz is completely false. The MSG concert was in Sept 2001, MJ and Liz were photographed together several times in early 2002, including at Liza Minelli's wedding in March 2002, so how did they go a year without speaking because of a necklace? Frank paints Liz as being only materialistic and disingenuous, which she wasn't, she was one of MJ's few true friends. If that's in the book, it's yet another reason for me to feel disappointed by it.
February 9, 2002
Michael & Elizabeth Taylor attend the fund-raiser Art For Aids : A Tribute To Rock Hudson at the Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach .
February 24, 2002
Michael, Elizabeth Taylor & Brett Ratner attend a private party at Mark Damon’s house to announce that Neverland Entertainment and Raju Sharad Patel have signed with Damon’s independant film company MDP Worldwide Entertainment to create a new division called Neverland Pictures.

Liza Minnelli’s wedding, March 16, 2002
Michael is best man at the wedding of David Gest & Liza Minnelli celebrated in New York City with a galaxy of stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross and Michael’s brothers Randy & Tit
Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Walters, 2002
&#8220;He has been hurt by so many people,&#8221; she told ABC News&#8217; Barbara Walters in 2002. &#8220;I think I&#8217;m the only person in his life that has not betrayed him.&#8221;<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message -->

 

[Lucilla]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Looks like everyone around MJ was extremely jealous of other people close to MJ lol
Like Karen F criticizing other women.

Because what was the need for Frank to write that little issue about Elizabeth Taylor?
And it seems like he didn't like Lisa Marie either.

 

[claudiadoina]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Looks like everyone around MJ was extremely jealous of other people close to MJ lol
Like Karen F criticizing other women.

Because what was the need for Frank to write that little issue about Elizabeth Taylor?
And it seems like he didn't like Lisa Marie either.

Who wouldn't want Michael only for themselves?I wouldn't have wanted to share him either, can't blame them

 

[MsCassieMollie]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I read relatively fast through the last few chapter in order to join the discussion. I will go back to read in more detail again in those chapter. In general I agreed with Ivy that it's a good read and I really enjoyed it. I admired MJ more after reading the book. However, I don't understand why Frank needed to mention MJ smoking pot. It's not as harmful as it said in the media. However, base on the full context, it's really not necessary to include in the book to fuel the media. That paragraph can totally took off not affecting anything. The other thing is I don't understand why Frank justified Rabbi Shmuley's charity and blame that to MJ's manager(manager or someone). The picture that Frank posed with Shmuley always kind of bugging me. I really want to know did Frank know what kind of fraud Shmuley did? Most importantly, did Frank know what Shmuley did for his first book? I really don't understand how can he go support the second book (although the second book is good read). Although those tapes really value a lot, Shmuley actually went behind MJ's back and release it without MJ's agreement (ya I know he claimed MJ agreed).

Frank was the one who set up the Rabbi's series of interviews with Michael to produce those two books.

 

[ivy]

So he defends Rabbi Shmuley in the book? Well that's disapointing considering Rabbi Shmuley was recently accuse yet again about another charity he stole from. SMH

the only defending is a sentence that he says he personally never doubted Rabbi's intentions. But also when you read it he doesn't know the exact reason because he says "whatever happened". He blames Michael's advisers who didn't want him involved in children charities , also spreading to thin due to Invincible recording is also mentioned.

So is it fair to say, for those who have read it (which I have not, bar the excerpts/summaries), that it is heartfelt but probably partly about money as well?

he's being paid of course but I don't think this will make him rich.

Those of you who are pro Frank book, what would you think if Lisa Marie Presley wrote a book about Michael?

It was reported that their divorce agreement allowed her to write a book. To me it shows that she might have been planning for a book if she put that as a separate clause. and if she does hopefully no one will complain because it would be Michael allowing it.

I wouldn't have a problem with her writing a book because realistic me knows that as Michael Jackson is the most famous man on the earth we are going to get ten and tens of books about him over the years such as Katherine, Jermaine, Latoya, Frank, Joe Vogel's books and Weisner, Joe Jackson, Arnold Klein, (perhaps Dileo's book) in the works. Over the years I'm pretty sure a lot more people - that knew or didn't know Michael- will be releasing books as well.

Whether I like the book or not will be determined by reading it - as always.

I don't know if Liz's part was discussed or not, it seems another inaccuracy from this book. I read some fans book reviews that many said Frank Cascio seemed "sincere" and "honest", but the Liz and Rabbi Shmuley's parts make you wonder how much truth in this book? I also don't believe he and Michael's fall out was just because Michael thought he refused to testify. if it's true when Michael asked him, he could just simply tell him T-Mez didn't want him to testify, and Michael could easily get the truth from Tmez.

Michael had asked Elizabeth Taylor to attend the special as his date, but initially she declined. He was determined to change her mind. &#8220;I know exactly how to get her to come,&#8221; he said. He never had to buy Elizabeth&#8217;s friendship or lobby for her presence at public events, but when the spirit didn&#8217;t move her, Michael had a little trick up his sleeve, and it wasn&#8217;t rocket science. All it took was &#8230; you guessed it &#8230; diamonds.

 

[LastTear]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Those of you who are pro Frank book, what would you think if Lisa Marie Presley wrote a book about Michael?

Or Macaulay Culkin, Omer Bhatti, and others? They were close to MJ as well.

In theory I wouldn't have a problem, it would have to depend on how they are portraying Michael. For example if LMP was along the lines of her first Oprah interview, then yes I would have an issue. Equally if the content didn't appear to be honest then again I wouldnt like it. These would be books that I would wait for the reviews before purchasing.

 

[missred07]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

the only defending is a sentence that he says he personally never doubted Rabbi's intentions. But also when you read it he doesn't know the exact reason because he says "whatever happened". He blames Michael's advisers who didn't want him involved in children charities , also spreading to thin due to Invincible recording is also mentioned.

Frank's relationship with Rabbi kept bugging me for a long time way before Frank's book released. I read his part and he said he believe Rabbi's intention is good. It's other advisers faults. Then he said "whatever happened" to overlook the whole thing without any details. Honestly, I don't buy this. It's obvious Rabbi is shady character. It's so clearly seen in his first book. It's not only Rabbi went behind MJ's back. The first book is basically Martin Bashir documentary part II. He twisted so many things MJ said and interpreted in so many twisted way. The fan version and the original version is like the Bashir documentary and rebuttal video. How can Frank promote those books and be friend with Rabbi is really beyond me. It's also obvious that Rabbi is again caught in a fraud and it speak volume how shady Rabbi is. That's part of the reason that although I do enjoy lots of the story he wrote, I still can't mind up my mind about Frank the person.

 

[missred07]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I won't have problem if LMP want to write a book. Everyone can write a book. It's all base on the content whether I will have problem with. LMP might not base on what she said on Oprah's interview. Personally, I really don't like lots of what LMP's said after they divorced. The 05 interview is just horrible and I think she lied a lot. or maybe she told the truth from her side but truth doesn't equal to fact. (Base on someone I knew who actually knew LMP and MJ at that time, I do tend to believe LMP lied....) It's a little off topic. However, my point is it all depends on the content of the book.

 

[LastTear]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I won't have problem if LMP want to write a book. Everyone can write a book. It's all base on the content whether I will have problem with. LMP might not base on what she said on Oprah's interview. Personally, I really don't like lots of what LMP's said after they divorced. The 05 interview is just horrible and I think she lied a lot. or maybe she told the truth from her side but truth doesn't equal to fact. (Base on someone I knew who actually knew LMP and MJ at that time, I do tend to believe LMP lied....) It's a little off topic. However, my point is it all depends on the content of the book.

I agree.

 

[Bridgett_361]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

So after reading all the preview I still think its wrong for frank to write a book about MJ personal life, yes the book seam to make for the unknow gossip about MJ, true a boy eyes. I would more buy another J Randy book than frank book, and no idont hate frank, I just believe his silence would have speak more about there friendship thank a book with part of the story, who is going to tell the other parts?
This remind me of two instance when I invade MJ privacy. {1} I was listening to the glanda tapes and half way in the tapes this feeling come over me telling me this is so wrong you are ear dropping on a man private conversation, I feel so ashame and did not listen anymore.
{2} I was reading MJ autopsy report and this same feeling of wrongness came up on me on like I am invading MJ privacy.
Story that I shear with My friends are not necessary thing I might want everyone around me to see and know, e ery human have a right to a private life,
The fact that we have to dig so deep to uncover MJ drug use simple mean he did not have a drug problem, but issue where he depend on medacation to help him deal with those issues.
From all the preview I read none say frank make this point any clearly than before, so what was the propose of this book if not to gossip about MJ and then some?
So is the money from the book sale going to build that children hospital MJ dream about? If so I would buy the book, because that is the only way I can see MJ justifying what frank did.

 

[jaydom7]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Lisa better not ever write a book about MJ.. she will be attacked beyond belief by MJ fans.

 

[Resa]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

It's little things like that which bothers me about the book the opportunity to spread salacious sensationalised headlines regarding MJ's drug use, smoking pot, Rabbi Shmuley (the thief) and MJ's marriages .... Frank C could have exercised some judgement on it having been so close to the most famous man on earth. That's what is a little disappointing in all of this.

I agree, and I will add the part about Blanket's egg donor/ surrogate. I think that information IF it's true should have been Blanket's decision to tell the world if he wants to when he is older. I feel that Frank over stepped his bounds on that one. I haven't read the book, just the summaries, reviews and excerpts posted, but it seems to me that Frank tries to straddle the lines with the book. He tells enough feel good stories to satisfy Michael's fans and salacious stories to satisfy the general public, media headlines and reinforces some media stereotypes about Michael.

 

[ExoticPrincess]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

If Michael didn't want him to write a book about him at all - he would have said "don't write a book about me PERIOD ".
As he clarified it with "when I'm alive", it pretty much showed that he was aware that books will be written after his death and he was okay with it.

didn't he also say it was their deal? and that he believed Michael would be proud of the book because in the later years Michael tried to explain himself?

And its very possible that Michael could've actually said 'don't write a book about me PERIOD'....for all we know Frank could've included the 'while I'm alive' part for his own purpose.

Bottomline, none of us can be 100% sure that anything we are reading from these books being published now are completely accurate. The one person who could verify or not these statements is'nt here to do so.

 

[wolfrevenant]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

So after reading all the preview I still think its wrong for frank to write a book about MJ personal life, yes the book seam to make for the unknow gossip about MJ, true a boy eyes. I would more buy another J Randy book than frank book, and no idont hate frank, I just believe his silence would have speak more about there friendship thank a book with part of the story, who is going to tell the other parts?
This remind me of two instance when I invade MJ privacy. {1} I was listening to the glanda tapes and half way in the tapes this feeling come over me telling me this is so wrong you are ear dropping on a man private conversation, I feel so ashame and did not listen anymore.
{2} I was reading MJ autopsy report and this same feeling of wrongness came up on me on like I am invading MJ privacy.
Story that I shear with My friends are not necessary thing I might want everyone around me to see and know, e ery human have a right to a private life,
The fact that we have to dig so deep to uncover MJ drug use simple mean he did not have a drug problem, but issue where he depend on medacation to help him deal with those issues.
From all the preview I read none say frank make this point any clearly than before, so what was the propose of this book if not to gossip about MJ and then some?
So is the money from the book sale going to build that children hospital MJ dream about? If so I would buy the book, because that is the only way I can see MJ justifying what frank did.

Much respect to you for always having a thought for Michael's privacy. Personally, I'm quite emotionally disconnected from Michael, so I didn't exactly feel much guilt when reading private details or when reading the autopsy report. Either way, I've never really been one for 'character witness' books.

I suppose you can take the book as Frank's account of his time spent with Michael, which resulted in a lot of media and fan gossip (both positive and negative).

 

[MJJ7777]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

^Yes I know he mentioned the Vitiligo. But, why not Lupus? That disease hurts and it would make sense why MJ would need pain medication even more at times. There was even medicine for Lupus that they found at his home after he past. So that's why I'm am surprise he didn't mention lupus by name in his book since MJ did have it.

Maybe because Lupus isn't that obvious of an ailment to discuss. I never thought Michael had lupus until after he died and I don't think anyone besides a medical professional would be able to tell just by looking at him.
I don't think MJ liked discussing his ailments for example he hardly ever wanted to talk about Vitiligo whenever it was brought up in public, it was a very humiliating ordeal for him you could tell he was uncomfortable, who wouldn't be. You don't need to provide your friends your detailed medical history, especially if you're Michael Jackson and can easily be sold out to media outlets. I think many can agree that Michael suffered from alot of physical pain especially from the well known pepsi and bridge collapse incidents and those are enough to justify the pain medication use.

Who wouldn't want Michael only for themselves?I wouldn't have wanted to share him either, can't blame them

LOL so true haha

 

[cinzia]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Wow, this is tough...At one point I decided to buy the book, now I just don't know. Will I learn something in it that will make me look at Michael differently? Will it change any opinions of him that I have? It doesn't seem so. Will I feel as if Frank is sharing his friendship because it was a wonderful thing and he wants others to experience it too? Will I feel as if I am missing something important if I don't read it? I can't tell. If I read it, will I feel as if I am invading Michael's privacy?
Because of where I live I just can't walk into a bookstore and buy it. I hate to feel so on the fence.
Let me throw out this question:

If someone had only 2 months to live, knew nothing about Michael at all and wanted to read 2 books to learn about him, would this be one of them?

 

[love is magical]

Let me throw out this question: If someone had only 2 months to live, knew nothing about Michael at all and wanted to read 2 books to learn about him, would this be one of them?

In my opinion, no. The two books I'd recommend are Dancing the Dream by Michael himself and Man In the Music by Joe Vogel. The Opus is my third choice.

 

[Bridgett_361]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Wow, this is tough...At one point I decided to buy the book, now I just don't know. Will I learn something in it that will make me look at Michael differently? Will it change any opinions of him that I have? It doesn't seem so. Will I feel as if Frank is sharing his friendship because it was a wonderful thing and he wants others to experience it too? Will I feel as if I am missing something important if I don't read it? I can't tell. If I read it, will I feel as if I am invading Michael's privacy?
Because of where I live I just can't walk into a bookstore and buy it. I hate to feel so on the fence.
Let me throw out this question:

If someone had only 2 months to live, knew nothing about Michael at all and wanted to read 2 books to learn about him, would this be one of them?

I don't know because I have not read frank book, my issue with his book is not if it's true or false.. Its because Michael never had many people he could count on, so I see frank writing a book about him as a betrayal of the friendship,
As for a book to tell about MJ you may try "J. Randy Taraborrelli" the magic the madness the whole story along with MJ own book moon walk between those two you will learn some truth. They read like how a biography is to read.
Some will disagree about J. Randy Taraborrelli book but it's looking to be MJ only biography so far that tell from beging to end.