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

Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Well I'm still optimistic and looking forward to reading the book myself. In terms of selling out a friend, I think in this instance it's necessity in order to balance out all of the negativity there is out there, now more than ever.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I dont know what to think about this book, I dont know why it has been written. I'd like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, first of, because I dont know F.C personally. Does he want to change the way Michael is seen or is he part of the very long queue of cash cow milkers? I dont know.
That being said, to talk about Michael, I'll trust Michael and Michael only. Like I would only trust each and every one of you to talk about him/herself. And what Michael didnt want me to know, and didnt write or say, I'll respect. I dont like the idea of knowing personal stuff maybe he wanted to keep private.
Just a very humble feeling.
 
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Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Very quick response. First, about Frank's book. Not touching it with a ten-foot pole, due, specifically, to his saying Michael was a "situational addict." Unforgivable, and because of that, I don't have to read the book to know that he should not have said what he did, in such a public way. It was a deal-breaker for me, and many others. Next?

About Wagener. Maybe deserves his own thread? Personally? I tend to trust TMez, and he is in support of the project. (If anyone here knows more or better than that, fine. Each person should do his/her own research, but TMez' support adds a little balance to the subject) Wagener wants to vindicate Michael, and bring the possibility of justice to Santa Barbara County.

And finally? It's fully possible to multi-task, in support of Michael. At this time, Murray's so-called documentary needs our strong action, ongoing. I see that M.J.A.N. has responded, to denounce the docu. Well, good.

http://mjanwatch.wordpress.com/
 
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Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Reflections On The Dance, An Honest Look at Michael Joseph Jackson

I know also I have been asked numerous times about Frank Cascio and the book he has coming out and also statements made in the David Gest documentary and the media about Frank being concerned with some of the medications Michael was taking or was being given. Many fans are upset by this.

I want to share with you my own thoughts and also what Tom Mesereau shared with me. First, Tom made it clear that Frank was a very nice person and that Michael really liked and valued Frank and the entire Cascio family and that they were definitely good and close friends. Frank is sharing things from his own experience, which is different from some others. For instance, when Tom Mesereau and Susan Yu worked with Michael, neither Tom nor Susan saw Michael with any drugs and he always worked with them with a very clear head.

On a personal note, I have found Frank to be very kind and caring. I've spoken to him several times and one thing sticks out for me. Before my FIL passed this past February, I had asked for prayers on my personal page, for my family. Frank, without hesitation, came on check to make sure everything was okay and to check on me. I think that says a lot about his character. I ask that we wait to make any judgments until the book is out there and we see what is in it ?
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I think it's extremely difficult to make an opinion on someone, unless you have had a personal and real (more than online that is) relationship with them. And people are not black or white. Despicable people can be nice sometimes. I heard Hitler loved his dog (extreme example but its the only one I've got in mind).
I want to believe Frank was Michael's friend. First, because I have no reason to think otherwise, yet. Then because I would really like to be able to think Michael had real friends somewhere.
My only question is, would Michael agree with what's in the book? Meaning isnt it too revealing? Like you said Ivy, we dont know yet, so I agree it's better to wait and see.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Sorry for offtopic, but...
Ivy, you have a great profile image on twitter. :D
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

ivy said:
Reflections On The Dance, An Honest Look at Michael Joseph Jackson

I know also I have been asked numerous times about Frank Cascio and the book he has coming out and also statements made in the David Gest documentary and the media about Frank being concerned with some of the medications Michael was taking or was being given. Many fans are upset by this.

I want to share with you my own thoughts and also what Tom Mesereau shared with me. First, Tom made it clear that Frank was a very nice person and that Michael really liked and valued Frank and the entire Cascio family and that they were definitely good and close friends. Frank is sharing things from his own experience, which is different from some others. For instance, when Tom Mesereau and Susan Yu worked with Michael, neither Tom nor Susan saw Michael with any drugs and he always worked with them with a very clear head.

On a personal note, I have found Frank to be very kind and caring. I've spoken to him several times and one thing sticks out for me. Before my FIL passed this past February, I had asked for prayers on my personal page, for my family. Frank, without hesitation, came on check to make sure everything was okay and to check on me. I think that says a lot about his character. I ask that we wait to make any judgments until the book is out there and we see what is in it ?
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Many people have already made judgements on him. That is why there are negative comments in this thread. Look at the destruction he and his family caused to the community a year ago. What have they done to remedy it? Nothing. Absolutely disgusting.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I totally understand the resentment, Stella, and honestly, I was, and still am, part of the "doubters". But, this issue doesnt mean Frank is being dishonest about or in the book, you know? Maybe he's doing it for Michael? Not pretending to know the answer.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Ben said:
I totally understand the resentment, Stella, and honestly, I was, and still am, part of the "doubters". But, this issue doesnt mean Frank is being dishonest about or in the book, you know? Maybe he's doing it for Michael? Not pretending to know the answer.
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I understand that. But how can he be trusted after he allowed Michael's musical legacy to be poisoned in that way?
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I know what you mean. Not making excuses, but I, personally, dont know much of what happened behind the scenes with those songs. And the way I see it, someone making a mistake, even a big disappointing one, we will remember it, but it doesnt mean everything else will be a lie or deceit. Like I said, let's wait and see.

It's like Jerm's book : the first excerpt I read was a blatant lie, and no way I'm going to buy that thing. To me, there's not much difference with Latoya's. It doesnt change the fact he's the only one defending Michael while all the others are repeating the addict theory. Let's take Frank's book with caution, considering the past, but still with an open mind.

Trust doesnt mean blindness, or forgetfulness. It doesnt mean we dont acknowledge what happened before.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

What I worry is what the media will choose to pick from the book. Jermaine said good things too but what did the media report on but the "escape plan" stuff and Michael had no idea but they didn't care to see that. This book could be 99.9% positive but that .1% of negativity is what the media wants.

It's hard to trust when a year ago he and his family said on national tv they saw no drug problems. No he says he did see things. My impression of the book was different because I believed what he and his family said a year ago. I thought good a book without addiction talk. But now it's in there. I don't feel like I am being a hypocrite. I apologoze if people think i am. But I think like others I was surprised what he said in that interview. It was the last thing I expected him to say since I believed he saw nothing. That's the issue for me. I was pretty much okay with him writing the book in the first place before any of this happened.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

LastTear said:
Well I'm still optimistic and looking forward to reading the book myself. In terms of selling out a friend, I think in this instance it's necessity in order to balance out all of the negativity there is out there, now more than ever.
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That flew right out the window when he called MJ an addict on 20/20 and agreed with the Jacksons.
 
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Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

The only place that I have ever heard Michael's legacy poisoned by the release of those songs on Michael was here. Michael's legacy is very strong and growing stronger. In terms of the general public, I'm sure we are the only ones in November 2011 even still thinking about such "controversy." Sometimes people can make their own controversy. That became evident with Michael; lots wanted to say how he courted controversy but much has been shown that while his name was in the middle, he wasn't the sh*t-stirrer. The same can be said with the Cascios.

In his interview with Ellen, Jermaine cited a time that Michael had trouble; now his use of the word addict may not have been there such as Frank's but Frank's use of the word was differentiated by the term situational. Since he had never used that word referring to Michael before, I would think that he probably was trying to put a term being tossed in the media into perspective. For those who want to see Michael as a raving addict, they will take Jermaine's words and keep that image of Michael anyway by simply stating that Jermaine is trying to soften what Michael was or Jermaine is in denial. For those people, no amount of proper wording, talking about it, not talking about it, and plain truth through medical documentation will ever, ever matter. And that is why Frank shouldn't be shouldered with the addict description of Michael. JVM, Dr. Drew, and any other person in the world will not change their banter for him using or not using the term "situational addict" because if that was the case, they would have done so based on all that is out there now.

Finally, if Jermaine states that there was a dependency time that he knew of due to pain and he only saw him in very limited amounts of times, then why doubt that Frank, who was around him more, saw "situations" that resulted in Michael feeling the need (totally realistic need) for the medication. Hence his use of the term. At this point, people want to play Monday morning quarterback with his wording. It may have been phrased wrong, but intelligent people would get what he meant; they would see the distinction--of course that is those who just want the truth versus wanting their version of the truth supported. Again, what Jermaine is saying and what Frank is saying are very different in meaning, tone, and insinuation from Rebbie and some others.

And it would make sense that Mesereau would not have seen anything. Michael knew when he talked to his attorneys he needed to be with it and fully there. So if he did need to take anything for pain or anxiety at that time, he just may have been very cautious in the circumstances. Furthermore, what he would have been willing to let his guard down for Frank to see and for Mesereau to see were two different things. Michael, I'm sure was trusting of Mesereau, but not his best friend. Keep that in mind. As for the Oprah interview, the same thing holds. I'm sure things Michael said or did in front of Frank would have been totally different that in front of Frank's mother; I'm sure that Frank knew things about Michael that his mother did not know simply by nature of the relationships. By the way, I don't think Frank actually responded to that question.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

bluetopez said:
That few right out the window when he called MJ an addict on 20/20 and agreed with the Jacksons.
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Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

classic said:
Frank said that Michael and he discussed the issue. And despite Michael getting angry, Michael must have valued that friendship because he didn't toss it right out of the window. Again, what the Jacksons (some) have been implying and what Frank stated are two different things.
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But look at what he's done since Michael died. Those are not the actions of a friend.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

marebear said:
What I worry is what the media will choose to pick from the book . . .
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They did that to Michael himself. Should he have not ever said anything?

No difference than the media ignoring something if all 100% little fun facts.

At some point things have to be put into perspective. I have strong doubts that all of you are so quick to kick people out of your lives or toss decades of friendship every time something is not phrased perfectly by those people; I doubt that you all have never made a friend or loved one mad; I'm sure when you did, you appreciated that mistake weighed in perspective to years of what you did right.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

StellaJackson said:
But look at what he's done since Michael died. Those are not the actions of a friend.
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What did he do that weren't the actions of a friend? After decades of a friendship that Michael by all accounts we have heard held close to heart, what is the long list of what he has done?

What counted most is what he did before Michael died. There are many "honorable" friends to Michael now that were nowhere in sight when he was living. Kind of like those who think that bringing flowers after someone has died is honoring the person moreso than it would have to have taken the time to give those flowers when the person was living and could have enjoyed them.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

classic said:
What did he do that weren't the actions of a friend? After decades of a friendship that Michael by all accounts we have heard held close to heart, what is the long list of what he has done?

What counted most is what he did before Michael died. There are many "honorable" friends to Michael now that were nowhere in sight when he was living. Kind of like those who think that bringing flowers after someone has died is honoring the person moreso than it would have to have taken the time to give those flowers when the person was living and could have enjoyed them.
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There is a thread to discuss this so we can talk about it there, but I was mainly referring to the fraudulent songs.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

StellaJackson said:
There is a thread to discuss this so we can talk about it there, but I was mainly referring to the fraudulent songs.
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And here lies the problem. Frank did no damage to Michael's musical legacy. Show the proof that such happened--and the fact that some people didn't like the songs is not proof of damage to Michael's musical legacy.

Frank is not writing about those songs. He is writing about his friendship that went for years. That can not be discounted as easily as some are trying to do because they disapprove of some songs. You may not have liked the circumstances surrounding the songs. That can not be projected onto Frank and his friendship with Michael. You disliked something. Frank has thus far publicly at every turn supported Michael. Frank remained a close friend of Michael's up to Michael's death. That will always outweigh you or anyone else's dislike for songs.

I think that people tend to forget that Frank was in legal jeopardy during the allegations period along with Michael. Through it all, he only showed the actions of a friend. He talked about Michael's innocence way more than his hope that he would be fine legally. His behavior then and there showed that he knew what friendship meant. If he didn't betray him then, then I have a hard time to convict him of such now based on opinions about a song's authenticity. He chose not to sell him out then when it mattered most to his own future, so I have a hard time thinking that he would so easily do it now.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

classic said:
And here lies the problem. Frank did no damage to Michael's musical legacy. Show the proof that such happened--and the fact that some people didn't like the songs is not proof of damage to Michael's musical legacy.

Frank is not writing about those songs. He is writing about his friendship that went for years. That can not be discounted as easily as some are trying to do because they disapprove of some songs. You may not have liked the circumstances surrounding the songs. That can not be projected onto Frank and his friendship with Michael. You disliked something. Frank has thus far publicly at every turn supported Michael. Frank remained a close friend of Michael's up to Michael's death. That will always outweigh you or anyone else's dislike for songs.

I think that people tend to forget that Frank was in legal jeopardy during the allegations period along with Michael. Through it all, he only showed the actions of a friend. He talked about Michael's innocence way more than his hope that he would be fine legally. His behavior then and there showed that he knew what friendship meant. If he didn't betray him then, then I have a hard time to convict him of such now based on opinions about a song's authenticity. He chose not to sell him out then when it mattered most to his own future, so I have a hard time thinking that he would so easily do it now.
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I didn't say they did damage. I said they weren't the actions of a friend.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I'm going to say this: Those songs categorically did damage to MJ's legacy. If you want more than that, PM because this is not the thread for it.

That means that we should refrain from letting this thread become a hotbed for the Cascio controversy especially since that involved Eddie and not Frank.

I think some are mistaking what some fans are saying. No one is denying what Frank has done for Michael while he was alive. What it does not mean is that Frank gets a pass for everything he does from now on because of what he did in the past. When a person goes against the principles of a friendship especially for monetary gain just because that person is no longer living, then people have a right to reject their products. It's quite simple. Each person has to determine how they feel about this and then react accordingly. Some are against this book because they have seen/heard enough in their eyes to make a decision. Some choose to wait and see. Some have decided that regardless, they are going to buy the book.

Me personally, I was not interested in this book (hence why I never commented on it before the last week or so.) However, any interest I might have had is gone based on how Frank chose to market this book thus far. I am not even upset that Frank mentioned MJ's problems. He was specific and gave a time frame for when these things occurred. If he is giving a faithful narrative, then he might feel he needs to be faithful to what really happened. My problem is that amidst the character assassination of MJ and admist a media frenzy to portray MJ as an addict up til his death, of all things to talk about, whether giving a time frame or not, especially while Frank is supposedly setting things straight, he chose the parts of his book that focus on MJ's past problems with drugs as if he cannot comprehend what the media will do with it. Playing into media hands, especially when it will be used to further desecrate MJ, I find terrible. And, it has turned me off from really wanting to hear anything else Frank has to say.

Frank might be a nice guy. I'm not villifying him here. I'm not saying he is a terrible person worthy of tarring and feathering. I'm not saying he is still not a friend of Michael's. I am saying that I think he made a bad decision. My reaction then to his bad decision is to make a decision of my own to not support this particular endeavor of his.

Just my opinion.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

ginvid said:
That means that we should refrain from letting this thread become a hotbed for the Cascio controversy especially since that involved Eddie and not Frank.
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I wanted to quote this for truth.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

ginvid said:
. . . When a person goes against the principles of a friendship especially for monetary gain just because that person is no longer living, then people have a right to reject their products. . . .
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Yes, by writing a book, the book will make money depending upon sales of course. But, that doesn't mean that the purpose of the book was for monetary gains; I guess also I don't equate writing a book with going against the principles of a friendship in all cases. And only Frank would be able to answer that since he was the one in the friendship.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Well classic, it's not something you have to understand. Other fans who do feel that way don't have to make sure they convince you to feel what they already feel. That's why it called a difference of opinion, I guess.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

ginvid said:
Well classic, it's not something you have to understand. Other fans who do feel that way don't have to make sure they convince you to feel what they already feel. That's why it called a difference of opinion, I guess.
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Actually, I myself was stating my opinion. And I also never asked anyone to convince me of anything.

We keep saying that difference of opinion is okay. But, people are really quick to phrase things in a way that comes off as jumping down someone's throat.

My point was that we can't say this book was for monetary gains or that it was going against principles of friendship unless we know for a fact that Michael request to Frank to never write or speak about him upon his death.

Things are just getting framed in such absolute ways that the conversations about much never move beyond one gigantic circle. Things aren't always either-or; and even if people lean towards a certain way of thinking, there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that that thinking may not be correct.

My opinion was meant as just that--like yours. It didn't call for acting in any other regards.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Frank was the only one that constantly stood up for Michael during the 2005 trial... Enough said!

While they brought crazy false evidence it was FRANK that came on to defend it.. No other "friend" did that.. Not even Culkin, Culkin came on and said he does not want to get involved and he doesn't think Michael wants him involved.. which I respect but, FRANK was up front TV all the time for Michael around then.. To me he was Michaels only defense in the court of PUBLIC OPINION..

So people can say he's cashing in on MJ's death.. I find that bull because he was not ONLY there during death, he was always there to defend Michael in public...
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Tom Mesereau speaks very highly of Macaulay Culkin and Chris Tucker. TMez said Culkin and Tucker supported Michael throughout the trial despite the advices from their respective managers.

You don't see Culkin or Tucker speak about Michael in public. Neither did Diana Ross.

Tom said many so-called friends stayed away from Michael, but not Culkin or Tucker. As a matter of fact, Culkin is Prince god father and wad presence in the private funeral.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I know Michael had issues and it would be nice for people to clarify when it was. If Jermaine says there was a problem in 2001 then I can understand. Honestly looking back you could see something wasn't right at that time (that's just my feeling). Then there was 1993. I don't hold that against Michael at all because he was human. Maybe Frank didn't asnwer the question on Oprah but he sat there with his family. I am not trying to be difficult and everyone is making good points here. Maybe in the book he will talk about it and explain more what he meant. I am willing to keep an open mind.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Im not taking away from Culkin or Tucker.. infact I said I respected Culkin!! Im just not going to spit hate at Frank just because he decided to write a book.. I don't turn that fast.. Frank was one of the very few that stayed close to Michael as long as he did. That has to be for a reason...

I think its unfair to get mad at everyone that write a book after Michael passes. There of course has to be a trigger reason to write. sometimes it takes a traumatic event to spark the feel of the need to write about something or someone. Almost like self therapy.

We can dissect and make everything bad..

"Why Immortal tour now? they cashing in on Michaels death", "Oh why is she saying this now in public, why not before.. Sell out." "oh look who comes out of the woodwork now."

COME ON give them a break.. Do you think Katherine would talk about Michaels possible addiction in public when Michael was here and take the chance of him getting upset? HELL NO! Does it make her a bad person talking about it now? NO! she just tried to keep things private.

Thats the same with many other people who "come out" now..

Im not saying everyone is good.. NO! there are definatly leaches, and opportunists. but not everyone
 
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