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

[Petrarose]

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

Opps double post

 

[ivy]

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

Good point. People forget that the fan community have a great impact when they join together to support something. Books that most of the community do not support, tend to make less money, like Katherine's book.

Howard Mann claimed that they made $1.5 Million in gross sales from Katherine's book in 48 hours.

 

[riviera1992]

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

Hey Yvy, let me ask you this; as a supporter of Frank's book don't you find this weird , coincidental, bizarre, pre-meditated, or whatever you want to call it, that the book was released just a few days after the verdict when after 3-4 weeks of hearing and reading about Michael being a drug addict and what not from the pundits, and in the book the only few sentences where Frank talking about the drugs were picked out by the same pundits as a confirmation that MJ was a drug addict?

So we have the same medialoid owned by Murdock spewing the drug addict talk for weeks and then we have HC owned by Murdock releasing Frank's book re-inforcing and confirming that MJ did indeed used meds and might've overdone it at some point enough to make Frank worried.

Even though Frank keeps insisting it was well needed at times and MJ overcame it when his issues were better, medialoids are turning a deaf ear to that part.

To me it seems that if Frank really just wanted to share with the fan base the Michael he knew and love so dearly, he could've just release an e-book with a donation button. He wouldn't have been coherced into including/explaining drug talks and without this part all fans would've loved it and embraced it and Frank would've got donations because we care. But instead he chose the big check and signed a deal with evil Murdock and fuel the medialoids and pissed off fans. I don't think Frank is a stupid guy and was too naive to see this coming. After spending so much time with Michael, he knew perfectly how explosive this drug talk was and shouldn't have mention anything about it.

And that's what I can't forgive. Fueling the media about MJ is wrong anyway you look at it.

 

[ivy]

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

Hey Yvy, let me ask you this; as a supporter of Frank's book

supporter?

don't you find this weird , coincidental, bizarre, pre-meditated, or whatever you want to call it, that the book was released just a few days after the verdict when after 3-4 weeks of hearing and reading about Michael being a drug addict

Books release date was announced in January 2011 - go back to the first post on this thread and I believe the press release is at page 11 or 12. So the release date was determined at January. At that time the trial was to be over by May. So trial being delayed twice and happening around the pre-determined release date of the book is not premediated or coincidental or bizarre or whatever you call it.

and what not from the pundits, and in the book the only few sentences where Frank talking about the drugs were picked out by the same pundits as a confirmation that MJ was a drug addict?

media should be blamed for that.

So we have the same medialoid owned by Murdock spewing the drug addict talk for weeks and then we have HC owned by Murdock releasing Frank's book re-inforcing and confirming that MJ did indeed used meds and might've overdone it at some point enough to make Frank worried.

Jermaine's book from the same publisher also states that Michael had a "prescription drug dependency".

Even though Frank keeps insisting it was well needed at times and MJ overcame it when his issues were better, medialoids are turning a deaf ear to that part.

again you need to blame media for it.

To me it seems that if Frank really just wanted to share with the fan base the Michael he knew and love so dearly, he could've just release an e-book with a donation button. He wouldn't have been coherced into including/explaining drug talks and without this part all fans would've loved it and embraced it and Frank would've got donations because we care. But instead he chose the big check and signed a deal with evil Murdock and fuel the medialoids and pissed off fans. I don't think Frank is a stupid guy and was too naive to see this coming. After spending so much time with Michael, he knew perfectly how explosive this drug talk was and shouldn't have mention anything about it.

Fans donating to Frank? Yeah right. When you think about it anyone could have done anything for free but they don't right? Jermaine, Latoya, Katherine is charging money for their books, other people selling items in their possession or licensing their videos and/or photos. So no one is doing anything for free. You have the option to not buy.

For the drug talk I have a different perspective then you do. I remember Walgren's closing statement in which he said "No one is denying that Michael Jackson asked for Propofol". For me after this trial it's meaningless to deny that Michael had used Propofol, it's meaningless to deny that he had accidents and physical pain and procedures that required pain medications. However I actually appreciate people who put this into context and say that he wasn't an addict.

For example Arnold Klein says that Michael was absolutely a Propofol addict, Frank Cascio says it was a time period and he wasn't using anything in 2007. Guess which one I like.

And that's what I can't forgive. Fueling the media about MJ is wrong anyway you look at it.

media will be fueled by anything and you can't blame Frank for media. You need examples? Lloyds is claiming that Michael was an addict and withheld his medical history. AEG lawsuit is claiming that Michael was controlled and his medical treatment was dictated by AEG. Arnold Klein calls Michael an absolute Propofol addict. Oxman claimed Michael died from Demerol overdose. Jermaine said that Michael had prescription drug dependency and so on and so on. The list is endless.

 

[suzynyc]

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

How about we discuss the positive, sweet things in this book. I never knew how much of a tutor and mentor Michael was to these kids. I'm up to the chapter when Michael was staying in Trump Towers in NYC while recording the History album. He had hours long reading sessions with the kids (not only with Frank and his brother but with MJ's nephews) where they would all go out and purchase books and then they would return to his Trump apartment and sit around reading them. It sounds so sweet.

Interesting Michael read "The Power of Positive Thinking". I remember really disliking that book when I read it many years ago heh.

Frank says Michael's favorite gum was Bazooka and that MJ said "it's the best gum in the world but you have to keep popping new ones in your mouth." LOL I agree with that.

Edit: Oh, and nice little tidbit that Michael liked to watch Dick Clark hosting the New Year's Eve Times Square ball drop (they watched the show at Neverland in 1994)

 

[PaceMioDolceCuore]

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

How about we discuss the positive, sweet things in this book. I never knew how much of a tutor and mentor Michael was to these kids. I'm up to the chapter when Michael was staying in Trump Towers in NYC while recording the History album. He had hours long reading sessions with the kids (not only with Frank and his brother but with MJ's nephews) where they would all go out and purchase books and then they would return to his Trump apartment and sit around reading them. It sounds so sweet.

Interesting Michael read "The Power of Positive Thinking". I remember really disliking that book when I read it many years ago heh.

Frank says Michael's favorite gum was Bazooka and that MJ said "it's the best gum in the world but you have to keep popping new ones in your mouth." LOL I agree with that.

Edit: Oh, and nice little tidbit that Michael liked to watch Dick Clark hosting the New Year's Eve Times Square ball drop (they watched the show at Neverland in 1994)

Absolutely! All for it.

For example, after reading the book I once more walked away thinking that besides being a guy with a robust sense of humor- he must have been a very strong willed individual. I very much appreciate the mental 'exercises' that he mentored with. To extract the essence out of a book, 'mind mapping' etc.
I'm still not a Wayne Dyer fan, but that's okay. (US bible belt living where you are bombarded with Joel Osteen and Wayne Dyer televised conferences don't help that dislike). But I very much appreciated the way the author described Michael Jackson approaching a book- I think encouraging people to read would be quite the MJ trait...

Contrary to media reports I once more walked away contemplating that Michael was one of the sharpest minds out there- the book paints an intelligent man who knows how to laugh. And knowing that we all have our bathroom moments of utter despair, I appreciated the book for the author's way of summing up his view. (ask any two people to describe their relationship and you'll always hear 4 sides from 2 people alone..I guess that's called perception and being human).

Media loves to portray Michael Jackson as the dude who doesn't know how to tie his own shoes- the description of Michael overseeing homework after sending a stadium full of a grateful audience into ecstasy- very intense illustration of how he sought to quench young minds with BOOKS. To mentor to instill a curiosity, even do things differently. Get to the bottom of things.
Since the author is describing his own coming of age- I felt very much that it was very helpful to hear from the author himself how his own view and perception of Michael molded and changed with age- that understanding MJ had to do with living life. I found that in itself quite honest.
Nothing is static- and especially not life. Relationships grow, change- that reflected in the book.

And by the way, the book is also not 'syrupy sweet for the feeble minded' as a few have alleged- I found it rather realistic. (I can read between the lines about partying on Neverland...lol)
The difference being that Michael Jackson DID accomplish things in his life that are nothing short of 'sweet' in the best sense possible.

 

[Petrarose]

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

Hey Yvy, let me ask you this; as a supporter of Frank's book don't you find this weird , coincidental, bizarre, pre-meditated, or whatever you want to call it, that the book was released just a few days after the verdict when after 3-4 weeks of hearing and reading about Michael being a drug addict and what not from the pundits, and in the book the only few sentences where Frank talking about the drugs were picked out by the same pundits as a confirmation that MJ was a drug addict?

So we have the same medialoid owned by Murdock spewing the drug addict talk for weeks and then we have HC owned by Murdock releasing Frank's book re-inforcing and confirming that MJ did indeed used meds and might've overdone it at some point enough to make Frank worried.

Even though Frank keeps insisting it was well needed at times and MJ overcame it when his issues were better, medialoids are turning a deaf ear to that part.

To me it seems that if Frank really just wanted to share with the fan base the Michael he knew and love so dearly, he could've just release an e-book with a donation button. He wouldn't have been coherced into including/explaining drug talks and without this part all fans would've loved it and embraced it and Frank would've got donations because we care. But instead he chose the big check and signed a deal with evil Murdock and fuel the medialoids and pissed off fans. I don't think Frank is a stupid guy and was too naive to see this coming. After spending so much time with Michael, he knew perfectly how explosive this drug talk was and shouldn't have mention anything about it.

And that's what I can't forgive. Fueling the media about MJ is wrong anyway you look at it.

This post voices many of the concerns of a number of fans here.

I guess we have nothing new to add to this topic, or am I wrong.

 

[MsCassieMollie]

https://twitter.com/#!/fdcascio

fdcascio Frank Cascio
Yayoi, The book with be out in Japan Very Soon…
24 Nov

 

[Petrarose]

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

He should get good sales in Japan, because Japanese fans love Michael oriented projects.

 

[MsCassieMollie]

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

https://twitter.com/fdcascio

fdcascio Frank Cascio
Enjoyed chatting with Larry and Becca on The Morning Show Australia! #MyFriendMicheal
3 hours ago

 

[8701girl]

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

https://twitter.com/fdcascio

He was on it this morning? i missed watching that show today as i normally watch it most days

 

[MsCassieMollie]

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

You can read the first several chapters from the book on here:

http://www.harpercollins.com/browseinside/index.aspx?isbn13=9780062090065#.TtKpNZW9Ndo.twitter

 

[Ashtanga]

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

opcorn:

 

[HumanNature2210]

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

I finished the book at last. I took my time to read it slowly as I want to enjoy it and boy I cried, laughed, grinned, smiled and at times upset (particularly with the Arvizos). It was a good read, a real insight, sort of a journey with Frank into Michael's life, the man and this makes me admire and love Michael even more, if that is possible at all. I am so amazed by his strength, his will power, his constant giving despite all odds. It also makes me understand him more of his choices, his decision and his eccentricities.

This book arrived just in time as I finished Joe Vogel's "Man in the Music". Both are good read but different, one focusing on his art, the other, his humanity. As I have said it earlier, its difficult to have a book which is believable if it is all "sugar-coating". I flinched at some stuff which is included in the book but I guess if you want to really portray a real person, you have to include both the good and the bad (which I don't seem them as bad but rather have it explained in the right context just like Michael showing Baby Blanket over the balcony). All in all, I find the book believable and a very touching account of a friendship which an extraordinary man.

I am very touched with the part where the Cascio's choose to continue with Michael despite the 1993 allegation (despite the family being questioned about whether it is right to continue having their kids travelling with Michael during such time) and I truly believe that helped Michael immensely just as his own kids (PPB) helped Michael get through 2005 trial. The rest of the story about Michael tutoring them, teaching and guiding them like a father was just amazing. All the cute stories about the prank and trips are just hilarious. And lastly, I am wondering aloud who is the person that tell Michael that Frank not testifying (as I have said, I find the book believable). Anyone want to take a guess? Raymone Bain, Randy?

 

[KOPV]

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

Simply put this book in alot of areas sets the record straight as alot would use that term.. No funny mirror or one way mirror images.. Just how he saw it.. No sugar coating yet no down cutting.. It shows the true wonderment of Michael Jackson for all that he could be as a human..

I am thankful for the book because it will open the eyes of alot of people.. The general public would never believe the great qualities Michael had if it was sugar coated with ONLY the beauty, but the raw version is much more realistic to the general public and it will allow the beauty in..

 

[claudiadoina]

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

Whatever ...

 

[chanel05]

Simply put this book in alot of areas sets the record straight as alot would use that term.. No funny mirror or one way mirror images.. Just how he saw it.. No sugar coating yet no down cutting.. It shows the true wonderment of Michael Jackson for all that he could be as a human..

I am thankful for the book because it will open the eyes of alot of people.. The general public would never believe the great qualities Michael had if it was sugar coated with ONLY the beauty, but the raw version is much more realistic to the general public and it will allow the beauty in..

I agree. This is what some people dont understand. You have to take the good with the bad. Yes MJ was a good person but he had his flaws like every other person.

 

[magichappens]

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

Im reading the book... I did not purchase it, and i did not put any money in Franks pocket. I want to read to hear what he has to say.. And can't be attacked for that!! So far Im on page 51 and it has been very good so far.. I know from reading previous pages in the thread its not all going to be that way. But at least up to this point the book has been great.. He explained how they met, what Michael was like, how it was at Neverland, and being a child around Michael, and meeting Jordy, the alegations...

Would you give the link to the book to read (or download)? Please. I cannot find it.

 

[suzynyc]

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

I think we in general have been behaving no better than the media in this thread, focusing on the more "negative" parts of this book and not discussing the beautiful, positive parts...and there are so many. I haven't finished the book yet (I'm just reading a couple of chapters here and there, mostly on the subway on my way to work in the mornings) but I really don't see a lot of mentions in this thread regarding the more positive stories, tidbits, etc. Maybe if more of you actually read the book we would have more of the positive to discuss here, just a thought heh.

Though this part is further back in the book than where I am now, I really must give a mention to how well Frank describes what Michael went through after the first allegations and how he categorically, undeniably defends him.

 

[KOPV]

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

I read the actual paper book! I dont have an online copy.. sorry!

 

[ivy]

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

Whatever ...

I want to thank you for this very useful post. It added so much to the discussion.

I think we in general have been behaving no better than the media in this thread, focusing on the more "negative" parts of this book and not discussing the beautiful, positive parts...and there are so many. I haven't finished the book yet (I'm just reading a couple of chapters here and there, mostly on the subway on my way to work in the mornings) but I really don't see a lot of mentions in this thread regarding the more positive stories, tidbits, etc. Maybe if more of you actually read the book we would have more of the positive to discuss here, just a thought heh.

I agree that this thread has been worse than the media. What was even more unfortunate that MJ fans chose to believe media.

 

[KOPV]

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

^ Ivy you said exactly what I was thinking that I didnt want to get in trouble for saying thanks

 

[prettygirlmj]

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

Well, I am still in the middle of reading Frank's new book. To be honest, I am glad I borrowed it from the library and not bought it. I know Michael had issues (many of them) that stemmed from all the abuse he endured since childhood. I don't blame Michael for needing to take things in order to sleep. But I wish all the problems Michael went throught at the time had not been written by Frank in his book. He's written some really private things in that book which would make Michael cringe. Talking about Michael's sex life, demerol, moments where he was 'not there' 100%, propofol....Frank was supposely a 'Loyal friend' to Michael but it looks like he sold his friend out in order for his book to be published.

It's no wonder those Bodyguards of Michael have been going through a really tough time publishing their book. They refused to put anything that puts Michael in bad light, so they can't get published. Well we will see how that goes....how long they will hold out anyway.

Very dissapointed in Frank.

I can't even imagine what Lisa Marie will write in her book when she writes one.

 

[missred07]

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

Well, I am still in the middle of reading Frank's new book. To be honest, I am glad I borrowed it from the library and not bought it. I know Michael had issues (many of them) that stemmed from all the abuse he endured since childhood. I don't blame Michael for needing to take things in order to sleep. But I wish all the problems Michael went throught at the time had not been written by Frank in his book. He's written some really private things in that book which would make Michael cringe. Talking about Michael's sex life, demerol, moments where he was 'not there' 100%, propofol....Frank was supposely a 'Loyal friend' to Michael but it looks like he sold his friend out in order for his book to be published.

I partly agreed with your opinion. Some topics MJ won't want them out. However, I don't know whether he was selling MJ out. Still can't make my mind up. On the other hand, why people kept focusing on MJ's sex life (less than one page), demerol etc which were around 1/10 of the books???? Why didn't people discuss about all the sweet part Frank wrote in his book? I really don't get it. Some fans kept blaming the media always focus on the so called "negative things" but still kept focusing on them and discussed them on and on and on. No wonder the media like to put those stuffs up because these are what people love to talk about. ps: My last 2 sentence are not direct to your post. It's just an observation I saw after reading the whole thread.

It's no wonder those Bodyguards of Michael have been going through a really tough time publishing their book. They refused to put anything that puts Michael in bad light, so they can't get published. Well we will see how that goes....how long they will hold out anyway.
Very dissapointed in Frank.

This is a very interesting comment. Don't you think the bodyguards also reveal too many private stuffs of MJ? They also talked about MJ asking for weed in the interview they gave 2 years ago. Lots of the stuffs they shared in their FB are all quite private things. If you think Frank invaded MJ's privacy, so did those bodyguards talking about MJ kissing girl in back seat, what type of underwear they bought for MJ etc... and do you know that they just gave interview right before the verdict of Murray trial and they were saying MJ would asking drugs and MJ won't want Murray to go through trial etc.

I can't even imagine what Lisa Marie will write in her book when she writes one.

She said it's her last time to talk about MJ in Oprah. She had chance to write the book long time ago but she didn't. In my opinion, I don't think she would write a book about MJ.

 

[KOPV]

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

what gets me is the fans that get upset about people "invading" Michaels privacy (in many cases.. NOT ALL) Only when its bad things.. When it's something they like, or sounds cool.. than all the power to anyone to share a special moment they've shared.. But if it's something a little less flatering they become a "sell out" a "traidor"..

 

[suzynyc]

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

I partly agreed with your opinion. Some topics MJ won't want them out. However, I don't know whether he was selling MJ out. Still can't make my mind up. On the other hand, why people kept focusing on MJ's sex life (less than one page), demerol etc which were around 1/10 of the books???? Why didn't people discuss about all the sweet part Frank wrote in his book? I really don't get it. Some fans kept blaming the media always focus on the so called "negative things" but still kept focusing on them and discussed them on and on and on. No wonder the media like to put those stuffs up because these are what people love to talk about. ps: My last 2 sentence are not direct to your post. It's just an observation I saw after reading the whole thread.

That's what I've been trying to say. There are so many positive stories in this book. I would say the positive stuff in this book outweighs the negative. And yet most focus on the negative, not just the media but the fans - even the ones who haven't even read the book.

Lisa Marie is still relatively young. I think there is plenty of time left for her to write her memoirs heh. But who knows, maybe she won't.

 

[MsCassieMollie]

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

laurieeconnors Laurie Connors
#ConradMurry sentenced to 4 yrs. Frank Cascio will be on @NancyGraceHLN LIVE tonight with his opinion. Tune in. #MYFRIENDMICHAEL

 

[missred07]

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

laurieeconnors Laurie Connors
#ConradMurry sentenced to 4 yrs. Frank Cascio will be on @NancyGraceHLN LIVE tonight with his opinion. Tune in. #MYFRIENDMICHAEL

Nancy Grace????? orz~~~~~~
I had a bad feeling about this and I hope I am wrong.
I just hope Frank learned from the Dr. Drew interview.
Nancy Grace can twisted his words in big way. orz~~

 

[MsCassieMollie]

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

laurieeconnors Laurie Connors
#conradmurray sentencing. Frank Cascio will be on @InSession and tonight on @NancyGraceHLN talking about the results.
4 hours ago

sanemjfan sanemjfan
Frank Cascio is currently being interviewed on In Session.
5 hours ago

MichaelLove_ Briana
"He was such a giving and warm person he always put himself second he was such a sensitive warm good person." - Frank Cascio on Michael
5 hours ago

Reflectionssite Reflections Website
Frank Cascio is on TruTV right now defending Michael against the allegations and the drug addiction....
5 hours ago

MichaelLove_ Briana
"Michael was the most generous, humble loving man in the world." - Frank Cascio
5 hours ago

laurieeconnors Laurie Connors
Tune into @InSession today...Frank Cascio will be on LIVE discussing the #conradmurray sentencing.
7 hours ago

 

[MsCassieMollie]

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

https://www.facebook.com/ReflectionsOnTheDance

Reflections On The Dance, An Honest Look at Michael Joseph Jackson Anne, Melissa, Nicole, and all....On Frank's appearance on TruTV and his book and the drug addiction claims...Frank stated clearly on this morning's program that Michael was not a drug addict or junkie as the media has been calling him for years and he wasn't on drugs all those years continually...but that he did have times when he was in a lot of pain (albeit both emotionally and physically at times) where he had trouble handling all that came at him and that even Frank didn't realize how bad it was and was worried for Michael at the time because of the medications. He also didn't realize at the time what Michael had to deal with until he had to come up against some of it himself in the 2005 trial, where Frank himself started to experience some of the paranoia, etc. that he never understood from Michael until he experienced it himself as he then had things coming at him because of his association with Michael. So the book is told from that perspective, almost in a storylike fashion where you have to continue reading to get to the main points being made and come full circle. There are parts of the book in how things are said or referenced that I don't necessarily agree with, and, there things mentioned that I think should have been left private (whether true or not), however, I think that there are parts of the book that help fans understand more about what happened, especially in the Arvizo's case, the explanation of Michael's bedroom suite, Frank's experiences with Michael and the innocence of that, and a deeper understanding of all that Michael went through.
30 minutes ago