March 20, 1999 (Germany, Saarland Hall) - “Turn Das”
Michael Jackson appeared on his TV show ”Turn, Das...“ to talk about his project ”Michael Jackson and Friends.“ The show was broadcast live on D.D.F and had 15.87 million viewers (49.8%). Michael was on the show for about 9 minutes.
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It’s about 10 p.m., and roughly 150 fans of Michael have entered the “Saarland Hall” and gathered on both sides of the stage.
A clip of ”We Are the World” is shown just before Michael appears on stage.
Thomas Gottschalk (host): ”The King of Pop” Michael Jackson is coming in!!!
[Wearing a black jacket and trousers, a white shirt with a red stripe wrapped around one of his arms, black boots and sunglasses, with his hair falling over his shoulders..... His entrance is accompanied by thunderous screams and applause...... For a few minutes, the fans are constantly screaming]
[Michael greets Thomas Gottschalk and makes gestures pointing to the host’s tall height.]
Thomas Gottschalk: Let’s talk a little about this new project...
They walk toward the bench where the other guests are seated. Thomas Gottschalk sits on the bench, but Michael remains standing and waves to the fans. Thomas Gottschalk is forced to stand up from the bench again... The fans’ screams continue, making conversation impossible.... Michael smiles.
Thomas Gottschalk (to Michael’s fans): Okay... thank you very much.
Michael: They really can’t stop themselves.
Thomas Gottschalk: So... Michael, they’re not listening to me.
[The fans are screaming so loudly that nobody can even hear a single word.]
Thomas Gottschalk: Today Michael wants you to listen... listen to us a little... you people over there... you too [addressing a group of fans on the other side of the stage]... come on... Michael would be so happy if you’d listen to him for even a moment... That’s great—now you see how much you love him... Okay... come on, we know you love him... Please, just think a little about Uncle Thomas... Come on, I want to ask him a few things... Hsssssssssss... hurry up!... Okay, it’s not so bad to take a little break, is it? Come on, kids... Don’t tell me I’m going to have to scold you again???....
[Michael blows kisses to his fans and points toward them... laughs]
Michael: Give me that picture. Give me that picture... Maurice... give me that picture.
[The fans start screaming again.]
Thomas Gottschalk: It’s like being stuck in an icebox... When I try to quiet this side [gesturing to fans on the left side of the stage], the ones over there start yelling again!... All right, kids, listen... Let’s talk about Michael’s new project for two words... You don’t know what’s about to happen!
[Someone hands Michael a flag that reads: ”Your heart is heaven for the kids“ ]
Thomas Gottschalk: Michael has a new project... Two big concerts—one that Michael himself will perform, and one that will be done together with Michael’s collaboration. One here in Germany, and one in Korea.
[In the meantime, Michael places the flag on the floor and looks at it.]