January 9, 1382 (2004) - Reaction to the Interview: The Video for “One More Chance”

Based on preliminary information released by the media research institute Nielsen, the Sunday night special program of Sixty Minutes on the CBS network had 19 million and 650 thousand viewers in the first half of the program—an episode dedicated to an interview with Michael Jackson. Recorded on Christmas Eve at a hotel in Los Angeles, the program enabled the show to reach an average audience of 18 million and 190 thousand people for the entire broadcast, which made it the most-watched Sunday night program among all television networks in the United States. Previously, one of the “Sixty Minutes” specials dedicated to the capture of Saddam Hussein had brought 18 million and 760 thousand viewers to this network. Since, as is typical during holiday times, the number of viewers for this program usually declines, according to a spokesperson for the news magazine TV Week, it is expected that Jackson’s interview will turn “Sixty Minutes” into the most-watched program of the week.

Also, following the broadcast of this interview—in which Michael claimed that he had been subjected to multiple mistreatments by the police of the Santa Barbara district—the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office issued a statement as follows:

“The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office is willing to respond to the statements made by Mr. Jackson in his recent interview that aired on the 7th of Dey. This office again announces that during Mr. Jackson’s arrest and fingerprinting procedures, he was treated with courtesy and in a professional manner. Both his attorney and his security officer thanked the Sheriff’s Office for the level of cooperation and professional conduct they demonstrated throughout the process. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office is a professional institution made up of committed men and women who put their lives on the line every day and face difficult and complex conditions. Although the issuance of the warrant for the search of Neverland and, during it, the arrest and fingerprinting of Mr. Jackson has focused media attention and drawn public interest, Mr. Jackson has been treated politely and professionally in a manner consistent with the standards of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office.”

Also, the CBS network has released more information about the special program on Michael Jackson that will air on Friday, January 2, at 8:00 PM on this network:

“This historic travel special will have an unparalleled look at Michael Jackson’s professional life and will celebrate his achievements while examining the extent of his artistic genius. In this program, a fresh presentation of his classic songs will be shown using a combination of original music videos that have been digitally enhanced, along with his live performances drawn from his years of Off The Wall and Thriller. Michael will also perform his new song One More Chance from his latest album Number Ones.”

The following people will appear in the program:

Michael Jackson, Beyonce Knowles, Missy Elliott, Dick Clark, Mary J. Blige, Carson Daly, Shaggy, Savion Glover, Pharrell Williams, Wyclef Jean, Quincy Jones and Jennifer Lopez.