Children 'saved me,' Michael Jackson said

I am sitting here watching "The Michael Jackson Tapes", and my heart is falling apart by the second. I was not a child of abuse, however I am a survivor of Domestic violence and rape. My childrens father raped me and severely beat me on a daily basis for almost two years and as a result was incarcerated for it. I know EXACTLY the feeling he is expressing to The Rabbi as he tells him of feeling faint and nauseated because of the overwhelming need for approval and fear that tortures your soul in the abuser's presence. Knowing that you fear the very person that you love, the fear of not knowing what that person could or will do to you the next time you see them. The butterflies in your stomach, not from love or exitement, but from dread and the unknowing of what each day would bring. My God, he has lived his whole life in fear, whether or not his father was next to him or not. The lingering despair and sorrow that poor man must have suffered...every moment...every instance of his entire life. I was a Michael Jackson fan as a teenager growing up. I am now 38 years old and have lived quite a life, but my heart simply breaks for him and his family. I feel connected to him on a level of suffering and pain now that I have heard your broadcast. Hearing his voice and the sadness in it. He is simply a man...an amazing man who found happiness in bringing to others the happiness he unfortunately could not obtain himself.

I'm sorry but how many times can we here about Michael Jackson's life story through others eyes/opinions! Giving nothing more than these so called "friends" that new him well, fame. Rabbi Shmuley should have stepped in and helped Michael, not step away when Michael was in such pain. Yes, a "man of the cloth" or another greedy person to make money off of Michael Jackson. Let Michael Jackson rest in peace and continue to enjoy what he has given us through the decades.

Susan

To Meredith, could you have scowled any more? You looked like you were in pain the entire interview! It was an interview not to reveal the voice behind the man but to reveal the most painful aspects of his life in a condescending way. You and the Rabbi should be ashamed of yourselves. We all see how much it pained Michael to be betrayed. With friends like the ones he had in Rabbi Schmuley, you could say he was just bitter. This interview was designed to be unflattering and an intentional motive AGAIN to bring down the King of Pop; this time posthumously.

Secondly, you have to be Christian who knows the gift of God's love for redemption through the Son of God, Jesus, to know that dominion and power on Earth was given to mankind. Through the blood of Jesus, the power to heal is a gift, empowered by the Holy Spirit which lives in you--if you are born again. Obviously this would be difficult for a Jewish man practicing a Jewish lifestyle to fathom. To make fun of Michael believing he had healing power is a sad commentary for Rabbi Schumley. Just another betrayal. Shameful.

Michael would have had to be more like Madonna, basically an immoral person, for people like you to leave him alone. Go write/expose something on Linsay Lohan or someone like that. Leave Michael to rest in peace. I for one won't be buying the Rabbi's book.

This is just so upsetting.

Brother Rabbi,

why should we believe your opinion of micheal Jackson? You betrayed him. I am sure if MJ knew you were seeing dollar signs, during your recording counseling session, he would have never discussed his personal life, and deep feelings about life and others (females) with you. Keep in mind, MJ was a very private individual. Your honesty is questionable. MONEY is your motive. Your are getting rich from the horrilble death of MJ. I hope you have peace in your life. Money is your true happiness, not the life of MJ and the greatness of his career.

Why are you angry about his fatherless children? Just remember you are not helping the kids by putting out more garbage about their father. What make you think that the Jackson kids what to hear what you said about their father? Think about it...you have not gave them any clarity about their father you just added more fuel to the fire!!! If you are hurt about the kids...Why don't you give the Jackson kids the proceeds from the book. Remember you said they were fatherless don't you think you owe them that much?????

Share the wealth that you making off of their father!!!!!!!!

The exploitation continues. Why is the media so fixated on MJs personal life?? and now uses personal and confidential tapes to exploit his family bringing more pain to them. Real news appears to be a dying concept with the striking decline in ethical journalists/reporters, as in this specific example (mv). But what should I expect from a propaganda network that hires Bashir after knowingly slandering MJ. Your network has lost my respect again. So very disappointing.

God Bless Michael Jackson, he was the most tormented man in America. He did not deserve the treatment he received by the media during his trial. Instead of covering his trial in an fair way they covered whatever problems he was having getting to court, etc. to my great dismay at the time. You could see that by the end of the trial in 2005 that the trial was having a very bad physical effect on him, he looked like he was deeply wounded, barely able to function, had lost a lot of weight, etc. He was found not guilty but everyone seemed to think that he was guilty anyway.

My heart breaks for this man, I was not a huge fan before but the more I read about him since his death the more respect I have for his accomplishments and his character. Yes, he was eccentric to say the least but why should his oddness make him a huge target for the media. His life was a triumph as well as a tragedy.

I thought this was an excellent interview and very fair. The thing I like most about Shmuley coming forward is that we get to hear Michael in his own words (i.e. the truth from Michael's perspective). I totally understood both Shmuley's friendship with Michael and his decision to end that friendship (even though he still cared for Michael). The show tonight also revealed some of the deeper thoughts and feelings of Michael that haven't been expressed to the public before. Again, I have to say that the interview was very well-balanced, respectful, researched, and thorough. Well done.

Meredith,

If the 'Rabbi' were being truthful, he would have told you that the real reason why he & Michael Jackson parted ways was that the money intended for the HEAL THE CHILDREN charity was misappropriated. Here was another so-called friend who let him down. That is one of the resons why MJ was so lonely 'cause there was no one he could trust--everyone had an ulterior motive. Now Shumley is back to rob the public with a book he claims was authorized by Michael Jackson. I think it's a boldfaced lie. MJ confided in him & probably didn't even know he was being taped. What Shumley needs to do is contribute all the profits from the sale of the book to charity & pay back that which he took.

I see no reason to publish MJ's private feelings. We already know how he felt about his father and the part about Madonna--why hurt her feelings? I hope the other people who see Shumley as a spirtual advisor are now on alert that their private, heart-wrenching feelings might end up being public domain--especially if they are celebrities.

Also, your face had such a distasteful look the whole hour. Who forced you to do the interview on him then? When I think of MJ, I see a kind, loving,innocent, wonderful soul. I see nothing ugly or distasteful about him. It is you people in the media who set out to make him ugly & distasteful by promoting books like that pile of crap that Shumley wrote & paying people to tell lies & half truths about him.

Wow, this was really in depth. I feel I understand Michael now more then ever. Just imagine what even more he could have accomplished if he felt validated. Wow.

Poor Michael, abused as a child & as an adult. Unless the Rabbi gives all the proceeds from this book to Michael's Heal the Children charity then he is exploiting MJ's privacy just like everyone else in the media. Meredith Viera had such a horrible look on her face throughout the interview it was difficult to watch her with her condescending attitude. MJ was deeply scared & damaged by his father & that was the reason for his insecurities which led to his self mutilation, which all that plastic surgery was a form of & the drug abuse that ended his life. He was such a sad & lonely person. At the same time a a great amazing talent who was loved by his fans. I feel so sorry for his children & hope that they will be kept away from that evil Joe Jackson.

This lovely, brilliant man spent his entire life futilely seeking love from the one person who was incapable of demonstrating it to him. As a result he was a wounded and harbored a deep void the world simply could not fill. We thought he had everything, but we can finally now see the personal pain which seems to have permeated much of his existence. We, the public were at times puzzled, and some people judged before knowing the reasons for his vulnerabilities. I am saddened to know he searched for a lifetime for affection, ironically surrounded 24/7 by a world of ardent admirers. I hope he found comfort in the authentic affection from those closest to him, most notably his children. May they live to always know they shone the pure light of love into his life.

Watched interview, it was like slowing down and looking at a wreck. I'm sure Brook Shields is tickled about what he said about her but none of this should be out there. Rabbi came across as being creditable and why would Jackson do tapes and not take them if he didn't want them exposed. But still came across as being tacky.

I read the so called Michael Jackson tapes and was disgusted at this so called confidant, this spiritual advisor who would bring such harm to a sweet person and his children who still grieve for their father, their only parent. This is the last thing they ever need. For me the failure that is most glaring, just as in the situation with certain physicians, is that there is a higher ethical standard for professionals, not only for ministers, so called confidants, but other professionals and the first imperative is Do NO HARM.

Not only do I feel that certain professionals lack this basic standard of conduct in Michael's case, but the media NBC and journalist Martin Brashir caused this man and his family so much harm; it is shameful and exploitive; it is obscene. It demeans the profession of minister, or journalist to act with such complete disregard for such a vulnerable person.

It sickens me the way Martin Brashir betrayed and exploited Michael's trust and it sickens me to see yet another trusted confident come crawling from the woodwork at such a time. Seriously do any of these people give one thought to his children. Take some ethics training; act with compassion. USe the Golden Rule.

Rest in peace MJ even though the media is determined on not letting you! This added nothing to my understanding of Michael Jackson. He was in a lot of pain - anyone following this brilliant man would already know that. Do we just like to peel back wounds and watch people bleed? In my opinion Dateline, NBC and this man who has the gaul to say he is a spiritual advisor are just another shameful person cashing in on a dead man. As MJ wrote and sang - You make me want to SCREAM! Rest in peace MJ - the King of Pop!

My heart is in my stomach. I am a child of severe abuse at the hands of my parents. What he is saying rings so true. People who have not experienced this have no idea how it affects the psyche. I'm not justifying any of Michael's behavior. I'm just saying I deeply understand his pain. And it is so difficult to speak out or get help in our culture. Of course he was seeking the childhood he never had. The psyche is very fragile. Society in general doesn't want to hear or see or know about childhood abuse issues. The only solution they offer is to incarcerate the parent and this is something children, even adult children, often fear. There is no good result for an abused child. We all have to find ways to cope in order to survive in a world in which a child cannot possibly cope! Now we're finally getting a glimpse of what it's like to live in the skin of an abused child! Sorry Michael.

Wow - what a friend - no wonder MJ dumped this guy. This is total exploitation - I'm sure MJ wouldn't have wanted these tapes released "uncut" The Rabbi didn't have anything good to say about him years ago during the trial. Poor Michael, no wonder he didn't trust anyone - who would? Can you imagine pouring your heart and soul out to a trusted friend and having them turn around and sell your story after you die? MJ was right all along - everyone just wanted a piece of him. RIP MJ - your music, dance and kind spirit will live forever.

This guy Rabbi whatever the hell his name is a snake,just like that Martin Bashir who used MJ to futher his career in TV,both are snakes in the grass,who needs friends when you got emenies.

The Rabbi is just another greedy opportunist trying to cash in on the fame of Michael Jackson's success. This interview is a perfect example of how MJ's friends betrayed him and why MJ was justified for hating the media. The both continue to slander him, even in after his death.

I did see the clip on the Today Show with the Rabbi and Ms. Viera.  As a longtime fan of MJ, I was incensed by Ms. Viera's look of distaste.  Why did you do the interview with the Rabbi, Meridith? 

Hearing the tapes brings me sorrow, but show little new.  Just didn't know how badly MJ was beaten. We knew how lonely he was and why he did not trust people.  Hm, Wonder why. People coming out of the woodwork to make a buck off of MJ, dead or alive.

Rabbi, give the money to charity.  It is blood money.  you should not profit off of your former friend's death.

MJ really was right not to trust anyone.  It seems that all who surrounded him had $$$$$ in their eyes. 

What a damned shame that greed is a God for some.  Is there any journalist or writer who would not sell their family for a buck? Is money that much of a motivator for the unethical people who propigate this earth like cocoroaches?

Let Michael Rest in Peace.  ENOUGH.

Oh Michael, my heart breaks for you. I truly believe that he was a wonderful person and not a child molestor or monster in any way. However he was so lonely and isolated by his fame, and that was bound to cause some psychological problems for him in his life. I hope he is at peace now. <3

I watched this show only because I wanted to hear how it was presented. What I came away feeling was that it was 9 years ago when that taping was made. How much of what was said could be an accurate view of what Michael really wanted to say in 2009? I felt that this was just 2 people sitting and shooting the breeze on the sofa or patio...drinking lemonade and talking about whatever came to mind. So much of what he said in those tape words...was just TALK.

I know that Michael loved his father and he admired him as he stated by saying his father was brilliant, a genius. He forgave his father in the Oxford University speech in England, March 21, 2001. What's clear to me is that Michael had this thought process as a young boy, that he needed a lot of love (more than usual) from his father. He later figured out that his father's love was there, but it was a different type of love than what he (Michael) wanted it to be.

All while I was listening to him describe his childhood trauma, (in his memories) I had the feeling that Michael was not aware of how his father was with his brothers when they were his age. I can see him thinking that he was the youngest and the youngest shouldn't get the same scolding as the older boys...he shouldn't be punished, but instead babied...but this was not Mr. Joe Jackson's way.

I would like to hear the Jackson Brothers tell their stories of how Mr. Joe Jackson was with them before the music started to be a part of their everyday existence. I would like to know if they ever verbally sit and spoke with Michael about their early prepubescent years.

The release of these taped answers from Michael isn't, in my opinion, what Michael's views would have been before his June tragedy. I felt that, like with all of us, we say things in comfort of conversation, that ISN'T totally what we consider a mainstay of our opinions.

In the taped conversations about growing old, Michael was basically talking in a nonspecific way. He has sung in "The Lady In My Life", one of his hit recordings about growing old and grey with the lady. I believe that Michael wanted to have that type of love, but he wasn't able to obtain it, either because life didn't permit it or the right woman was not in his universe to find.

I really wish that the reports and talks about his childhood be put to REST. Michael has a lot more than that to talk about. Without a thorough view of what each and every situation was like in the Jackson household, the subject should be CLOSED. I'm not saying that Michael was not whipped and disciplined for being mischievous or not following his father's determined orders, but I feel that the book should be shut on this because it doesn't change anything. Everyone has their burdens to bare and no one can go back in time to FIX any occurrence in Michael's life or our own lives.

Michael was a GENIUS and he had a talent given to him from God. I'm sure that not once did God ever state that he would have a completely charmed life. He was BLESSED and through all that God gave him, he was also a regular HUMAN BEING of flesh and blood.

I love him (I won't say, LOVED) and I know that from where he's watching right now, he's seeing so much more of this world than he ever saw (and he visited so many parts of this world). I wasn't shocked or surprised by anything I heard on those tapes because it basically means NOTHING at this point in time.

There's the saying..."If I Knew Then What I Know Now"...in my honest opinion, Michael is truly AMAZED in every way, ABOUT WHAT HE DIDN'T KNOW...and the answers to some of those very same questions from 9 years ago would be totally different TODAY.

It would have been so much better to have Michael's thoughts CURRENT in the tapings and in the book. What is the point of airing what was said so long ago?

May Michael be at PEACE and enjoy his AFTERLIFE.

I watched this show only because I wanted to hear how it was presented. What I came away feeling was that it was 9 years ago when that taping was made. How much of what was said could be an accurate view of what Michael really wanted to say in 2009? I felt that this was just 2 people sitting and shooting the breeze on the sofa or patio...drinking lemonade and talking about whatever came to mind. So much of what he said in those tape words...was just TALK.

I know that Michael loved his father and he admired him as he stated by saying his father was brilliant, a genius. He forgave his father in the Oxford University speech in England, March 21, 2001. What's clear to me is that Michael had this thought process as a young boy, that he needed a lot of love (more than usual) from his father. He later figured out that his father's love was there, but it was a different type of love than what he (Michael) wanted it to be.

All while I was listening to him describe his childhood trauma, (in his memories) I had the feeling that Michael was not aware of how his father was with his brothers when they were his age. I can see him thinking that he was the youngest and the youngest shouldn't get the same scolding as the older boys...he shouldn't be punished, but instead babied...but this was not Mr. Joe Jackson's way.

I would like to hear the Jackson Brothers tell their stories of how Mr. Joe Jackson was with them before the music started to be a part of their everyday existence. I would like to know if they ever verbally sit and spoke with Michael about their early prepubescent years.

The release of these taped answers from Michael isn't, in my opinion, what Michael's views would have been before his June tragedy. I felt that, like with all of us, we say things in comfort of conversation, that ISN'T totally what we consider a mainstay of our opinions.

In the taped conversations about growing old, Michael was basically talking in a nonspecific way. He has sung in "The Lady In My Life", one of his hit recordings about growing old and grey with the lady. I believe that Michael wanted to have that type of love, but he wasn't able to obtain it, either because life didn't permit it or the right woman was not in his universe to find.

I really wish that the reports and talks about his childhood be put to REST. Michael has a lot more than that to talk about. Without a thorough view of what each and every situation was like in the Jackson household, the subject should be CLOSED. I'm not saying that Michael was not whipped and disciplined for being mischievous or not following his father's determined orders, but I feel that the book should be shut on this because it doesn't change anything. Everyone has their burdens to bare and no one can go back in time to FIX any occurrence in Michael's life or our own lives.

Michael was a GENIUS and he had a talent given to him from God. I'm sure that not once did God ever state that he would have a completely charmed life. He was BLESSED and through all that God gave him, he was also a regular HUMAN BEING of flesh and blood.

I love him (I won't say, LOVED) and I know that from where he's watching right now, he's seeing so much more of this world than he ever saw (and he visited so many parts of this world). I wasn't shocked or surprised by anything I heard on those tapes because it basically means NOTHING at this point in time.

There's the saying..."If I Knew Then What I Know Now"...in my honest opinion, Michael is truly AMAZED in every way, ABOUT WHAT HE DIDN'T KNOW...and the answers to some of those very same questions from 9 years ago would be totally different TODAY.

It would have been so much better to have Michael's thoughts CURRENT in the tapings and in the book. What is the point of airing what was said so long ago?

May Michael be at PEACE and enjoy his AFTERLIFE.

There was a problem registering on this site. I did not intentionally post TWICE. Please remove duplicate post.

Thank you.

NBC and Rabi Shmuley are sankes. Honestly there was no pointt in many pasrt of this segment. Why purposely try to hurt the living i.e. Madonna , and the Jackson family and whomever else may be affected by the unwarranted and direspectful revelation of Michaels secrets. It is nothing more than a ploy to disenhearten Michaels' supporters and and further misconstrude him. MJ was right the media is a buch of aholes with no respect. Willing to run a story off anything and anyone just for sensationalism. You both (Meredith & Shmuley) are heartless mindless self righteous and nasty no character having people. If you were Michaels true friend you wouldn't be attempting to embarass him in public. No therapists or confident sells their patients sessions. What you have done is immoral and unjustifiable. Snakes.. If Michael Jackson truly wanted any of those thngs said before the public in the magnitude of which theyt were portrayed tonight he would've released it before his death. There was plenty of time to do so. Aslo in the course of 9 yrs anything can change for a person. Who are you to judge who you think anyone is? To try and disect someone life. I think you need to look in the mirror. I was disgusted by the overall tone of this interview. In my opinion you are WORSE than Martin Bashir. A traitor and I hope your book sales fail along with NBC's ratings.