Lights. Camera. Jackson.
It started as a modest one-hour behind-the-scenes TV special with the Jackson 5 — minus their star brother. But when Michael Jackson died in June, the cameras continued to roll, parlaying intimate glimpses of a family tragedy into a multimillion-dollar blockbuster mini-series.
And although the King of Pop never appears with his five brothers in the yet-to-be titled A&E cable production, he still steals the spotlight.
Just two weeks after his family wrapped up the shoot, Jackson died from a cocktail of drugs. Two days later, producers were back at the Hayvenhurst family compound in Encino.
Depending on the ratings success of the first show it could stretch to a 10-episode deal or more.
The cash-strapped brothers agreed to be followed while in mourning, convinced that it would power more interest in their special and ultimately a bigger paycheck, a family member candidly admitted.
An A&E publicist said he didn’t know how long the miniseries would run or when it would air.