Fox has announced it will pay tribute to Michael Jackson -- who passed away on Thursday at the age of 50 -- by airing an encore broadcast of this year's American Idol eighth-season performance episode that featured songs from the "King of Pop."
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"In the eight year history of American Idol, Fox has never rebroadcast an episode. But on at Monday 8PM ET/PT, you'll get another opportunity to see this year's Top 13 Michael Jackson special."
Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26PM at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest in his home. An autopsy is set for Friday to determine the exact cause of death.
"We say we don't like Thursdays, this is a particular Thursday none of us are enjoying right now," said a visibly emotional Nigel Lythgoe at the beginning of last night's So You Think You Can Dance broadcast.
"I don't know where you even begin to describe a global superstar like Michael Jackson. We will not see his like again. This is a man who sold over 100 million records obviously, but he changed the face of music and dance in the world -- not just in this country -- but in the world... This was a man who tried to bring a world of dance together for himself."
Despite the somber mood, Lythgoe -- who previously served as Idol's executive producer before stepping down last summer -- added that Jackson's is "a life to celebrate."
"This is a life that remains inspirational for anybody who listens to music, anybody who wants to dance," he said. "Everyone I think we've had on this show said, 'I started dancing because of Michael Jackson.' That is the legacy he leaves us."
It is no secret that Idol had attempted on several occasions to land Jackson as one of their weekly musical mentors. During the show's Spring 2007 sixth season, it was reported that Jackson had turned to Idol creator Simon Fuller to help mastermind his comeback. However the report turned out to be false.
"No. It's not true... just not true," said Lythgoe at the time before subsequently being asked if the decision to have Jackson on Idol was still up in the air.
"No, we won't be seeing him," he replied.
Still, Jackson's music made a few memorable appearances on Idol -- including during last year's seventh-season, when David Cook rearranged Jackson's "Billie Jean" and cemented his standing in the competition, which eventually ended with him taking the title.
The Idol eighth-season Top 13 broadcast, which originally aired on Fox in March, featured the finalists singing songs from Jackson's extensive catalog.
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The performances featured on the broadcast were Lil Rounds singing "The Way You Make Me Feel;" Scott MacIntyre singing "Keep the Faith" Danny Gokey singing "PYT;" Michael Sarver singing "You Are Not Alone;" Jasmine Murray singing "I'll Be There;" Kris Allen singing "Remember the Time;" Allison Iraheta singing "Give In to Me;" Anoop Desai singing "Beat It;" Jorge Nunez singing "Never Gonna Say Goodbye;" Megan Joy Corkrey singing "Rockin' Robin;" Adam Lambert singing "Black or White;" Matt Giraud singing "Human Nature;" and Alexis Grace singing "Dirty Diana."
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
