Steve Martin Tributes, Spoofs Michael Jackson

Monday

29Jun2009

Steve Martin Tributes, Spoofs Michael Jackson

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:29PM

Among the many tributes to Michael Jackson we've seen over the past few days, one that might be unexpected is an essay by Steve Martin. They don't seem to have much in common, although both are Grammy winners and tremendous live performers. But Martin did have something to say on the passing of Jackson, which was published today at the online home of The New Yorker.

Martin recollects a Jackson spoof he performed on TV, one which I vaguely remembered even while watching it a few moments ago. Lorne Michaels launched another sketch comedy show in the 1980s called The New Show. It only lasted a few weeks. But the show was christened in January 1984 by Martin emulating Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Perhaps a reason the show only lasted five weeks: "Billie Jean" was a year old in January 1984.

"The hard move was that little leg twist that he did. You really have to throw your leg," Martin remembers. "I did it a thousand times in about three days. And a couple of weeks later I noticed—er, I have a pain here. The pain lasted about two years, then it went away on its own."

Not hysterically funny - another reason the show was short-lived - but I do like him working like hell to get part of the sidewalk to light up:

Colin Boyd |

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Reader Comments (2)

Great video! Kinda makes me miss the 80's. Keep up the good work

Monday, June 29, 2009 |

Honz Brix

He doesn't just satirize the video, he really tries hard to get it right!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 |

Tjei

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