I remember this pre-taped special first appearing on television when I was eleven years old. I was a huge Michael Jackson fan then (and, for that matter, still am), and remember somewhat enjoying the show as I watched it. I have a relatively good memory, so I remember most of it. But as I look back on the special, having not seen it since 1994, it just wasn't very good. The on-stage interactions between the Jackson family members were too scripted ("30 years ago? Were there dinosaurs back then?"), and the special guest stars looked as though they should have been on another program.
I remember Paul Rodriguez coming on and doing a five minute comedy bit about the 1994 California earthquake. It was funny, but what did it have to do with the Jackson family? Plus, there were additional non-related performances by ABC (Another Bad Creation) and Celion Dion (who sang her then-new hit "The Power of Love"). Michael Jackson, fresh from his out-of-court settlement in his first child molestation lawsuit, appeared, but disappointingly didn't perform until the sad-sap medley at the very end. Sadly, solo performances by Janet Jackson and Jermaine Jackson were overshadowed by Michael's appearances and LaToya being AWOL at the time.
Because of the latter reasons, the show was highly publicized at the time, but like "Star Wars Holiday Special" and "Who Wants To Marry A Multimillionaire", this hour of television was largely forgettable. The main reason for this opinion was because the show was called "Jackson Family Honors", but everyone was simply going through the motions. Nothing and no one was actually being "honored".
I remember Paul Rodriguez coming on and doing a five minute comedy bit about the 1994 California earthquake. It was funny, but what did it have to do with the Jackson family? Plus, there were additional non-related performances by ABC (Another Bad Creation) and Celion Dion (who sang her then-new hit "The Power of Love"). Michael Jackson, fresh from his out-of-court settlement in his first child molestation lawsuit, appeared, but disappointingly didn't perform until the sad-sap medley at the very end. Sadly, solo performances by Janet Jackson and Jermaine Jackson were overshadowed by Michael's appearances and LaToya being AWOL at the time.
Because of the latter reasons, the show was highly publicized at the time, but like "Star Wars Holiday Special" and "Who Wants To Marry A Multimillionaire", this hour of television was largely forgettable. The main reason for this opinion was because the show was called "Jackson Family Honors", but everyone was simply going through the motions. Nothing and no one was actually being "honored".
