Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Michael Jackson was truly “The King of Pop.” He was officially the most successful entertainer of all time. He died last week. He was only 50 years old.
As soon as the news came out that Jackson had passed on, people began playing his music everywhere. Jackson’s pop songs could be heard coming from every car and every storefront. Some radio stations played nothing but Michael Jackson for the rest of the day. Even though Jackson has had health issues for a long time (you might notice in recent photos his skin is pale, not the brown color he was born with), people were surprised he died so young.
Though he hadn’t made an album since 2001 and had battled accusations of sexual abuse of children for many years, Jackson had planned to return to performing soon. Listen to Jason and Devan talk on the phone the day after Jackson’s death.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Devan: Hey, how’s it going?
Jason: Uh, good. What are you up to tonight?
Devan: Oh, I’m on my way to go get a drink at the bar because I’m so sad.
Jason: About what? What happened to you?
Devan: Michael Jackson died!
Jason: Oh, that.
Devan: What do you mean, “Oh that”?
Jason: Well, like, Michael Jackson, the one that I love, was kind of already dead, you know what I mean?
Devan: But he was about to make this huge comeback. He had 50 concerts scheduled in London and he was going to redeem his crown as “The King of Pop” again. I feel like he still had a second wind in him.
Jason: Yeah, it’s true. It’s pretty sad that his life had to end at such a low point, $400 million in debt…
Devan: But I think he could have gotten it back again. He was such a talented guy. And for all of his troubles and all the weird plastic surgery and scandal and everything else, I think his talent conquered all and his music, that’s something that’s going to be played forever. I think our grandchildren will be dancing to Thriller.
Jason: I don’t know. Have you heard the reports that he was skin and bones when he died? That’s not really something a nose job can fix.
Devan: Yeah, that’s true. Maybe it’s best that he died with the belief that he was going to make a big comeback without trying and failing. That probably would have been worse.
Jason: Oh wow, I hadn’t even thought of that. But the best thing would have been if he could have done those shows in London.
Devan: Yeah, his last hurrah. It’s a shame. Anyway, if you want to come get a drink with us and have a toast to Michael, you should.
Jason: OK, let’s do it. “Don’t stop till you get enough.”
Devan: OK.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
“R.I.P.” stands for “rest in peace.” It commonly appears on tombstones. Michael Jackson led an exciting and sometimes tortured life. But now he is at peace.
Devan is upset that Jackson is dead. But Jason says that, after endless plastic surgery and charges of sexual abuse, Jackson has long been dead to him. Nonetheless, Devan and Jason agree that Jackson made some great music, particularly Thriller, the best-selling album of all time. So Jason quotes a famous Michael Jackson lyric and he and Devan agree to have a drink in honor of the star’s death.
How did you feel when you found out “The King of Pop” was dead? What’s your all-time favorite Michael Jackson song?
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