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Michael Jackson, R.I.P.

Michael Jackson, R.I.P.

Date: Jun 29 2009

Themes: News

Grammar: Future Progressive Tense

Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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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.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Devan

Jason

Jason

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

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“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?

 

Comments

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glassy heart

Saudi Arabia

sooo sad jakson u are one of the best singer

but ur death make every one of us expecting his last day…

so i should work for that day with good deeds

then i can die happy  and every one remmber me

10:43 PM Jun 29 2009 |

morena33

Spain

I'm Michael Jackson, you're idiots!

10:15 PM Jun 29 2009 |

Ca_Brazil

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

I felt sad about the human being that died, i know he was incredible but he was person like us, it must be really sad for his family and his children. Im not his fan but i recognize his talent to music. I like the songs `black or white` and `they dont care about us`.

09:50 PM Jun 29 2009 |

Michii

El Salvador

I'm so hurt about that, I loved his music and I still do it, nobody's gonna be like him…I really enjoy listening to his voice!

09:16 PM Jun 29 2009 |

juceto

juceto

Colombia

First I didn't believe, I mean he was and will be my favorite singer ever, now I don't like to think that he's gone. 

One of the songs I like best is Billie Jean.

09:07 PM Jun 29 2009 |

sexy bubbles

United States

R.I.P Micheal Jackson u knw u still can dance for the man above lov u n miss u kisses

08:32 PM Jun 29 2009 |

rocky2j9

rocky2j9

China

MJ, R.I.P. GIVE my deepest condolence to his pass on.

07:25 PM Jun 29 2009 |

a.toraby

a.toraby

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

how can i escape from emails sent by this lesson replies???

 

06:18 PM Jun 29 2009 |

johny_snooch

United States

HE-He-OOWWW

05:49 PM Jun 29 2009 |

TranceSoul

TranceSoul

Poland

MICHAEL I NEVER FORGET YOU!

You were born to make me HAPPY!!

I will alwasy love You :

 [] ;(

 

05:09 PM Jun 29 2009 |

21klmn

Turkey

hello how are you?I am 17 years old I am forum turkey my email :Yusuf_21_30@hotmail.com                            I am beautıful I learnt englısh 2 ago year see you soon

04:28 PM Jun 29 2009 |

johny_snooch

United States

yeah

04:23 PM Jun 29 2009 |

johny_snooch

United States

R.I.P King of Pop no-soda

04:23 PM Jun 29 2009 |

jpsm

Spain

Im so sorry about his death. I can't believe it. I was very upset and I was singing his songs all day. He is the best, he is an icon for us and he is history of music at all.

03:45 PM Jun 29 2009 |

>_<

Saudi Arabia

omg i can't  believe that MJ is  dead

R.I.P

 

02:56 PM Jun 29 2009 |

Unjust Angle

Saudi Arabia

he's the legend and will be remaine for ever

02:52 PM Jun 29 2009 |

qorehddns1234

South Korea

I,m so sad. Michael Jackson…... poplular singer…...........

rest in peace… 

 

02:45 PM Jun 29 2009 |

lylymiranda

Russian Federation

I think he was a kind man.

02:10 PM Jun 29 2009 |

a.toraby

a.toraby

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

we will passing away, all of us!!!

02:01 PM Jun 29 2009 |

sofree

sofree

China

The 1st thought is oh he must die of over plastic surgery, 2nd is it must be the topic of next Monday's Ebaby!

 

Then I kept digging and found out we misread him all the time. He didn't bleach his skin, it's a kind of disease. He donated over 3 hundred million to charity. He was nominated to Nobel Peace Prize, twice.

 

Even I had 3 MJ's album, History, Thriller, Bad, I was never his fan. But after he died, I almost become one. I love the Earth Song and Heal The World

 

When I broke the record since records began – and I broke the record of Elvis Presley, I broke the record of the Beatles – then? They asked me to abnormal people, homosexuals, sexual harassment, child monster! They said I bleached his skin, so all can do to discredit me, these are a conspiracy! When I stood before the mirror when looking at myself, I know that I am black!

- Michael Jackson

 

R.I.P.

 

 

01:46 PM Jun 29 2009 |

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