Comments for Worst Google News Headline Ever! - No public viewing at Neverland, but Michael Jackson may get laid

Worst Google News Headline Ever! - No public viewing at Neverland, but Michael Jackson may get laid

2009-07-02T03:20:46Z

I was happily surfing the Web reading the Google News Top Stories when I saw a headline that said "No public viewing at Neverland, but Michael Jackson may get laid". Say what? I had to do a double-take. Then I couldn't help but laugh at how funny this headline was.

No public viewing of Michael Jackson getting laid? Bummer, I'm sure that could have been a pay-per-view event. It's The 40 50 Year Old Virgin movie come to life! Course that might be a problem unless it's some sick necrophilia action going on. Then again, Michael Jackson did play the undead / zombie in Thriller.

Ok, we'll let Michael Jackson Rest in Peace, though I'm sure he too would have laughed at this Google News headline.

Check out a screenshot of it below. Click for Full-screen. Look on the right-hand side. I drew an arrow as well as a box around it. The article in question can be read here. The full article headline is "No public viewing at Neverland, but Michael Jackson may get laid out at Staples Center". Obviously, the Googlebot abbreviated in a very bad spot. Perhaps a human editor might be in order, Google?

Lastly, since Google News changes the Top Stories home page often, you too can view this news story (in its funny abbreviated form) by clicking this Google News search link. It's abbreviated there too.

Comment from John Cook on 2009-07-05

2009-07-05T08:10:17Z

When I was a young man, I knew the Jackson's fairly well and young Michael came by but not as often as his brothers. He was just a normal looking quiet young man with a great smile. He use to talk with my wife and absolutely make her swoon. If you had told me--or any one of the family--that in another 10 years he would be known as one of the weirdest stars the world has known (well, since Trigger) I would not have believed it. Yet it happened.

When i look back to young Michael, I can see clues. He was very shy, but in a position that made demands, and his family counted on him. He was not made to be a star. He was just a nice kid, and should have grown into a quiet man, married with three kids and working at a record store he owned. Kick back with a beer and a big TV after closing the store.

Not in his cards though. Too bad. Success can be hard stuff. I have had some of that famous stuff and changed my name and moved to avoid it. It's not the good you think.

Comment from Tim on 2009-07-11

2009-07-11T23:16:07Z

For the last several years I've wondered why Michael didn't fire his entourage, move from CA to a nice state somewhere far from the spotlight(not Bahrain), and focus on raising his children, but I guess he didn't want to or know how to.

Comment from Craig on 2010-07-30

2010-07-30T12:56:07Z

That's such an unfortunate headline that it must be, in my opinion, deliberate!