Michael jackson

By Larry Dobrow

Summer is supposed to be fun and light—teeming with family and friends, pumped full of barbecue and slathered in suntan lotion. It’s also supposed to serve as a buffer of sorts before the school year starts anew and everybody heads back to the office. For the most part, the summer of ’09 was all these things and more. But as inevitably happens, the real world intruded upon our sun-drenched reverie, tempering our collective relaxation. Here are the news stories that kept us talking, poolside and elsewhere.

Michael Jackson’s Last Dance

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Janet Jackson's interview in the October issue of Harper's Bazaar is almost entirely devoted to her brother Michael and, while you won't find answers to the more mysterious questions surrounding the king of pop's life and death, the resulting article is still a sweet, and at times, fascinating read.

Speaking out for the time since her brother's passing, the 43-year-old singer says the last time she saw Michael was May 14, just a few days before her birthday: "We had so much fun that day. We kept calling each other after and saying how great it was." Janet also reveals some intimate details about the days following his death, including the decision to allow (Michael's daughter) Paris to speak at the memorial service."I was really proud," she says. "People said to me that Michael's daughter speaking really gave them a sense of how he was as a father, in her words. Paris is incredibly smart; they are all so smart. She's a sweet girl. The kids are doing well. They're with all their cousins; that family love will keep them going."

For the entire story, head to newsstands this week, we've got some of the more interesting excerpts after the jump. Read More »