The New York Daily News’ Rush & Molloy report Michael Jackson’s efforts to get on the “Tribute to Heroes” telethon were met with a no thanks. We had reported earlier this week he’d perform based on early reports, but a source who was involved in the planning told the Daily News Jackson “didn’t fit the spirit of the show” adding, “The fear was that his performance would have been about him, not the victims.”
As for the show itself, it was surprisingly devoid of egos according to spies on the set one of whom revealed, “There was a sign that said, ‘No applause,’ but there was a lot of emotion. Sheryl Crow and other people were crying and hugging. But everybody was a professional. Rehearsals went like clockwork. I don’t think we’ll see anything like it again.”