Technology to give Jackson his comeback

It's a quote usually ascribed to a music industry executive upon hearing about the death of Elvis: "Good career move."

The quote came up again when Michael Jackson died. And in Las Vegas, it couldn't be more true.

Cirque du Soleil announced it will use cutting-edge technology -- perhaps 3-D or holographic imagery -- to get the King of Pop to do something it couldn't when he was alive: 10 shows per week.

For years, while the singer and his children lived in and around Las Vegas, rumors of comeback shows on the Strip popped up like a Whac-a-Mole game.

But two huge realities always got in the way.

First, a moral/perceptual issue: Jackson was damaged goods even after he was acquitted of child molestation in 2005. Fans argued the trial was fair, but the singer remained a tabloid joke until the day death made him a revered icon.

Will that makeover hold until Cirque's tribute debuts late next year (as a touring show, with a permanent one to follow in 2012)?

We'll all find out together. But I'm willing to bet the 3-D film or holograms will literalize what we've already done mentally: Isolate the singing, dancing eternal legend from the troubled person who died on June 25, 2009.

And a dead man can't further embarrass his hosts.

The frailty of that mortal body, which didn't make it to comeback shows in London, reinforced how impractical it would have been for a Las Vegas casino to sign him. How many times would he have canceled? Would there have been any work ethic?

They sure don't have to worry about that with Digital Jackson. Push a button and there's the moonwalk.

In 2008, the Wall Street Journal floated a scenario of Jackson singing 20 or 30 times a year in a show otherwise more like what we're talking about now.

I didn't see that happening either. Wouldn't the Michael-free version be a lame consolation prize? No such option now.

Nor will any issues of good taste intrude. Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were equally kinetic in their body language, but the makers of "Viva Elvis" quickly realized Elvis was the whole show visually, with no dancers or special effects.

Jackson was "very good at creating huge visual effects. The expectations of the fans are so huge we will have no choice but to deliver," says Cirque President Daniel Lamarre.

Jackson's "This Is It" shows planned 3-D and a giant spider. Las Vegas can't bring Michael Jackson back from the dead, but we do giant spiders just fine.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.