Uri Jacko show is a real mindbender | Ian Hyland | AWW... England Hates Uri Geller

Uri Jacko show is a real mindbender

02/08/2009
TELLING quote from Uri Geller in ITV1's Sunday night coffin-chaser MY FRIEND MICHAEL JACKSON: "Michael Jackson had time for everyone."

Aw, Uri. That's real nice.

But I can't help thinking it's a pity he didn't have much time for you after you'd introduced him to Martin Bashir.

Especially after I sat through 60 minutes of this supposed earth-shattering expose.

A shabby and shallow enterprise which, in terms of historical relevance and significance, surely ranks alongside popping round next door's to look at Brian and Cynthia's slides from their 1973 caravanning tour of Todmorden.

Because if we chip away at the bluster, the tears and the hyperbole, the facts are these:

ITV managed to make an hour-long documentary from some low-quality (in every sense) camcorder footage Uri Geller took during two or three (promotional?) visits Jacko made to England years ago.

And desperately cut it together with reels of self- indulgent Gellerisms and inter- views with such noted Jacko experts as Eve Pollard, Lord Greville Janner, some author bloke and a couple of sick kids who met him at Exeter City.

For this feat we must recognise the craft and imagination of the production team. But we should not praise them for it.

Nor should we praise Geller. Because if the memories of his good friend were so precious, so full of love, then perhaps a more fitting tribute to Jacko would have been honouring their privacy. Fact is, this was more about Uri Geller than Michael Jackson. Because the one thing they did have in common was their lifelong membership of PJA (Publicity Junkies Anonymous.)

Too much spoontalk, not enough moonwalk. Witness Geller's glee that "The most famous man in the world is going to be my best man!" (Now, I don't know about you fellas, but I preferred to ask someone who I'd met more than a few times in my life.)

And call me a cynical old git but I'm always slightly wary of a man who starts highlighting his hair in his 60s.

Geller must have known he'd leave himself open to accusations of cashing in before the body was cold.

And even he must have taken a break from the fairies at some point and realised some people would struggle to swallow his recollections. Now, I'm not saying that Uri Geller's talent for bending has moved on from spoons to the truth.

But, given that Jacko's side of Uri's stories was unlikely to be heard, some people will have watched this documentary with a certain degree of cynicism.

In fact, I couldn't help but recall something the late Princess Of Wales once told me during a break in our weekly darts match at the White Horse in Fulham. "Ian Hyland," she said. "There will always be doubters, Ian Hyland."

(Then she looked up at me with the faint glistening of a tear clouding her beautiful blue eyes, and to this day I'll never forget what she said next: "By the way, nice arrers on that double-top fella. Pint?")

Come on, surely even the most open-minded viewers would have raised their eyebrows when Geller announced he once interrogated Jacko under hypnosis about those first child abuse accusations (now, why didn't Santa Barbara County DA Tom Sneddon ever think of that?)

Me, I prefer the recollections of the ordinary folk who met Jacko. Hearing from the disabled boy who came out of his shell after Jacko hugged him at that Exeter match was this film's one genuinely heartwarming moment.

But for sheer old-fashioned straight-talking, you'll never top that girl who was suffering from cancer when she met him: "To be honest he looked like a waxwork - I couldn't stop staring at his nose."

As for Geller, I've one sugges- tion. You know that camcorder footage you have of Jacko falling over at Paddington station, Uri? Why not send it to Harry Hill at You've Been Framed?

Might squeeze another £250 out of it.

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This article has 11 comments

Another leach, another person who used Michael for their own gain. Michael was surrounded by these kinda people who only had dollar signs in their eyes, michael couldnt trust anyone, most people betrayed him for money (he wrote a song called money check out the lycics), the list is endless, he tried to help children only to attract money hungry parents ie Gavin Arvizo & co. The guy never had any peace, his children gave him that, unconditional love which thank God he did find in the very end. No wonder he was so desperate to have children. Mankind should be ashamed!

By Saronn. Posted August 3 2009 at 12:57 AM.

Uri is a very sad man. Desperately using Jackson's death and his claims of best friendmenship with the star to advance his public persona. Uri was dumped by Jackson. Uri is a celeb-hag, a star-fly and an A-hole. I'm glad he is not my friend. What's sad is the only thing Uri is known for is cashing in on MJ's fame. Would you Brit's please do me a favor and keep Uri on your side of our pond. We try to keep the pond scum at a minimal here. Thanks.

By joe_transit. Posted August 2 2009 at 9:04 PM.

He is one of those who were used as part time handlers of Michael Jackson by those who in effect had ousted MJ from the US. For the most part we know very little about Michael Jackson's private life, we know very little about him at all. The life story of Michael Jackson aside from his stage image as a greate performer might turn out to be very interesting as he had met and been acquainted with some very interesting people. I would like to see and read more about Michael Jackson's life, as it would cast some light upon certain dark creatures like Uri Geller.

By Mickson. Posted August 2 2009 at 7:22 PM.

I think Uri Geller is ridiculous! He has not done MJ any service whatsoever with this documentary. I do not believe for one minute that he asked MJ about the child abuse under hypnosis (I do believe he was innocent of the crimes) honestly, are you so hard up for cash you had to do him such a disservice? I remember when Geller was in the jungle on 'I'm a celeb get me out of here' he reckoned he was sending MJ telepathic messages from the jungle and wishing him happy birthday small problem...he didn't get his birth date right! Yeah good friends never know their friends birth date do they? I think Paul Mckenna and David Copperfield have nothing to worry about! apparantley you can see a video of him cheating on Youtube

By June. Posted August 2 2009 at 11:56 AM.

One of TV's great excruciating moments was when Geller was on "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here" & he tried (& conspicuously failed) to get the group to send out 'good vibes' to MJ on his birthday...
Loved it as the group looked around at each other and extricated themselves as tactfully as possible - in fact, I wonder if some bright researcher could check & see if any of that jungle group have made any unctuous comments since MJ took his leave..?

By RussN. Posted August 2 2009 at 11:34 AM.


Geller is just a magician, he has never allowed himself to be tested scientifically because nothing would happen, a con man basically who many fools fall for. And just another insect feeding off the decaying body of Mj

By ian derby. Posted August 2 2009 at 11:06 AM.

Uri Geller is a hypocrite. On an interview in 2006 on 'the boland show' he stated that he doesn't talk to michael Jackson anymore and had cut him out of his life because jackson allegedly made some anti semitic remarks. And now he's his 'best friend'...please!!!

By abel. Posted August 2 2009 at 9:46 AM.

Couldnt agree more with this article..yet another "close" friend of Michaels that hadnt had any contact with him for ages before his death. If only 1 of these "close" friends had actually helped the poor guy, instead of being shallow hypocrites , I believe he would still be here today. ..even his visits to Uri were used to Uri's advantage ...some friend he is.
Uri ..you should be ashamed of yourself cashing in on Michael..like so many others appear to be doing.

By Mandy. Posted August 2 2009 at 8:33 AM.

What's worse is that this programme has actually been done twice: once on ITV and closer to MJ's death on Israel's Channel 2.
That, too, was rubbish.

By N. Posted August 2 2009 at 6:32 AM.

Anyone who believes this slimy showman bends
spoons with his mind needs a reality check.
Magicians have been doing the same thing for years
and the other things Geller claims to do with his
'mind'. Why should i believe him?

If he told me the time I wouldn't trust him.

By SickOfItAll. Posted August 2 2009 at 3:12 AM.

Seems Geller will sell precious memories and his treasured home video's to anyone with some cash.I uesd to like Uri Geller but this was a new low even for him, putting on the tears for the camera, the full works and it was pathetic to watch and even if I am cynical it was still bad acting from Geller. I also noticed his silly freshly highlighted hair, I'm starting to wonder now if he could ever bend spoons, maybe he put that on as well because this guy has got some cheek alright, anyway Uri, stop milking Jackson the guy is dead so show some respect.

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