The Jackson Family Honors

1994 American TV special

The Jackson Family Honors

Directed by| Dwight Hemion
Starring| Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Berry Gordy
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
Production
Executive producer| Jermaine Jackson
Producers| Dwight Hemion
Gary Smith
Editor| Andy Zall
Running time| 120 minutes
Original release
Network| NBC
Release| February 22, 1994 (1994-02-22)

The Jackson Family Honors is a 1994 Jackson family reunion television special, starring Michael Jackson, tribute honorees Elizabeth Taylor and Berry Gordy, and celebrity guests performers. It was billed as a humanitarian event to raise money for charities. The musical benefit was filmed on February 19, 1994 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was broadcast on February 22, 1994 on NBC.

## Description

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The show was intended as a charity event with proceeds going to Los Angeles earthquake relief charities and the American Red Cross, amongst others.[1][2] It was the hope of the Jackson family and Gary Smith, the producer, that NBC would make the event a yearly television special.[3] The show was Michael's first stage appearance since he cancelled the remainder of his worldwide tour in November.[4]

The show was initially scheduled for December 11, 1993 in Atlantic City.  It was rescheduled by NBC for February in Las Vegas.[4][3][5][6]

Over 20 members of the Jackson family sang "Goin' Back to Indiana".[7] Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Paul Rodriguez, and Bruce Hornsby were among the performers.[3]

The musical benefit was filmed on February 19, 1994 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.[5] While ticket prices were reduced after the show was rescheduled, of the twelve thousand tickets sold, fans paid as high as $1,000 each.[8] 250 reporters showed up.[3]

After two hours of live performances and videos of Michael Jackson, Michael appeared and was given a standing ovation which lasted five minutes. He presented lifetime achievement awards to Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, and Elizabeth Taylor, for her work for on behalf of AIDS patients.[3] He said to the audience "I love you. Love, loyalty and friendship."[7][8]

Michael joined the Jackson family and celebrity guests for the finale song "If You'd Only Believe".[3][9]

## Litigation

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After the show ended up losing money, producers Smith-Hemion filed a breach of contract lawsuit against members of the Jackson family, claiming that they were promised Michael Jackson would perform solo, saying the problems began when Michael cancelled his performance for the original 1993 date, and unpaid bills. Michael testified he only agreed to appear onstage, not to perform. In 1996, after confusion amongst the jurors, U.S. District Judge Laughlin Waters declared a mistrial.[10][11][12]

## Cast

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* Michael Jackson
* Quincy Jones
* Elizabeth Taylor
* Berry Gordy
* 3T
* Boyz II Men
* Cindera Che
* Celine Dion
* Aretha Franklin
* Louis Gossett Jr.
* Bruce Hornsby
* Brandi Jackson
* Jackie Jackson
* Janet Jackson
* Jermaine Jackson
* Joe Jackson
* Katherine Jackson
* Marlon Jackson
* Randy Jackson
* Rebbie Jackson
* Taj Jackson
* Taryll Jackson
* Tito Jackson
* TJ Jackson
* The Jacksons
* Gladys Knight
* Reba McEntire
* Lisa Marie Presley
* Smokey Robinson
* Paul Rodriguez
* Dionne Warwick

## References

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1. ^ "Jacksons plan on a family affair". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
2. ^ "Michael Appears Briefly at 'Jackson Family Honors' Show". Los Angeles Times. February 20, 1994. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
3. ^ a b c d e f Weinraub, Bernard (February 21, 1994). "The Jackson Family Reunited, Sort Of". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
4. ^ a b "Report: Jackson special did little for charities". UPI. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
5. ^ a b Philips, Chuck (April 1, 1994). "PRODUCER SUES JACKSONS OVER 'HONORS'". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
6. ^ "'JACKSON FAMILY HONORS' GETS NEW, LATER TAPING DATE". Deseret News. February 4, 1994. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
7. ^ a b BERNATH, WAYNE. "CROWD BOOS JACKSON AT FAMILY SHOW". Buffalo News. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
8. ^ a b "NAMES &". The Washington Post. February 21, 1991. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
9. ^ Jacksons, The; Bronson, Fred (October 24, 2017). The Jacksons: Legacy. Running Press. ISBN 978-0-316-47374-3.
10. ^ "Mistrial Declared in 'Jackson Family Honors' Trial". AP NEWS. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
11. ^ "Mistrial declared in Jackson case". UPI. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
12. ^ Archerd, Army (March 22, 1995). "Suit vs. Jacksons yields no payment". Variety. Retrieved October 11, 2022.