Atlantan helped produce A&E’s “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” reality show debuting Dec. 13
Jackie, Marlon, Tito and Jermaine (l-r)
The four surviving members of the Jackison 5 join the reality show brigade Sunday with “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” at 9 p.m. on A&E.
Atlanta-based executive producerJodi Gomes, who has known the Jacksons since the ABC miniseries in 1992, put the show together with Jermaine Jackson. Jermaine convinced Marlon, Jackie and Tito to join him to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jackson 5’s first hit “I Want You Back.” The quartet had plans for an album and tour.
There’s another local connection: Marlon, 52, lives in the Atlanta area and scenes for the show were shot at Justin’s Restaurant in Buckhead. (A&E provided a solid budget, enabling Gomes to also tape Marlon in Nigeria, Jermaine in Mumbai, India and Tito in the U.K.)
Gomes said the show started taping in January, originally as a one-hour special, but was greenlit by A&E in the spring as a six-episode series. In fact, the pilot was finished just days before Michael Jackson’s death on June 25. That first episode at 9 p.m. references Michael’s death at the end. The next hour, to air at 10 p.m., deals with the aftermath.
Loading ...“My heart,” Gomes said, “is always bleeding for them. I sometimes wear my heart on my sleeve for them.”
The brothers, in mourning, postponed filming until September. Gomes said the Jacksons never considered nixing the show, even if some critics might perceive the timing to be exploiting their brother’s passing.
Michael, she said, was actively involved behind the scenes of the show but had no plans to be on camera. He helped get clearances for the Jackson 5/The Jacksons music you’ll hear. She said he also had ideas for a cool opening for the show but got caught up with his own concert tour that was never to be.
The last time she spoke with Michael was just two days before he died. She had a meal with Jackie (the oldest brother at age 58) in Las Vegas and they were en route back to Los Angeles when they found out about Michael.
The point of the show, Gomes said, was to “dispel myths” of the Jacksons. For instance, many think the brothers were estranged from Michael. She said that was totally untrue. With all the media heat, “at the end of the day, no matter what is thrown at them, they are family.”
Loading ...Gomes also said she never saw any of them express jealousy toward Michael, though his life in recent years was hardly fodder for jealousy. “They’re very protective of each other,” she said. She said the Jackson brothers over the years wanted to defend their brother more aggressively from charges of children molestation and other accusations but given the legal ramifications and the media’s penchant for twisting their words, they kept their mouths shut.
“People think they come from a different planet and are unattainable,” Gomes added. “That’s understandable. Their brother was the most famous man in the world. They all led sheltered lives.”
She wanted to make it clear these guys have a sense of normalcy to them, that they are entrepreneurs, not a bunch of entitled layabouts living off the past. “They each have different ventures and we wanted to show them,” she said. “They are not little kids glued to the hip.”
In fact, Gomes said it was a challenge getting the four of them in the same place. Jermaine, 54, travelled the most and was often out of the country working on business ventures and producing records.
Two of them are no strangers to reality TV. Tito, 56, had done a reality documentary in the U.K. Jermaine had participated in both “Big Brother U.K.” and CMT’s “Gone Country.”
The show doesn’t hide their faults; there is no shortage of bickering, especially over Jermaine skipping key meetings and doing things apart from the others. And he gets upset when he finds out the others erased vocals he taped because they weren’t happy with them. There’s also a scene in which he tearfully explains why he left the group in the 1970s.
Randy Jackson, the younger brother who joined the Jacksons after Jermaine left the grouop, is not included. Gomes said he will appear on the show but wasn’t included as a cast member because this was a celebration of the original group circa 1969.
The show ultimately became therapy for the brothers, who likely spent more time together as a result of the TV show than they otherwise would have.
“It’s been a long road,” Gomes said. “It’s been a road that wound up in a place nobody would have imagined. I’m very relieved it’s finally coming on the air. I’m very proud of it. The family has been through so much. People are going to love it or hate it.
The New York Times got to talk to all four of them on a conference call and ascertained their personalities:
As the Jacksons spoke by telephone on a recent Thursday morning, their personalities were quickly revealed. Jermaine is the most outspoken; Marlon is the jokester; Tito is laconic and Jackie is more laconic than Tito. (In a half-hour conversation, Jackie uttered only one remark to this reporter: “Um, why you ask us so many questions?”)
And this is my personal favorite Jackson 5 song, “I’ll Be There.”
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101 comments Add your comment
JB
December 11th, 2009
3:01 pm
I can’t wait to watch it
dianne
December 11th, 2009
3:52 pm
wouldn”t want to miss it!!
ATL
December 11th, 2009
3:53 pm
Jermaine needs to do something with that hair…………….
and They all Need to lose Those Sunglasses.
Jonathan
December 11th, 2009
4:39 pm
ATL …. Couldn’t agree with you more. Jermaine’s hair is a mess.
Nevertheless, looking forward to the series. Saw them on Larry King Live the other night. Very refreshing to see that they are actually regular folk and not the weirdos that the press sometimes portray them to be. Tito even got a little hood in ‘em.
Dee
December 11th, 2009
4:39 pm
I was planning to watch it b4 the worst day of my life (June 25, 2009), And most definitely will watch it now. So glad they continued with the show.
BMartin
December 11th, 2009
4:42 pm
I like the sun glasses.
The Grove
December 11th, 2009
5:02 pm
I will definitely watch the show. Can’t wait to see Katherine Jackson.
Justin
December 11th, 2009
5:54 pm
Can’t wait to see this. The Jacksons ROCK!
Diane
December 11th, 2009
6:08 pm
Will someone please, give us a break. It looks like anyone can use a tradegy to get a reality show. Why after so many years do we really care what the Jacksons minus Michael are doing.
mj
December 11th, 2009
7:42 pm
diane, get a life. peace
Felecia
December 11th, 2009
8:24 pm
I don’t care what anybody say, I love the Jackson’s and can’t wait to see them! God Bless Them All!
Tanta
December 11th, 2009
9:14 pm
i just think the family on a whole is very interesting.. my personal favs are tito and jackie.Tito for some reason reminds me of Simon Cowell. Jackie is the obvious big brother, just the giant, sensitive, quiet type. And Marlon and Jermaine are the obvious younger brothers. Its so funny how that even as adults their camaraderie as brothers never really changed. Two of them are grandfathers already.. and there’s the same kind of childish brother chemistry they had when they were little kids. Personally, I too like them, I’m sure, wished they were the complete Jackson family again. RIP Mike.
e+mc2
December 11th, 2009
9:16 pm
they all look like mafia pimps if you ask me
Liza
December 11th, 2009
10:14 pm
LOVE THIS IDEA!
Swedish
December 12th, 2009
2:35 am
Im really upset, are they also going to win money over michael death! Why didnt they bring the family together when michael was alive, then he maybe have been alive. F**K this!! Without Michael are Jackson5 NOTHING! Dont they understand that??? Music is nothing without Michael!! Im really upset over this!! I hope that they honour Michael in this show!!
HK45
December 12th, 2009
10:22 am
Swedish you obviously are a hater and never were really a Jackson 5 fan. Are you even old enough to really remember them. You obviously didn’t read the article. The article states that this project was in production before Michael’s untimely death and says Michael was even involved behind the scenes with the entire project. “To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jackson 5’s first hit “I Want You Back.””
WYSWYG
December 12th, 2009
11:49 am
I have great affection for all the JACKSONS! I love to laugh and they have, on occasion, given me reason to laugh until my sides ache! —For that, I will always be grateful and treasure the moment. Can’t wait for the next chapter on A&E. I’ll be there!
Elaine
December 12th, 2009
1:11 pm
Can’t wait to watch. I hope that this turns out to be a positive for them all. They have been a part of my world for most of my life.
Monica
December 12th, 2009
1:29 pm
For the people who are commenting negative things, ARE YOU READING THE ARTICLE???!!!
This was reported before Michael’s death that they were doing the show; The article above mentioned that THEY TAPED THE SHOW BEFORE MICHAEL DIED!!! Damm, reading is FUNDAMENTAL not FOR-DA-MENTAL!!!!
Jackasses!
Monica
December 12th, 2009
1:31 pm
Oh, and for those of us who go back with the J5, we will be watching! They were part of our childhood and they are icons.
Tangela
December 12th, 2009
4:21 pm
This is a great start for the Jackson brothers. I hope this will put all tere fans to ease regarding them being weird. I hope and pray that Ms. Jackson will enjoy her kids getting on with there lives,and letting the world know,Michael is, an always, be loved.Bless each and everyone of them.
kayldouble-u
December 12th, 2009
10:19 pm
Bitter/Sweet…just sayin.
JeKaboodle and kit
December 13th, 2009
12:09 am
Diane, just so you know, Not all of us were just Michael Jackson fans. I for one enjoyed Jermaine’s Motown music alot more than I did any of Michael’s. I still do!
smyrfy
December 13th, 2009
12:11 am
Sweedish, what country are you from? The Jacksons were before Michael, and the Jacksons will be AFTER MICHAEL IS GONE!!
Swedish
December 13th, 2009
5:57 pm
I’m from Sweden you idiot.
logan renae ervin
December 13th, 2009
7:52 pm
hey the jackson family how u doin cause yall just lose a good person like michael jackson i know yall goin throught some things since michael died i know miss him too cause when my mom say she met michael jackson and thhe jackson 5 she said that she was so happy that she met yall im not tell buti want to met yall because yall make people happy …………..
J5fan
December 13th, 2009
8:00 pm
I have been waiting for this for what seems like forever…I grew up watching The Jacksons on my TV every chance I got. They are American and world icons and we should be proud of them. Michaels death hit me very hard but I love all of The Jacksons and wish them luck. You guys (J5)still put a thrill in this old girls body!
brenda
December 13th, 2009
8:11 pm
I just want to know do they Know Jesus Christ as Lord and their Personal Saviour!!! That he died and rose for our sins.
Nancy
December 13th, 2009
9:26 pm
I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF THIS SHOW – OH MY GOD IT IS REALLY FUNNY!!!!! I AM SIMPLY IN AWE OF THESE GUYS. THEY STILL HAVE IT – AND THE HUMOR IT JUST GREAT. I AM DEPRESSED AND I CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF THIS SHOW – GOTTA GO – ITS BACK ON
SIMLY IN AWE
December 13th, 2009
9:39 pm
A & E YOU MUST KEEP THE JACKSON’S REALITY SHOW ON PERMANENTLY!!!! IT IS SO M O V I N G. I LOVE THIS SHOW
TrephStewart
December 13th, 2009
9:42 pm
The show is good
Susan
December 13th, 2009
10:29 pm
Sweden you sound rather constipated, get a grip as BITTERNESS is soooooooooo unappealing! Back to the topic at hand, I am LOVING this show and what a priviledge to see the family interact and you can tell that the Jackson brothers are close and the saddest times for me were the brothers speaking on Michael’s loss..very heartbreaking for them and I can’t wait to see them continue their journey..they are good men and they have many fans who are so happy to see them unite
TONY FRIERSON
December 13th, 2009
10:39 pm
I Really miss MICHAEL more thanany one really knows but im watching the show and this show is good for the soul!
Deborah Walton
December 13th, 2009
10:41 pm
Love the show, showed the other side of the Jackson’s they we never knew. To this day it ia still hard to believe that Michael is no longer here, you can see the love that they share for each other. May god still continue to comfort them.
littlesara
December 13th, 2009
10:57 pm
Where is Randy? I have not heard his name mentioned not once. He did perform with them. so what’s the story.
S
December 13th, 2009
11:05 pm
@littlesara..I think I read that Randy chose not to be on the show but will make a couple of appearances
Pam
December 13th, 2009
11:28 pm
Diane, they are not monopolozing on Michael’s show. This show was planned prior to Michael’s death, but the tone of the show was changed after his death. It is always good to research before responding.
a.s.h
December 13th, 2009
11:41 pm
wanted to see all the bothers together its called The Jackson’s: A Family Dynasty not the original Jackson’s. they were all part of the group at one time or another. instead of a guest star i think Randy Jackson should have been a part of the show as all the other brothers are.
SoulTooSoul
December 14th, 2009
12:19 am
All I can say is, where is Randy Jackson? I thought he is a Jackson brother. Isn’t he part of the Jackson royalty? Very interesting.
Chi-Town
December 14th, 2009
1:38 am
I LOVE this show! I watched it TWICE already!!!! It’s on right now!!! I wish Jermaine will do something about that hair! It looks like its pasted down on the sides of his head! LOL!!!
Hey SoulTooSoul and a.s.h., Randy is not a CAST MEMBER on the show because they wanted to focus on the original members to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their song “I Want You Back.” Randy came on board after Jermaine left the group so thats why he is not on the show but will be a guest. I also read that Randy is really shy and did not want to be a part of the show….
Teresa
December 14th, 2009
7:55 am
Oh my God!!!I love it. Thank u, thank u, thank u.
Jessica
December 14th, 2009
8:35 am
For those of you who ask silly questions and make silly comments, read and then re-read the article. First of all, the show was in production BEFORE MJ died. The Jackson brothers are NOT capitalizing off MJ’s death! Next, RANDY WAS NOT AN ORIGINAL JACKSON 5. He will appear in an upcoming episode but the show was created for the ORGINAL Jacksons! Like someone said earlier, READING IS FUNDAMENTAL. COMPREHENSION IS PRICELESS!!!!! Please….read….then comment! Thank you!
SoulTooSoul
December 14th, 2009
9:36 am
If you know your history, Randy was actually playing with the J-5 before Jermaine left. Randy became an official member when Jermaine left.
DISAPPOINTED
December 14th, 2009
9:39 am
Sorry, I didn’t like the show. It didn’t capture my attention. I love the Jackson 5, but seeing them this up close and personal wasn’t appealing to me. The fact that the Jackson’s always had a sense of mystery is what really intrigued people. Seeing that they are just like “everyday Joes” basically takes some of that mystery away.
Rufus
December 14th, 2009
10:41 am
So first they kick Michael out of the group and now they want to capitalize off of his death. What a great family.
Jackson Biographer
December 14th, 2009
12:41 pm
Randy Jackson has disassociated himself with the family, so you won’t see him on the program. He is too busy being a judge on American Idol. Although on occasions you will hear him comment about the family, and how Michael was the golden child, he refused to partake in a Jackson family reunion and barely even acknowledges he was even a member of the group.
Flimflam
December 14th, 2009
12:44 pm
he much better on idol anywayz. if he was on this show i would lose respect for him for profiting off of his brothers death. that is just sick that people do that and yall support it
arlene
December 14th, 2009
1:27 pm
Here is information on the show. I liked it, hope you will too.
Yvette
December 14th, 2009
2:23 pm
Okay, one more time for those of you younger than 40. The Randy Jackson on American Idol is NOT their brother. They just happen to have the same name. Their brother Randy began playing congas with the J5 before Jermaine left. After Jermaine left he became a part of the group. He is a talented musician and helped to write some of their songs and one of Michael’s songs. I am 50 and I remember watching them in November 1969 on the Ed Sullivan show when they were introduced to the USA. I loved them then and I love them now, with all of their idiosyncracies and faults. After all, who of us doesn’t have them? I enjoyed the show and will watch all episodes. I will buy Tito’s album when it is released. I hope this helps all of them in some way.They paved the way for the Osmond Brothers,the Sylvers, New Edition and all of the other boy bands that came after. They were an extremely polished group. It just so happened that Michael stood out because of his talent, eagerness to learn from the legends of his day, his curiosity and creativeness.
Slightly confused Jackson fan
December 14th, 2009
2:48 pm
Yeah, I noticed when Randy Jackson first appeared on American Idol, I thought he gained so much weight. I guess, if you are not touring with your brothers, a person can put on a few pounds. Do you think his work schedule with American Idol will allow him to appear on the Jackson show? That would be awesome!