VIA VF:

Something strange to Neverland comes: On an episode of “Larry King Live” late last week, viewers were taken on a video tour of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.

While the reporter giving the tour is just outside of Michael Jackson’s bedroom, something that looks like a shadow moves in the background. People, convinced it’s the “ghost” of MJ, loaded it up on YouTube and added slow-mos.

What do you think?

VIA EUR:

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that promoters for Michael Jackson’s concert run in London felt comfortable investing so much money into the venture – despite the singer’s track record of breaking contracts – because the money is being backed by the value of his Neverland Ranch and related assets.

As previously reported, Jackson stands to earn $50 million for the London shows and promoters are reportedly looking to extend it to a three year tour starting in Europe, then Asia, and finally the U.S. 

Meanwhile, the King of Pop greeted his fans Monday outside of the Burbank dance studio where he is rehearsing for the concerts.

“Thank you for your love and support, I want you guys to know I love you very much,” he told the crowd, before adding, “I don’t know how I’m going to do 50 shows. I’m not a big eater – I need to put some weight on.”

VIA RS:

Michael Jackson has successfully stopped the April 22nd auction that would have seen nearly 2,000 items from his massive collection of memorabilia become available to the highest bidder. As Rock Daily previously reported, Jackson sued to prevent the auction from taking place, but Julien’s Auctions insisted the Neverland auction would still go on as planned. However, the BBC reports that the items will now all be returned to Jackson and the King of Pop’s lawsuit against the auction house would be dropped.

As we showed in our Neverland on the Block: Inside the Michael Jackson Auction gallery, Jackson’s collection of sequined gloves, jackets, portraits, Skywalker mementos, the gates to Neverland Ranch and much more were slated to go on the block. The items were claimed from Neverland after the singer left his California ranch in 2005 and racked up millions of dollars in debt, including attorney fees and $250,000 each month for Neverland’s upkeep. Jackson was unable to pay back the part-ownership on his estate, and lost all the possessions in it. Essentially, Jackson was being kept afloat financially thanks to his stake in Sony/ATV Music publishing and its Beatles catalog, but even that investment was threatened by the mounting debt.

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Previously: ‘Michael Jackson Presents A Doctor’s Note For Court,’ ‘Vanity Fair Celebrates 50 Years Of Motown,’ ‘Michael Jackson Sued In U.K. Court

Jackson had asked to testify by a video link from the U.S. because of the unspecified illness. But his lawyer, Robert Englehart, informed the court Thursday that Jackson “has been cleared by his medical advisers to travel in two days’ time,” reports the Associated Press.

The King of Pop is scheduled to give evidence at the High Court on Monday. Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the second son of the king of Bahrain, says Jackson reneged on a contract for an album, a candid autobiography and a stage play after accepting millions in advances.

Jackson’s camp claims the money was a gift. The singer’s lawyers are also arguing that Jackson wasn’t bound by the deal because the contract was signed on behalf of 2 Seas Records, a venture which never got off the ground.

The sheik took the witness stand Thursday, agreeing when Jackson’s lawyer described him as a “devoted fan of Western pop music” and an extremely wealthy man. “I would see myself as somebody who is very fortunate, yes,” said Al Khalifa, 33.

He rejected Englehart’s suggestion that Jackson was emotionally and financially fragile. Part of Jackson’s defense is that the sheik took advantage of his vulnerability and lack of business acumen.

“Michael is an individual who is very switched-on,” Al Khalifa said. “He is a fantastic intellectual.”

“There’s nothing unusual about him?” asked Englehart.

“No,” Al Khalifa said.

The money at issue includes $1 million paid by Al Khalifa into the account of Jackson’s personal assistant, Grace Rwaramba, who is due to give evidence later.

The son of an Arab monarch took the musical royal to court on Monday (November 17th), charging that Michael Jackson took an advance on an album and an autobiography that he never produced. Lawyers for Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain says that the money was given to Jackson as an advance, meanwhile, the former Billboard chart-toppers claims that the money was a gift.

In a battle of who’s to blaim/believe, Jackson and Al Khalifa were not at London’s Royal Courts of Justice as the trial opened. Jackson’s lawyers are seeking permission to have him testify by videolink via the United States.

Khalifa’s lawyer states that he wanted to work with Michael Jackson on rebuilding his career and to that end, the sheikh spent millions on Jackson’s legal fees, moving him to Bahrain and supporting the singer/dancer, his family and entourage.

Although Al Khalifa acknowledged that some items were indeed gifts to Jackson, he states that most of what he’s received was part of a business deal.

Thanki acknowledged that Al Khalifa gave some gifts to Jackson but said that most of what Jackson received was part of a business deal. The Motown musical giant watched his finances fall apart after his 2003 arrest over allegations of child molestation. He was cleared of all charges by a jury of his peers.

Most recently, Jackson was forced to give up the deed on his Neverland Ranch – a 2,500 acre, miniature amusement park in California named for the mythical land of Peter Pan.

With Jackson facing legal charges – will an album from him help or hurt his career? Share your thoughts in the comments section!