I feel a little cynical about Idol airing its MJ repeat in that it seems self-serving. But then, not any more so than MSNBCNNHLN, etc. round-the-clock coverage. As such, it is a tribute, as entertaining as any other and worthy of a second look.

Although, I also feel like saying that comparisons of MJ’s talent to that of any notably talented Idol contestant of choice or wishes of MJ superstardom for that favorite Idol should be made with caution.

MJ was a legend in the making from an early age. There is no comparison — none — in my opinion, to any American Idol contestant. The way Idol spawns its “stars” is very different than the way MJ evolved (and probably healthier for the performers, although association with this corporate monolith tends to rob them of their “cred”), groomed for performing stardom from an early age (in not the gentlest of ways) and nurtured by the Mowtown machine that was very different from, but probably equal in power and influence over time, to AI.

Michael’s talent was a gift that was exploited by others, and gave him fame and power and twisted him to the point that it ruined his career that ultimately impacted his health (again, my opinion). Think Judy Garland, among others gone too soon, and tragically. Elvis, too, but not so much since he was not known to have been exploited as a child performer and rose to fame as an adult.