Michael Jackson Talk Isn't Cheap

Mon., Mar. 5, 2007 1:27 PM PST by Joal Ryan

At a Star Trek convention, you can't really meet Captain Kirk. But at a Michael Jackson convention, you really can meet Michael Jackson.

Provided you've got the available credit.

Tickets for one-on-one face time with Jackson and his remarkable face were going for just under $3,500 for a Thursday fan event in Tokyo.

For the pricey price tag, officially 400,000 Japanese yen, 300 "platinum-ticket" buyers will be treated to food, spirits, live music and Jackson, who, it is promised, "will personally speak to all attendees."

According to reports, each ticket-holder will be allotted up to 60 seconds of chitchat with the pop star. A photo—only one— will be taken so as to help preserve the moment and/or provide years of show-and-tell fun.

Although Jackson's individual contact with partygoers will be brief, the 48-year-old entertainer is scheduled to hang for five hours at Tokyo's Shinkiba Studio Coast.

Come Friday, Jackson will be back at the concert venue for what's billed as "Fan Appreciation Day with Michael Jackson."

In a nutshell, organizers and Jackson will appreciate every fan who plunks down 15,000 yen (about $130) to spend time in the same building with the Grammy winner. Fans who previously plunked down 400,000 yen will be comped.

Jackson, who's down to put in three hours at the second event, is not promising to talk to anyone, although he is promising to judge a fan-art contest.

"The top three artists chosen by Mr. Jackson will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Jackson and have their picture taken with him," Jackson rep Raymone K. Bain said in a statement, "and be invited to a special brunch with him."

There was no promise of Jesus juice on the brunch menu.

There was also no promise that Jackson would perform on either Thursday or Friday. In fact, the event organizer's Website said Jackson was not scheduled to sing.

Jackson, quite the overseas traveler since being acquitted in California of child-molestation charges in 2005, arrived in Japan on Sunday. Given his recent activities or lack thereof, the entertainer should be fully rested for the week's personal appearances. Per a statement from Bain's office last week, Jackson is not appearing on American Idol, touring with his family or recording with Pras of the Fugees.

He's just making small talk for a not so small price.