Michael Jackson Alive? Video Hoax Snares Thousands
Here's hoping the 1,200,000 people who clicked on a YouTube video claiming to show Michael Jackson, alive as ever, getting out of a coroner's van and entering an unidentified building didn't get their hopes up too much.
But, given that Elvis died in 1977 and some people still report sightings of the rock pioneer, we're guessing that's giving the public too much credit.
In any case, German TV station RTL admitted making the Michael Jackson hoax for its magazine, Explosiv, and disseminating it to the Internets last week.
There's no telling how many people bought it, but obviously plenty of them where curious enough to take a long look and share it with their friends.
"We sent out a press release before we did the video to alert everyone that it was fake, but it spread really fast," RTL spokesman Heike Schultz said.
Schultz said reaction to the "Michael Jackson alive" video was mixed. Some were offended that the station used Jackson's death as a practical joke, while others appreciated the lesson in how easy it is to spread false information.
We've seen the ghost of Michael Jackson already, but nothing like this.
In addition to the hoax video allegedly showing a living King of Pop, RTL posted a second video the same day, breaking down inconsistencies in the original.
Naturally, that one was viewed only a third as often. Here's the first Michael Jackson hoax video, showing him walking out of the coroner's van:
Michael Jackson Hoax Video Explained
Follow the jump for the second video, explaining the hoax ...
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November 2nd, 2010 8:06 PM
people people calm down iam so truly sorry iam michel and i miss my fans luckly maybe this is my spirit coming back from the dead i took to many drugs if i could take that back i so would but i just got addicted to them i didnt wanna put yall through this but it had to happen somtime sorry :( belive me i also miss my family and freinds plus fans as well tell them iam sorry i died ( crys my heart out ) som day ill see yall in heaven when the world ends and everyones dead i have been to the lax iarport my doctor tuned out bad and gave me a really bad drug so this is what i get if youd like to learn more about me go to michel jackson this is it site hope to see ya soon bye .
May 15th, 2010 1:25 PM
i believe he's alive!
November 25th, 2009 9:13 AM
Omg people dont believe what the media says. Arnt they the same people who reported matt dameon and kayne west to have died!? Well i dont know about you but im pretty sure there alive:). I think you should look at the evidence before saying yes or no to the whole thing. As for the coroners van video. Can someone tell me why when they were making "the making" of the video theres so many inconsistency? Not say hes not just yet, but wait and investigate it before you discredit it.
September 30th, 2009 4:28 AM
OMG! I knew he was alive, Hamdeloh
September 27th, 2009 2:17 PM
PEOPLE, I ALSO BELIEVE THAT HE IS ALIVE AND WILL COME BACK SOON. HIS FANS WAITING FOR HIM IMPATIENTLY!!!
xatira07@rambler.ru
September 6th, 2009 5:08 PM
the number plate on the fake van is wider verticulie, lol.
September 4th, 2009 12:25 PM
The issue still contjnue..As time goes by,..for God's sake,BETTER LEAVE THE POP ICON ALONE!!!!!!!
September 3rd, 2009 10:28 PM
OMG!OMG! OMG!OMG!OMGOMGOMG HES ALIVE OH YEAH UH HUH OW! HEHE
September 2nd, 2009 11:47 AM
Oh for god's sake! That coudl be anyone, worst hoax ever. When will the hills producers admit that spencer pratt is a hoax?