Italian/Eng/Nat

XFA

The popstar Michael Jackson will deliver his first ever public lecture at Britain's Oxford University Union on Tuesday.

He will be launching his new charity, Heal the Kids, while speaking about child welfare and the need for parents to devote more time to their children.

Jackson was accused of child abuse in 1993, but the case was settled out of court and he was never charged.

The hallowed halls of Oxford University are buzzing with excitement about the imminent arrival of a musical legend.

The university's Union has given a platform to a variety of controversial characters in the past, including OJ Simpson and Jerry Springer, but rarely has it seen such anticipation about the arrival of a world famous guest.

Students have been queuing for days in the debating chamber to pick up tickets for the Michael Jackson speech, and they are becoming a prized possession after a deluge of requests to attend.

Some might find it surprising that such a bastion of intellectual prowess should court a popstar to enlighten them about child welfare, but the President of the Union is in no doubt about Michael Jackson's celebrity pulling power.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Yeah, at times people have said why are you inviting this celebrity or that celebrity, if they think that person is possibly beneath the Union. And in fact I'm surprised that not one complaint - not one complaint - have I received about Michael Jackson not being in keeping with the Oxford Union, because everybody recognises this is an extremely elusive superstar, possibly the major celebrity in the world at the moment."

SUPER CAPTION: Nick Mason, President, Oxford Union

Students who will not be able to get into the debating chamber because of lack of space will crowd into an ante room which will carry sound from the speeches.

There's no doubting the level of excitement at the prospect of coming face to face with the Moonwalker himself.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Anything about the students at Oxford University not being interested in things like "Hello" (celebrity) magazine is just absolute guff - we're just as interested as anyone else and we're looking forward to him coming. We love it, we love the idea and there'll be huge press coverage as well. We'll get our photos in the papers (laughs)."

SUPER CAPTION: Charlie Sparling, Oxford University student

The fact that Jackson was investigated by Californian police for allegedly molesting a 12 year old boy has not been lost on the students, but most are willing to give him a fair hearing.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"If he really had done that then he's obviously a very great hypocrite, but he's innocent until proven guilty. You can't decide that someone's done something just because there's a rumour about it and when you're famous people will make up stories about you."

SUPER CAPTION: Catrina Laing, Oxford University student

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)

"I think this is a really good opportunity for him to demonstrate to the European community and the world in general how much his support for children is real or not, as the case may be."

SUPER CAPTION: Andrea Suriano, Oxford University student

The event at the Union has been organised in large part by the flamboyant New York Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (pronounced BOE-TAY-ACH) who has forged a strong friendship with Michael Jackson over the last couple of years.

Boteach was Oxford University's Rabbi for eleven years and was introduced to Jackson by the psychic Uri Geller, with whom he has published a book.

The Rabbi firmly refutes any suggestion that Jackson was guilty of child molestation.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I know Michael Jackson, thank God, extremely well. He is simply not capable of harming a child. He is as sensitive to the purity and goodness of children as anyone I've ever met. He's inspired me to be a better father, he's inspired me to be a more attentive parent and I'm therefore in his debt. And our friendship is mutually enriching. I've tried to bring certain things to his life and he's brought much into my life and none of this stuff is true and that's the way it is. I would trust him 1000 per cent with my kids."

SUPER CAPTION: Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author

Jackson and the Rabbi both headed up a conference on their Heal the Kids charity in New York three weeks ago, prior to the launch at Oxford.

Rabbi Shmuley says Jackson's speech will have a stunning impact.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"He's going to surprise the world with this lecture. It's a very, very moving, unpredictable message which he's going to impart. It 's an incredibly inspiring message which he's going to deliver.And people should stay tuned."

SUPER CAPTION: Rabbi Shmuley, author

Jackson will be best man at the magician Uri Geller's renewal of wedding vows in Berkshire on Wednesday and Boteach will be officiating at the ceremony.

London and Oxford 5 March 2001 and File

Oxford

1. Wide Oxford Union

2. Close up Oxford Union sign

3. Mid shot Union building, student queuing

4. Tilt down 1878 foundation stone to students in line

5. Interior pan from ceiling to debating chamber with students in line to get Jackson tickets

6. Close up line of students

7. Cutaway statues

8. Set up Nick Mason

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nick Mason, President of Oxford Union

10. Wide shot Oxford street

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Charlie Sparling, Oxford University student

12. Wide shot debating chamber with students

13. Close up of Jackson tickets

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Catrina Laing, Oxford University student

15. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Andrea Suriano, Oxford University student

London

16. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach signing books

17. Close up signing

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

File (14 February 2001) New York

19. Wideshot Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Michael Jackson at Carnegie Hall for pre-launch of Heal the Kids charity

20. Heal the Kids poster

London

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

22. Pan across debating chamber

English/Nat

XFA

Adoring fans and photographers gathered in London to catch a glimpse of popstar Michael Jackson when he attended the launch of a book written by two of his friends, psychic Uri Geller and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

Jackson arrived at the Royal Institute of British Architects on Monday evening for the book launch, hobbling on crutches after fracturing a bone in his foot before his arrival in Britain.

The popstar will deliver his first ever public lecture at Britain's Oxford University Union on Tuesday.

Jackson will also be best man at Geller's renewal of his wedding vows in Berkshire on Wednesday, while Boteach will officiate at the ceremony.

The book by Geller and Rabbi Boteach, entitled 'Confessions of a Rabbi and Psychic', features a series of letters between the two.

Jackson will be launching his new charity, Heal the Kids, while speaking about child welfare and the need for parents to devote more time to their children.

The university's Union has given a platform to a variety of controversial characters in the past, including O-J Simpson and Jerry Springer, but rarely has it seen such anticipation about the arrival of a world famous guest.

Students have been queuing for days in the debating chamber to pick up tickets for Jackson's speech.

They are becoming a prized possession after a deluge of requests to attend.

Students who can't get into the debating chamber because of lack of space will crowd into an ante room which will carry sound from the speech.

Jackson was accused of child abuse in 1993, but the case was settled out of court and he was never charged.

The fact that the popstar was investigated by Californian police for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old boy hasn't been lost on the students, but most are willing to give him a fair hearing.

The event at the Union has been organised in large part by the flamboyant New York Rabbi, Boteach, who has forged a strong friendship with Jackson over the past couple of years.

Boteach was Oxford University's Rabbi for eleven years and was introduced to Jackson by Geller.

Jackson and the Rabbi both led a conference on their Heal the Kids charity in New York three weeks ago.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Come here to see Michael Jackson. We follow him all the time, we want to seen him and... I work for a fan club.

Q: How did he look to you?

A: He looked brilliant, absolutely brilliant, yeh - really well.

Q: He's getting a lot of criticism for talking at the Oxford Union tomorrow about children and he was accused to abusing children - what do you think about that?

A: Absolute rubbish, all right. I've met Michael Jackson and he's the kindest, most generous person in the world and he would never do that and tomorrow I'm going to be at Oxford and we're all gong to support him. And he's just the greatest person ever."

SUPER CAPTION: Adrian Thomas, Michael Jackson fan

London, UK - 5 March 2001

1. Mid shot pop star Michael Jackson arrives

2. Close up of Jackson

3. Cutaway of cameraman

4. Two shots Jackson and Uri Geller, pull back to include Rabbi Shmuley

5. Medium close up of Jackson leaving with fans outside shouting

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Adrian Thomas, Jackson fan

7. Close up of book poster and pan down

8. General shot of books

9. Close up of Uri Geller, pull back to Rabbi Shmuley

10. Close up of Shmuley

11. Wide of news conference

English/Nat

TITLE: MICHAEL JACKSON PREVIEW

DATE: MARCH 5TH 2001

LOCATION: LONDON AND OXFORD, UK & NEW YORK, USA

The reclusive pop star MICHAEL JACKSON will deliver his first ever public lecture at Britain's Oxford University Union tomorrow (Tuesday 6th March).

He will be launching his new charity, Heal the Kids, while speaking about child welfare and the need for parents to devote more time to their children.

Jackson was accused of child abuse in 1993, but the case was settled out of court and he was never charged.

The hallowed halls of Oxford University are buzzing with excitement about the imminent arrival of a musical legend.

The university's Union has given a platform to a variety of controversial characters in the past, including OJ Simpson and Jerry Springer, but rarely has it seen such anticipation about the arrival of a world famous guest.

Students have been queuing for days in the debating chamber to pick up tickets for the Michael Jackson speech, and they are becoming a prized possession after a deluge of requests to attend.

Some might find it surprising that such a bastion of intellectual prowess should court a pop star to enlighten them about child welfare, but the President of the Union is in no doubt about Michael Jackson's celebrity pulling power.

Students who will not be able to get into the debating chamber because of lack of space will crowd into an ante room which will carry sound from the speeches.

There's no doubting the level of excitement at the prospect of coming face to face with the Moonwalker himself.

The fact that Jackson was investigated by Californian police for allegedly molesting a 12 year old boy has not been lost on the students, but most are willing to give him a fair hearing.

The event at the Union has been organised in large part by the flamboyant New York Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (pronounced BOE-TAY-ACH) who has forged a strong friendship with Michael Jackson over the last couple of years.

Boteach ran the University's most successful student society for eleven years and was introduced to Jackson by the psychic Uri Geller, with whom he has written a book.

The Rabbi firmly refutes any suggestion that Jackson was guilty of child molestation.

Jackson and the Rabbi both headed up a conference on their Heal the Kids charity in New York three weeks ago, prior to the launch at Oxford.

Rabbi Boteach says Jackson's speech will have a stunning impact.

Jackson will be best man at the magician Uri Geller's renewal of wedding vows in Berkshire on Wednesday and Boteach will be officiating at the ceremony.

Jackson hobbled in on crutches to the UK on Sunday evening sporting a plastered foot, which he fractured after falling down some stairs.

However, it's all good news for Jacko, as Geller says that he will heal the superstar's leg in just ten minutes for his wedding on Wednesday.

London and Oxford 4 March 2001 and File (First Run 0400 Europe - March 5)

LONDON - 4TH MARCH 2001 - POOL

1. POPSTAR MICHAEL JACKSON WALKING ON CRUTCHES ALONG GANGWAY, WALKS UP TO WOMAN AND HUGS HER

2. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) MICHAEL JACKSON, POP SINGER

3. JACKSON WHISPERS TO FRIENDS

4. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) MICHAEL JACKSON, POP SINGER

5. TILT DOWN TO JACKSON'S FEET

6. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) MICHAEL JACKSON, POP SINGER

7. JACKSON WALKING DOWN STAIRS, RECEIVES CRUTCHES, WALKS TOWARDS VAN

APTN MATERIAL BEGINS

8. CLOSE UP OXFORD UNION SIGN

9. MID SHOT UNION BUILDING, STUDENT QUEUING

10. INTERIOR TILT FROM CEILING TO DEBATING CHAMBER WITH STUDENTS IN LINE TO GET JACKSON TICKETS

11. CUTAWAY STATUES

12. SET UP NICK MASON

13. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) NICK MASON, PRESIDENT OF OXFORD UNION

14. WIDE SHOT OXFORD STREET

15. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) CHARLIE SPARLING, OXFORD UNIVERSITY STUDENT

16. MEDIUM SHOT DEBATING CHAMBER WITH STUDENTS

17. CLOSE UP OF JACKSON TICKETS

18. LINE UP RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH AND MICHAEL JACKSON AT CARNEGIE HALL FOR PRE-LAUNCH OF HEAL THE KIDS CHARITY

19. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH

20. PAN/TILT ACROSS DEBATING CHAMBER