Philip Anschutz Called Me In Great Distress...

Good morning.  As we all know, Michael Jackson died yesterday (though he's been dead to me for several years after failing to show up at my 1995 Holiday Party.  He didn't even call!  That's about the biggest mistake you can make in this town - just ask Michael Ovitz).  And if it's true that he overdosed on Demerol, it's a real tragedy.  I could have died from it myself.  I was addicted to Demerol in the 1980s (among other things) and that shit really affects your judgment.  You should have seen some of the crappy movies I greenlit during that time!  If it wasn't for a hardcore intervention by Jerry Weintraub, John Denver and Cher, I would be dead today.  But that's another story...

Anyway, Phil Anschutz (media tycoon and owner of AEG Live) called me last night in a horrible panic.  He told me what I, and the rest of the world, already knew - that Michael Jackson had died and would be unable to perform the scheduled shows at AEG Live's O2/Millennium Dome in London (something insane like 50 shows over the next nine months).  Supposedly, $85 million worth of tickets had already been bought and must be refunded unless another huge star can come in and fill the void.   AEG Live will lose millions unless a solution can be found.

There was a long pause on the other end.  I got a bad feeling in my stomach as I knew where he was going next.  His voice sort of trembled and he said:  "Khan, do you think it's at all possible...?"

I wanted to stop him right there and hang up.  The request he was about to make was going to be nearly impossible to pull off.  I let him finish.

"... Do you think you could ask Séamus to do those shows for me?" 

"Oh, Jesus, Phil... That's fucking insane!  Séamus is just about the biggest star there is.  He doesn't substitute for anyone.  It would be an incredible insult."

I could hear Phil sobbing.  "I just don't know where to turn.  I'm sorry I bothered you."

Just as he was about to hang up, I gave in and made him a promise.  "Phil, I realize this took an incredible amount of courage.  Giant balls.  I'll contact Séamus only because we're old friends.  He will laugh in my face and probably try to break his contract with MMG.  But I'll make the call."

A few more days like this and I'll be back on the Demerol.

[Note to assistant Vicky Adler:  Please have Emily Sachs return from her vacation in the Seychelles and send her to Séamus' castle in Ireland to make the request.  Tell her to be careful, he has guns.] 

Khan Manka, Jr. - Chairman & CEO - Manka Bros. Studios - The World's Largest Media Company