A PASSING MENTION

"Reali-TV" will have a stranglehold on our TV screens today with massive coverage of the circus that will be the Michael Jackson memorial in Los Angeles.

In less than 24 hours after the shocking news of his passing, Michael Jackson's death became "official" in the alternate reality of Toobworld. In a scene near the beginning of 'EastEnders' the next night, Denise Wicks mentioned that Jackson had died while wishing Patrick Trueman a happy birthday.

No, wait. That doesn't sound right. Michael Jackson did not die while wishing Patrick Trueman a happy birthday. Denise Wicks wished Patrick Trueman a happy birthday and then told him that Michael Jackson had died. Much better!

Diedrick Santer, the show's executive producer, said: "There are some news stories and events which get everyone talking, and this one of them. Given the quick turnaround, it’s only a small scene, but I hope it reflects to some extent the impact of Michael Jackson’s death has had."

A spokesman for the soap said: ""We always aim to reflect topical events that we think will strike a chord with our audience and have previously filmed additional scenes including the election of Barack Obama and England’s participation in the World Cup."

BCnU!