Jackson Unable to Perform?

MICHAEL JACKSON A WRECK? A cache of confidential 250 e-mails from AEG executives leading up to Michael Jackson’s scheduled 50 appearances at London’s O2 Arena in 2009 revealed the superstar in a “drunk and despondent” state, unable to perform, revealed the L.A. Times in a front-piece story in Sunday's edition. The documents “offer a darker picture of the relationship between the down-on-his-luck idol and the buttoned-up corporation taking a bet on his erratic talents.” AEG execs were aware of doubts about the superstar’s stability and ability to perform the shows from the beginning, according to the e-mails. The new evidence will play a central role in a pair of lawsuits set for trial next year, including one by Lloyd’s of London, who are asking a judge to nullify a $17.5 million insurance policy AEG obtained with " false claims about Jackson’s health and readiness to perform." In another, Jackson’s heirs are pressing a wrongful death suit that accuses AEG of pressuring the pop star to carry on with a comeback despite indications he would be physically unable to do so. For the entire piece, click here. Lawyers for AEG, which has denied any wrongdoing, claim the documents, produced as discovery in an ongoing litigation, are incomplete and were leaked to portray the company in a “negative light.” When AEG officials questioned Jackson’s ability to pull off the shows, Randy Phillips reportedly wrote back, insisting the superstar could “with time and rehearsal,” even while admitting he was "an emotionally paralyzed mess" and "scared to death" of performing. (9/4a)