It’s been announced that she will be filling in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who is currently on maternity leave, on September 16 and September 18, 2009. 

This will be the second time that LaToya has co-hosted The View with the first time being on March 14, 2003.

LaToya will also be sitting down with Barbara Walters for her first one-on-one interview since Michael’s death.  While she hasn’t given a formal interview, she has made it publicly known that she believes her brother was murdered in some sort of major conspiracy.

She plans to elaborate on her theories when she talks to Walters on 20/20.  The episode will air sometime next month.

image: Zuma Press

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Instead of allowing the police to conduct their investigation, the Jackson family patriarch is talking to as many people as he can about his belief that the King of Pop’s death was the result of foul play. 

I’m very surprised that he could be so convinced considering the fact that Michael’s drug use is well documented and is likely the main reason he died.  Of course, you might accuse his doctor’s of negligence and malpractice but I’m not sure there is enough evidence (yet) to make such public accusations.  I’m not saying this wasn’t a homicide but I do think that it can be harmful to a case if family members say too much to the media.

Anyway, here’s what he said on GMA this morning: “We are still awaiting corroboration from the coroner’s office as to cause of death. That is going to be very dependent on the toxicology reports that are due to come back," Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton told CNN. "And based on those, we will have an idea of what it is we are dealing [with]: are we dealing with a homicide or are we dealing with accidental overdose?"

He also had some things to say about his grandchildren, Prince Michael I, 12, Paris-Michael Katherine, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7, who is affectionately known as Blanket.  "Their grandmother — Katherine — and I" should raise them. "Yes, there’s no one else to do what we can do for them. We should keep them all together and then make them happy, feed ‘em like they’re supposed to be fed, and let them get rest, plenty of sleep and grow up to be strong Jacksons."

Can I just say that I am in complete agreement with the mother, Katherine, raising the children since that is what Michael wanted, according to his will.  His father was not mentioned as a caregiver for his kids which might have something to do with the fact that he was so afraid of Joe that he would throw up when he was around him, even as an adult!

I’m also horrified by the mere implication that those kids might become the Jackson family’s newest entertainers.  He said: "I don’t know — I keep watching Paris.  She & wants to do something… And as far as I can see, well, they say Blanket, he can really dance."

Really?  He keeps watching Paris?  The little girl who is mourning her father?  Something tells me she’s not singing and dancing right now.  Sure, she touched the world with her brief heartfelt speech at Michael Jackson’s memorial earlier this week.

image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Daytime Talk

It was a very emotional discussion, of course, with Jermaine speaking candidly about his brother’s death a week ago today.

He recalled how he learned about the tragic news: “She was crying, saying he was dead. To hear my mother say, ‘Michael is dead,’ to feel and hear the tone in her voice to say her child is dead, is nothing that anyone can ever imagine.  I tried to console her but I wanted to see Michael and I wanted to see my brother. To see him there lifeless and breathless was very emotional for me. But I held myself together because I knew he’s very much alive in his spirit, and that was just a shell. But I kissed him on his forehead, and I hugged him, and I touched him and I said Michael, ‘I’ll never leave you. You’ll never leave me.’”

Even more heartwrenching was what he said next:  “I don’t know how people are going to take this, but I wish it was me.  I’ve always felt that I was his backbone; someone to — someone to be there for him.”

I’ve been wondering how Michael’s three children have been coping.  On that subject, Jermaine said that they took the kids to see Michael after he had died: “I know it’s tough, but I think it was the best thing to do. At first I was against it, but what do you say if you don’t show them?”

The children a currently in the care of Michael’s mother, Katharine, which would have been his wishes, according to his will.  Jermaine said: “I thought it was a great will because the children are fine, my mother’s the perfect person to be there, and it’s definitely him.”

He also led Lauer around the massive grounds of Neverland Ranch.

Jermain also spoke of his brother’s strength: “Michael has always been a person who was against anything like that. But I’m not saying it’s right, because it’s not right, but in this business the pressures and things that you go through, you never know what one turn(s) to.”

While funeral plans are still being made, Jermaine did comment on the speculation that Michael could be buried at Neverland: “This is his home. He created this. Why wouldn’t he be here?”

Watch the interview:

SEE MORE PICTURES OF NEVERLAND RANCH AFTER THE JUMP!

NBC Photos: Trae Patton

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According to Entertainment Tonight, Regis said (of Jackson’s death):  "It was a tremendous shock.  I know his health probably wasn’t the greatest but I didn’t expect him to go this soon… I remember him on the Joey Bishop show years ago, he must have been nine or 10 years old and I’ve been watching him ever since.  He came on the show and just electrified people. It’s a big loss."

Of Fawcett’s death to cancer yesterday, Regis added: "I interviewed her over the years.  She was a great beauty. She really hung in there and defied all the odds."

What a sad day in Hollywood.  I’m happy to see the outpouring of love and support, though.  How have you reacted to these celebrity deaths?  I couldn’t stop thinking about it all last night.

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