I think that in his own way Ed McMahon was just as popular and will be missed by many.  It may be that people may have noticed his passing just as much if not more but there was a lot more media excitement about Michael Jackson because his death was untimely (he was only 50) and unexpected, by me at least!  And the media always did seem to be fixated on MJ.

It is tempting sometimes to confuse someone's talent with their moral, ethical or other personal choices.  I enjoyed Michael's songs and his singing and dancing very much.  The great tragedy of his life is that it looked to me like he could never really appreciate himself enough.  It is heartbreaking to see early videos of Michael Jackson performing or just being the way he started out.  He was blessed with a beautiful face and no plastic surgeon should have ever messed with it.  Too much money and power piled on top of too much emotional baggage possibly complicated things also. 

I will never forget either Ed McMahon or Michael Jackson ... and when I think of Michael Jackson, I will never forget that great recording he made when he was a little kid of the Christmas song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus!"  I love that recording and it just wouldn't be Christmas without it. 

They can't take that away from me!