Joe Jackson had an interview that aired on the Today Show this morning. The Jackson patriarch was sketchy in his responses and spoke in kind of halting half sentences. He cut the interview short when he was asked how much he sees Michael’s children. He said he sees them “enough,” but he faltered and took a while to get to that point. You could tell the real answer was “not much.” From the way he carefully worded his response to how he was doing, it was obvious that he’s trying to pretend that he cares more about Micheal’s loss than about all the opportunities that his son’s death has brought him. He’s a piss poor liar though, especially considering how much experience he has at it. Joe also repeated his vague claim that unknown persons are responsible for Michael’s death and that they need to be brought to justice.

People Magazine’s report on this interview packages Joe’s responses so that they make sense. Watching the interview, you just got the impression that the guy is still trying to get press coverage following his son’s death but that he doesn’t have much to say.

How are you doing?
I’m fine. I’m still grieving over my son’s loss, because he was the greatest. All over the world. I’m proud of that.

Are you angry?
I’m not angry. I’m mad… I didn’t know all this was going on. That’s what I’m mad about

You didn’t know Michael had a problem with these medications.
I didn’t know he was taking that type of medication.

Your son’s death was ruled a homicide. What does the family want now?
They want justice to be done. That’s what is being done.

Does that mean criminal charges?
I don’t know.

Did you know he needed that drug [Propofol] to go to sleep?
No, I did not. First I ever heard of it.

Police say Dr. Conrad Murray admitted to to them that he gave Michael Propofol the morning he died… That has now been ruled the cause of death. What does that tell you?
That tell me [sic] that was foul play done. That’s what it tells me. And more to be investigated to see what really is behind all of this stuff. Not just Dr. Conrad Murray.

Do you want someone to pay?
Someone should pay. Not just someone, but all of them should pay that’s involved.

All the doctors?
I didn’t say doctors. Anybody else that’s involved.

What role do you play in the kids’ lives?
Well I’m their grandfather.

Have you seen them?
Of course.

How often do you see the kids?
I’ll put it like this… I see them just, well. I see them enough, time enough, often enough.

[Transcribed from Joe Jackson’s appearance on The Today Show, 8/31/09, video above]

At the end of this story, they dropped the news that Michael Jackson’s body is finally going to be buried this Friday in a private ceremony at Forest Lawn Ceremony. It has been over two months since the King of Pop died, and this isn’t the first story we’ve heard about a pending burial. Let’s hope it’s for real this time. His kids don’t need to keep waiting to bury their dad.

A tribute show was held for Michael Jackson at the Palms Casino over the weekend on Saturday, that day that would have been his 51st birthday. Jackson was honored with a star on the walk of fame outside the Casino, which Joe happily accepted saying :I wish he was here to see this take place.” I wonder how much Joe Jackson was paid to attend.

Sky News reports that Joe Jackson went a little further in his request for an investigation into his son’s death, saying “I want them to do a complete congressional investigation.” He also expressed how unbelievable his son’s death still is, “I just can’t believe he is not with me no more… Seems like he is just performing somewhere else and still living and having a good time performing, entertaining people.”

Joe Jackson is shown at the Palms Casino accepting the star on his son’s behalf with Johnny Brenden on 8/29/09. Credit: WENN.com