Jackson family reality project being shopped

Jackson family reality project being shopped

Wed Dec 14, 2005 03:45 AM ET

By Andrew Wallenstein

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Michael Jackson might be shunning the
spotlight these days, but his family sure isn't. Making the rounds at cable
networks in recent weeks is a proposed pilot for a reality series in which
Jackson's siblings are featured players, sources said.

Cory Rooney, a music producer who has worked with Jennifer Lopez and is
producing an upcoming MTV series called "The Shop," confirmed that he is
shopping the project.

The show would focus on a trio of second-generation Jacksons trying to
restart their careers in music. The sons of Jackson's brother Tito succeeded
overseas as the members of boy band 3T during the 1990s but are trying to
mount a comeback as adults. They receive help from their father as well as
other aunts and uncles on the show -- including LaToya and Jermaine
Jackson -- but one of the obstacles they face is the notoriety their uncle
Michael encountered in various courtroom battles during the past decade.

Still to be determined is whether Michael will join his siblings on the
program, though footage of him interacting with Tito's children appears in
the pilot. Also included on the show is the Jackson family softball team in
action, complete with a cameo from San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds.

This isn't the first time the Jackson family has attempted to invade reality
TV; the clan shopped a different project to the networks in June exhibiting
how they rallied behind Michael shortly after he was acquitted on 10 counts
of child molestation and related charges.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter