Courtesy of youtube, here's a snippet from the N.C. Central University marching band's recent tribute to Michael Jackson.

They performed during the Duke/NCCU football game Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham.

One of the consequences of Michael Jackson's death is that his family has regained the spotlight, and like a lot of us, Michael has some crazy folk in his family.

Which brings us to LaToya Jackson.

But before we go there, last night's Video Music Awards on MTV opened with a tribute to the King of Pop, with Janet Jackson. (Kanye West: rude jerk. Beyonce: class act.)

MTV Video Music Awards (9pm, MTV) - Controversial British comedian Russell Brand (left) returns to host the 26th annual VMAs, which has Janet Jackson opening with a tribute to her brother Michael Jackson. Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Green Day and Pink are among scheduled performers. Beyonce and Lady Gaga have tons of nominations. 

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - It's the second season finale and I can only hope for the sake of the show that Maryann is destroyed or sent back to hell, or whatever it is you do with a dead maenad. She has Sookie involved in her big "sacrifice" ritual tonight, which is sure to be entertaining. Evan Rachel Wood is back as vampire queen Sophie-Anne, with strict instructions for Eric on how to handle Bill. We also get to see what fate awaits our favorite shape-shifter, Sam. They better not harm a hair on his nekkid little self.

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) -  Somehow, this show manages to top itself each week. Tonight, Don and Betty are called to the school over Sally's troubling behavior. Not sure what they expect after the way she was ignored while attempting to grieve over the sudden death of her grandfather. So it looks like it'll take state involvement to prompt Don and Betty to actually interact with their daughter in a way that goes beyond, "Go watch TV." Am I the only person seeing our budding ballerina-bartender as an estranged teenager living in a drug commune in California by 1972? 

If you haven't completely burned out on Michael Jackson specials, this could be your chance.

Today is Michael's 51st birthday, so there's more MJ programming on than usual. And on the heels of news that his death has been officially declared a homicide, interest could be as strong as ever.

E! has Jackson shows on pretty much all day, with just a few gaps here at there. At 10am, "Forbes Presents: Michael Jackson - Follow the Money" takes a look at Jackson's precarious financial . . .

Major League Baseball All-Star Game (8pm, Fox) - The All-Star game is back in St. Louis for the first time since 1966. Derek Jeter (left) was the top vote-getter in AL balloting.

Better Off Ted (9pm, ABC) - Linda is the scapegoat when Veridian is sued over a perfume that causes hornets to attack women.

Primetime: Family Secrets (10pm, ABC) - Tonight's focus is Michael Jackson's family. Primetime reports on how they are coping, and interviews Joe Jackson and Michael's siblings.

Saving Grace (10pm, TNT) - Grace's spiritual beliefs are tested when the team investigates the death of a Hasidic Jew found near a herd of deceased cows. 

The Cleaner (10pm, A&E) - William is asked to help a drug addicted star, but discovers the star's parents also need help. Shirley Jones guest stars (wouldn't it be cool if the troubled younger star was played by Danny Bonaduce or David Cassidy?).

Guest blogger Lenni G.:

Loved the opening "NappyTabs"
routine. These contestants are really, really athletic - throw in
great costumes and camera angles and they look positively professional.

Speaking on his 60th birthday, Nigel spoke to the public's request for a "Michael Jackson" night. He indicated all the choreographers, dancers and show folks were certainly on board.

See photos from a memorial service for Michael Jackson held in Raleigh. Photos by staff photojournalist Corey Lowenstein.

The memorial to MJ went longer than expected, but you know what, it was worth it. It was a lovely service. And I got to watch with my mom!

It started about 1:13 p.m. Motown great Smokey Robinson, dapper in a glen plaid grey suit, reads a statement from Diana Ross, who is not in attendance.

She calls MJ "a personal love of mine." She says she'll be there for his children if necessary. Then he reads a note from Nelson Mandela who calls him a member of his family. He will be missed. My mom, bless her heart, whines about her desire for a letter from Nelson.

See photos from memorial services for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles and around the world.

RALEIGH -- The public mourning of Michael Jackson's death reached its apex with Tuesday's memorial service in Los Angeles, which drew reported six-figure throngs to the area around the Staples Center. Things were far more low-key in Raleigh, where several hundred people gathered for a remembrance service.

There were many multiples more empty chairs than people inside the cavernous Raleigh Convention Center. That added up to a financial disaster for event organizer Bruce Lightner, who thought the event would draw at least 5,000 people. The actual turnout was less than a tenth of that, which Lightner said that left him with $20,000 in bills to cover rent and expenses.

"I don't know where the money's coming from," he said afterward. "I'll probably have to get a loan from the bank to pay it off. Right now I feel like crawling under a rock. I'm hurt that our community didn't come out to celebrate Michael's life together. But I've learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes you have to say no. It was a mistake on my part to attempt to do this."

As for those who did show up, they came wanting to make one last show of paying tribute to what local pastor David C. Forbes called "the one and only Michael Jackson, king of pop" in his invocation. Everyone there agreed that Jackson's music and performances transcended race and brought people together, despite the controversies that dogged him over the past decade.

"I did not know Michael personally, but his music has always been in my home," said Penny Reaves, 47, a schoolteacher from Fayetteville. "I just pray his family makes it through this. They have the support of the whole world because he was a world icon, an ambassador to the world."

Along with speakers and a video tribute, the Raleigh gathering featured live performances by Timika Shields, Stanley Baird Trio and the Martin Luther King, Jr., All Children's Choir. After the local program concluded at about 1:15 p.m., the convention center's video screens tuned into a live feed of the funeral services from Los Angeles.

Kim Daniels, 39, who runs a cleaning service in Raleigh, remembered some of Jackson's other famous moments on video.

"My most memorable moment of Michael would be remembering the world premiere of his 'Billie Jean' video on MTV," Daniels said as her 19-month-old son played nearby. "I'd meet with friends every time he premiered a new video, and it was like the whole world would stop for him."

Not surprisingly, the best music heard was Jackson's own. Before the live program began around noon, a deejay spun a set of Jackson songs -- "Beat It," "Black or White," "Off the Wall" -- and people got up to dance. "Man in the Mirror" even inspired an impromptu sing-along, as people joined hands and formed a line.

Even at his own funeral, Jackson can still fill a dancefloor.