Roger Ebert Mentions a Supposed Michael Jackson Hair Hoax

Movie critic Roger Ebert reviewed the blogs of people that comment on his own blog. One of the reviews mentions a blog that writes about a Michael Jackson hair conspiracy, of sorts. Ebert writes:

“The Michael Jackson Hair Accident Hoax” is exposed by Richard Voza at “Brainsnorts.” Oh, yes it is. He includes Jackson photos from before the accident (“notice the corners developing on the sides of his forehead? notice the balding that has begun? he’s losing his hair, so he’s taking pieces of the remaining hairline and greasing the hairs on his skin to cover up the bald spot.“) Then there’s the famous fiery video footage, in which you can’t see if it’s really Jackson.

Obviously Roger Ebert was poking fun at the craziness of one of his own readers, but coincidentally, I had a recent social opportunity to talk about Michael Jackson’s fire accident with a few plastic surgeons from Beverly Hills. One plastic surgeon knew someone who examined Jackson, while another surgeon had heard some details through the grapevine (though both stories were not consistent with each other). What seemed to be a common thread was that Michael Jackson had a 3rd degree burn to the scalp, the size (area) of which is unclear. Third degree burns are very dangerous. I am also of the impression that he had genetic hair loss going on, but the degree of loss is also unclear.

Note: These are rumors, and was I was not involved in his care I have no firsthand knowledge. Granted, if I was involved then I would never speculate about his situation either.