RI'ers glued to Jackson memorial

As family, friends and fans memorialized Michael Jackson at Los Angeles' Staples Center Tuesday afternoon, thousands of Rhode Islanders joined them in spirit via television and the internet.

(Click here for in-depth coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial service.)

One busy viewing spot was the big television at Warwick Mall's food court. Shoppers stopped in their tracks to watch the spectacle unfolding in front of their eyes. For some it was a chance to pay respects to Jackson, who died June 25 at the age of 50.

"His music is something I will remember forever. His music will never go away," said Suney Addobyo of Providence.

"It's Elvis Presley all over again," Keith Scaramuzzi of Johnson said.

Others said they felt the service was more like a flashy show than a heartfelt tribute.

"You look at his funeral and it seems like it's turned all into a big circus more than anything else. It's kind of sad," said Debbie Wallick of North Kingstown

Television wasn't the only way people witnessed the memorial, more than 2,200 people watched it streaming live on WPRI.com and FoxProvidence.com.