No wonder MJ fired him!

So Rabbi Shmuley Boteach was on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to promote his new book "The Michael Jackson Tapes" and to say the least, Boteach failed to strike the right note.

First of all, he was beyond rude to Tom. He completely ignored Tom's questions in favor of spouting off rhetoric that he likely practiced before the interview. Then he became belligerent when Tom admitted that he didn't read the book. At a certain point, Sybil interrupted Boteach's tirade by stating that his publishers failed to deliver an advance copy in a timely manner and that Tom's questions could be asked without the benefit of reading the book. And for me, given that the rabbi has been all over the place promoting this book, Tom could muddle through based on Rabbi Schmuley's previous interviews. Rabbi Shmuley came on the show with a ready-made attitude which was totally unjustified and it belied the purpose of his participation on the show - to sell books.

It wasn't likely that I would buy the book, but Rabbi Shmuley's attitude made it a done deal. Granted, Tom Joyner has some well-healed opinions about certain things like putting people's business out on the street, but typically, Tom conducts himself professionally and respectfully. Sybil and J. on the other hand, have been known to step in it, whether intentionally or accidentally. But again, Rabbi Shmuley didn't give Tom, J. or Sybil a chance to do anything... except be a target of his misplaced anger and frustration.

It was likely that Rabbi Shmuley's firing was due to MJ's unwillingness to climb out of his personal despair, but Rabbi Shmuley's tunnel-vision and insistence that he should have the last (read: only) word could also be a factor.