Dear Malcolm,
It's not surprising really though when you think about it...
The media in general has 'whipping-up-the-gullible-public' down to a high tech. psychological money making fine art, and the public always swallow it hook, line, & sinker. The 'normal' media is just as guilty... they fell on the MJ matter like a pack of wolves as usual... and have set to with a vengance to prey on the 'Evita' like hysterical nature that seems so popular in sections of society these days.
This is only the start of course. When the PR, CD, DVD, memorabilia, & nick nack mfrs. people get geared up (& there will be lot's and lot's of strategy meetings going on over this weekend to plan the next few months), the money will predicatably come pouring in with a guaranteed recession proof venture if ever there was one. Then comes the funeral which will be very professionally PR hyped to get the max. PR/media affect, so, all in all, there will be a great many millions made out of the matter - and, alongside, there will most likely be much more of what you demonstrated.
The price of so called 'fame' these days that's all... all part of the course.
Regards, Bernard