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I recently dealt with this question in my own mind after posting my first reaction to michael jackson's death, which was, "oh wow, now his reanimated corpse is finally put to rest." Which I went on to post on facebook. I hovered over the "post" button for a sec wondering if I was going too far before I clicked. It was received both with laughter and with shock.
I'm not sure if it could be considered a cheap shot, because most celebrities never seem that real. Michael Jackson was always like Santa Claus to me, more of a representation of a thing, especially in his later years after all of that surgery. So, when he ceased to be, I didn't have much of a connection to it personally. I guess that's what allowed me to feel as detached as I did about his death.
If my best friend died, there wouldn't be joking of this sort from me. Along those lines, Farrah recorded her slow and agonizing fight with cancer for the world to see. She stayed brave, and she fought. I think that we all sort of recognize this and admire her for her courage, I think that's why no one's joking about her. Whereas, Michael was just seen as some sort of cultural oddity.
Joking about death in general seems like a way of expressing that you're detached from the situation (either because it doesn't matter to you, or because you aren't wanting to feel the sadness). Why it doesn't matter could range anywhere from spiritual choice to just not having a relationship with the person.
Now, some great jokes are the Billy Mays jokes. Especially the ones in all caps.
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