About Jamon Bull

Aussie teacher who loves tech, music, film, history and being a dad. I host a Michael Jackson podcast called The MJCast.

157: Vindication Day Special with Geraldine Hughes

Geraldine Hughes first came to the world’s attention as an anonymous whistleblower. In 1994, the decorated investigative journalist Mary A Fischer published an article about the child molestation allegations levelled against Michael Jackson by Jordan Chandler and his father Evan. Fischer’s story included information attributed to a source inside the office of attorney Barry Rothman, suggesting that he and his client, Evan Chandler, had cooked up an extortion plot against Michael Jackson. The story was published in more than one major, glossy magazine and was covered by broadcast media – but the whistleblower’s identity was never revealed.

In 2003, however, Geraldine decided to out herself. In 1993, as the Michael Jackson scandal unfolded, she had been working as Barry Rothman’s personal legal secretary. She had unrivalled, insider access to the nerve centre of the celebrity scandal of the century, bearing witness to many meetings and discussions which took place just metres from her desk. Geraldine had been highly disturbed by what she witnessed, and she felt the public would too – but most of the media seemed to have adopted the position that Michael Jackson was guilty and in her view, the full story had never been told. Geraldine’s conscience demanded that she tell the wider public what she knew.

In 2003, as she began work on a tell-all memoir, news suddenly broke that Michael Jackson was being accused again. Her publishers fast-tracked a press release about the impending book, titled Redemption, and Geraldine found herself on a whirlwind media tour. But once again, the media overwhelmingly adopted an anti-Jackson position. While Geraldine’s book would become well-known within the Jackson fan community, her information was largely ignored. 

But in 2019, award-winning filmmaker Danny Wu interviewed Geraldine as he investigated the Chandler case for his feature documentary Square One. Upon its release, Square One became the number one Amazon Prime documentary in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, finally bringing Geraldine Hughes’s story to a much wider audience. But in Square One, Geraldine was one voice among many. For the MJCast’s 2023 Vindication Day episode, we decided to sit down with Geraldine.

Unfortunately, technical problems meant the interview ended abruptly and we were unable to reschedule with Geraldine to ask her several more questions. But this episode is nonetheless the most in-depth, one-on-one broadcast interview she had ever given. 

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter and Jamon Bull.

Additional Links
• Geraldine Hughes on Twitter.
• Geraldine’s website for music.
• Purchase Geraldine’s book, Redemption.
• Please consider donating through PayPal to help cover our costs. All proceeds go towards online running costs, upgrading equipment, and charity donations. Learn all about the various ways you can support The MJCast through visiting our website.
• We also have an official merchandise shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our fun merch.

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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

154: It’s Really Really Season Nine

Brad Sundberg, Michael Jackson’s Technical Director, is celebrating ten years as the host of “In the Studio with MJ“, a touring seminar exploring Michael’s music.

But in January of this year he fell victim to a crime which sent shockwaves through the fan community, when his personal equipment was stolen by a bootlegger, who raided and released the contents.

In his first and only interview about the devastating theft, he speaks to The MJCast co-hosts Elise Capron, Jamon Bull, and guest host Shawn Shackelford.

Kicking off Season Nine of The MJCast, Brad explains for the first time how the thief made off with hundreds of unreleased Michael Jackson songs and videos and the impact that has had on Brad’s personal and professional lives.

He also shares stories from his time working with the King of Pop, explains what it takes to run a touring seminar on the scale of ITSWMJ, and reveals what’s next for Brad Sundberg.

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.

Participants
• Elise Capron
• Jamon Bull
• Shawn Shackelford
• Brad Sundberg

Additional Links
• The “In the Studio with MJ” website and new merch
• Brad Sundberg’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages
• The MJCast 015: Brad Sundberg Special
• The MJCast 142: Reflections on John Barnes Roundtable
• 100% of The MJCast’s content is, and will remain, free. If you enjoy our show, consider a donation to help support us. All donations go directly towards off-setting our costs of running the show: Website hosting, equipment purchases, and more. You can donate any amount via PayPal. Thank you so much for your support!

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

145: Vindication Day Special with Brett Barnes

It is almost thirty years since Brett Barnes last spoke to a journalist. The last time he gave an interview was in 1993, aged eleven, when he took to the airwaves to defend his friend Michael Jackson against allegations that he was a molester of young boys. But the Barnes family quickly learned not to engage with the media when it came to Jackson. Attempts by tabloid reporters to hunt them down after that became so intrusive that they were driven from their home for months. When they went off grid, media outlets instead began offering tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to anybody who was prepared to say they’d seen him behave inappropriately with young friends like Brett Barnes.

Ever since then, ugly, graphic sexual allegations about Jackson and Brett have been published in books, magazines and newspapers and have been broadcast by trashy tabloid TV shows. Rarely, if ever, has anybody sought to fact-check the stories – nor have outlets ever really seemed to care when Brett explicitly refuted them. But for almost three decades, he chose to bite his tongue rather than engage with a media industry that seemed to have its own agenda.

In 2019, Brett – by then happily settled down with his wife and their young children – had his peace shattered by a reality TV show called Leaving Neverland. Strangers on the internet began contacting him to warn him that the show included his name and likeness and strongly insinuated that Jackson had sexually abused him – something nobody involved in making the show had seen fit to inform him of. He immediately contacted its maker, HBO, to strenuously deny the claims and request that they be removed. HBO told him to get lost and the show was sold all over the world, for consumption by millions of people. 

Since then, Brett’s world has been turned upside-down. Aggressive journalists have shown up on his doorstep and told him lies to try to trick him into giving them interviews. He has been harassed and trolled on a constant basis for three years by anonymous social media accounts, accusing him of being a liar, an enemy of abuse victims and a shill for a child molester. 

After three years of relentless abuse, defamation and invasion of his privacy, Brett decided it was finally time to speak out. On May 14th, 2022, he granted Charles Thomson a world exclusive, no-holds-barred interview. No question or topic was off limits. There was only one platform he was prepared to let broadcast it: The MJCast.

For the first time ever, he spoke in depth about his relationship with Jackson, starting from the very beginning and explaining how it evolved over almost 20 years – from witnessing first-hand the 1993 police raid of Neverland Ranch, to testifying at Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, and all the way up to his final conversation with Jackson just days before his death. Along the way, for the first time ever, he had the opportunity to give unequivocal answers to the many allegations which had been published and broadcast about him over the years – a subject which caused him to become emotional on more than one occasion.

The conversation is being released on June 13th, 2022 – the 17th anniversary of the verdicts in Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial.

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.

Additional Links
• Charles Thomson’s article “One of the Most Shameful Episodes In Journalistic History“.
• #TheMJCast133: Vindication Day Special With Carol LaMere
• #TheMJCast103: Vindication Day Special with Larry Nimmer
• #TheMJCast081: Vindication Day Special with Aphrodite Jones
• #TheMJCast058: Vindication Day Special (Pirates in Neverland: The Michael Jackson Allegations)
• #TheMJCast033: Vindication Day Special with Scott Ross
• #TheMJCast010: Vindication Day 10th Anniversary Special with Tom Mesereau

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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

140: Season Seven Christmas Special

Elise Capron, Jamon Bull, Charlie Carter, Charles Thomson and Taj Jackson join forces to celebrate the holidays and reflect on this past year… Welcome to The MJCast’s annual Christmas Special!

Before getting into the bulk of the discussion topics, Jamon breaks the wonderful news that he and his wife Li are expecting Baby #2! The MJCast sends a special congratulations to Jamon, Li and Olivia.

The crew then discuss loads of news updates and developments in the world of Michael Jackson, including a new Jackson 5 music video, never-before-seen Dangerous album cover concept art and “MJ: The Musical” reviews. Conversation then shifts to looking back on the year that was, some of Taj’s unique stories and options MJ fans have when they want to respond to Twitter ‘blue ticks’ who drag Michael.

We would like to give a special thank you to the incredibly professional and hard working Charlie Carter for editing Season Seven of our podcast. Also, thank you to our amazing listeners for all your support throughout the year and hope that you enjoy our episodes coming up in Season Eight! Happy holidays, #MJFam!

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.

Discussion Topics
• The Jackson 5 Christmas song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” has received a new animated music video from Motown.
• Aerial photos of Neverland with new rides have surfaced.
• Mark Ryden has shared never-before-seen early concept art for the Dangerous album cover.
• Polo G has released an original song and video that’s a tribute to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal.
• “MJ: The Musical” review roundups. What seems to be the consensus? New York Times review. Bobby Huntley II review. Show’s cancelled now due to COVID.
• 2021: The year that was
• ‘Blue ticks’ that drag Michael. Should we call them out or starve them of attention? James Hall of The Telegraph tweeted this. Seany and Annika at MJInnocent called it out publicly through quoting it. Andy Healy expressed an alternate response, that of starving the journalist of attention. What’s the right thing to do? Call things out, or not?

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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

139: Invincible 20 Roundtable

Released in 2001, Invincible was the seventh adult, solo studio album from Michael Jackson. Having released HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor in uncharacteristically quick succession, Jackson had then largely retreated from the limelight for four years, appearing only at a handful of awards ceremonies and benefit concerts between 1998 and 2001.

Anticipation in the fan community was high. Appearing at the World Music Awards in 2000, to be honoured for his unparalleled success in the music industry, Jackson had teased in his acceptance speech: “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” But whether the eventual album lived up to Jackson’s hype has split fans for the past two decades.

Invincible would be released in 2001 to a lukewarm critical reception, with many reviewers saying the man dubbed the King of Pop for his trendsetting career was now reduced to following trends instead, bringing in younger artists and lending his vocals to their work. With just two entirely self-penned songs on the 16-track album, Jackson seemed to be something of a passenger on his own album.

With his physical appearance attracting more interest than his art, and coverage of the album’s release unfortunately coinciding with the biggest news event of the century – the 9/11 terror attacks – the album charted well upon release but quickly sank, receiving little promotion from either Jackson or his record label.

By summer 2002, artist and label were locked in a vicious battle, with Jackson accusing Sony of sabotaging the project as part of a racist conspiracy, and the label countering that Jackson’s career had been killed by allegations of child molestation.

So what is Invincible’s true place in Jackson’s legacy? Did it deserve the critical pasting it received? Have the songs aged well? Would they have fared better if they had been released at a different time? In what is bound to be one of the most controversial episodes in this podcast’s history, our panellists (Jamon Bull, Shawn Shackelford, James Alay, John Cameron and Charles Thomson) ask and answer these questions, and many more.

This episode was edited by Jamon Bull.

Participants
• Jamon Bull
• Shawn Shackelford
• James Alay
• John Cameron
• Charles Thomson

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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

138: 30th Anniversary Celebration Roundtable

In 2001, the who’s who of the entertainment industry poured into New York’s Madison Square Garden arena to celebrate the career of Michael Jackson. To mark the 30th anniversary of his solo recording career, Jackson had agreed to appear at two concerts – his first on US soil since January 27th, 1989, and his first with his brothers since 1984.

Produced by Jackson and long-time friend David Gest, the shows would kick off with all-star salute to the King of Pop. Icons taking to the stage to pay tribute included Gladys Knight, Ray Charles, Destiny’s Child, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston and Marlon Brando. Then Jackson and his brothers would reunite to perform their greatest hits, before Jackson closed out the show with some of his most famous solo songs. The rights to the concerts were eventually sold to CBS and it was aired during prime time all around the world. Ratings reached 30 000 000 people in the US alone. Jackson and Gest generated a fortune in profits. The concerts should have been a legendary affair, but all was not well behind the scenes, and this potentially historic event turned into a damp squib.

So what went wrong? Was it a complete write-off? And how do these two shows – the last concerts Michael Jackson ever performed – factor into his legacy? Our roundtable guests get together to ask and answer these questions, whilst sharing their own memories and reflections on the shows.

This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.

Participants
Jamon Bull
Charles Thomson
Vernay Lewis O’Neal
Charlie Carter
Shawn Shackelford

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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

109: Michael Trapson Special

Q and Jamon are joined by fellow Michael Jackson podcaster and host of Moonwalk Talks, Jankins, to interview none other than Dean Morrow Jr., AKA Michael Trapson. Trapson, has been releasing music since as early as 2010, but more recently has evolved into a director, videographer, filmmaker and recording engineer who brings to fruition creative reinterpretations of Michael Jackson as a southern rapper and trap artist, called Michael Trapson.

Catchy, hilarious, provocative and featuring incredible production value, Trapson has released a range of hit songs and videos that have garnered millions of clicks on YouTube. From ‘Billie Jean and I Dab’ and ‘If Michael Jackson Was a Mumble Rapper’ to his most recent work, the phenomenal ‘Trapson EO’, the MJ community just can’t get enough.

In this episode, Q, Jamon and Jankins interview Trapson about his fascinating career, Michael Jackson’s history and the reality of being a Michael Jackson fan in 2019.

Additional Links
• Michael Trapson’s YouTube Channel, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
• Jankins’ Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
• Moonwalk Talks Instagram and Twitter
• Moonwalk Talks on the web, Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• The Jacksons Victory Tour Live in Dallas (1984)
• Trapson EO
• Michael Trapson’s New Vibration (Pepsi Remake 2019)
• TriumphTour1981’s Instagram

Ad & Music Breaks
• Michael Trapson – All This Glow
• Michael Trapson – Go Go EO
• Michael Trapson – New Vibration

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comKeep Michaeling!

099: Leaving Neverland Q&A

As Leaving Neverland continues to reverberate through the Michael Jackson community, many questions have risen to the surface. In this special Q&A episode, Jamon Bull is honored to welcome two experts to the show to answer listener-submitted questions. The MJCast Legal Correspondent, Charles Thomson, along with author, journalist and Friend of the Show, Mike Smallcombe, have both been vital advocates for Jackson during this difficult time, appearing on television interviews as well as publishing articles to spread the truth about these accusations.

Charles and Mike cover a wide range of topics in this special discussion, ranging from the history of the 1993 and 2005 allegations, the facts about Robson’s and Safechuck’s interactions with Michael Jackson and the Jackson Estate, inconsistencies in the Leaving Neverland film, how things might play out with a possible appeal, the effects on Michael Jackson’s legacy, going forward, and much more.

The MJCast team appreciates the overwhelming response in preparation for this episode, which resulted in over 200 submitted questions. They also thank listeners for understanding that not each and every question could be addressed in detail, though they did their best to curate a list which covered all topics. The team hopes that the insights from this episode are helpful, both in terms of listeners’ own understanding of this situation, and in providing guidance and guidelines when speaking to those outside the fan community.

Participants
• Jamon Bull – Co-Host of The MJCast
• Charles Thomson – Award-winning investigative journalist and Legal Correspondent for The MJCast
• Mike Smallcombe – Journalist and author of Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson 

Questions
1. Mercedes Donis (email) – General MJ. Negating the “predator profile.” Can you briefly outline all the differences between EACH accuser and how they show differences in MO?
2. Elsa Anderson (Email) – The 1993 case settlement has sorts of two explanations. Could you shed some light on how they fit together or what is true? Explanation a)The insurance company paid against MJ’s will,which is supported by Mesereau and Scott Ross and was brought into the 2005 trial as a legal document. It’s said to be possible to go against the client’s will, when it’s litigation and the settlement of course was on the litigation charge. Explanation b) It was MJ’s legal team that, after not being able to postpone the civil trial (until after the eventual criminal trial) and especially after Mr. Cochran joined the team, talked MJ into settling and that Cochran made sure the insurance company would pay, before settling. This is supported by Geraldine Hughes – the legal secretary of Rothman and writer of the book Redemption, who also claims an insurance company can’t do anything against their client’s will. Only thing clear is that MJ’s, Cochran’s and Weitzman’s signatures are on the settlement, as leaked to the press, early on in the Arvizo case.
3. @tafattsbarn (Twitter) – Can Thomson explain the alleged match of Jordan’s description of Jackson’s genitalia in 1993? People who believe MJ is guilty are now completely convinced the photos matched even though I know that the narrative before was that it didn’t match. They often reference Dr. Richard Strick and Gary Spiegel as people that confirmed it matched. Moreover, if it did match, then why did the prosecution try to enter it into evidence so late in 2005, only to be declined? Wouldn’t it have been incriminating and so they should’ve entered it earlier?
4. @Devon_DaVinci (Twitter) – I know, I may be in the very small minority, but I feel kind of bad for Jordan Chandler. I know, hear me out. From all of the sources I have studied, which was a LOT. Jordan was dragged into the accusations by his parents and was influenced to stick to it. And even when he went with his dad’s team to meet with Michael and his team, Jordan was described running up to and hugging Michael as if nothing ever happened. After the case was settled he quickly cut contact with his family and I have heard that the main reason was because of what they did to his friendship with Michael. And Jordan has gone out of his way, even leaving the country, to not testify against Michael in court. I know he was barred from talking to the media so that’s why he never made a book or documentary. He was assaulted by his father around the same time he was being asked to go to testify in the 2005 trial. I heard a rumor that the two incidents may have been related. I know this is speculation but what if Jordan is just an MJ fan that go the chance of a lifetime to meet his idol and play and hang out with him, but due to corrupt parents was dragged into a situation that found him now against his Idol and hated by the community he wants to still be apart of? Before you ask, no I’m not Jordan Chandler, lol.
5. @ZoroastersChild (Twitter): On Evan Chandler’s suicide, Geraldine Hughes had said in the Nicole’s View interview on YouTube that she believes he was murdered. Any thoughts on that?
6. @ZoroastersChild (Twitter): Why isn’t Geraldine Hughes invited onto mainstream platforms to speak about the 1993 case?
7. Domna Stavridou (email)- Hello Mike and Charles, thank you so much for doing this! You are such great people! I’m still stuck in something, which I can’t quite understand. Can you please explain once again, after the Martin Bashir documentary, why did Gavin Arvizo and his mother turn their backs on Michael? I still don’t get it. Did his mother force him into it (like Even Chandler did)? Or did they both develop hate? Did they want to destroy Michael just because they felt abandoned and wanted money? What was the reason again? Thank you so much, keep doing what you are going! Many regards from Greece, Domna Stavridou!
8. @tafattsbarn (Twitter) – Is it true that two of the legal art books that were depicting nude boys were found in “a locked filing cabinet in Jackson’s bedroom” as stated by the prosecution and later during Rosibel Smith’s testimony (page 10 onwards)? It sounds pretty suspicious.
9. Martina van der Linden (Facebook): I’d like to know how long Michael’s FBI investigation really was. There are many versions out, from 10 years to 12 years or even 17 years. I know Charles was one of the people who back in 2009 asked for those files to be released, so he might know more about this subject and what kind of investigations the FBI did. I think it’s important to know more about what type of investigations the FBI did in order to get your argument right in case you need it.
10. Caroline Lewis (email) – Hi MJCast!I would love to hear Mike and Charles’ position on Jim Clemente. I’ve heard a few podcasts where he says things like Jordan and Gavin’s experiences completely corroborated; that a computer was seized at Neverland that had the drive completely wiped; and that Jordan was ready to testify at the 2005 trial against Michael. Jim said that Jordan didn’t due to a family illness but that Jordan wanted to pursue a criminal case against Michael if he was acquitted, but ultimate didn’t because of the statute of limitations. Are these points credible/verifiable? Why would a former FBI agent lie? Also are there no implications for him to be going on air discussing Michael molesting Gavin as if it’s fact, when Michael was acquitted of these charges – or do the same defamation laws apply? Thank you both for your hard and thorough work! Best wishes, Caroline.
11. @deepika1038 (Twitter) – Can you tell us what are the inconsistencies between wades own court documents and his Leaving Neverland documentary? Now we know about grand canyon, is there anything else like that?
12. @f861c5b3a4ea4f9 (Twitter) – Also, do you think all the family members are lying? The mothers and also the siblings and the grandmother too? Or are they being lied to too, so they’re reactions are real?
13. @drhajarat (Twitter) – What is the real story about video of [Michael] in disguise shopping for a ring with the young James Safechuck?
14. Debbii Longshaw (Facebook) – Do you think that Dan Reed is actually complicit in all the lies (apart from lack of research) or do they think that like us, he was hoodwinked by Wade & James, and is just another unfortunate pawn in the larger game?
15. @MJJRepository (Twitter) – What is your interpretation of Dan Reed admitting (in the Billboard interview) that the footage from Wade’s “1st take” of telling his abuse story was lost due to his camera breaking? Seems like a convenient excuse to film numerous takes and cherry pick which clips are more believable.
16. @annettaaa (Twitter) – Could you talk about how Dan seems to try sweep important things under the rug and how we are not accusing Wade and James of perjury in 1993 or 2005 (they were telling the truth then) and that when we say they are perjurers it is in their 2012/2013 cases? He always brings that up incorrectly.
17. @KingLeahMay (Twitter): Why are there no updates about what is happening with Wade and James? I find it interesting how *every last* detail about people like Jussie Smollett, or Nipsey Hussle, or R Kelly are leaked to the public but no word on wade and James. they’re literally gone from the scene.
18. @Tina_the_Kitten (Twitter) – Does anybody know when the appeal is going to take place? Any dates of a new court process for James Safechuck & Wade Robson?
19. Simon Clarke (email) – Hi Guys, question: Do you think if Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck lose their appeal, that could change the opinion of those who think Michael Jackson might have abused them? If they win, is it effectively game over for MJ’s legacy?
20. @AngryAngel87 (Twitter): With all of the evidence against them coming out (plus their previously failed lawsuits) do you honestly believe they have any chance with this appeal in a court? Also if this appeal fails, again, do you think that’ll change the current narrative on MJ?
21. Denise Lim (Facebook) – I first saw Mike Smallcombe getting the word out through The Mirror and I know about Charles Thomson on BBC radio. Even with your professions, how challenging was it to get the facts onto these public platforms, given the total anti-MJ climate previously?
22. @TheMJAP (Twitter): My question, mainly for Mike: SO many lies and SO many inconsistencies in Leaving Neverland (compared to trial transcripts). Smoking gun, however, was the train station – tangible, physical evidence of a fraudulent claim. How did you even *think* to investigate it’s build date?
23. @ViolaKl00485493 (Twitter): Can you name any other journalists that you think are doing a great job at scrutinizing the current allegations?
24. @mixinghistory (Instagram): Do you agree that us, the fans, should stop supporting people like Paul McCartney and Ellen after their comments on the film?
25. @SeanJoeFitz (Twitter): Are Michael’s kids able to sue for pain and suffering that this tv show has caused them? This will get these twoguys into court under oath.
26. @wceliam2 (Twitter): You are walking down a street and bump into Wade. What do you say to him?
27. Claudia Sanchez Maureira (Facebook) – There has been a theory in the fan-world that Harvey Weinstein might have financed Leaving Neverland as a strategy to deviate the attention on his own allegations. To me, that theory is a “little bit too much”. Do you know if there are concrete reasons for suspecting this or is it just because there are pictures of Oprah with him on friendly terms that some fans are saying that?
28. Let Mino (Facebook): In the Zeitgeist we are in now, isn’t it true that we *have to* take allegations like that from alleged victims seriously? And serious allegations need serious investigations? At first, we as a society have to take them seriously and then investigate *seriously* to see if they make any sense? If we call alleged victims liars immediately, what does that do to actual victims that didn’t speak out yet? I have no answer, I am just thinking of all the abuse victims that are connected directly to the current discussions…
29. @kustecanja (Instagram) – In your opinion, what are some of the reasons that so many people judge MJ for his eccentricities and call him a weirdo and believe literally every single lie about him, but turn a blind eye when it comes to other celebrities, who are also not perfect?
30. @look.over.your.shoulders (Instagram) – What do you think is the concise yet effective response to people in real life who bring up the documentary or say something negative about Michael regarding these accusations?

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comStay BAD!

Stop Leaving Neverland Now

The 2019 Sundance Film Festival is set to premiere Leaving Neverland later this month. The film is a new two-part 233 minute Dan Reed documentary, focusing on the alleged sexual abuse of Wade Robson and James Safechuck by Michael Jackson.

Following initial confusion around who the subjects of the documentary might be, the website for Reed’s Amos Pictures clearly shows a photo with Jackson and Robson, who testified in Michael Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial as a defence witness, and then later sued Michael Jackson’s Estate claiming he was molested after-all, only to have his case thrown out in 2017. 

A representative for Michael Jackson’s Estate has commented “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson. Wade Robson and James Safechuck [who was Jackson’s companion as a child and sued Jackson’s estate over sexual abuse claims] have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them. Safechuck and Robson, the latter a self-proclaimed ‘master of deception,’ filed lawsuits against Michael’s estate, asking for millions of dollars. Both lawsuits were dismissed. This so-called ‘documentary’ is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations.  It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.”

Join with us in demanding that this production does not go ahead. We must demand that the Michael Jackson estate pursues legal action and shuts this documentary down.

Michael Jackson Estate Co-Executors
John Branca (johnb@ziffrenlaw.com)
John McClain (jmcclain2004@aol.com)

Michael Jackson Estate Attorney
Howard Weitzman (hweitzman@kwikalaw.com)

For sample email text, please feel free to personalise the below.

Dear Sirs,
 
I am writing to implore you to take immediate legal action over a new film accusing Michael Jackson of molesting two boys.

Sundance Film Festival has announced plans to screen a film titled Leaving Neverland, in which Wade Robson and James Safechuck will accuse Michael Jackson of grooming and molesting them over a years-long period. 
These two men, as you know, were behind a lawsuit which the Estate successfully had thrown out of court in 2017.

It goes without saying that in the wake of the #MeToo movement and the move towards trial by media over allegations against celebrities, this film poses the most existential threat to Michael Jackson’s reputation and legacy since his death in 2009.

For roughly the last five years, the Estate has used its vast resources to mount legal challenge after legal challenge to frustrate and delay a lawsuit by Vera Serova over the inclusion of three fake songs on a posthumous album. It has also used its clout to suppress a positive documentary about Michael Jackson’s final photo shoots.

So fans around the world are now questioning why the Estate is not using its power and resources to try to block the release of this extremely dangerous film, which has the potential to completely decimate Michael Jackson’s reputation forever.

In 2017, a campaign by Michael Jackson’s family and fans successfully blocked the release of a film in which Michael Jackson was to be portrayed in a demeaning way by the white actor Joseph Fiennes.

That film was merely insensitive. This film could destroy Michael Jackson’s reputation forever. The Michael Jackson fan community therefore calls upon you to employ every legal resource and avenue available to you to frustrate, impede and sabotage this film in any and every conceivable way. 

Sincerely,

[Insert name here]

Jamon Bull

091: The Rarest of Beards

Jamon and Q are back with their first regular news and discussion episode in quite some time. The fellas kick things off with a bit of follow up around the recent Thriller 3D Roundtable episode and a fun story from Jamon’s recent Awards Night experience for work.

Following this, Jamon and Q delve straight into the news, covering The Jacksons’ upcoming Australian tour, more MJ auctions, a new Netflix show featuring Jackson 5 music and the recent Heal The World demo leak. This is followed by discussion around Taryll Jackson’s new music, Michael’s place atop Forbes’ highest earning deceased celebrities list and Amazon’s new holiday ad campaign. To round out the news, the boys chat about Anthony King’s new book on the Dangerous World Tour and Vincent Paterson’s upcoming charity fundraiser around Debbie Reynold’s Legacy Studio’s floorboards.

The MJCast’s main discussion topic’s this week include 2018’s #RemoveCascioTracksNOW campaign and a new article quoting Sony’s CEO, Rob Stringer, revealing his plans for future Michael Jackson music releases.

Follow Up
• Episode 090 – Thriller 3D Roundtable
• Jamon’s Wellington Point State High School 30th Awards Night experience

News
• 
The Jacksons are set to tour Australia and New Zealand as part of the Summer Series music festival in January 2019
• 
One of Michael Jackson’s wigs is up for auction, as well as a black Bad Tour costume, and collection of drawings and hand written poem of Planet Earth
• 
Jackson 5 classics to be featured in new children’s Netflix show, Motown Magic
• Heal the World demo studio recording leaks
• Taryll Jackson releases a new song titled Next Time
• Michael again tops the list of highest earning deceased celebrities
• 
Amazon’s 2018 holiday campaign is based around the Jackson’s classic track, ‘Can You Feel It’
• 
The MJCast’s Live Performance Correspondent Anthony King has announced his new book ‘Anthony King’s Guide to Michael Jackson’s Dangerous Tour‘ through a YouTube video at Germany’s Olympic stadium in Munich
• 
Vincent Paterson is selling floorboards that Michael Jackson danced on from Debbie Reynolds’ Legacy Studio

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Report surfaces that states no new Michael Jackson albums planned as Sony plans to embrace one off singles model
• 
#RemoveCascioTracksNOW 2018

Finds of the Week
• 
Jamon – Viral Dancer Salif Gueye wows Ellen with his Michael Jackson moves. The video that first caught my attention was this one!
• 
Q – John Cameron’s Musicology Podcast is now available on Apple Podcasts!

Additional Links
• 
The Jacksons LIVE album via Apple Music
• Michael Jackson – Stranger In Moscow via Apple Music
• Janet Jackson – Pleasure Principle via Apple Music

Ad & Music Breaks
• 
The Jacksons – Jackson 5 Medley (Live in Toronto 1984 Victory Tour)
• Michael Jackson – Stranger In Moscow (reeax Progressive Trance Mix)
• Janet Jackson – Pleasure Principle (John Cameron Mix)

Correspondent Appearances
• 
Janneke van der Linden of Jackson Source (Jackson family Correspondent)
• Steven Hodges of MJFFC (Charity Correspondent)
• 
Courtney and Cam of Janet Today, Janet Tomorrow, Janet Forever podcast (Janet Jackson Correspondent)

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
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• YouTube

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.comKeep Michaeling!