092: Humanitarian: The Real Michael Jackson Special

A crucial aspect of Michael Jackson’s life, which is rarely highlighted (and often blatantly ignored), is that of his amazing humanitarian work. While this comes up on The MJCast frequently as a point of discussion, the team is finally taking the opportunity to dedicate a full episode to this important topic. At last, the time is right for a deep-dive chat. Q welcomes to the show megafan and author Paul Dwyer, whose book, Humanitarian – The Real Michael Jackson, has just been published, as well as Friend of the Show and MJ Charity Correspondent Steven Hodges, of Michael Jackson Fans for Charity.

We encourage all of our #MJFam out there to #MakeThatChange!

Additional Links
• Official website to purchase Paul Dwyer’s Humanitarian – The Real Michael Jackson
• The book’s Facebook and YouTube pages
• Michael Jackson Fans for Charity website
• Michael Jackson’s Oxford Union Address
Carnegie Hall/Heal the Kids speech
• A video story behind how Michael Jackson gave Bulief the track “Heal the World”
• ‘Bulief – Heal the World Charity Single’ on Apple Music and Google Play
• Michael Jackson – A True Humanitarian YouTube video
• Steven’s Spotify playlist
• James Bulger’s mum, Denise Fergus, speaks about the “Heal the World” Bulief single and how it’s helping bullied children
• Michael Jackson – We’ve Had EnoughMichael Jackson Fans Australia Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube

Ads & Music Breaks
• 
Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson – Earth Song (Live at 2010’s Grammy Awards) [Michael Jackson – Earth Song on Apple Music and Google Play]
• Youth Artists in USA for Nepal Earthquake 2015 – We Are The World (Michael Jackson – We Are The World on Apple Music and Google Play)
• Bulief – Heal The World

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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.comMichael on!

077: Let’s Make HIStory Special with Brice Najar

Q flies solo today, welcoming returning guest Brice Najar back on the show, along with his wonderful wife, Laetitia Latouche. Brice is well-known in the Michael Jackson community for his books on The Jacksons and the King of Pop, but this discussion is focused on his most recent book, Let’s Make HIStory. Najar’s book goes into detail about the recording of Michael’s brilliant HIStory album. Based around interviews with key collaborators, the book is a comprehensive and fascinating look into the creation of a masterpiece.

Q, Brice, and Laetitia discuss what makes Let’s Make HIStory an important contribution to Michael Jackson literature, why the HIStory era is of particular significance, what it was like to interview collaborators, the process of getting this book published, and surprises that Brice discovered along the way. Brice and Laetitia also talk about MJ Music Day in France, and how that event came together.

Links
• Brice Najar’s website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
• Brice Najar’s books: Let’s Make HIStoryMichael Jackson: itinéraire d’un passionné and The Jacksons: Musicographie 1976 – 1989.
• Michael Jackson’s 1995 Wetten Dass performance
• Michael Jackson’s 1996 Brit Awards performance
• Brice Najar’s interview with photographer Steven Paul Whitsitt
• Brice’s favorite MJ books: Moonwalk, Mike Smallcombe’s Making Michael, • Isabelle Petitjean’s Dangerous – from Mark Ryden to Michael Jackson and Xscape Origins by Damien Shields.
• MJ Music Day and Association On The Line’s website

Music Breaks & Ads
• Michael Jackson – Scream (feat. Janet Jackson) [Dave ‘Jam’ Hall Extended Urban Remix]
• Michael Jackson – Stranger in Moscow (Classic Mix)
• Michael Jackson – They Don’t Care About Us (Uncensored Olodum Cut)

Connect with Us
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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, 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!

071: MJ101 Special: Bad 30

Creator of the free MJ101 eBook series Andy Healy has released his new book, Bad 30, and what a great opportunity for us to explore both the book and the album for our second last episode of Season Three of The MJCast.

Joining returning guest Andy is a new voice for listeners, Chris Lacy. Chris is a lifelong Michael Jackson supporter in more ways than one. His fiery passion for music and dance came from studying Jackson’s artistry while he was growing up on Navy bases. Chris eventually became a dance instructor while learning from Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker of So You Think You Can Dance? fame. His appreciation for Michael Jackson expanded beyond the music when he started battling vitiligo at the age of twelve, a skin condition Jackson also endured. Fortunately, his strong Christian faith has not only helped him with his own struggles but has also inspired him to mentor youth who wrestle with various self-esteem issues. Chris is also a Contributing Writer for Albumism with heartfelt tributes for Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) under his belt, among others.

Andy, Chris, Jamon and Q explore and discuss the tracks on Michael’s critically and commercially acclaimed late 80’s masterpiece Bad. As Andy was lucky enough to see Michael live through witnessing The Bad World Tour in person, we also get to hear his account of this incredible concert, making us all slightly envious!

Links
• MJ101: Bad 30
• The official MJ 101 website and Twitter page
• The Michael Jackson Archives Facebook group
• Chris Lacy’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages
• Chris Lacy’s Dangerous 25 and Bad 30 articles on Albumism
• Chris Lacy’s Jam tribute video
• Annie Leibovitz’ Michael Jackson photoshoot
• Bad short film
• Bad live on the Bad World Tour
• Prince is interviewed about Michael Jackson’s Bad
• The Way You Make Me Feel short film
• The Way You Make Me Feel live on the Bad World Tour
• Moonwalker film
• Speed Demon short film
• Liberian Girl short film
• Just Good Friends footage from Bad 25
• Michael Jackson – Abortion Papers (Song Groove)
• Michael Jackson – I’m So Blue
• Another Part of Me short film
• Another Part of Me live on the Bad World Tour
• Chris Tucker dancing to Another Part of Me in Rush Hour
• Captain EO film
• Man in the Mirror short film
• Man in the Mirror live on the Bad World Tour
• Prince’s Sign O’ the Times album
• Michael Jackson’s 1988 Grammy Awards performance
• I Just Can’t Stop Loving You live on the Bad World Tour
• Dirty Diana live on the Bad World Tour
• The Weeknd – D.D.
• Smooth Criminal short film
• Smooth Criminal live on the Bad World Tour
• Moonwalker video game playthrough
• The MJCast – Episode 064: Vincent Paterson Special
• Leave Me Alone short film
• The Bad World Tour Live in Brisbane (1987)

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Original 1987 television commercial for the Bad album
• Michael Jackson – Bad (Dance Extended Mix)
• Federico Malaman – Speed Demon
• Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror (Instrumental Live Piano Version)
• Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Annie Mix)
• Original 1988 television commercial for the Bad World Tour live in Denver
• Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana (Live in Rome, 1988)

Connect with Us
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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, 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.comMichael on!

057: We Are Not as Young as We Look

With Jamon having selfishly abandoned the show to assist his pregnant wife during childbirth (bastard), Q and Jason are manning the station for Episode 057.

This episode’s news round-up commences with the announcement that Jermaine Jackson has teamed up with MemOrigin to flog a chain of watches. In other news, Janet Jackson is planning her latest tour, the State of the World Tour.

Elsewhere, there are more Paris Jackson updates, a recent performance by Marlon and Tito Jackson and Charles Thomson’s latest update on the lawsuit over the inclusion of the allegedly fake ‘Cascio tracks’ on the first posthumous Michael Jackson album.

Then the boys discuss the trailer for the new Lifetime ‘biopic’ Searching for Neverland and a new MJ tribute video in the vein of Disney’s Maleficent.

Q and Jason announce the winners of our In The Studio with MJ competition and then delve into the show’s main discussion topic; their top ten favourite Michael Jackson songs. Brace yourself – someone has included tracks from Invincible. Yes, really.

Follow Up
• The Taryll Jackson and Breana Cabral episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life has aired
• Pepsi incident timeline – confirmed
• Audio submissions for June 25

News
• MemOrigin has debuted its Jackson Series of watches with Jermaine Jackson’s Jelephant
• 
Janet Jackson announces recommencement of her tour, now retitled the State of the World Tour. Australian waitlist at Ticketek.
• 
Paris Jackson to star in a scene in an Amazon Studios feature film
• 
Paris Jackson reportedly signs major deal with Calvin Klein
• 
Marlon and Tito share the stage in the La Voix Grand Finale episode in Canada
• 
The Cascio Case judge has ruled that Vera Serova will not have to pay Angelikson’s legal fees
• 
The trailer for the Memorial Weekend Lifetime’s new MJ biopic, In Search of Neverland drops
• 
Maleficent video, remade with Michael Jackson songs
• 
Competition draw and winner announcement

Main Discussion Topic
• Andy’s MJ101 challenge – finally. Our Top 10 Michael Jackson songs.

Finds of the Week
• 
Q – Stance iPhone app
• Jason – Michael Jackson – They Don’t Care About Us (A cappella & Looper Cover by Nági)

Additional Links
• 
The Jacksons website and tour information
• 
Dangerous deposition video
• 
In the Studio with MJ
• Tito Jackson’s Tito Time album
• Moonwalk Talks – Episode 014: I Met The Jacksons!!
• Scream A cappella MJ lead
• 
How to make Michael Jackson’s Scream
• Smooth Criminal ‘making of’ footage
• Remember the Time ‘chair’ performance at the 1993 Soul Train Music Awards
• Speechless as performed in Michael Jackson’s This Is It
• Billie Jean A Cappella – version one and version two

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Janet Jackson – State Of The World (United Nations 7″)
• Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror (Haus of Glitch Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Earth Song (London Symphony Orchestra)

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, 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.comMichael On!

055: You’re Muted for Two Weeks

Having grown sick of having to keep interviewing Michael Jackson’s friends and collaborators, Jamon and Q appear on their own this week with a good, old-fashioned news round-up.

The show kicks off with the news that Janet Jackson might be touring again soon, followed by the depressing news that Michael’s former manager Sandy Gallin recently passed away, then the even more depressing news that somebody has decided to perform a cover version Man In The Mirror.

The despair continues with the announcements that convicted killer Conrad Murray has recorded an interview with celebrity quack Dr Oz, Taryll Jackson is to undergo televised counselling on a dubious reality TV show and Britain’s Channel 5 – which previously brought us such marvels as ‘Michael Jackson’s Face’ and ‘When Pilots Eject’ – has produced a new Michael Jackson ‘biopic’. Oh, and a Michael Jackson impersonator has started charging fans to go on holiday with him.

But there are some glimmers of hope. World-renowned biographer J Randy Taraborrelli has broken his vow of silence on Michael Jackson and agreed to update his biography for 2019. Jackie Jackson has given an in-depth interview to the UK’s Times newspaper ahead of the Jacksons’ impending 50th anniversary tour. And Brad Sundberg has announced he will host one of his amazing In The Studio With MJ seminars in Los Angeles in June.

After the news, Jamon and Q argue the pros (tracks 1-5) and the cons (the rest) of the Blood on the Dance Floor album, which, frighteningly, turns 20 this year.

News
• 
Reports suggest Janet Jackson may reschedule her postponed Unbreakable World  Tour
• Sandy Gallin, Michael Jackson’s manager during the Dangerous era, has passed away
• Camila Cabello has covered Man in the Mirror
• Universal Orlando’s new thrill ride Race Through New York has a hidden Michael Jackson Easter Egg
• Taryll Jackson and his wife Breana Cabral are to feature in reality TV show Iyanla: Fix My Life
• Conrad Murray is to appear in a May episode of the Dr Oz show
• A bootleg recording of Michael Jackson’s Ghost of Another Lover has leaked
• Brett Ratner has spoken about his appearance in Michael Jackson’s Private Home Movie TV show
• Biographer J Randy Taraborrelli is ending his vow of silence on Michael Jackson and will update his book for 2019, he has announced on Facebook
• A new documentary, titled Michael Jackson: Man in the Mirror, has aired
• Jackie Jackson has given an in-depth interview to UK newspaper The Times
• LaVelle Smith Jr has released a video of dancers rehearsing new routines for Michael Jackson’s aborted HBO One Night Only concert
• A Michael Jackson impersonator is charging fans to go on holiday with him
• Brad Sundberg has announced 3 Days of MJ from June 26th – June 28th in Los Angeles

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Michael Jackson’s Blood on the Dance Floor album

Finds of the Week
• 
Jamon Bull – Moonwalk Talks’ Episode 022: The Catalogue is Mine
• Q – Bruno Mars impersonating Michael Jackson in 2001

Additional Links
• 
Janet Jackson’s website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
• Janet Jackson’s official photo with Baby Eissa
• Mike Smallcombe’s FacebookTwitter and Instagram
• Mike Smallcombe’s book Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson
• Super Bowl and Michael Jackson: The Story Behind the First Big Halftime Show by Mike Smallcombe
• Photo/list of Michael Jackson’s last recordings
• 
Brice Najar’s book Let’s Make HIStory: An Insight into the HIStory Album
• Christophe Charlot and Antoine Cardinot’s book Travelling With a King
• Katherine Jackson’s restraining order declaration
• Michael Jackson – Blood on the Dance Floor album
• Michael Jackson – Blood on the Dance Floor short film
• Michael Jackson – Blood on the Dance Floor (Refugee Camp Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Blood on the Dance Floor (8mm Version) short film
• The MJCast – Episode 030: Rob Hoffman Special
• Esonic ad
• Michael Jackson – History (Tony Moran’s History Lesson)

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson – Blood on the Dance Floor (SWG Extended Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Stranger In Moscow (Tee’s Light AC Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Is It Scary (New Remix)
• Blood on the Dance Floor UK TV Commercial
• Blood on the Dance Floor German Commercial

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• Facebook
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• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, 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!

051: He’s a Lover, Not a Fighter

On Episode 051 of The MJCast, Q and Jamon are flying solo. The fellas begin the show by discussing follow-up around Sky Arts’ decision to pull the broadcast of their Urban Myths ‘MJ’ episode. After this, news galore! Jamon and Q then talk about Janet Jackson’s baby boy, The Jackson’s 50th Anniversary world tour, a wrap up of Brad Sundberg’s 2017 Aussie In The Studio With MJ tour, Ne-Yo’s tribute to Michael Jackson and some new Nick* remixes. This is followed by discussion around Taika Watiti’s new animated film about Bubbles, Navi as Michael Jackson in Lifetime’s new biopic and all kinds of news around Paris, Prince, Marlon, 3T and Tito. With a brief segue into a legal update from Charles Thomson, the boys then wrap the show with discussion around Neverland’s prospective sale, Thriller and Bad’s recertification and the possibility of a new Jacksons TV show. We hope you enjoy this episode of the internet’s premiere podcast on all things Michael Jackson and the Jackson family.

Follow Up
• 
Sky Arts Urban Myths backlash

News
• 
Janet Jackson gives birth to son Eissa Al Mana
• The Jacksons are embarking on a 50th anniversary world tour in 2017 including a Blenheim Palace UK performance with Kool and the Gang
• In the Studio with MJ Australia tour roundup
• Taking the Stage; Ne-Yo’s MJ tribute
• Nick* has dropped a number of new MJ remixes including Billie Jean (Nick* Redux), They Don’t Care About Us (Nick* Crook County Remix) and Man In The Mirror (Stripped Mix)
• Taika Waititi to co-direct a biopic on Michael Jackson’s chimp Bubbles
• MJ impersonator Navi is set to play Michael in a new Lifetime biopic
• Paris Jackson’s new interview with Rolling Stone and an accompanying podcast around the interview experience
• Paris Jackson’s interview in CR Fashion Book 10
• Paris Jackson signs with IMG Models
• Paris Jackson presents at the 2017 Grammy Awards and Prince Jackson releases a video in support of her
• Prince Jackson continues his charity work with Heal Los Angeles
• Taryll Jackson launches a new trailer for his new musical project
• Marlon Jackson takes part in an interview around fears of Trump presidency negative impacts
• 
Jackson Source has launched the 2016 edition of Jackson Magazine, featuring an interview with Tito Jackson and a range of other Jackson family related stories
• 
Tito Jackson drops new music video for his hit single We Made It
• 3T are to perform at We Love the 90’s festival on August 26th in The Netherlands
• Neverland sale price slashed by $33 000 000
• Thriller and Bad re-certified with record breaking sales figures
• Members of the Jackson family partner with Scout Productions

Finds of the Week
• 
Jamon – Michael Lopez’ brave battle with cancer
• Q – Rockabye Baby – Lullaby Renditions of Michael Jackson

Additional Links
• 
The MJCast: Episode 049 – Season Two Mixtape
• The Jacksons: An American Dream
• The MJCast’s Cascio Case legal documents repository
• Charles Thomson’s websiteFacebook and Twitter pages
• Brad Sundberg’s website and his Facebook and Twitter pages

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 2017 (Bit Error Remix)
• Michael Jackson – Remember The Time (Human ’86 Remix)
• 3T – Sex Appeal (Organized Playas Remix)
• Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror (Groovefunkel Remix)
• Invincible Ad Break
• Thriller 25 Ad Break

Connect with Us
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• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, 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!