129: Talitha Linehan Special

The MJCast is delighted to announce that its first show after International Women’s Day 2021 is also its first ever all-female episode! Vibrant duo Talitha Linehan and Talin MacArthur join host Elise Capron for a special episode about Talitha’s recently published memoir, A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Michael Jackson and Me, as well as both of their amazing fan experiences, and the final years of Michael Jackson’s life. Talitha is a writer originally from County Cork, Ireland, and has lived in the United States since 2005, currently residing in Los Angeles. Her memoir details the 13-year period during which she traveled all over the world to see Michael, including seeing 17 HIStory Tour concerts, meeting him all over the world, attending the 2005 trial, visiting Neverland Valley Ranch, and becoming a daily presence around him during his final years. Talin, who lives in Pasadena, California, is a close friend of Talitha’s, and was part of the small group of fans who saw Michael Jackson frequently from 2008-2009. Talin had her own amazing experiences as a young fan, as well, having attended the 1993 Super Bowl, and the filming of “Will You Be There”. This in-depth discussion gives amazing insights into what it was like to be a true mega-fan and “follower”, into Michael Jackson’s relationship with his fans, and provides invaluable perspective on The King of Pop’s state of being during his last, tragic days—a time which, for many fans, is still shrouded in mystery and conjecture.

Additional Links
• Purchase Michael Jackson and Me here.
• Talitha’s Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
• Talin MacArthur’s Instagram page.
• This Is Not It testimonies.

Sponsors
• Custom Paint by Joel845. Joel, our favorite Desert Viking, creates incredible custom motorcycle fuel tanks, and more! Plus, check out his brand new merch shop.
• The MJCast’s official shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our merchandise.

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

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. Stay BAD!

124: Travis Payne Special

Travis Payne, one of Michael Jackson’s most significant, long-time collaborators, joins host Jamon Bull for a very special interview. A world-renowned choreographer, director, and producer, Payne worked closely with Jackson beginning in the “Dangerous” era, all the way until Jackson’s tragic passing in 2009. Over the course of his career, Payne has been honored with the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography four times, and is the recipient of a wide range of other nominations and awards, many of them related to his work on seminal Jackson projects, such as “Dangerous”, “Scream”, and “Ghosts”. Payne toured with Jackson on the “Dangerous” and “HIStory” World Tours, and was involved in many special performances as well, including the phenomenal 1995 MTV Music Video Awards and the ill-fated HBO Special, “One Night Only”. In 2009, Payne was brought on board as Choreographer for “This Is It”, working directly alongside Jackson and Kenny Ortega to conceive of the much-anticipated comeback concerts. After Jackson’s passing, Payne was extensively and intimately involved in the making of the “This Is It” film, serving as its Associate Producer.

In this in-depth discussion, the guys chat about Payne’s experience working with the King of Pop, choreographing some of music history’s most iconic videos, and getting to know MJ well over the course of many years. Plus, Payne gives frank insights into the “This Is It” era—a time which still remains shrouded in mystery and controversy for many fans.

Additional Links
• Travis Payne’s TwitterInstagram and website.

Sponsors
• Crack Corn – Delicious premium puff corn.
• The MJCast’s official shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our merchandise.

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

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!

122: Eddie Garcia Special

Eddie Garcia joins host Jamon Bull for an incredible discussion in celebration of the King of Pop’s 62nd birthday. A world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and director, Eddie exploded onto the scene at just 16 years old, when he was hired to dance in several of Janet Jackson’s most iconic music videos. A year later, Michael Jackson hand-picked Eddie to join his team, bringing him on to perform in short films such as ‘Smooth Criminal’, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and ‘Speed Demon’. Eddie also spent five years traveling the world as a principal dancer for the ‘Bad’ and ‘Dangerous’ world tours, and appeared on stage for Jackson’s Superbowl performance. In addition to working with Jackson, Eddie has collaborated with a wide range of superstars over the years, including Jennifer Lopez and Paula Abdul, and has appeared on stage and screen. He also directs a summer camp for young dancers.

In this deep-dive chat, the guys discuss Eddie’s memories of being hired by the King of Pop, appearing in some of the most famous music videos ever made, performing on stage with Jackson, and much more. Eddie also drops a couple of exclusive stories that are sure to get even the most hardcore Michael Jackson live performance aficionados speculating.

Additional Links
• Eddie Garcia’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages.
• Camp Me’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube pages and website.
• Be sure to check out MJ Radio‘s original interview with Eddie in Spanish. We’re proud to have partnered with MJRadio for this dual language release in honor of Michael’s birthday.

Sponsors
• Instacart – Convenient, inexpensive, and reliable same-day personal shopping for U.S. and Canada-based #MJFam.
• The MJCast’s official shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our merchandise.

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

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!

118: Steven Paul Whitsitt Special

Steven Paul Whitsitt joins host Jamon Bull (and launches The MJCast’s #HIStory25 celebration) for a deep-dive discussion about Steven’s incredible experience as the King of Pop’s personal photographer. Growing up near Detroit, the music of Motown had a huge influence on Steven’s life from an early age and shaped his career as a photographer and photojournalist. He has shot album covers, music video stills, and concerts for many iconic musicians, including, Steve Miller, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and Willie Nelson. Steven has also published his work in a wide range of internationally well-known magazines. But his most memorable music industry experience was as Michael Jackson’s personal photographer. During their years working together, he shot publicity portraits and stills for the “Scream, “Childhood” and “You Are Not Alone” videos, as well as single covers. Michael entrusted Steven to work with him on capturing a range of events, including private moments. Plus, The Official Michael Jackson Opus features Steven’s photography.

The guys discuss how Steven got into photography, how he came to work with Jackson, what it was like during the HIStory studio sessions and the “Scream” video shoot, as well as Jackson’s personal photography preferences, Steven’s insights into Jackson as a person, and much, much more.

Additional Links
• Steven Paul Whitsitt’s main website, fashion website, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Selected, professional-quality Michael Jackson photography available for a limited time through Steven’s online shop, in collaboration with MJ Music Day. Please note: These photos are formatted for European standard sizing. If you are based anywhere other than Europe and are interested in purchasing a photo, contact Steven in advance so that he can adjust the print size.

Ad Breaks
• Audible – Great audiobooks.
• The MJCast’s official shop. Support The MJCast and Michael Jackson all at the same time by buying some of our merchandise.

Connect with us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

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. Stay BAD!

115: Kevin Dorsey Special

Welcome to Season Six of the The MJCast! In this special episode, Jamon Bull puts the focus back on the music with an interview featuring Kevin Dorsey, who worked with Michael Jackson for twenty-five years as his Vocal Director, Assistant Music Director and one of his background vocalists. In addition to lots of positive stories, we deep dive on two of the most topical issues amongst fans, Michael’s ever increasing reliance on lip syncing and the mysterious months leading up to his death. This is a topic Kevin is particularly well placed to speak on as he was suddenly and inexplicably let go by This Is It’s tour promoters after completing the task of assembling the live band. Kevin also goes into detail about his early career, how he initially came to work with the King of Pop and what is was like to tour together.

The MJCast team is excited for the season to come. Thank you for joining us!

Additional Links
• Kevin Dorsey’s Facebook page

Ad Breaks
Crack Corn – Ridiculously delicious puff corn
The MJCast Shop

Connect with Us
TheMJCast.com
Facebook
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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!

100: Brad Buxer Special

To celebrate The MJCast’s 100th episode, Jamon and Q put the focus back on music and welcome a particularly special guest, Brad Buxer. Buxer was one of Michael Jackson’s key artistic collaborators, who worked with Jackson for 20 years, from the Dangerous album onwards, and who would become one of his closest producers, musicians, and songwriters. Along with Michael Prince, there was no one else who Michael Jackson trusted more to capture his most personal creative visions.

The guys dive into an incredible, in-depth discussion with Buxer about his early life and music career working with icons such as Stevie Wonder, how he first came to work with Jackson, what it was like creating the Dangerous, HIStory, Blood on the Dance Floor, and Invincible albums, his role as Musical Director for both the Dangerous and HIStory World Tours, the experience of playing music and writing songs with Jackson, insights into Jackson’s life as a father, details about working together in the final years of Jackson’s life, his thoughts on unreleased tracks, and much more.

In addition, The MJCast is honored to have received many congratulations from previous guests on the show, whose audio snippets are included in this episode.

It’s been an amazing run so far, and incredible to watch the show evolve and grow. The MJCast team couldn’t be prouder to be well into Season 5. Jamon, Q, and Elise want to thank each and every listener, supporter, guest, and friend who has been part of this experience. We look forward to our next 100 episodes!

Additional Links
• “Brad, what are you gonna do?” clip.
• Michael Jackson beatboxing clip collection.
• Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour Munich 1997 concert footage.
• Michael Jackson and Friends charity concert, Germany.
• “A Night at the Apollo” Democratic National Convention performance.
• “Blood on the Dance Floor” official video.
• Michael Jackson interview with Geraldo Rivera.
• “In the Back”, from The Ultimate Collection.

Music Breaks
• Michael Jackson – Heal the World (7″ Edit)
• Michael Jackson – Dangerous (Live From A Night at the Apollo, 2002)
• Michael Jackson – Days In Gloucestershire (Demo)

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• 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!

070: Nobody Gonna be Payin’ Us

Q and Jamon are back in the saddle and ready to discuss all things Michael Jackson and the Jackson family! The fellas kick things off with some discussion around a previously unseen version of the Victory album cover, Michael’s influence across the hip-hop genre, Tito Jackson’s interview around unreleased Michael music and a recent Dee Dee Jackson Foundation and Heal Los Angeles Fundraiser. Q and Jamon then delve into the new Blood on the Dancefloor X Dangerous (The White Panda Mash-up) remix, Paris Jackson’s Melbourne Cup visit, Janet’s State of the World Tour and Out100 Gala appearance and Austin Brown’s new EP Canyon Sessions. To round out the news, the boys update listeners on Katherine Jackson’s position as guardian of Bigi ‘Blanket’ Jackson, Mike Smallcombe and Andy Healy’s book announcements and the Dangerous World Tour (Live in Oslo) leak. The main discussion topic for this episode is all around Q and Jamon’s thoughts on the CBS TV special Michael Jackson’s Halloween.

P.s. We apologise for the audio issues on Jamon’s vocal throughout this episode. He needs a new mic chord!

News
• 
Michael Whelan, illustrator of the Victory album cover, has revealed two early concepts for the design
• MJ’s influence across hip-hop video
• Tito Jackson gives an interview around unreleased Michael Jackson music
• Dee Dee Jackson/Heal Los Angeles fundraiser event takes place at Hayvenhurst for Halloween
• Sony have released a new mash-up video for Blood on the Dance Floor X Dangerous (The White Panda Mash-up)
• Paris Jackson visits Australia for the Melbourne Cup and suffers terrible treatment by Australian media, and also some great media here, here and here.
• Janet Jackson attends official LA #SOTW Tour after-party and performs at Hollywood Bowl with Jackson’s in attendance. Reunites with previous dancers for If, Scream & Rhythm Nation medley.
• Janet Jackson honoured with the 2017 music icon award at the Out100 Gala
• Austin Brown releases a new EP titled Canyon Sessions
• Katherine Jackson resigns as guardian of Bigi Jackson
• Mike Smallcombe is set to release a revised version of Making Michael
• Andy Healy’s Bad 30 101 is available for download
• Michael Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour (Live in Oslo, 1992) has leaked
• LaVelle Smith Jr shares footage of Michael’s 2002 “A Night at the Apollo” lip-synced performance of Heal the World
• Stance launches official Thriller socks range
• Director John Singleton shares memories of working with Michael
• Jermaine Jackson performs on Dutch TV show Tijd voor MAX as well as engaging in some interviews while in the Netherlands.

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Michael Jackson’s Halloween

Finds of the Week
• 
Q – Sammy Davis Jr. Sings Michael Jackson’s Bad
• Jamon – Michael Jackson – You Are Not Alone (Full Length Mix)

Additional Links
• 
Moranbah. Where Jamon lives.
• 
Did Prince Cause The Jacksons to Remove Dove from Victory Album Cover?
• Michael Jackson at HOT 97’s Summer Jam with Jay-Z in 2002
• The Notorious BIG – Unbelievable
• The Jackson’s Legacy book

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (BlkPanther SOLO Orchestral Mix)
• Janet Jackson – No Sleeep (Even When You Sleep ’86 Remix)
• Moonwalk TV ad
• Michael Jackson – Workin’ Day and Night (Live in Oslo, 1992)

Connect with Us
• 
TheMJCast.com
• 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!

066: Long Hair Don’t Care

This episode of The MJCast is dedicated to the victims of the September 19th Central Mexico Earthquake, which has killed more than 300 people to date and those who are suffering in hurricane ravaged Puerta Rico. You can pitch in here and here respectively. A massive recovery effort is underway in Mexico City and Puerta Rico. The MJCast wishes host of The MJCast en Español Ale Huerta and her friends and family all the best…

It’s nearly Halloween and, aptly, John Branca has coughed and spluttered back into action to gift us with a trio of new projects. The first is a compilation CD of songs that are Halloween-themed and also of songs which aren’t Halloween-themed. The tracklist includes Ghosts, Thriller, Torture… and Dirty Diana and Scream.

The second new project, given a preview at Comic Con in New York, is a cartoon about a jeri curl-sporting dog set to ‘reimagined’ Michael Jackson songs. The third is a 3D conversion of Thriller which featured the wrong music at its London premiere.

Two of these peak Michael Jackson Estate offerings – the CD and the new version of Thriller – were launched in recent weeks with a series of invite-only fan parties. After screening the music videos for several of the songs on the CD, John Branca and John Landis teamed up for some Q&As. So fans were treated to the sight of an unconvincing plastic dummy serving as a proxy Michael Jackson. They also saw the Torture video.

Co-host Charles Thomson and friend of the show Paul Black appear on this episode to discuss these latest Estate releases after Jamon and Q’s round-up of all the hottest news.

News
• 
Michael’s Aviator sunglasses have been reimagined after 35 years.
• 
3T have performed at the We Love 90s Festival in the Netherlands.
• 
A series of projects have taken place to mark 30 years of the Bad album, including The MJCast en Espanol’s first roundtable episode, a new article by Albumism and a new MJ101 eBook by Andy Healy.
• 
Some new footage has leaked from the Dangerous Tour in Copenhagen.
• 
A new HIStory Tour concert, from Johannesburg, has leaked.
• 
A new audio documentary has been released about Janet Jackson’s work with Jam & Lewis.
• 
Janet Jackson has kicked off her State of the World Tour in Houston and visited homeless shelters for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
• 
Paris Jackson has been announced as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation.
• 
ABC 20/20 has aired a documentary about the murder of Tito Jackson’s ex-wife Dee Dee, about which her sons – 3T – are unhappy.
• 
London’s National Portrait Gallery has announced an exhibition of artwork inspired by Michael Jackson, to be held in summer 2018.
• 
Behind the scenes footage of Nahko Bear’s new music video, featuring Paris Jackson, has been released.
• 
Taryll Jackson has released Start It All Over Again.
• 
Chart Masters has published an article detailing how many units the Thriller album has actually sold.
• 
A collector claims he has a rare copy of Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker Sega game, featuring Thriller.
• 
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, CEO of the Alibaba Group, has performed some Michael Jackson dance moves.

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Sony and the Michael Jackson Estate have marked the release of a new Michael Jackson compilation CD with a series of fan parties, featuring screenings of Thriller 3D.

Finds of the Week
• 
Jamon – Annemaree Latour’s article; ‘Scream’ Shows that the Michael Jackson Estate Needs to Raise the Bar
• Q – Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker – Sega Genesis (Angry Video Game Nerd Episode 63)

Additional Links
• TDR Explorer Podcast
• Anthony King’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages
• 
Michael Jackson’s What More Can I Give video
• Michael Jackson’s Todo Para Ti video
• Michael Jackson thanking people for making Todo Para Ti
• 
Janet Fresno’s Janet Jackson concert review
• Janet tour footage one, two and three
• Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable album
• Janet Jackson’s upcoming tour dates
• Karen O’Halloran’s Facebook page and MJ Book Club Twitter page
• Michael Jackson’s Scream album
• Michael Jackson’s Ghosts short film
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller short film
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller album
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller 25 album
• Martin Nessi’s interview on creating the sound mix for Thriller 3D
• 
Michael Jackson’s ThrillerCast podcast
• JD’s Twitter and YouTube accounts

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson – Todo Para Ti
• 
Janet Jackson – Night/Dammn Baby (JRay Remix)
• Michael Jackson – Thriller (SWG Extended Mix)
• Grover Washington Jr – I Can’t Help It
• Original TV ad for Michael Jackson’s Thriller album
• 
Michael Jackson announces Thriller 25
• 
Thriller 25 TV ad

Connect with Us
• TheMJCast.com
• 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!

065: Hector Barjot Special

Hector Barjot has been a Michael Jackson fan for more than thirty years and started his MJ memorabilia collection in 1988. He now has one of the biggest collections in the world. From dolls to cuddly toys to rare vinyl pressings – you name it, he has it.

Based in France, Hector is the co-author of the Ultimate Collector book series and also runs a successful YouTube channel about his MJ rarities. His videos have amassed more than 150,000 views to date.

Today he joins Q and Jamon to tell them how he became a fan, what sparked his obsessive collecting and whether he regrets any of his purchases.

Links
• 
Hector Barjot’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
• French television coverage of Michael Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour live in Paris
• Michael Jackson – They Don’t Care About Us (HIStory World Tour live in Paris)
• Michael Jackson France
• Richard Lacocq’s MJDataBank.com and Invincible Magazine
• Hector Barjot’s Destiny jacket episode (S2-EP22)
• Hector Barjot’s Steven Whitsitt interview (S2-EP20)
• Hector Barjot’s video with Diana Walczak (S1-EP4)
• Steven Whitsitt’s Michael Jackson photographs
• Hector Barjot’s video on Michael Jackson’s Signature Series CD’s and Cassettes (S2-EP1)
• Hector Barjot’s videos on fake signatures and bootlegs (S2-EP24 & S2-EP27)
• Michael Jackson – Liberian Girl
• Michael Jackson’s 1988 Grammy Awards performance
• Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
• Black and White Magazine
• Hector Barjot’s Smile vinyl video (S1-EP1)
• Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collector Books Facebook page
• Hector Barjot’s HIStory World Tour MJ-2040 spaceship video
• Noboyuki Momose’s YouTubeFacebook and Instagram pages
• Hector Barjot’s video interview with Brice Najar (S2-EP4)

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
The Jacksons – Keep on Dancing (Live at Musikladen, 1977)
• Duo Alve – Black or White
• Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Louis La Roche Remix)

Connect with Us
• 
TheMJCast.com
• 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.comMichael on!

Episode 036 – The Other Bernie Sanders

Episode 036 - The Other Bernie Sanders Show Art

Episode 036 of The MJCast is dedicated to Scott Devlin who recently passed away after a brave battle with cancer. We hope you are at peace now, Scott. Our thoughts are with your family. Michael-on forever, our MJ brother…

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Ale and her friend Marisa with Michael Jackson collaborators Brad Buxer, Michael Prince, Brian Vibberts and Brad Sundberg at the recent MJU experience.

Jamon and Q are joined by Mexican mega-fan Ale Huerta to cover all the latest MJ news. Jamon, Q & Ale kick things off by talking about The MJCast’s recent interview with The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies, Sean Lennon’s bizarre new song  which references Michael Jackson’s relationship with Bubbles the chimp and Janet Jackson’s new photoshoot for Emirates Woman. Following this, the group discusses Susan Fast’s book Michael Jackson’s Dangerous (33 1/3) winning a major literary award, the new Omer Bhatti and Prince Jackson music video for Automatic and new music by Taryll Jackson of 3T. Next, Sony Music Japan’s re-release of Michael Jackson and The Jackson’s music catalogue on Blu-Spec CD 2, the Cascio family are back at it again with unreleased MJ music being auctioned off and blockbuster developments in the case that Eddie Cascio is named in. The group also discuss a range of new seminars and conventions coming featuring Michael Jackson collaborators such as LaVelle Smith Jr., Bruce Swedien and Vincent Patterson before moving into talking about a range of new photo, music and video leaks featuring Michael Jackson. The major discussion topic for this week is all around Ale’s recent trip to Brad Sundberg‘s MJU seminars, Michael’s final resting place at Forrest Lawn and Neverland Valley Ranch.

News

Main Discussion Topic 

  • Ale’s recent trip to Brad Sundberg‘s MJU experience, Michael’s final resting place at Forrest Lawn and Neverland Valley Ranch. You can also see video from the trip here and here.

Finds of the Week

Additional Links

Music Breaks & Ads

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Tumblr.
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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.comKeep Michaeling!

Mary Elizabeth Frye Poem