094: Harrison Funk Special

This week, just as The MJCast was about to release a surprise episode between seasons, news broke that the Sundance Film Festival was preparing to screen a documentary smearing Michael Jackson as a child molester.

As shockwaves rippled through the fan community and listeners sprang into action, it seemed to be an inappropriate time to release the episode.

The show’s special guest was to be Harrison Funk, renowned entertainment, fashion, and advertising photographer best known for being Michael Jackson’s personal photographer from the early 1980s through the mid-2000s. The interview with Funk had been recorded months ago, and The MJCast team had kept it in the can, ready to release as a special New Year treat for listeners. 

But, upon re-visiting the interview in light of this week’s horrifying news, the timing could hardly be more apt. Harrison spends a great deal of time during his conversation with Jamon Bull and Charles Thomson discussing the false abuse allegations which plagued Michael from 1993 onwards. He speaks movingly about the physical and psychological toll the allegations took on his friend, and how those who loved Michael rallied around him, but watched helplessly as his life and his health slowly fell apart until his eventual death in 2009.

As the media prepares to stick the knife into Michael one more time and give it a sharp twist, this interview with one of Michael’s closest friends makes for a sobering listen.

In addition to the allegations, Harrison discusses the kind of man Michael really was, not the lie Dan Reed, Wade Robson and Sundance are going to try and sell the world. The MJCast and Harrison explore stories around Michael’s process as a live musician, the Victory Tour, the Bad era, Harrison’s love of photography, his fascinating observations as he photographed Teddy Riley​ producing Cascio tracks in the studio and SO much more!

This episode of The MJCast is dedicated to Friend of the Show and fellow MJ podcaster Jordan King of King Jordan Radio, who recently and tragically passed away. We will always be missing you, Jordan.

We hope this episode brings some positivity and truth to an otherwise dark time for MJFam.

Additional Links
• Harrison Funk’s website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• The MJCast – Episode 044: World Music Awards 2006
• Michael Jackson’s 2006 World Music Awards performance
• LIFE Magazine commemorative issue featuring Harrison Funk’s signature photo of Michael Jackson
• The Jackson’s Victory Tour Live in Dallas
• The Jackson’s Victory Tour Press Conference
• The Jacksons – Torture
• The Jacksons – Body
• Michael Jackson – Liberian Girl
• Michael Jackson’s Bad World Tour Live in Yokohama
• Michael Jackson’s Personal Photographer: ‘He Didn’t Identify as One Gender’ – The Guardian article
• Documentary Accusing Michael Jackson of Sexual Abuse to Premiere at Sundance – Rolling Stone article
• Stop Leaving Neverland NOW – The MJCast article

Ads & Music Breaks
• The Jacksons – Torture (12″ Dance Mix)
• Michael Jackson – Stranger in Moscow (SWG Extended ‘Fader A Capella’ Mix)

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!

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
• 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.comMichael on!

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
• 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.comMichael on!

060: The Laura Comedy Hour

Laura Nicholson returns to guest host with Jason and Q, and this time she has the chance to share her fan story! This is followed by a range of news stories, reactions to and our reviews of the Lifetime TV film starring Navi, Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland, details around what you’ll need to send in for an upcoming Q&A episode, finds of the week and some sweet, sweet tunes.

News
• 
Association On The Line is hosting the MJ Music Day event in Paris, France.
• 
New Who Is It concept art has apparently leaked.
• 
Michael Jackson themed Egyptian movie Sheik Jackson is on the way.
• 
Prince Jackson attends the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and presents Drake with the Top Artist Award.
• 
Shana Mangatal has released never before seen footage from the original Ghosts shoot, with an interesting back story around it.
• 
Janet Jackson reportedly set to document divorce, motherhood and more on Netflix special.
• MJ’s nephew, Austin Brown, collaborates with fraudster Eddie Cascio.
• 
Iconic Michael Jackson film from photo sessions needs $500 000 to be developed.
• 
Michael Jackson fan loses home in London’s Grenfell Tower Fire tragedy.
• 
Thriller 3D to be released in the US this summer.
• 
Review of The Jacksons Glastonbury performance from their 50th Anniversary tour
• 
TJ and Frances Jackson launch The Family Rules, a platform with blogs, posts, Q&A videos on marriage, children and family.
• 
Paris Jackson appears in The xx’s new short film, I Dare You.

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Finds of the Week
• 
Jason – How to Make Michael Jackson’s Scream
• Q – Sean Kenneth O’Hara’s HelpHOPELive Kidney Transplant Fund campaign
• 
Laura – Touch of Brass Big Band – Thriller (Arranged by Neil Finn)
• Jamon – “Most Difficult Mix Ever” – Mixing Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Care About Us

Additional Links
• 
Laura Nicholson on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
• The Michael Jackson Estate issues a press release about Lifetime and Netflix MJ films
• 
Jankins of Moonwalk Talks podcast does a terrific in-depth review in his Episode 023
• YouTube review of Searching for Neverland from listener Aaron Clements

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Accents Bring the Sun Remix)
• Michael Jackson – P.Y.T. (The Reflex Revision)
• Michael Jackson – Liberian Girl (Master Chic Mix)
• Jackson 5 – Alpha Bits Commercial
• Michael Jackson – Human Nature (Cover)

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!