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!

072: Season Three Christmas Special

Once again it’s time for Jamon and Q to wrap up the current season of The MJCast podcast, have a little break to recharge, and then come back with our next season in the new year. Without you all tuning in to our little podcast, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do, so thank-you for listening!

Jamon and Q start this episode with a wrap up of the past year at The MJCast and it’s been a big one! They share their favourite moments as it proves too hard to pick just one each.

The boys then offer their final news segment for 2017, covering Paris Jackson’s covershoot and interview for L’uomo Vogue, the recent trademark filings of the Michael Jackson Estate and 2018 concert date announcement for 3T in Italy and France before hearing directly from Jackson Family Correspondent Janneke of Jackson Source about Jermaine Jackson sharing the stage with his sons Jaafar and Jermajesty. Jaafar Jackson also features in the current issue of D’Scene magazine. Wrapping up 2017 news, the fellas cover the recent announcement that The Estate and Sony have extended their business partnership results in an expected response from MJ fans the world over and the newly released Blood on the Dancefloor X Dangerous extended mix. Ending on some good news, Jamon and Q explore the latest development in the Wade Robson molestation allegation court case, which has resulted in a dismissal!

Our Season Three highlights reel features clips from our special episodes this year, with appearances by Tito Jackson, Michael Prince, CJ DeViller, Remixed by Nick*, Ryan Michaels and Charles Thomson, Isabelle Petitjean, Brice Najar, Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett, Vincent Paterson, Hector Barjot, Joseph Vogel, Ola Ray, and most recently, Andy Healy, and Chris Lacy. Then, what’s next for The MJCast? Jamon and Q drop some hints!

Again, thank-you for your support and listenership of The MJCast, it’s been a heck of a ride this year, but we appreciate you being with us for the journey, and look forward to bringing you a new season in 2018. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, and best wishes for a wonderful 2018 new year!

Follow Up
• 
Year in review
• 
‘How Michael should be remembered’ segment now shifting to June 25th episodes

News
• 
Paris Jackson follows in her father’s footsteps and works with L’uomo Vogue for a photoshoot
• Michael Jackson’s estate files a trademark application for the phrase “Neverland Ranch” for a number of entertainment services, including a museum
• 
Apple’s CEO & founder Steve Jobs loved listening to Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean while doing photoshoots, according to former publicist
• 
3T are set to perform live in Naples on Michael Jackson Day 2017 and Paris, in September of 2018
• 
Jermaine Jackson performs with sons on stage in the Netherlands at the Max Proms event
• 
Exclusive interview with Jafaar Jackson in D’Scene Magazine
• 
Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Music extend partnership
• Listen to an extended version of the Blood on the Dance Floor X Dangerous (The White Panda Extended Mix)
• 
Wade Robson’s child molestation allegations have been thrown out of court by Judge Beckloff

Season Three Highlights
• 
Episode 050 – Tito Jackson Special
• Episode 052 – Michael Prince Special
• Episode 054 – CJ DeVillar Special
• Episode 058 – Vindication Day Special (Pirates in Neverland: The Michael Jackson Allegations)
• Episode 059 – June 25th Special with Isabelle Petitjean and Brice Najar
• Episode 061 – Jonathan ‘Sugarfoot’ Moffett Special
• Episode 064 – Vincent Paterson Special 
• Episode 065 – Hector Barjot Special
• Episode 067 – Joseph Vogel Special
• Episode 068 – Thriller Night Special with Ola Ray
• Episode 071 – MJ101 Special: Bad 30

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Jackson 5 – Up on the House Top (DJ Spinna Re-Edit)
• 3T – I Need You (Christmas Mix)
• Jackson 5 – Someday at Christmas (Stripped Mix)
• La Toya Jackson sings Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer

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!

062: They Didn’t Need an Expert to Say That

Jamon is back from his paternity leave, rejoining Q to co-host Episode 062 after a few months off. They are joined by recurring guest host and legal correspondent Charles Thomson, plus lifelong MJ fan Angela Kande. Charles and Angela discuss their recent visits to Santa Maria, Forest Lawn and the Jacksons’ 50th Anniversary Tour, before helping Jamon and Q dissect all of the latest MJ and Jackson family news.

After the news, Jamon and Q first delve into Angela’s fan story, where she shares some of her most vivid memories from the ‘frontline’ of MJ fandom in the 1990s and 2000s. In addition to attending the HIStory Tour in 1997 and the World Music Awards in 2006, Angela spent time at Michael’s hotels and other places he visited during his trips to the UK. She recalls the lows (like witnessing a photographer assault Michael outside a recording studio) and the highs (like bagging a seat right behind Michael at a London theatre) of her time spent in Michael’s orbit. She also discusses the origins of her spoken word poem ‘Legacy’, about the impact of Michael’s death on his fan community.

The hosts then turn their attention to Charles. Despite first appearing on the MJCast in Episode 002 and having been a frequent contributor ever since, Jamon and Q recently realised they had never asked Charles some of the key questions they usually ask guests during their first appearances on the show. What begins as a simple interview about Charles’ favourite songs, albums, videos and concerts turns into an emotional discussion about what Michael means to his fans – and the wider world – and how the fan community must fight for his legacy as his Estate allows it to crumble.

This episode marks Angela’s first ‘live’ appearance on the MJCast, although she did appear as one of Charles’ interviewees in his World Music Awards 10th Anniversary Special last year.

News
• 
Michael’s Estate announces a one-off cartoon, ‘Michael Jackson’s Halloween’, featuring ‘reimagined’ versions of his music.
• 
A 3D version of Thriller, plus the Making of Thriller documentary, are to be shown at the Venice Film Festival.
• 
Producer Teddy Riley, a major contributor to Michael’s Dangerous album, discusses his time in the studio with Michael in a new two-and-a-half interview.
• 
Remixed by Nick* has made a large number of his Michael Jackson remixes available for download.
• 
Jimmy Safechuck’s posthumous demands for money over alleged abuse by Michael have been thrown out of court by a judge, and Wade Robson’s case looks set to follow.
• 
Quincy Jones has been awarded more than $9million by a jury after he sued the Michael Jackson Estate for underpaying him.
• 
An attempt by Frank Cascio to auction a CD of fake Michael Jackson songs for upwards of $50,000 has been called off – but the disc remains available for private sale.
• 
Jermaine Jackson performs at the grand finale of BBC talent contest Pitch Battle.
• 
Michael Jackson’s Thriller has been used as the soundtrack to the new trailer for Stranger Things – Season Two, after producers were eventually able to secure the rights.
• 
Michael Jackson’s Estate has granted Sony, a company Michael despised, continued permission to control the licensing of his music.
• 
New transcripts from the class action lawsuit over the release of fake Michael Jackson songs reveal a judge has accused lawyers for Sony, MJJ Productions and the MJ Estate of throwing their co-defendants under a bus by conceding they may have been duped into selling bogus material.
• 
Michael’s son Prince has produced a music video for Swedish singer Nano.
• 
Filmmaker Spike Lee has announced his latest Brooklyn Loves MJ street party.
• 
The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles has added new Michael Jackson exhibits to its collection.

Main Discussion Topic
• 
Angela and Charles’ fan stories

Additional Links
• 
MJFFC Global Birthday Party
• Charles previously discussed elements of his fan story in Episode 039, with fellow guest Sam Habib.
• 
Michael’s circular moonwalk on the Victory Tour.
• 
Angela Kande’s spoken word poem ‘Legacy’.
• 
Angela’s previous MJCast appearance, in Episode 44 – The World Music Awards 2006 10th Anniversary Special.
• 
Angela’s Twitter page.

Music Breaks & Ads
• 
Michael Jackson’s Perfume/Cologne Commercial
• BJ Griffin & Jason Brown – The Way You Make Me Feel Cover
• Michael Jackson – Midnight Groove
• Miles Davis – Human Nature
• Michael Jackson – With a Child’s Heart (Stripped Mix)

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!