The Resurrection of Michael Jackson

Overview

This episode explores the record-breaking success of the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, and the yearslong effort by his estate to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation. Journalist Mark Binelli delves into the strategies employed to rewrite Jackson's legacy, the controversies surrounding his life, and the cultural implications of the film's sanitized portrayal of the King of Pop.

Notable Quotes

- In death, Michael Jackson kind of severs himself and all the baggage around him from that beloved music. — Mark Binelli, on the estate's strategy to separate Jackson's controversies from his artistic legacy.

- We choose not to do the hard work of reckoning with the fullness of Michael Jackson. — Michael Barbaro, reflecting on the audience's preference for a sanitized narrative.

- It's powerful stuff. And again, it's a piece of propaganda... but it works in its way. — Mark Binelli, on the effectiveness of the biopic despite its flaws.

🎥 The Biopic as a Reputation Reset

- The biopic Michael is the culmination of a strategic effort by Jackson's estate to rehabilitate his image and capitalize on his music.

- Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson's nephew, Jafar Jackson, the film avoids addressing allegations of sexual abuse, focusing instead on Jackson's rise to fame and his music.

- Early versions of the script controversially portrayed Jackson as a victim of extortion, but legal constraints forced significant rewrites, removing references to abuse allegations entirely.

- Despite negative reviews, the film has been a massive commercial success, grossing $200 million in its opening weekend.

💰 The Business of Image Rehabilitation

- After Jackson's death in 2009, his estate faced $500 million in debt and a reputation in tatters due to allegations of child sexual abuse and financial mismanagement.

- Led by John Branca, the estate launched a series of projects to restore Jackson's profitability, including the concert film This Is It, Cirque du Soleil shows, and MJ the Musical.

- These ventures strategically avoided controversy, focusing on Jackson's music and legacy as a performer.

📺 The Impact of *Leaving Neverland*

- The 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, featuring detailed allegations of abuse by two accusers, reignited public scrutiny of Jackson's legacy during the height of the #MeToo movement.

- The estate responded aggressively, settling with HBO to remove the documentary from its platforms and doubling down on projects that celebrated Jackson's music while avoiding his personal controversies.

🎭 Cultural Reckoning and Audience Choices

- The sanitized portrayal of Jackson in the biopic reflects a broader cultural tendency to separate art from the artist, avoiding the messiness of reckoning with his full legacy.

- Mark Binelli notes that the film's nostalgic celebration of Jackson's music resonates with audiences, many of whom prefer not to confront the darker aspects of his life.

- The success of the biopic underscores the enduring power of Jackson's music and the effectiveness of the estate's calculated strategy to rewrite his story.