Leaving Neverland continues to have reverberations.
In the aftermath of HBO’s broadcast of the documentary, which features two men alleging Michael Jackson sexually abused them as children, producers of The Simpsons have decided to pull a 1991 episode featuring Jackson from all platforms.
It feels clearly the only choice to make,” executive producer James L. Brooks told the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story Thursday. Brooks said he and two other executive producers, Matt Groening and Al Jean, “were of one mind on this.”
Jean confirmed the news when contacted by USA TODAY, saying he agreed with the sentiments expressed by Brooks to the Journal. He declined further comment.
Simpsons reruns are primarily available on TV via FXX, a cable network that owns the rights, and syndication. The episode also will be removed from streaming services and future editions of Blu-ray/DVD sets, a process that will take some time, Brooks told the Journal.
Many celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell, have tweeted their support of Wade Robson and James Safechuk, the two men who accuse Jackson in the four-hour film.
Jackson was a guest star in “Stark Raving Dad,” the acclaimed Season 3 premiere. In the episode, Simpsons dad Homer is briefly committed to a mental institution where he meets a balding, heavy-set man who sounds like Michael Jackson and says he is the famed performer even though he looks nothing like him.
Jackson provided the voice of the character, later revealed to be named Leon Kompowsky, although the singer is listed in the episode credits as John Jay Smith. However, Jackson did not sing the birthday tribute that Michael/Leon and Bart Simpson performed for his sister, Lisa.
When asked why the episode hadn’t been pulled after previous abuse allegations against Jackson, Brooks mentioned his acquittal after a 2005 trial.
Brooks said Dad “was a treasured episode” and one of his favourites, but that there is a need to show compassion for Jackson’s alleged victims.
An earlier Simpsons episode, 1997’s “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” that featured the World Trade Center, was removed from syndication for a few years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
thestar.com
