The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has been king of the box office since the biopic Michael charting his early life and career hit theaters last month. It has already grossed nearly $600 million worldwide since its April 24 release and is believed to have a legitimate chance to hit the billion-dollar mark.
Audiences are flocking to the film, but it is not without controversy. The movie, which ends before the child sexual abuse allegations leveled against Jackson later in his career, has been accused of sanitizing the star’s tumultuous life.
While an original version of the screenplay apparently addressed the 1993 child molestation lawsuit brought against Jackson, those scenes ultimately needed to be removed. The civil case ended in a confidential settlement, which reportedly included a clause that barred the depiction of the accuser in any TV or film projects. Instead, the reworked script ends somewhat abruptly in 1988 during Jackson’s Bad tour.
That means it also didn’t have to touch the high-profile 2005 criminal trial in which Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Ranch. He denied any wrongdoing and a jury acquitted him of all 14 criminal charges, but the accusations from other children claiming to be victims of sexual abuse didn’t stop.
It is what is not in Michael – the controversy surrounding the allegations of Jackson’s behavior with children – that has re-opened the debate about the pop legend’s legacy and the credibility of his accusers.
The Analysis
On Tuesday’s show, Megyn was joined by one of Jackson’s former attorneys, Mark Geragos, and his In The Well co-host Matt Murphy to discuss his meteoric rise, his singular fame, and the troubling accusations that have lived on since his 2009 death. Keep scrolling for their analysis.
Back in the Spotlight
Megyn and Geragos discuss the impact of the film, how it has renewed the controversy over his legacy, the phenomenon of representing Jackson at the trial, and more.
The Truth About Jackson’s Fame
Geragos and Megyn talk about the abuse Jackson suffered throughout his childhood at the hands of his father, the truth about the completely unique level of fame he achieved, and more.
The Child Abuse Accusations
Megyn and Geragos take a closer look at the various child abuse allegations made against Jackson, why the accusations remain so difficult to assess years later, and more.
Major Questions About Jackson’s Accusers
A closer look at the major questions surrounding the accusers featured in Leaving Neverland documentary, the changing story we’ve heard from them over the years, and more.
The 2003 Interview That Haunted Jackson
Murphy joins Geragos and Megyn to react to the shocking 2003 interview moment in which Jackson talked about his behavior around kids, how the comments fueled public backlash and legal scrutiny, and more.
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Geragos and Murphy by tuning in to episode 1,315 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.