Michael Jackson was once the biggest star on the planet, and his music has been hitting the top of the charts once again after the release of the biopic Michael.
The hit film has grossed nearly $800 million in revenue since its release last month, with fans packing movie theaters and, in some cases, standing up and cheering. Videos on social media show moviegoers’ emotional reactions to scenes like the one where Jackson defies his father and chooses to begin his solo career.
The Allegations
And now Netflix is getting in on the action, too. Next week, the streaming giant will release a three-part series on Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial featuring commentary from jurors, courtroom insiders, reporters, and witnesses.
That project is sure to have a different feel than the movie, which ends somewhat abruptly in 1988 during Jackson’s Bad tour and features nothing about the multiple child molestation allegations against Jackson.
Earlier this month, famed criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos, who represented Jackson around that time, joined Megyn in episode 1,315 to discuss his recollection of the case and the credibility of the pop icon’s accusers. 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 allegations from other children claiming to be victims of sexual abuse didn’t stop, and, earlier this week, Megyn read a fascinating new deep dive on some of the long-forgotten moments and details of the 1993 and 2005 investigations into Jackson.
The article by attorney and journalist Andrew Hammel for Quillette is titled “Never Neverland” and explores “the new Michael Jackson biopic and the campaign to whitewash the King of Pop’s reputation.” Hammel revisited how the investigations began, what the search warrants found inside Jackson’s home, the odd relationships Jackson had with several young boys, and more.
The Deep Dive
On Thursday’s show, Hammel joined Megyn to talk about the need to explore all sides of the accusations against Jackson and what he uncovered through his research.
The First Abuse Allegation Against Jackson
A closer look at the Jordy Chandler story that started the questions about Jackson’s relationship with children in 1993, the circumstances of the first civil and criminal case against him, and more.
The Disturbing Bedroom Discovery
Megyn and Hammel discuss a shocking and disgusting discovery during the 1993 search of Jackson’s Neverland compound, evidence of pedophilia, the relevance that Jackson wouldn’t settle at first and went to trial, and more.
Inside Jackson’s Bizarre Marriages
Hammel and Megyn talk about what happened with Jackson from 1993 to 2005, his marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, the damaging Martin Bashir interview that showed disturbing interactions with Jackson’s own children, and more.
How Prosecutors Failed in the 2005 Trial
Breaking down the problems for prosecutors in Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, the significance of his accusers taking monetary payouts, those who haven’t taken money and say Jackson wasn’t an abuser, and more.
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Hammel by tuning in to episode 1,327 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.