Network Pulls Show Over Michael Jackson Controversy
by EG
The UK's Sky network tried to extricate itself from controversy this week by ditching plans to air a controversial episode of its Urban Myths series. The episode had drawn criticism for its casting of white actor Joseph Fiennes to play Michael Jackson, most notably from Jackson's daughter, Paris.
The casting decision caused an uproar when it was announced months ago, but the controversy was reignited this week with the release of a trailer for the episode. The subject of the episode is a fictional car trip taken by Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando after 9/11.
Paris Jackson tweeted on Thursday, "It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting," and that the portrayal of her father made her want to vomit.
On online petition to boycott the series quickly drew tens of thousands of signatures, and Sky took note.
"We have taken the decision not to broadcast [the episode] in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson's immediate family," the network said in a statement. "We set out to take a lighthearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offense."
Fiennes told The Hollywood Reporter last year that he'd had reservations about taking the role in the first place.
"I wrangled with it, I was confused and shocked at what might come my way," he said. "And I knew the sensitivity, especially to Michael's fans and to Michael's family."