Television Review

In defense of Michael Jackson

by Taylor Kingsbury
Staff Writer

ABC's 20/20 special "Living With Michael Jackson" promised the most intimate look ever granted into the life of the legendary and infamous former pop sensation.

Journalist Martin Bashir spent an unprecedented eight months with Jackson, giving him an opportunity no other media entity has ever had: the chance to present a balanced journalistic study of one of the most intriguing public figures in America.

Unfortunately for the long-beleaguered "King of Pop," the American media has conjured so much sensationalism that most descriptions are unflattering.

Bashir apparently followed the groundwork laid out by his American media counterparts by forgetting the most important aspect of the complex entity known as Michael Jackson: human being.

It's about time someone said something nice about Michael Jackson. So here it is

Jackson has every right to be outraged at this presentation of his life, and Bashir is the lowest form of media scum: a gossip-seeking muckraker in the guise of a professional journalist.

It is apparent that artificial charm was used to disarm Jackson, leaving him off guard as the journalist asked the big questions in the final interview. It is also clear that Jackson developed genuine trust in his interviewer.

Things began rather smoothly, with Bashir inquiring into Jackson's creative process and gaining insight into the artist's performing mindset. However, things took a sinister turn before the first commercial break, when Bashir let his true motives shine through, asking Jackson "You would rather climb a tree than make love?"

Fittingly, the majority of the interviews in the final edit all revolved around Jackson's sex life. Even when showing the pop star surrounded by children who seemed to genuinely adore him, there were strong implications that Bashir sensed impropriety on the part of Jackson.

There was also extended attention paid to the sexual abuse allegations Jackson settled out of court in 1993. Although Jackson was never charged with a crime, he was found guilty by the court of the American public, and Bashir spent time on this topic that was undue. Still, the British journalist seemed to genuinely connect with our citizens, knowing that in America, if there's no new dirt to dig up, we just dig up the old repeatedly.

Bashir also questioned Jackson's parental fitness, and seemed genuinely horrified to meet the pop star's children, who wore elaborate masks during the telecast. If Bashir had any sense of humanity, he might have taken a moment to ponder that perhaps Jackson is smart for keeping his children's faces out of the public eye. By doing this, he is sparing them the public scrutiny he has endured since childhood.

We have put Jackson in a situation where he can do no right, which is why "Invincible," his attempt at a comeback album, was mocked and lauded. Sure, it's not that great, but think about it: could you produce a good essay with your instructor leering over your shoulder inspecting every stroke of your pen? How much harder would it be to know that no matter how good your essay was, you would still get an F?

Because we are so repulsed by Jackson, everything he touches is tainted. When he makes tepid, uninspired Michael Jackson knock-offs, he is criticized and dismissed. Yet, when Justin Timberlake does the same thing, he is met with critical and commercial praise.

Perhaps the most telling moment of the broadcast came when Jackson took his children to the zoo to see a gorilla exhibit. As he gathered at the glass, the camera pulled back, revealing the scene behind his entourage: a huge crowd of onlookers and a frenzy of flashing cameras. As Jackson and his loved ones watched the zoo exhibit, they became one.

Yes, there is something inherently disturbing about a man whose appearance has changed so dramatically denying he did anything to cosmetically assist his metamorphosis. Granted, it is very strange that a man who was black for most of his life has three children with glaringly white skin. And, sure, Jackson did provide two drastically conflicting stories describing the circumstances behind the birth of his third child. But none of that matters. Do you know why?

Because it's none of our freaking business.

The public seems to believe we have the right to know every detail about our celebrities. We want to know who they are having sex with, how much money they make, what their Crib looks like, and every other lurid detail of their lives outside the spotlight. Enough already.

Unless your child is one of the "many children" Jackson admits sharing his bed with, that is none of your business either. You can get grossed out, offended, or merely shocked, but don't forget the key non-sexual reason that children constantly surround Michael Jackson: the guy lives at an amusement park. If you were a kid, you would want to spend the night there too.

Of all our public figures, Michael Jackson has taken the most media abuse. It's time to put a stop to it. From now on, when we think "Michael Jackson", let us think about "Off The Wall," "Thriller," and "Bad," which, despite its horrid cover photo, was still a damn good record.

So America, let's start minding our own business and stop kicking a man while he's down.