In light of Mr. Jackson's recent death, it bears remembering this peculiar special, which aired on ABC and Vh1 about six years ago. This has to have been one of the largest PR disasters ever in the history of entertainment. It is my understanding that Michael Jackson wanted to use this special as an opportunity to rehabilitate his public image, in light of the accusations made against him of child molestation and his criticism of Sony for failing to promote his most recent album. It seems every rumor and criticism about Jackson has some basis in reality, according to what we see in this special. This ranges from his penchant for spending gobs of cash on art and luxury items, to making his children wear veils, ostensibly to protect their identities. He denies all accusations of extensive plastic surgery, but admits to letting children stay for sleepovers (he argues that the sleepovers are nothing more than benign slumber parties, like any children would have with one another). Jackson's personal idiosyncrasies are laid naked for all the world to see, and the result is nothing short of saddening and pitiable.
Bashir seems kind of slimy, first trying to gain Jackson's trust then pouncing on him with questions about his plastic surgery, skin color, and the race of his children. It seems pretty clear Jackson would not at all be forthright in answering such questions. Still, one might admire Bashir for not going too easy or simply offering softball questions; still, I think he sometimes was a little hard on Jackson.
It seems a bit sadistic to admit enjoying this special as a guilty pleasure; still, I won't lie about liking this special when it first aired. While it may have lifted the veil slightly as to revealing who Michael Jackson is, it does not succeed in telling the whole picture. Given Jackson's alleged shyness and reclusiveness, the public will never know who Michael Jackson was as a man. This special does not answer everything.
Bashir seems kind of slimy, first trying to gain Jackson's trust then pouncing on him with questions about his plastic surgery, skin color, and the race of his children. It seems pretty clear Jackson would not at all be forthright in answering such questions. Still, one might admire Bashir for not going too easy or simply offering softball questions; still, I think he sometimes was a little hard on Jackson.
It seems a bit sadistic to admit enjoying this special as a guilty pleasure; still, I won't lie about liking this special when it first aired. While it may have lifted the veil slightly as to revealing who Michael Jackson is, it does not succeed in telling the whole picture. Given Jackson's alleged shyness and reclusiveness, the public will never know who Michael Jackson was as a man. This special does not answer everything.
