An iconic Simpsons episode that features Michael Jackson will be removed from circulation in the wake of the Finding Neverland documentary.
Producers confirmed that Stark Raving Dad will be removed from streaming platforms, re-runs and any forthcoming boxsets.
The episode dates back to the third season of the show, airing way back in 1991 and featured the voice of Michael Jackson as Leon Kompowsky – a man Homer meets in a mental institution who he believes is the actual pop star.
Jackson was apparently a huge fan of the show and provided the voice for Leon, while a voice double was used for any singing scenes.
Stark Raving Dad ins undoubtedly one of the show’s most recognised and popular episodes, however in the wake of the troubling documentary executive producer James L. Brooks, creator Matt Groening and showrunner Al Jean have decided the pull the episode.
Brooks told the Wall Street Journal: “It feels clearly the only choice to make/ The guys I work with — where we spend our lives arguing over jokes — were of one mind on this.”
He added: “This was a treasured episode. There are a lot of great memories we have wrapped up in that one, and this certainly doesn’t allow them to remain.”
Finding Neverland sees Wade Robson and James Safechuck come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson. The pair detail how the musician groomed them from as young as seven and go into graphic detail of the troubling acts Jackson had them perform over a course of several years.
The fallout from the four-hour film has been huge, with a number of worldwide radio stations pulling the King of Pop’s music and a Jackson statue being removed from the National Football Museum.
Read the Jackson family’s statement on Finding Neverland below:
“Leaving Neverland isn’t a documentary, it is the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death. The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact. These claims were the basis of lawsuits filed by these two admitted liars which were ultimately dismissed by a judge. The two accusers testified under oath that these events never occurred. They have provided no independent evidence and absolutely no proof in support of their accusations, which means the entire film hinges solely on the word of two perjurers.
“Tellingly, the director admitted at the Sundance Film Festival that he limited his interviews only to these accusers and their families. In doing so, he intentionally avoided interviewing numerous people over the years who spent significant time with Michael Jackson and have unambiguously stated that he treated children with respect and did nothing hurtful to them. By choosing not to include any of these independent voices who might challenge the narrative that he was determined to sell, the director neglected fact checking so he could craft a narrative so blatantly one-sided that viewers never get anything close to a balanced portrait.
“For 20 years, Wade Robson denied in court and in numerous interviews, including after Michael passed, that he was a victim and stated he was grateful for everything Michael had done for him. His family benefitted from Michael’s kindness, generosity and career support up until Michael’s death. Conveniently left out of Leaving Neverland was the fact that when Robson was denied a role in a Michael Jackson themed Cirque du Soleil production, his assault allegations suddenly emerged.
“We are extremely sympathetic to any legitimate victim of child abuse. This film, however, does those victims a disservice. Because despite all the disingenuous denials made that this is not about money, it has always been about money – millions of dollars — dating back to 2013 when both Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who share the same law firm, launched their unsuccessful claims against Michael’s Estate. Now that Michael is no longer here to defend himself, Robson, Safechuck and their lawyers continue their efforts to achieve notoriety and a payday by smearing him with the same allegations a jury found him innocent of when he was alive.”