Bill Maher Issues Brutal Takedown of Michael Jackson Biopic
What To Know
- Bill Maher delivered a harsh joke about the new Michael Jackson biopic.
- The film omits the sexual abuse allegations that surfaced in the early 1990s.
- Critics have condemned the biopic as “puff piece” that ignores the darker aspects of Jackson’s life.
Bill Maher just issued a brutal takedown of the newly released Michael Jackson biopic, Michael.
During the Friday, April 24 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, the late-night host sneaked in a 10-word joke about the new movie toward the end of his opening monologue. Maher spent most of it criticizing President Donald Trump for his handling of the ongoing war in Iran. At the last moment, he aimed a barb at the biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua — and it definitely made an impression.
“And here’s exciting news,” Maher declared. “The Michael Jackson movie opens today. Showings are 7, 9, and 11 — just like the victims.”
The “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” singer infamously faced sexual abuse allegations from the early ’90s until his death in 2009 and beyond. Jackson settled one lawsuit for millions from one alleged victim and their family, and denied all allegations during his lifetime. After his death, the singer’s family has continued to support Jackson’s innocence.
However, Michael entirely omitted this era of Jackson’s life, as the film ended in 1988 before the sex abuse allegations began. The move came after significant reshoots and revisions to the film. And critics haven’t been shy about pointing it out.
The Daily Beast criticized Michael as a “puff piece that sands every sharp edge,” calling out the film for only showing the “palatable half of this sordid tale.” Meanwhile, Esquire’s review of the biopic pointed out, “Any good movie, though, does require a sense of honesty, and while Michael Jackson was certainly a victim who channeled his pain into glorious work, ignoring the tougher, destructive results of that pain is ultimately deceitful.”
Michael stars Jackson’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as his uncle, as well as Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, while Nia Long is Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller is John Branca, Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson are Jermaine Jackson, Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton are Marlon Jackson, Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill are Tito Jackson, and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones are Jackie Jackson. Additionally, Larenz Tate plays Berry Gordy and Jessica Sula plays La Toya Jackson.
Have you seen Michael? What do you think of the biopic?
Michael, now playing in theaters
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network‘s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is the victim of child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453). If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Conversation11 Comments
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M
Innocent until proven guilty. Safechuck and Robson said they loved Michael at trial, now they need money, so..... It's all been dragged through the mud, enough. The guy is dead and unable to defend himself. Let it go, already. Epstein's "buddies" are still alive, let's focus on them.
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C
Guilty by the obvious. He was a sick freak who had sleepovers at his amusement park estate. Do you think he just wanted to play Go Fish. Grown men have sleepovers with kids for one reason & deniers need to pry their heads out of their behinds see it. I bet you all thin OJ was innocent too.
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Y
Innocent until proven guilty is for the courts. The general public with any common sense know MJ is guilty.
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W
They had to change it because legally they could use any of it for the movie hence the reshoots. That why there is nothing in the movie about. Maybe people need to do research on issues before talking about it.
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S
They *couldn't not could. I believe that’s what you mentioned to type. Try to edit it.
Anyway, yep I agree. I think they know why it wasn’t added but they continue to lie about this topic and that’s what I hate about these writers bc they know the truth but continue to spread lies. Michelle Stein, you should be ashamed of spreading lies (you know why it wasn’t added into the movie)!
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A
I’m glad they didn’t put all those lies about Michael Jackson sexually abusing those kids. People can believe what they wanna believe but there are some lousy people that extort you just because you have money and use the children as a reason.
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T
Take off the rose colored glasses. This movie is a fluff piece about a bottom feeding bit of p*do sewage. Boycott.
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A
You are calling victims liars??? Is this Trump??
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S
What victims? Name them! Not one child claimed to have been assaulted by him. Actually, they all came out and said it wasn’t true and that their parents told them to say it. The only 1 that claimed it happened recanted his story several times. There was never any proof as well! Trump on the other hand did do it and there is proof! Wake up and stop being a follower your whole life! Michael was innocent and you know it!
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Y
There is more actual proof Michael did wrong than Trump. There is zero evidence Trump did anything with the Epstein victims. Let’s see your proof you can’t LIAR. Crawl away now coward.
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C
And there are lousy people who sexually assault children too. Like that sick twisted freak. That doctor who killed should get a medal.
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