ABC News ran its two-hour Michael Jackson special on Thursday night (May 24). Titled The Last Days of Michael Jackson, the television event sparked controversy before it even aired.
The Michael Jackson Estate never authorized the show and called it another “crass” attempt to exploit the late music icon’s life.
In a statement, the estate wrote, “We are told ABC intends to use music and other intellectual property owned by the Estate such as photos, logos, artwork, and more in the program itself, without having licensed the rights to any such material.”
“Imagine if this was done with any of ABC’s intellectual property. We believe the special to be another crass and unauthorized attempt to exploit the life, music and image of Michael Jackson without respect for Michael’s legacy, intellectual property rights or his children.”
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ABC News fired back in a statement obtained by Rolling Stone, writing, “ABC News’ documentary explores the life, career and legacy of Michael Jackson, who remains of great interest to people worldwide. The program does not infringe on his estate’s rights, but as a courtesy, we removed a specific image from the promotional material.”
Twitter evidently wasn’t too pleased with The Last Days of Michael Jackson either. A flurry of negative reactions hit the social media platform following the show.
From outrage over the inclusion of broadcast journalist Diane Dimond, who’d slandered Jackson in the past, to disgust over the paparazzi’s behavior the day he died, Twitter wasn’t having it.
Here’s what had fans upset:
The inclusion of Diane Dimond
Money hungry paparazzi on MJ’s ambulance:
No mention of vitiligo
So y’all really not gonna talk about how Michael Jackson’s autopsy confirmed his Vitiligo?
We need a real documentary that speaks the truth about MJ cause this here is the same bs we’ve been seeing and hearing
#LastDaysMJ pic.twitter.com/ru6j45D757
— Danika • (@dannidanidan) May 25, 2018
Why didn’t they mention that the autopsy showed he did actually have vitiligo? No need to talk about it like it’s speculation anymore.. #LastDaysMJ
— Bry ♡ (@lovelybry3) May 25, 2018
They fucking said nothing about the vitiligo, how the parents blackmailed MJ, theres fucking tapes! Nothing about his lupus. Fucking assholes. #LastDaysMJ
— Prince Harry and Meghan. (@Peace2Kiara) May 25, 2018
Neverland Ranch was ruined for MJ
He slept on the floor during sleepovers
THAT IS WHAT PISSES ME OFF. THEY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE SAID HE SLEEPS ON THE GODDAMN FLOOR. #LastDaysMJ
— 𝐁∆𝐊, Online Class Division (@RobLives4Love) May 25, 2018
#LastDaysMJ All those liars who called MJ a pedophile, a predator were trying to profit from it. Nobody ever demonized MJ unless they had a massive financial motive. And 9 years later that trend is still going on. The media keeps covering up for those liars.
— Hammer (@Hammertonhal) May 25, 2018
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