Michael Jackson estate demands Discovery Channel cancel autopsy show

[jobeterob]

Michael Jackson estate demands Discovery Channel cancel autopsy show
by Adam B. Vary
Categories: Michael Jackson, Reality TV, Television
Comments 55 Add comment.Michael Jackson’s estate is demanding the Discovery Channel call off plans for a prime time show set to air Jan. 13 in the United Kingdom claiming to re-enact the star’s autopsy, the Associated Press is reporting. In an open letter sent to Discovery Communications on Wednesday, John Branca and John McClain of Jackson’s estate condemned the show as “in shockingly bad taste,” and inspired only ”blind desire to exploit Michael’s death, while cynically attempting to dupe the public into believing this show will have serious medical value.” Especially at issue was a print advertisement for the show of a body covered with a sheet, with one hand exposed wearing Jackson’s iconic sequined glove; Branca and McClain call the ad “debased, sick and insensitive.”

When reached by EW, U.S. and international reps for the Discovery Channel had no comment. Fans of the late singer started an online petition protesting the programming earlier this month that now has more than 9,000 signatures. On Dec. 13, the group posted a response it received from the Discovery Networks Viewer Relations department: “We are very sorry to hear that you have been disappointed by the scheduled broadcast of Michael Jackson’s Autopsy. Our programming covers a wide variety of topics, which we appreciate at times may not suit the tastes of some of our viewers,” it reads. “Michael Jackson was one of the world’s most important music artists in modern times. Throughout his life there was wide-ranging speculation about medical conditions that affected him. This documentary examines at the actual medical facts around those conditions to determine the true cause of his death, utilizing the official coroners’ report and professional opinions from a range of leading medical experts. We value all of our viewers’ feedback and will pass your comments on to the programming department.”

[topdiva1]

Most likely they will air this disrespectful program. Ask them why they did not do the same type of show on Princess Diana???

[marv2]

Most likely they will air this disrespectful program. Ask them why they did not do the same type of show on Princess Diana???

Great point Topdiva.

[midnightman]

They waited until two weeks before they air it to finally put their foot down? Oh I forgot, they were too busy trying to convince everyone Michael sang on three of the Cascio-produced tracks on Michael. My bad.

[midnightman]

UPDATE: they did cancel it:

Discovery cancels Michael Jackson autopsy TV show

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES | Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:05pm EST

LOS ANGELES [[Reuters) - The Discovery television network on Friday said it canceled plans to air a reenactment of the autopsy on Michael Jackson's body, citing an upcoming court hearing and concern by the late pop star's estate.

The show, "Michael Jackson's Autopsy: What Really Killed Michael Jackson," had been set to air in several countries of western Europe and in the United Kingdom on January 13.

"Given the commencement of legal proceedings beginning next week, and at the request of Michael Jackson's estate, the scheduled broadcast of the medical documentary related to Michael Jackson's official autopsy has been postponed indefinitely," Discovery Networks International said in a statement.

A Discovery spokesman declined comment beyond the statement.

The "Thriller" singer died suddenly of a prescription drug overdose on June 25, 2009, age 50, only weeks before beginning a series of comeback concerts. An autopsy by Los Angeles officials showed Jackson died chiefly of an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol that he used as a sleep aid.

Discovery's show, which was not scheduled to air in the United States, was an unofficial, fictional account of what the autopsy must have been like and its results.

But Jackson fans worldwide protested in an online petition launched earlier this month, and the co-executors of his estate sent a letter this week to Discovery Networks calling the program "insensitive" and "in shockingly bad taste."

A print advertisement for the program shows a body covered by a sheet, with one hand poking out wearing the singer's well-known sequined glove.

"On behalf of Michael's family, fans, common sense and decency, we urge you to reconsider and cancel this program," co-executors John McClain and John Branca wrote in the letter.

An estate spokesman was not immediately available to comment.

Jackson's physician at the time of his death, Dr. Conrad Murray, has admitted giving the singer propofol, which is often used in surgery, and Murray has been charged by authorities with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death.

Murray has pleaded not guilty, and a preliminary hearing to determine if enough evidence exists to make him stand trial begins in Los Angeles on January 4.

[[Editing by Christine Kearney)

LINK: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment...utopsy-tv-show

[jobeterob]

This was pretty bad; it's embarrassing, almost embarrassing to post it.

[jillfoster]

Most likely they will air this disrespectful program. Ask them why they did not do the same type of show on Princess Diana???

Because she died in a car accident, and not from a foolish dug overdose.

[marv2]

They actually have picture of her body still lying in the wreckage on the internet!

[midnightman]

^ Sure do! smh