‘Urban Myths’ Michael Jackson Episode Cancelled Following Controversy
When Sky Arts released the first trailer for its Urban Myths: A Brand New Collection of Comedies episode featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson, fans of the King of Pop were quick to slam the British television network for its “culturally insensitive” portrayal of the late pop star.
A petition was drawn to boycott the episode, which sees Fiennes playing Jackson on a road trip with Elizabeth Taylor (Stockard Channing) and Marlon Brando (Brian Cox), all of whom are deceased. It currently has over 20,000 signatures.
Boycott culturally insensitive #UrbanMyths & contact @SkyArts Director @PEdgarJones ([email protected]). J. ✊? #AngerIntoAction pic.twitter.com/cs5ClRaVl1
— The MJCast (@TheMJCast) January 10, 2017
The “Black or White” singer’s daughter, Paris Jackson, also spoke out on the “shameful” portrayal.
“I’m so incredibly offended by it, as I’m sure plenty of people are as well,” the 18-year-old tweeted. “It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother [Elizabeth Taylor] as well.”
@TheMJCast i'm so incredibly offended by it, as i'm sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit.
— Paris-Michael K. J. (@ParisJackson) January 11, 2017
@TheMJCast it angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother liz as well
— Paris-Michael K. J. (@ParisJackson) January 11, 2017
@TheMJCast where is the respect? they worked through blood sweat and tears for ages to create such profound and remarkable legacies. shameful portrayal
— Paris-Michael K. J. (@ParisJackson) January 11, 2017
Following the backlash, Sky Arts decided to cancel the controversial episode.
“We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon, a half-hour episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series, in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson’s immediate family,” Sky Arts said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “We set out to take a lighthearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offense. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision.”
Good riddance.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/celebrity/urban-myths-michael-jackson/&title=‘Urban Myths’ Michael Jackson Episode Cancelled Following Controversy&picture=https://fashionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/michael-jackson-urban-myths.jpg&description=When Sky Arts released the first trailer for its Urban Myths: A Brand New Collection of Comedies episode featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson, fans of the King of Pop were quick to slam the British television network for its "culturally insensitive" portrayal of the late pop star.
A petition was drawn to boycott the episode, which sees Fiennes playing Jackson on a road trip with Elizabeth Taylor (Stockard Channing) and Marlon Brando (Brian Cox), all of whom are deceased. It currently has over 20,000 signatures.
https://twitter.com/TheMJCast/status/818960432404656128
The "Black or White" singer's daughter, Paris Jackson, also spoke out on the "shameful" portrayal.
"I'm so incredibly offended by it, as I'm sure plenty of people are as well," the 18-year-old tweeted. "It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother [Elizabeth Taylor] as well."
https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/819310838708256769
https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/819312995310260224
https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/819313438358847489
Following the backlash, Sky Arts decided to cancel the controversial episode.
"We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon, a half-hour episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series, in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson's immediate family," Sky Arts said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "We set out to take a lighthearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offense. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision."
Good riddance.){kind=link}