Jeff Margolis joins Jamon Bull for a powerful, deep-dive interview about Margolis’ incredible career in television, and his work with The King of Pop.Margolis is one of the most successful live TV event directors of all time, having worked on the Oscars, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the American Music Awards. He has created TV specials with the likes of Cher, Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Frank Sinatra, Kenny Rogers and Richard Pryor; made movies with Ringo Starr and Quincy Jones; directed a music video for Whitney Houston. The roster of talent across his many TV projects has also included Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, Burt Bacharach, Gene Kelly, Smokey Robinson, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Lionel Richie, Prince, and many, many more.Margolis’ career led him to cross paths with Michael Jackson numerous times. In 1989, he directed Sammy Davis Jr’s “60th Anniversary Special”, where Michael performed a specially written tribute song called “You Were There”. In 1993, Jeff directed the 20th annual American Music Awards, where Michael performed “Dangerous” for the first time, and won the inaugural International Artist Award, which was thereafter given annually in Michael’s name. In 1995, Margolis signed on as the director of Michael’s ill-fated “One Night Only” HBO special, which fell apart after Michael collapsed in rehearsals. Two years later, he directed “Happy Birthday Elizabeth” at the Pantages Theatre, where Michael once again performed a specially written song, “Elizabeth, I Love You”, at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.Michael and Margolis would collaborate again in 2001 for the hastily assembled United We Stand concert, organized within weeks to raise funds for the victims of the 9/11 terror attack in New York. Michael headlined the show, performing “Man in the Mirror” and assembling a glittering line-up for the only time “What More Can I Give” was performed in front of an audience. It would be the last time Michael Jackson ever performed for a stadium audience.Margolis’ autobiography “We’re Live in 5: My Extraordinary Life in Television” has recently been released, and features many brilliantly told stories, with an entire chapter dedicated to Jeff’s wor...

In 2019, a bomb exploded in the Michael Jackson world, when British TV director Dan Reed premiered a four-hour TV series about Wade Robson and James Safechuck – two men demanding millions of dollars from Michael Jackson’s posthumous estate as compensation for alleged childhood sexual abuse. A co-production between Britain’s Channel 4 and America’s HBO, the show generated months of scandalous, sensational and extraordinarily biased media coverage, much of it demanding the all-out cancellation of Michael Jackson.For a while, that looked like a possibility – but ultimately, Jackson weathered the storm. His music streams went up instead of down. A Michael Jackson musical debuted on Broadway, won a string of awards and has become one of the highest grossing shows in New York theatre history. Its London transfer has just been nominated for three prestigious Olivier awards. New versions have now opened in Germany and Sydney. Meanwhile, Lionsgate has invested $150m in the most expensive Hollywood biopic of all time, Michael.But six years later, Reed has re-emerged with a 49-minute sequel, subtitled Surviving Michael Jackson and focusing on Robson and Safechuck’s ongoing legal efforts to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars from Jackson’s estate. It premiered this week to substantially less fanfare than its predecessor and extremely poor viewing figures.In this roundtable episode, a panel of experts react to the latest episode of Leaving Neverland and consider what it means for Michael Jackson’s legacy.This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.Participants• Charles Thomson – An award-winning crime reporter who has spent years investigating the Michael Jackson allegations, appearing in various books and documentaries.• Taj Jackson – Michael Jackson’s nephew and the Jackson family’s loudest voice against Leaving Neverland and the allegations it documents.• Anika Kotecha – A lawyer and co-founder of campaign group MJInnocent – which challenges biased and i...

Brad Sundberg joins Elise Capron and Paul Black for an episode packed with listener-submitted questions, as well as a discussion around Brad’s exciting upcoming seminar events, including his tour through Australia and New Zealand. Brad worked with Michael Jackson as one of his engineers and his Technical Director for nearly 18 years, starting with Captain EO in 1985. He worked on the BAD, Dangerous, HIStory, and Blood On The Dance Floor albums, and was also responsible for nearly all the music and video systems installed in every corner of the Neverland Valley Ranch property. For more than a decade, Brad has been running In the Studio with MJ, immersive seminars which take place around the world, and which give fan insights into working with The King of Pop in the studio.For this conversation, The MJCast gave listeners a chance to submit questions to this key MJ collaborator. Brad addresses topics across the board, from details about MJ’s creative process and time in the studio, to Brad’s thoughts around Michael’s legacy, to how the seminars have evolved over the years, and what he has planned in the future.The MJCast wants to thank everyone who contributed questions — we wish we could have included each and every submission all in our chat!Questions1) Paul Black (Email) – It’s been 8 years since you were last in Australia with your seminars, can you tell us how the sessions have evolved, and what differences people can expect this time around?2) Samuel French (Twitter) – what keeps you motivated to keep going with the Seminars – they are a huge investment of your time for little financial return? … and will we ever see you and Brad Buxer in London? I will be there like a shot! Blessings to you3) Julia de Vreede (Facebook) – Can’t wait for this episode!

Jamon Bull, Charles Thomson, and Paul Black join forces to launch Season 11 of The MJCast. The fellas discuss Kingvention 2025, Brad Sundberg’s upcoming Australia and New Zealand tour, newly upscaled Michael Jackson short films, the recent troubles facing the biopic, and the impending sequel to 2019’s Leaving Neverland, “Surviving Michael Jackson”. Welcome to Season 11!This episode was edited by Jamon Bull.Discussion Topics• Kingvention has been announced for May 24th in London.• Brad Sundberg is coming to Australia.• Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall era short films, including Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, and She’s Out of My Life, have been upscaled and re-released on YouTube.• Following the Financial Times story on the latest extortion attempt against Michael Jackson, the biopic is experiencing production issues.• The sequel to Leaving Neverland, “Surviving Michael Jackson”, is due in March.Additional Links• Judy Garland’s “Get Happy” video.Like this episode?• If you have the means, consider a donation in any amount through PayPal to help cover our costs of creating the show. All proceeds go towards online running costs, upgrading equipment, and charity donations.• We also have an official merchandise shop.

Taj Jackson joins Elise Capron, Jamon Bull, Charles Thomson, and Charlie Carter to celebrate the holidays and reflect on this past year… Welcome to The MJCast’s tenth annual Christmas special!The gang discusses the year that was, from the very sad news of Tito Jackson’s passing in September, as well as the loss of such legends as Quincy Jones and Colin Chilvers, to Paris Jackson’s recent engagement. They also dig into the intriguing story around the uncovered tapes of unheard MJ tracks, and chat about newly released prints and artwork available from Michael Jackson collaborators, fantastic documentary footage of the Jackson 5, and updates on MJ: The Musical, Michael Jackson ONE, and the MJ biopic. Plus, Charles explains important legal updates around the Robson and Safechuck trial timeline, a verdict in the Jordan Neely case, and the report on the Estate taking five people to court over what was suggested as an extortion plot, with thread of abuse allegations. Lastly, Taj provides further updates on his docuseries project, and the team looks ahead to 2025.Special thanks to Taj Jackson for being a part of our annual Christmas Special for many years. It’s an honor to have this tradition with you.And, huge thanks to all of our listeners and MJFam around the world. We could not do this without you. Wishing you a happy 2025 to come!This episode was edited by Charlie Carter and Jamon Bull.Discussion Topics• The year that was…• Legendary guitarist of the Jackson 5, Tito Jackson, has passed away at age 70.• Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson, is now engaged to Justin Long.• Unheard Michael Jackson tracks Show more...