“Urban Myths” Episode Featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson PULLED After Jackson Family’s Fury

Yeah, it’s probably for the best.

A preview of an episode of the British series Urban Myths was released online last week, featuring a tongue-in-cheek dramatization of a rumored cross-country road trip taken by Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando, in the wake of 9/11. Michael was being played by Caucasian actor Joseph Fiennes in what appeared to be a chalky white-on-blackface. The internet was instantly aghast, as the internet tends to be. But then Paris Jackson, Michael’s daughter, spoke up, saying she was “incredibly offended” by the portrayal.

“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 Where is the respect? They worked through blood, sweat and tears for ages to create such profound and remarkable legacies. Shameful portrayal.”

Michael’s nephew Taj also added his disapproval after watching the trailer:

“Unfortunately this is what my family has to deal with. No words could express the blatant disrespect.”

Sky TV has always maintained its stories are purely satirical, and not meant to be taken as biopics. Still, they listened and reacted to the growing outrage.

The episode, which was due to air in April, has been pulled.

In a statement Sky said that the concerns raised by Jackson’s family were not “taken lightly”.

“Sky is not in the habit of pulling programmes but we felt that this was the right decision to take,” they said.

“Sky Arts puts the integrity of the creative vision at the heart of all of its original commissions, and casting decisions are made within the overall diversity framework which we have set.”

Fiennes, for his part, defended the casting, saying it had been a “wonderful challenge” to play Jackson and that people needed to remember it was in the context of satire. (via The Guardian)

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