Tonight: Living with Michael Jackson, 9pm Thursday, ITV1

Posted by Jane Murphy

 

When we first saw Martin Bashir’s landmark documentary in 2003, it made disturbing - if unmissable - viewing. Lest we forget, this is the programme that shaped many commonly held beliefs about Michael Jackson throughout the last six years of his life.

Here was the lonely man-child who admitted to riding on his ferris wheel and cruising hotel corridors on a mobility scooter alone late at night; the 44-year-old dad who dangled his baby off a balcony and insisted his kids wore masks in public; and the former child star whose appearance had changed beyond all recognition, but who still insisted he hadn’t had cosmetic surgery.

For obvious reasons, the scenes that caused the biggest outcry - those showing Jackson’s friendship with a 13-year-old boy - were omitted from last night’s edit. But we all know what happened next. And according to the star’s one-time manager Dieter Wiesner, it was this documentary that caused Jackson to spiral into drug dependence.

Bashir’s style has been heavily criticised - perhaps a little unfairly - but I suppose he was just as baffled as the rest of us by Jackson’s behaviour and beliefs. And if that meant getting a little heavy-handed with the questioning at times, it was merely a sign of his frustration. But the truth is that Michael Jackson was absolutely unique. It’s almost impossible to find out what made him tick because he can’t be compared to anybody else.

His unusual upbringing, and the fact that he’d been famous for most of his life, meant Jackson had no concept of normality. He appears to have been surrounded by people who let him do whatever he wanted - whether that was to spend millions of pounds in one slightly manic shopping spree or to entertain other people’s children overnight at his ranch.

Like just a handful of his peers - Britney Spears is the most obvious name that springs to mind - Jackson became seen as a commodity. Many people ignored the real person with fears and insecurities, and chose to focus on the celebrity whose life had became a circus. So it was all the more strange when he died - because it seemed like we’d actually lost him years ago.

What did you think of last night’s documentary? Tell us here.

Picture: ITV1

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Comments

[Dawn]

I notice they cut alot of it out,mostly the good things,where he climb trees,taking the children around Neverlands.RiP Micheal,we miss you so much x

[rachel]

i think that the guy askin questions was out of order when he was asking micheal what else his dad did to him when he was near enough in tears.!!!!

[Sue]

Michael Jackson made the biggest mistake of his life doing that documentary. It triggered all the "abuse" claims made against him which I didn't believe for a minute, I have always thought he didn't do anything untoward towards children, if there was any chance he did, why was he allowed to keep 3 children and be their sole carer. He was a child himself mentally. It seemed to me that he was just doing as an adult, what he should have been allowed to do as a child. It goes to show the so called abuse cases were all about the money and not justice, why else would he have been acquitted on one charge and the parents accept a pay out on the other?

[someone]

martin bashir, i hate u so much!! you interview wih mj was so wrong on so many levels!! he opened up to u, showed u his life, and u gave him such a bad reputation infront of the world!! ok MJ was not like every other man of his age as we know, but to him, that was his life, that is what he was and the only thing he knew how to be!! Martin Bashir, i hope u rot and ur career you money grabbing ugly geek!!

[Mo]

Of course MJ was talented. No one disputes that. However, the Jackson 5 were a manufactured boy band, not a patch on real Tamla Motown stars. So lets put all this hype into perspective. He was a middleaged black man who had led a rather sheltered life, entertaining children at his home, and having 'white' children by some arrangement with a woman for money.
What do real black Americans think of this man, bleaching his skin, having surgery to look like a white freakish woman? Do they really love him for trying to rid himself of his heritage?

It was 'Thriller' that really made him popular, but that was a long time ago.
I think the interviewer was fair, had it been Jeremy Paxman, MJ would have fled in tears.Lets be honest, he was weird. Sad yes, but weird.

[shirley ball]

of course MJ would not know the world as we know it he could not because he could not find out about the real world because of being followed everywhere. he could live an extravagant life because he earned it and worked very hard for the things he had he had natural talent and the ability to work extremley hard and i thank him for his special ability and the pleasure he has given me both visual dancing and the audio singing there have been loads of bashirs over the years the vultures who have had no talent and have ripped MJ off to idle to make an honest living of their own. they added i believe to his final end for all the years of stress, pain and unhappiness they caused him. personally i never want to see bashir on television again a price he should pay i think for the suffering he caused to MJ

[Elbel]

I completely agree with Sarah H comment and Neville. You have to know about media and behind the scenes of tv to recognise what was going on in the documentary. I was really uncomfortable watching the 1st broadcast as it was all out of contex, take away Bashirs narration/voice over and you will have a different film. What I took from the documentary was that Michael was a very nice person although very different.

[Jack Beanstalk]

This absolute head case was a victim of his own weak mind. Stupid bloody fans putting him on a level way above any other human being, and him lapping it up. Next thing you know , he wakes up believing he is some form of higher being. He was a nut.
Hanging his kid out of a window, that did it for me ,god knows what else with the other kids, we didn't see. Monkeys in his bedroom,getting better fed than most people, calling his kids "blanket"....wtf !It goes on and on...Bashir did what any responsible journalist would do, and exposed him.
He was an oversensitive, overrated drama queen, who had a bit of talent at one time. He was not a god.
How many people have topped themselves because he died. It's absolute madness.Now that he has gone , the nutters are coming out of the woodwork looking to blame someone. Bash was doing his job, he thought he was interviewing another man. That's where he got it wrong.

[kermit]

Like other child stars MJ appeared and was totally divorced from the 'real world' we inhabit - he had never just walked around the shops or been to a theme park - so he had to make his own world. Bashir took that oddness and innocence to ridicule MJ and more relevantly for Bashir to make a name for himself (falsely) as an investigative journalist. Bashir was just looking for his own fame regardless of truth or hurt.

[Sarah H]

Anyone who knows how the media works and has seen the footage from the Living With Michael Jackson interviews that were omitted from Bashir's final documentary (see Living With Michael Jackson - Take Two) knows how Bashir twisted comments and events with selective editing, taking things out of context, withholding information and creating a sinister overtone with his narration. Not to mention that Bashir totally contradicted himself with what he said in the documentary and what he had privately been saying to Michael. For example, Bashir is caught on film saying what a wonderful father Michael Jackson is and how he can see how much MJ loves his kids, but in the documentary he implies the opposite of this - that MJ is a poor father and even puts his children at risk!

It goes without saying that Michael Jackson had serious issues, but Martin Bashir exploited a vulnerable man and set out with the intent to paint him as monster.

[Helen]

Bashir just asked the questions that everyone wanted to know. A man who thinks he is Peter Pan and is going to live forever is clearly disturbed in some way - Bashir had nothing to do with his downward spiral, he was already in it.

[George]

Everyone should remember that we are all human, mistakes happen and that is not to say that Michael Jackson was solely responsible for his problems in his life. Let him RIP, God Bless you MJ your music will live on.

[sally]

In addition to my last post I am very concerned about other messages talking about MJ as if they really knew him. All they saw were picture, hear music, interviews, etc. perhaps had huge sympathy for him but, NO, they didn't KNOW him and I find it offensive, as must his family that complete strangers claim such knowledge. It is worrying for the future quite frankly.

[sally]

Of course Martin Bashir was not to blame. I do not recall any point in the documentary where MB was judgemental at all. Puzzled, yes, but not judgemental. There are other journalists who would have given MJ a terrible time but even then his death would not have been anyone's fault. Fans cannot claim MJ as being in control of his life and then blame someone else for his actions.
The whole thing is so sad - someone so talented and yet so horribly troubled, alone and totally neglected by those who claimed to care for him most. Who was it said Genius is close to Madness?

[J Baker]

Journalists feel they have the right to judge, but do they do so responsibily? I feel that much power is abused in journalism and they have to take that responsibility for forming mass opinion as they know they do - that is the buzz. Only they can answer in their hearts if they have done what they would have done unto them. MJ was a brilliant musician and creative artist and I honour that and am thankful for the contribution he made to my enjoyment of life. Who of us is perfect and does not make mistakes?

[Jason]

As a songwriter and a record producer over the years I would say the media played a lot to Jackson 's death. This ruthless people should be wiped out as they will do the same to his children.Those who knew Jackson including Barry Gibb /Liz Taylor/Rodney Jenkins/Timbarland/Film producers to even former U.S President stood by him and why these ''idiots' including newspapers cashing in money on false news 'bout MJ,Furthermore those that was closed to Michael Jackson ''Should'' be checked out mostly crooks all 'bout his wealth and I personally think there is far more to his death that we all thought.His youngest son looks ''exaclty '' like him and I can see another michael in him and get this idiots and life wreckers away from his kids.
I 'm out.

[GEORGINA]

THE WORLD STILL LOVES MICHEAL JACKSON. HE HAS GONE TO HIS GRAVE KNOWING HE IS LOVED BY HIS FANS BECAUSE OF THE FRENZY WE CREATED WHEN TICKETS CAME ON SALE.AT LEAST HE WAS HERE TO SEE THAT. I TOO (AS ABOVE) RECKON THEY ALL KILLED HIM INCLUDING THE MEDIA. WHY DID A CERTAIN FAMILY ALLOW THEIR CHILD TO CONTINUE TO SLEEP WITH MJ, WHEN THEY THOUGHT FUNNY THINGS WERE GOING ON. MAYBE THEY NEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

[johnny B]

Why do we in this day and age have to find who is to blame for every thing. What idiot thought that Martin Bashir had anything to do with the demise of a mentally disturbed MJ it was obvious for years he had a problem how could his behaviour for many years be classed as normal. Bishir is a brilliant journalis and has proved that many times over

[annieb]

I think mj had a tough childhood and lived in a fantasy world that none of us can comprehend. It is plain to see that he loves children and had no comprehension that his actions would be turned against him. People who critise him have know idea of his life. I am a mj fan in that I grew up with his music and will always love it, but I also realize that everyone is different and non of us have the right to pass judgement on someone who is different than us. mj was unique and had an unique life and non of us should pass judgement on that. I watched the first showing of the martin bashir interview and remember feeling sorry for mj and the isolation he felt. And watching it again last night didnt change that. He was to special to be on this earth with us mere mortals, god human nature is pure evil at times, it destroyed him in the end and it doesnt seem like anyone was there to help him. Thank god he seems to have protected his children from all this madness and they have grown up in a loving enviroment all be it different than most of us would have experienced. Love is love who ever you are and what ever your lifestyle. I hope his children have a more private life but I some how doubt it.

[Neil]

Please media just let people rest in peace whatever they do in life whether right or wrong and stop exploiting things for your own gains...Just step one pace back and see what people really can give

[Eve]

What a legacy Michael Jackson has left this world. His life has ended. I know he will have a happier life in the spirit world. People believe the worst in every case. Its human nature. I believe Michael was a loving, kind person who cared deeply for his kids who I feel really sad for. Let him go. His music will be enjoyed by generations to come. The interview certainly did not do him justice. I agree with one of the comments above that no amount of money would compensate for your child being abused. This is proof in itself that they were just out for money. Unfortunately Michael had left himself so open to accusation, foolishly. What a pity.

[Me]

Bashir should be filled with guilt over his handling of the Michael Jackson issue. All you ninja. you know where to go. Long live the King.

[jen]

His death reminds me of the play "Inspector Calls". Only after the death we figure out whom to blame, why and amd sure the results will be and addition of things..everyone around him starting from his father, media, lifestyle, friends, yes of course and Martin Bashir. Where is the inspector?

[lifelongfan]

Let him rest in peace,i feel sorry for his children having to hear all these negative things about a father who they love deeply and who clearly loved them. Mr Bashir did what he did for fame and he was not prepared for the backlash, he knew what he was doing. This programme should not be aired again.

[Kelly]

I think people should let Michael rest in peace and stop dragging up the past! Have a thought for his children and how they must feel hearing and seeing all these things when they have just lost thier Daddy. In my view he was just mis- understood by people, and was the most talented, kind hearted and tusting person going, which people just didnt seem to like for some odd reason! As for the whole child in bed thing what parent would take a money pay off (however big!) if they truly belived thier child had been abused! I have a child and no amount of money in the world would be enough, I would want to see that person punished and I think the whole thing was a load of rubbish and a way for that childs parents to make money! Michael rest in peace X

[vanesa]

No i dont think it was down to Bashir but i do think Bashir added to Micahels stress which would not have helped.
I think Bashir was granted a once in a life time chance and he selfishness and career hungryness made him back stab Michael. He should feel ashamed of his actions.

[annie]

i have what michael had,vetiligo,dark skin goes white, pigment loss,yer yer,its hard so hard to except,he wanted to be loved by everyone,black and white,he was turning white,so!!!nose like white,skin bleach,to make it quicker,it takes so long to go white,i know,im white,with a god knows what dad,but i find it so so hard, to cope,everyone is getting tan,i have got avoid sun,noooo,but i burn, i want to be loved too,patches make it hard,we are dark and light,and yes you can see,we try to hide and be normal,so with michael,he knew he could not be black,until they found a cure,just like me love kids, love little ladies and men,why!!!!because they dont take no notice,they except us as we are,only than we can cope,we have to feel presentable,to where we are,at our best,than hide away again,when we go through the routine of looking ,ok,lacking confidence,yes!!!!!need someone to boost it, like he did,bless him,a good woman,thats all, me a good man,just too late,drugs pills,all crap put in him,wether true or false, we will never know,we loved his music,and him,all what he did,made,our era of time never to be forgotten,god bless,what ever ailment,find someone to love you for you you ,and be happy and healthy,forever.that touched my heart tonight, never no more, come on lets be happy,friday night,yer!!!!!x x x x

[Charlie]

Isn`t this attempt to blame Martin Bashir for M J`s problems just another case of shooting the messenger, he just gave us all an insight into the weird and worrying fantasy world that M J had created around himself, aided and abetted by the sycophants and parasites who surrounded him, these were the real villains.

[emz]

I think its sad. Watched the first programe and watched the one last nite its was awful jackson said so many lies it was hard to watch. Example he said that he only had 2 nose jobs and thats all im sorry but i dont believe that for 1 second. Anyway regardless of that he was a brill performer and had some of the most memorable songs ever and i loved them and always will! hes in a better place know away from every1.

[neville jones]

i have read through all the comments,, and one by carlos.
what is normal are your standards the only ones to follow i may think that your not normal what is normal to you may not be normal to the other several billion people on this planet. i have studied human behavior for over 30 years and suddenly there seems to be many experts on the mj behavior trail, he is one of a kind. MCcaully culkin stayed with him many many times so why not him. OR was it that he didnt need the money like the other two.. try to be less fickle in your approach there are very few people in this world that wouldnt try to screw you its the shame of this world. im not sticking up for him but i cannot begin to imagine, how he saw this very false fairy story world that no other human has ever had to enjure to such an intense way before or ever again...

[Sarah]

Hey jump on the bandwagon, why dont you just go and jump on your own bandwagon and stop having a go at the people who actually cared about him, it dont matter whether people know him personally or whether he is a pop star or not i take it you've never been so passionate about anything to even know what it feels like or how people are feeling at the moment. Oh and thanks for the reminder we know he's dead but it dont get any easier for the people who cared & loved him.
L♥ved F♥rever x♥x♥x♥

[neville jones]

i have to say that i saw the first one and thought this bashir guy seems pretty mellowdramatic, and the way he narrates the programme hes pretty creepy, and seems to be willfully trying to put michael jackson down. i dont think that this bashir chap has a clue about true reporting, he hasnt got a clue about normal people never mind diverse people. infact how did this man get a job in reporting i think he must have relations in tv, and to be honest i wouldnt leave my dog with mr bashir never mind children. i saw no threat of any kind in mr jackson in his behavior or body langauge i have watched this several times and i see alot of childlike style in mr jackson the documentry was really made and edited i would say with the soul intention of blackening this person.. i must say that mr bashir should not be allowed to work in tv hes a danger to decent people, and very nasty. i dont think michael jackson had any friends from father to doctor they were all in it for what they could get i think brooke shields and jermaine jackson where the only ones over the years that really seembed to care we may never know

[sarah]

As the person before said watch 'living with mj take two' on youtube.what an eye opener!when mj went to the zoo and they were hounded they only went because the zoo was supposed to be closed for them!!but bashir decided not to show that bit and then just critised mj for what happened this is the same for just about every question he asked he did not show the whole reply!!he obviously disliked mj from the start and wanted to show us what he was like in his opinion regardless of what was the truth!!!! is bashir the most hated man on the planet????

[Jump on the bandwagon]

ALL the media is jumping on the bandwagon to make more money.
ALL the lawyers are jumping on the bandwagon to make more money.
ALL the music industry is jumping on the bandwagon to make more money.
ALL the drug dealers will be jumping on the bandwagon and pushing a WACKO pill to make more money.
Thats all he done in life was jump on the bandwagon to make more money.
He is not here now so all the hangers on are all jumping on the bandwagaon to make more money.

It is PATHETIC how people worship a few pop singers and actors and talk as if they are their friends.

GROW UP HE IS DEAD.

[krissi]

I can't believe that itv showed the bashir programme again.It was edited to make MJ look disturbed and abnormal.Go on youtube and watch the unedited version and all the other interviews that MJ did.The press and people like bashir twisted everything he did in his life to make him look like a freak when in reality he was a really kind giving and caring person.He gave so much time and money to sick,orphaned and under-priviliged children,but this was never reported as in MJ's own words "They aren't interested in the good things only the bad"what a shame and what an awful thing it must be to be continually persecuted by the media!!!

[kezza]

many years ago he sang - leave me alone, just stop doging me around!!

nothings changed, RIP MJJ
god bless your children you tried so hard to protect from the £££££££ grabbers in the world

[Annmarie]

MJ died 25-06-09 and he his still making headlines.He is being abused in death as in life by the press making money by writing about him making up what the dont know.
Michael love you RIP little brother.

[jodie]

Micheal Jackson was not a bad man...he simply became lost in the frenzy that surronded him from the age of 11 and carried on throughout his life. The people he trusted betrayed him in the cruelest of ways- buy exploiting him for the media attention that came with it. Also, teh goldiggers who claimed micheal to be something that he certainly was not. The fact that people are still debating this just shows that the world is now more concerned with someones PRIVATE life than what amazing talent someone has.

Micheal, just remeber that there are people that loved you and will always miss you...your family, friends and millions of fans.
God Bless You Micheal RIP

[just a mum]

The reason mj was shaking up and down feeding blanket was because the world was blaming him for abusing his own child by hanging him out of the window.( he was only trying to show the relentless fans and because of his child like ways thats what he did!) Could n't anyone see he was very upset by it all and he had to keep the scarf on the baby for fear of showing his face off to the scare mongers because of what he had been through himself. And yes i would have let my own children share a bed with him, he was a gentle loving man who in some way was the peter pan he claimed to be. Its only sick people with their sick little minds that always see something sexual in everything.. the world is a sader place for his loss. rest in peace now you are a true angel. x

[davedig]

ITV SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF AIRING THE BASHIR DOCUMENTARY..JUST FOR THE SAKE OF GETTING TOP VEIWING RATINGS (IT'S INHUMANE). I DO NOT THINK ITS HELPED MICHAEL IN GENERAL PUBLIC TERMS- BUT US REAL FANS HAVE ALWAYS LOVED HIM, HE WAS ALWAYS A BIG INFLUENCE AND PART OF MY LIFE AS I AM OF THE 80S GENERATION, WE WILL NEVER SEE SUCH A "MEGA STAR" AND "ARTIST" WITH SUCH TALENT AND INFLUENCE ON ALL RACES ACROSS THE WORLD ..WELL, NOT IN MY LIFETIME. I FEEL MJ WAS USED, HIS NICE NATURE AND GENTLE CHARACTER WAS ABUSED BY HIS HANGERS ON, HIS DOCTORS, HIS MANAGERS AND THE EXECS AT THE BANK THATS HAD 50% OF NEVERLAND - WHO CONNED HIM INTO DOING 50 SHOWS IN LONDON AND NOT THE ORIGINAL 10! MJ JUST WANTED NEVERLAND BACK AND TO LIVE IN PEACE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE I FEEL- THE CONCERTS WERE THE WAY TO GET THAT BACK. I WISH HE HAD JUST SOLD THE REMAINDER OF HIS BACK CATALOGUE SHARE TO SONY AND BEEN DONE WITH IT. BUT THAT WAS HIS MAIN INCOME I KNOW- BUT IT WOULD HAVE SORTED OUT HIS DEBTS?!? LET HIM REST IN PEASCE NOW PLEASE MEDIA- LETS JUST CELEBRATE HIS GENIOUS!! IF I ONLY HAD A 10th of his musical talent! LOVE AND PEACE.

[davedigler]

SARAH ABOVE..HAS SAID IT ALL. I TOTALLY AGREE A MILLION PERCENT. MICHAEL WAS A LOVELY GENTLE, BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND TOO NICE FOR THIS WORLD. WHEN I SAW THE MARTIN BASHIR TV PROG 6 YEARS AGO I THOUGHT BASHIR WAS A COMPLETE _ASTARD AND ONLY TRYING TO "TRIP" MICHAEL UP TO MAKE HIMSELF FAMOUS FOR CUTTING EDGE (RUBBISH) UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL INSIGHTS INTO HIGH PROFILE PEOPLES PERSONAL LIVES (AS LADY DI)..HE WENT FAR TOO FAR WITH MJ!! I HOPE HE GOES TO HELL WHEN HE DIES- IT STILL STICKS IN MY MIND AND I FIND THAT PROGRAMME UPSETTING. I AM NOT VIOLENT- AND A PEACE LOVING PERSON..BUT IF I MET BASHIR HE WOULD GET A PUNCH IN THE FACE. TO ALL THE AGRESSIVE, NASTY, SELFISH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD0 I WISH YOU PEACE AND LOVE FOR YOUR OWNS SAKE AND TO TREAT OTHERS WITH GREAT RESPECT. MJ WE LOVE YOU FOR WHAT YOU BROUGHT TO THIS UNCERTAIN WORLD WE LIVE IN.

[Sarah]

Someone asked would you leave your child with michael jackson overnight???? Hell yes cause i believe deep in my heart he's done nothing wrong and would not intensionally hurt a child, i feel he loved children so much cause he could not trust adults but lets face it some of these children had things put into their heads by their so-called parents just to try and take him for everything.
Lets stop speculating about his life and all the so-called bad things he's done and remember everything good that he done cause to me that overrides everything ever said about him.
Leave him alone to rest in peace and let his memory live on in everyone that loved him he deserves that at least.

[lapin_rouge]

Like most posters here - I just want to publicise my biassed personal opinions & corrupt views.

And remember - the parasitic bloodsucking leeches that 'looked after' MJ so well, are still free to ply their trade. So: Raise your glass to MJ's ex managers, advisors, personal physician, goldigging wifes, record company executives.

Cant wait for the film to come out! (who killed Michael Jackson) I reckon they all did it.


oh yes - didnt MJ sing a bit before joining the circus?

[Emeka Aneke (UK)]

Will ITV bosses and Martin Bashir not let Michael Jackson rest in peace? He has departed this world for them but they still won't let his Soul be.

What else do they won't? Make MJ's children carry their late father's burden???

I see no point, edited or not, in regurgitating this awfully and diabolically manipulated programme that might have, in part, led to MJ's early grave.

Some people just do not have any shred of decency.

Enough is enough! Let Michael Jackson Rest In Peace.

[mark]

when i watched the first time i could have cheerfully shot bashia he seamed hell bent on painting a very black evil picture of mj hats off to itv a very tactful version showing mj as he was a caring peaceful man who was affected by a shocking childhood he was good enough to let bashia into his life and give a true honest vision of his life in return got stitched up in my opinion mj is guilty of one thing caring to much he may have told a few white lies about his face and surgery but show me someone who doesn't tell a few porkies yes mj was mixed up and yes his ways and morals may have been strange but i don't think he was ever capable of hurting anyone especially kids so well done itv although i would still like to shoot bashia for betraying mj

[Tony]

Didn't see this one but watched the original doc. What a grand display, by Bashir, of trust being abused! No matter what you feel or think of MJ, this guy shouldn't be in this kind of job, perhaps he should try something completely different like an "Interrogation officer"?

[FI]

Could nobody see the way MJ was treating his kids in that documentary last night??? It was disgusting, jiggling that poor "Blanket" while attempting to feed it although actually nearly smothering it with a scarf! Then dragging the other 2 round a zoo for his entertainment!! I think Bashir should be praised for the documentary, and for those of you feeling pity for MJ during his questions, it was all a big act! Move on people, Jacko is dead, so get over it. There are people dying for this country every day so keep your thoughts and prayers for these young deserving men, not a freak who basically killed himself!!

[Stirl]

Well I guess in our society highly innapropriate behaviour shown towards young boys in their early teens is quite acceptable as long as you`re rich, talented & famous ??!!

[kathy]

Martin Bashir reminded me of a sneaky creep realy, the way he was talking to Michael, what a plonker. How dare he even pry in his private affairs like that, he was trying to intimidate Michael as well, trying to be smart, he's an idiot he had no respect for Michael.

Martin Bashir how about if you take a long walk in the Austrialian outback and with a bit of luck we will not hear or see you again, oh silly me we havent seen you have we since the interview?
you crappy reporter.

[ms cook]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeEEODRn6Ik

I am disgusted - this man was hounded and murdered for nothing:(
Martin Bashier what goes around come around good luck pal.........your goina need it!
Rest easy Michael its over now hope you are having lots of fun wherever you are xxxx

[Sharon]

Mr Bashir was out for himself, he set MJ up with his vile questions which were clearly invading MJ's privacy, it was clear how shy and embarrassed MJ was, all he wanted was his childhood back and the only way for that to happen was to have children and child like things around him at all times, where is Mr Bashir now? where are all the money grabbers who took advantage of MJ's generosity? in hiding I expect, hopefully feeling guilty for their actions....

RIP MJ... NO ONE CAN TOUCH YOU NOW

[John T Walsh]

Bashir does not deserve to have a voice in the media. This documentary just proves he is ignorant to things he canot comprehend. Just another betrayal of a kind sweet man.

Peace, Love, and Understanding.

[rip]

another muslim trying to bring down western success

[Eboue]

He only read them stories? He gave them hot milk & cookies? He tucked them in?

Would you leave your child with Michael Jackson overnight?

[Mandy Beadnell]

It served to remind us all how instrumental Martin Bashir was in Michael Jackson's downfall and his whole suffering... the interview, whilst interesting in parts, showed no compassion for a man who was forever a child; just because Bashir cannot have innocent relationships with children he gave no quarter for a man robbed of his childhood, a man hounded by everyone and a man who found that children responded to him unconditionally. Michael was a genius. A kind and loving individual who cared about the planet. Bashir should be put on trial for what he did; it was without a doubt 'trial by television' and without a doubt by someone who had an agenda. Bashir reveals himslef to have none of the worthy attributes of Jackson. It will forever be a sadness and a travesty that Michael let Bashir into his life.

[Anne]

Bashir’s interview with MJ suggests he has no depth of understanding for people who are different in any way. Why, for example, was it so unbelievable to him that Michale drove a battery opperated chair in the hotel corridors, where he stayed, or that he rode on a ferris wheel. I can't see anything particularly strange about that. Bashir needs to realise there is no such word as normal where human characteristics are concerned.

[Sweet Pie]

Martin just took everything out of proportion! And when he asked Michael about how his dad, Joe beat him with his belt, you could see that it made him uncomfortable, but Martin just kept talking about it! Michael changed his face, so his Dad wouldn't take the crap out of him. And what did his Dad mean when he said "You didn't get that nose from my side of the family"! What was that suppost to mean? Michael got his nose from being black like his parents, so why would Joe say that? I believe Michael loved children, he had his own children, for God sake, but he wouldn't do what he was suppost to have done, to anyone, especially children! And when he took his children to the zoo, Martin seemed horrified at the idea! What, now just because he's famous, he can't be with his children?! Michael was bullsh**ed through his life because he was a warm, gental human, but now your not aloud to be human, because you will be accused of molestering children! What a complete joke! R.I.P Michael

[sheila]

Second time round I feel just as disgusted with Martin Bashir as the first. I just keep seeing the sneer on his face whilst abusing the trust of a gentle soul. I do not believe that Michael did anything wrong but Bashir sure did.

[Sophie]

I watched the original unedited version of the documentary and the filming of Michael and the 13 year-old boy was only edited out this time, because despite that boy actually saying ON CAMERA that Michael was an amazing mentor and good friend to him, he turned against Michael soon afterwards and claimed that he was another "victim". F**King two-faced money grabber just like Jordy Chandler was! If anyone has seen the original version, it was obviously much better. Sad, but more of an insight to Michael's life and how he really was. I personally didn't find it disturbing, just rather sad. He made the mistake of admitting that he sometimes allowed the kids to sleep in the same bed as he did, that was what made matters worse. He did say he regreted saying that afterwards, but then he shouldn't have said that in the first place.

[Carlos]

It will go down as a classic peice of television journalism. It wouldn't have mattered how little or much probing Mr Bashir did you could not escape the fact that Michael Jackson was a deeply disturbed person. His behaviour in the mall in Las Vegas was not normal by any standards and his behaviour while feeding Blanket was disturbing at the very least. The man is a musical genius and I respect him for that and have bought his records. I cannot condone his behaviour with children and any normal person wouldn't either. I hope he has found peace within himself now.

[Jayne in Pompey]

I feel sorry for Michael being subjected to a member of the gutter press so defencelessly. He wiggled and squirmed and was astonished by the harshness of Bashirs questions that were only designed to make him out to be a freak and abnormal.
Shame on you Bashir, you are a Jonah - look what damage you did to Diana, and are you sorry.......no not in the least.

[slimblonde-2]

I am a huge fan of Michael, and have been for 30 years. I saw the original airing of this interview and the edited repeat last night. Personally, I believe Bashir's line of questioning was intrusive, and that Michael was naive to give an answer to some of the questions. Michael was naive to think that people would accept the sleepover arrangements after all the hullabaloo in 1993. I don't believe he harmed any child, but many people perceived that he did, and he was judged on these perceptions. A tragic chain of events that, on their own, would have had a small impact on Michael, but put together had fatal consequences for a gentle and sensitive man.

[John B]

Bashir should feel guilt for the rest of his life, that he choose to take the silver shilling and put himself First in trying to create Dirt.

I doubt though that Bashir like many gutter journalists will lose no sleep or feel any guilt, shame on him!

[Gabrielle Jacobsen]

Yes MJ died as a result of his upbringing a father more interested in money and power than giving his child Love and emotional nurishment!! A lonely misunderstood Childlike Man, Who i belive never hurt any child he just wanted to be excepted and felt safe in their company!!
And died the day the Bashir's trial was aired!!
"what a loss to the world"
(Peace be with him now)

[shona]

I refused to watch the documentary last night as i beleive this is what helped kill michael. bashir should feel guilty for the rest of his life. michael was a sad lonely man who loved children there is nothing wrong with that. A lot more people should take a leaf out of his book. Michael may you be in a better place now we will miss you. bashir i hope you rot in hell.

[sam]

well i watched it last night and it proved to me what a misunderstood man he was,after what he suffered as a child is it any wonder he didnt want anything to do with adults,he came across as a man who wouldnt hurt a fly let alone any children!!the only thing i dont understand is why he left his children to his mother when she stood and watched the father beat her own children but i guess he had his reasons of which i guess we will never know!!!

[George]

In fact, Bashir is the Portent of Doom!! He interviews Princess Di and MJ and look what happened to both of them!!

Can anyone arrange for him to interview Tony Bliar and Gorden Brown!!!!!

[George]

Both a par of weirdos - they derserve each other!!!

[sean]

at least it still showed bashia what a scum bag he is.an invitation from michael was abused,trust was broken.he should never work again.im not a fan but do like his music and without a dout he will never be forgot,its elvis all over again.it is my oppinion that micheal was peter pan,his love for children was innocent.look how adults treated him,no wonder he wanted nothing to do with them.at least now he can rest in peace.

[Ben]

I think the documentary is edited in a rather biased perspective to make micheal look like a bad person. From looking at the way michael reacts to questions and his body language, i feel that this is a man who is lost in his own world but would never be capable of hurting anyone in any way. the fact he had no concept of normality makes michaels actions seem normal to himself however to an onlooker would seem bizarre. Michael was a man who had the best intentions for everyone and its such a shame to see his timid and shy nature exploited.

remeber his music ... afterall, thats why we loved him in the first place

[Bonnie]

I never saw it first time round and I watched about half of it last night, I found it very disturbing and turned it off. My first thought was the safety of his children, do they not have social services in America. Do they not watch this documentry and think it strange that children are being brought up in that way.
I have never seen an interview of him before and his answers to how he was brought up affected me alot. Again my immediate thought was, where was his mother when his father was beating her children, or did she just turn the other cheek and wait for the money to roll in. Whats even more worrying is that MJ children are now in the care of a man who finds it acceptable to beat children and a woman who never stood up to him!!!

[Rene]

I believe this documentary was the cause of Michaels big problems. Martin Bashir abused his role as a television reporter(never to be seen again- was he sacked?).His insinuations were merely to sensationalise the programme & were uncalled for.He destroyed Michaels life.I predicted on the first viewing of this documentary that Bashir would not be seen on British television again. Nobody could ever trust this wicked man again. Michael trusted him and was open and honest because there was nothing to hide.Would a child molester say to millions that he allowed children to get into his bed with milk and cookies? It was innocent, & anyone with children would realise how happy & exciting this would be for them. Bashire twisted the interview completely. Michael was a child & lived as one. He laughed, loved & played with them right up until the very end. This is not a crime,simply someone who was crucified for being different caring & loving.By the way has anybody noticed there was ulterior motives behind the allegations against him. The parents were previous employees of Jackson's who had been sacked & others accepted big financial payouts !!As if any respectable parent would accept a payout if the allegations were true.
May Michael now rest in piece and others be haunted by an eternal guilty conscience.

[Lynn]

I think Michael Jackson was misunderstood by the public. He was comfortable around children as they didnt judge him and he had a very childlike approach to the world. People should have left him alone, he was suffering enough without the worlds press forever trying to probe into his affairs. He just wanted to be private and keep his children safe from the paparazzi which constantly followed him. How sad is it when he cant even go to a zoo or go shopping without being photographed, ridiculed and attacked verbally.
He was the utimate entertainer on stage - a changed man - a genius and very unique.

[Emma]

Re-edited, it was as mean to him as the last one was! I switched it off, it was horible to watch, I'm annoyed they re-showed it anyway, what a tribute, he hated that interview when he was alive, it ruined him! They should have taken out Bashir's one sided view completley if they wanted to show it.

[Lisa]

I find it so disgusting that someone like Bashir can take what Michael said and turn it round to make it sound bad. ANYONE who believes the BS about Michael obviously didn't know the first thing about him to begin with. Bashir makes me sick along with anyone who believed the allogations against MJ. He was a wonderful person who wanted to be loved and to give love back - and to those sick minded people that DOES NOT mean sex. Bashir should swap places with Michael! Why do the good have to suffer at the hands of the bad?? I feel so angry that Michael was taken away from us because of these monsters. I will never forgive them and I will defend Michael's good name to my last breath!!!

[Viki]

I've always loved MJ's music, but it's only now know that I really understand his songs. He often sang about being lonely, hopeless love and that came from his heart. The songs reflect his sad life, the truth. Why didn't I see this before?! And I'm sure that I'm not the only one in this. Right? I find Martin Bashir absolutely revolting. He didn't look at MJ as a person but only as a "job".

[ugo]

In my view, MJ died the day that documentary aired. Not only was it very biased with Martin Bashir focussing on the general innuendo and misconceptions surrounding Michael, it was one that raised allegations that were later unfounded. Before Michael Jackson ever went to court following this documentary, he had already been judged and found guilty by public opinion. How could one recover from that? He never did, but I hope in his death, people will now realise and appreciate what a true gift he was. He may have had his eccentricities, but don't we all? At the end of the day, he was a massively talented man with a huge heart who has inspired millions around the world to strive for excellence in all they do. Rest in Peace Michael Jackson, King of Pop.

[adam steeves]

Did you say, [Jackson] 'insisted he hadn’t had cosmetic surgery?'

Just goes to show how people (journalists) are still manipulating the truth. I recall him claiming to have 'two surgeries' in the end (obviously questionable), not none. Or like many things in his life you choose to ignore the detail, like the pay off to Jordy Chandler meant it bought his silence in public, not in the courts of law... Funny after a $20m payout they didn't feel the need to go to court.

As for Michael himself, i'm sad I didn't get to see him perform again... and like in the original doc in 2003, the re-edited footage failed to focus in on his feet when he performs in his studio...

What incompetent being fails to acknowledge the wonders of MJ?...

[Jak]

Bashir's interview style is simply far too intrusive. Yes, he was there to get some much needed insight into the life of the mega-star, but at points he just goes too far with some really deep personal issues, that MJ is clearly upset about discussing. Having watched the documentary again last night, I have a fresh dislike for Bashir and his actions.
MJ was, and indeed still is, an icon worldwide, and we can but only hope the world will remember him for the good things - the love he showed, the innocence he showed and most of all, the legendary creative genius he really was.

[Kat]

I think nothing was achieved with either versions of the documentaries. If anythign they just confused people. There was no getting ones head around Michael Jackson. The heavy questioning of the upbringing of his children and his plastic surgery was overdone, though. Why should he answer those questions? Why were we questioning the way he brought up his children? Isnt that comletely personal - would you answer those questions? As for the plastic surgery - who cares. Even if he had had more than he let on, so what if he wanted people to think it was natural...again, it was his business and did not affect the greatness of his talent - the important part! I think he was mis-advised by the people around him, because for some reason, he felt he owed the public an answer when really all he had to do was tell them to mind their own business...I think he was too naive or honest to do so.

The documentary was uncomfortable to watch. Bashir's techniue is too invasive - but he *is* a journalist. He clearly thought that the confirmation of Jackson as a complete weirdo would sell more (given that in the second version of the docmentary, he admits to finding Neverland a wonderful idea) than the revelation of actually quite a normal (by MJ standards!), friendly being. I think he was wrong.

My two cents.

[Gill]

Really i love the mans music. but the 1993 paying Joey Chandler 20 millions to get out of the charges was just a sign of his guilt to me and he should have spent the last
16 years in jail to keep other children safe.

[andy]

bashir new exactly what he was doing when he made the documentary. mj was a kind caring person who hadn't lived within what society has deemed as "normal" constraints. this exposed him to the detritus of society as a meal ticket. well done martin, you gained a million dollar deal as an anchorman on u.s. tv. i wonder how bashirs' legacy will compare to mjs'?

[Doobeedoobeedoo]

I don't like Bashir's style of journalism and i don't like his interviews. He try's to find angles and he's false. Please don't let him interview anyone else !!As for Michael Jackson, he paid the ultimate price for his fame and lonely life. All those around him who failed him, including his family should be ashamed and i hope they carry that guilt with them always. Michael was an entertainer and whether you liked him or not, you can certainly never take that away from him. I grew up listening to him and admired him. Most of the things that went wrong with his life were not of his own doing. It's time to let him sleep in peace, after all, peace was all he wanted.

[suie]

I think your review sums it up, I have never send comments about a pop star before and this is the first time and I'm sure the last time, but yes this child man was mis-understood it a shame that we can all love him now when he died a lonely unloved man

[Joanne Davies]

I didnt watch it last night, I taped it instead. I remember watching it the first time round. I love MJ and have been a fan of his for many, many years, followed him through thick and thin and I was totally devastated when I heard that he had died. He had always come accross as being a really happy go lucky guy, but deep down he was sad. Michael's children were his life and anyone can see what a great father he was. OK, he had a silly spell of covering them up etc, but at the end of the day, he was a father and those kids have lost the real one person in their lives that they looked up to and respected. Thats what we should remember. It doesnt matter what people thought about him as a person, its the children you have to feel for.
Michael gave us 45 years of his life and really entertained us along the way, time for him to rest in peace now. Love you MJ xxx

[Stewart Madden]

I just think that the whole of Michael Jacksons life was so desperately lonely in every way! It was impossible to get to really know him on normal terms as he was never treated as a person,never really loved and why? Because he had his childhood stolen from him by the greed and selfish man he called his father. Michael Jackson cried out from deep within to have that childhood for the rest of his short lived life, hence his immaturity which was always in public for all to see. Just imagine not havig your childhood-impossible isn't it!!!!!!!!!!!!God bless you Michael, you gave so much and received so little!

[Carol]

Heartbreaking, what a sad sad life he had! I'm surprised his dad showed his face at the memorial!!!I know where the blame lies.