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Living with Michael Jackson
The documentary, Living with Michael Jackson by British journalist Martin Bashir comprises an interview Michael Jackson which spanned over a period of 8 months, from May 2002 to January 2003. It was first aired in in the UK followed by in US three days later.
The idea behind Martin Bashir documentary was to allow Jackson a platform to show the world the truth about him.
Jackson decided to make the documentary on the advice of his friend Uri Geller. Geller had turned down another bid for the interview by journalist Louis Theroux.
The interview between Jackson and Bashir was very unusual for the simple reason Jackson was allowing an access to his personal life, and was freely talking about his traumatic childhood, a very rare feat indeed.
However, he showed some reservations when he had to answer questions on his physical appearance and the plastic surgery undertaken.
Jackson felt betrayed by Bashir and complained that the film never gave a true picture and some of the details were distorted. He claims that Bashir, in the final version of his interview, used only that material which supported Bashirs opinion of Jackson. This opinion was anything but a favorable one thus painting Jackson in a bad light. Jackson filed complaints with the UKs Independent Television Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Commission against Bashir.
Jacksons lawyers claimed in a British High Court case against Martin Bashir and Granada TV that the documentary was a both breach of contract and confidence. The proceedings however were put on hold post the charge against Jackson accusing him of 10 felony counts in late 2003. The proceedings could continue after Jackson’s acquittal. However this is unlikely to take place given the death of Jackson. Ann Kite, a PR consultant hired by Jackson’s advisers to undo the damage done by the documentary called the documentary a PR-disaster.
Living with Michael Jackson,
