#183 - Michael Jackson

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 183 – Michael Jackson In this episode, Andy and Roger wander into the minefield that is Michael Jackson—prompted by a new biopic that disappoints critics and sugarcoats the real MJ. What starts as a chat about movie reviews quickly turns into a broader discussion about legacy, fame, and whether it’s even possible to tell the truth about someone that famous. They unpack the film’s biggest criticism—that it sanitises Jackson’s life—and ask whether that was inevitable given the family’s involvement. From there, the conversation turns to the strange duality of Michael Jackson himself: a once-in-a-generation entertainer with an undeniable cultural impact, and a deeply complicated figure surrounded by controversy, allegations, and behaviour that doesn’t sit comfortably in hindsight. Andy and Roger debate whether it’s possible to separate the art from the artist, touching on Jackson’s upbringing, the pressures of fame from childhood, and the idea of arrested development. They explore the role of enablers, the cult-like loyalty of fanbases, and how figures like Donald Trump draw similar dynamics in public perception—albeit in very different arenas. The episode also branches out into a wider conversation about musical biopics: why they rarely land, why they tend to gloss over the uncomfortable bits, and whether some stories are simply too messy to retell. Along the way, they revisit films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, and debate which artists—if any—actually deserve the biopic treatment. It’s part nostalgia, part cultural critique, and part uncomfortable reality check on what happens when fame, talent, and human frailty collide. Hashtags: #MichaelJackson #Biopic #MusicHistory #PopCulture #CelebrityLegacy #ArtVsArtist #AndyAndRoger #PodcastDiscussion #FilmCriticism #FameAndPower #CulturalDebate #MusicIndustry #TrueStory #EntertainmentNews #MediaAnalysis Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: [email protected] Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8