Did you see it? Fascinating viewing for nearly two hours. I have a strong suspicion that there is going to be an uproar about it, the press will have a field-day.

This was a documentary filmed over a period of eight months (isn't that what they said?), it included Neverland, Las Vegas, Germany and Florida. As it was filmed for ITV in the UK I doubt that it will be shown elsewhere but if you don't want to know more don't read on as I am about to mention some of the topics covered.

Plastic surgery, he has only ever had two operations, both to his nose, honest - that is what he said. His father used to beat him. He used to share a room with one of his brothers on tour when the brother was 'entertaining' young ladies. Most disturbing was part of the interview when they were talking to a boy of about 12 years who was befriended by Michael, he stays at Neverland and wait for it, shares Michael's bedroom - yes, they said it on film but the boy sleeps in the bed and Michael on the floor. Then there were the three Jackson children, we saw them all with their faces covered, the baby was from a surrogate mother according to Michael although earlier in the programme he said that he had a relationship with the baby's mother - just changed his story later. We also saw Michael on a shopping spree in Las Vegas, he literally spent millions of dollars in the one shop.

'Freak’ is the only thing I can think of saying. I could elaborate, but it would be merely be an extension of the word 'freak'

It is just about to start here ... I'm going to have to watch it. Not sure why ... some sort of morbid curiosity perhaps?

I think he is creepy already, can't imagine what I'm going to think of after what you've said, Sue.

All you have to do is look at an early picture of MJ, say at the time of his "Off The Wal" album, and compare it to his features today and clearly he has had more than two plastic surgeries and to more than just his nose. Pity he has transformed himself from an attractive young man into a curious spectacle.

I am not happy with my face(who is?) but I certainly would not do this click here with it..
He was a really cute looking child at 10 years old for sure.

I watched this show tonight and found it quite disturbing. Putting "freaky and creepy" aside, he is a very sick man. His rationalization of sleeping in the same bedroom with children who are not his own just screamed to me "Paedophile."
His denial of any plastic surgery other than his nose shows he really is living in Never Never Land!
My heart goes out to his 3 children who will never know a mothers love or by the looks of it, any female role model.
What a sorry mess this is.

There is to be a two hour long interview with Barbara Walters on Fri night! I shall tape it! I have a feeling it won't be as interesting as the BBC one!
I was never a fan but I think it is sad how he has tried to reinvent himself just to be popular! I think he should seek out a good Psychiatrist and get the help he needs!
I fear his poor Children will grow up just as messed up as he is! PF

Fascinating photographic history Ren. He's changed his appearance so much over the years (only 2 nose jobs and nothing else done? Yeah right!) it's sometimes hard to remember when he looked 'normal'.
I only saw part of the documentary but what I found quite sad about that shopping trip Sue was that all that expensive stuff he was buying wasn't 'beautiful' at all but no one would say to him 'Actually Michael no it's not, it's rather ugly'. Or was it just me that thought it was all terribly gaudy?
And one can only feel sorry for those children. As fathers go I'd say Michael Jackson is pretty scary!

Ah, it is being screened in the US on Friday on ABC. I will add 'spoiler' to the title. I do hope that it hasn't been spoiled for those who have read this thread, I assumed it would stay in the UK.

Actually Purple, it is the same documentary - it aired in the UK first. According to a Toronto Star article it will be aired (Thursday) Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. on ABC TV in North America.

You know, I wasn't gonna watch it, but now I must. Strange, freak, pedophile. I truly feel sorry for his "children". Someone should do the old DNA test to see if they really are his children. I heard years ago that his father had him castrated in order to keep that unique singing voice. If that is true, then he can't have any natural children. There are other pieces of evidence that might point to his castration issue. No facial hair, the voice and the testimony of the child who sued him, which was never revealed, about his naughty bits. What do you all think about that?

Ugh. Those poor children. When he was feeding the baby he looked so 'jumpy' and nervous. And the shopping trip? Anagram was the one who said GAUDY and that is the only word I can think of!
Perhaps you could argue that his childhood is what has shaped him into the 'man' he is today but I really don't think he should be held up on a pedestal by as many people as he is.


Anyone else think he has really big hands?

Did anyone else notice that Prince Michael I (the oldest boy) has his hair bleached, he has dark roots.

As for Jacko's hands, there was something about his nails, towards the end he had some of them with sticky tape covering them.

I've never had a very high opinion of Michael Jackson so i thought I'd watch the documentary to see if I might be wrong. He came across as even worse than I'd ever thought, whatever the problems in his childhood, the man has lost it completely and needs help.

The worst thing to me is that he wants to adopt more kids, two from each continent, he didn't strike me as fit to care for the three that he already has.

As for the wow factor I think this will be reinforced in all the TV awards that come along around the years end. Not going in to all the ins and outs of the interview, my overall impression is that this man has so much pshycological scarr tissue I doubt he knows who he is anymore and he is certainly in need of help but I fell it is probably too late to help him. I will say of the cosmetic surgery issue that I have a strong suspicion that he suffers from Body Dysmorphic Disorder and the image staring back at him from the mirror is entirely different from the one we see and wince at. I think it is clear from the image of him feeding his youngest, that he has never looked after a baby in any hands on sense before. I would hope that the nannies he employs will have a positive effect on his offspring but I somehow doubt that any of his staff have either the courage or the inclination to defy his lifestyle.

I think one word just about sums Jacko up.(Well, maybe more than one, but I think you know what I mean).

DENIAL

Nobody has ever told him............. NO!

He has been living in a 'closeted' World for so long that the poor deluded fool has no idea or concept of right or wrong. He does indeed live in Neverland.

I just don't know, I really don't. Before last night, I just thought of him as your archetypal paedophile. Now, I'm not so sure that he is. I'm of the opinion that he really may be that naive?

I think somebody once said of him, when he was 13, that he was a 40 year old trapped in the body of a 13 year old. Now, it seems that he is a 13 year old, trapped in the body of a 44 year old?

The Berlin bit: Having lived in Berlin for a couple of years, I know what Berliners are like . Believe me, German fans would forgive him anything. Even if he had dropped duvet, sorry 'blanket' off that balcony, they would have said it was 'die bild' journalists trying to get a scoop!

The man? is barmy, of that, there is no doubt. Surely, after all that has gone on in the past, he should not be the sole guardian of 3 children. How did that happen? and they say that social services in this country are inept!!!!

Yeah, Sue, I too, heard Fiona on GMTV point out the bleached hair thing on Prince 'whatever'. I think every parent in the 'civilised' World would have had the hairs on their neck stand up more so with his feeding of blanket through the veil. Good God , everyone knows if you shake that much, you're in for a world of wind!

To sum up:
I'm more confused about him now than I was before? Although, if it was a toss up between him and the dreaded Mother-in-Law to babysit............. I'd still choose 'Cruella'. Sorry Wendy

wez

Quote:

---

everyone knows if you shake that much, you're in for a world of wind!

---

LOL! I bet that is when the nannies take over!
And how much of an identity crisis are the two boys going to have with the same name? "Blanket" isn't a good enough nickname to hide from the shame.

Michael Jackson might be 44 years old but I thought he came across as a childlike character. As such I hope I’m right in judging that this, rather than any other reason, is why he enjoys the company of children. It certainly is unusual to have children sleeping in the same room as himself though. If any of my children had asked if they could stay with MJ the answer would have been ‘No’, which is the answer many parents wishing to protect their children would give. However, I don’t think MJ would have understood that reaction. Having watched the program I wouldn’t rush to judge that there is any ulterior motive to having children sleep over.


The fairground in the back garden, the enjoyment he has at climbing trees and the racing of small cars around a track would all seem to bear out the fact that he is a child himself at heart. Maybe he likes to surround himself with children because those of his own age would not be comfortable sharing the possessions he enjoys. He sees himself as a Peter Pan like figure and behaves as such.

I can’t understand why he wanted to change his appearance but I think that about many people who don’t see themselves as perfect and have the money to do something about it.

Perhaps anyone with his background, fabulous wealth and lifestyle is not going to turn into an everyday Joe. It’s bound to lead to behaviour that the rest of us can’t hope to understand.

I just saw it advertised for "our side of the pond" later this week. I wasn't going to watch it, already believing this man(?) is a little too strange for me, and I don't like promoting his fame by watching! However, they showed a brief clip and I'm thinking maybe I will. Curious.

Hmm, the documentary was shown here two days ago, but I missed it. I didn't feel like watching it at all, but now that I've read this thread I think I'll go for the re-run in March! You guys made me curious!

Ren, those pictures are really terrifying! Imagine ending up with a face like MJ's...

Sue,

The documentary is airing tonight on ABC's 20/20. I remember years ago, and I am going back years...lol..I remember when I went to see MJ and his brothers on their 'Victory' tour, they were tremendous. But that was before, MJ started to have all of these plastic surgeries.

What I do not understand is that he looked fine before, why on earth did he feel it was necessary to remake his face?

He is a very talented man, and extremely well known, he should be proud of who and what he was before the surgery. Does he really think his face looks fine the way it is? He looks more like a plastic factory gone wrong.

It is such a shame that all anyone will remember about MJ is his plastic face and his obession with young boys. It really is talent wasted, and misused.

Agnes (JTJ)

Todays papers here in the UK say that millions of fans tuned in to watch and a poll showed that despite his bizzare behaviour,the superstar had gone up in their estimation!!

Only time will tell i suppose

I just watched that Documentary and I have to say I feel sick to my stomach! This is a seriously disturbed human being! I think his children should be removed from him immediately and then he should be ordered into some forum of counselling or psychiatric care!
How anyone could think this is a normal life for a 44year old man and I use that term loosely is beyond me!
I have a feeling his career will crash and burn after this!
Plus I have afeeling that there will be more children who will come out and tell the truth!
Time will tell!
PF

I just watched it, too, PF, and I have to say, though parts of it made me very angry and sick, overall I feel just plain sad! The interviewer summed it up fairly well after the fact. I know the world needs more love...and perhaps Michael thinks he's giving it. However, he gives love by giving things. Listening to him talk, the best defence is a good offence, and Michael is certainly offensive! But I end up thinking he is very ill. He looks terrible. He is selfish and self-centred, though by endowing others with his material blessings, I think he gets solace. He's 44! Geez.........I believe there is no hope. The best thing that could happen is for someone to get Michael under control, like a guru or something. He needs major work on his "inside"!

I've just watched a video of the documentary - I was surprised he was advised to actually do it! Everything in it just revealed how totally self-centred the man is.
As a mother of 2 I just cannot understand how the mothers of these children could walk away and leave them in his care. Debbie Rowe was on GMTV after the documentary saying what a good father he is - shame I didn't see much evidence of that.
I can understand Jacko wanting to protect his children's identities/privacy - but wearing masks and veils?? There's no need for that - look at the British Royal family. They're recognised from birth & followed by the press yet they are still able to lead a normal (for them!) life without the need for masks.
If Jacko feels that he is a good parent then maybe he should start behaving like an adult instead of a child himself. He should think of their needs for a stable & responsible parent rather than his own need to be surrounded by kids.
I can only wonder what these children will be like as adults - at the very least I expect them to suffer from claustrophobia!!