Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson and Me

[SachaStark]

Anybody else planning to watch tonight? Part 1 of 2, 9pm, Channel 4.

I'm very intrigued to watch. I remember the Martin Bashir documentary being aired years ago, and the various backlashes/criticisms that happened afterwards.

Yes, I'm planning on watching it. Interesting that many radio stations are now saying they won't play his music anymore.

I'll be watching. Watched an interview with the Director earlier, he came across as very passionate and articulate.

Yes, I have just sky + it.

I've just watched up to the Paris part. Even before that, from very early on, I wanted to slap both those mothers. Silly, vain, idiots that let that happen to their poor sons because they were flattered and living vicariously through them.

Wade's mother even said "the stage mom in me wanted it" about her 5 year old - 5! - son. They were so easily groomed and flattered. Its heartbreaking watching the footage of those 2 little boys, especially the 5y old. Stupid women, and the dads of course.

He was so clever. Everybody just accepted the "MJ is like a child" line because he told them that and so he didnt seem threatening. I mean why did noone think it was inappropriate that he had all these little kids on tour with him, sleeping in his hotel room. Striking how much more cunning and masculine he looks on the private footage, which id never seen before.

Just saw on Twitter that there have been protests outside the C4 offices by MJ fans. Some pp will never be convinced of his guilt. Personally I feel v conflicted about this. Loved Off The Wall album and MJ was such a big part of my teenage years. But... the victims need to be heard. And believed.

Was going to watch but just noticed it's on until 22.50 too late for me so will tape and try and catch up tomorrow. I don't need to watch it to be convinced he was a paedophile always thought he was and I'm pretty shocked it's only starting to come out now.

Personally I think these two have zero credit and are just looking for a payoff. It's no co-incidence that these claims started after Robson was no given a part on the cirque du soleil show, since then his story changed. Robson testified as an ADULT Michael didn't do anything wrong to him, now he claims he didn't know it was wrong? If he was a kid when that was the case then fine, but he claimed the same which he was old enough to know it was wrong. It's also funny how documentary makers always try to get both sides of the story and one side not talking or saying things that give credit to the other side, but he only took words from these two and their families. No wonder people have such an issue with it.

I’m going to record it as it is on until late and watch MotherFatherSon on BBC 2, will catch up with it tomorrow

Yes I am watching. I feel he is guilty. Then I don't. Sigh

Make your own mind up, both sides of the story...

I suspected he was as sleeping with kids seemed an obvious paedo thing and he wasn't like a child. I was surprised allegations didn't come out as soon as he died though. Always indifferent to his music.

Even as a child I thought Michael Jackson was a creep.

These little boys are tiny

I am watching.

I made my mind up years ago but think this docu will make me hate the fucker even more.

The footage is disturbing.

The parents were naive and pushed their sons into the limelight with no regard for anything else.

I am struggling with how credible the men are. Under oath, at least one testified that this never happened.

Too creepy that the children he spent time with and lavished attention on were all boys and all gorgeous

The parents remind me of the abducted in plain sight parents - dangerously naive

I'm watching. I think the parents were groomed as much as the kids at some points. But they were just so naive. Would they have allowed the contact they did if MJ wasn't famous? Of course not. Disturbing how it all happened.

The parents remind me of the abducted in plain sight parents - dangerously naive

Yes!

Jimmy's mum is bloody weird.

I believe them
The simplest explanation is usually true. And the simplest explanation is that he was a paedophile.
Whether or not they are trying to exploit the situation for money makes no difference to how likely it is that this happend. I think they are telling the story now to make money but I do think it's true.
You have to do some real mental gymnastics to come up with excuses and explanations other than 'he was a peadophile'

I used to feel sorry for him and buy into the 'childlike' narrative. But as I've gotten older I've realised that it doesn't ring true at all.. it seems like more of a self justification for him.

The grooming is clever. Paedophiles pick out the parents to groom to get to the child.

All victims of the paedophile's brain washing.

MJ used money and fame.

Sorry but that little boy and his mum were groomed.

I haven’t seen it. But I saw the footage of him giggling when he was interviewed by the police. It was awful.

Also, re money, apparently the men were not paid for their part in this documentary. Sadly, by pp who believe MJ is innocent, they are finding all sorts of motivations as to why they would come forwards niw. Personally I think they just want the world to know the truth. But it just shows how hard it is fir victims to come forward and how much victims are castigated and forensically examined for doing so.