TIME Television

The Simpsons Pulls Michael Jackson Episode Following HBO’s Leaving Neverland Release

FOX's "The Simpsons" - Season Twenty-Eight
FOX—2016 FOX

Here's what you need to know

The Simpsons is pulling an episode featuring the voice of Michael Jackson, following the release of the controversial HBO documentary Leaving Neverland.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, James L. Brooks, the show’s longtime executive producer, said that removing the 1991 episode titled “Stark Raving Dad,” was “clearly the only choice to make.”

The episode featured Jackson’s voice as a character named Leon Kompowsky, a patient in a mental institution who believes that he is Michael Jackson; the episode was a fan favorite, especially since it features a memorable scene where Jackson sings a special birthday song to Lisa.

The episode has already been removed from Simpsons World and Brooks said that the process has been started to remove it from syndication and future physical media editions.

“I’m against book burning of any kind, but this is our book, and we’re allowed to take out a chapter,” Brooks said.

Tap to read full story

Your browser is out of date. Please update your browser at http://update.microsoft.com


YOU BROKE TIME.COM!

Dear TIME Reader,

As a regular visitor to TIME.com, we are sure you enjoy all the great journalism created by our editors and reporters. Great journalism has great value, and it costs money to make it. One of the main ways we cover our costs is through advertising.

The use of software that blocks ads limits our ability to provide you with the journalism you enjoy. Consider turning your Ad Blocker off so that we can continue to provide the world class journalism you have become accustomed to.

The TIME Team