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The Simpsons
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The Simpsons is taking the child abuse allegations levied in HBO documentary Leaving Neverland very seriously. According to James L. Brooks, an executive producer on the long-running animated comedy, The Simpsons episode featuring Michael Jackson’s voice will be removed from circulation. Brooks told The Wall Street Journal‘s Joe Flint that removing the episode felt like “the only choice to make” after watching the documentary, which tells the story of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claim that Jackson sexually abused them as children (Jackson’s family and estate have denied the allegations).
“The documentary gave evidence of monstrous behavior,” Brooks said of Leaving Neverland. “It feels clearly the only choice to make. The guys I work with — where we spend our lives arguing over jokes — were of one mind on this.” The 1991 episode, “Stark Raving Dad” (also the Season 3 premiere), stars Jackson as Leon Kompowsky — referred to as “the big white guy who thinks he’s the little black guy” — a man who befriends Homer in a mental institution. He teaches Homer how to moonwalk, and shortly after, they leave the institution together, just in time for Leon to perform “Happy Birthday” at Lisa’s birthday party. In August 2018, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening confirmed that “Stark Raving Dad” really does feature a Jackson cameo, although he said that the musical moments used a “sound-a-like singer.”
“Stark Raving Dad” has already been removed from Simpsons World, the show’s official streaming site. Its collection of Season 3 episodes begins with Episode 2, “Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington.”
“This was a treasured episode,” Brooks told The Wall Street Journal. “There are a lot of great memories that we have wrapped up in that one, and this certainly doesn’t allow them to remain.” The producer went on to say that he’s “against book burning of any kind,” but this situation is different. “This is our book, and we’re allowed to take out a chapter,” said Brooks.
