When I heard that Michael Jackson died, I tried to think of how his career touched the world of TV. What surprised me was that he utilized TV much more than most people realized: from his first appearances on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, to his groundbreaking MTV videos and moonwalk on Motown 25, to even the coverage of his court battles, Michael has been as much a TV fixture as a musical fixture.But when I think of MJ on TV, my mind will always drift to his memorable appearance on The Simpsons. It was the first episode of the third season (all the way back in -- gulp -- 1991), in an episode called "Stark Raving Dad." Homer is thrown in a mental institution for wearing a pink shirt to work. In there, he meets a huge galumphing patient named Leon Kompowski, who happens to sound like Michael Jackson. Leon leaves with Homer (he's there voluntarily) and helps Bart write a stirring birthday tribute to his sister, "Happy Birthday Lisa."
What I always thought was the most interesting part of the episode was that Jackson lent his voice uncredited (he was credited as John Jay Smith). I guess he didn't want promotion of the episode to be all about him, though our friends at UGO said it was because of a contractual conflict. That was definitely the right strategy; it was fun to guess whether the voice of Leon was really Jackson or a really good impersonator . But, by the time we heard "Happy Birthday, Lisa," we all knew who it was. (Update: the singing parts were done by an impersonator, though there is speculation that a Jackson-recorded version was snuck into the episode. Thanks to those who pointed it out, but not to the guy who called me a "dumb ass.")
Here's a couple of clips of the episode from Hulu (US only, folks), and a YouTube audio-only clip of "Happy Birthday, Lisa." We'll be talking about more Michael Jackson-meets-TV memories throughout the day; feel free to leave yours here or in any of our MJ posts.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-26-2009 @ 11:43AM
Galley said...
That still ranks as one of the best Simpsons episodes, ever.
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6-26-2009 @ 12:00PM
Philip J Fry said...
Yeah this episode was great I remember it clearly. It was one of the best episodes of any show in fact IMO.
If you guys are going to do articles about every influence Michael Jackson had on the entertainment and TV industry these new few days you guys are going to be terrible busy.
It just boggles the mind when you think about what was born of Michael jackson.
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6-26-2009 @ 12:06PM
Eirik said...
I seem to remember an interview with one of the cast members that talked about this, and while Jackson was indeed the speaking voice, it was an impersonator who did the singing. The story at the time was that they weren't paying him enough to sing.
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6-26-2009 @ 12:13PM
Joel Keller said...
I've heard that too. But was that confirmed? If so, I'll change the post.
6-26-2009 @ 12:22PM
Joel Keller said...
Looks like it was an impersonator. For some reason, I forgot that. I updated the post.
Oh, and the guy who called me a "dumb ass" got deleted. Thou shalt not call each other names in the comments.
6-26-2009 @ 12:28PM
Tim said...
What you're only going to let positive things be said about you ior else you'll delete it? Grow a pair. It's funny because you were so adamant that it was Jackson singing that you said "we all" knew it. I'm allowed to find fault with that. That's horrible writing.
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6-26-2009 @ 12:31PM
Joel Keller said...
You can criticize me all you want. But I've been cracking down on commenters that directly insult the bloggers or other commenters. Name-calling isn't necessary, and, to be honest, skewers your argument by making it sound angry and not informed.
You know you can criticize without calling names or making unwarranted attacks. I've seen you make other intelligent comments here. Why not continue doing that?
6-26-2009 @ 12:31PM
another Josh said...
I remember there was much controversy about how Jackson wasn't credited in this episode, and after that The Simpsons had a policy that all guest stars would be credited. I can't remember, but I might have heard that from the Series 3 DVD commentary for the episode.
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6-26-2009 @ 12:40PM
Hope said...
It’s sloooooooooowly sinking in, Michael Jackson is dead. Despite my trepidations about his personal life, I love his music and was a big fan in the 80s. He spent 45 years of his life in the spotlight, hopefully, now he can rest in peace. Join me and other fans over the next few days at www.runarounddiva.com as we celebrate the life of a legend. Let's send this “bright star” home in the right way.
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6-26-2009 @ 12:38PM
Tim said...
Look, don't tell me how to speak just because you got your feelings hurt by my opinion. I'll say what the hell I want. That was a stupid move on your part for not doing research that would have taken 30 seconds. It was a major part of the post and you made a bold conclusion when you were wrong. Now tell me why I should think otherwise?
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6-26-2009 @ 1:09PM
Usama said...
Dude it's a blog post, not a news agency. I also thought it was Michael Jackson, if someone had asked me I would have said so with as much conviction. When people pointed out it wasn't, he changed the blog post to reflect this new fact.
What principle are you arguing for? Journalistic integrity? Freedom of speech? Hey I'm all for freedom of speech but I'm also for a respectful dialogue. I doubt Joel's manhood was ever threatened by your name calling but as he said it does hurt how your comments are seen. You could have just said "hey Joel you're wrong, you should go here," why add the "dumb ass?" Or if you continually find fault in TVSquad's commentators, why read it in the first place?
You can think however you want, but that doesn't need to all be put in writing. Your comments are very valuable at times, so I'd hate to for them to be deleted because you're using disrespectful language.
6-26-2009 @ 2:43PM
Tim said...
Blah, blah, blah. The principle is that I should be allowed to criticize and/or praise what I read. He kept deleting my post because it didn't suit his fancy, well tough. Either way I made my point above.
6-26-2009 @ 4:12PM
am_hollitz said...
@ Tim: "The principle is that I should be allowed to criticize and/or praise what I read."
This would be true if the forum were a public domain. However, the TV Squad Blog is owned by AOL and subject to their regulations of use, which you agreed to when you joined the forum.
That said, the safest place for you to leave praise and/or criticism for whatever you choose would be your own blog (that is, provided you actually own the server which hosts it, and you don't breach the regulations of your service provider.)
6-26-2009 @ 4:57PM
Tim said...
@am hollitz
I see what you're saying, however, the fact that AOL runs it you'd think they'd check their facts. Mistakes happen yes, but it happens a lot and with particular bloggers on here in particular and I'm not talking about minor errors. Just because it's a blog about entertainment doesn't mean they should be careless.
6-26-2009 @ 5:06PM
Joel Keller said...
Tim, I admit we make mistakes. It comes with the nature of blogging, where posts are quickly typed, edited, and sent out the door. What I'd like to think we do is respond to people who correct us, with both a polite comment and a note in the post. It just fosters community. If we're not doing that, then let me know (in a private note... see the links at the top to send one) and we'll tighten the ship.
As far as the Jackson issue is concerned, there's some dispute as to whether his version of the song was inserted for the impersonator's at the last second. Danny Gallagher has decided to look into it and will have a post about it sometime during the weekend.
6-28-2009 @ 4:49PM
Tim said...
There is no dispute, and it's clearly his voice anyway. All you have to do is listen. Next time do that 30 second google search I recommended, unless that is too long. We're not here to do your job.
6-26-2009 @ 12:48PM
David said...
I'll always remember the premiere of MJ's "Black or White" which premiered right after an episode of the Simpsons entitled "Saturdays of Thunder."
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6-26-2009 @ 2:49PM
BBam said...
Yep, it IS sad that MJ has died. He had a huge impact on our pop culture and music culture to say the least. I was looking forward to his performing again. But to be honest, we really haven't heard much from him in the last 10years or more. He removed himself from the very thing that gave him (I would think) and all of us so much pleasure. When he appeared straight from the hospital to the court for fear of bond revocation, I noticed he looked pencil thin, a wisp of a person....I really didn't think he would outlive the trial. It depressed me to be honest. I knew he was really on borrowed time. I have seen that look up close before and in all instances it precluded death. That was why , when he had his "comeback" press conference, I looked for signs that he was really in a different state physically. I didn't see it. I knew it would never materialize. People need to look out for each other. RIP MJ.....
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6-26-2009 @ 6:28PM
Rmpr said...
when he sings "ben" to Homer to make him fall asleep.. that had to be MJ.. He was just out of this world!
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