Featured Image Credit: Fox
Topics: Michael Jackson, TV, The Simpsons
James Moorhouse
There are few TV series out there that can claim to have been as consistent and as long-running as The Simpsons.
Arguably America's most famous family, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have got up to a lot since its first episode aired on television all the way back in 1990.
It has, of course, become well known for its ability to predict crazy events, such as Donald Trump becoming president, while the 78-year-old's recent plans for a $175 billion dome will also sound familiar to anyone who's watched the movie.
However, the show has understandably faced its controversies, as you would expect from a comedy show that has been running for so long. Some jokes sadly do not age all that well, while beloved character Apu also hasn't spoken on the show for some time now, due to complaints about his voice actor being white American Hank Azaria.
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Another decision which perhaps got slightly less coverage was the decision to remove episode one of season three from its roster in 2019, 27 years on from its first airing.
The episode, titled Stark Raving Dad, sees Homer sent to a mental institution for wearing a pink shirt to work. At the institution, the dad shares a room with a man, Leon Kompowsky, who claims to be the pop star Michael Jackson.
It was only much later that it was confirmed that the voice actor for Leon, who was credited as John Jay Smith, was actually the King of Pop himself.
The Billie Jean singer was reportedly a big fan of the show and had called creator Matt Groening to see if he could play a part, which manifested itself in the popular episode.
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However, you'll now struggle to find anywhere to watch it, due to the allegations of child sexual abuse made against Jackson following his death in 2009.
It was in the wake of the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, in which two men make some disturbing allegations against the pop star, claiming that they were sexually abused by Jackson at the height of his fame and when they were aged just seven and 10.
Jackson's estate has continued to deny the allegations that were made against him but The Simpsons bosses took the decision to remove it in the wake of the documentary, with many arguing that the singer's reputation had been tarnished.
Further updates on the allegations are set to come next year, as the two alleged victims are set to appear in court, while a biopic on the legendary performer is also due to arrive in 2026.