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Michael Jackson Urban Myths skit cancelled by Sky Arts after family backlash

Ebony Bowden
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Joseph Fiennes' controversial portrayal of Michael Jackson in a comedy show has been pulled by UK broadcaster Sky after the late singer's family condemned the performance.

The skit had been due to air on Sky Arts in upcoming series Urban Myths but was cancelled by the network after the singer's 18-year-old daughter, Paris Jackson, described the show's premise as shameful and sickening.

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Our Urban Myths are stories that have been passed down over time and have now become part of urban folklore. But are they true? We take a slightly tongue in cheek, mischievous, and deliberately ambiguous, look at what might have happened...

Fiennes' performance was a recreation of the rumoured road trip the late-pop icon took with Elizabeth Taylor (performed by Stockard Channing) and Marlon Brando (Brian Cox) on the day of the World Trade Centre terrorist attacks.

"I'm so incredibly offended by it, as I'm sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit," Ms Jackson said on Twitter last week following the trailer's release.

"It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother Liz as well."

On Saturday, Sky released a statement confirming they would not broadcast the episode, with the full support of Fiennes.

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"We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon, a half-hour episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series, in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson's immediate family," the statement said.

"We set out to take a light-hearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offence. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision."

Jackson's nephew Taj Jackson also tweeted his disappointment in the portrayal, writing: "No words could express the blatant disrespect."

After the announcement, Ms Jackson said she was surprised by the cancellation and expressed gratitude for the preservation of her father's memory.

"I'm surprised the family's feelings were actually taken into consideration for once, we all really do appreciate it more than y'all [sic] know," she wrote.

A petition to boycott the episode was launched last year, with claims of whitewashing after fair-skinned Fiennes was cast to play Jackson.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter following the initial uproar, Fiennes acknowledged the controversy but defended the casting.

"It's not a biopic. It's Michael in his last days when, I have to say, he did look quite frankly rather differently than when we grew up with him in the '80s or earlier," he said.

"The decision with the casting and the producers – I wrangled with it, I was confused and shocked at what might come my way, and I knew the sensitivity, especially to Michael's fans and to Michael's family.

"I think outrage is good, as long as it doesn't get into a violent shouting match," he added.

"These conversations are really important and they shape our industry. It's vital to have them."

- with Rob Moran

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