Amid the controversy surrounding the Urban Myths episode showing Michael Jackson portrayed by a White man, the Sky Arts channel announced its cancelation.
After casting Joseph Fiennes as the late King of Pop, the video trailer was released this week, causing many to express their dissatisfaction on social media. The YouTube trailer has since been deleted, however, this GIF provides a snippet from the episode:
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The 30-minute comedy was originally set to air on Jan. 19, and planned to focus on the singer’s rumored road trip from New York to Los Angeles with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando following 9/11.
Paris Jackson, the 18-year-old daughter of the late Michael Jackson, tweeted her disgust, saying, “It honestly makes me want to vomit.”
Michael Jackson’s nephew Taj responded with his frustration as well: “Unfortunately this is what my family has to deal with. No words could express the blatant disrespect.”
Sky Arts released a statement: “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…We set out to take a lighthearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offense. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision.”