The Michael Jackson episode of ‘The Simpsons’ has been cut from Disney+

The Michael Jackson episode of ‘The Simpsons’ has been cut from Disney+

The decision follows the controversy of ‘Leaving Neverland’

The famous episode of The Simpsons featuring Michael Jackson has been excluded from the show’s catalog available on the newly launched Disney+ streaming service.

The episode Stark Raving Dad featuring Jackson as the voice of Leon Kompowsky – a psychiatric hospital patient who ends up sharing a room with Homer Simpson. The white, overweight Kompowsky tries to convince Homer that he is the late King of Pop, and is even seen singing ‘Billie Jean’ and showing off his legendary moonwalk dance moves. The episode ends with Kompowsky helping Bart compose a song as a birthday present to Lisa, before admitting that he knows he isn’t really Michael Jackson.

In the wake of the increased controversy surrounding the allegations of sexual abuse levelled against Jackson following the divisive documentary Leaving Neverland, it was announced earlier this year that the 1991 episode would be taken off the off and pulled from broadcast rotation – with showrunner Al Jean going as far to say that the late singer used his cameo “to groom young boys”.

Now, the opening episode of season three is not available with the rest of The Simpsons episodes on Disney’s new streaming service.

A number of fans have taken to Twitter to react to the news of the episode not being available:

It’s been brought to my attention by @eclipsemagazine that Stark Raving Dead, the Michael Jackson episode of The Simpsons, is missing from Disney Plus. Which I can definitely understand. But I also think it’s a shame because it’s a great episode.

— Jen Chaney (@chaneyj) November 12, 2019

When you go watch the Michael Jackson episode of the Simpsons on Disney + and see that it’s not there. pic.twitter.com/96OLClTenZ

— Donald Petty (@dondonstl) November 12, 2019

I just canceled my subscription to @disneyplus …I will not support an organization that promotes the continued lynching of a dead black man, Michael Jackson . A man proven innocent and a man who loved Disney …deserves respect and due process . pic.twitter.com/BFk32V8uqE

— Melanie321 (@Mellie4Justice) November 13, 2019

I’m very disappointed #Disney released #TheSimpsons on their new digital app without The episode “Stark Raving Dad” which featured #MichaelJackson voice You’re starting off on the wrong foot! SMH Michael was and still is a legend and you can’t erase his legacy!

— Emmanuel Jones (@MannyJones87) November 13, 2019

Another cowardly woke decision. The Stark Raving Dad Simpsons episode with the acquitted Michael Jackson isn’t on Disney+ streaming. Yet A Bug’s Life, featuring Kevin Spacey voicing Hopper, is. #HollywoodHypocrites #DisneyPlus #Disney pic.twitter.com/CNqqscbZzZ

— Leaving Neverland Facts (@NeverlandFacts) November 12, 2019

Disney really did it, they didn’t add the Michael Jackson episode of The Simpsons on to Disney plus. The 3rd season starts w/ the second episode instead. #ADOS pic.twitter.com/gB0c7rukn1

— PrometheusRisesAgain (@prometheus50K) November 12, 2019

“The guys I work with– where we all spend our lives arguing over jokes — were of one mind on this,” said Simpsons producer James L Brooks of the decision to pull the episode from screens back in March.

“It feels clearly the only choice to make. The documentary gave evidence of monstrous behaviour. I’m against book burning of any kind. But this is our book, and we’re allowed to take out a chapter.”

• Read more: “It’s one-sided and biased” – Taj Jackson attempts to defend his uncle, Michael Jackson, against the Leaving Neverland fallout

Brooks added: “This was a treasured episode. There are a lot of great memories we have wrapped up in that one, and this certainly doesn’t allow them to remain.”

This comes after Simpsons fans took to social media to voice their anger over episodes appearing in a different aspect ratio on screens.  Disney+ has stretched episodes from the first 20 seasons  into the widescreen 16:9 ratio, which means that details on the edges of shot – and a large number of visual gags – in the originals are often being cropped out.

Disney+ launches in the UK on March 31, 2020.

• Read more: “More victims will come out” – Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed on Michael Jackson’s toxic legacy

Leaving Neverland focuses on testimony by Wade Robson, 36, and James Safechuck, 41, who both claim that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children. Michael Jackson denied any wrongdoing before his death in 2009, and his estate continue to defend him against allegations of sexual abuse.

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