The news comes following the Leaving Neverland documentary that aired in the past week.
Following the news that a number of radio stations around the world, including RTÉ, have announced that they aren’t going to play Michael Jackson’s music anymore, a famous episode of The Simpsons featuring the singer has now been pulled.
The decision follows allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson made in Leaving Neverland, a documentary that aired around the world this week.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, show creator James L. Brooks said that erasing the episode from schedules “feels clearly the only choice to make”.
“I’m against book burning of any kind,” Brooks continued, “but this is our book, and we’re allowed to take out a chapter.”
“The guys I work with — where we all spend our lives arguing over jokes — were of one mind on this,” he added.
The episode, titled Stark Raving Dad, follows Homer as he is sentenced to time in a mental institution, where he is roommates with a man who believes he is Michael Jackson. Meanwhile, Bart promises Lisa that he will get her the best birthday present ever.
Thus, the catchy ‘Happy Birthday Lisa’ song was born:
Clip via McClarver Productions
For years, there was speculation over whether or not Jackson himself had actually appeared in the episode; it was confirmed in recent years that he did, but he was not responsible for the singing parts, including in the song, ‘Lisa, it’s your birthday’ above.
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