The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean believes that Michael Jackson used his cameo appearance to ‘groom boys.’
The producer, who’s broken his silence following the decision to remove the King of Pop’s episode from streaming and syndication, reflected on the season three instalment, titled Stark Raving Dad, in the wake of Dan Reed’s controversial documentary Leaving Neverland airing.
‘What saddens me is, if you watch that documentary—which I did, and several of us here did—and you watch that episode, honestly, it looks like the episode was used by Michael Jackson for something other than what we’d intended it,’ Al told The Daily Beast.
‘It wasn’t just a comedy to him, it was something that was used as a tool. And I strongly believe that.
‘That, to me, is my belief, and it’s why I think removing it is appropriate.
‘I lose a little bit of money financially, it’s not something that’s great personally to lose one of the most successful things I ever did, but I totally think it’s the right move.’
Michael voiced character Leon Kompowsky, who was an inpatient on a psychiatric ward claiming to be the King of Pop, back in the 1991 episode.
‘I think it was part of what he used to groom boys,’ Al added. ‘I really don’t know, and I should be very careful because this is not something I know personally, but as far as what I think, that’s what I think. And that makes me very, very sad.’
Al also confirmed that Michael had written the song his character and Bart sing to Lisa, which includes the line ‘and your first kiss from a boy.’
The Simpsons airs weekdays at 6pm on Channel 4.
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