Think Twice: Michael Jackson

Country: USA

Number of Episodes: 10

Average Length: 55 minutes

Year of Release: 2023

Created by: Wondery

I was a small but cognizant human during that period in the early to mid-90s when Michael Jackson was the most famous person on Earth. This was a time when the lives of celebrities were shrouded and their public personas were carefully curated and orchestrated. Michael Jackson's music and preternatural talent as a performer were just part of the cultural vocabulary of the time. But even as a small person, I could feel that something wasn't quite right about the persona Michael Jackson was putting forth to the world. There was an artifice, disingenuousness and evasiveness when he talked, but as a kid, I obviously didn't have the understanding to recognise it as such.

Michael Jackson was ever present as a performer and tabloid fodder, so a deep dive into his story was a long time coming. Think Twice begins its narrative at the point when the child abuse allegations against Jackson arose then winds back to his childhood, rise to fame with his brothers in The Jackson Five, and the pivotal moment where he went from child star to mega-famous larger-than-life celebrity. Leon Neyfak and Jay Smooth tag team the storytelling here. Jay's perspective is both personal and reflective and at times tenderly insightful. Neyfak has the more clinical approach being that Jackson didn't loom large on his childhood but brings his trademark deeply approachable and methodical storytelling style. Both provide valuable social and historical context to each chapter of Jackson's story/saga.

I loved this podcast and have already listened to it twice. It is masterful storytelling of a deeply fascinating person, trajectory and era. And can we just take a moment out to appreciate how fantastic and clever the title of this podcast is - Think Twice. “So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice” - the memorable lyrics from one of his greatest and most iconic songs become precautionary advice for any kind of retrospective on Michael’s life.