Leaving Neverland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leaving Neverland
Leaving Neverland Poster.png
Television release poster
Directed byDan Reed
Produced byDan Reed
Starring
  • Michael Jackson (archival footage)
  • Wade Robson
  • James Safechuck
CinematographyDan Reed
Edited byJules Cornell
Music byChad Hobson
Production
company
Amos Pictures
Distributed by
  • HBO
  • Channel 4
  • Kew Media
Release date
  • January 25, 2019 (2019-01-25) (Sundance)
  • March 3, 2019 (2019-03-03) (United States)
  • March 6, 2019 (2019-03-06) (United Kingdom)
Running time
236 minutes[1]
189 minutes (UK version)[2][3]
CountriesUnited States
United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Leaving Neverland is a 2019 documentary film directed and produced by British filmmaker Dan Reed. It focuses on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused as children by the American singer Michael Jackson.

The film is a co-production between the UK broadcaster Channel 4 and the US broadcaster HBO. Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019, it was broadcast in two parts on HBO and as a shortened version on Channel 4 in March 2019. It received acclaim from critics, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special,[4][5][6] but mixed reviews from viewers.[7][8]

Leaving Neverland triggered a media backlash against Jackson and a reassessment of his legacy. However, it boosted sales of his music. Some dismissed the film as one-sided and questioned its veracity; the Jackson estate condemned it as a "tabloid character assassination",[9] while Jackson's fans organized protests. Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth, a documentary challenging the allegations of Leaving Neverland and asserting omissions and inconsistencies in that account, was released in August on Amazon Prime Video.[10] Another rebuttal documentary, Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary, presented interviews with individuals described as having been omitted from the HBO film.[11] Reed is developing a follow-up documentary, with Robson and Safechuck returning.[12]

In February 2019, the Jackson estate sued HBO for breaching a non-disparagement clause from a 1992 contract. The suit sought to compel HBO to participate in a non-confidential arbitration that could result in US$100 million or more in damages being awarded to the estate.[13] HBO denied claims of a breach of contract and filed an anti-SLAPP motion against the estate. Judge George Wu denied HBO's motion to dismiss the case, allowing the Jackson estate to compel arbitration,[14] but granted HBO's motion to stay the arbitration proceedings with the Jackson estate pending HBO's appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.[15] On December 14, 2020, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit upheld the lower court ruling favoring the Jackson estate.[16]

Synopsis

Jackson with James Safechuck (right) in Hawaii, January 1988

Director Dan Reed described Leaving Neverland as a "study of the psychology of child sexual abuse, told through two ordinary families ... groomed for twenty years by a pedophile masquerading as a trusted friend."[17] In the film, Wade Robson and James Safechuck allege that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children–Safechuck beginning in 1988, Robson beginning in 1990. They give graphic descriptions of Jackson's alleged sex acts, including masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex, which they claim took place at his home, Neverland Ranch, and other locations.

Robson and Safechuck claim that these acts were regarded as "romantic", and that they did not realize they were inappropriate until adulthood. Safechuck says Jackson once took him shopping for an engagement ring (which he kept as memorabilia) and later held a mock wedding. He began therapy in 2013 and recalled his trauma for the first time. His mother, Stephanie Safechuck, describes feeling elated and dancing when Jackson died in 2009. Robson says Jackson told him to distrust women. Both men claimed that Jackson tried pushing them away from their families and "brainwashing" them. Jackson allegedly sent the two men "love letters" and set up security systems at Neverland to prevent other people from witnessing their sexual acts.

Safechuck claims Jackson eventually replaced him with Brett Barnes, and Robson claims he was replaced by actor Macaulay Culkin because Jackson preferred prepubescent boys (Culkin is two years older than Robson). Robson says he was given Jackson memorabilia as a child; he is photographed burning those items at the end of the film.

Background

In 1993, Jackson was accused of sexually molesting 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Jackson denied the claims and settled the case out of court for a US$23 million payment.[18][19] No charges were filed after a criminal investigation due to a lack of evidence and testimony from the alleged victim.[20][21] In 1996, Jackson made an out-of-court settlement with the mother of another boy, Jason Francia, for more than US$2 million, who, in 1993, previously told police that Jackson never molested him.[22][23] The Francias never filed a lawsuit.[24] In 2005, Jackson was criminally tried for several counts of child molestation charges following concerns raised in the 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson. In that film, he was seen holding hands with 12-year-old Gavin Arvizo and talked about sharing a bed with him. Jackson was acquitted of all charges.[21]

In May 2011, Wade Robson, a choreographer and former friend of Jackson, approached John Branca, co-executor of the Jackson estate, following up on an offer to discuss directing the Jackson-Cirque du Soleil joint production Michael Jackson: One. Robson wanted the job "badly",[25][26] but the estate had already chosen someone else for the production. Robson states in his 2013 complaint that he had suffered two nervous breakdowns April 2011 and March 2012.[27] According to Robson, his second breakdown was triggered by an obsessive desire for success juxtaposed with a failing career. Joseph Vogel, criticising Finding Neverland in a Forbes article, wrote that Robson was "shopping a book" about his alleged sexual abuse by Jackson.[25]

In 2013, Robson filed a lawsuit alleging that Jackson had sexually abused him for seven years, beginning when he was seven years old; the suit was reportedly worth up to US$1 billion.[25][28] The following year, James Safechuck, another former friend of Jackson, filed a lawsuit alleging he was sexually abused by Jackson over four years, beginning when he was ten years old.[29][30] Safechuck said he realized he was abused by Jackson after seeing Robson on television. A probate court dismissed Safechuck's suit in 2017.[25] Both men had previously testified that Jackson never molested them—Safechuck as a child during the 1993 investigation, and Robson as a child in 1993 and as a young adult in 2005.[31][32]

In 2015, Robson's case against Jackson's estate was dismissed because it was "untimely." In the 2015 summary judgement, the judge rejected Robson's argument, which according to California's law on summary judgements, he could only do if he found that no rational juror could believe it.[33][34][35] This fact would later be pointed out again in the Jackson estate's petition to compel arbitration against HBO for airing the film in 2019.[36] Robson's attorney, Maryann Marzano, said they would appeal the ruling and that they would pursue Jackson's business entities.[37] In 2017, it was ruled that the corporations formerly owned by Jackson could not be held accountable for Jackson's alleged past actions.[38][39] The rulings were appealed because of a change in California law that extended that statutes of limitation. On October 20, 2020, Safechuck's lawsuit against Jackson's corporations was again dismissed, with the presiding judge ruling that there was no evidence that Safechuck had a relationship with Jackson's companies.[40][41] On April 26, 2021, Robson's case was dismissed because of a lack of supporting evidence that the defendants exercised control over Jackson.[42]

Production

Leaving Neverland was conceived by Channel 4 editors. After Reed produced enough material to make a four-hour film, HBO joined the production.[43] He felt the length was necessary to present the story "in a way that makes it fully understandable in all its complexity." Reed said he did not use the film to comment on Jackson's actions or motivations and did not want to interview other key figures because they might complicate or compromise the story he wanted to tell.[25][44] The UK version of the film was trimmed by 47 minutes.[3]

In February 2017, Reed and assistant producer Marguerite Gaudin flew to Hawaii to interview Robson, who agreed to tell his story chronologically and without omission of any unpleasant details.[45] A camera failed shortly after shooting began, but a solution was found; shooting continued until nighttime and continued throughout the second day. Reed traveled to Los Angeles later that week to shoot Safechuck's story in two days.[45] Reed said that Robson, Safechuck, and their families received no financial compensation for the film.[46]

After filming, Reed returned to London and began corroborating the stories. Wondering how Robson's and Safechuck's mothers could have allowed their sons to be allegedly abused, he returned to Los Angeles in November 2017 and interviewed their families.[45] The interview in which Safechuck discusses and shows the wedding ring was filmed in July 2018.[47] Reed decided that footage he had shot of former detectives and prosecutors from the 1993 case and the 2005 trial was unnecessary.[44] Reed was unable to contact Jordan Chandler for the documentary and assumed he preferred to remain private. Reed also said the Chandler and Arvizo stories could form the basis for a second documentary.[48]

The documentary was scored by Chad Hobson, who said his approach was to "imagine a walk through a beautiful and magical forest ... But as you travel deeper into the forest it becomes darker, more distorted, the limbs of the trees becoming more twisted and sinister."[49]

Release

Leaving Neverland premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019. For television, it was split into two parts, broadcast on March 3–4 on HBO in the US and on March 6–7 on Channel 4 in the UK.[50] The Channel 4 version was edited from four hours to three to create space for commercials.[2] It broke Channel 4 streaming records and became the most downloaded Channel 4 show ever, taking a 45% share of young television audiences.[43] An audience of 2.1 million watched Part 1 on Channel 4, and 1.9 million watched Part 2;[51] after 28-days of catch-up viewing, improving substantially to 5.4 million and 4.4 million respectively.[52] In the US, Part 1 drew a 0.4 rating and 1.285 million viewers, the third-largest audience for an HBO documentary in the decade, behind only Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief and Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Part 2 drew a 0.3 rating and 927,000 viewers in its initial airing.[53][54]

Kew Media Group sold the documentary to channels in 130 territories.[50] In New Zealand, the first episode was watched by 716,000, making it one of the most-watched broadcasts in the country's history not dealing with sports or news.[55] Dutch broadcaster VPRO referred viewers to the MIND Korrelatie organization for victims of sexual abuse, and attracted callers in large numbers.[56]

The American broadcast was followed by Oprah Winfrey Presents: After Neverland (recorded March 2, 2019), in which Robson, Safechuck, and Reed were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey before an audience of victims and their families.[57] Winfrey later spoke of the "hateration" she received from Jackson's supporters and others who criticized the film, yet said her support of the accusers has not wavered.[58]

Channel One Russia planned to release the film on nighttime television on March 15, but relegated it to their website, available until March 20, because of "mixed reception, speculation, and aggression from both supporters and opponents of the film".[59]

Music

Following many requests of composer Chad Hobson to make the film's score available, the Leaving Neverland: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack official 19-track soundtrack album was released by Redrocca in the US and UK in digital format on April 1, 2019.[60][61][62]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Leaving Neverland holds an approval rating of 98% based on 95 reviews, with an average score of 7.97/10. Its consensus states: "Crucial and careful, Leaving Neverland gives empathetic breadth and depth to the complicated afterlife of child sexual abuse as experienced by adult survivors."[63] On Metacritic, it holds a weighted average of 85 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 23 reviews.[64]

In Vanity Fair, Owen Gleiberman described Safechuck and Robson's stories as "overwhelmingly powerful and convincing".[65] Hank Stuever of The Washington Post thought the documentary was "riveting" and "devastating", ending his review with a plea: "Turn off the music and listen to these men."[66] Melanie McFarland of Salon believed the film's "intent isn't to merely grant these men and their families a platform to air their stories in all their painful fullness, but to place the viewer inside the perspectives of everyone who was taken in by the dream... it does leave the viewer in the thorny clarity of what we know now."[67] Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe wrote that the film was not "particularly imaginative", yet he admired how it chronicled Robson's and Safechuck's emotional narrative: "It accounts for every stage of their respective recoveries, which are still in progress, including their darkest feelings of fear, denial, and shame."[68]

In Entertainment Weekly, Kristen Baldwin gave the film a B grade. She criticized it as "woefully one-sided" and concluded: "As a documentary, Leaving Neverland is a failure. As a reckoning, though, it is unforgettable."[69] In The Hollywood Reporter, Daniel Fienberg wrote: Leaving Neverland is "about the 20+ years... Robson and Safechuck [held secrets, lied, covered up] — and the damage that can do — as it is about the alleged crimes." He concluded: "It's doubtful you'll feel exactly the same after watching."[70] The Daily Telegraph awarded it five out of five, describing it as "a horrifying picture of child abuse".[71]

David Fear wrote in Rolling Stone: "By offering these men a forum, this doc has clearly chosen a side. Yet the thoroughness with which it details this history of allegations, and the way it personalizes them to a startling degree, is hard to shake off."[72] IndieWire's David Ehrlich wrote that the film was "dry" and "hardly great cinema", but a "crucial document for a culture that still can't see itself clearly in Michael Jackson's shadow".[73] Alissa Wilkinson described the documentary as "a devastating case" that "may forever" change Jackson's legacy.[74] In the Chicago Sun-Times, Richard Roeper described it as a "devastating and undeniably persuasive film".[75] Leaving Neverland earned the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special[4] and the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information.[76]

Criticisms of allegations

In January 2019, the Jackson estate issued a press release condemning the film: "The two accusers testified under oath that these events never occurred. They have provided no independent evidence and absolutely no proof in support of their accusations."[77] In February 2019, the estate filed a $100 million lawsuit against HBO, petitioning a court to compel their arbitrate cooperation regarding the film's broadcast.[78] As Jackson is dead, HBO cannot be sued for defamation. Instead, the estate claimed HBO had violated a 1992 agreement never to disparage Jackson's public image, stipulated in the terms for broadcasting his concert film Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour.[79] On the day of the HBO premiere of Leaving Neverland: Part One, the estate posted Live in Bucharest on YouTube. The next day, to coincide with the broadcast of Part Two, the estate posted another concert film, Live at Wembley July 16, 1988.[80]

Fans of Jackson demanded the Sundance Film Festival cancel the screening.[81] At the Sundance premiere, Robson and Safechuck said they had received death threats from some fans.[82] Fans organised protests outside Channel 4's office, an internet campaign against the film, and a crowdfunded campaign placing posters with the slogan "Facts don't lie. People do" on public transport.[43][83] On March 13, Transport for London announced it would remove the adverts after the charity Survivors Trust complained that they could discourage victims of sexual abuse from coming forward.[84][85]

American actor Corey Feldman, who knew Jackson as a child, called the documentary "one-sided" and said Jackson never approached him inappropriately.[86] He later said that his comments "[weren't] meant in any way to question the validity of the victims".[87] Feldman told Rolling Stone that his relationship with Jackson was "the standard grooming process that [Robson and Safechuck] describe ... everything was similar [to what happened to me] up until the sexual part."[88][89] Singer Aaron Carter, a friend of Jackson as a child, said in 2019 "there was one thing that he did that was a little bit inappropriate";[90] after the release of Leaving Neverland, he said that the incident had not been sexual. He remembered Jackson as "an amazing guy" and said his accusers were "full of crap".[91] Brett Barnes and American actor Macaulay Culkin, whom the documentary suggests replaced Robson and Safechuck when Jackson "pushed them out", also denied any inappropriate behavior from Jackson.[92] Culkin restated that he had never seen inappropriate behavior from Jackson, and said he had "no reason to hold anything back" now that Jackson had died.[93]

English singer Boy George expressed skepticism about the documentary: "It's just taken almost for granted that this is what happened and therefore we all should accept it."[94] American singer Madonna, who was a friend of Jackson, told British Vogue: "I don't have a lynch-mob mentality, so in my mind, people are innocent until proven guilty ... Are there people asking for money, is there some kind of extortion thing happening?"[95] Joey Fatone of NSYNC, who had worked with Robson at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, also expressed skepticism: "[At the time] it seemed like nothing was going on, that's the whole thing. To come out later on and have these repercussions, it's kind of weird and interesting because you never know what's true."[96]

Jackson biographer Mike Smallcombe argued that Safechuck's claims of sexual abuse at Neverland's train station at age 10 from 1988 to 1992 could not be true because the train station had not been built until he was at least 16 in 1994. Reed responded: "There seems to be no doubt about the station date. The date [the accusers] have wrong is the end of the abuse." He said that Safechuck was present at Neverland before and after the construction of the station and that it was "just one of the many locations where James remembers sexual activity taking place". However, this would contradict Safechuck's claim that his alleged abuse ended in 1992 because he got too old.[97] Smallcombe dismissed Reed's response,[98] and criticized the documentary for omitting the debts Robson and Safechuck allegedly owe Jackson's estate in court costs.[99] Another Jackson biographer, J. Randy Taraborrelli, felt that Jackson's friendships with children were "weird", but saw nothing sexual about them; he said he would have felt that Robson and Safechuck were telling the truth "if it wasn't Michael they were talking about".[100] Bill Whitfield, Jackson's former head of security, also disputed Robson's account that he and his wife visited Jackson at his home in Las Vegas in 2008, with Whitfield claiming that Robson never visited the property.[101]

A 30-minute documentary rebutting the claims in the film, Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary, was released on YouTube on March 30, 2019. It was directed by journalist Liam McEwan and features interviews with Jackson's family and colleagues.[102] It featured Jackson's niece Brandi Jackson, who dated Robson from 1991 onward for years. She has been countering Robson's claims and the narrative of Michael always being around him.[103] Another documentary challenging the film, Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth, was released on August 13.[104] On August 13, 2019, parts of Robson's 2016 video deposition were released in an online video essay, Lies of Leaving Neverland.[105] The essay argues that his deposition statements contradict statements he made in Leaving Neverland.[106] Another documentary, Square One: Michael Jackson, examined the first accusations made against Jackson and made a case for his innocence, portraying him as a victim of tabloid journalism.[107]

Backlash against Jackson

Leaving Neverland led to a media backlash against Jackson.[108][109] Commentators suggested Jackson's music could fall from favor, similarly to the work of convicted sexual abuser Gary Glitter.[110] Reed said he was not interested in this debate, and said: "I'm not about cancelling Jackson. But I think people should know that he was, at times, a monster to children."[110]

All Cogeco-owned radio stations in Canada pulled Jackson's music from their playlists,[111] but later re-added it.[112] NH Radio in the Netherlands[113] and MediaWorks New Zealand, New Zealand Media and Entertainment and Radio New Zealand also pulled Jackson's music,[114] but some New Zealand radio stations eventually re-added it, citing "positive listener survey results".[115] A 1991 episode of The Simpsons guest-starring Jackson, "Stark Raving Dad", was pulled from circulation;[116] writer Al Jean said he believed Jackson had used the episode to groom boys for sexual abuse.[117] A London concert produced by Jackson collaborator Quincy Jones removed Jackson's name and album titles from its advertisements;[118] the organizers said the modified artwork reflected the show's broader inclusion of Jones' repertoire unrelated to his work with Jackson.[119] "Weird Al" Yankovic dropped his parodies of Jackson's music from his Strings Attached Tour.[120]

Film producer Jodi Gomes said she and the Jackson family had been working on a new documentary about the Jackson 5 for their 50th anniversary, but that it was canceled after the broadcast of Leaving Neverland. However, Gomes believed Jackson's legacy would continue "from this generation to the next".[109] Items of Jackson's clothing and a Jackson poster were removed from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis,[121] but Jackson's photographs from the museum's Ryan White exhibit were kept.[122] Fashion house Louis Vuitton canceled Jackson-inspired products planned for its 2019 collections.[123] American artistic gymnast Katelyn Ohashi removed Jackson's music and Jackson-inspired dance moves from her floor routine at the 2019 PAC-12 Championships.[124] The city council of Brussels cancelled plans to dress the Manneken Pis sculpture in Jackson's signature clothing.[125]

Aftermath

Despite the negative publicity, Jackson's honors were not rescinded, as had happened following sexual assault allegations made against Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, and there were no mass calls to stop playing his music, as happened following allegations against R. Kelly.[109] Jackson's combined music sales, including his work with the Jackson 5, increased 10%. Streams of his music and videos increased 6%, rising from 18.7 million between February 24 and 26 to 19.7 million between March 3 and 5.[126] His videos were viewed 22.1 million times, an increase of roughly 1.2 million from the week prior, and three of his albums re-entered the UK iTunes chart.[127]

In June 2019, around the time of the tenth anniversary of Jackson's death, various industry executives said that his legacy would endure. Darren Julien, president of Julien's Auctions, which has sold millions of dollars worth of Jackson memorabilia, said: "He still commands prices compared to most any other celebrity." Billboard senior editor Gail Mitchell said she interviewed about thirty music executives who believed Jackson's legacy could withstand the controversy.[109] In a Guardian article reassessing Jackson's legacy, biographer Margo Jefferson expressed her support for Jackson's accusers and concluded: "The task is to read the art and the life fully as they wind and unwind around each other, changing shape and direction."[128]

In January 2019, the producer Dan Reed explained his documentary to the L.A. Times, saying: "There must be dozens of men out there who have been sexually abused by [Michael Jackson] ... others will see this film and come out."[129] In June 2019, Dan Reed said he will film a sequel if two other victims come forward.[130]

Public arbitration

On February 7, 2019, shortly before broadcast, Howard Weitzman, attorney for the Jackson estate, wrote a letter to HBO chief executive Richard Plepler criticizing Leaving Neverland as journalistically unethical. The letter asserted that HBO is "being used as part of Robson's and Safechuck's legal strategy [both of which are currently seeking appeals]", and that Reed intentionally did not interview anyone who detracted from the story. The letter said that the two accusers had been caught lying in testimony, and the documentary would only bolster their credibility. "We know that this will go down as the most shameful episode in HBO's history," the letter said.[131]

On February 21, the Jackson estate sued HBO for violating a non-disparagement clause in a 1992 contract by agreeing to run the documentary. The suit sought to compel HBO to litigate the issue in a public arbitration process and claimed that the estate could be awarded $100 million or more in damages. The suit accused HBO of fabricating lies with a financial motive. HBO did not stop the airing of the documentary.[132][133]

On February 28, Plepler resigned from HBO. He was rumored to have chafed under the leadership of John Stankey, WarnerMedia's new chief. The Jackson estate said Plepler "must have known" about the 1992 contract, since he had been senior vice president of communications then.[134] It was reported in September 2019 that Plepler resigned three days after an unnamed shareholder wrote a letter criticizing, among other things, Plepler's greenlighting of Leaving Neverland, arguing that it opened the company to lawsuits.[135]

On May 2, HBO lawyers Daniel Petrocelli and Theodore Boutrous filed an opposing motion arguing that the contract had expired once both parties had fulfilled their obligations. HBO contended that the estate's interpretation of the clause as conferring perpetual immunity from disparagement, even in death, was excessively broad. They argued that such interpretation would "run afoul of the public policy embodies in numerous California statutes to protect children from sexual abuse" and "legitimize the creation of a category of wealthy, powerful or famous individual who could... preserve for themselves via contract posthumous control over how they are portrayed and described in a way that ordinary citizens cannot." Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Jackson estate, responded, "If HBO thinks the contract does not apply or is expired then why are they opposing adjudicating it? The reason why is because they know they were complicit in this one-sided farce of a money grab that clearly violates the agreement... Let this be a warning to all talent that HBO will disregard the truth and distribute fictitious one-sided content in violation of the artists' rights it promised to protect."[136]

The Jackson estate aimed to have a Los Angeles Superior Court judge compel arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association. HBO said there was no enforceable agreement that pertained to Leaving Neverland. It argued that an over-reading of the 1992 contract would violate both its due process rights and the First Amendment; under the Federal Arbitration Act, the federal judge had to decide the "gateway issues of validity and arbitrability". The Jackson estate called this argument "classic tautology" and that it "assumes the very conclusion that HBO wants an adjudicator to reach in this dispute, i.e., that there are no remaining obligations under the Agreement".[137]

On the recommendation of Judge George Wu, HBO filed a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) motion against the estate on August 29. It pointed to the "extraordinary" origins of the case. The estate argued that its petition is a federal issue, under the Federal Arbitration Act, hence the California SLAPP law should not take precedence. They said, "Breaching an agreement by refusing to arbitrate is not constitutionally protected activity. And even if it were, the Jackson Estate has shown a probability of success on that claim." The SLAPP law provides an automatic right to an immediate appeal, which may bring the case to the Ninth Circuit.[138]

On September 19, Judge Wu tentatively denied HBO's motion to dismiss the estate's lawsuit. John Branca, co-executor of the estate, said HBO had been trying to suppress the other side of the story. "I've never seen a media organization fight so hard to keep a secret," Branca said.[139] The following day, Judge Wu gave a final ruling to deny HBO's motion to dismiss the case, granting the Jackson estate's motion to compel arbitration.[14][140]

On October 21, 2019, HBO filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, seeking appellate review of the District Court's order granting the Jackson estate's motion to compel arbitration. Shortly after, HBO applied for a stay of the arbitration proceedings.[141] On November 7, 2019, HBO was granted its motion to stay the arbitration proceedings with the Jackson estate pending HBO's appeal to the Ninth Circuit.[15] On December 14, 2020, HBO lost an appellate bid to avoid arbitration, as a three-judge panel for the Ninth Court Court of Appeal upheld the lower court decision favoring the Jackson estate.[142]

Awards and nominations

Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
British Academy Television Awards Best Factual Series or Strand Leaving Neverland Won [143]
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Factual Dan Reed Nominated
Best Editing: Factual Jules Cornell Nominated
Dorian Awards TV Current Affairs Show of the Year Leaving Neverland Won [144]
IDA Documentary Awards Best Multipart Documentary Won [145]
Peabody Awards Documentary Nominated [146]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special Won [147]
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program Dan Reed Nominated
Outstanding Picture Editing For Nonfiction Programming Jules Cornell Nominated
Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera) Ross Millership and Poppy Kavanagh Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing For Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-camera) Matt Skilton and Marguerite Gaudin Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television Leaving Neverland Won [148]
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in News and Information Won [76]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Leaving Neverland". Sundance Film Festival. Sundance Institute. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "When is Michael Jackson documentary Leaving Neverland airing on Channel 4?". Radio Times. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson and Me - Episode Guide". Channel 4. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Kreps, Daniel (September 15, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland,' 'Springsteen on Broadway' Win Creative Arts Emmys". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  5. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (July 16, 2019). "Beyoncé & docs on R. Kelly, Michael Jackson get Emmy nods". ABC News. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  6. ^ McDermott, Maeve. "Michael Jackson estate slams 'Leaving Neverland' Emmys win as 'a complete farce'". USA TODAY.
  7. ^ "UK critics react to Leaving Neverland after documentary aired by Channel 4". The Independent. March 7, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  8. ^ Johnson, Zoe (March 4, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland' Documentary Draws Mixed Reviews From Viewers". Vibe. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  9. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick D. (January 26, 2019). "Michael Jackson estate rips controversial 'Leaving Neverland' doc: 'It has always been about money'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  10. ^ Lewis, Rebecca (May 22, 2019). "Michael Jackson's bodyguard warns Leaving Neverland director over career future". Metro. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  11. ^ Lewis, Anna (April 9, 2019). "Neverland Firsthand is a documentary response to Leaving Neverland". Cosmopolitan. New York City: Hearst Communications. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  12. ^ Kanter, Jake (October 21, 2020). "'Leaving Neverland' Director Dan Reed Fights Subpoenas As He Shoots Sequel To Channel 4/HBO's Michael Jackson Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  13. ^ Gardner, Eriq (February 21, 2019). "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  14. ^ a b "MJ Estate v HBO Final Ruling on Arbitration | United States District Court | Government Information". Scribd. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  15. ^ a b MARTIN MACIAS JR,"Judge Pauses Arbitration in 'Neverland' Spat Pending 9th Circuit Review", Courthouse News Service, November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  16. ^ Maddaus, Gene (December 14, 2020). "Michael Jackson Estate Wins Appeal in HBO 'Leaving Neverland' Suit". Variety. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  17. ^ Reed, Dan (March 10, 2019). "I'm shocked by those who still won't accept Michael Jackson as abuser". The Guardian. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  18. ^ Steinhaus, Rochelle. "Jackson settlement from 1993 allegations topped $20 million - Jun 16, 2004". CNN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  19. ^ Sisario, Ben (January 31, 2019). "What We Know About Michael Jackson's History of Sexual Abuse Accusations - The New York Times". Nytimes.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  20. ^ Hitt, Tarpley (March 5, 2019). "Beyond 'Leaving Neverland': Michael Jackson's $20 Million Settlement With a 13-Year-Old Boy". The Daily Beast.
  21. ^ a b McDonell-Parry, Amelia (January 29, 2019). "Michael Jackson Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: A Timeline". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  22. ^ Glaister, Dan (April 5, 2005). "Jackson abused me and gave me money to keep silent, witness says". The Guardian. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  23. ^ Pfeifer, Stuart; Chawkins, Steve (April 5, 2005). "Maid's Son Testifies Jackson Molested Him". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  24. ^ Elsworth, Catherine (April 5, 2005). "Jackson put his hand inside my trousers, says ex-maid's son". The Telegraph. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  25. ^ a b c d e Vogel, Joe (January 29, 2019). "What You Should Know About the New Michael Jackson Documentary". Forbes. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  26. ^ "Michael Jackson Sexual Abuse Documentary Leaving Neverland Receives Five Emmy Nominations". July 17, 2019.
  27. ^ "Wade Robson Complaint 27 June 2013". Scribd.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  28. ^ "Choreographer: Michael Jackson 'sexually abused me'". Today. May 16, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  29. ^ Stone, Ken (July 8, 2017). "Sex abuse by long-dead Michael Jackson? Judge rejects lawsuit". MyNewsLA.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  30. ^ Selby, Jenn (August 7, 2014). "Michael Jackson hit with new child sex abuse claims more than five years after his death". The Independent. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  31. ^ Broder, John M. (May 6, 2005). "2 Witnesses Say They Shared Jackson's Bed and Were Never Molested". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  32. ^ Sperling, Nicole (February 21, 2019). ""Michael Is Everywhere": Two Michael Jackson Accusers Explain Why They're Speaking Out in HBO's Leaving Neverland". Vanity Fair. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  33. ^ "Robson Summary Judgment Ruling". Scribd.
  34. ^ "Motion for Summary Judgment in California". February 4, 2017.
  35. ^ "California Rules of Court: Title Three Rules". www.courts.ca.gov.
  36. ^ "HBO Lawsuit Paper | Defamation | Michael Jackson". Scribd.
  37. ^ "Child sex abuse claims against Michael Jackson dismissed as untimely". The Guardian. Associated Press. May 28, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  38. ^ Dalton, Andrew (December 20, 2017). "APNewsBreak: Michael Jackson Sex Abuse Lawsuit Dismissed". US News & World Report. Associated Press. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  39. ^ "Michael Jackson sex abuse lawsuit dismissed". CBC.ca. Associated Press. December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  40. ^ Kanter, Jake (October 21, 2020). "'Leaving Neverland' Director Dan Reed Fights Subpoenas As He Shoots Sequel To Channel 4/HBO's Michael Jackson Film".
  41. ^ FELDMAN, KATE. "Michael Jackson estate tries to block documentarian from filming 'Leaving Neverland' sequel: report". nydailynews.com.
  42. ^ "Judge tosses lawsuit of man who alleged Jackson molestation". ABC News.
  43. ^ a b c Keslassy, Elsa (March 12, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland' Sets Streaming Record for U.K.'s Channel 4". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  44. ^ a b "Q&A with Dan Reed director of Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson and Me". Channel 4. February 25, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  45. ^ a b c Reed, Dan (March 6, 2019). "Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed: 'Michael Jackson groomed young boys — and their mothers'". Radio Times.
  46. ^ Harris, Aisha (March 4, 2019). "In 'After Neverland,' Oprah Winfrey Processes Michael Jackson Allegations". The New York Times.
  47. ^ Garrett, Stephen (January 29, 2019). "Leaving Neverland Director Dan Reed Talks Michael Jackson Allegations, #MeToo". Rolling Stone.
  48. ^ "After helming documentary about sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson; Dan Reed open to a sequel". Times Now News. February 21, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  49. ^ Burlingame, Jon (March 19, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland,' 'Surviving R. Kelly' Composers on How They Scored Sexual Abuse Docs". Variety. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  50. ^ a b White, Peter (March 4, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland' Goes Global After Kew Media Sells Controversial Michael Jackson Doc Into 130 Territories". Yahoo! News.
  51. ^ Clark, Travis. "'Leaving Neverland' is one of the most watched HBO documentaries of the past decade". Business Insider. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  52. ^ "Weekly top programmes on four screens (from Sept 2018) - period 04 Mar 2019 - 10 Mar 2019". BARB. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  53. ^ Petski, Denise (March 6, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland' Documentary Draws Solid Ratings For HBO". Deadline. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  54. ^ "'Leaving Neverland' Draws HBO's Third-Largest Doc Audience in a Decade". The Hollywood Reporter. March 5, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  55. ^ "Leaving Neverland: Divisive Michael Jackson documentary rakes in massive audience for TVNZ". NZ Herald. March 11, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  56. ^ "Three days after Michael Jackson docu, still many people call Mind Korrelatie". NOS (in Dutch). March 11, 2019.
  57. ^ Blake, Meredith (March 1, 2019). "Oprah Winfrey's intense interview with Michael Jackson accusers from 'Leaving Neverland'". Los Angeles Times.
  58. ^ Clarke, Patrick (April 15, 2019). "Oprah Winfrey defends her support for alleged 'Leaving Neverland' victims". NME. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  59. ^ ""Первый канал" перенес показ фильма о Майкле Джексоне на сайт". www.kommersant.ru (in Russian). March 14, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  60. ^ McLachlan, Megan (May 13, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland' Composer Chad Hobson Reveals Why He Didn't Want to Release the Soundtrack". Awards Daily. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  61. ^ "Leaving Neverland (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Google Play. April 1, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  62. ^ Burlingame, Jon (March 19, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland,' 'Surviving R. Kelly' Composers on How They Scored Sexual Abuse Docs". Variety. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  63. ^ "Leaving Neverland (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  64. ^ "Leaving Neverland Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  65. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (January 26, 2019). "Film Review: 'Leaving Neverland'". Variety.
  66. ^ Stuever, Hank (February 28, 2019). "A devastating and credible Leaving Neverland". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  67. ^ McFarland, Melanie (March 3, 2019). "Leaving Neverland wakes us from a false dream". Salon. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  68. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (February 28, 2019). "Leaving Neverland is riveting, shattering". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  69. ^ Baldwin, Kristen (February 21, 2019). "Leaving Neverland is brutal, powerful, and flawed". Entertainment Weekly. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  70. ^ Feinberg, Daniel (January 25, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland': TV Review | Sundance 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California: Valence Media. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  71. ^ Mulkerrins, Jane (January 26, 2019). "Leaving Neverland, review: Michael Jackson 'victims' paint horrifying picture of child abuse". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  72. ^ Fear, David (January 26, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland': Sundance's Michael Jackson Doc Leaves Audience Shellshocked". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  73. ^ Ehrlich, David (January 25, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland' Review: Devastating Four-Hour Doc Proves Michael Jackson Sexually Abused Children". IndieWire. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  74. ^ Wilkinson, Alissa (February 27, 2019). "Leaving Neverland makes a devastating case against Michael Jackson". Vox. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  75. ^ Roeper, Richard (February 27, 2019). "In HBO documentary, Michael Jackson is possibly a molester, definitely a weirdo". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  76. ^ a b Meyer, Dan (August 5, 2019). "Fleabag Sweeps & Fosse/Verdon's Michelle Williams Wins at 2019 TCA Awards". playbill.com. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  77. ^ Donnelly, Matt; Halperin, Shirley (January 25, 2019). "Michael Jackson Estate Addresses Controversial 'Leaving Neverland' Doc". Variety.
  78. ^ "Leaving Neverland director: 'We needed to establish what Michael Jackson was doing with little children'". The Independent. February 25, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  79. ^ Martinelli, Marissa (February 21, 2019). "Michael Jackson's Estate Is Suing HBO Over Leaving Neverland". Slate Magazine. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  80. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (March 4, 2019). "Michael Jackson concert films aired to distract from documentary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  81. ^ Sharf, Zack (January 15, 2019). "Sundance Will Not Pull Michael Jackson Child Abuse Doc 'Leaving Neverland' Amid Fan Protests". IndieWire. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  82. ^ Lee, Benjamin (January 25, 2019). "'Secrets will eat you up' – inside the shocking Michael Jackson documentary". The Guardian.
  83. ^ "'Innocent': MJ fans fight film with bus ads". NewsComAu. March 11, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  84. ^ Michael Jackson 'innocent' adverts to be removed from London buses, CNN
  85. ^ "Michael Jackson 'innocent' adverts to be removed". March 13, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  86. ^ "Actor Corey Feldman Defends Michael Jackson Following 'Leaving Neverland' Premiere". Vibe. March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  87. ^ "Corey Feldman Found 'Neverland' 'Shocking and Disturbing,' 'Can No Longer Defend' Michael Jackson". Variety. Variety Staff. March 4, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  88. ^ Respers, Lisa (April 26, 2019). "Corey Feldman wonders if Michael Jackson was grooming him". CNN. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  89. ^ Hedegaard, Erik (April 25, 2019). "Corey Feldman Wants to Expose Hollywood's Darkest Secrets". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  90. ^ Todisco, Eric (May 20, 2019). "Aaron Carter Claims Michael Jackson Did 'One Thing That Was a Little Bit Inappropriate'". People. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  91. ^ "Aaron Carter defends Michael Jackson after saying the star did one 'inappropriate' thing". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  92. ^ Reporters, Telegraph (March 7, 2019). "Leaving Neverland: who is Brett Barnes, Michael Jackson's 'other boy'?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  93. ^ "Macaulay Culkin Wants to Set the Record Straight About His Relationship With Michael Jackson". Esquire. February 12, 2020.
  94. ^ "Boy George criticizes 'Leaving Neverland' for 'disregarding' Michael Jackson". globalnews.ca. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  95. ^ Wong, Curtis M. (May 7, 2019). "Madonna Says Michael Jackson Is 'Innocent Until Proven Guilty'". HuffPost. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  96. ^ "Joey Fatone Says Wade Robson's 'Leaving Neverland' Was 'hard to watch". The Talk. CBS.
  97. ^ "Justice for Michael Jackson - The Objective Standard". theobjectivestandard.com. February 20, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  98. ^ Stidhum, Tonja Renée (April 4, 2019). "Leaving Neverland Accused of Key Discrepancy, Michael Jackson Estate Issues Statement". The Root.com. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  99. ^ Daly, Rhian (March 22, 2019). "Michael Jackson biographer hits out at 'Leaving Neverland' accuser: "It simply can't be true"". NME. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  100. ^ Harrison, Ellie (March 31, 2020). "Michael Jackson's friend admits singer's relationship with children was 'weird'". The Independent.
  101. ^ "Michael Jackson's bodyguard calls popstar's accusers liars". Today. 2019.
  102. ^ "Jackson family responds to 'Leaving Neverland' in 30-minute YouTube documentary". globalnews.ca. April 8, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  103. ^ "Brandi Jackson on 'Neverland' and Wade Robson: 'It's Very Upsetting to See What He Would Do to a Friend' - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2021. "Wade gives this narrative that he and Michael were always together. They weren’t. We used to go to the ranch, Wade and I and his family. We would go a few times a month. My uncle was never there. He was always on the road working and traveling."
  104. ^ Trendell, Andrew (August 15, 2019). "New documentary 'Chase The Truth' defending Michael Jackson is released". NME. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  105. ^ "Michael Jackson Accuser Wade Robson's 2016 Deposition Released In Video Exposing 'Lies of Leaving Neverland'". The Blast. August 13, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  106. ^ Walters, Mike (August 13, 2019). "Michael Jackson Accuser Wade Robson's 2016 Deposition Released In Video Exposing 'Lies of Leaving Neverland'". Yahoo!. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  107. ^ Vrieze, Atze De (October 18, 2019). "Nieuwe documentaire duikt in de eerste misbruikaanklacht tegen Michael Jackson". 3VOOR12 (in Dutch). Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  108. ^ Stelter, Brian (March 4, 2019). "'Leaving Neverland' sparks a re-examination of Michael Jackson's legacy". CNN. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  109. ^ a b c d Landrum, Jonathan Jr. (June 23, 2019). "Michael Jackson's popularity endures, even after new scandal". apnews.com. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  110. ^ a b Freeman, Hadley (December 18, 2019). "'I was surprised how unceasing the abuse was': the fallout from Leaving Neverland". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  111. ^ "Quebec radio stations have pulled Michael Jackson from airwaves following "Leaving Neverland" allegations". A.Side. March 7, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  112. ^ Lemieux, Marc-André. "Fin du boycott de Michael Jackson". Le Journal de Montréal.
  113. ^ "First Dutch radio station boycotts Michael Jackson music". NL Times. March 6, 2019.
  114. ^ Roy, Eleanor Ainge (March 6, 2019). "Michael Jackson songs pulled from radio stations in New Zealand and Canada". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  115. ^ Ramsey, Teresa (November 14, 2019). "Michael Jackson songs back on New Zealand radio airwaves". Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  116. ^ Flint, Joe (March 8, 2019). "'Simpsons' Episode Featuring Michael Jackson's Voice to Be Pulled". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  117. ^ Stern, Marlow (March 13, 2019). "'The Simpsons' Boss Al Jean: Michael Jackson Used the Show to 'Groom Boys'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  118. ^ "Michael Jackson's name has been taken out of Quincy Jones' show". Newsbeat. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  119. ^ Trendell, Andrew (June 4, 2019). "Organisers respond to criticism of Quincy Jones changing 'Michael Jackson albums show'". NME. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  120. ^ Graff, Gary (June 27, 2019). "'Weird Al' Yankovic Explains His Decision to Drop Michael Jackson Parodies From Set List". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  121. ^ Lindquist, David (March 11, 2019). "Michael Jackson items no longer on display at Children's Museum of Indianapolis". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  122. ^ McLaughlin, Eliott C. (March 17, 2019). "Indianapolis children's museum removes Michael Jackson's hat and gloves but will keep some photos". CNN.com. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  123. ^ Harper, Marques (March 15, 2019). "Louis Vuitton drops Michael Jackson-inspired items from 2019 men's collection". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  124. ^ Lang, Cady (March 22, 2019). "UCLA Gymnast Speaks Out About Cutting the Michael Jackson Music From the Floor Routine". Time. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  125. ^ Clarke, Patrick (June 21, 2019). "Brussels cancels plans to dress its famous Manneken Pis statue as Michael Jackson". NME. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  126. ^ "Michael Jackson's Streams & Sales Increase, Airplay Declines, After 'Leaving Neverland' Broadcast: Update". Billboard.
  127. ^ "Michael Jackson albums climb the charts following Leaving Neverland broadcast". The Independent. March 9, 2019.
  128. ^ Jefferson, Margo (June 7, 2019). "Was I in denial? Margo Jefferson on Michael Jackson's legacy". The Guardian. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  129. ^ "'Leaving Neverland' director talks Michael Jackson sexual abuse accusations".
  130. ^ "Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed said he will film a follow-up as soon as two other victims of Michael Jackson come forward".
  131. ^ "Michael Jackson Estate Wants HBO Meeting; Letter Warns 'Leaving Neverland' Will Be HBO's Greatest Shame". The Hollywood Reporter. February 8, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  132. ^ "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter. February 21, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  133. ^ Maddaus, Gene (February 21, 2019). "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO for Non-Disparagement Contract Breach". Variety. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  134. ^ Chmielewski, Dawn. "HBO Chief Richard Plepler Bows Out". Forbes. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  135. ^ "AT&T's Paul Singer Fight Echoes Undisclosed Activist Letter (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  136. ^ Maddaus, Gene (May 3, 2019). "HBO Counters Michael Jackson Estate's $100 Million 'Leaving Neverland' Suit". Variety. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  137. ^ "HBO Wins First Round in Michael Jackson Estate's 'Leaving Neverland' Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. May 29, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  138. ^ "Could the Bizarre Legal Fight Over HBO's Michael Jackson Doc Wind Up at the Supreme Court?". The Hollywood Reporter. August 30, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  139. ^ Maddaus, Gene (September 19, 2019). "Judge Sides With Michael Jackson Estate in 'Leaving Neverland' Dispute". Variety. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  140. ^ "'Leaving Neverland' Judge Sides With Michael Jackson Estate, Compelling HBO to Arbitration". Billboard. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  141. ^ Gene Maddaus,"HBO Appeals Arbitration Order in ‘Leaving Neverland’ Fight", Variety, October 21, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  142. ^ "HBO Loses Appellate Bid to Avoid Arbitration With Michael Jackson Estate in 'Leaving Neverland' Dispute | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. December 14, 2020.
  143. ^ "BAFTA TV 2020: Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy TV Craft Awards". BAFTA. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  144. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 8, 2020). "'Parasite' Tops Dorian Awards With 5 Wins". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  145. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 8, 2019). "'For Sama', 'Leaving Neverland', 'Homecoming' Among IDA Awards Winners". Deadline. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  146. ^ Lewis, Hilary (May 5, 2020). "Peabody Awards: 'American Factory,' 'Dickinson,' 'Watchmen' Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  147. ^ "Leaving Neverland". Television Academy. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  148. ^ "Nominations Announced in Motion Pictures and Television Programs Categories – 2020 Awards". Producers Guild of America. January 7, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.

External links

Retrieved from ""