“'Michael' is How the Legend Should be Remembered” Exclusive Interview with Harvey Weinstein
This Harvey guy sure likes islands.
From a bush on Rikers Island, I was granted a rare opportunity to speak with former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Before our visitation time ended, Weinstein gave his thoughts on the new biographical drama about Michael Jackson.
“‘Michael’ is how the legend should be remembered. He was undeniably the greatest musician of all time if you exclude R Kelly,” Weinstein said, before breaking out into a verse of the Ignition Remix. “Why get bogged down in hearsay and court proceedings? Audiences want to be entertained, and nobody entertained more children than Michael Jackson. Fuck! Here comes that bitchy guard. Our time is about up; I really can’t be seen here again. We got to leave, but when I get out of here, and that will be soon, let’s swing by a hotel to finish this conversation the right way.”
Following a long shower after my visit to Rikers, I spoke with another prominent media figure who wished to remain anonymous due to backlash surrounding the film.
“Michael made some of the best songs ever. Honor the art, not the artist. Just because an actor has done horrible things—musician—I meant just because a musician has done horrible things doesn’t mean everyone should behave as though he never acted in anything.” said the anonymous media figure, before erupting into a tirade “ What, so everyone is going to pretend that American Beauty and The Usual Suspects didn’t exist? You can’t take away my Oscars. The last season of House of Cards bombed and we all know why. Good media requires child sacrifices.”
The film has been received poorly by early viewing critics. Currently sitting at just 34% on Rotten Tomatoes, many reviewers focused on the film’s controversial framing while a vocal minority praised the screenplay.
“I think it’s wonderful that they ended the movie in 1988 before all those dirty, lying accusations came out,” penned Phillipa Spector reviewing for The Hollywood Reporter, “Biographies should focus on accomplishments and stardom, not the lives ruined by that star. That’s why I turned off OJ: Made in America when they stopped talking about his football accolades, and I’m so glad Michael didn’t make the same mistake.”
At the time of publication, the studio behind Michael was working closely with Drake to cast dozens of teenagers for an upcoming biopic that will focus on his entertainment career up until 2024 and nothing else. The bush I hid in for this scoop was a garish Glitter Bush.
