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Difference between revisions of "Michael Jackson"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
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In the episode [[List of guest stars on The Simpsons|one of the 3th]] seasson "[[Stark Raving Dad]]" Homer gets admitted to a mental Asylum for wearing a pink shirt to work. Whilst in the asylum he meets a Fat White guy who proffeses to be "the small black guy" (Quote Bart) Michael Jackson. Although at the time is says Michael Jackson did not do the voice for this character, it was later revealed that he had but he did not want any credit for it.
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{{Icons||FA}}
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{{Gstarnav}}
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{{Guest Star
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|name = Michael Jackson
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|image = [[File:Michael Jackson.jpg|200px]]
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|gender = {{Male cast}}
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|birth = August 29, 1958
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|death = {{deathdate|2009|6|25|1958|8|29}}
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|nationality = American
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|claim = Singer<br>Songwriter<br>Dancer
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|character = [[Leon Kompowsky]]
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|appearance = "[[Stark Raving Dad]]"
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}}
  
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In this episode He and Bart composed and played the [[List of songs featured in The Simpsons|song]] named "[[Happy Birthday, Lisa]]" as Lisa's birthday present.  
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'''Michael Joseph Jackson''' (August 29, 1958 – June 25, [[2009]]), credited as '''John Jay Smith''' for legal reasons, was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. He voiced [[Leon Kompowsky]] in the [[season 3]] episode "[[Stark Raving Dad]]".  
  
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The real Michael Jackson is also a huge fan of the Simpsons and works with them especially when they create music etc.
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Jackson was voted 5th in [[IGN]]'s [http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/730/730566p1.html "Top 25 Simpsons Guest Stars"]. He also performed for the special live show ''[[The Simpsons Take the Bowl]]''.
  
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[[Category:Guest Stars]]
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== "[[Stark Raving Dad]]" ==
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He performed the speaking voice of Leon Kompowsky under the pseudonym "John Jay Smith". Jackson was a fan of the show<ref name="fan">{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117467944.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|title=Gloved One secret 'Simpsons' fan|author=Ray Richmond|date=1998-20-20|publisher=''Variety''}}</ref> and called [[Matt Groening]] one night and offered to do a guest spot.<ref name="Groening">Groening, Matt. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> The idea for the episode was pitched by [[James L. Brooks]] and the script was written by [[Al Jean]] and [[Mike Reiss]].<ref name="Reiss"/> In an early version of script, [[Homer]] decided to take [[Barney]] in for rehab, but whilst there Homer began acting crazily so the doctors assumed he was the one to be committed.<ref name="Groening"/> Jackson pitched several story ideas for the episode, including [[Bart]] telling everyone in town that Michael Jackson was coming to his house.<ref name="Reiss"/> He also requested several script changes, including that he wanted to have a scene in which he and Bart wrote a song and asked that a joke about Prince be changed to one about Elvis Presley.<ref name="Jean">Jean, Al. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref>
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One of Jackson's conditions for guest starring was that he voiced himself, but a sound-alike would receive credit.<ref name="Brooks"/> While he recorded the voice work for the character, all of his singing was performed by [[Kipp Lennon]],<ref name="Reiss"/> because Jackson wanted to play a joke on his brothers and fool them into thinking the impersonator was him.<ref name="Brooks"/> Jackson's lines were recorded at a second session by Brooks.<ref name="Jean"/> Jackson showed up for the recording session alone and did not use the special trailer that was set up for him.<ref name="Reiss"/> Lennon and Jackson recorded their parts at the same time, and Jackson found Lennon's impersonations hilarious.<ref name="Reiss">Reiss, Mike. (2003). Easter Egg Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> Jackson actually did record versions of the songs, and while there have been rumors that those tracks were the ones used in the final episode, ''Simpsons'' music editor [[Chris Ledesma]] says the Lennon versions were used.<ref name="Jean"/> Leon Kompowsky's normal speaking voice was recorded by [[Hank Azaria]].<ref name="Castellaneta">Castellaneta, Dan. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref>
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The producers of the show were legally prevented from confirming Jackson guest starred at the time, although many media sources assumed it was really him.<ref>{{cite news|title='Simpsons' Returns with a Big White Michael Jackson|date=[[1991-09-19]]|publisher=''{{W|Press of Atlantic City}}''|author=Jay Sharbutt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Simpsons Plays Name That Voice|date=1991-09-19|accessdate|publisher=''{{W2|The Record|Bergen County}}''|author=Virginia Mann}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TV Previews - Simpsons: A Surprise Thriller|date=[[1991-09-19]]|publisher=''Washington Post''|author=Tom Shales}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Some Clues as to why 'The Simpsons' is Simply the Best|date=1991-09-18|publisher=''Daily News of Los Angeles''|author=Phil Rosenthal}}</ref> After this episode the producers decided that if a celebrity wished to guest star on the show, they had to be willing to be credited under their real name and not a pseudonym.
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After Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, his episode "[[Stark Raving Dad]]" and the music video for ''[[Do the Bartman]]'' were shown in dedication to him.[[File:Michael-jackson.jpg|thumb]]
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== Songwriting ==
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Jackson especially liked Bart and wanted to give him a number one single, so he wrote much of the song "[[Do the Bartman]]" although he did not receive credit for it.<ref name="Brooks">Brooks, James L. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> "Do the Bartman" did not get released as a single in the US, but did get to number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and a few other countries. Jackson also wrote the song "[[Happy Birthday, Lisa]]" for the episode, which was later included in the album ''[[Songs in the Key of Springfield]]''.<ref name="Jean"/>
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== Other references ==
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In the episode "[[Bart Sells His Soul]]", Bart is famously quoted as saying "[souls are] just something they made up to scare kids, like the Boogeyman or Michael Jackson".
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== Credits ==
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=== Special guest voice ===
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*{{ep|Stark Raving Dad}}
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=== Singer ===
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*{{alb|Songs in the Key of Springfield}}
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== References ==
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{{Reflist}}
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== External links ==
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*{{IMDb|name/nm0001391/}}
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*{{Wikipedialink}}
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{{Real-world deaths|guests=yes}}
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{{Season 3 Guest Stars}}
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{{The Simpsons Take the Bowl performers}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Michael}}
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[[Category:Songs in the Key of Springfield crew]]

Latest revision as of 15:12, July 15, 2024

This article is about the guest star. For the character, see Michael Jackson (character).
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson.jpg
Guest Star Information
Gender:
Male ♂
Born: August 29, 1958
Died: June 25, 2009 (aged 50)
Nationality: American
Claim to fame: Singer
Songwriter
Dancer
Character(s): Leon Kompowsky
First appearance: "Stark Raving Dad"


Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009), credited as John Jay Smith for legal reasons, was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. He voiced Leon Kompowsky in the season 3 episode "Stark Raving Dad".

Jackson was voted 5th in IGN's "Top 25 Simpsons Guest Stars". He also performed for the special live show The Simpsons Take the Bowl.

"Stark Raving Dad"[edit]

He performed the speaking voice of Leon Kompowsky under the pseudonym "John Jay Smith". Jackson was a fan of the show[1] and called Matt Groening one night and offered to do a guest spot.[2] The idea for the episode was pitched by James L. Brooks and the script was written by Al Jean and Mike Reiss.[3] In an early version of script, Homer decided to take Barney in for rehab, but whilst there Homer began acting crazily so the doctors assumed he was the one to be committed.[2] Jackson pitched several story ideas for the episode, including Bart telling everyone in town that Michael Jackson was coming to his house.[3] He also requested several script changes, including that he wanted to have a scene in which he and Bart wrote a song and asked that a joke about Prince be changed to one about Elvis Presley.[4]

One of Jackson's conditions for guest starring was that he voiced himself, but a sound-alike would receive credit.[5] While he recorded the voice work for the character, all of his singing was performed by Kipp Lennon,[3] because Jackson wanted to play a joke on his brothers and fool them into thinking the impersonator was him.[5] Jackson's lines were recorded at a second session by Brooks.[4] Jackson showed up for the recording session alone and did not use the special trailer that was set up for him.[3] Lennon and Jackson recorded their parts at the same time, and Jackson found Lennon's impersonations hilarious.[3] Jackson actually did record versions of the songs, and while there have been rumors that those tracks were the ones used in the final episode, Simpsons music editor Chris Ledesma says the Lennon versions were used.[4] Leon Kompowsky's normal speaking voice was recorded by Hank Azaria.[6]

The producers of the show were legally prevented from confirming Jackson guest starred at the time, although many media sources assumed it was really him.[7][8][9][10] After this episode the producers decided that if a celebrity wished to guest star on the show, they had to be willing to be credited under their real name and not a pseudonym.

After Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, his episode "Stark Raving Dad" and the music video for Do the Bartman were shown in dedication to him.
Michael-jackson.jpg

Songwriting[edit]

Jackson especially liked Bart and wanted to give him a number one single, so he wrote much of the song "Do the Bartman" although he did not receive credit for it.[5] "Do the Bartman" did not get released as a single in the US, but did get to number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and a few other countries. Jackson also wrote the song "Happy Birthday, Lisa" for the episode, which was later included in the album Songs in the Key of Springfield.[4]

Other references[edit]

In the episode "Bart Sells His Soul", Bart is famously quoted as saying "[souls are] just something they made up to scare kids, like the Boogeyman or Michael Jackson".

Credits[edit]

Special guest voice[edit]

Singer[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Ray Richmond. "Gloved One secret 'Simpsons' fan"Variety. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Groening, Matt. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Reiss, Mike. (2003). Easter Egg Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Jean, Al. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Brooks, James L. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  6. ↑ Castellaneta, Dan. (2003). Commentary for "Stark Raving Dad", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  7. ↑ Jay Sharbutt. "'Simpsons' Returns with a Big White Michael Jackson"Press of Atlantic City. 
  8. ↑ Virginia Mann. "Simpsons Plays Name That Voice"The Record. 
  9. ↑ Tom Shales. "TV Previews - Simpsons: A Surprise Thriller"Washington Post. 
  10. ↑ Phil Rosenthal. "Some Clues as to why 'The Simpsons' is Simply the Best"Daily News of Los Angeles. 


External links[edit]


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