The MJCast - A Michael Jackson Podcast

The MJCast
The MJCast - A Michael Jackson Podcast

The Internet's premiere Michael Jackson podcast. We offer news and discussion on Michael Jackson and special interviews with people who knew and worked with the King of Pop.

  1. 172: Mick Garris Special

    OCT 27

    172: Mick Garris Special

    Mick Garris, renowned producer, director, screenwriter and novelist joins Paul Black for an in-depth interview about his amazing career, including his work with Michael Jackson.Garris began his journey with Michael Jackson when both he and his wife appeared as zombies in the “Thriller” short film. Years later, because of his work with Stephen King, Garris was pulled in to work on what became the “Ghosts” short film. He co-wrote the story with Jackson and King, and was the original director on the project, then under the title “Is This Scary”. He worked closely on set with Jackson for two weeks, though, later, Stan Winston would take over as director when the project was shelved due to the 1993 allegations levelled against Michael Jackson.Garris has long been an icon in the film industry, and particularly in the world of horror, having worked with Steven Spielberg on multiple projects, and achieving major success via his many collaborations with Stephen King, including directing the hugely popular series, “The Stand”, the TV adaptation of “The Shining”, and much more. He also directed “Critters 2”, “Psycho IV: The Beginning”, and co-wrote the screenplays for major feature films such as “Batteries Not Included”, “The Fly 2”, and “Hocus Pocus”. In 2005, he created the Showtime anthology series, “Masters of Horror”. Until last year, he also hosted the popular podcast, “Post Mortem”, which features interviews with major filmmakers and other creators.In this chat, Garris talks about his experiences on the sets of these two iconic short films, and gives insights into working with The King of Pop, as well as his memories of the friendship they developed.Wishing all our MJ Fam around the world a happy Thriller Night!Special thanks to Friend of the Show Adam Green for connecting us with Mick.This episode was edited by Paul Black and Jamon Bull.Additional Links• Mick Garris’s website,

    1h 11m
  2. 171: Darryl Phinnessee Special

    OCT 18

    171: Darryl Phinnessee Special

    Jamon Bull welcomes renowned singer-songwriter Darryl Phinnessee to The MJCast for a discussion about his amazing career, including his many years working with The King of Pop.Darryl is a Grammy-winning singer, and one of the industry’s most in-demand session and touring vocalists. He has worked in the studio with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Whitney Houston, and toured with Don Henley, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, and more. He also spent seven seasons on one of America’s most popular TV shows – Dancing With The Stars. And, he wrote the iconic theme song for one of the most successful sitcoms of all time: Frasier, which saw him nominated for an Emmy.In this interview, Jamon and Darryl dive deep into Darryl’s work with Michael Jackson, which spanned many years. He accompanied Michael on all three of his solo tours – Bad, Dangerous and HIStory – providing backing vocals but also joining Michael on center stage, with featured spots during “I’ll Be There” and “Black or White”.Being a fixture in Michael’s touring band meant he helped make history. He was on stage for Michael’s record-breaking HBO Pay-Per-View concert “Live In Bucharest 1992”, and for his game-changing 1993 Super Bowl performance.Darryl remained a go-to collaborator for Michael right up to the end of Jackson’s life. In 2009, Darryl was one of the few fixtures from previous tours to have been kept on for the planned This Is It residency in London.This episode was edited by Jamon Bull.Additional links• Darryl Phinnessee’s Facebook page.Like this episode?• If you have the means, consider a donation in any amount through PayPal to help cover our costs of creating the show. All proceeds go towards online running costs, upgrading equipment, and charity donations.• We also have an official merchandise a href="https://www.themjcast.

    2h 7m
  3. 170: That Broken Guitar String

    OCT 5

    170: That Broken Guitar String

    Charles Thomson and Gratian Dimech team up for a discussion on major updates in the world of Michael Jackson and the Jackson family. This episode serves as a follow-up to #TheMJCast169. They talk about the heartbreaking news of Tito Jackson’s sudden passing, a revelation around the Estate’s legal action regarding the possible threat of new allegations, and the long-awaited release of “Faking Michael” by Damien Shields, an investigative true crime podcast which uncovers the full story of the fraudulent songs released after the death of Michael Jackson. Charles and Gratian then finish out the episode by talking about Janet Jackson’s problematic Guardian interview, and Charles’ experience seeing Janet live in Paris last week with Jamon.This episode was edited by Jamon Bull.Discussion Topics• Tito Jackson has passed away at age 70. Our deepest condolences go out to Taj, Taryll and TJ, as well as the entire Jackson family.•  The Michael Jackson Estate engages law enforcement and files an arbitration claim in response to threats of new allegations.• Damien Shields’ long-awaited investigative true crime podcast series, “Faking Michael”, has been released.• Janet Jackson has given a problematic Guardian interview and launched the European leg of her Together Again tour (which Charles and Jamon went to see together).Like this episode?• If you have the means, consider a donation in any amount through PayPal to help cover our costs of creating the show.

    1h 40m
  4. 168: Vindication Day Special with Gratian Dimech

    JUN 13

    168: Vindication Day Special with Gratian Dimech

    Charles Thomson welcomes first-time guest Gratian Dimech to the show for this year’s Vindication Day Special.Gratian first saw Michael Jackson live on the Bad Tour and first met him on the Dangerous Tour. Attending 35 Dangerous concerts, he got to know many of Michael’s inner circle. Michael and Brett Barnes even nicknamed Gratian and his friend Justin as the “Waldos”, because wherever they went, they could pick them out of the crowd.Gratian became an advocate and an activist, challenging negative media coverage of Michael. His creative protest against a particular British tabloid photographer was immortalised in Adrian Grant’s book Michael Jackson: A Visual Documentary and he has been interviewed about it for filmmaker Jin Chohan’s upcoming documentary series “Trial By Media”.Gratian had a front-row view for everything from the “Give In To Me” music video shoot, to Jarvis Cocker’s stage invasion during Michael’s 1996 Brit Awards performance, and even the infamous, history-altering bridge collapse during Michael’s 1999 MJ and Friends benefit concert in Munich.Gratian has toured Neverland, got stuck in New York when the Twin Towers were attacked mere hours after Michael’s 30th Anniversary concerts, and even spent time hanging out in Janet Jackson’s hotel rooms.When Michael drove around London on an open top bus to protest against Sony Music, Gratian was on the bus with him – and when Michael went on trial in 2005, Gratian flew out to support him, even winning the lottery to go inside the courtroom.In this unscripted conversation with his friend Charles Thomson, Gratian tells us only a fraction of his amazing and insightful experience...

    2h 46m
  5. 167: Jennifer Batten Special

    JUN 1

    167: Jennifer Batten Special

    Jamon Bull welcomes iconic guitarist, Jennifer Batten, to The MJCast for a long-awaited, deep-dive interview about her amazing career in music, and her years performing with The King of Pop.Batten, known for her original approach to the electric guitar (and her nearly-as-legendary hair!), rose in the music industry when she was selected to play in Michael Jackson’s BAD tour. She would go on to play lead and rhythm guitar on the Dangerous and HIStory world tours, as well, and joined Jackson for the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show. She also appeared in the “Come Together” segment on “Moonwalker”. For any fan of MJ, both her performances and her striking presence are an unforgettable part of ‘80s and ‘90s-era Michael Jackson.In addition to her work on stage with Jackson, Batten has had her own vibrant career. She has released three solo albums, worked closely with Jeff Beck for several years, has authored two music books and released instructional DVDs, and did a guitar residency for the Cirque Du Soleil show “Zumanity” in Las Vegas. In 2016, she received the She Rocks “Icon” award, and was inducted into Guitar Player Magazine’s “Gallery of the Greats”. Batten continues to tour regularly, and has shows coming up around the world, including Michael Jackson tribute shows. (Tour link below.)This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.Additional links• Jennifer Batten’s website, tour dates, and page in support of Michael Jackson.• Batten’s Twitter and Instagram.Like this episode?• If you have the means, consider a donation in any amount through PayPal to help cover our costs of creating the show.

4.6
out of 5
279 Ratings

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The Internet's premiere Michael Jackson podcast. We offer news and discussion on Michael Jackson and special interviews with people who knew and worked with the King of Pop.

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