Bill Maher Slams 'Michael' Biopic for Ignoring Jackson Abuse Allegations

Comedian Bill Maher sharply criticized the new Michael Jackson biopic Michael for failing to address the child abuse allegations the late pop icon faced during his lifetime. Maher’s remarks came during the July 12, 2024 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher on HBO.

In his opening monologue, Maher joked about the film’s release schedule, stating that it was playing at 7 p.m., 9 p.m., and 11 p.m.—a reference to the timing of Jackson’s alleged abuse victims. He revisited the topic later in the episode during the “New Rules” segment, where he said:

“New rule: If you complain about Columbus Day because it ignores the fact he killed Indians, and you complain about Presidents’ Day because it ignores the fact that Washington owned slaves, then you can’t happily go see a movie where Michael Jackson doesn’t sleep with kids. Which is the movie that’s out now, where we just hear about the fun things Michael did.”

Maher continued his critique, comparing the biopic to other controversial films, adding:

“It’s playing a double bill with ‘Jeffrey Epstein: Superhost Extraordinaire’ and ‘John Wayne Gacy: Thanks for the Laughter.’”

During a later segment, Maher joked about grocery items, saying new food products made him feel like he was “flirting with statutory rape.” He quipped:

“What’s with very young small sweet peas and mini tater tots and baby carrots and extra virgin olive oil? Gee, if I wanted to feel this pervy, I’ll go see the Michael Jackson movie.”

Maher’s comments followed statements from the film’s director, stars, and the Jackson family defending the movie’s approach. Director Antoine Fuqua told The New Yorker that he initially planned to include Jackson’s 2003 arrest, revealing:

“I shot [Michael] being stripped naked, treated like an animal, a monster.”

Fuqua explained that his original vision was to create a “provocative defense” of Jackson, but a $23 million settlement between the Jackson estate and the Chandler family—who accused the singer of sexually abusing their 13-year-old son—blocked depictions of events tied to the allegation. The settlement agreement forbade the Jackson estate from participating in portrayals of the allegations.

Colman Domingo and Nia Long, who portray Jackson’s parents in the film, defended the movie’s limited scope in a Today show appearance. Domingo stated:

“The film takes place from the ’60s to 1988. It does not go into the first allegations in 2005. So, basically, we center it on the makings of Michael. It’s an intimate portrait of who Michael is … through his eyes.”

Despite the criticism, Jackson’s nephews, TJ and Taj Jackson, spoke in support of the film. While TJ argued that Jackson and his fans deserved the movie, Taj criticized the media for attempting to “control the narrative” surrounding his uncle. The singer faced 10 charges in 2005 related to the alleged sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy, who was not Jordan Chandler.