Well guys it's been about 3.5 weeks since this horrible documentary aired. I notice the past 100+ pages have just been nattering, analyzing celebrity and Twitter quotes, bashing Dan Reed, etc. Which tells me the storm is over.... While many in the media have claimed MJ has been muted and his career shaken, etc, I simply disagree. As discussed at length by Rolling Stone last week, the reality is that this documentary COULD have been much worse. The extreme negative reaction has been mostly limited to the precious snowflake METOO sub culture, as well as the media elite at the top. So here are where things stand now
THE BAD:
-Michael Jackson's music has been dropped from only a handful of radio stations around the world. The media has spun this to be a very bad thing, but in reality 99.99999% of stations did NOT ban MJ.
-Airplay is down about 30-50% in the US, which isn't surprising. Companies are scared to blast MJ during such heightened times with the MeToo culture. My guess is that airplay will slowly creep back up in the coming weeks and months.
-SOME companies have dropped being associated with MJ like Starbucks, H&M, The Simpsons, a few random record stores, that museum in Indianapolis, the bus campaign in London, etc. All small potatoes though in the reality of things.
-A few celebrities have sided with the victims, 99% have simply remained silent though with not much to say in either direction
And that's about it really. If you read the media, you will be led to believe this is detrimental and horrible. The truth is.... it's small potatoes.
THE GOOD:
-While radio play has dropped, actual SALES of Michael Jackson albums, as well as online streaming has actually increased in almost every market around the world since this documentary has launched.
-Michael Jackson's official Youtube channel has gained almost 1 million followers since the beginning of March, and his official videos have had an astounding 170 MILLION additional views since March 1st.
-While the media likes to dwell on the small irrelevant boycots/muting of MJ, they are missing the big picture here. MJ's Cirque Du Soleil show remains in operation and is selling very well. The Broadway musical remains in production to debut in 2020, all of MJ's licensing deals remain in tact ranging from clothing to casino slot machines, to many other deals.
-Sony Music is sticking by Michael Jackson, which means that they are confident there is a future for his music. R Kelly was tossed by his label, but not Michael! This is probably the most important piece of information that would show what direction Michael Jackson's reputation is going in.
-The general public are not nearly as sold on this documentary as the media elites. Based on the media's reviews of Leaving Neverland I was seriously concerned that Michael's legacy could have been shattered. The response was so dramatic and damming that I will admit... I was concerned. But the public simply isn't buying into it. Most polls show the masses favouring Michael Jackson and questioning both accusers.
- Ratings for Leaving Neverland were pretty crappy. Whether it was in the US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, or Canada.... the numbers simply didn't measure up to the hype.
MOVING FORWARD
-My personal opinion is that this will continue to die down, and the general public will slowly forget. In todays hyperactive news cycle, the public often has a short attention span. Most of the bans on his music will be lifted, and radio will slowly increase spins of MJ's songs.
-Hopefully the court cases against HBO and Wade/James will be successful and help solidify our truth that Michael was indeed innocent. A few legal victories would certainly help the narrative and put the wind back in our sails.
-Michael Jackson will again get big amounts of press in June due to the 10 year anniversary of his death. Unfortunately that will give the media another platform to drill into the publics mind about Leaving Neverland, but it will also promote his music and legacy as well. Based on the fallout from this doc, I am guessing MJ's sales will rise again in June as the masses stream and buy the music.
-Overall lets move forward thinking optimistically. These past two months have been horrible for us fans BUT Im telling you..... things could have been worse. MJ survived this, battered and bruised yes.... but he will heal. Keep streaming his music and voicing support to companies that embrace him. I personally have been listening to the HISTORY album lots these past few weeks. I bought it on vinyl.
This whole fiasco simply proved that Michael Jackson is too big to take down.