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'The Simpsons' Episode Featuring Michael Jackson to Be Pulled From Reruns

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By TheBlast Staff on March 7, 2019 at 6:49 AM EST

"Stark Raving Dad" — the iconic episode of "The Simpsons" featuring Michael Jackson — will no longer be shown in light of the recent documentary, "Leaving Neverland," that detailed allegations of sexual abuse against the singer.

Speaking with the Wall Street Journal, James L. Brooks said of the decision, "It feels clearly like the only choice to make."

He added, "I’m against book burning of any kind. But this is our book, and we’re allowed to take out a chapter."

!youtube-embed(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t70Gf4Fcao)

The episode aired on September 19, 1991 and is generally considered to be one of the most memorable in the show's legendary run. Jackson voiced Leon Kompowsky but was not credited at the time due to contractual reasons.

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Jackson's character was a large white man who was a patient at a mental hospital who believed he was Michael Jackson.

The episode culminated with Jackson and Bart Simpson singing "Happy Birthday Lisa," though Jackson reportedly had a soundalike provide the vocals because he wanted to keep his brothers guessing as to whether or not he'd actually provided the vocals.

!youtube-embed(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLuyHWP_wnM)

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