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4th June 2025
05:29pm BST

There is one episode of The Simpsons that has been banned 27 years after its initial release due to a controversial guest star.
Stark Raving Dad was the first episode of season 3; however, it is not quite as easy to watch as other episodes.
The episode first aired in September of 1991, but was banned due to Michael Jackson's guest appearance.
Stark Raving Dad was forbidden from airing following the public resurgence of allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer who died in 2009.
Credited as John Jay Smith at the time, the Thriller singer was the voice behind Leon Kompowski.
In the episode, Homer meets Kompowski in a mental institution and believes him to be the King of Pop.
Jackson was known to be a fan of the series and even called the show's creator, Matt Groening, asking to be part of it.
The singer pitched his own ideas for the episode and even wrote the Happy Birthday, Lisa song for the show.
The song was part of a side plot in which Bart promised his sister the best present ever.
Jackson's part was not confirmed until a later date; however, the show included plenty of Jackson references and even soundbites of his hits Billie Jean and Ben.
The documentary Leaving Neverland was released in January 2019. Two men, now in their thirties, alleged that they had been sexually abused by Jackson at the ages of 7 and 10.
Director of the documentary, Dan Reed said it was ‘not about cancelling Jackson,’ but rather wanted people to know ‘that he was, at times, a monster to children.’
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