NEWARK, New Jersey and CULVER CITY, California—April 18, 2023—Audible, Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, and Wondery, a premium podcast studio, today announced a new Original collaboration, Think Twice: Michael Jackson. Produced by Prologue Projects and Jigsaw Productions, and presented by acclaimed journalist and podcaster Leon Neyfakh and hip-hop radio veteran Jay Smooth, the 10-episode audio series is a journalistic, 360-degree look at Jackson’s complicated legacy. All episodes of Think Twice release on Thursday, April 27 exclusively on Audible and ad-free for Prime members on the Amazon Music app.
More than a decade since Michael Jackson’s death, his global influence continues to endure. Think Twice: Michael Jackson is an exploration of the King of Pop’s life and impact—and an investigation into his staying power in the face of disturbing allegations. In this 10-part series, journalists Leon Neyfakh and Jay Smooth bring you a new perspective on the Jackson story, based on dozens of original interviews with people who watched it unfold from up close.
Leon Neyfakh said, “To me, Michael Jackson is the most interesting person who has ever lived. But what Jay and I realized as we dove into this project was that his story is not just about him, but everyone he influenced with his art, and everyone connected to his tortured personal life. It’s also about the moral calculations we make as consumers of culture, as we decide for ourselves what to believe and what to look away from. Collaborating with Audible and Wondery on this journalistic exploration of Michael’s life and legacy has given me a better, deeper understanding of why this singular artist still matters, and more broadly, how American pop culture works.”
Jay Smooth said, “When Leon reached out to me about collaborating on a Michael Jackson documentary series, I won’t lie, I was equal parts intrigued and alarmed. But as we both agreed to be up front about our own complex feelings on Michael’s legacy, and let that guide our process of gathering all these different voices and perspectives, I quickly came to see just how rich and rewarding this show would become. Both as a fresh look back at the Michael Jackson story, and even more so as a way to understand—through Michael’s life and afterlife—how our world and culture evolved around him.”
Rachel Ghiazza, Audible EVP, Head of US Content said, “Following the critical acclaim for the 2022 Audible Original Fiasco: The AIDS Crisis, Leon Neyfakh once again brings his journalistic chops and striking insight to listeners. In teaming up with established radio journalist Jay Smooth, these creators demonstrate the power of balanced reporting and musical storytelling. The blend of thoughtful cultural commentary and riveting pop culture history makes Think Twice the perfect vehicle for a collaboration with our colleagues at Wondery.”
Morgan Jones, Wondery head of commissioned Originals and an executive producer on the series, said, “Wondery has always wanted to work with Leon. He has a unique ability to dig into a story we all thought we knew and make us reevaluate it. Think Twice is no different. We are thrilled at this opportunity to collaborate closely with our Audible colleagues.”
Think Twice is a co-production from Audible, Wondery, Prologue Projects, and Jigsaw Productions.
Episodes List:
Episode One: Is This Scary?
It’s 1993 and Michael Jackson is on top of the world: receiving lifetime achievement awards, appearing at Bill Clinton’s inaugural gala, performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. More popular and powerful than he’s ever been, he uses that cachet to create a music video that stands among his most personal and prescient works. Then everything falls apart.
Episode Two: All Children, Except One, Grow Up
As news breaks of the first sexual abuse allegations against Michael, reporters scramble to dig up any information they can while Michael Jackson’s PR machine battles to control the narrative. Meanwhile, a by-the-book LAPD detective struggles to investigate the case in the midst of the frenzy.
Episode Three: Big Boy
Michael Jackson’s childhood, or lack thereof, is cited constantly in the conversation around his relationships with children. In this episode, we go back to Michael’s earliest days in Gary, Indiana, where he grows up under the domineering hand of his father while he and his brothers take the local music scene by storm in search of a better life.
Episode Four: The Sound of Young America
The Jackson family signs with the Motown Record Corporation and moves out to California. As Black artists across the country are achieving new levels of visibility, the Jackson 5 become an overnight sensation and a young Michael must navigate growing up in the spotlight as the front man of America’s hottest boy band.
Episode Five: Wiz Kid
As the Jackson family tries to stay relevant as former teenyboppers, Michael Jackson breaks away in New York City and stars in The Wiz, a movie based on The Wizard of Oz, that sets the course for the rest of his life.
Episode Six: Michael on High
Michael Jackson climbs to new heights with the success of his Thriller album and the groundbreaking music videos that follow. But he finds that his fame and faith are on a collision course, and he’s forced to make a choice.
Episode Seven: Leave Me Alone
Michael’s eccentric behavior and ever-changing appearance pique the curiosity of the public and the press. But was Michael a tabloid victim or a genius public relations ringmaster?
Episode Eight: Colossus of Pop
In the aftermath of the 1993 sexual abuse allegations, Michael Jackson marries into musical royalty and attempts to rebuild his legacy with the most audacious project of his career.
Episode Nine: The Trial
Ten years after first being accused of child sexual abuse, Michael Jackson finds himself in court facing criminal charges related to a new alleged victim, for which he is later acquitted. Meanwhile, Michael’s fans rally around their idol and try to help him get through a new low point in his career.
Episode Ten: Ghost Story
Michael Jackson spends his final days preparing for a series of comeback concerts, but tragedy strikes before rehearsals are even completed. In the aftermath of Michael’s death, a reckoning begins over everything he left behind.
ABOUT LEON NEYFAKH
Leon Neyfakh is a New York-based journalist best known as the co-creator and original host of the award-winning Slow Burn podcast, in which he told the stories of Watergate and the Clinton impeachment. Since starting the podcast Fiasco in 2019, Neyfakh has hosted seasons on the AIDS crisis, Bush v. Gore, the Boston “busing” crisis, the Benghazi scandal, and the Iran-Contra affair, which has been adapted as a documentary series on EPIX. The most recent season, Fiasco: The AIDS Crisis, was named a “Best Podcast of 2022” by Variety and The New Yorker. Before turning to audio, Neyfakh was a print reporter for Slate, The Boston Globe, and The New York Observer. He’s the author of the book The Next Next Level.
ABOUT JAY SMOOTH
Jay Smooth is the creator and host of New York’s longest-running hip-hop radio show, The Underground Railroad, which played a pivotal role in NY’s underground scene throughout the 1990s and was cited by Chuck D as hosting “the best hip-hop conversations.” Jay also founded one of the first and most influential hip-hop blogs at hiphopmusic.com, and his commentary on culture and politics has been featured everywhere from NPR to WorldStarHiphop, as well as his own “Ill Doctrine” YouTube channel and educational series Crash Course: Media Literacy.
ABOUT AUDIBLE, INC.
Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 800,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers. Acclaimed Originals include “Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast,” from President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, “Fiasco: The Aids Crisis” from Leon Neyfakh, “Impact Winter” from Skybound, “Direct Deposit” from Chad Sanders, “The Coldest Case” James Patterson Entertainment, “Unity in the Community” from Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere’s Flavor Unit, “Mandela: The Lost Tapes” from Richard Stengel, “Living Legend” from John Legend, and “The Sandman” from Neil Gaiman, amongst dozens of others.
ABOUT WONDERY
Wondery, an Amazon company, is a premium podcast studio known for character-driven, binge-worthy stories including Dr. Death, British Scandal, Even the Rich and Business Wars, and distribution of hit partner shows SmartLess, My Favorite Murder, Morbid and How I Built This. Wondery was behind eight of the “Top 25 New Shows of 2022”, according to Podtrac, including Twin Flames, Fed Up and Will be Wild. Over 50 shows from Wondery have hit #1 on Apple Podcasts including Scamfluencers and Twin Flames. Many Wondery podcasts have been adapted for scripted television or streaming series, including Dr. Death and Joe vs Carole on Peacock, and The Shrink Next Door and WeCrashed on Apple TV+. Wondery has gained critical acclaim and commercial success for its immersive approach to sonic, emotionally driven storytelling.
