Showtime Sets Michael Jackson Documentary

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Showtime will chronicle the rise of a young Michael Jackson in a new documentary series, Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to 'Off The Wall,' the network said Thursday (Jan. 7).

The Spike Lee-produced documentary, which will debut Feb. 5 with multiple plays throughout the month on-air, on demand and over the internet, focuses on Jackson’s career evolving from the lead singer of the Jackson 5 to a solo artist and the development of his 1979 album Off the Wall, said network officials.

The documentary will feature footage from Michael’s personal archive, as well as  interviews with such personalities as Lee Daniels, The Weeknd, Pharrell Williams, Kobe Bryant, Misty Copeland, Mark Ronson, John Legend, Questlove and L.A. Reid. Jackson’s parents, Katherine and Joe Jackson, will also be featured along with his brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson, said Showtime.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.