From "Simpsons" to "South Park": Michael Jackson's animated legacy mirrors his real life decline

"Simpsons" aficionados didn't need Fox to re-air the Season 3 episode "Stark Raving Dad" on Sunday night. But in case those DVD sets are gathering dust in a basement somewhere (ahem), it's always nice to have an old memory pop back on the screen and reaffirm a few things you may have forgotten.

In tribute to Michael Jackson, "The Simpsons" aired the classic 1991 episode that put Homer, the pink shirt wearing "anarchist," into a mental institution next to a large, white, bald man who enjoyed singing "Billie Jean" for kicks.

A huge "Simpsons" fan who co-wrote novelty hit "Do the Bartman" in 1990, Jackson's adoration for Matt Groening's four-fingered family was largely kept secret because of contractual reasons. So no one ever knew Jackson helped pen the hit song for Bart, and there was even bigger doubt that he was the voice behind over-sized mental patient Leon Kompowsky since the credits oddly read "Guest Voice: John Jay Smith."

It's since been confirmed that John Jay Smith was Jackson -- at least the speaking part. Dead ringer and "Simpsons" music contributor Kipp Lennon did the singing (Jackson reportedly found Lennon's impression hilarious), though Jackson wrote Bart's timeless "Happy Birthday Lisa" jingle for the episode.

While some have accused Fox of cashing in on Jackson's death with the re-airing, I thought it was a nice touch. A mega-star like Jackson didn't have to volunteer to do a voice on the animated series, yet he clearly loved the show. Of all the things to be critical of regarding non-stop Jackson coverage -- and really, just follow what's happening today -- re-airing a "Simpsons" episode should be at the bottom of the complaint pile.

Now the 2004 "South Park" Mr. "Jefferson" episode? Yeah, that probably won't get out of the Comedy Central vault anytime soon.

But it should -- because the "SP" and "Simpsons" episodes are truly symbolic of how far Jackson's star fell in the span of a mere decade.

A brutally hilarious assault (watch it here) on Jackson's freakish modern day transformation, Season 8's "The Jeffersons" remains one of the funniest "South Park" episodes ever conceived.

Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker obliterate Jackson for his ghastly appearance (the kids think he's a burn victim), suspect parenting skills (he climbs trees, rides trains and hordes all the cotton candy with no regard for his son, Blanket) and general creepiness due to the child molestation badge of dishonor (a dream sequence almost has Jackson making out with Cartman) he wore following well-publicized accusations.

Like I said, it absolutely sets a torch to Jackson's public image. But it's also incredibly fair.

Instead of piling on Jackson for his alleged sexual perversions, the "SP" creators focused more on his unhealthy level of perpetual adolescence. In one scene, Jackson shows up at Stan's house in a Peter Pan costume. When Cartman gazes in wonder at all the video games and zoo animals at the "Jefferson" home, Blanket says, "Oh, those are my dad's."

Stone and Parker also make a strong comment about racial profiling and poke fun at how the "rich, black celebrity" that supposedly has infiltrated Colorado ala Kobe Bryant is really ... well, a dude with a fake mustache that looks white. Whenever Jackson is leveled with an accusation, he relies on a limp "that's ignorant" in response. Oh, and his nose falls off at the end of the episode.

Conversely, "The Simpsons" turned a gentle giant into the King of Pop out of pure fascination that Jackson's instantly memorable song and dance routines could bring so much joy to the world.

An unintentionally funny part comes when Leon exits Homer's car upon arrival to the Simpson home amid a throng of fans and media. Someone from the gallery shouts, "He's white!" as a way to discredit the fact that Leon could possibly be the Thriller himself. Er ... yeah.

Ultimately, a disgruntled Bart enlists the help of Leon to write Lisa a memorable birthday song. After delivering the gift via piano serenade, Leon resorts to his natural, gravelly voice (courtesy of Hank Azaria) -- which can't carry a tune, of course. When asked why he pretended to be Jackson all those years, Leon simply states that when he began talking like Michael, he noticed how much people smiled.

Awwwwww.

To be honest, it was a nice moment in "Simpsons" history. They treated a guest star with respect, but ultimately put Jackson on the kind of pedestal he had grown accustomed to since his salad days in the Jackson 5.

"South Park," on the other hand, took a wrecking ball to the Jackson legacy -- and again, did so fairly based on what he had morphed into, at least in the minds of unbiased observers. They didn't portray Jackson as a caricature (except that mustache) for cheap laughs. Instead, they presented the visible reality of what Jackson had de-volved into -- the molestation charges, the incessant plastic surgery, the hiding behind masks, the baby dangling fiasco in Germany ... etc.

Weepy Jackson fans would probably be outraged if the episode ever aired again (thank god for the Internet!). But to this objective TV viewer, watching "The Simpsons" and "South Park" episodes back-to-back only affirmed that the Michael Jackson most of us thought we knew actually ceased to be more than a decade ago.




-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

TV Potpourri: Timberlake on 'SNL'? Blagojevich on reality TV? Kanye West cries boo-hoo?

He's bringing sexy back: Unconfirmed reports say Justin Timberlake has been asked to host "SNL" just before it closes its season this year. The star, who hasn't been much of a stranger to the show, would take the reins on May 9 to mark his third time as host. Reports say Timberlake would be joined by singer Ciara, and the two would perform their soon-to-be-summer-hit "Love, Sex, Magic." My hope is he'll star in another digital short where NBC has to give a "mature audiences only" warning. I just love those commercials where they advertise The Lonely Island songs and have to say, "With hits like, 'BLEEP In My Pants' and 'BLEEP' In a Box!" It also appears Will Ferrell may host the season finale. With this kind of line-up, who cares if the cast is a bunch of rejects?

From Chicago to the Jungle?: The Associated Press reports that Rod Blagojevich (cue Jon Stewart BLAgo-yeee-vich) could trade the Illinois governor's office for the Costa Rican jungle. NBC says it wants Blagojevich, who pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and fraud charges Tuesday, to appear on its upcoming show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" A network statement says 10 celebrities will be dropped into the Costa Rican jungle "to face challenges designed to test their skills in adapting to the wilderness." But Blagojevich's legal problems could end the venture before it begins. The ousted governor's bond does not allow him to leave the United States. An attorney close to his legal defense says Blagojevich is seeking permission from a judge to leave the country to appear on the show. The lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan was confidential, says Blagojevich could tape the show in June if given permission. Just what we need, more of that awful Blago-fro.

"I've got hurt feelings, I've got hurt feelings ...": OK, no, this is not about the Flight of the Conchords, whose song is now stuck in my head. This is about holier-than-thou Kanye West and the fact that he needs his diaper changed. Coming off insults to, er, womankind and Mickey Mouse, the creators of South Park planned their next target to be one, Kanye West. The episode depicted West as completely narcissistic and made fun of the fact that he can't take a joke. Later, West posted the following on his blog: "SOUTH PARK MURDERED ME LAST NIGHT AND IT'S PRETTY FUNNY. IT HURTS MY FEELINGS BUT WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM SOUTH PARK! I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MY EGO THOUGH. HAVING THE CRAZY EGO IS PLAYED OUT IN MY LIFE AND CAREER." West claims he's been singing his own praises as a way to give himself more self-esteem, but admitted that perhaps he needs to "get passed myself." Man, he bugs me, but dang it, that "Heartless" song is a catchy tune.

-- Sara Boyd, sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com