MICHAEL JACKSON: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY

A by-the-book examination of the rise and fall of the King of Pop

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This three-part BBC documentary, now on iPlayer, doesn't shy away from the big questions around the life of Michael Jackson.

In fact, it refers to the allegations of sexual abuse of minors right at the top. What we get throughout is a portrait of a troubled human being who never seemed to fully comprehend how his behaviour was harming others or himself. Perhaps as damning is the portrait it paints of the coterie of hangers-on who wanted to syphon as much value from their cash cow as possible, regardless of the wider impact. Among the primary targets of opprobrium is Michael's father Joe Jackson.

Episode one concentrates largely on the rise of the King of Pop, from the 11-year-old Michael leading his brothers in The Jackson 5 to the release of