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May 19, 2013

Discovery Cancels Michael Jackson Autopsy Special, J.B. Smoove Gets Fox Comedy and More

by Chris Harnick, posted Jan 3rd 2011 2:00PM

Michael JacksonAfter fan petitions and strongly worded letters from Michael Jackson's estate, Discovery has canceled its planned special about Jackson's autopsy.

The special was to air in the United Kingdom on Jan. 13. "Given the commencement of legal proceedings beginning next week, and at the request of Michael Jackson's estate, the scheduled broadcast of the medical documentary related to Michael Jackson's official autopsy has been postponed indefinitely," Discovery Networks International said in a statement.

According to Reuters, John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of Jackson's estate, were pleased with Discovery's decision.

In other TV news ...

• Diego Klattenhoff has joined the cast of Showtime's 'Homeland.' Klattenhoff will play Mike Faber, a Marine and friend of Damian Lewis' character, Scott Brody. The series stars Claire Danes as a CIA agent who suspects the Scott Brody character is planning an attack on the US. [Hollywood Reporter]

• Veteran actor Pete Postlethwaite has died. Postlethwaite appeared in 'Inception,' 'The Usual Suspects' and countless more films. He also starred in a number of TV miniseries including 'Criminal Justice' and 'The Sin.' [Variety]

• Oprah has named the finalists for 'Your OWN Show.' They include Zach Anner, a wheelchair-bound travel guide, a Texan minister who lived on the streets after dropping out of high school and three people trying to get their own cooking show. More than 9,500 people submitted video entries. The first episode of the competition is set to air Jan. 7. [New York Times]

• Fox is developing a new comedy with J.B. Smoove. The project, which was developed by 'Parks and Recreation's' Adam Shure and Smoove. The comedy follows Smoove as a divorced father who is forced to move into his family's basement because of economic conditions. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Nickelodeon has picked up a new sitcom, 'How to Rock Braces and Glasses,' starring Cymphonique. The project is based on a new series of books from Alloy Entertainment. The pilot follows Cymphonique as Kacey, a popular girl who loses status points when she gets braces and glasses. [Variety]

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14 Comments

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David

Finally a Network does the right thing. Its time to let the man rest in peace. Thumbs up for listening to the publica change.

January 04 2011 at 3:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ptmndd

The body is probably well preserved. Maggots wouldn't touch that thing.

January 04 2011 at 1:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
zelma baker

rudewaitress

What do you mean "he won't get his 15 minutes of fame.That is just so stupid. Are you aware that his music sold more albums than any other entertainer in the world in the year 2010.(over 250 million. You are jealous and very stupid.

January 04 2011 at 1:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mitchell hirsch

Where in the story does it say there would be graphic detail of the autopsy itself? And btw, there already is a show about a forensic pathologist who figures out crime scenes. As there has been for decades. Write what you will, but this program would have a huge audience, especially if it uncovered something not known.

January 03 2011 at 11:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick

The Discovery Channel (Discovery Networks) has been rapidly plunging into a downward spiral with lusterless, mindless and meaningless programming. Discovery's fixation with contrived pseudo-reality shows is what is bring them down. Cable television used to be quite unique years ago. I miss the intelligent character those channels possessed back then. Like I've said before, there's no advantage in subscribing to cable or satellite TV anymore. Cable networks nowadays are really no better than CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox. Rubbish!

January 03 2011 at 11:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sylvia

WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD WANT TO AIR SUCH A DISGUSTING AND NOT MENTION DISRESPECTFUL TV SPECIAL ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON OR EVEN WATCH IT?! PEOPLE, DO AS HE SAID IN ONE OF HIS SONGS "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" AND LET HIM REST IN PEACE!

January 03 2011 at 9:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
seasidebumette

Enough already !! Let the man rest in peace ! He's gone - let it be !!

January 03 2011 at 8:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
New York

How distasteful can you get!!! A special about an autopsy??? Please tell me that it will never be televised. How disrespectful to the memory of the late Michael Jackson. If his family is responsible for this travesty shame on them. How low can the Discovery Channel get?

January 03 2011 at 8:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to New York's comment
Joe

What is wrong with the entertainment industry? Programming management should be fired for trying to air something like that on television. If you are that uncreative and need to keep going for shock value maybe it is time for them to step down and let others who can come up with better programming run the network. How frigging disgusting.

January 03 2011 at 8:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Joe's comment
llsaw

If you can find someone with any programming sense then BRING 'EM ON. TV today is totally disgusting. Maybe the next reality show should be 'DYING WITH THE STARS. We could eliminate more morons with each episode.

January 03 2011 at 9:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DJR

Who cares? I've had about enough of the late Michael Jackson.

January 03 2011 at 8:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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