Topic: Michael Jackson

Following the death of legendary producer Quincy Jones at age 91, the hosts reflect on his massive influence on American music, including his work on Michael Jackson's Thriller. Curry recalls a live radio interview with Jones where the producer brought a bottle of Chateau Latour wine to the studio.

Adam Curry explains how MTV was contractually obligated to refer to Michael Jackson as "The King of Pop" during every mention. This led to a grueling weekend where the VJs had to re-record days of programming because they had initially failed to use the specific title in their segments.

During the presentation of the Video Vanguard Award, Michael Jackson reportedly stood on an apple crate to appear closer in height to Adam Curry. Curry notes that photos of the event on the internet show Jackson appearing nearly as tall as him despite the actual height difference.

Larry describes a Billy Idol performance at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the singer repeatedly mispronounced the town's name. Adam explains the technical reality of gold and platinum record awards from the 1980s. He notes that early awards were often playable metal "mothers" that had to be spun backward to hear the music.

A discussion regarding a song parody idea based on Michael Jackson's "Blame it on the Boogie" titled "Blame it on the Glitch" transitions into a memory about alternative fuel sources. The conversation covers wood-burning gasification systems for trucks and generators, with one host expressing interest in dragging a burning system behind an old flatbed Ford to power a vehicle.

Lionsgate is producing a Michael Jackson biopic starring his nephew, Jafar Jackson, which reportedly glosses over child sex abuse allegations. The film focuses on Jackson's ascent to superstardom through 1984, leading to protests from survivors and criticism from the director of "Leaving Neverland." Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson, has also condemned the film for perceived inaccuracies.

Adam Curry recounts his personal interactions with Michael Jackson during his time at MTV, describing the singer as "asexual" rather than a predator. Curry notes that Jackson requested him specifically for a meeting at MJJ Studios, where he saw Jackson interacting with underprivileged children in a non-sexual, caring manner. Curry also mentions being "hung up on" by MSNBC after suggesting a murder angle following Jackson's death.

Michael Jackson's performance at the MTV Video Music Awards was contingent on the Video Vanguard Award being named after him. Adam Curry describes visiting Jackson's studio, where he saw the singer standing on an apple crate to appear taller and witnessed Howie Mandel performing voices for children. Curry laments that younger generations are largely unaware of Jackson's massive cultural impact.

CBS and other outlets highlighted photos of celebrities and politicians found in Jeffrey Epstein's records, including Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Mick Jagger. During an interview, a family member of Virginia Giuffre was observed wearing a monarch butterfly pin, sparking discussion about MKUltra symbolism and psychological programming. The hosts remain skeptical that these photo releases will lead to substantive legal consequences for those in power.

Economist Michael Hudson outlines a historical strategy developed in the 1970s by Senator Scoop Jackson and the Department of Defense to use foreign legions as proxies for U.S. interests. This policy involves utilizing groups that harbor deep-seated hatred for regional enemies to fight "banker wars" and "oil wars." The segment argues that Israel, Ukraine, and various jihadist groups have all served as components of this American imperial strategy.

A discussion explores the practice of playing music to whiskey barrels to influence taste through wood vibrations, specifically mentioning Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson barrels. A related business idea involves selling "No Agenda Water" blessed by virgins, inspired by theories regarding the effect of human intention on water crystals.

The Recording Academy announced new categories and rule changes for the 2026 Grammy Awards, including an expansion of the Best New Artist criteria. The existing Best Country Album category has been split into "Traditional" and "Contemporary" lanes, a move seen as a response to Beyonce's success with her country-themed album. The hosts compare these changes to historical instances of "finessing" awards to ensure celebrity appearances and boost flagging ratings.

Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachel "Raygun" Gunn announces her retirement following widespread criticism of her performance. In more somber news, legendary music producer Quincy Jones passed away at age 91. Jones is remembered for his work on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and his extensive career as a jazz arranger and executive.

Economist Michael Hudson outlines a 50-year-old U.S. strategy to use Israel as a "cat's paw" to control the Middle East. This policy, developed by figures like Scoop Jackson and Herman Kahn, was designed to avoid domestic military drafts by using proxy armies. Hudson argues that the U.S. does not actually want a ceasefire in the region, as the ongoing conflict serves long-term imperial and resource-control goals.

A resurfaced clip features Donald Trump defending Michael Jackson against child molestation allegations during an interview with Larry King. The discussion links Janet Jackson's recent criticism of Kamala Harris to Harris's past role as a prosecutor during investigations into the Jackson family. The segment suggests that personal history between the Jacksons and Harris may be influencing current celebrity political stances.

Mainstream media outlets, including CBS and MSNBC, have focused heavily on the self-reported height and weight of Donald Trump, comparing him to NFL athletes like Lamar Jackson and Larry Fitzgerald. On MSNBC, former RNC chairman Michael Steele drew criticism for referring to Trump as a "convict" and "felon" despite the former president only being at the booking stage of the legal process.

Speculation regarding President Biden's physical stability includes observations of specialized horseshoe-shaped soles on his shoes, drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson's gravity-defying stage footwear. The discussion extends to long-standing conspiracy theories involving high-tech CIA masks and body doubles being used to portray the President.

The Indy 500 broadcast featured excessive verbal mentions of Firestone tires, leading to a discussion on "sleazy" advertising deals where broadcasters are paid per mention. A parallel is drawn to a past MTV deal where VJs were required to refer to Michael Jackson as "the King of Pop" in every instance during a specific promotional weekend.

The episode concludes with a final sign-off from Austin and Silicon Valley. The "End of Show Mix" features a montage of voices, including a parody of Prince Philip and Michael Jackson, expressing various reasons for refusing to wear face masks.

A personal anecdote describes the top-down culture of media organizations, citing a requirement at MTV to always refer to Michael Jackson as the "King of Pop." Additionally, a travel tip for visiting China suggests that journalists and writers should list their occupation as "manager" on visa applications to avoid bureaucratic complications.