Michael Jackson Moonwalks the Box Office Edition

Michael Jackson Moonwalks the Box Office Edition

From Culture Gabfest by Slate Podcasts

April 29, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

The hosts discuss the cultural legacy of Michael Jackson, the biopic 'Michael', and the new series 'Half Man', while exploring the concept of being cultured.

This week, Dana, Steve, and Nadira Goffe assess if we as a culture can ever really escape Neverland— namely, the gigantic and fraught legacy of Michael Jackson. They unpack the biopic Michael. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Jackson’s own nephew Jaafar Jackson, and produced by much of the Jackson family, the film is chock full of musical numbers and light on the troubling aspects of the singer’s life. Does it ever rise above King of Pop hagiography? They discuss. Next, they take up Half Man , the new limited series from Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd. It’s a brutal look at a toxic male relationship. Is its unflinching eye too unflinching? Perhaps. Finally, how can one become cultured? What does that even mean!? Such are the questions raised by T Magazine ’s recent special issue “How to Be Cultured.” Our panel debates the package’s various high brow listicles, takes their quiz, and Nadira even makes her own culture list as rebuttal! (See below.) In an exclusive bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, our hosts share which cultural figures they think would make for good biopic subjects. Endorsements Nadira : The new EP NAIL from Yves, particularly the title track , and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dana, Steve, Nadira Goffe

Topics covered

  • Michael Jackson legacy
  • biopic discussion
  • toxic relationships
  • cultural commentary
  • how to be cultured

Keywords

  • Michael Jackson
  • biopic
  • Half Man
  • cultural legacy
  • how to be cultured
  • Richard Gadd
  • Jaafar Jackson
  • Antoine Fuqua

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: T Magazine

Books & works: Michael, Half Man, On Michael Jackson, Like the Train's Beat, NAIL, Curtis Live!, The Makings of You

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