ITV has a new documentary coming on prime time called “Searching for Michael Jackson’s Zoo”, a 75-minute documentary special that looks at the fate of the exotic animals kept by the King of Pop at his Neverland Ranch.
Searching for Michael Jackson’s Zoo, which airs on ITV in April is a co-production between Rare TV and Freshwater Films. Fronted by BAFTA-winning actor, author and presenter Ross Kemp, the film sets out to discover what happened to the animal menagerie that Michael Jackson acquired from captive breeders.
At its peak, the private zoo hosted 124 exotic animals, including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers and his famous pet chimpanzee Bubbles. Following Michael’s death in 2009, the zoo was dismantled and the animals dispersed. But where did they end up? Kemp embarks on a journey across the US to find out.
However the documentary will turn sour and takes the direction that the animal were neglected and maltreated.
Commissioned by Tom Giles, ITV’s controller of current affairs, Searching for Michael Jackson’s Zoo was developed by Christian Broadhurst, Rare TV’s vice-president of US development working in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture. It is directed by Johnny McDevitt (Britain’s Tiger Kings: On the Trail with Ross Kemp; Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons), produced by McDevitt and Harri Davies, and executive produced for Rare TV by Alexander Gardiner. BossaNova Meda is handling the worldwide distribution.
Alexander Gardiner, CEO of Rare TV, said: “To the outside world, Bubbles the chimp was one of Michael Jackson’s closest companions. The truth is much darker, as Ross Kemp reveals in this compelling but troubling documentary. Both creatively and commercially, this project is a milestone for Rare TV. Not only is Searching for Michael Jackson’s Zoo documentary-making of the highest calibre, but it marks our first primetime production for ITV.
Ross Kemp said: ‘For obvious reasons, Michael Jackson’s legacy has been ruined for many people, but he remains an idol for millions. Part of that fascination comes from his Neverland home and one of its key features – bizarre for some, magical for others – was his extraordinary collection of animals. But so little is known about the fate of many that became celebrities in their own right during Jackson’s career. But after travelling nearly 3,000 miles across the United States, the search gave me a new insight into the singer, and opened my eyes to our continued uncomfortable relationship with wild animals.”
So as much as we love the idea to find what happened to all the animals who lived in Neverland, the conclusion of the documentary will not please the fans. While we know that after Michael’s left the ranch after the trial and financial issues, the property and its occupants were left to themselves and animals were dispatched in different animal centres, zoos and sanctuaries. But typical TV programme to look for sensational and emotional take to be relevant.
Yes, I read the news article about this and thought: “Sh*t, I bet this is going to be a piece of muck-raking and very little first-hand information from people who worked at the zoo.” I sponsored one of Michael’s two tigers at Tippi Hedren’s Shambala sanctuary who took them in when the zoo closed. A friend also knew the zoo keeper very well and assured me the animals got the best of care. Even listening to Brett Sundberg talk about that part of Neverland and you know it was something special. Personally I don’t like private zoos, as many are not well run or the animals given the kind of conditions and care they require. But Michael spared no expense at Neverland, including on ensuring the best for the animals that lived there. I don’t know if we’ll get this TV show in Oz, but I won’t be watching it unless someone I trust assures me it does justice to Michael and his staff who took care of the animals.
Another example of what should have been a beautiful documentary that focused on Michael Jackson & HIS life long 💖 L.💖.V.E. 💖 for ALL forms of life – including a tiny bug that appeared onstage during a live concert. But ignorant 3rd level rated media Rare TV butchered this documentary for stupid NEGATIVE PUBLICITY about Michael so ITV in the UK would pick it up for European distribution. The TRUTH wouldn’t sell as well their ugly animal stories that Michael for the most part knew nothing about and he never took part in the Neverland animal care nor relocation. Neverland Valley Ranch Manager Mr. Tohme Tohme took 100% responsibility for EVERYTHING happening at the ranch, per an agreement in writing he had with Michael Jackson. Rare TV is LOWER than Martin Brashir! PLZ BOYCOTT!!! 😡😡😡
Both Harri Davies and Ross Kemp with Rare TV are IDIOTS!!! I realized the real potential in this project if developed properly in a positive and honest manner. Sadly, I had the unfortunate disaster of becoming involved while they (Rare TV) were filming outside the former Neverland Valley Ranch (NLV) last October. I donated numerous days and hours of my time prior to meeting them in August and September to assist Harri in contacting and interviewing former NLV employees and associates by phone for possible live interviews when Rare TV came to the United States for filming. I drafted a list of “Talking Points” for Ross Kemp prior to doing an interview. He scoffed at me and ignored it! During the time they filmed me, I had no direction and was left flipping through the pages of my memoir and making bumbling comments supported thankfully by Mark Biancaniello, former NLV Zookeeper. The ONLY question Ross asked me – THREE TIMES – was “Do you know where any of Michael’s animals are now!” WORST interview of my life!!!
More bullshit for sure. Even the commercial for the documentary states after Michael Jackson’s death those animals were removed over 2 years before his death. I know as I was the one that removed a lot of them. I also wasted a lot of time with Harry in preproduction of the documentary they used a lot of people and then turned it into something full of lies and bullshit. None of it is fact it’s all fiction just another example of bad TV.
Thank you for calling their BS on this!
Marc, then go on camera and tell the truth! You unwittingly helped create another hitpiece against Mj, but you can participate in a rebuttal documentary with Larry Allan and Rob who were also duped. Did you sign any contract with Rare TV and ITV not to disparage them?
“they used a lot of people”???
which people?
Marc, plz contact me on my FB page by Messenger. We need to talk!
Thank you Rob! WOW!!!
Unfortunately, a couple of my fellow former Neverland Valley associates were sucked into this documentary – Allan Scanlan & Larry Nimmer. Larry has some of the ONLY existing video footage of Michael’s Neverland Zoo & Animals from when he did hid 2005 documentary for Michael’s trial. Larry was negotiating a rights usage deal with Rare TV for it’s use in their documentary. I hope he got a quarter of a million dollars!!! ☺️☺️☺️
Posting comment for Elizabeth A Jones: It’s really disgusting how Michael keeps being falsely accused of being a bad person when he wouldn’t have harmed a fly…Remembering Michael Jackson and “It’s all for L.O.V.E!!”
Rob, if you , Marc Allen and Larry will do nothing but post some comment online it will do nothing to counter this propaganda. Please make your own documentary about this, or just record interviews where you tell the truth about MJ and the animals and how Rare TV duped you.
A verdade é uma só! Falar mentiras sobre Michael Jackson dá audiência e rende dinheiro na conta bancária.
Nenhum veículo de comunicação se interressa pela verdade! Ele amava os animais e desde muito cedo, os bichinhos foram seus grandes companheiros na solidão da fama. Com certeza outro documentário montado somente com falsas acusações …infelizmente!
Beasi te amará pra sempre Michael! Nós conhecemos a verdade do seu lindo coração!
TRANSLATION: No media outlet is interested in the truth! He loved animals and from a very early age, pets were his great companions in the solitude of fame. Surely another documentary assembled only with false accusations…unfortunately!
Beasi will love you forever Michael! We know the truth of your beautiful heart!
Wow just so disappointing. Ross Kemp happens to live in same village as me here in the UK, and I always thought he was a decent and genuine guy. I’m a big supporter of Michael, the truth, and the importance of Journalistic integrity, so I’m really disappointed with him for his involvement with this project, and honestly thought him better than this. So underhanded and unprofessional of the TV company and Producers etc to suck in certain people under the false belief they were making a positive and factual programme. This behaviour alone is enough to tell anyone that the makers have behaved in a corrupt, fraudulent, and unprofessional manner, and that the content of their programme is not to be trusted. I’m so very sorry to hear that those who were sucked into this were treated in such an unprofessional way.
I must say that I can’t help but feel suspicious that the British Media is still very bitter over the fact Leaving Neverland did not do what it was designed to, and many people were able to see through it, and this is just another ridiculous attempt to try and taint Michaels legacy in any way they can. A case of ‘well that didn’t work so what can we try this time? ‘ kind of thing.
Peace and love to all and remember that love and truth will always win ❤️