Think Twice: Michael Jackson
5.0/5
Critic Rating
More than a decade since Michael Jackson’s death, his legacy remains complicated and unresolved. Think Twice: Michael Jackson is an exploration of the King of Pop’s life and impact – and an investigation into why his global influence continues to endure, despite the disturbing allegations against him. In this ten-part series, journalists Leon Neyfakh and Jay Smooth bring you a new perspective on the Michael Jackson story, based on dozens of original interviews with people who watched it unfold from up close.
Critic Reviews
Score: 4.8
Miranda Sawyer • The Guardian • Dec 16, 2023
"Think Twice’s presentation is occasionally a bit dry, but the journalism is exceptional, reminding you of all you’ve forgotten and telling you what you never knew. Recommended, especially if you have a long journey..."
Score: 5
Reggie Ugwu • New York Times • Dec 4, 2023
"...this authoritative, ten-part documentary series — which begins its account as a sanitized, Tony-award-winning Broadway musical is again demonstrating Jackson’s unsinkable allure — earns its place alongside the most incisive deconstructions of the most famous pop star who ever lived... shed fresh light on the unique cultural context that enabled the singer’s dominance."
Score: 5
Sarah Larson • New Yorker • Sep 29, 2023
"“Think Twice” astonished me twice. “Think Twice” astonished me with the breadth of its accomplishment. One of Neyfakh’s strengths is his ability to upend the fossilized narratives of a cultural or historical moment, laying out details and stories we overlooked...incorporates interviews, rare archival audio, and meticulous reporting, doesn’t seek to defend or condemn the singer; it just helps us make sense of him, and the results are revelatory."
Score: 5
PR Staff • PodcastReview.org • May 10, 2023
"The podcast explores the paradox of how these widely accepted allegations can coexist with Jackson’s music, which remains cherished and omnipresent. Think Twice initiates a deep dive…"
Score: 4.9
Lauren Passell • Podcast The Newsletter • May 1, 2023
"Leon and Jay are bringing us non-breaking news and instead asking us to break open our brains to take a fresh look at Michael Jackson and the aftermath. This is a podcast about us, too...it’s packed with interviews and eyebrow-raising stories. The Peter Pan anecdotes were the hardest for me to get through. My only edit for the show: put a trigger warning for the Disney fans. Or maybe just a trigger warning for Lauren Passell."
Score: 5
Fiona Sturges • Financial Times • Apr 30, 2023
"Think Twice follows both those series’ traditions of fastidious research (each episode comes with an extensive bibliography), new interviews and surprising connections. The bare bones of the story are familiar, but the depth of the storytelling here is remarkable, meaning even the most dedicated Jackson expert will find something new to chew on. At no point do Neyfakh and Smooth tell us how we should feel about Jackson or try to prove his innocence or guilt. Instead, they show how the myth of a music colossus was created and how it dramatically fell apart."
Score: 5
Hannah Verdier • The Guardian • Apr 20, 2023
"Leon Neyfakh (Slow Burn) is one of the finest storytellers in podcasting and his new offering about Michael Jackson is brilliant and meticulous. Along with Jay Smooth, he examines Jackson’s “raw and unsettled” legacy, attempting to reconcile conflicting emotions about the artist they loved."
