Episode 167: Michael Jackson / Propofol

Doctor Vs Comedian

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses sexual abuse.

Michael Jackson died 15 years ago, on June 25, 2009, so today the guys discuss his life and his controversies (2:56). They talk about Jackson’s early life, the success of the Jackson 5 and the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of his father, Joe Jackson. They then discuss the success of his early solo records and the blockbuster success of ‘Thriller’. They also discuss his philanthropy and how that complicates people’s feelings for the singer. They then discuss the allegations of abuse against Michael Jackson and the 2019 documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’. The guys then try to reconcile how despite the allegations, Michael Jackson songs are still played to this day.

Since Jackson died of a propofol overdose, in the second half, the guys discuss this drug (24:11). Ali and Asif start off by going through the timeline of Jackson’s death and discussing the other drugs that were in his system. They discuss how Jackson’s personal doctor, Conrad Murray, administered benzodiazepines and propofol to Jackson. Asif discusses what propofol is, what it is commonly used for and the potential adverse effects. He then goes into detail about how propofol needs to be closely monitored when it is administered.

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Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

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Show Notes:

• Inside the Jackson machine: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/jacksons-legacy-jackson-5
• 'We Are the World' at 30: 12 tales you might not know: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/01/27/we-are-the-world-30th-anniversary/22395455/
• Michael Jackson: A Quarter-Century Of Sexual Abuse Allegations: https://www.npr.org/2019/03/05/699995484/michael-jackson-a-quarter-century-of-sexual-abuse-allegations
• Leaving Neverland: https://www.hbo.com/leaving-neverland
• Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celebrity for 5th time:https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/forbes-dead-celeb-earnings-2017-1.4378882
• Steven Tyler Confessed to ‘Crimes of Passion’ With a 16-Year-Old in His Own Memoir: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7v54d/steven-tyler-child-sexual-assault-lawsuit-memoir
• TIMELINE: Michael Jackson's Final Days
• https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394
• Propofol: https://www.drugs.com/monograph/propofol.html
• Propofol: https://www.drugs.com/monograph/propofol.htmlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430884/
• Concerns mount over misuse of anaesthetic propofol among US health professionals: https://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b3673
• Lasker Foundation 2018: https://laskerfoundation.org/announcing-the-2018-lasker-award-winners/
• Propofol and Green Urine: https://ekja.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.177
• Propofol-Induced Priapism, a Case Confirmed with Rechallenge: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1345/aph.1G555
• Michael Jackson’s doctor was much admired but financially strapped: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-08-la-me-conrad-murray8-2010feb08-story.html
• Probe Into Matthew Perry’s Acquisition of Ketamine That Led to His Death Has Multiple Suspects: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/matthew-perry-death-investigation-multiple-suspects-1235933163/