The H3 Podcast
The H3 Podcast
April 29, 2026

Trisha Paytas Hates Moses Cooking & Michael Jackson Movie Review - H3 Show #264

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Quick Read

The H3 crew delivers a no-holds-barred review of the Michael Jackson biopic, dissecting its whitewashed narrative and questionable production choices, alongside a chaotic segment featuring a Michael Jackson impersonator and bizarre internet content.
The Michael Jackson biopic is heavily criticized for ignoring the artist's child abuse allegations, ending conveniently before Neverland Ranch.
A Michael Jackson impersonator performs live, revealing insights into his career and the high demand for impersonators post-movie release.
The crew dives into bizarre internet content, including inflatable animal fetishes and a controversial TikTok by Noah Beck's mom.

Summary

Ethan Klein and the H3 crew review the new Michael Jackson biopic, criticizing its deliberate omission of the artist's controversies and the Jackson estate's influence on the film's narrative. They discuss the film's acting, CGI, and historical inaccuracies, particularly Michael Jackson living with his parents until age 29. The episode also features a live appearance by a Michael Jackson impersonator who performs and discusses his career, followed by a rapid-fire segment reviewing bizarre internet content, including inflatable animal fetishes, affiliate marketing 'funnels,' and controversial TikToks from Noah Beck's family.
This episode offers a critical, unfiltered perspective on how celebrity biopics can sanitize controversial figures, highlighting the tension between artistic portrayal and historical accountability. It also showcases the unpredictable and often bizarre landscape of internet culture, from niche fetishes to viral family TikToks, providing a snapshot of contemporary online discourse and entertainment.

Takeaways

  • The Michael Jackson biopic is described as a 'puff piece' that deliberately avoids any mention of the child abuse allegations, ending before the Neverland Ranch period.
  • The film's third act feels 'derailed,' turning into a prolonged concert film, which is speculated to be a re-shot ending due to legal restrictions from the Jackson estate.
  • Michael Jackson's decision to live with his parents until age 29, even as a global superstar, is highlighted as a shocking and 'twisted' detail.
  • The CGI chimpanzee 'Bubbles' is criticized for poor quality and for inaccurately depicting the ape's eventual aggressive behavior and relocation to a sanctuary.
  • A Michael Jackson impersonator, 'The Prince of Pop One,' performs live, discusses his career, and reveals the surge in demand for impersonators since the movie's release.
  • The hosts review bizarre internet content, including inflatable animal fetish videos and a controversial TikTok of Noah Beck's mom simulating oral sex with him, leading to her suspension from teaching.
  • AMC theaters are criticized for excessive pre-show ads (30+ minutes) and internal promotions, frustrating moviegoers.

Insights

1Biopic's Whitewashed Narrative and Estate Influence

The Michael Jackson biopic is heavily criticized for being a 'fluff piece' that completely ignores the child abuse allegations and other controversies. The film conveniently ends before Michael Jackson purchased Neverland Ranch, and the hosts speculate that the Jackson estate's legal agreements forced a re-shot ending to avoid depicting any negative events.

Ethan states, 'You can't even call it a biopic when it like willfully ignores... it's not an elephant in the room. It's the room. You're sitting in a room of child of child testimony.' () Dan adds that the official story is that the original ending, which included accusations and trials, was shot but cut due to a non-disparagement agreement with the Jackson estate. ()

2Michael Jackson's Extended Co-habitation with Parents

A surprising revelation from the movie, confirmed by the hosts, is that Michael Jackson lived with his parents until he was 29 years old, only moving out when he acquired Neverland Ranch. This is framed as a 'twisted' aspect of his life, especially given his father Joe Jackson's abusive nature.

Ethan exclaims, 'He lived with his family when he thriller. He he lived with his family until he was 29 and he only left when he got Neverland Ranch.' () He later adds, 'That guy was [expletive] up, dude. That is twisted.' ()

3Critique of CGI and Character Portrayals

The film's use of CGI for Bubbles the chimpanzee is deemed 'very bad CGI' and unnecessary, especially given the historical inaccuracies surrounding the ape's presence. The portrayal of Michael's sister Latoya as 'spacey' and the mother as a 'saint' is also criticized for being one-dimensional and potentially influenced by their living status (mother still alive).

Ethan states, 'It's CGI. It's weird. This monkey had to be [expletive] sent back to the zoo because it was acting aggressive.' () He later questions the mother's saintly depiction: 'The mom is depicted as a saint in this movie. And I I don't believe that's true.' ()

4Michael Jackson Impersonator's Business and Market Dynamics

A Michael Jackson impersonator, 'The Prince of Pop One,' appears on the show, performing and discussing his career. He notes a significant increase in demand and pricing for impersonators following the release of the Michael Jackson movie, highlighting the impact of current events on niche entertainment markets.

The impersonator states, 'Right now is definitely the wave, you know, cuz the movie came out.' () Ethan mentions, 'The other ones we talked to were like quoting us on average like $1,000 an hour. What is going on?' ()

5MTV's Early Racial Bias in Music Video Selection

The movie depicts a scene where MTV initially refused to play Michael Jackson's music videos, stating they 'only feature white artists' in the early 1980s. This historical detail highlights the racial barriers in the music industry at the time, which Michael Jackson helped to break.

Dan states, 'What surprised me was when he went to MT or when he wanted his videos on MTV and they're like, 'No, we only feature white artist.'' Ethan adds, 'That was like in the 80s. I couldn't That's not even that long ago. I couldn't believe it.' ()

Bottom Line

The Michael Jackson biopic's Peter Pan motif is contradictory, attempting to show Michael's growth while simultaneously portraying him as a figure who 'never changes' or ages, reflecting a fundamental tension in the narrative's approach to his complex persona.

So What?

This highlights the film's struggle to reconcile Michael Jackson's desire for an eternal childhood with the realities of his personal evolution and public controversies, ultimately undermining a cohesive character arc.

Impact

Future biopics could explore such thematic contradictions more deeply, using them to reveal psychological complexity rather than glossing over them for a simplified narrative.

The surge in demand and high pricing for Michael Jackson impersonators post-biopic release indicates a significant, yet often overlooked, economic ripple effect of major cultural productions on niche entertainment sectors.

So What?

This demonstrates how mainstream media events can create immediate, lucrative opportunities for related service providers, even for controversial figures, by reigniting public interest and nostalgia.

Impact

Entrepreneurs in tribute acts or specialized entertainment should closely monitor major biopics and cultural events for potential market booms, positioning themselves to capitalize on renewed public interest.

Opportunities

Specialized Celebrity Impersonator Agency

An agency focused on managing and booking high-demand celebrity impersonators, particularly those whose popularity is influenced by current events (e.g., biopics, viral trends). The agency would handle marketing, pricing, and social media presence to maximize earnings during peak demand.

Source: Discussion with Michael Jackson impersonator about his rates and increased demand post-movie release. (01:11:34)

Content Strategy for Niche Performers on TikTok

A service that helps niche performers (like impersonators) leverage TikTok's discoverability algorithm. This would involve creating short, engaging content, optimizing for trends, and potentially collaborating with other creators to build a wider audience and drive bookings, especially for those struggling with YouTube's copyright restrictions.

Source: The Michael Jackson impersonator's struggle with YouTube copyright and Ethan's advice to focus on TikTok for discoverability. (01:29:30)

Key Concepts

Narrative Whitewashing

The deliberate omission or downplaying of controversial or negative aspects of a subject's life in a biographical work, often to protect their image or legacy, as seen in the Michael Jackson biopic's avoidance of abuse allegations.

Fan Service

Content created primarily to appeal to existing fans of a franchise or artist, often prioritizing nostalgic or celebratory elements over critical analysis or narrative depth, exemplified by the Michael Jackson movie's focus on hits and performances.

Lessons

  • When producing biopics, strive for a balanced and honest portrayal of complex figures, including their controversies, to create a more compelling and historically accurate narrative.
  • For niche entertainers, actively monitor mainstream media events like biopics or documentaries related to your act, as they can significantly boost demand and pricing.
  • Leverage platforms with strong discoverability, like TikTok, for promotional content, especially if traditional platforms (e.g., YouTube) pose copyright challenges, to reach new audiences.

Notable Moments

H3 Crew's Michael Jackson Biopic Review

The hosts and crew offer a critical, often comedic, take on the Michael Jackson movie, highlighting its perceived flaws and the influence of the Jackson estate on its sanitized narrative.

Live Performance by Michael Jackson Impersonator

A Michael Jackson impersonator, 'The Prince of Pop One,' joins the show, performs iconic dances, and provides a unique perspective on the business of impersonation, including the impact of the new movie on his career.

Discussion on Noah Beck's Mom's Controversial TikTok

The crew reacts to a viral TikTok of Noah Beck's mom simulating oral sex with him, leading to her suspension from teaching, sparking a discussion on family boundaries and public perception in the age of social media.

Review of Inflatable Animal Fetish Videos

The hosts explore a series of bizarre videos from an inflatable animal fetish community, showcasing the diverse and sometimes perplexing subcultures found online, and discussing the safety advice provided by creators within the community.

RFK Jr.'s 'Roadkill' Fascination and Text Messages

A comedic segment where the hosts discuss RFK Jr.'s reported fascination with roadkill and his bizarre text message response to his son after an assassination attempt, highlighting the intersection of politics and internet absurdity.

Quotes

"

"You can't even call it a biopic when it like willfully ignores... it's not an elephant in the room. It's the room. You're sitting in a room of child of child testimony. Exactly. It is the room. That's not a bio. That's just a pick."

Ethan Klein
"

"He lived with his family when he thriller. He he lived with his family until he was 29 and he only left when he got Neverland Ranch."

Ethan Klein
"

"Moms need to start saying no to their kids. You know what I mean? We got to start saying no to moms."

Ethan Klein
"

"Even they even talked about Jesus and Jesus was a perfect guy. So no matter how famous you are, there's always going to be some talk."

Michael Jackson Impersonator

Q&A

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