Despite earlier reports that American TV networks were brushing off Michael Jackson's purported video rebuttal to British journalist Martin Bashir -- who delivered the controversial "Living with Michael Jackson" -- Jackson's take has now found a home.
Variety reports that FOX has agreed to air "Michael Jackson Take 2: The Interview They Wouldn't Show You" on Feb. 20 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The trade paper estimates that the network paid more than $2 million for rights to the footage.
"Michael Jackson Take 2" will reportedly offer extended footage of the Bashir-Jackson interviews, including, according to FOX, Bashir praising Jackson's parenting skills. The special also will reportedly include comments from Jackson's ex-wife Deborah Rowe.
Jackson's video was shot by his close friend F. Marc Schaffel, who has been in the news for his alleged past experience as a pornography director and producer. Revelations about Schaffel came to light last summer, when he was under scrutiny as the executive producer of Jackson's charity single, "What More Can I Give," a Sept. 11 tribute that was never released.
Due to controversy about Schaffel and Jackson's lingering bad press regarding an alleged 1993 sexual misconduct case involving a minor, the song was ultimately shelved by Sony Music.
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