35 Years Later, One Controversial 'Simpsons' Episode Is Unwatchable Amid 'Michael' Biopic Release
In 1991, Michael Jackson had an uncredited cameo at the very start of the third season of the iconic animated comedy, The Simpsons. The episode in question, "Stark Raving Dad," featured Jackson playing a man in a mental institution named Kompowsky who also claims to be "Michael Jackson." Later in the episode, he famously sings a song called "Lisa, It's Your Birthday." But, finding this episode streaming or on my recent DVD/Blu-ray releases is basically impossible. And as the biopic Michael generates attention and controversy, fans are once again pointing out that this episode has, in many ways, been erased from history.
Over on X, several users are noting that the 1991 Simpsons episode "Stark Raving Dad" is not available to stream legally anywhere, nor is it present on more recent DVD reprints of the series. This decision was made back in 2019, when, following the release of the Finding Neverlanddocumentary, the episode was totally pulled from circulation.
Not only was The Simpsons episode "Stark Raving Dad" removed from streaming but reprints of the season 3 DVD also omit the episode. Disney's stance is that no one should be allowed to see that episode.
— Drew Savicki (@DrewSav) April 28, 2026
In 2019, James L. Brooks, who had pitched the episode (written by Al Jean and Mike Reiss), said in an interview: "This was a treasured episode. There are a lot of great memories we have wrapped up in that one, and this certainly doesn't allow them to remain. I'm against book-burning of any kind. But this is our book, and we're allowed to take out a chapter." Co-writer Reiss also implied that he felt Jackson used the episode and song to groom children, though, as many have pointed out, that specific detail is difficult to prove one way or another.
The recent release of the biopic Michael has, somewhat predictably, brought all the controversies about the late King of Pop back into the cultural conversation. Because the film does not include any of the child abuse allegations levied at Jackson while he was alive (and some after his death), there are some who view it as an incomplete picture of the star's life. While Jackson was acquitted in 2005 for charges of abuse, and investigated from 1993 to 1994, he was only technically on trial once.
If you still want to watch "Stark Raving Dad," you'll have to track down a Simpsons DVD released prior to 2019. That said, when "Michael Jackson" sings that famous "Happy Birthday Lisa" song, that's not really Jackson singing. Yes, he did the speaking voice of the character, but for the song, legally, the producers had to use a sound-alike, which meant singer Kipp Lennon is the one actually singing.
So, Michael Jackson singing to Lisa has been erased from history, but, oddly, it wasn't Jackson singing in the first place.
The Simpsons (minus "Stark Raving Dad") streams on Disney+.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 8:21 AM.