Spike Lee's MJ doc to air on Thanksgiving

SPIKE DOES MIKE: ABC has acquired the TV rights to Spike Lee’s upcoming Michael Jackson documentary, Bad25, one of two major projects pegged to the 25th anniversary of the hit-filled album, the L.A. Times reports. The film, which will air on Thanksgiving, traces Jackson’s creative vision during the making of the 1987 follow-up to his groundbreaking Thriller. “This will be a very special Thanksgiving for all families to enjoy the genius of Michael Jackson,” Lee said in a statement. “Big thanks to ABC for allowing people to witness the making of Michael Jackson’s Bad album.” Lee teamed with the Jackson estate and Legacy/Epic to search their archives for never-before-seen footage, including some shot by Jackson himself. The director also conducted interviews with some of Jackson’s confidants, choreographers, musicians and collaborators, including Martin Scorsese, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, L.A. Reid and Kanye West. Bad, the third and final album collaboration between Jackson and Quincy Jones, made history with five consecutive #1 singles. The deluxe reissue, hitting on Sept. 18, will feature three CDs—one containing previously unreleased outtakes—two collectible booklets and the first-ever authorized DVD release of a concert from his record-breaking Bad tour. (8/29a)