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48 HOURS MYSTERY
Air Date: Saturday, January 29, 2005
Time Slot: 10:00 PM-11:00 PM EST on CBS
Episode Title: "Michael Jackson: Critical Stage"
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

MICHAEL JACKSON'S FATHER SAYS RACISM IS WHAT MOTIVATES THE CHARGES AGAINST HIS SON IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JOE AND KATHERINE JACKSON ON THE EVE OF THEIR SON'S TRIAL ON A "48 HOURS MYSTERY," SATURDAY, JAN. 29

Joe Jackson, father of superstar Michael Jackson, believes racism is a motivational factor in the case against his son. 48 HOURS MYSTERY has obtained the rights to an exclusive interview with Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, on the eve of their son's trial. Jackson's parents weigh in on the accusations against their son. International interviewer Daphne Barak spoke with Joe and Katharine recently at their home in Las Vegas. 48 HOURS MYSTERY: "Michael Jackson: Critical Stage" will be broadcast Saturday, Jan. 29 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Barak asks Joe why he didn't have a father-son conversation when he saw Jackson was hanging around children. Joe answers, "Because there was nothing wrong with kids coming over�He hasn't done anything wrong, so why should I chastise him about stuff like that?...People were bringing kids there -- families. Mothers and fathers...were bringing their kids there." Joe also says, "We know our son. We know he's no pedophile."

Katherine reveals that she was at Jackson's Neverland Ranch when Children's Protective Services conducted a surprise visit. "It was a horrible feeling just to think they were there trying to take away my grandchildren," says Katherine. The authorities did not remove the children.

In addition, Katherine is critical of district attorney Tom Sneddon's manner of announcing the charges against her son. "They were jumping up and down, 'We got him. We finally got him.' That was hard for me as a mother to see how people felt about my son when he's a better person than they are," she says.

Also in the broadcast, correspondent Troy Roberts looks at the case against Jackson, including the stunning evidence seized at the Neverland Ranch and a list of potential key witnesses. He'll also examine what could prove to be the weaker aspects of the case against Jackson.

In addition, the broadcast will look back at Jackson's career with Motown legend Smokey Robinson -- who expresses his thoughts on the case against his longtime friend and colleague.

Finally, Pat O'Brien, host of the syndicated program "The Insider" (produced by Paramount, "The Insider" is also a subsidiary of Viacom, as is CBS), who shares his broadcast's exclusive interview with Debbie Rowe, Jackson's former wife and the mother of his children, Paris and Prince Michael. Rowe is now fighting for custody of the children whom she had agreed to let Michael raise.

48 HOURS: "Michael Jackson: Critical Stage" is produced by Lisa Freed, Ian Paisley; Miguel Sancho, Marcelena Spencer and Jamie Stolz. The executive editor is Al Briganti and the executive producer is Susan Zirinsky.

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