HBO’s ‘Neverland’ finale airs amid global release news, Jackson estate deflection

Part 1 of HBO’s controversial Michael Jackson documentary, “Leaving Neverland,” debuted Sunday night with dramatic results.

Twenty minutes into the broadcast, the Jackson estate, which is suing the cable network for $100 million over the documentary, posted a video of Jackson’s 1992 “Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour” concert film on YouTube as a bit of apparent counterprogramming.

“Don’t miss the magic from the King of Pop himself!” the Jackson Twitter account touted. “Immerse yourself in Michael Jackson. Live in Bucharest and Live at Wembley Stadium available for a limited time on Michael Jackson’s @youtube!” (The film has just under 250,000 views as of this post.)

Then came the news that Kew Media Group, the doc’s distributor, sold the two-part film for release in 130 territories, including Israel, Belgium, Sweden and Russia.

So, a lot more eyeballs will soon be witnessing the oral history of his alleged abuse of James Safechuck, who appeared in a Pepsi commercial with Jackson when he was a 10, and Wade Robson, an Australian choreographer who was associated with Jackson from ages 7 to 14.

Much of the footage from Sunday was extremely graphic and disturbing. If you think you are up for learning the rest of the story, here’s a preview of what to expect in Monday’s final installment.

The story picks up in 1993 when Jackson’s favorite boy is Jordan Chandler. Robson describes a massive sleepover at Neverland with multiple boys. Shortly thereafter, Jackson is investigated on charges of child sexual abuse. Chandler hires attorney Gloria Allred. Jackson hires Johnnie Cochran, who famously defended O.J. Simpson.

Questioned by police, young Robson denies any sexual relationship with Jackson. The King of Pop refutes all charges and the Chandler case is settled out of court in January 1994.

In May 1994, Jackson marries Lisa Marie Presley and allegedly tells Safechuck he’s going to have “public relationships with women. [Jackson] said he would have to get married, but it wouldn’t mean anything.”

Robson, now 14, is reunited with Jackson after being invited to a rehearsal for the “History” tour. At another sleepover, Robson alleges that Jackson unsuccessfully attempts to penetrate him and calls him in a panic the next day, instructing him to destroy his underwear in case there is any blood on it. Robson obeys.

Fast forward to November 2003 when Jackson is arrested on multiple counts of child abuse against Gavin Arvizo, 13. This time, his lawyer is Mark Geragos. Jackson reaches out to Safechuck and Robson to testify on his behalf.

Safechuck declines, finally telling his mother, “Michael is an evil man.” Robson is still swayed, answering a subpoena and lying on the witness stand. Jackson is found not guilty on a four charges of child molesting, one charge of attempted child molesting, one conspiracy charge and eight possible counts of providing alcohol to minors

Aside from Jackson controversies, the Robson family deals with another devastating personal tragedy.

Both Safechuck and Robson go on to marry and have families.

Of Michael Jackson’s death in June 2009, Stephanie Safechuck says, “I danced when I heard he died. He can’t hurt any more children.”

“Leaving Neverland, Part 2” airs at 8 p.m. Monday on HBO, followed by “Oprah Winfrey Presents: After Neverland,” a sit-down interview with Safechuck and Robson, at 10 p.m. on HBO and OWN.