A new estate-backed film, Michael, tells the story of Michael Jackson’s rise from Gary, Indiana to global fame, highlighting hits like Thriller and his record-breaking success. But it ends before major scandals, and it leaves out the US musician's race and politics, including his solidarity with Palestine. What story is being told, and what is being erased?

In this episode: 
Sherry Zane, Historian

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Sarí el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Tamara Khandaker. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

A new estate-backed film, Michael, tells the story of Michael Jackson&rsquo;s rise from Gary, Indiana to global fame, highlighting hits like Thriller and his record-breaking success. But it ends before major scandals, and it leaves out the US musician's race and politics, including his solidarity with Palestine. What story is being told, and what is being erased?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Sherry Zane, Historian</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by David Enders and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Tamara Khandaker.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.

With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.
With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take

The Take - Disco

Michael Jackson’s biopic and what it leaves out

Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer has spent years using humor to face pain, break silence, and speak for a people under fire. In a moment of deep loss, he turns to the stage again. What can comedy still cut through?

This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on November, 7 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 

In this episode: 
Mo Amer (@realmoamer), Comedian, Actor & Writer

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Noor Wazwaz. The original production team was Melanie Marich, Sonia Bhagat, Marcos Bartolomé and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Haleema Shah, Sarí el-Khalili, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer has spent years using humor to face pain, break silence, and speak for a people under fire. In a moment of deep loss, he turns to the stage again. What can comedy still cut through?
This is a story from the archives. This originally aired on November, 7 2025. None of the dates, titles or other references from that time have been changed. 
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Mo Amer (<a href="https://x.com/realmoamer">@realmoamer</a>), Comedian, Actor &amp; Writer</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Noor Wazwaz. The original production team was Melanie Marich, Sonia Bhagat, Marcos Bartolom&eacute; and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Amy Walters, Haleema Shah, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Why Mo Amer jokes to survive

Israel and Iran may have stepped back from the brink for now, but Lebanon is still under fire. As families remain displaced and Israeli strikes continue, why do Lebanese civilians remain caught in the crossfire with no end in sight? 

In this episode:
Ali Hashem (@Alihashem), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by David Enders and Tamara Khandaker with Spencer Cline, Sonia Bhagat, Jana Dabliz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Israel and Iran may have stepped back from the brink for now, but Lebanon is still under fire. As families remain displaced and Israeli strikes continue, why do Lebanese civilians remain caught in the crossfire with no end in sight?&nbsp;
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Ali Hashem (<a href="https://x.com/Alihashem">@Alihashem</a>), Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by David Enders and Tamara Khandaker with Spencer Cline, Sonia Bhagat, Jana Dabliz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Why Lebanon remains caught up in the Israel-Iran conflict

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest in history, with controversies to match. From the US mass deportation campaign and travel restrictions to the war with Iran, football’s biggest stage is raising questions far beyond the game. 

In this episode:
Ashish Malhotra (@amalhotra2), Host, The Soccernomics Podcast

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. Rick Rush mixed this episode.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal. 

Our editorial intern is Jana Dabliz. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest in history, with controversies to match. From the US mass deportation campaign and travel restrictions to the war with Iran, football&rsquo;s biggest stage is raising questions far beyond the game.&nbsp;
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Ashish Malhotra (<a href="https://x.com/amalhotra2">@amalhotra2</a>), Host, The Soccernomics Podcast</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. Rick Rush mixed this episode.
The Take production team is Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal.&nbsp;
Our editorial intern is Jana Dabliz. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Michael Jackson’s biopic and what it leaves out

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