Extended Cut: George Michael with Marcus McCann, Part 2

Really loved this series. Thank you Sarah!

Love this! But as someone from the UK, I can see that a US perspective on George misses the UK’s complex relationship with George, via the tabloid press. The reporting was undeniably cruel, but it wasn’t necessarily puritanical. The more of a fuck up the UK’s celebrities are, the more loved they are. George was so loved, not just by his music fans. It often comes down to a sense of humour. The press reported on him as a clown… the public revelled in his lapses with glee (hence the Wham graffiti by the car dent) and George responded with self deprecating humour (see his appearance in Extras). So, even though the general public had lapped up the nasty tabloid reporting, they were devastated when he died… across the board. Not just his fans. It was complicated but no less cruel than you reported. And so, so sad. RIP George xxx

The artist Aaron Lee Tasjan, just released a new album with a song called "Ocean Drive" about Gianni Versace. That song has been in my head since this deep-dive about George Michael's life and untimely death. These episodes were so gorgeous and heartbreaking. A classic You're Wrong About story. Over time, I feel like the narrative that emerged about him was that he was gay, which is fine, but that he was also still a deviant. I'm grateful to have learned who he really was on his own terms.

do you (does anyone?) happen to have a source/full text for the Mary Rufo quote Marcus referenced about speaking to people the same way at their birth and at their death? i loved the idea, i’d love to read the original quote!

This while story reminds me so much of the story of Kitty Genovese, in that George is just out there being gay in times where it's difficult. Even though there's a lot of tragedy here, there's clearly also a lot of unadulterated gay joy and I really love that. Thank you for this story

This is such a bittersweet episode and y'all handled it beautifully 🤍

100%

I have narcolepsy, for which the treatment is GHB and I can tell you that I definitely understand why normal people would use it to party and also to self-medicate for their depression and general mental anguish. "They" say it feels a lot like being drunk and also being high at the same time, but mostly it just makes me very sleepy. It definitely feels like passing out drunk every night that I take it

Incredible two-parter! Thank you for sharing this story so beautifully. “Listen without Prejudice Vol. 1” sounded perfect as my follow up to these insightful and empathy-filled episodes ♥️🎵

Loved this episode and just wanted to share that every year in London there is a queer protest/party called ‘ F*ck off This is My Culture’ The organisers describe it saying: “The party is named after the moment George was taking a late-night stroll on Hampstead Heath when he was ambushed by a photographer from the News of the World and responded with “Are you gay? No? Then fuck off! This is my culture!” Just one example of how George Michael helped millions to re-evaluate and transform how they saw and embraced sexuality. It has since grown into an iconic and huge annual queer freedom protest. There is a musical and political theme to each “This Is My Culture” protest party to curate and cultivate queer creativity and joy as a revolutionary act. A lovely testimony to his legacy in the queer community 🫶💘

Loved this episode and just wanted to share that every year in London there is a queer protest/party called ‘ F*ck off This is My Culture’ The organisers describe it saying: “The party is named after the moment George was taking a late-night stroll on Hampstead Heath when he was ambushed by a photographer from the News of the World and responded with “Are you gay? No? Then fuck off! This is my culture!” Just one example of how George Michael helped millions to re-evaluate and transform how they saw and embraced sexuality. It has since grown into an iconic and huge annual queer freedom protest. There is a musical and political theme to each “This Is My Culture” protest party to curate and cultivate queer creativity and joy as a revolutionary act. A lovely testimony to his legacy in the queer community 🫶💘

I have been not-so-patiently waiting for this like Christmas morning. So excited!

This is such a lovely two parter. My boyfriend is relatively newly bi and he said to me yesterday that sometimes he feels very comfortable with his identity and sometimes it feels awful. The history around this stuff within our communities and the shame around same sex relations is, I feel such a good way of getting to know yourself and recognising that your experiences aren't unique, and that theyre driven by systematic oppression. I can understand people's reluctance in this situation to engage with this kind of narrative because it can really make clear how wide the scope of these prejudices are, but idk, I don't know if there's any other good ways of getting comfy as part of a demographic.

“He’s a grown woman, he can do whatever he wants!”

Lawyer here who laughed out loud at “ is there a legal definition of unconscionable?” - one of the most subjective and vibe-based legal concepts out there

I would absolutely put a “too fat and gay” bumper sticker on my truck

Loved the first episode of the extended version so much! 🥰

Just finished Britney Part 2 and was about to go to bed and thought ‘Wish George Part 2 was up’. What a treat!

Two new episodes in one week???