Special Coverage 2008 Fall MoviesThe Must List2008 Fall TV2008 Emmy Awards2008 Fall Music

BRIEF In the Scary Movie 3 trailer, a rather realistic impersonator lampoons the King of Pop's alleged penchant for young boys. Does Jackson -- no stranger to being sued himself -- have the right to scream ''SLANDER!''?

VERDICT Although Jackson may wanna be startin' somethin', a lawsuit isn't as easy as A-B-C, says entertainment attorney Michael O'Connor. ''Parodies and comedies have a lot more license. If [a film] is meant to be humorous and that's understood, then most likely, [the impersonation] will not be considered defamatory.'' Betcha Jacko wishes those other suits were so black and white.


Sign up for EW.com's The 25 newsletter!

Stay in the know and get EW.com's top 5 stories, 5 days a week (sent weekday afternoons).
Posted Aug 01, 2003 | Published in issue #721 Aug 01, 2003 | Order Article Reprints