Showtime has set a December 2 Paramount Plus premiere date for its documentary feature Thriller 40 focusing on music icon Michael Jackson's record-breaking album.

The Thriller 40 special chronicles the 40th anniversary of Jackson's Thriller — the best-selling worldwide album of all time — by looking back at the making of the recording as well as the release of the accompanying short films that redefined the music-video format, the network said. 

Featuring never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with such celebrities as Usher, Mary J. Blige, Will.I.Am, Mark Ronson, Misty Copeland, Maxwell and John Landis, Thriller 40 focuses on the project that launched Michael Jackson into mega-stardom and to this day continues to influence all aspects of culture and entertainment, Showtime said.

Thriller 40 is produced by Optimum Productions and Company Name, with Colin Hanks, Sean Stuart, John Branca and John McClain serving as producers.

TMZ examines the death of the King of Pop when TMZ Investigates: Who Really Killed Michael Jackson premieres on Fox Tuesday, September 6. The special goes for two hours. 

“Exploring the King of Pop’s addictions and his final months, TMZ dives into Dr. Conrad Murray’s conviction for Michael Jackson’s death and the expansive universe of perpetrators who contributed to his substance abuse,” said TMZ. “Seemingly on top of the world, behind-the-scenes Jackson was slowly unravelling in a downward spiral of addiction and despair. Surrounded by influential enablers and unethical physicians, including the infamous Dr. Arnold Klein, did anyone have Jackson’s best interest at heart?”

TMZ promises a never-before-seen interview with Jackson’s ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, and an investigation of the medical professionals around the world who enabled the singer’s dependencies. TMZ also speaks with Dr. Conrad Murray. 

TMZ Investigates: Who Really Killed Michael Jackson is executive produced by Harvey Levin, Charles Latibeaudiere and Ryan Regan. 

TMZ looked into the disappearance of Richard Simmons last month. ■

AXS TV will develop a new documentary series that will look into questions surrounding some of history's greatest musical artists. 

The six-episode series, Music's Greatest Mysteries, will debut later this fall and will investigate infamous myths which have come to define the music industry throughout the decades. The series will look into such questions as Why Did Michael Jackson And Prince Feud?, Was Elvis A Narc?, and Is Avril Lavigne Really Dead?, as well as addressing The Conspiracies Of Backmasking, The Myths Of  KISS, and The Sad Story Of “Friends In Low Places,” according to network officials. 

“As AXS TV continues to evolve and expand, we are committed to creating new and original reality and lifestyle music programming,” said Sarah Weidman, Head of Original Programming, Development and Multi-Platform Content for AXS TV in a statement. “Music’s Greatest Mysteries gives viewers an in-depth look at the myths and legends that have rocked the industry. Featuring some of the biggest names in music, packed with expert commentary, and exploring compelling stories both known and unknown, Music’s Greatest Mysteries promises to reveal new tales to even the most seasoned music fans. I am excited to share this new series with our viewers when it debuts later this year.”

Multichannel News' Kent Gibbons and Mike Malone discuss documentaries that shake up pop culture, The New Yorker's examination of Fox News, the end of Catastrophe, and more.

HBO will premiere the documentary film Leaving Neverland on March 3, the network announced during its Television Critics Association winter press tour session Friday.

The four-hour documentary, which tells the story of two men who claim they were abused by pop star Michael Jackson as children, will debut as a two-part special, with part one debuting March 3 and the finale premiering on March 4, said the network.

The controversial film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last month. The estate of Michael Jackson has bashed the documentary as “tabloid character assassination.” 

The network also announced it will premiere this Spring Running With Beto, a behind-the-scenes documentary that follows Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke's rise from virtual unknown to national political sensation.

AXS TV in October will profiles the lives and deaths of some of music’s most influential artists as part of a new series, The Day The Rock Star Died.

The 15-part series, which debuts Oct. 2, examines such artists as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston, with a focus on what made these artists so incredible and what makes their art so enduring, said network officials.

The series will precede the return of AXS’ news/interview series The Big Interview with veteran journalist Dan Rather.

“AXS TV is dedicated to providing viewers with the absolute best in classic rock programming, and we are proud to expand our growing roster of quality music-themed programming even further with the addition of The Day The Rock Star Died,” said Lucia McCalmont, vice president of program acquisitions and scheduling, AXS TV in a statement. 

Director/choreographer Kenny Ortega has teamed with Disney Channel over the past decade to create some of the most successful cable original movies of all time including the High School Musical franchise, The Cheetah Girls2, and most recently, the network’s Descendants and Descendants 2.

I had a chance to sit down with Ortega --who also directed the record-setting 2009 concert film Michael Jackson’s This Is It as well as choreographed such events as the 1996 Summer Olympics and Super Bowl XXX -- to talk about his illustrious career as well as to discuss the future of musicals on television. An edited version of the interview appears below.

You have directed a number of Disney Channel movies throughout the years.  What is it about these movies that appeal to you?

I get to do what I’ve always wanted to do, which is tell stories that are driven with music and dance. I love the genre and I love working with family stories and with young people -- not that I don’t enjoy working with mature actors.  In our first [Descendants] movie, we had the incredible Kristin Chenoweth, Kathy Najimy and Wendy Raquel Robinson.  I always dreamed that I would be working in musicals, and Disney Channel has provided that opportunity for me.

Kenny Ortega and co-star China Anne McClain
discuss Disney Channel's 'Descendants 2'

Disney Channel is one of the few networks that produce musical movies.  Why don’t we see more music-themed content on tv?

Disney found an audience -- and I think network television has found an audience -- for musical television, which is fantastic.  I’m a big fan of the live television musicals because I know what it takes to put on a musical. I come from the theatre, so when I’m watching them, I have an appreciation for all the technical aspects that make it all happen. So, for me, I think it’s thrilling and challenging. But television began with live programming; all of it was live.  There were no such thing as pre-taped shows – live interview and music was one of the first inhabitants of television.  I think what Disney and the networks are doing is a return to the beginnings of what made television so special.  Disney Channel -- not only with High School Musical but with The Cheetah Girls & Camp Rock, and artists like Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Selina Gomez -- and even before that with Brittany (Spears) -- has found a young, family audience that really enjoys music storytelling that can suspend their disbelief.  I think adults have a little more of an issue with being able to suspend their disbelief of a story suddenly breaking into song.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

I have alot of projects I'm proud of, but I think the biggest accomplishment for me was something that I wasn’t in charge of -- its something that to this day I still can’t quite figure out why or how it happened.  That’s being able to work with great people that have enabled my career -- Gene Kelly, Michael Jackson, Francis Ford Coppola, John Hughes and so many other people that I’ve worked with and met along my journey. I’ve been a very fortunate person to have come into the company of such incredible artists that have enlightened me, taught me, mentored me and coached me. I’ve been in theatre; I’ve worked sporting events; I’ve been able to work in concerts obviously with Michael (Jackson) and other artists; I’ve been able to work in television; I’ve been able to work in feature films and I’m producing a record right now.  So, I’ve been really, really fortunate that my life has enabled me to play in a number of different fields.