Life With Legendary Pop Star and His Beloved Chimpanzee Revealed When Animal Planet Airs MICHAEL JACKSON & BUBBLES: THE UNTOLD STORY, Aug. 29

When a million mourners flocked to Michael Jackson’s memorial service in July 2009, the world reflected on all the eccentricities of the late creative genius. He lived his life in the middle of the biggest media circus on Earth, but early on Michael Jackson found solace away from it all with an unlikely and trusted companion – a chimpanzee named Bubbles. Now, for the first time, Animal Planet presents viewers with the remarkably touching tale of the world’s greatest pop icon and his much-loved chimpanzee when MICHAEL JACKSON & BUBBLES: THE UNTOLD STORY premieres Sunday, August 29 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT. Airing on what would have been the King of Pop’s 52nd birthday, this special features rarely-seen footage of Jackson and Bubbles and talks to those who witnessed the relationship first hand (including Jackson’s Sister Latoya). The revealing one-hour documentary also explores the complex psychology behind Jackson’s devotion to his chimp and other animals and takes a look at where Bubbles is now – more than 20 years later.

Bubbles the chimp was once the world’s most famous pet and for six years the primate and his owner – singing sensation Michael Jackson – were inseparable. Bubbles joined Jackson on his 1987 “Bad” tour of Japan and on other trips all around the world. Their lives seemed to mirror each other: Jackson the man who never had a childhood and Bubbles, the chimp who grew up raised as a human. So, what became of the world’s most famous chimp? This fascinating documentary highlights the path Bubbles’ life took once he hit adolescence – at which time Jackson could no longer care for him – to where he is today.