The Jackson Five: A Family Dynasty Review

This Sunday night, A&E will premiere the first two episodes of the six-hour series that will chronicle the reunion of the surviving for members of the Jackson Five. I had a chance to screen the first two episodes of The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, which features the coming together of Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon as they talk about cutting a 40th anniversary album and later, their reactions to the loss of their brother Michael.

It should be said off the bat that this series began production before Michael’s death. In fact, the entire first episode follows their reunion as they sit down and talk about making music again and what it might be like to get the band back together. What’s more, there’s also some talk about the events that took place that led to the group’s decision to break up back in the ‘70’s. In addition to getting to see some of their families (kids and grandkids), we also get an inside look on their attempt to work together and try to come up with a sound that is reminiscent of their earlier work but also fitting for today’s music.

The second episode deals with the aftermath of Michael’s death and how the family comes to deal with the news that their brother is gone. There’s also some conflict with Jermaine when he doesn’t show up to an important photo shoot.

I grew up among the generation that knew Michael Jackson as a solo artist, however the Jackson Five’s music has certainly made enough of a mark in the entertainment world that even those of us who weren’t around when they were taking the world by storm know of their legacy. This series is bringing one of this country’s most famous families back into the spotlight as the brothers switch between looking back and looking forward.

When it comes to celeb-reality, I think the quality of the show relies heavily on the subjects’ willingness to be open and candid in front of the cameras. It can be very apparent when the person being filmed is obviously trying to present themselves a certain way. In that respect, I think Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon serve this series well. They, along with their families, behave almost as though the cameras aren’t there. They talk about their past and some of their disagreements openly, which I think will add some interest for viewers who want a real perspective on what they’re going through, not only with regards to the reunion but also with Michael’s death. The series is definitely worth checking out for fans of The Jacksons who are interested to see what’s become of the Jacksons who left the spotlight decades ago and are looking to recreate some of the magic they once made together.

The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty premieres Sunday, December 13 with back-to-back one-hour episodes beginning at 9:00pm ET/PT on A&E. The series will then move to its regularly scheduled time, Sunday’s at 10:00pm ET/PT beginning December 20 on A&E.