By now the news is out. Michael Jackson and Eminem are at war.
It all started with music-video stations airing Em's "Just Lose It," which, in typical Eminem fashion, takes aim at Jackson's career mishaps and legal woes.
The video begins with lit-up sidewalk steps, a la Jackson's "Billie Jean," and dives into the pyrotechnic flash that caught Jackson's hair on fire during the taping of a Pepsi commercial in 1985.
But what may have really yanked Jackson's chain was the scene where Em, dressed up as Jackson, is sitting on a bed surrounded by young children.
Jackson's spokesman Raymone Bain addressed Jackson's concerns with MTV News on Tuesday: "The entire video is inappropriate; it's not just one thing. He is very disappointed; he is very angry. It's one thing for there to be a spoof, it's another to be insensitive and disrespectful. It crossed the line."
Jackson reportedly called "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" in Los Angeles and said he was shocked and that the video was "inappropriate" and "disrespectful," according to E! Online News.
"I've admired Eminem as an artist and was shocked by this," Jackson said. "The video was inappropriate and disrespectful to me, my children, my family and the community at large."
Earlier that day, Jackson had called cable channel BET, which airs the most popular videos from today's current rhythm & blues and rap artist, and demanded the program director pull "Just Lose It" from rotation.
BET did so.
BET spokesperson Michael Lewellen told MTV the move was "out of respect for our long-standing relationship with Michael Jackson."
"BET pulled the video because we feel it is inappropriate to use our network to air a video disparaging Michael's character or that of any other celebrity," said BET chairman and founder Robert Johnson in a statement.
Interscope Records, Eminem's record label, was disappointed BET pulled the video.
"Eminem's video for 'Just Lose It' was taken off the air today by BET," Interscope officials said in a statement. "Michael Jackson requested that the station no longer play the video because he found it offensive. We are sorry that BET made this decision."
Jackson said, "It is my hope that the other networks will take BET's lead and pull it."
However, MTV, MTV2 and MTVU plan to continue airing the video — which is ironic because BET, MTV, MTV2 and MTVU are all owned by the same company, Viacom.
E-mail: scott@desnews.com