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Why is Michael Jackson surprised by Eminem?

Published Thursday, October 14, 2004 by seanlmccarthy | E-mail this post

That might be your first thought upon hearing that Michael Jackson is mad at Eminem for making fun of him in the latest video by the artist formally known as Marshall Mathers. Out of all of the jokes over two decades, Jackson takes a stand now? Against Eminem? Upon further reflection, however, my curiosity is aimed at BET, not merely for banning the video, but more precisely for this statement by BET Chairman and Founder Bob Johnson: "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." (italics added for ironic effect, since, well, hasn't just about every previous Eminem video disparaged other celebrities?)