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MTV Says It Didn't Know Jackson's Plans

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 February 2004, 06:00 CST

MTV says it got punk'd by Janet Jackson. Tom Freston, the chairman and CEO of MTV Networks, said Tuesday neither his company nor CBS knew of plans for the bodice-ripping incident during the Super Bowl halftime show.

MTV and CBS landed in a world of trouble with outraged viewers and federal regulators looking into who knew of Jackson's plans to have Justin Timberlake grab off part of her costume during the show, which was produced by MTV.

"We were really ripped off. We were punk'd by Janet Jackson," Freston said, referring to MTV's reality show that makes celebrities the butt of practical jokes.

Freston, speaking at a panel discussion with other entertainment executives, noted that Jackson herself has said the decision to do the stunt was made without MTV's knowledge.

Jackson said the incident, which exposed her right breast, went further than planned. A spokeswoman for Jackson said a red lace garment was supposed to remain when Timberlake tore off the outer covering.

"When you're doing live television ... there's a great reliance and trust you have to put in the performers," Freston said in an interview after the panel talk. "And our trust was violated by the performer."

"Janet Jackson isn't the type of person you would think would be doing that," Freston said. "So yes, we were surprised, but such is the nature of what live TV can be."

Freston said in the interview that he welcomed the Federal Communications Commission's decision to investigate the matter, which he said would prove that the show's producers and broadcasters had no prior knowledge of Jackson's plans.

As for avoiding such missteps in the future, Freston said: "I suppose we'll be more on our toes about getting punk'd, as it were. ... We clearly know the difference between late night on MTV and the Super Bowl halftime show."

Freston had been speaking on a panel sponsored by The Conference Board and The Week magazine along with Ron Meyer, president and COO of Vivendi Universal Entertainment and Robert Shaye, co-chairman, co-CEO and founder of New Line Cinema.

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