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18 Million Watched Michael Jackson

18 million people watched Michael Jackson's 60 Minutes interview last night. Today, his personal spokesman, Stuart Backerman, resigned, citing "strategic differences."

Update: Mark Geragos, Michael Jackson's lawyer, says Backerman was fired.

"He was terminated by me personally for talking when I told him not to," Geragos said. Backerman responded: "That's untrue. I was the spokesman up until I just resigned. I was not fired."

And how big a role will the Nation of Islam play in Michael's defense? For now, it sounds like it's spriritual advice and security assistance:

Two of Jackson's advisers, Charles Koppelman and Alan Whitman, said they remain in charge of his music and finances. Asked about the Nation of Islam's reported role in directing Jackson's affairs, Koppelman said, "It's not the case as to his music, finances and assets. I think it's primarily in security."

The New York Times has more on the role of the Nation of Islam in Michael Jackson's affairs.

"The Nation of Islam and Louis Farrakhan's son-in-law have taken over completely and are in full and total charge," said one senior Jackson employee, speaking on condition of anonymity. "They have gone in and taken over control of the finances in terms of who's getting paid, how much," the employee added. "They're approving all funds and have decided they have control of the business manager and accountant, without signing authority or power of attorney. They are working out of Geragos's office; in essence they're telling him what to do."

Another Jackson employee said: "They're negotiating business deals with him. They're negotiating media deals, who can talk, how much. You've got a lawyer who's scared to throw them out. Michael doesn't know what to do with them."

....Mr. Geragos said that members of Mr. Jackson's security detail were Muslim but that that did not mean they belonged to the Nation of Islam. Mr. Geragos said that he felt these accusations of Nation of Islam control have originated with the Santa Barbara district attorney's office, which is "playing the race card," he said.

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