Michael Jackson Delivers Counterpunch

By Stephen M. Silverman

Friday February 21, 2003 11:00 AM EST

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Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's ex-wife and estranged mother of two of his three children, said on FOX's "The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See" that she bore him the offspring as a present.

Furthermore, she said in the Thursday night special, "If he called me tonight and said let's have five more, I'd do it in a heartbeat."

The two-hour "Footage" was presented by Jackson, 44, and his handlers as a rebuttal to British newsman Martin Bashir's "Living with Michael Jackson" documentary, which attracted 27 million viewers earlier this month and caused jaws to drop from coast to coast.

Among the ABC special's revelations was Jackson's blithely delivered confession that he still sleeps with children in his bed, despite allegations in 1993 of sexual misconduct with a minor. (Jackson has denied any wrongdoing.)

Thursday's FOX rebuttal came from Jackson's own camera crew, who tracked Bashir as the journalist followed Jackson. There were also Jackson-approved interviews.

"Bashirs will come and go," declared makeup artist Karen Faye, "but Michael will live forever in everyone's hearts."

Michael's older brother, Jermaine Jackson, 48, sat next to his parents when he complained before the camera about police insensitivity when Michael was investigated for alleged child abuse. "What they need to do is leave him alone," he said.

As for Rowe, who reportedly lives a lavish Beverly Hills lifestyle supported by her ex, the former dermatologist's assistant said she and Jackson "have a non-traditional family and if it makes people feel uncomfortable, it's a shame they're not more open."

Rowe herself said she has little contact with her children -- Prince Michael, 5, and Paris, 4. (Jackson's third child, the infant Prince Michael II, is from an anonymous surrogate mother.)

"My kids don't call me mom because I don't want them to," Rowe said. "These are Michael's children."