Jacko Journo Now May Target Madonna

By Stephen M. Silverman

Wednesday February 19, 2003 01:00 PM EST

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British TV documentary maker Martin Bashir, who helped revitalize Michael Jackson's career with his "Living with Michael Jackson" (which aired to 27 million viewers on ABC's "20/20"), now has his sights set on profiling Madonna, according to Britain's Sky News.

The news site bills the prospective film about the Material Mom, 44, as a "tell-all." But, so far, there has been no confirmation of a deal between Martin and Madonna -- from either party.

Meanwhile, with Bashir so much in the news these days, Hello! magazine reports that he also wishes to put Elizabeth Hurley, 37, under his microscope.

The newsman, 39, reportedly first approached the model-actress last year during her court battle with film producer Steve Bing, 37, who had denied being the father of her son Damian (now 9 months old) until a DNA test proved otherwise.

Another possible Bashir target is said to be controversial fighter Mike Tyson.

The journalist made his name in 1995 by lending a sympathetic ear (and a TV crew) to Princess Diana when she aired the dirty laundry about her marriage. Jackson reportedly gave Bashir access to his life for eight months to put together "Living."

But after the documentary first aired in England and the United States, Jackson cried foul. On Thursday, FOX will air Jackson's rebuttal as part of a two-hour special, "Take Two: The Interview They Wouldn't Show You."

The special is said to include statements in Jackson's defense from 12-year-old cancer patient Gavin Arvizo, who reportedly admits that he sometimes sleeps in the star's bed, and from Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, who is the mother of Jackson's first two children. (His third child was born to a surrogate mother, Jackson told Bashir.)