Sources backstage Sunday night at the BET Awards tell me even Janet Jackson -- and other Jackson family members -- were "really horrified" when they learned Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, started plugging his new Ranch Records label as he walked the red carpet at the show, which was totally reworked to honor Michael's memory and legacy


CNN anchor and former WMAQ-Channel 5 anchor Don Lemon was practically speechless -- and quickly changed the subject back to thoughts of the King of Pop -- after Joe's blatant boost of his new Ranch Records label. "We've got Blu-ray technology," boasted Papa Jackson, who seemed more interested in introducing his business partner to Lemon than talking about his son's unparalleled career.

• • Catching up with a top BET insider backstage, I was told, "You know, it probably shouldn't come as a big surprise. Well, that's just Joe. He cares about Michael for what he can do for him -- dead or alive."

• • As Katherine Jackson, as expected, filed for and received temporary guardianship over her grandchildren Monday, two reliable Jackson family sources told me they don't expect Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Michael Jackson's two oldest children, will initiate any kind of big legal battle to win custody.

Reportedly, there already have been quiet conversations between Rowe's camp and the Jackson family -- basically boiling down to her continuing to observe her non-involvement with the children, per the original agreement with Michael when they divorced.

"Debbie's made it pretty clear that mothering isn't her thing anyway, and besides -- you can bet she will be further compensated not to do anything," said a longtime Jackson family friend.

• • However, both my sources say there could be some kind of interference from Grace Rwaramba, the children's former nanny, who has been quoted in the British press about regularly pumping out Michael's stomach, claiming he had taken too many prescription drugs. That's an allegation the Jackson family has firmly denied. While there is evidence Michael had talked about Grace getting custody of the kids (or perhaps sharing it with his mother), I'm told several members of the Jackson family have said they never liked Grace, nor trusted her even when she was still the nanny.

• • Fans of Michael Jackson need to be vigilant -- especially if they're tempted to buy a piece of memorabilia being sold as a limited edition, or something signed by the music icon or touted as some other kind of collectible.

Steve Bernas, CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving this area, warns, "Great care should be taken by anyone who wants to buy Michael Jackson memorabilia at this time. There are many unscrupulous people out there betting that emotion will trump sensible buying to make money from people's sorrow at a time like this."

STAR STRUCK: Somewhat lost in the shuffle of announcements about all the changes for next year's Oscars -- including upping the best picture nominations to 10 and altering the voting on best song -- was the news the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian and Irving Thalberg awards, plus honorary Oscars will now be announced in the fall and awarded at a November dinner in L.A. -- rather than included in the annual ceremony next March. ... Kudos to the late Gene Siskel's nephew, Charlie Siskel, tapped to be executive producer of two new projects -- one at Comedy Central, the other for Showtime.

Siskel previously was a producer on "Bowling for Columbine," and executive produced Bill Maher's "Religulous" documentary about organized religion.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: No question about it, the new downtown, hipper-than-hip hotel the Wit has become an immediate celeb magnet. Just in the past week, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Jakob Dylan, Sister Hazel, Antoine Walker and Reggie Bush were among the famous faces spotted at the Wit's Roof -- the amazing partially open-air rooftop lounge that is the new fave place for the see-and-be-seen crowd. ... Harold Ramis (who also has checked out the Wit's Roof) slipped into Rockit Bar & Grill the other day. ... Sox broadcaster Steve Stone and Linda Yu were spied dining (separately) at Hub 51.