Jackson Axes Controversial Lyrics Star Pop Singer Says Words Will Be Added In Time For Shipment

Michael Jackson is changing the lyrics to the controversial song “They Don’t Care About Us,” which includes the lines “Jew me, sue me” and “Kick me, kike me.”

Jackson - at the center of a flap over the song, which is featured on his new Epic album “HIStory” told Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd Wednesday, “Haven’t you ever done something that you wish you never done? I do. So, now I’ll change it.

“I’ll go into the studio next week and change (the lyrics). I thought of first muffling them, but that would make them (those words) even more noticeable.”

The substitute words, he said, will be “Strike me” for “Kike me” and “Do me” for “Jew me.”

Jackson said the words will be added in time for the next shipment of the album.

Beatty, Baldwin quit ‘Homicide’

“Homicide: Life on the Street” has lost yet another man.

Ned Beatty, who plays detective Stanley Bolander, handed in his badge late last week and will not return for the show’s fourth year.

It’s the show’s second recent cast defection: On June 9, Daniel Baldwin, who plays detective Beau Fenton, announced that he won’t be back come fall.

Both NBC and Beatty’s spokesperson said the parting was amicable, and that the actor - who has appeared in more than 60 films, including “Deliverance” and “All the President’s Men” - has elected to resume his film career. Beatty, who was released from his “Homicide” contract, leaves for London July 3 to work on two back-to-back projects.

Baldwin, who said he didn’t see his “Homicide” character “going in any direction,” has also decided to focus his attention on film roles.

The critically acclaimed ensemble show, which is co-executiveproduced by Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana, has struggled mightily in the ratings but has managed to stay afloat.

Production for the new season begins July 24 in Baltimore. An NBC spokesperson said it hasn’t been decided how the characters will be written out, but added that the recent defections will not lessen the network’s support of the show.

It’s true: another O.J. movie

Is there really another O.J. Simpson TV movie in the works? Seems so.

Dove, the multi-media company that published Faye Resnick’s book about her friend, murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson, as well as two other Simpson-related tomes, is developing a TV movie called “The Verdict.”

Though it could prove impossible to schedule, the producers are hoping to have the film, which will be distributed to stations via the syndication route, air just after the case is turned over to the jury and before it comes back with its verdict. The film would likely focus heavily on final arguments and the jury’s deliberations.

A spokeswoman for the company confirmed only that a project was in development.

But according to Daily Variety’s Army Archerd, the movie’s cast will include three ex-jurors, Simpson chronicler Dominick Dunne, former big-time L.A. prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi and attorney Gerry Spence.

Fox aired a poorly received Simpson movie soon after the jury was sequestered last winter.

Preschooler show in works

The Children’s Television Workshop, home of Big Bird and all his “Sesame Street” friends, is spreading its wings.

CTW has cut a deal to produce a new, weekly commercial-free program for preschoolers titled “Big Bag.”

The show, however, won’t air on PBS, home of “Sesame Street.” It’s being made for Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network.

“Big Bag” will air weekends (probably Sundays) starting in May 1996.

CTW is working closely with Jim Henson Productions to create a new Muppet character for the show. Surprisingly, it’s the first collaboration between CTW and Jim Henson Productions since they created “Sesame Street” together in 1969. It’s also, surprisingly, the first time CTW has developed a show for preschoolers since “Sesame” launched.

“Big Bag” will consist of original, co-produced and acquired animation.

New Johnny Quest show, toys

Look out, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Johnny Quest is on his way.

Turner Home Entertainment is planning a $100 million-plus marketing and merchandising drive for the new “The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest.”

Plans are in the works for “Johnny Quest” action figures, toys, videos, video games and books, which will hit stores in the fall of 1996, when the series debuts. Turner Pictures also plans to release an action movie in 1996 based on the character.

The series, which begins with 65 episodes, will be broadcast 21 times a week on three Turner channels - Turner Network Television, TBS Superstation, and the Cartoon Network.

Costner to play golf

What will Kevin Costner do after “Waterworld,” the mega-budgeted water-picture set to open July 28? He’ll downsize to “Tin Cup” by writer-director Ron Shelton, who directed Costner in “Bull Durham.”

The romantic comedy is set in the world of golf, and Costner will play a golf pro. Meanwhile, talks are ongoing about a sequel to the Costner-Whitney Houston hit “The Bodyguard.”