TV & VIDEO - Jan. 16, 1989

Michael vs. Michael: Diet Coke is lining up pop singer George Michael to counter Michael Jackson in his Diet Pepsi commercials. Some scenes for a possible TV ad were shot Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York with British film maker Stephen Frears (“Dangerous Liaisons,” “My Beautiful Launderette”) directing. But Michael has a great deal of creative control and there may not be a commercial if he doesn’t like the finished product. “Call it an engagement at this point,” a Coca-Cola spokesman said. “We’re mutually developing some concepts which may or may not lead us to the altar. We’ll know more by the end of next week.” If there is a marriage, the fruit of it will be unveiled Jan. 22 during the Super Bowl broadcast.