UPDATE: You can read Eminem’s reaction to the planned stunt here.

This might explain why MTV still has Eminem’s face cemented to their home page.

Even though an official confirmation has not been offered from either the rapper or the network, a behind-the-scenes source from the MTV Movie Awards has now addressed yesterday’s most talked-about moment. According to Scott Aukerman, Andy Samberg’s head writer,  Sacha Baron Cohen’s cheeky encounter with Slim Shady was no accident.

“Yes, the Eminem-Bruno incident was staged. They rehearsed it at dress [rehearsal] and yes, it went as far as it did on the live show,” Scott wrote in his blog.

That clarification doesn’t make the situation any less gross…but it does make it that much funnier.