Justin Timberlake was once involved in The Shocking Nationally Televised Incident That Changed the World (a.k.a. Nipplegate), so there seems to be good reason to believe the rumors about his prospective Emmy-night performance of “Dick in a Box”: that there will be no dick in the aforementioned box. Word has it that Timberlake — who isn’t even a confirmed Emmy performer, by the way — and his partner in mock crooning, Saturday Night Live comedian Andy Samberg, were asked to do a G-rated version of their Emmy-nominated viral-video smash at this year’s awards ceremony, which air on Fox September 16th, in an attempt to avoid FCC scrutiny. A spokesperson for Timberlake tells us that he is already committed to a tour date on September 16th at the Staples Center, and he is fulfilling his commitment and performing that night. Rock Daily notes that this doesn’t mean he can’t sneak out of the L.A. venue for a quickie at the Ryan Seacrest-hosted Emmys, but as a spokeperson for the Awards said in a statement, “Show elements are in the process of being worked out so there is no comment. Tune in on September 16th to find out.”
If there is indeed a “Dick in a Box” performance that is dick-free, it won’t be the first time the Emmys were forced to hold back on risqué material. Back in 1991 comedian Gilbert Gottfried’s 100-second Emmy Awards monologue, which dealt with Pee-Wee Herman and masturbation, was censored when the show was rebroadcast on the West Coast. The following year Martin Lawrence was apparently censored when footage of his lips moving was broadcast without sound. And in 2004, Elaine Stritch’s profanity-laced comments, in which she made mock disparaging remarks about her fellow nominees, were bleeped out. “D*** in a Box”? We shall see.

PHOTO: Courtesy of NBC