This time, it's personal.

 No, it's not the tagline for the new Schwarzennegger film -- although, come to think of it, isn't it the tagline for every Schwarzennegger film? -- it's the subplot taking place behind the scenes of the two biggest music award shows: The American Music Awards (AMA) and the Grammy Awards.

 Dick Clark, executive producer of the AMA, recently launched a lawsuit against the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the group behind the Grammys, claiming they were using their clout to keep musicians from performing on both awards shows which are separated by just over a month.

 You'd think all of this much-publicized legal wrangling would be distracting for the AMA organizers as they get ready for the star-studded show, which will be hosted by actress Jenny McCarthy and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs tonight at 8 p.m. on DE and at 9 p.m. on F.

 "I don't think it's difficult," says Al Schwartz, who's been one of the producers of the AMA for 26 of its 29 years. "This isn't a new thing -- it's been going on for a lot of years ... (although) I think over the past few, the Grammys have turned up the heat a little bit more."

 What allegedly pushed Clark into the lawsuit was a phone call from his friend Michael Jackson, who claimed the Grammy people had told him he couldn't perform at both shows and he'd have to back out of his scheduled AMA appearance.

 "It just aggravated Dick ...," Schwartz says. "This is a longtime friend that they're interfering with."

 Clark's argument is that two award shows are good for the recording industry and the fact that the AMA is predominantly a fan show, while the Grammys are an industry event.

 Whatever the outcome of the lawsuit, Schwartz did confirm Jackson would appear on tonight's AMA show to accept his award as entertainer of the century.

 And according to the producer, Jackson has, because of the controversy, told the Academy that he would not perform on the Grammys, leaving him eligible to do a number on the AMAs -- something Billboard reported yesterday he would do.

 So will he perform?

 "No he's not going to perform but he will appear ...," Schwartz says before later adding cryptically. "Who knows whether he will do something or not? It's being left open."

 Those who will definitely be performing include Kid Rock, Britney Spears, Usher, Shaggy, Brooks & Dunn and Lenny Kravitz.

 The list of presenters is equally as impressive: Janet Jackson, Ja Rule, Faith Evans, Jennifer Love Hewitt and, ironically enough, Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado and India.Arie, three of this year's big-time Grammy nominees.

 Also scheduled is an acknowledgement of the Sept. 11 tragedy by way of the taped recording of Kate Smith performing God Bless America from the first AMA show. (More on: Michael Jackson).