Sacha Baron Cohen and Eminem scripted and rehearsed the butt-baring prank heard around the world at Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards that nearly left the rapper’s face buried in the Bruno star’s crotch.

After a lively debate across the web that lasted much of the day, MTV’s head writer came forward late Monday to confess that both stars were in on the gag all along.

Writing on his blog, Scott Aukerman confessed: “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….”