Us Weekly. January 8 issue. Page 49. That's where the whole mess between Jann Wenner and Steve Bing began. It was there and then that Wenner's tabloid printed an item in "Hot Stuff" (picked up by the New York Post, among others) that alleged Heidi Fleiss set up a meeting for newly single Pamela Anderson to enjoy a meal with producer Bing, who you might know as the father of Liz Hurley's son. Said the item:

"He kept telling her she was beautiful, but that doesn't work with Pam," says a source close to Fleiss. Anderson, who split from Kid Rock in November, "likes guys who are a little rough with her," says the insider. Indeed: She was home by 9:30 P.M.

Only problem: Bing never had dinner with Anderson, and didn't care to have that rumor spread.

So outraged was the Hollywood power player, an insider tells us Bing sent a cease and desist to Wenner Media, demanding a retraction. In this week's issue, he receieved it. From page 18:

In the January 8 issue [Hot Stuff, page 49], we reported that Steve Bing and Pamela Anderson went on a dinner date, and that Bing had once denied being the father of Elizabeth Hurley's child. This date did not occur. In addition, Bing never denied paternity, and, in fact, he initiated paternity proceedings in order to establish his right to provide financial support foro the child. Us regrets the error.

Not only did Jann agree to have Us print the retraction, but an insider tells us he called Bing personally and apologized "profusely."

First, there's the bit about Heidi Fleiss not even knowing Pam Anderson. Then there's the part where the Us item is set up to make Fleiss – a very good friend of Bing – look like the source of the Us plant. Neither made Bing very happy.

Meanwhile, we're told, Bing is also going after the Post for picking up Us' item. Though we've got a feeling that unlike Jann, Rupert Murdoch doesn't seem as likely to say he's sorry.

Update: It's been brought to our attention that some of this information was reported yesterday. You know, not by us.