Britney Spears, who would have ruined her career at last year'sMTV Video Music Awards if she hadn't already flushed said careerdown the toilet, will return to the show this year and anchor itsopening segment, it was announced Wednesday.
However, she will not be doing a live performance. MTV NetworksMusic Group President Van Toffler said Wednesday her taped segmentwill be something "fun and unexpected."
Spears' performance of her song "Gimme More" at last year's VMAswas universally derided as an unfocused mess and convinced many thather days as an A-list performer were done. But her personal lifeappears to have stabilized in recent months, and her appearance onTV's "How I Met Your Mother" and her work on a new album have peopletalking about yet another Spears comeback. And where else to unleashsuch a comeback but on MTV?
"MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can Inot be there to kick off their 25th VMAs?" she said. "I'm excited toopen the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated."
Spears received three nominations, including for video of theyear for "Piece of Me." The awards show will air Sunday night onMTV.
WE SMELL "REGIFTING": Speaking of the Spears family, Britney'slittle sister, Jamie Lynn, is reaching out to another unwed teensoon to experience motherhood.
CelebTV reports that Jamie Lynn, 17, apparently at the behest ofher mom, has sent a baby gift to Bristol Palin, the five-months-pregnant, 17-year-old daughter of GOP vice president pick SarahPalin. The celebrity news show said Jamie Lynn ordered Bristol Palina gift from a Beverly Hills baby store named Petit Tresor, which isFrench for "where pacifiers cost more than your house."
CelebTV says Jamie Lynn, who gave birth to a daughter in June,apparently sent Bristol "$60 worth of pink burpcloths."
LEDGER LAWSUIT FADING FAST: A judge in Los Angeles on Wednesdayall but scuttled a celebrity magazine reporter's lawsuit against apaparazzi agency over an alleged video that showed actor HeathLedger snorting cocaine.
The reporter claimed her reputation was damaged when paparazzisecretly taped Ledger doing drugs in her hotel room.
Superior Court Judge John S. Wiley Jr. tentatively dismissed 11of 12 claims filed against the agency and two photographers, sayingmost allegations lacked legal standing.
The unidentified reporter sued Splash News & Picture Agency andtwo of its photographers in April. The alleged taping occurred inHollywood in 2006 after the Golden Globe Awards ceremony. Two TVcelebrity news shows purchased the video after Ledger's death due toan accidental prescription drug overdose earlier this year, butopted not to air it after getting complaints from Ledger's friendsand family. The tape was posted on the Internet, however.
OPRAH'S MOM ALLEGEDLY NOT PAYING BILLS: Oprah Winfrey's mother,Vernita Lee, is being sued by a high-end fashion store over what thestore says is an overdue bill of more than $150,000.
The Milwaukee Journal reports that lawsuit centers on Lee's open-ended charge account with department store Valentina. As of July 1,the store claims, Lee, a Milwaukee resident, has racked up a bill of$155,547.31 in purchases and interest.
Valentina attorney Joseph Niebler told the Sentinel that Lee hasstopped making the monthly payments and that several attempts toresolve the bill have proved fruitless.
No word on why the two sides have ignored the obvious solution,which is to let Oprah buy the store and convert it into a privatedungeon for people who get on her nerves.
AND THIS TIME, SHE MEANS IT!: Former teen star Mackenzie Phillipsannounced Wednesday she is going to rehab -- for the 10th time --after being charged Wednesday with felony possession of drugs forallegedly carrying narcotics at Los Angeles International Airport.
District attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said Phillips wascharged with two felony counts of possession of a controlledsubstance, heroin and cocaine. Phillips was arrested last week atthe airport after failing a security screening while trying to catcha flight to New York. A secondary search turned up needles andsuspected drugs, authorities said.
Phillips, the 48-year-old daughter of the Mamas and the Papassinger John Phillips and onetime star of the sitcom "One Day at aTime," is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 3.
Today's People Column was compiled by Randy McMullen from staffand wire service reports. Questions? Comments? Contact him at 925-943-8262 or rmcmullen@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Birthdays: ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey (90), actress MitziGaynor (77), singer Merald "Bubba" Knight of Gladys Knight and thePips (66), golfer Tom Watson (59), R&B musician Ronald LaPread (58),actress Judith Ivey (57), rock musician Martin Chambers of thePretenders (57), actress Khandi Alexander (51), comedian DamonWayans (48), actress Ione Skye (37), R&B singer Richard Wingo ofJagged Edge (33), singer-actress Beyonce Knowles (27).
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