Woot! I am happy to report that yesterday's court battle for control of Britney Spears worked out favorably for Team Spears. Jamie Spears, Britney's father, was named conservator of Britney's person and assets late last week and yesterday various factions challenged that ruling in court. In a strange development, a long-lost cousin of Barbara Streisand got into the mix, claiming that Britney herself has made him her new attorney. BUT, in the end, the judge ruling on the matter wasn't swayed by Babs's cousin's argument and conservatorship over Britney Spears remains in the hands of her family. Thank ye Gods. Additionally, Britney's leechy pap/boyfriend Adnan Ghalib showed up at the UCLA Medical Center (with his own paparazzi crew following him) with flowers in hand in an attempt to visit with his meal ticket ... unfortch for him, he was DENIED ACCESS to our dear Britney. Too bad, so sad:


Photo credit: Finalpixx & Splash News
TMZ does a great job of summarizing yesterday's legal wranglings:

Here are the headlines from today's court hearing: Jamie Spears is still the co-conservator of Britney's estate, as is Andrew Wallet. The Commissioner did not give the conservators the power to fire Trope and Trope, Brit's divorce lawyers. The Commissioner said, based on the restraining order, Sam Lutfi can have no contact whatsoever with Britney -- including e-mails, phone contact, etc. The Commish extended the conservatorship to Valentine's Day. The Commissioner said Adam Streisand had no legal basis for claiming he's Britney's new lawyer. There will be a hearing at some point to determine just how mentally competent Britney is.

Nice and concise. While all this biz was going down in court, Adnan Ghalib thought he'd be tricky and sneak his way into the UCLA Medical Center to visit with Brit Brit with a bouquet of sorry-ass flowers. Apparently, security is pretty good at UCLA because homie was DENIED access to Britney ... unlike the security at Cedars-Sinai Hospital (where Britney was taken the last time she was carted away by medical professionals) where they apparently let any Tom, Dick or Dr. Phil into patients' rooms:

Britney Spears' boyfriend Adnan Ghalib looked dejected after he was refused access to the troubled singer in hospital yesterday. The Birmingham-raised photographer arrived at the UCLA Medical Center with flowers and a get well soon card in the hope of visiting the 26-year-old pop star, who is being treated in a padded cell for a severe bipolar disorder. Sources told an American magazine that Spears' mother Lynne refused to let Ghalib see the singer and he soon emerged from the hospital looking sad.

Back on the legal front ... It's unclear what matters more to this new lawyer, Adam Streisand, who has randomly interjected himself into the mix ... is he really interested in representing Britney Spears to his fullest ability or is he more interested in getting his famous last name out there and believes that this high profile drama is the perfect way for folks to learn who he is? Dude, if your cousin Barbara Streisand doesn't want anything to do with you, what makes you think that any of us care who you are? But I digress ... I am very encouraged that things are going this way ... who knows, maybe Britney Spears will actually get the help that she needs ... whether she wants it or not. Yay Team Spears!! [Source]

Robert Hoffman, Elijah Kelley, Cassie and Adam Shankman were all on hand last night here in LA for the Hollywood premiere of the new movie Step Up 2: The Streets which was held at the ArcLight Theater ... here are a few pics from the red carpet:


Photo credit: Splash News
Now ... this may come as a shocking surprise to some of you ... but I am TOTES all about movies like this. No lie, Honey is one of my fave, cheesy dance movies ever. I really liked Step Up and I know I'm gonna love Step Up 2 ... hello, they're taking it to The Streets, y'all! What's not to love? Back in the day, I was all about Breakin' and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo ... so I know of what I speak. I just can't get enough of White Folk makin' movies about Urban Dancing ... movies like this are a damn good time, y'all. Now if I could only figure out a way to get David to want to see this movie with me. I tried to get him to go see How She Move but I was brutally rebuffed :( [Source]

Elsewhere in SoCal last night, Paris Hilton was the belle of the ball at the Hollywood premiere of her new movie The Wonky Hottie and the Nottie which was held at the Egyptian Theater here in LA. No one else of note showed up for the event (I mean, would YOU want to be seen at a Paris Hilton movie premiere?) so all we got is a whole lotta Paris lookin' a whole lotta orange:


Photo credit: Splash News
Ack ... sorry ... I take that back, Adrian Grenier was also spotted at this premiere ... but I think he just lost a bet or something like that. Anyways ... I feel it is my duty to point out that from far away, Paris actually looks pretty glamorous in her Marilyn Monroe-inspired ensemble ... it's only when the camera zooms in that she has difficulty. I guess that would make her a full-on Monet ... something she's much more successful at than, say, acting. [Source]

2008 Oscar nominees George Clooney, Ellen Page, Javier Bardem, Viggo Mortensen and others showed up at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the 80th Academy Award Nominees Luncheon yesterday afternoon ... here are a few pics from that event:


Photo credit: Wireimage
Hee hee ... little Ellen Page looks so out of place among these dudes ... and I love her for it! I gotta admit, I don't think she's gonna win her award but I love that she got herself a nomination. All I see when I look at her is Shadowcat from X-Men ... and, my, how our little mutant has grown up. There have been rumors of a possible end to the Writer's Strike happening very soon and I really hope they get going on that ... the Academy Awards are only weeks away. It'd be such a shame if the big night got spoiled because an agreement still could not be reached by the opposing sides. [Source]

Here are a couple pictures of Kylie Minogue as she made her way into Ladbroke Hall in London, England for the launch party event for her new range of soft home furnishings called Kylie At Home:


Photo credit: Wireimage
Hahahahaha ... I still don't get what inspired Kylie to get involved with creating a line of bed sheets and duvets but I do like the idea of getting into bed with Kylie. It's a much more pleasant thought than getting into bed with Martha Stewart. [Source]

Here are a couple pictures of Amy Winehouse allegedly going back into rehab ...


Photo credit: Splash News
... what, did she forget her cigarette lighter? While I really wish she would actually go back to rehab for a good, long while I just don't believe it's what Amy wants. Prove me wrong, Amy ... please. [Source]

Butter, in NYC, was really hoppin' last night ... here are pictures of Eliza Dushku, Sophia Bush, Justin Timberlake and Wilmer Valderrama all making their way into the hot spot eatery last night:


Photo credit: Splash News
I think someone in the brat pack got a hankering for Butter's amazing buttermilk squash soup (which is served with a handful of popcorn on the side) so they all just had to go partake. I've had the soup, I get it. [Source]

Aww ... check out these amazingly cute photos of Nicole Kidman enjoying a nice afternoon out with her friends, proudly showing off her growing baby bump in Sydney, Australia this week:


Some mothers-to-be prefer to keep their happy news to themselves until their bump gives them away. Nicole Kidman is not one of them. Only three months into her pregnancy, she wants to share her delight right now. Strolling along a Sydney street, the 40-year-old Australian actress stopped repeatedly to show off her tiny bump to her companions. But there is one thing Miss Kidman is keeping to herself. On her website she would only say: "It's a secret" when asked by fans whether she was expecting a boy or a girl. She is in her home city after finishing work on her latest film, Australia, directed by Baz Lurhmann.

Love it, Love it, Love it. Can you tell that I'm thrilled for Ms. Nikki Kidman? I can't wait to see more of her ever-expanding belly :) [Source]

And speaking of expanding bellies (or at least, possible ones) ... it has been widely reported that Angelina Jolie is rumored to be pregs with another baby (babies?) ... which is all great and all ... so then why do you suppose that she was allegedly spotted at LAX Airport bound for Amman?


Angelina Jolie is flying to Amman, Jordan. The 32-year-old actress, who is rumored to be pregnant with twins (she and partner Brad Pitt are already parents to four), boarded a British Airways flight to the middle eastern city at LAX this afternoon.

Usually, when she makes these sorts of surprise, "secret" trips she is lookin' to adopt new children ... but I guess the fact that she is only rumored to be pregs and there doesn't appear to be any official confirmation of her destination, I guess a lot is being assumed here. That being said ... Angelina has already adopted children and she's already given birth to a child ... but she's never adopted and given birth all at the same time. Hmmm .... [Source]

One last bit of Angelinaness ... here is a new pic from Ange's new movie, Wanted, wherein she plays a heavily tattooed assassin ...


... who, by the look of the fake tats that were added to her back, might possibly be a huge Star Trek fan. I dunno ... that tattoo in the middle of her back looks a lot like the official seal of the Romulan Empire. [Source]

Missy Elliot and Danity Kane showed up at the MTV studios to do some promo work on TRL yesterday ... here are a few pics from their appearance:


Photo credit: Wireimage
Missy was in the hiz to premiere her new song from the Step Up 2 soundtrack Ching-A-Ling/Shake Your Pom Pom ... in 3D ... which I think is a brills idea. You know ... there should be more 3D music videos on TV. Click HERE to check it out. Oh and Danity Kane was in the hiz to show off their new wigs ... and to get folks to tune in and watch the new season of Making the Band. [Source]

Here are a few hot pics of Ryan Phillippe and his guns making their way out of the gym after a work-out session this week:


Photo credit: Splash News
Can someone clue me in as to why this man is still single? It's a damn shame, if you ask me. [Source]

Here is a funny pic of a totally uninterested Milo Ventimiglia posing with a few Playboy Bunnies at the Playboy Super Bowl Party that was held in Phoenix, AZ over the weekend:


Hmmm ... could it be that Milo only has eyes for Hayden Panettiere? He is such a good boy. [Source]

And finally ... here are a bunch of really cool-looking photographs of various celebs which were taken by photographer Mike Ruiz:


Photo credit: Mike Ruiz
It looks to me like Mike is trying to take the place of photographer David LaChapelle. The style and use of color is similar but it has a bit of a classier feel. I love these pics. Head on over to MikeRuiz.com to see his online portfolio of his other photographs. [Source via ONTD!]

Les News:

• Will the autopsy results of Heath Ledger's death be revealed today?
• The iPhone is now available in a 16Gb flavor.
• Victorya Hong, Project Runway Season 4 reject, shows a collection at Fashion Week yesterday ... and it sounds like it was a really bad idea. [thanks Emily]
• "It would be crazy. Music is what I really want to focus on. I'm not too worried about TV. Music is my life and my passion. I really want to be an entertainer. I feel like so much of what's missing in music right now is that amazing entertainer. I want for people in 20 years to be like, 'Do you remember that Heidi Montag concert? That was the craziest show ever!' I want it to be really fun and memorable." -- Heidi Montag on her future as a musical performer
• And the most watched Super Bowl ad this year was ...
• Xtina Aguilera reveals that her son "stinks" ... welcome to motherhood!
• The Daily Voice is launched.
• John Mayer loses his shirt somewhere in the Bahamas.
• Petra Nemcova looks like she's 2 secs. from spilling all over the place.
• Hilary Duff wants you to smell like you're Wrapped With Love.
• A few weeks ago, Tony Romo was headed for the Super Bowl ... these day's he's a dog carrier. I wonder if Jessica Simpson has anything at all to do with any of this.
• Brandy's mother alleges that Kim Kardashian misspent her daughter's money.
• Bobby Brown is 39, Jennifer Jason Leigh is 46 and Christopher Guest is 60 years old today. Click HERE to see who else is celebrating a birthday today.
• Sam Lutfi has, at long last, gone into hiding ... which is a good thing since all of his dirty secrets may soon come to light.
• What do you suppose is going on in THIS photo?

Lawdy ... I had so much to do yesterday, I barely found time to breathe. I spent the early part of my afternoon taking care of a ... thing ... in preparation for another ... thing ... that I'm going to at the end of this week. I promise I'm not trying to be coy, I just don't like talking about these sorts of things until they actually come to pass. Call me superstitious. After I got that taken care of, I ended up spending HOURS at city hall taking care of some stupid bill that I kinda forgot about ... then I finally found the time to do my laundry and then make the trek out to Marina Del Rey to have dinner with Kirsten and Darion:


We had a great meal at Hal's on Abbot Kinney St. and generally had a great time over all. Today, I have a haircut appointment and then a few more errands to take care of ... and I *must* start packing for my trips to NYC and Amsterdam. OY.

And so ... that's about it ... I'm off and running again. I'm out.

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