MTV may be keeping mum on whether or not Britney Spears will take to the stage and perform at next month’s 2008 MTV Video Music Awards but they are happily letting the world know that Brit Brit is appearing in the new promo campaign for the awards show. Here is our first look at a new promo pic for this year’s VMAs which features Britney Spears, VMAs host Russell Brand and a 900 lb. elephant in the room:

She’s (almost) back! A year after her embarrassing performance at the Video Music Awards , Britney Spears returned to the MTV stage this week to tape a promotional video for this year’s ceremony. “Britney looked really good,” says a source. “It was improvisational questions and answers with [host] Russell Brand just like [other promo guest stars] LL Cool J and Pete Wentz did. Russell joked about there being sexual tension, and Britney shot back, ‘I don’t feel the tension’. The other joke was about no one knowing who Russell was so she called him by the wrong name. LL called him Russell Bland and Britney called him Russell Brown.” The shoot also included a 9,000 pound elephant. Says the source, “The joke of the whole thing is ‘there is an elephant in the room’.” While the network cannot confirm whether Spears will appear on the show airing on Sept. 7, Spears’s promo appearance is a promising sign. The singer, who has been nominated 17 times, has yet to walk away with a win and is nominated for two this year. She is up for best female video and best pop video.

OMG! She is SOOOO gonna be there. And she is SOOOO gonna kick ass this year, I just know it. I had the misfortune to bear witness to Britney’s disastrous performance inside the Pearl Theater at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV for the VMAs last year and remember how disappointed everyone (including me) was … but this year, I just know it, she’s gonna undo all of that negativity. I can feel it in me bones, she is gonna have a huge comeback this time … I know it, I know it, I know it. Just wait and see …

[Source]

Here are a few pics from the Kitson launch of Camila Alves’s luxury handbag line MUXO which took place on Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA last night. As you can see, little baby Levi Alves (who is just about a month old now) was among the attendees at last night’s launch, making his way on the red carpet to support his mama in a baby carrier carried by his father Matthew McConaughey:

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves’s son Levi is already the talk of the party. The month-old tot – who has also been to a rock concert – was rushed by dad down the red carpet and into the launch party for Muxo, a luxury handbag collection designed by Alves and her mother, Thursday night. “He’s a very well-behaved baby,” Kitson owner Fraser Ross told PEOPLE. “Camila’s adorable [with him].” Levi spent the evening in a private room with a nanny, but did get several visits from mom and dad. “Camila and her mom have been working on putting [Muxo] together for years, and then all of a sudden it’s like ka-boom,” McConaughey, 38, told PEOPLE. “It’s great. Tonight’s just about celebrating.” The support for Alves, 25, was shared, as was congratulations. “We are here for Camila, and for the baby,” said friend and designer Christian Audigier. “We have not given her the present yet. We will give it to her tonight. It’s a surprise, I cannot tell you.”

Um, I think that “ka-boom” came about right around the time that Camila started going out with Matthew … not that she couldn’t've had success all on her own but, I think his celebrity helped a bit. I’m not that familiar with the MUXO line of bags (tho, the overuse of fringe seems to be a staple of the line) but I have noticed that Matthew likes to be seen carrying around a MUXO leather manbag from time to time. They seem a bit pricey but each one is handmade by Camila and/or her mother (hee hee, I suspect mom has been doing a lot of the work lately). I like the Latino flair that they have … but again, I’m not a fan of fringe. Dunno … are these nice? Would you pony up for one of THESE bad boys?

[Photo credit: Splash News, Wireimage; Source]

Golden Girl Betty White was honored by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood, CA last night in order to pay tribute to her 60 year career in television. Here are a few pics of Betty (one with former co-star Mary Tyler Moore) at last night’s event:

Mary Tyler Moore and the cast of the now classic TV sitcom, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” took the stage at the TV Academy in North Hollywood. The cast was there to celebrate Betty White’s 60 year television career. That career includes White’s time on their show. “I have many memories of her and hopes for the future and many more,” said Mary Tyler Moore. “She is an eclectic lady and she is a renaissance woman,” said Edward Asner, cast member of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” “John Denver said that Tina Turner showed women how to dance in heels, you know? I said, ‘Betty White shows us how to be a star,’” said Valerie Harper, cast member of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” “I don’t know what she’s been drinking, but I’m going to get some more for her!” said Betty White. Gavin MacLeod, also of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” declared his friend a national treasure. “There’s something about Betty White, no matter what role she plays, you’re intrigued,” said MacLeod. The Academy looked back on Betty’s long career, from her earliest work in television, to her long-running role on “The Golden Girls.” White, 84, also revealed you’ll be seeing her again this fall for another episode of “Boston Legal.” When asked if she thought she would ever be this busy at her age, White said she didn’t think she would, but she loves it. “I guess I can’t say no. Maybe that’s it. Mother always told me to say no,” said White.

While I realize that Betty White has enjoyed a very long career in TV and in movies I cannot see her anything other than Rose Nylund. Sorry, can’t happen. I remember seeing her in that horrible movie Lake Placid and when she started cussing I almost went into fits! No, she is Rose Nylund and that is that. BUT … I think it’s amazing that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences decided to pay tribute to Betty White’s other television accomplishments. This is absolutely the way it ought to be … let’s honor the folks we love so much in life and not wait until they pass away to offer heartfelt condolences. I hope that Betty will enjoy many more years of TV stardom and that this is just the beginning of another new chapter in her life :) Much congrats and love!!!

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Despite reports that Balthazar Getty was begging his wife Rosetta to forgive him for very openly, very publicly canoodling with the very topless Sienna Miller while the two of them vacationed together in Italy last month, it appears that Balthazar is still keeping in close contact with Ms. Miller. Sienazar were spotted hanging out together in Malibu, CA this week doing a bit of shopping together, being mindful to keep the PDA to a minimum. Also, Sienna Miller kept her top on (and even bought a new one!). Here are a few pics:

Sienna Miller may be suing the photo agency and tabloids that ran those topless pics of her cavorting in Italy with the still-married Balthazar Getty, but the globe-trotting lovebirds don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The two were spotted just yesterday afternoon in Malibu, strolling through the Malibu Country Mart shopping center… The casual pair were dressed for the beach weather: a strapless sundress for her and khakis and a V-neck T-shirt for him, according to a source. At one point, the two took off in different directions: The Brothers & Sisters star popped into a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, while Ms. Miller indulged in some retail therapy at the James Perse boutique. Perhaps they were a bit nervous that paparazzi were looming: Our source reports, “I didn’t notice any PDA.” Cozy in public or not, it doesn’t look like the Miller-Getty romance drama is going away. Miller’s friends are now jumping to her defense, insisting she is not a homewrecker and that Getty and his wife, Rosetta, were done before the Brit actress came along.

HMM. I think the whole “the Gettys were separated before we hooked up” line of defense is about the only thing that can be used in a situation like this. At the end of the day, they got caught, the whole world knows it and they do their best to move on. I really doubt that Rosetta will be taking Balthazar back … the only place she’ll be taking him is to the cleaners in divorce court. It makes sense that he would choose to stay with Sienna … after all, he may as well get something out of the debacle he got himself into. Don’t you kinda think that they totes deserve one another?

[Photo credit: INFdaily; Source]

The Police wrapped up their reunion tour last night at Madison Square Garden in NYC, making it the last concert that the band will ever play. Now, these sorts of retirement claims tend to have a funny way of being overturned from time to time but something about this final, final show by The Police has a feel of,well, genuine finality to it. In order to go out with a bang, The Police enlisted the help of a few of New York’s finest to join them on stage to help wrap up the band’s career at a concert that doubled as a benefit to raise money for Public Television Rocks! Here are a few pics from last night’s show at Madison Square Garden … you will note that Sting remembered to bring the sexy:

The Police are no more. Last night’s Madison Square Garden performance was the final show of the band’s reunion tour – and, appropriately enough, New York’s finest were onstage too. Wearing a NYPD hat and badge, Sting rocked out on his battered bass guitar while members of the New York City Police Department Band played backup for the trio … The concert – which doubled as a fundraiser for Public Television Rocks! benefiting local stations Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21 – also featured a guest appearance by The B-52s. Along with the benefit proceeds, eBay is auctioning off instruments belonging to Sting and his bandmates, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, to help out the two stations. But don’t fret if you want more of the Police: Sting revealed on his Web site that the band filmed Spectacle: Elvis Costello with The Police at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theatre. The trio teamed up with fellow Englishman Costello to do a Jimi Hendrix song, as well as the pop singer’s “Watching The Detectives” and the Police’s “Walking on The Moon.” The concert is slated to air later this year.

Now, while I’m not the biggest fan of The Police on Earth, I am a pretty HUGE fan of 80’s music in general and I have mad respect and admiration for the band. Their contribution to popular music is pretty astronomical and it pains me to admit that I remember when they first came on the scene in the early 80’s. Every Breath You Take has to be one of the quintessential songs of the 80’s and is deffo one of my faves. I’m sure the boys will be missed dearly … but I’m happy for their retirement. After all, even tho they may no longer be performing live shows we will always have their music to enjoy. Props to Sting for managing to keep the sexy going thru all these years ;)

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

While it is early in the day here in the US it is late night in Beijing, China where the 29th Olympic Games have already gotten underway — at least, ceremonially. The Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics is already in full swing and all the pomp and circumstance that comes along with these events is currently unfolding (and by the looks of some of the photos coming out of Beijing, with an elaborate array of colorful majesty). NBC will be broadcasting the Opening Ceremonies tonight beginning at 7:30PM ET/PT but here are a few pics to whet your appetite in the meantime:

China opened the 29th Olympic Games on Friday with stunning fireworks as the Asian nation kicked off the biggest and most scrutinized Games in history. Fireworks shot off across the Chinese capital as thousands of drummers, acrobats, martial artists and dancers performed under a light display at the National Stadium, drawing applause from the estimated 90,000 in attendance. Children representing each of the 56 ethnic groups in China marched out into the stadium, also called the “Bird’s Nest” because of its unique appearance. The ceremony was an artistic mix of performance and light that was depicting China’s 5,000 years of history. It was a stunning beginning from the nation of 1.3 billion people. Some media observers have said they believe the Opening Ceremony would be the single most watched television event in history. Billions of dollars in the making, the 2008 Summer Games have been seen as carrying the ambitions of a nation seeking its place as a global superpower … The Olympic torch relay, the focus of protests during parts of its international leg earlier this year, was expected to conclude at 11:30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. ET) when it enters Beijing’s National Stadium to light the Olympic cauldron … it’s just what China wanted — an opening ceremony with an impressive guest list. U.S. President George W. Bush is among more than 100 heads of state, heads of government and sovereigns expected to attend, the International Olympic Committee said. The leaders represent countries including Japan, Russia, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

There is no doubt, China is going to pull out all of the stops for these Olympic games and I’m very much looking forward to watching the majestic ceremonies when they air later on tonight. There has been much controversy surrounding these games … with many folks voicing their displeasure with various human rights and environmental problems with China. It feels like such a stain on the Olympic Games that this sort of controversy is even attached to such a worldwide event that is meant to foster goodwill and sportsmanship with all nations of the world. I for one am choosing to focus on the positive aspects of these Olympic Games, rooting for the US Team along the way (because dwelling on the negative aspects that are associated with a Communist State like China will only mar the goodwill that is supposed to be fostered by the Olympic Games). The International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to China and they are now underway. I choose to enjoy the positive aspects of the Olympic Games, which is the point overall. In the end, China will censor any criticism they choose to anyway. I just hope that by everyone playing nice with one another (at least, trying to anyways) more positivity can come from the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing.

[Source, Source]

Disturbing news out of North Carolina today … the day that pretty much everyone on Earth never thought would come — has come. Clay Aiken has become a father:

Clay Aiken became a father Friday morning with the birth of a baby boy, his mother told WRAL’s Lynda Loveland in an exclusive interview. Aiken’s best friend, producer Jaymes Foster, gave birth at 8:08 a.m. at an undisclosed location in North Carolina. Parker Foster Aiken weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long. Aiken’s mother, Faye, said the baby has dark hair and that her son is smiling from ear-to-ear. Mom, dad and baby all are doing fine. Aiken and Foster will raise the child together. They met when Aiken appeared on American Idol. Foster has produced several of his albums.

Um … not only is this disturbing news in absolutely every way possible but doesn’t this whole scenario sound exactly like the plotline on Will & Grace where they planned to have a baby and raise it together? Er, except that was fiction and this actually came to fruition … and now the apocalypse will prolly be upon us in no time. I suppose congrats are in order for the new parents … um, yeah, I’m sure that someone out there will be happy to give those congrats. I’ll be over here trying to keep the image of a Clay baby out of my brain.

[Source, thanks Kelly]