HMMMMMM … so Monday there was a lot of hubbub going around concerning the news that Tori Spelling decided to pull out of appearing on The CW’s Beverly Hills, 90210 spin-off show because, it was reported, she was not being paid as much as the other BH, 90210 alums Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty were being paid. Then yesterday we heard from both Jennie and Shannen about the “controversy” — Jennie saying she was “bummed” that Tori pulled out, Shannen just happy anyone asked her for comment. AND NOW TODAY, we learn that Extra TV talked to Tori Spelling herself about all of this 90210 hoopla and she is making it seem as if her return to the show isn’t as dire as we were led to believe … she, apparently, still hopes to make an appearance on the show “later in the season”:

Even though Donna Martin aka Tori Spelling isn’t in the 90210 spin-off premiere, it’s still possible that she could return to West Beverly High School. Despite recent reports that Spelling is no longer in talks at this time to appear in the series, two weeks ago Spelling told “Extra” that, “I was supposed to be in the pilot and then I had Stella [daughter] when they went back into production so it didn’t work out, but I’m hoping [to return] later in the season.”

Waitaminute … depending on when this interview took place and when Tori decided to “pull out” of the show, it’s not entirely clear what is going on. It still feels to me that all of the off-screen drama is meant to generate further hype for the new 90210. Again, I maintain that Tori Spelling will eventually reprise her role as Donna Martin on the new show. My money says it’s gonna happen … some way, some how. Any takers?

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Here is a new batch of promo pics featuring Jessica Simpson in support of her new Country album Do You Know:

And the world heaves a resounding ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. When will she learn that the trout-mouth pout does nothing for her?! Honestly, I’m pullin’ for the girl to enjoy some moniker of success with this new Country music venture … but she’s gotta give us a bit more to work with, yes?

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Pink reader Cassie gave me the head’s up that a cute pic of Lance Bass and (I’m gonna assume) his latest paramour Sebastian Leal lookin’ all cozy together showed up on a site called Polite in Public which, apparently, posts photos online that were taken inside their themed photobooths:

Now, as best as I can tell … Lance hosted a private party called the Beerjing Olympics and installed a Polite In Public photobooth so that his guests could take fun photos and, apparently, see them online. Looks like Mission: Accomplished. The event, the site says, took place on 08.08.08 (the same day that the Beijing Olympic Games took place) and looks like it was a lot of fun. Again, it’s hard to tell who the guy kissing on Lance’s cheek is but, as I said, I’m gonna assume it’s his latest boy toy Sebastian Leal. Click HERE to see all of the pics from Lance’s Beerjing Olympics party. Fun!

[Source; thanks Cassie]

Earlier this week there came a new report that Paris Hilton had not only parted ways with her most recent romantic interest, Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, but had already moved on with My Space CEO Chris DeWolfe after the pair were seen together at a public event. Now, I kinda didn’t believe that the report had any legs from the start (the report actually originated from a tech website) and it seems that I was right … here is a new pic of Paris and Benji together again at JFK International Airport in NYC earlier today lookin’ as happily attached as ever:

While I may not be the biggest fan of these two as an item (I’m not sure if it’s something I can ever get used to) I think it’s pretty clear that they are still happily together … or at the very least are still very friendly. I understand that Paris attended a Good Charlotte concert in NYC as well this week and was seen making her way onto their tour bus. I guess all is still right with these two. Do y’all think it’s good news or bad?

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

This week’s issue of OK! magazine which features Britney Spears on the cover, along with her first proper interview in about 2 years, doesn’t hit newsstands until this Thursday but here is a sneak preview of one of the pics of Britters and her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James that will be featured in the issue:

OY! While I can do without the family’s insane love of Cheetos, I can’t help but love the adorableness of this photo. While haters and nay-sayers will prolly find plenty to make fun of in this pic, I think you can see the genuine care and love that Britney has for her children (even if their nutritional care isn’t of paramount importance … I keed, I keed). Some folks think it might be too early to start celebrating Britney’s “return” just because of one lucid interview but I disagree … I think that Britney has shown time and time again over the past few months that she really does have her act together. This interview is but the latest positive step forward in her life. I will happily celebrate and commend her every step of the way. As much as I love this pic, you gotta admit, little Jayden looks a bit out of it (the first thing I thought of when I saw JJ’s expression in this pic was THIS) … he’s a damn cutie tho. Again, I’m really excited to read this interview in full … and I want to see the rest of the pics.

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At last … my new VW baby Wülfgang Jürgen-Klaüs is finally complete. Because of a missing part at the VW dealership where I purchased my new Tiguan I had to delay the installation of the included Bluetooth kit until I got back from my European vacay. Yesterday I was able to get that final installation taken care of and now my baby is complete! I managed to drop off Wülfie for service before Darion and I went out to see The Dark Knight in IMAX …

… by the time the epic film was finished, my Bluetooth was installed and all was right with the world. After I picked up my car, Darion and I went to Buddha’s Belly in Santa Monica for dinner and called it a night.

I’m telling you, seeing The Dark Knight in IMAX is a completely different experience than seeing it “merely” in theaters. IMAX is so larger than life, it’s deffo worth the trek if you have an IMAX near you. The size and clarity is just stunning … we had a great time. Dinner was fun, we walked a bit along the Third Street Promenade before going our separate ways. D met up with some friends for clubbin’ but I wanted to get home to chill.

I have an appointment this afternoon and possibly dinner plans with my friend Michael (who I haven’t seen in ages). Nothing too fancy going on … I’m trying to lie low until David arrives later on this week and we fly off to Jackson Hole, WY for our wedding — well, not our wedding but to attend the wedding of our dear friend Sashie. So yeah … I guess that is all.

• The Memphis Sheriff’s department revealed that singer Isaac Hayes suffered a stroke that led to his death.
• James Franco must not be proud of his own manhood if he has to fake it on screen. [thanks Justin]
• Rachel Hunter got engaged.
• Paris Hilton sued.
• The Elvis, Priscilla Presley wedding gets the Barbie & Ken treatment.
• OH MY … the Today Show cast will stop at nothing to embarrass the US in China.
• Adrien Grenier breaks up with his girlfriend Isabel Lucas after she was involved in that nasty car accident with Shia LaBeouf. Imagine that.
• Jason Statham is back for the Transporter 3.
• Online gay site Manhunt helping fund the McCain campaign?
• Jenny McCarthy hits the beach.
• Fergie goes commando in London.
• Are Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise gonna act together on screen … as opposed to in public?
• Are Madonna and Guy Ritchie lookin’ to adopt again?
• Dawnn Lewis (A Different World) is 47 and Danny Bonaduce is 49 years old today. Click HERE to see who else is celebrating a birthday today.
• Ugh. You might want to read THIS before you take your next trip to Burger King.
• An early behind-the-scenes look at the movie version of Coraline. [thanks Ashley]
• The opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China … in 60 secs.