Project Runway recap project.  —  Of course we watched the first episode of the third season of Project Runway last night, and we have six words (preferably sung):  —  Bas-ket hat!  —  Bas-ket hat!  —  Baaaaaaaas-ket hat!  —  You know, we have to give credit to Vincent …

Jessica Simpson's Birthday Fiesta  —  Simpson in Mexico on July 10  —  Ten days after her divorce from Nick Lachey became final, Jessica Simpson marked her 26th birthday on Monday with her parents and several close friends in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  —  On the agenda for Simpson and hers pals …

The TomKat/Suri Conspiracy Timeline  —  It's been 86 days since the birth of Suri Cruise — and about a split-second since the latest conspiracy theory about Hollywood's most elusive baby.  —  New rumors surface by the hour — that Tom and Katie are holding out for a better magazine photo deal …

Christie Brinkley Calls It Quits with Husband No. 4  —  Supermodel Christie Brinkley recently told "Extra," "My life is full and rich."  But now comes more marital heartache for Billy Joel's former Uptown Girl.  —  Brinkley announced Tuesday that she and her fourth husband, handsome architect Peter Cook, have split.

Kevin Federline now a paid party guest  —  Plus: Def Leppard is a vegetarian-friendly band  —  Want K-Fed to attend your party?  It will cost you!  —  Britney Spears' hubby has been earning extra cash by charging to show up at soirees; his fee for a cameo, according to In Touch Weekly, is a whopping $20,000.

Superman Nude?  Reports Says Playgirl Offers Brandon Routh Deal  —  Superman Returns star Brandon Routh has received an offer of $500,000 to pose nude for Playgirl, In Touch Weekly is reporting.  But according to the report the star has yet to accept as he's uncertain he wants to go that route.

Paris, Nicole: Fighting on Simple Life 5?  —  Hilton (left) and Richie  —  PHOTO BY: DAVE HOGAN / GETTY; NPX / STARMAX  —  E! Entertainment Television has ordered a fifth season of the reality series The Simple Life, E! Networks president and CEO Ted Harbert announced at the Television Critics Association press tour on Tuesday.

Jackson sued by ex-wife Rowe over payment  —  LOS ANGELES - Debbie Rowe, the former Mrs. Michael Jackson, has sued the pop singer, claiming he has failed to pay her what he promised when the two divorced in 1999.  —  In the lawsuit, filed July 3 in Los Angeles Superior Court …

Lance and Matt Get All Sweaty  —  Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey went for a jog in Malibu yesterday before the ESPY Awards.  Armstrong served as the show's host and McConaughey was a presenter.  —  Armstrong and McConaughey have been spotted together quite often lately.

Armstrong, Sorenstam ESPY's top athletes  —  LOS ANGELES - Lance Armstrong cracked risque jokes as the first athlete to host the ESPY Awards, then picked up his fourth consecutive male athlete of the year trophy Wednesday night.  —  "It wasn't rigged, I promise," he told the Kodak Theatre audience …

The Taming of the Slur  —  WHISPERS follow her like so many eyes.  She is the one who will go home with you, the sure bet, the kind of girl you can lie down with and then walk all over.  She is ogled, envied and often ostracized.  She is the slut.  —  The word, which originated in the Middle Ages …

Want To Wake Up With Beyonce?  Revealing Photo Spread Takes You Inside Her Morning  —  Diva tells Giant magazine about 'easy' relationship with Jay-Z, early issues with father/manager.  —  Beyoncé in Giant magazine  —  The recording of Beyoncé's upcoming B'Day album was kept a secret …

Fashion line creates a suit for Beyonce  —  In the muggy doldrums of July, Lowdown's thoughts turn to civil litigation.  —  Yesterday, bootylicious Beyoncé Knowles got smacked with a $1.5 million lawsuit by a man who claims she breached a contract and didn't pay him enough for brokering …

Dis calls on Raven to baby-sit  —  Raven-Symone is attached to star in the Walt Disney Pictures remake of "Adventures in Babysitting."  At the same time, she has signed an acting and producing deal that includes a guaranteed pay or play on one movie, with an option for a second.

Lindsay Lohan: 'Redheads Great In Bed'.  —  Lindsay Lohan: 'Redheads Great In Bed'....  Actress Lindsay Lohan  —  has slammed the myth that blondes have more fun, insisting it's redheads who should be envied.  —  The Herbie Fully Loaded star insists her flame-coloured locks make her naturally …

Gwyneth Paltrow To Play Psychotic Woman  —  No, the character is not supposed to be based on Gwyneth herself.  The actress is said to be in talks with Dreamworks to join the Farrelly Brothers ("There's Something About Mary") comedy.  It's a remake of the film "Seven Day Itch."

Photo: Lost Highway  —  Johnny Cash's American V: A Hundred Highways earned the #1 spot on Billboard's albums chart with 88,000 copies sold during a slow holiday week at retail — overall sales for the nation's top 200 albums were down by nearly 450,000 units, according to SoundScan.