Catholics slam Britney Spears pix as 'bottom of barrel' stunt  —  DAILY NEWS WEST COAST BUREAU CHIEF  —  LOS ANGELES - Kinky photos of a half-naked Britney Spears perched on a priest's lap and leaning seductively against a church confessional sparked outrage among Catholic leaders.

BARKING PUPPY  —  JOAQUIN Phoenix is bristling at Eva Mendes' wisecrack that doing "We Own the Night" with him was "kind of like working with a puppy dog or a 2-year-old."  Phoenix rants to the December Playboy: "Had I known I was supposed to be a puppy dog, I would...

Rumer Willis Says Fame Is a '24-Hour Job'  —  Rumer Willis  —  Rumer Willis is ready to accept the 'round-the-clock responsibility of being famous.  —  Presented over the weekend with a Rumer Willis Polly Pocket Doll - which she helped auction off for $5,500 to charity …

Nicole Richie Denies Smoking While Pregnant  —  Despite a New York Post report on Monday that a pregnant Nicole Richie was spotted smoking in New York twice over the past week, the reality star's rep says she's not even in the country!  —  Richie's rep tells Extra that accounts of Richie smoking are "irresponsible and untrue."

ive got good news and bad news, which do you want to hear first?  —  for anyone who was at the voodoo fest in new orleans- you got to see me jump around.  ended up breaking the bone that connects my shin to my foot.  no shows will be cancelled.  i am currently trying to get a "rocker" boot so i can have a walking cast.

O'REILLY'S GUYS AMBUSH ROSIE  —  BILL O'Reilly has once again targeted Rosie O'Donnell, sending a cameraman and a field producer to her latest book signing on Long Island to taunt and tape her while she autographed copies for adoring fans.  —  O'Donnell was taken aback when O'Reilly producer …

Jury selected for Anna Nicole son case  —  NASSAU, Bahamas - Anna Nicole Smith's mother said Tuesday that she hopes an inquest into the death of her 20-year-old grandson will lead to justice as a Nassau court selected a jury to hear the case.  —  Virgie Arthur, who flew to the Bahamas …

Angelina's hands are even wrinklier than Clint Eastwoods', but is she pregnant?  —  Angelina Jolie is one of the world's most beautiful women, best known for her alluring, pouty mouth.  —  But in a candid on set shot, stood next to septugenarian director Clint Eastwood …

Joan Collins' see-through dress shows her best supporting part  —  She may approaching her 75th birthday, but Joan Collins still knows how to cause a stir.  —  Attending a charity event in New York last night, the British actress pulled back her white fur stole only to reveal an almost completely see-through lace top.

Pierce Brosnan — The Name is Battery Suspect  —  TMZ has learned the L.A. County Sheriff's Department is investigating Pierce Brosnan for allegedly battering a man in Malibu.  —  The incident allegedly occurred outside Casa Escobar last Friday in a Malibu mall about 6:15 PM.

'Tom Cruise doesn't shove Scientology down our throats,' insists David Beckham  —  David Beckham has opened up about his new life in Los Angeles and his friendship with Hollywood heavyweight and devout Scientologist Tom Cruise.  —  The LA Galaxy player, who forged a close bond with the actor …

Britney's Lawyer Files Request to End Her Random Drug Testing  —  Britney Spears' attorney filed a motion to change the singer's twice-weekly random drug testing at a hearing for her ongoing custody battle with ex Kevin Federline October 26 in L.A. Superior Court, according to court papers released Tuesday.

Barack Obama camp elects not to use Brad Pitt  —  Would Brad Pitt be a liability for Barack Obama?  —  When the socially conscious star offered to help the Democratic contender's presidential campaign, he was turned down, our sources report.  —  The overture was made through intermediaries …

J.No!  Lopez's demands anger her label  —  Plus: Kelly Osbourne to score Broadway deal?  —  The Scoop  —  Jennifer Lopez might have to start looking for a new label if she wants to make another original record.  A source close to Epic Records and Epic's parent company, Sony BMG …

Madonna & Tupac Shakur's love child?  Almost happened  —  Can you imagine the child of Madonna and Tupac Shakur?  According to Lucy O'Brien's new book, "Madonna: Like an Icon," out Tuesday, it almost happened.  —  O'Brien says Madonna, in her mid-30s, "desperately wanted children and had various relationships with unlikely men."

CHEEKY LOLITA BARES ALL  —  HUSBAND SORRY FOR SEX TAPE  —  Amy Fisher's contrite hubby said yesterday he regrets lashing out at his then-estranged wife by hawking their private sex tape to a notorious smut peddler.  —  Lou Bellera sold the rights to "Amy Fisher Caught on Tape" …

Heather Mills kills dog  —  Heather Mills' recent firework display scared her neighbour's dog to death, the pooch's owner has claimed.  —  Sandra Rowbury - who lives yards from the former model's East Sussex mansion - says her Weimaraner bitch Glow was terrified by the loud explosions and suffered a fatally bloated gut.