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...

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."

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.

Diana Ross gets supremely carried away - with the make-up brush  —  Supremes' legend Diana 'call me Miss' Ross is rarely seen in public looking less than her glamorous best.  —  And on this occasion she almost achieved it - were it not for the garish make-up she plastered on.

Kim Kardashian's Baby Sisters Continue To Be Sexual, Age Inappropriate [Flashing With The Kardashians]  —  On last night's Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and momager Kris all headed down to Joe Francis' multi-million dollar vacation home in Puerto Vallarta …

Lohan Backs out of Party, Wants to "Focus on Sobriety"  —  For the second time this year, Lindsay Lohan has backed out of hosting a party in Las Vegas.  —  As recently as last week, 21-year-old Lohan was scheduled to attend a New Year's Eve blowout at Vegas nightclub LAX …

Britney Spears Puts Romo Rumors To Rest  —  Britney responds to Romo reports.  —  After her custody hearing on Friday, BRITNEY SPEARS and buddy ALLI SIMS were spotted hanging out with Dallas Cowboys QB TONY ROMO, according to People magazine.  But according to Britney's camp, "Britney is presently attending co-parenting class.

Kid Rock Won't Face Charges in VMA Fight  —  Kid Rock will not be charged in the fight with Tommy Lee at the MTV Video Music Awards, Las Vegas authorities said Monday.  —  "The Clark County District Attorney's Office will not pursue a battery charge," Chief Deputy District Attorney Ron Bloxham tells Extra.

JUST AS WELL  —  FORGETFULNESS got Ivanka Trump off the hook Friday night, when the exhausted heiress was coaxed by friends to hit East Village staple Black & White - but wasn't let in because she didn't have her ID.  "She had Adam Duritz in tow, they were all at a birthday party together," said our spy.

First Pictures Of Wanted  —  Universal have supplied us with the first pictures from Wanted, Timor Bekmambetov's (Night Watch) upcoming action movie, based on Mark Millar's graphic novel series.  —  The film stars James McAvoy - officially nicest and most delightfully Scottish man in the world …

Britney church shocker  —  Britney Spears is now set to outrage the Catholic Church with this kinky "confession" photo-shoot.  —  In the shortest of skirts, the troubled star flashes her fishnet stocking-clad legs in the confessional box while a handsome priest listens to her repenting.

NOT BEN'S WORDS  —  DETAILS editor-in-chief Dan Peres has his tail between his legs after his November cover boy, Ben Affleck, was misquoted in an article by Bart Blasengame.  In the December editor's letter, Peres apologizes for quoting Affleck as saying, "I've gone out and directed a movie …

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 …

Kylie is a glamour girl in gold, but what's happened to ex Olivier Martinez?  —  Pop star Kylie Minogue has been honoured with a prestigious music industry award.  —  Stunning the crowd at a charity gala hosted in her honour, Kylie looked the picture of elegance in a Dolce & Gabanna golden brown gown.

Mel B's 'Dancing' Triumph & Cameron's Thong Promise  —  Spice Girl Mel B made a stunning showing on "Dancing with the Stars," netting a perfect score for her rumba alongside partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, on Monday night.  —  "It was fantastic," judge Len Goodman exclaimed after Mel's sexy dance.

MAMA'S BOY  —  REALITY show staple Brody Jenner has a faithful assistant - his mother.  "Brody's mom RSVP's for him to parties," said our source.  "She called on his behalf for the L.A. Confidential Hypnotiq Halloween party Tuesday night."  We wonder if she also made...

Christian Groups Claim Pro-Atheist 'Stealth Campaign' in Nicole Kidman Fantasy Film 'The Golden Compass'  —  A children's fantasy film that stars Nicole Kidman and features a little girl on a quest to kill God has some Christian groups upset over what they believe is a ploy to promote atheism to kids.