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...

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.

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.

Brit & K-Fed Keep Working It Out  —  As they wait for the commissioner's decision in their bitter custody battle, Britney Spears met with K-Fed again on Monday — for a parenting session.  —  Britney arrived at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills this morning for her court-ordered counseling session with Kevin Federline.

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.

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 …

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...

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Britney Pulled Over — Insanity Ensues  —  YOU'VE GOTTA SEE THIS!!!  —  Britney Spears was pulled over by an L.A. Sheriff last night — and while she got off with just a warning, the scene around the car was complete insanity.  —  TMZ caught Spears and ex-assistant/"cousin" …

Angelina Pregnancy Rumors Never Die  —  Shiloh's days as the only chosen one might be numbered.  The Sun reports that Angelina Jolie was set to speak at a conference in Italy, but pulled out because she's knocked up.  Italian newspapers reported a bun in the oven was the reason why Angie cancelled.

'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 …

Baby and Baby Arrive  —  Am I finally first?  Thanx 4 the video Perez!  —  #3 - laura says - reply to this  —  See Britney?  That's how you get a baby into a car.  Not hard is it??  —  #4 - miss-muffin says - reply to this  —  second?  —  #5 - Gimme moar says - reply to this

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 …