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."

Pete Wentz Shows Off His Broken Ankle  —  Ashlee Simpson, grab an ice pack: Pete Wentz injured himself during a concert over the weekend in New Orleans, but the Fall Out Boy rocker lived to blog about it.  —  Wentz, 28, posted photos of his bruised broken ankle on the site FriendsorEnemies.com.

Bill O'Reilly Sends A Producer To Do His Dirty Work  —  Bill O'Reilly sent a producer and camera to a Rosie O'Donnell book signing this past weekend in Long Island.  They ambushed Rosie and started asking her if she regrets "saying 9/11 was an inside job."  Rosie tells them she didn't say that.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

'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 …

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 …

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 …

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" …

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...

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.

Brit & K-Fed Learn Them Some More Parentology  —  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.

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.