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 …

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.

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."

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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" …

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."

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 …

Fergie at Black Eyed Peas Press Conference  —  Fergie might annoy all of us from time to time, but we've admitted that sometimes we can be a little harsh on her.  That being said, I love the fact that she crimped her hair for the Black Eyes Peas Press Conference in Sydney, which was held before their Pepsi Black Blue and You concert.