UPSTART HOTTIE RATTLES BRITNEY  —  Britney Spears nearly skipped her chance to make a $500,000 music video - but showed up when she realized her Jive Records label was about to give the shot to a younger, up-and-coming singer.  —  "Britney was supposed to shoot a video for her song 'Pieces …

Amy Winehouse - a 4am visit from junkie rocker Pete Doherty - and the mysterious bag of 'white stuff'  —  With her junkie husband currently behind bars, it was hoped that his absence may give Amy Winehouse the space to sort herself out.  —  But instead the troubled singer has been spotted …

New York Minute  —  Sultry Eva Green brightened up a snowy Sunday when she swooped into "The Golden Compass" premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater.  (Sadly for fans, stars Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and the 600-pound polar "Ice Bear" stayed away.)  But the film was a hit with the dozens …

Tina Fey Says Paula Abdul Was 'Awful' As SNL Guest Host  —  Tina Fey isn't done bashing celebs.  —  In the new issue of Playboy, the 30 Rock star (and former Saturday Night Live head writer), 37, said Paula Abdul, 45, "was awful" while hosting SNL in 2005.

MELON MADNESS  —  HELENA Bonham Carter says her breasts created headaches during the production of "Sweeney Todd," which hits movie theaters Christmas Day.  "Anyone who . . . pays attention to my breast size will see there's no continuity," she tells January's Playboy.

Asperger's Syndrome Gets a Very Public Face  —  Heather Kuzmich has the neurological disorder known as Asperger's syndrome.  She is socially awkward, has trouble making eye contact and is sometimes the target of her roommates' jokes.  —  But what makes the 21-year-old Ms. Kuzmich different …

Jennifer Love Hewitt Shows Off Antique Engagement Ring  —  The chemistry between Jennifer Love Hewitt and her fiancé Ross McCall wasn't the only thing turning heads December 2 as they made their way arm-in-arm through Maui International Airport: The actress, 28, showed off her engagement ring for the first time!

HoHan's Booty Call  —  There were stories last week that Lindsay Lohan was texting Heath Ledger while she was in NYC over the Thanksgiving holiday.  New Weekly Magazine claims they were doing much more than texting.  They say Heath and Lindsay were f**king all night long.

Usher's Wife Takes Aim At Critics.  —  Usher's Wife Takes Aim At Critics....  The mother of R&B star Usher's baby boy has lashed out at the singer's jealous fans, who have made her life a misery ever since the couple announced its engagement.  —  Tameka Foster, who wed Usher in September …

Selma Blair Returns to the Singles Scene  —  Selma Blair is back on the market.  The actress confirms to PEOPLE, "I'm single."  —  So when did she split with boyfriend Matthew Felker?  "Oh, it was a while ago," the star explained at the L.A. opening of the new Kiki De Montparnasse lingerie store.

Report: 'Knots Landing' Star Joan Van Ark Trying to Hide Cosmetic Surgery  —  "Knots Landing" actress Joan Van Ark appeared at a recent Hollywood benefit to be using makeup to conceal what appeared to be several cosmetic surgeries gone wrong, the Daily Mail reported.

Adrianne Curry's January 2008 Playboy Cover  —  Adrianne Curry graces the cover of Playboy Magazine for the upcoming January issue and Hollyscoop got first dibs on the cover.  This is the second time that Curry has been in the mag but this time around she decided to feature her best friend …

Rep: Amy Winehouse Had Been Asleep  —  What was Amy Winehouse doing wandering outside in London's predawn chill wearing only jeans and a red bra?  —  "She was not on an all-night bender," her U.K. rep tells PEOPLE of Winehouse's appearance outside her flat at 5:45 a.m. Sunday morning.

Angelina Jolie Tells Us Her Family Will Be Spending Christmas in New Orleans  —  Namibia?  Nope.  —  India?  Try again.  —  Malibu?  Keep guessing.  —  The jet-setting Brangelina clan are spending the holidays in ... New Orleans!  —  Angelina Jolie spoke to Usmagazine.com …

Nicole Richie, Joel Madden Shower 100 Moms with Baby Gifts  —  Not many kids have a foundation launched in their honor before they're born.  But that will be one of the many privileges bestowed upon Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's baby, due in January.  —  The couple hosted …

Slimmed down Lily Allen reveals: 'I used to feel short, fat and ugly'  —  She shed 19lb in six weeks after being diagnosed with a heart murmur, now Lily Allen is celebrating her slim line physique with a sultry new photo shoot.  —  The Smile singer makes a smoldering appearance on the cover of this month's GQ magazine.

David's bracelet gifts  —  VIP BACKSTAGE AT THE SPICE GIRLS' FIRST NIGHT  —  We're used to David Beckham splashing out on presents for his other half.  —  But Becks surprised his wife and the rest of the Spice Girls when he bought £50,000 of stunning diamond-encrusted bracelets for them all.

PICKING PENELOPE OVER ANNA  —  NOBODY can distract Bill Clinton from a hot tamale like Penelope Cruz - not even intimidating Vogue editrix Anna Wintour.  Last Thursday, Clinton was seated next to Wintour and Queen Sofia of Spain at the Spanish Institute Gold Medal Gala on Park Avenue.