Posted Jan. 8, 2009

(©BritneySpears.com)

Britney Spears looked happy, healthy and hard-bodied while posing in a low-cut black dress with tiny-tuxedo-clad sons Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden James, 2, in newly released photos snapped just before her brother Bryan's New Year's Eve wedding in New Orleans, but does she think she overindulged during the holidays? So says the Chicago Sun-Times, which claims the popster is unhappy because she "pigged out," prompting her to remain "glued to the TV" this week for Oprah's "Best Life" series. Brit, whose decision-making dad Jamie's permanent conservatorship just went into effect (a move that may or may not have had something to do with getting her upcoming "Circus" tour insured), has supposedly made sure not to miss any of the shows, which have featured the media mogul opening up about her weight gain and sharing diet and workout tips, along with suggestions on how to get your financial and spiritual houses in order. The paper says Spears has been taking "copious notes" on everything featured, although she might want to jot down a note to hire an assistant to do that for her.

Paris arrives at the People's Choice Awards on Jan. 7. (©Retna Ltd.)

For the second time this week, Paris Hilton is at the center of a story we find a wee bit hard to swallow. On the heels of "yeah, right"-inducing whispers that she's caught the eye of George Clooney comes this gem from the pages of Glamour UK. "I've only ever done it with a couple of people," she's quoted as telling the February issue of the mag (via the London Sun). "People make up stories, but mostly I just kiss. I think it's important to play hard to get." For those keeping track, at least one of those two people was Rick Salomon, who documented their deep, deep affection on videotape, complete with night-vision (ahem, not that we've seen it). The starlet, who broke up with Benji Madden in November and has a motley collection of exes that includes two Greek billion-heirs (Stavros Niarchos and Paris Latsis), one Backstreet Boy (Nick Carter) and a couple of models, advises the fairer sex to play hard to get. "Nobody wants the fake Prada bag -- they want the brand new bag that no one can get and is the most expensive," she pronounces. "If you give it up to a guy, he won't respect you. He'll want you much more if he can't have you." When asked whether she considers herself a feminist icon, Hilton opines, "I think so -- I'm a strong woman who doesn't depend on a man for anything and I believe in girl power. Plus, I don't apologize for anything, because women rock."

Josh Brolin lays a wet one on "Milk" co-star Sean Penn at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards on Jan. 5. (©AP)

Josh Brolin had better be on guard for flying fists and airborne phones the next time he crosses paths with Russell Crowe. He took a swipe at his "American Gangster" co-star at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards Monday night, where he picked up a supporting actor prize for "Milk." "Quite an actor, Sean Penn ... amazing," Josh told the crowd after the Oscar winner introduced him (via the New York Post). "And not an a--hole like Russell Crowe." Brolin blamed his candor on a bit of imbibing earlier in the evening, although he had a different explanation the following night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. "It was the ambiance of the room," insisted Mr. Diane Lane (via Hollyscoop.com). "I love him. I think he's amazing. He's a friend."

Liev Schreiber attends the London premiere of "Defiance" on Jan. 6. (©Retna Ltd.)

While most celebrity parents tend to stick with the party line by gushing how they're positively over the moon with their little nippers, Liev Schreiber, who welcomed his second son with Naomi Watts last month (big brother Sasha is 17 months old), is a mite more honest about the effort involved in childrearing. "I am struggling ... It's [bleeping] hard," the actor, who's currently out promoting the World War II flick "Defiance," admits to the Times of London. "So little sleep. It's 23 hours and 59 minutes of exhaustion. But then they do one little thing in that last minute that is just so compelling and fascinating that it makes the other 23 hours and 59 minutes worthwhile."

Nicole Richie helps Harlow with her first steps on Jan. 7. (©X17Online.com)

And finally, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's ridiculously cute daughter Harlow took her first paparazzi-snapped baby steps at a playground in Los Angeles on Wednesday, a momentous milestone that comes just four days before her first birthday. With her zebra-striped ensemble, bear cub hoodie and patent-leather Mary-Janes, the adorably chubby-cheeked tot is quickly closing in on Suri Cruise for the title of most fashionable diaper-wearing Hollywood offspring. Also celebrating a birthday is our favorite celebrity tyke, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, who hit the big 0-4 on Jan. 8.

Next: J.Lo & Marc, Parker & Broderick Plagued by Rift Rumors