Since Britney Spears isn't in control of her own affairs at the moment, she can't make a plea bargain in her driving-without-a-license case, a Van Nuys, California, judge decided Wednesday (February 20). Spears' attorney for the criminal case told the court that the singer's conservatorship attorneys don't feel she's capable of making an agreement, giving a deposition or signing a declaration at the moment, so Judge T.K. Herman continued the case until March 20. The misdemeanor charge stems from an incident in August in which Spears was videotaped hitting a parked car and leaving the scene without notifying the other driver (the hit-and-run charge was later dropped). Spears was denied visitation rights with her two sons in an unrelated hearing Tuesday. ...

Hayden Panettiere must have absorbed someone's musical powers, because the "Heroes" star is putting out a debut album later this year on Hollywood Records. Panettiere, who spent some of her downtime during the writers' strike shooting a Candies campaign for spring 2008 at New York's Serendipity 3, also resumed recording on her debut, which she started working on when she was 15 years old. "I've grown up a lot since I started," she said. Panettiere is also expanding her acting résumé, playing a younger version of Emily Watson's character in the upcoming film "Fireflies in the Garden," which co-stars Julia Roberts and Ryan Reynolds. "My mom always says you don't know you've done a film until you're sitting in the movie theater watching it, so I get a little nervous saying anything!" ...

Ellen DeGeneres skipped right to the tough questions during Christina Aguilera's appearance on her show, which is set to air Wednesday. "You look great," DeGeneres told the new mother, who sported a low-cut shirt. "One question: Are you nursing?" A blushing Aguilera responded: "I guess it's a little obvious." DeGeneres quipped back, "It's going to be a healthy baby boy." ... When Comedy Central's animated series "Lil' Bush" returns for another season, the young version of Republican political mastermind Karl Rove will get to show off his rap skills as MC Rove. So which hip-hop luminary will lend his or her rhymes? Kevin Federline! The aspiring rapper will be a guest voice on the season-two premiere, which airs March 13 at 10:30 p.m. ET. ...

Lindsay Lohan's recent re-creation of a nude Marilyn Monroe photo shoot was given the OK by mom/manager Dina Lohan. "It was very tastefully done," Dina told People magazine. "I respect the photographer as an artist, so I look at them artistically." Dina said her actress daughter felt that the New York magazine pictorial was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. "Lindsay was very excited when she first got the phone call," Dina said. "Of course we talked about how they would be done. Lindsay said, 'Mommy, I'm never going to get this opportunity to do it again.' She was very thankful she was asked." Dad Michael Lohan also approved of the shots, but that doesn't mean he'll pick up the issue. "I'm not going to look at the photos — that's my daughter!" he told UsMagazine. ... In other Lindsay news, despite her appearance at a taping for "Monday Night RAW" on Monday (duh), she isn't planning any more stops at wrestling events, as some fan sites have surmised. When asked by MTV News, the actress' rep shot down rumors that Lohan would appear at "WrestleMania XXIV" with a simple "not true." ...

Aretha Franklin is not getting any R-E-S-P-E-C-T from PETA. After her Grammys appearance, the animal-rights organization named Franklin queen — of its worst-dressed celebrities list, which targets famous fur and leather wearers. Also on the list, released Wednesday, are Marilyn Manson ("his wardrobe is a real-life tale of blood and guts"); Eva Longoria ("in her trashy furs, she looks like the streetwalker of Wisteria Lane"); Lohan (" 'I Know Who Killed Me' ... the cry of the animals snuffed out so that this 'mean girl' can pose in their pelts"); Kate Moss ("nothing completes the transition from supermodel to super-tramp like a fur coat"); and Kylie Minogue (called "cold-blooded" for carrying a snakeskin purse). ...

Perhaps Longoria and her cohorts can take style cues from Pharrell Williams, who was given the much-less-dubious honor of being named InStyle's "Man of Style." Since Pharrell has two clothing lines in the bag and a jewelry line forthcoming, the mag asked him to spill his style secrets for the latest issue. Pharrell described his clothing lines, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream, as "basically everything I ever wanted as a kid but couldn't afford — and if I could have afforded it, no one was making it." He started out wearing Vans and Vision Streetwear, but an admiration of Rakim led him to Dapper Dan threads and gold chains. Though Pharrell had his own gold-chains phase, he insists he's "more subtle" now, and counts George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Robert Redford among those he admires. "I don't like ice, and I don't like bling," Pharrell told the mag. "I just like jewelry — beautiful stones and incredible settings. I'm not a loud or look-at-me individual. And even when it seemed like I was, it was more a sense of artistic expression." So for his own jewelry line, designed for Louis Vuitton's spring collection, Pharrell drew upon ethnic, art-deco and aristocratic influences — "It's pretty sick," he said. Next up for Pharrell is a furniture line, set to debut in Switzerland in June. "I have no social life [anymore]," he said, "but it's worth it. There's no creativity in partying — not for me." Britney, are you listening? Watch Pharrell talk about his fashion preferences at InStyle. ...

Working at MTV has its perks — and former "TRL" VJ Vanessa Minnillo hopes that one of hers is a blossoming movie career. After a small role in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," Minnillo wants more, as she told Vegas magazine. "When I was on the set of 'Fantastic Four,' I loved it," she said. "I respected everyone's work ethic. It was like a mini-family, and I want to continue doing it, whether it's action or comedy or action/comedy. I can pull off physical comedy; I'm athletic enough not to get hurt easily." Despite her lack of acting experience, Minnillo feels that her hosting résumé ("TRL" and "Entertainment Tonight") gives her a good start. "Acting is a different way to entertain people," she tells the mag. (Click here for photos from the issue.) "Most people know how to be themselves in front of the camera, but interpreting a character takes a lot. Once I get the right role, I'll just feel it." She's turned down a few offers already, she said, including one where she would have been a "bikini terrorist" and another where she would have been "some crazy girl at Mardi Gras doing anything for beads!" Meanwhile, In Touch Weekly reports that Minnillo has picked a part in a film called "Redefining Love". Minnillo's contract with both MTV and ET ended in April. ...

Jesse McCartney is looking for love online — and you can find him on JDate, a Jewish singles network (even though he is not Jewish). The 20-year-old singer/songwriter writes in his profile (under the screen name jbagel07) that he has a "pretty simple outlook": "I love life, love what I do, love my fam, friends, and want to meet someone who is willing to share all of that with me." So for interested parties, he would like to have children someday, smokes occasionally, drinks socially, has only completed high school but would prefer a mate with a college education, and considers himself a left-wing moderate. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, dining out, traveling, golf, skiing and wine tasting. For a first date, he's up for "whatever you wanna do — crazy or low key. I'm down." McCartney notes that he's "fortunate enough" to have made music his profession, and adds in his profile that he's working on his third album (Departure, out May 20).

2.19.08

Lindsay Lohan has done some racy photo shoots in the past, but she takes it to a whole new level in New York magazine to pay tribute to her idol. The recently rehabbed actress re-created Marilyn Monroe's famous "Last Sitting" nude pictorial for the mag's spring fashion issue with the shoot's original photographer, Bert Stein. So was she nervous about getting in front of the camera wearing nothing but a chiffon scarf? "I was comfortable with it," she told New York, though she admitted to doing "250 crunches" the previous night. On set for Lohan's revealing re-creation was a small entourage of her manager; her security guard; a makeup artist and assistant; a hairstylist and assistant; a stylist; a manicurist; a sentry posted to guard the on-loan diamonds; the photographer and his manager; two photo assistants; and the actress' younger sister, Ali. (By comparison, Stern's original shoot with Monroe was just him and his subject). "Here's a woman who is giving herself to the public," Lohan said of the original photos. "She's saying, 'Look, you've taken a lot from me, so why don't I give it to you myself.' She's taking control back." ...

After taking home five Grammys at least week's awards, Amy Winehouse will appear at the Brit Awards in London Wednesday night, her publicist confirmed. The performance will be Winehouse's first appearance on a British television program since she left a London rehab clinic two weeks ago. ...

Indie powerhouse TVT Records, home to rap stars Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins, will file for bankruptcy protection, label head Steve Gotleib announced Tuesday. According to Billboard, the New York company will continue to operate, but a number of staff members have been let go, and several acts, though not confirmed as of press time, will become free agents. The Gotleib-founded TVT rose to prominence in the '80s after releasing rock albums by Nine Inch Nails and made larger strides beginning in the '90s with its roster of hip-hop acts. Recent legal battles with Def Jam Records and Slip-N-Slide over projects by Ja Rule and Pitbull before each gained notoriety zapped TVT of millions of dollars. ... "Dancing With the Stars" typically appeals to an older demographic, but Mario hopes to bring his young fans to the competition. The R&B crooner will join "American Pie" star Shannon Elizabeth, Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, Olympic gold medalist Kristy Yamaguchi and more on the reality show's new season, which kicks off March 17 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. ...

The producers of "American Idol" have teamed up with Apple's iTunes Store, giving "Idol" fans the chance to purchase music by their favorite contestants before the show's winner is crowned. Starting this week, iTunes will offer downloads of every performance from the top 24 semifinalists, for 99 cents; full videos of the final 12 contestants will be offered for $1.99 beginning March 12. iTunes will also allow customers to pre-order tracks from a given contestant for automatic download the day after "Idol" airs. One-click access to the store is being made available from the show's official Web site. ... "American Idol" victor Jordin Sparks will be the opening act on Alicia Keys' upcoming North American tour, which kicks off April 19 in Hampton, Virginia. The tour concludes June 18 with a performance at New York's Madison Square Garden. ...

They haven't even been born yet, but apparently Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's twins are already earning some cash. People magazine reportedly shelled out $6 million for the first crack at photos of the babies, while OK! struck an exclusive deal for international rights to the pictures, according to MSNBC. ... Heidi Klum to the rescue! According to an AP report, the model and "Project Runway" host wants to help Britney Spears and said she'd be willing to open her home to the troubled pop star while she tries to put her life back together. "She can call me and come live in our house with us for a couple of months," Klum said. "I would help set her straight. I am sorry when a young person gets thrown so off-track. She has, of course, lived an extremely wild life." No word on whether Spears will take her up on the offer. ...

According to The Associated Press, the Spice Girls' tour-bus driver assisted police in the arrest of a Michigan man, who is the chief suspect in a carjacking. Police told the wire service that the bus driver called 911 to report a possible drunk driver weaving in and out of traffic on Interstate 75, just outside of Detroit, on Saturday. (The Spice Girls were performing that night in nearby Auburn Hills.) The motorist was arrested and turned over to police in the town of Burton in connection with a carjacking at a gas station. Police did not identify the Spice Girls' bus driver or the man who was arrested. ...

Pink's marriage might be ending, but her movie career is still moving forward. She shot Catacombs several years ago, and now the horror film is finally seeing the light of day — or, at least, the DVD shelf — when it is released in video stores Tuesday (February 19). "It takes place in Paris," Pink told MTV News when she first shot the movie. "I'm an expatriate who moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne, but I dropped out, because I like to party, and my friends run all these underground parties in the Paris tunnels, where they have all these ancient remains of people. And people actually do party underground there. It's all true. It's pretty amazing and intricate, actually." Pink's character then invites her younger sister (played by Shannyn Sossamon) to come and visit, and because her sib is "very high-anxiety, an annoying nervous wreck," Pink decides to invite her to the catacomb parties to "mess with her a little bit. It's all about family ties and how evil we can be to our siblings and what we get for doing that," Pink said. Despite the film's locale, she only shot in the City of Lights for four days, and the rest of Catacombs was actually shot in Bucharest, Romania. "It's cheaper," she shrugged. ...

My Chemical Romance have revealed details of their upcoming tour. The trek will feature openers Billy Talent and Drive By, and get under way March 28 in Tempe, Arizona. Dates are scheduled through May 6 in Philadelphia. ... Green Jellÿ, that long-forgotten mock-metal outfit behind the infectious "Three Little Pigs," have reformed and are in the process of booking a national tour for this summer. The band will also re-release 1991's Cereal Killer and 1994's 333 LPs, along with a DVD of all their videos. For now, Green Jellÿ are scheduled to play the new Milwaukee Metalfest on June 7 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...

Camp Freddy, the cover band featuring Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, ex-Cult bassist Billy Morrison and Velvet Revolver's Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland, will be taking over Los Angeles' Roxy Theatre "every Thursday night during the month of May for our very first residency," the band reports. "Each week we will perform a different set list, and the evening's performance will culminate with two or three songs featuring our very special guests of the night. We will not be advertising these guests in advance. The band will be joined each week by our good friend and longtime Camp Freddy cohort [Sugar Ray's] Mark McGrath." ...

On Saturday, Bury Your Dead guitarist Eric Ellis was attacked by six individuals following the band's performance at the Rave in Milwaukee. Ellis was held at gunpoint while the men hit him multiple times with a baseball bat and hammer. Local police have characterized the incident as a "gang initiation." Despite his injuries, Ellis and the rest of the band will continue on with their tour alongside Hellyeah. "It will take more than this to stop Bury Your Dead," the band said in a statement. ...

Ska-punk act Goldfinger will return April 22 with Hello Destiny, which will be issued by Side One Dummy Records. The album follows 2005's Disconnect Notice and will feature founding guitarist Charlie Paulsen, who parted ways with the band in 1997. ... Portland, Maine, rockers 6Gig will be reuniting for two hometown gigs. The shows are set for April 25 and April 26, at the Big Easy. ... Foxy Shazam will be hitting the road with Portugal. the Man starting March 17 in El Paso, Texas. The trek runs through March 27 in San Francisco. ...

Underoath have tapped Matt Goldman and Killswitch Engage's Adam Dutkiewicz to produce their forthcoming album, which they've written eight songs for so far and will begin recording in about a month. Meanwhile, the band's "Live" CD/DVD set will hit stores May 13.