I really felt that Kara was going to be gone.  After last season, when the world realized that American Idol with four judges makes no sense, I thought she’d be out the door.  Anyway, isn’t she really bad?  I tuned in once and she was trying to teach a contestant the right way to sing — awkward!  But her contract has been renewed and this scares me.  It makes me wonder if they truly aren’t bringing back Paula.

I don’t really watch AI unless I’m beyond bored and I suspect the world is coming to an end, but with Paula off the show, what would be the motivation to ever tune in?  Ryan Seacrest continuing that “straight man” routine?  I guess that is pretty entertaining, now that I think about it …

Britney was seen — where else? — at a Starbucks drive-thru yesterday in L.A.  I was a little worried a few weeks ago when she went back to the crazy hair, but here she looks healthy, normal, and really pretty even with no makeup on!

Keep it up, Brit!  In another few months, you’ll be able to buy that Venti latte without your daddy’s permission!

According to TMZ, Debbie Rowe has resolved the issues regarding custody of her children with Michael Jackson.  You’ll love this — not a penny passed hands.  *coughbullshitcough*

Rowe will retain her parental rights — good move for later down the road when her bank balance gets a little low — and Katherine Jackson will be the children’s legal guardian.  As part of the agreement, Rowe requested the participation of a psychologist who will help integrate Debbie into the lives of her kids.  She will be on a visitation schedule with them, though no details on how much visitation.

Jude Law got some chick pregnant; she’s due this fall.  Her name hasn’t come out yet and they aren’t in a relationship, so it was probably a typical Jude Law conquest accomplished by a liberal application of Stoli and English charm (though, obviously lacking a liberal application of spermicide).

I started going through the photo agencies’ Jude Law pictures of the past year, looking for this mysterious female that is now impregnated with Law’s kid.  (Obviously, I think I’m Nancy Drew.)  I did find some pictures of him with a woman, and they just had that “look”.  You know the look, the one that says “We’ve swapped body fluids.”  They looked really intimate with their arms wrapped around each other and lots of eye-gazing.  I was pretty much convinced that I’d found her, until I realized that the chick he looked so enamored with was … his sister.

And scene.

At what age will Mel Gibson not be at clubs and getting into fights?  Whatever age that is, he clearly isn’t there yet.

Last night Mel was at a club with his pregnant girlfriend Oksana Gregorieva and a pap tried getting a picture of them.  He was stopped by security, but another photog friend stepped in to try and get the shot.  That’s when — what else? — Mel went batshit and ripped the dude’s shirt open.  No word on if he called the pap “sugar tits”.  Sigh.

You know, this “bad boy” personna — the trashed hotel rooms, the bar room brawls — is a rite of passage for many young thesps.  The problem is that Johnny Depp and Sean Penn did this crap in their twenties.  Mel Gibson is 53.

Expect that some sort of criminal case, not to mention the lawsuit for emotional distress, will be filed.  I wonder if Mel will ever make the connection between his alcohol consumption and the chaotic events of his life.

I had a feeling there was more to this story  than we were originally hearing.  Last night I told you about the replacement of Rachelle Lefevre, the actress who plays Victoria in the Twilight movies.  And, you know, she released a statement making it seem like she was pretty much blindsided by Summit Entertainment’s decision to go with a different actress — Bryce Dallas Howard — due to a minor “scheduling conflict”.  According to Summit’s rebuttal, Lefevre may be playing dumb:

We at Summit Entertainment are disappointed by Rachelle Lefevre’s recent comments which attempt to make her career choices the fault of the Studio.  

Her decision to discuss her version of the scheduling challenges publicly has forced the Studio to set the record straight and correct the facts.

It was not until July 20th that Summit was first informed of Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to Barney’s Version, a commitment we have since been advised she accepted in early June.  Summit had acted in good faith that she would be available to fulfill her obligations both in terms of rehearsals and shooting availability for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. We feel that her choice to withhold her scheduling conflict information from us can be viewed as a lack of cooperative spirit which affected the entire production.

Ms. Lefevre took a role in the other film that places her in Europe during the required rehearsal time, and at least ten days of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’s principal photography. This period is essential for both rehearsal time with the cast, and for filming at key locations that are only available during the initial part of production.

The fact remains that Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to the other project—which she chose to withhold from Summit until the last possible moment—makes her unfortunately unavailable to perform the role of Victoria in [Eclipse].

I think Rachelle needs to shut her mouth and chalk this up to one very expensive life lesson.  Well, if she ever hopes to work in Hollywood again, that is.

This is why we must all eschew any and all photo sessions that occur in the great outdoors.  Bridget Marquardt, Hef’s ex-girl next door, was a guest at last night’s Give and Get Fete, an event that supports Dress for Success.  The sun was cruel … as cruel as the hairstylist that keeps her looking like Washed Up Barbie.

Denise Richards appeared too, and I don’t know how I’ve never noticed this before, but she has a touch of the crazy eyes.  Tatyana Ali, best known for being on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air showed up as did a very skinny Guiliana Rancic.

Finally, Chelsea Handler learned a valuable lesson:  Skinny jeans are a privilege and not one that she’s earned.