FROM THE NEWS DESK: A Meltdown Trifecta!

By George Larrimore & McKay Heim

BURBANK, Calif. (February 20, 2007) ? THE OTHER SHOE: It finally dropped on Britney Spears, so we stand back today and take in some information straight from the source; our man Michael Lewittes in New York. Michael is well connected with Friends Of Britney. Has lots and lots of numbers that you and I don’t have.

Michael reports; Britney Spears checked into rehabilitation facility in the Los Angeles (more specifically, Malibu) area yesterday for rehab that had been a long time coming and well overdue. The same day Lynne Spears, on the verge of tears, told Access Hollywood. “We love our daughter.”

After a lot of speculation about whether or not she had already done time in rehab (there was that weekend rumor about her visiting Eric Clapton’s place ‘Crossroads’ in Antigua).Turns out it wasn’t.On Valentine’s Day the Spears family staged an intervention with Britney and actually checked her into a facility. “She hasn’t been reasonable in a good while,” said a source, who noted Britney has been “drinking, partying” and suffering from years of “instabilities.” The source also “it?s not just stardom,” and that she needs “deep healing with [her] family.” Nevertheless, during her last few desperate few days, “she wanted her daddy.”

The source also told Access Hollywood’s Michael Lewittes that even after everything that’s transpired of late — the shaving of her head, the acting out — it is all of little concern to her parents. They just want her well. And they “will not give up — ever.”

Meanwhile, Spears’ kid sister Jamie Lynn is back home in Louisiana, “trying to do normal things,” but she, too, is “suffering.”

The family is “hopeful” that this round of rehab will work and have asked that those who love her “pray for help.”

Support and understand (and breathing room) from a lot of people (including the media) could be exactly the right thing for Britney right now.

LET HER REST: The best thing in the Anna Nicole Smith matter right now would be some decisive action, and less grandstanding by Judge Larry Seidlin. Someone in the office today noted his “Zen? manner of instructing people in his courtroom and lots of people are talking about his asides that seem either folksy or foolish depending on your point of view. Either way, some of his antics have made it onto YouTube, and that?s probably not a good thing for him.

An interesting day of testimony, especially the non-revelation from Howard K. Stern that his romantic relationship with Anna was not exclusive. And Virgie got started telling interesting tidbits about Anna?s early life. More tomorrow.

This is a hearing that was supposed to last one day, maybe two, but the judge himself said today it could run until Friday. Meanwhile, a paternity hearing in the Bahamas is scheduled to happen on Thursday and meanwhile, as observers indelicately observe, the condition of the body is not improving.And back in Los Angeles, one designer has been commissioned to come up with the dress Anna Nicole will be buried in. Yesterday that designer put a picture of the deceased in the shop window as a loving tribute.A sad sign.

THE FAMILY THAT BURIES TOGETHER: The ANS parties could take a lesson from the children of James Brown and his lover Tomi Rae Hynie. They buried the rancor long enough to decide where to bury the Godfather of Soul.But they haven?t told us where yet, or when.We do like that Graceland-like plan.

A GOOD TRICK: Nicole Richie had a date in court set for tomorrow on her DUI case. That?s the one where she was spotted one December night (actually 1:45 in the morning) allegedly driving her Mercedes SUV the wrong way on the freeway.After reportedly smoking pot.But her attorney showed up today to enter a not guilty plea. Always a wise thing to do to handle unpleasant legal matters when the media radar is focused on bigger things. But that case may yet take another twist. We find it odd that a seemingly serious allegation like this could be a misdemeanor. And it may yet grow into a felony, depending on some other matters from Nicole?s past.

Got Hard News?

We?re scouring Hollywood for it. E-mail [email protected]

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Britney Spears Seemingly Responds To Justin Timberlake's Viral Apology Refusal: 'I'm Not Sorry'