Talk about a clash of the titans - it's being reported that label execs are planning to pit Britney Spears' latest album against Whitney Houston's later this year!

The Sun reveals that, after bowling her label over with demos of her newest material, plans are in the works to release Brit's as-yet-untitled follow-up to Blackout during the crucial Christmas shopping season - in direct competition to Whitney's forthcoming LP.

"Britney has been on fire in the studio of late," one label spy told the paper. "She is determined to make a triumphant comeback. Top brass have been amazed by the quality of tracks they've heard."

Of course, Britney's been working on more than just her music - she's also been getting her style right, too!

Her aunt Chanda McGovern spoke to the Sun about Britney's transformation to the Sun, commenting that the whole Spears family is "very proud of her now" and opining that Britney's troubles came from the pop princess being "very headstrong" and resistant to guidance.

"I hope she'll never walk down that path again," McGovern said. "I think she's got a bright future."

Looks like Britney's label bosses agree!

But Whitney's not going down without a fight - in fact, not only will her album feature songs written by R. Kelly, Will.I.Am, and John Legend, but she's gearing up to release a collaboration with Akon as a single to get her fans pumped!

Either way, this Christmas is shaping up to be one heck of a showdown - who do you want to see win?

Everyone knows Justin Timberlake's got game - but now he's got a game show, too!

According to the Hollywood Reporter, MTV has given the green light to The Phone, a hybrid reality/game show to be executive produced by Timberlake.

The Phone pits challengers against each other as they try to accomplish a mission in a strict timeframe. One of the producers promises that the show will be like a "real life Bourne Identity - not just in the tone and creative, but also in terms of the visual style and pacing. Each week will be an action packed mini-movie."

Needless to say, we're pumped - after all, nobody puts on a show like Justin!

Javier Bardem can relax - it's just longtime friend and collaborator, Pedro Almodovar, who's directing Penelope in his next film, Broken Embraces!

I love me some Almodovar (especially films like Talk to Her and All About My Mother), but isn't it time he gave Penelope a rest and let someone else do some acting?

I know she got nominated for an Oscar and all, but is she even all that good?

Move over, Rihanna!

The chart-topping singer emerged from her dinner date with her new hubby Nick Cannon after last night's big Time 100 party at 2 AM only to find herself in the middle of a rainstorm. Luckily, Nick was there to shield her from the rain with an umbrella while someone brought the pop starlet a brolly of her own - what a gentleman!

Our photographers also report that, with rain continuing to fall even today, Mimi hasn't been seen since - she and Nick are still holed up at her place. Could she just be enjoying a little alone-time with her new husband? Or might Mimi be laying low to dodge everyone's questions?

These pix of Brad Pitt from the set of his new film, Burn After Reading, are the most unsexy photos of Pitt I've ever seen, but even with a Vanilla-Ice flat top, he's still hot!

The Coen brothers' movie is about two gym employees who find a CIA agent's memoirs on a disk and try to sell it -- and it reunites Pitt and Clooney! -- sign me up!!!

Bad news for Lindsay Lohan - Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that Linds has been dropped from the upcoming film The Manson Girls. Production was slated to start in early July in Los Angeles, and Linds was rumored to be playing Nancy Pitman, a surfer girl who becomes intrigued with Charles Manson, but sources are reporting that producers couldn't get any actors or actresses to co-star with the 21 year old actress.

Lindsay's father Michael told X17online exclusively that he was upset about her signing on to the indie film because she had agreed to do it for only $75,000!!!! Don't forget that Reese Witherspoon is making $15 - 20 MILLION a picture -- Lindsay's lowered herself to less than $100,000???!!!!!

While dining on Robertson, Phoebe Price graciously took time out of her lunch to tell photographers that the Enquirer's claim that she has cellulite is "a complete and utter lie!"

Despite the fact that the mag featured X17's photos of the star in a bikini, where the evidence of her cellulite is pretty irrefutable, Phoebs said she "just had to laugh" when she saw the false representation of her cottage cheese.

Then, of course, she just had to pose with the offending pix.

You tell us - do the pictures lie?

Jessica Simpson may be keeping mum on her own wedding rumors, but one thing she's not shy about is bragging that she'll be standing up next to her sister on Ashlee's big day!

People mag reports that when asked if she'll be her engaged younger sister's maid of honor, the singer/actress replied "of course!"

Think Ashlee will do the same for Jess if she and Tony Romo get hitched? Or will she be too big to waddle down the aisle by then?

Last time we saw Mary-Kate Olsen, she was hoppin' mad - but it looks like she eventually regained her composure!

In fact, when we spotted the starlet over at the MGM building yesterday, we were stunned to see her laughing and making goofy faces with a friend before heading over to the Chateau Marmont. We were honestly a little befuddled at the sight - until we saw Mary-Kate's twin sister Ashley arriving to join the party for lunch. After all, seeing your sister's always a great reason to smile!

Star is reporting that Britney has been dialing her ex for "weekly steamy phone sex sessions" late at night!

Oh pulllleeaaase!

Apparently it all started one sleepless night for Brit - when she dialed up K-Fed's house and the former Mr. and Mrs. Federline started chatting about the boys...however, the conversation soon switched from G Rated to X Rated, with Kevin supplying the dirty talk that he knew would lull Brit to sleep(?)!

Talk about a bedtime story!

An "insider" tells the mag that the pair's been engaging in phone sex ever since - "at least once a week. The one thing those two have in common is their need for sex, and after they get going, there are no holds barred."

Hmmm...I dunno about you, but this story seems all wet to me!

Since she started dating Benji Madden, it seems like Paris Hilton has been appropriating Benji's psuedo-punk-rock style, ya know, dressing head-to-toe in his DCMA line - sooo not her!

But we're absolutely loving this skin-tight, curve hugging corset top and pencil skirt that Paris sported, with Benji, in NYC - Are you?

Lindsay Lohan's been unhappy to see the paps before - but we can't remember the last time she flipped out like this!

We spotted Lindsay out at Goa and ambled over to preserve the moment. When we got over to her car, however, Lindsay went ballistic, hiding underneath her hat and screaming for security. Ultimately, she ended up bolting into the club as the doorman chastised the paps - yikes!

What gives, Lindsay? You've seemed so happy lately - we certainly hope nothing's wrong!