Britney blames media for backlash

If photos of your uncovered vagina show up all over the Internet--on repeated occasions--it's definitely the media's fault. That's the word from Britney Spears, or at least her publicist. The pop star posted a new letter to fans on her Web site today, thanking her fans for sticking by her, promising a spirited return to form, and blaming the media for the recent backlash against her post-Federline partying. "The last couple of years have been quite a ride for me, the media has criticized my every move and printed a skewed perception of who I really am as a human being," she wrote. "Behind every decision I have made in my public life there always seems to be an apparent contradiction. I have come to terms with that which is why I usually don't pay much attention to it."

"I noticed today that one of my biggest fansites is shutting down soon and I want you all to know that I do understand all the reasons that went behind making that decision, and I am sad to see it closing," she continued. "If I were you I'd be unhappy too if I had to read what I've been reading every day. But trust me, I get it. I know I've been far from perfect and the media has had a lot of fun exaggerating my every move, but I want you all to know that I love my fans so much, and I appreciate everything you have done for me, so Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"

Spears went on to say that she is hard at work on her new album and can't wait to take it on tour. "I look forward to coming back this year bigger and better than ever, and to also reaching out to my fans on a more personal level," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Spears manager Larry Rudolph has been busy denying rumors that Jive Records is unhappy with the new music that has been recorded so far and that Spears has entered a rehabilitation facility in Arizona.

Snoop Dogg sued over football reality show

Snoop Dogg is in the middle of a legal tussle over the rights to make a reality show about his youth football league and the annual "Snooperbowl." New York-based Natural Resources Media and Technology Group has filed a suit against the Snoop Dogg Football League Foundation over an alleged deal made for a series chronicling his involvement. According to Reuters, Natural Resources bought exclusive Pay-Per-View, cable, and home video rights for the project in exchange for $100,000 production costs last June. The reality show would have followed the run-up to the annual "Snooperbowl," the championship for Snoop's 9- to 12-year-olds that coincides with the NFL's Super Bowl.

But when Fox learned of the production, they informed all parties that the deal violated their exclusive rights to portray Snoop in any motion picture or television production based on the star's involvement with his son's football teams and leagues. The studio is already developing scripts for a film project Coach Snoop, saying it has "already made a huge investment in our project and if you continue to move forward with your television project in violation of Fox's rights, it will severely impact the viability of our theatrical motion picture." Natural Resources halted production but claims that Snoop is in breach of their contract. They are seeking $250,000 damages.

But the real question is: What does Snoop Dogg's pee-wee football league have to do with natural resources?

Dita Von Teese to divorce Marilyn Manson

The marriage between burlesque dancer and Playboy model Dita Von Teese and shock rocker Marilyn Manson is over after just one year. The New York Post's Page Six reports that Von Teese filed for divorce this week citing "irreconcilable differences." The paper quoted a source as saying that Von Teese couldn't handle Manson's heavy boozing and his "his demons and unresponsive behavior. She tried to tell him she was divorcing him, but she can't even get him on the phone. She's moved out of the house and he hasn't even noticed." Manson, born Brian Hugh Warner, is currently recording a new album in Los Angeles. Manson and Von Teese tied the knot in December 2005 after a seven-year courtship. The goth-style ceremony was held in an ancient castle in Tipperary, Ireland, with cult film director Alejandro Jodorowsky officiating.

Lily Allen gets her dog back

Rest easy friends. UK darling Lily Allen, she of the one-legged running man fame, has had her missing dog Maggie May returned to her. The ska pop singer had posted on her MySpace earlier this week that Maggie May had been stolen from the back of a van belonging to a friend that was watching the dog while she was vacationing in Jamaica. In a post today, she lashed out at rumors that she had mistreated the dog and said she had been stolen by people who traffic in dog breeding.

Allen said she was contacted by a man who was interested in the reward for the dog. "Some friends went to meet him a couple of hours later to see if it was Maggie," she wrote. "Luckily it was...so they handed over the money and got Maggie back. Once Maggie had been handed over the young men and woman offered to sell more puppies to my friends, which made us realize that these people were obviously in the business of moving dogs. Now I feel guilty for having given these people money and contributing to their cruel business but I love that dog and felt I had no choice." Allen also wrote that rumors that she had mistreated the dog were hurtful, and the dog had been cared for prior to being stolen. "The fact that she was very thin, makes me think she was mistreated and the fact she was infested with fleas implies she was kept with other (maybe stolen) animals."

Tyrese accused of punching pregnant girlfriend

Los Angeles police are investigating R&B singer Tyrese Gibson on accusations that he punched his pregnant girlfriend twice yesterday. Police told the Associated Press that Gibson, 28, was involved in an early morning domestic dispute with his live-in girlfriend, who is three months pregnant. Her name was not released by authorities. After the woman said Gibson hit her in the leg and arm, he drove away from the scene, police said. The woman was taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital and released, but showed no signs of visible injuries. Police said the case is currently being investigated, but there has been no warrant issued for Gibson's arrest. Representatives for Gibson had no comment.

Anastasio pleads not guilty to drug charges

Trey Anastasio made a surprise appearance in an upstate New York court this week and pleaded not guilty to a drug possession charge that a prosecutor said could be bumped up to a felony. The 42-year-old former Phish front man didn't speak to reporters after his brief arraignment on misdemeanor charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs. Anastasio was pulled over by Whitehall police who spotted his car weaving across a rural road early on the morning of December 15. Police said they found quantities of prescription painkillers and an antianxiety drug that hadn't been prescribed for him.

Washington County District Attorney Kevin Kortright said the quantity of pills could lead to a felony drug possession charge and, depending on discussions with Anastasio's lawyers, the case may go to a grand jury.

Anastasio wasn't scheduled for arraignment until January 10, but he showed up in court unannounced Wednesday. Anastasio is due back in court on February 14. After his arrest, Anastasio issued a written statement that he felt "terrible about what happened last night, and I am deeply sorry for any embarrassment I have caused my friends, family and fans."