From today’s b, the paper

Where have all the bad celebs gone?
Britney Spears — she of the shaved head, toxic boyfriends and the serial wardrobe malfunctions — hasn’t embarrassed herself in months. Noted party girl Lindsay Lohan, who did two stints in rehab last year, is going around saying she is “different” and “happy now.”
Even Angelina Jolie, the queen of the modern-day celebrity soap opera, has nothing better to offer her fans than a breast-feeding photo and news that her 4-month-old twins are developing personalities.

Is it just us, or is America yawning?

Some will say big stories of the economic downturn and election have replaced celebrity news. But last week’s hoopla over the complete non-revelation that Jennifer Aniston didn’t appreciate Jolie’s rapturous public statements about falling for Pitt (while he was still married to Aniston), suggests the appetite for Hollywood gossip is undiminished.

The lull in celebrity news has been marked by bottom-of-the-barrel scoops (Nicole Richie’s baby’s nickname!), lackluster covers (Jenny McCarthy declares herself a really great mom—again!) and much speculation about Madonna and soon-to-be ex Guy Ritchie.

But gossip industry insiders have said the caliber of 21st Century celebrity news has also been a key factor in the genre’s success.

From Angelina alone, we had the movie-stars-in-love story line, the Team Aniston versus Team Jolie story line and the victory of Team Jolie. Then there was Pitt’s adoption of Maddox and Zahara, the birth of Shiloh and the adoption of Pax. Those who thought the story line had played itself out underestimated Jolie, who got pregnant again — with twins!

That development, with the dramatic downward spiral of Spears, the openness of the Nicole Kidman camp after her sudden separation from Tom Cruise and Cruise’s subsequent couch-jumping for Katie Holmes, made for a golden age of Hollywood gossip.

This dry spell could be the lull before the storm. George Clooney could get engaged tomorrow. Maybe to Paris Hilton. But barring that windfall, celebrity watchers are left to read “revelations” about the early days of the Jolie-Pitt romance and wonder, could this be the beginning of the end? {CHICAGO TRIBUNE}

Tyra surprises ‘Top Model’ contestant
Tyra Banks surprised Isis King, the Maryland native who was the first transgender contestant on “America’s Next Top Model,” with sex reassignment surgery on an episode of her talk show that airs today.

According to usmagazine.com King, born Darrell Walls, said, “This is not happening!” when the talk show host introduced her to a sex reassignment surgeon Dr. Marci Bowers. Bowers, who is paying for the surgery, has experienced the surgery herself.

King said, “I feel like I really was born in the wrong body, and it’s just the one thing that makes me feel uncomfortable.” {MARISSA RICHARDSON, B}

Jackson’s money woes continue
Representatives for the king of Bahrain’s son say he’s suing Michael Jackson for $7 million.

The Bell Pottinger Group says Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa has filed a breach-of-contract case against the singer at London’s Royal Courts of Justice.

A week ago Jackson gave up the title to his Neverland ranch in California.

In 2006, Jackson said he would put out a new album for Khalifa’s record label 2 Seas Records. Khalifa is arguing that the promised work was never delivered. {AP}

Theron’s new role with United Nations
Charlize Theron is the newest U.N. messenger of peace, turning her fame to ending violence against women around the globe.
Theron told reporters after being inducted into her new role by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that she was taking on her new responsibilities “very humbly, with a very excited heart.”

The South African native vowed to help send a strong message that violence against females was not acceptable, as part of her upcoming travels to assist Ban’s campaign “UNite to End Violence against Women,” which launched in February. {AP}

‘Lipstick Jungle’ still going?
Usmagazine.com reports that Brooke Shields says her NBC drama “Lipstick Jungle” hasn’t been cancelled, despite previous reports. “Our bosses are saying, ‘You’re not canceled, don’t worry. We’re just trying to figure out how to make this make sense,’” Shields said. She added that fans have already sent in tubes of lipstick to show support to NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker.

Kanye talks about recent arrest — on his blog
Kanye West wrote on his blog about how his recent arrest in England was blown out of proportion, Red Eye reports. He wrote that he was “encountered by a thirsty paparazzi” as he left a nightclub and put up his hand to stop the paparazzo from taking his photo. “It didn’t matter that I wasn’t charged or the fact that I hadn’t assaulted anyone. All that mattered was that I was arrested,” West wrote.

Daughtry rocks into a spot on ‘CSI: NY’
“American Idol” Season 5 fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry will guest star on the 100th episode of “CSI: NY” Wednesday night, according to Newsday.

Pam Anderson to make guest appearance on ‘Kath & Kim’
Foxnews.com reports Pamela Anderson will make a guest appearance on NBC’s “Kath & Kim,” which has been struggling in its ratings since its debut this season.

No Fall Out Boy or girl yet for Wentz and Simpson
Despite Internet rumors and not appearing with his band Fall Out Boy on “TRL’s” finale on Sunday, Pete Wentz says he and Ashlee Simpson aren’t parents just yet. According to usmagazine.com, Wentz phoned into the MTV show and assured fans that “nothing’s happened yet!” Wentz also mentioned that he and Simpson haven’t decided on a name for the baby, who is due any day.

{COMPILED BY MARISSA RICHARDSON, B}

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