ROLL CALL: Britney Makes Music, And Ryan Makes Nice With Simon

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans by Tommy Vergason

April 3rd, 2007

MORE THAN ‘TOXIC’ : Music producer Sean Garrett reportedly told PEOPLE on Saturday about his work with Britney Spears on tracks for her new album: “It’s really coming together right now. I know she’ll do exceptionally well now that she’s out of rehab.” He is quoted as saying that the sound “is like ‘Toxic’ times 10. It’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s really exciting. We did a lot of great work before her break.”

ALANIS’ LOVELY LADY LUMPS : Alanis Morissette is back with a new recording, and although it’s not an original song, it seems like it may as well be. Morissette has done a cover of “My Humps” by The Black-Eyed Peas, complete with a tongue-in-cheek music video, which is becoming an overnight online sensation. The stripped-down, melodic re-imagining of the dance hit is interesting, to say the least. You can watch the new video on YOUTUBE.

Image Credit: YouTube

MARCIA BRADY JOINS THE CLUB: Another celebrity is poised to make a comeback of sorts, as TV GUIDE interviews Maureen McCormick (Marcia from “The Brady Bunch”) about her upcoming stint as a contestant on VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club.” McCormick reportedly says of her “Fit Club” experience, “It went well beyond my expectations. It had the most amazing outcome, as I met my [weight-loss] goal and flew through it. I feel 20 again!”

SIX DEGREES OF CANCELLATION : Some TV networks are losing some weight, as VARIETY announces various show cancellations. According to the report, shows on the chopping block are FOX’s “The Wedding Bells,” ABC’s “Six Degrees,” and NBC’s “The Black Donnellys,” which is losing its Monday timeslot in favor of new reality show “Wedding Crashers.” VARIETY also confirms that The CW’s long-running series “7th Heaven” is officially coming to a close at the end of this season, after being granted a reprieve last year when it was announced as cancelled.

GOOD ACTING, AND GOOD-ACTING TOO! : Hilary Swank managed to get a traffic ticket cancelled before it was even written, according to a report by THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS’ RUSH & MOLLOY. The actress was allegedly pulled over for speeding on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, but the officer recognized her — not for being an actress, but for having seen her help an elderly woman with her groceries a few days earlier. He reportedly let her off the hook for “being a good samaritan.”

LOOK WHAT KISSING COURTENEY COX CAN GET YOU : Jennifer Aniston is being honored for her own good deeds, according to E! ONLINE’s MARC MALKIN. Malkin reports that Aniston is receiving the Vanguard Award at this year’s Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards on Apr. 14. The award honors an entertainer who has contributed to the issue of gay rights. Aniston’s rep reportedly tells Malkin, “She never expected this, but she’s very honored and very happy about it.”

‘IDOL’ THERAPY? : And finally, some cute remarks from Ryan Seacrest about his friendly yet contentious relationship with “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell. Seacrest reportedly tells PEOPLE, “We’re friends. We’re just extremely competitive on every level ? to the point that he doesn’t want a parking place any farther away than the one I have.” He is also quoted by THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS’ RUSH & MOLLOY as jokingly saying “I don’t resent anything Simon ever says. We’re getting along fine. We’re seeking therapy and individual deep-tissue massage to get through the season.”