And we begin, per usual, with the time-tested opener for Britney-related pieces: Oops! She did it again! Britney Spears is hooking up with the help. The ‘razzi snapped pictures of her sucking face (while sucking a cigarette) with music producer Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem. Rotem is working with Spears on her new album, and also worked with … wait for it … Kevin Federline, on Playing with Fire. Federline had Rotem as one of his top MySpace friends until Monday, when he was removed from the list.

This seems to be a pattern for Britney. When she and Justin Timberlake split, one billion years ago, it was widely assumed (although never confirmed by either party), that it was because she cheated on him with Wade Robson, who choreographed both her tour and *NSYNC’s. So maybe Brit just has a thing for men who work for both her and her previous dudes. Because, um, I’ve seen pics of this Rotem kid, and I can’t imagine she has a thing for his face. But whatevs.

Anyway, Rotem wasted no time in hitting up Hyde, now that he’s famous and all. TMZ has video. Rock on, Britney.

I think we all should fear Angelina Jolie just a little bit. Not in the way that cripples thought, but more like a “I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to nuts. My throat is constricting. This Apple Brown Betty has nuts in it doesn’t it?” sort of thing.

Well, she’s given me a little more reason not to mess with her in an interview with Vogue. Personal aside, why is she doing interviews with Vogue? Aren’t they part of the system? Have they adopted children I’m not aware of? Rant over.

Jolie initially denies that she has met Aniston, but she clarifies herself. “We’ve, like, passed each other and said ‘hi’ briefly, shook hands. But not a real sit-down-and-talk kind of meeting.” Will they have a proper meeting? “That would be her decision, and I would welcome it.”

Sigh. Now I have more questions. What exactly would a proper meeting entail? “Yeah, so anyway, Brad and I are traveling the globe in search of new children we can both take care of. He said life with you was hell. We done here?”

I mean this is a chick who has sported a vial of blood around her neck. I don’t think Jen is looking to grab a quick mochachino. Hell, I’m shocked she even survived the hand shake.

I’ve heard this rumor before but this is the first time someone has dared publish it online so now I’m officially concerned. The rumor is this: Matt Damon as Captain Kirk in a movie. Yikes. Matt, I pray it was just insider courtesy talk when you said:

“I heard that [rumor]. I think J.J. Abrams or somebody said that at press junket or something, and it got picked up… If the script was good, I’d do it.”

Now Matt is a fine actor, and I like the majority of films he’s been in. But you can’t go down the Captain Kirk path man. You’ll never make it back. Think of how many other movie roles Shatner has landed. Keep thinking. Okay stop, because there aren’t any. This Kirk think is bigger than us all Matt, it will eat you alive. Gone will be the cherry dramatic roles you so love, replaced with oddball camp crapola.

Come back to the light Matt. Don’t go to any galaxies that are far far away.

Fine, if you must appear in Star Trek than at least be Spock. Nimoy was hot as hell.

TMZ has obtained the audio from Nicole Richie’s DUI arrest early Monday morning. The 911 tape contains not one but two separate motorists calling in to report an SUV driving the wrong way on the Los Feliz on-ramp to the 134. Listen to it here.

Jennifer Aniston leaves an L.A. club through the back door with none other than Kevin Federline. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! [Celebitchy]

Sharon Stone outrages and offends the population of Norway. “Now you know how we feel,” says the population of America. [Perez Hilton]

Pam Anderson got naked in front of a camera, because that’s how she spends her time when she’s not getting married impulsively. [Agent Bedhead]

Since her 2003 arrest for heroin possession, Nicole Richie has apparently lost an inch of height and five pounds. Also, she’s black now. [Mollygood]

Queen Latifah and her girlfriend, trainer Jeanette Jenkins, are reportedly jogging towards splitsville. But, hey, at least she’s jogging. [Bossip]

Paris and Nicky Hilton having an ass-slappin’ good time in the back of a limo. [Egotastic]

My brilliant, beautiful, amazing friend Desirae, who has graciously lent me her laptop for the week since mine decided to have a complete crisis of self (and CPU) smack in the middle of finals week. THANK YOU DESIRAE! I LOVE YOU!

Very close runners-up are Evil T and Spiteful Lars, who have been keeping this thing going smoothly while I have been computer-deficient. Even when my computer is running too slowly for me to post, it perks up my day and makes me laugh out loud (in a good way) to read what they’ve posted. I LOVE YOU GUYS TOO!!!

We should be back to normal around here in the next couple of days. Thank you all for reading. Mwah!

-The Beet