Is the future brighter for Brit?
After nearly a month of seclusion in a luxurious rehabilitation center, Britney Spears has moved on.
The pop star checked out of Promises Malibu Alcohol and Drug Rehab Treatment Facility on Tuesday “after successfully completing their program,” her manager said.
Spears, 25, entered the facility Feb. 22 after a bout of bizarre behavior that included shaving her head, getting tiny lips tattooed on her wrist and beating a car with an umbrella.
Her activities have been steady fodder for weekly magazines and entertainment Web sites since she filed for divorce from aspiring rapper Kevin Federline in November.
Under a temporary agreement, the two have joint custody of their sons, Jayden James, 6 months, and Sean Preston, 18 months. Federline and the children reportedly visited Spears during her treatment.
Federline celebrated his 29th birthday Wednesday. His publicist declined to say whether he would be seeing Spears.
Flying the peaceful skies
Angelina Jolie and her newly adopted 3-year-old son left Vietnam for the U.S. on Wednesday in a private jet.
The superstar adopted Pax Thien Jolie – whose combined Latin-Vietnamese name translates to “peaceful sky” – last week.
Jolie left a pack of disappointed paparazzi in her wake, fleeing from them before boarding a waiting Gulfstream jet.
Where the heart patient is
Kelly Ripa says Regis Philbin, her co-host on “Live With Regis and Kelly,” is back home after having heart bypass surgery last week.
Ripa revealed on Wednesday’s show that Philbin, 75, had been released from the hospital two days ago, adding: “We were sworn to secrecy, I don’t know why,”
She said Philbin might call the daytime talk show Friday to give an update on his recovery.
You are correct, master!
David Letterman was back on the air Wednesday night – sort of – after a stomach bug kept him off Tuesday’s “Late Show.”
Wednesday’s show was taped in advance, and reruns are airing tonight and Friday.
Adam Sandler, a scheduled guest on Tuesday night, ended up filling in as host – with the help of his bulldog, Matzoball, who strutted confidently on stage and plopped down comfortably in the guest chair.
He was “kinda like the Ed McMahon of the show,” Sandler said.
Jolly good, old bean
Sir Paul McCartney was introduced Wednesday as the first artist signed to Starbucks’ new record label.
The former Beatle made an appearance via a video feed from London at the coffee company’s annual meeting in Seattle.
Starbucks announced earlier this month that it was partnering with Concord Music Group to launch the Hear Music label.
The birthday bunch
Actor Karl Malden is 95. Mime Marcel Marceau is 84. Composer Stephen Sondheim is 77. Actor William Shatner is 76. News anchor Wolf Blitzer is 59. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 59. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 55. Singer-actress Stephanie Mills is 50. Actor Matthew Modine is 48. Actress Reese Witherspoon is 31.