Britney is her own best publicist

Britney Spears is responsible for the publication of the “personal” photos of her and her kids that have found their way into the pages of OK! Magazine for two weeks running. The photos, which are beautiful, were rumored to have been sold to the mag by photographer Dani Brubaker, but a source familiar with Spears’ negotiations says that is not true.

“That’s absolutely made up, there is no lawsuit,” said the source. “In fact, Britney loves all of this. Look how gorgeous she looks.”

The source went on to say that this is at least one case where Spears should be given credit for playing the public well. “She’s a savvy fox. The week she loses her kids, these pictures that were taken months ago suddenly show up. It’s brilliant. She knew what was going to happen (with that custody hearing) and how she’d fight back.”

One person who is furious over the photos is Sam Lutfi, the most recent castoff from Spears’ island. “He’s been trying to sell pictures of Britney he took himself,” said one source who has fielded calls from Lutfi. “He’s furious that he’s been cut out of her life, which is why he calls and passes along ‘information’ every chance he gets.”

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Video: Scoop: Britney's early obit Most recently, Lutfi approached news outlets saying that Spears was not pregnant, despite photos of Spears perusing pregnancy tests at a Studio City, Calif., Rite Aid. “He doesn’t know if she’s pregnant. He hasn’t talked to her in ages. The only person who would know is Britney.”

Behind the Eddie Murphy split
Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds exchanged vows on New Year’s Day in Bora Bora , and the plan had been to make the symbolic union official in the coming days. Those plans have clearly been scrapped, but why?

Murphy and Edmonds told People, “While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends.”

A source close to the couple, however, said that any sort of friendship between the two can be ruled out.

Slideshow: Celebrity Sightings The source said a nasty argument having to do with Edmonds’ two sons who don’t get along with Murphy was the final straw. “Tracey’s kids hate Eddie,” said the source. “They had an argument that ended in Edmonds calling Eddie’s mom a b----.” 

Since the union wasn’t legal, there likely won’t be too much drama involved when it comes to untangling their relationship. Murphy and Edmonds began dating in the fall of 2006, and became engaged last July.

Simon Cowell’s copious cleavage
I wasn’t the only person who found Simon Cowell’s chest cleavage to be a bit much this first week of “American Idol.” Glamour.com’s Suze Yalof Schwartz was troubled as well, and she confronts the issue on her blog. Let your voice be heard — perhaps we can get this guy back in collared shirts sooner rather than later.

Box office predictions
The real question this week is: Katherine Heigl or a horror movie? The action-horror film “Cloverfield” opens this weekend against “27 Dresses,” with Izzie, I mean Katherine Heigl, starring. There’s also Katie Holmes’ new comedy, “Mad Money,” to consider, but I’m feeling good about going with “Cloverfield.” The two chick flicks will work against each other, allowing horror to prevail.