Count on more sick days for Britney Spears

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Britney Spears called in sick to her court-ordered deposition Dec. 12, and according to her friends, we can expect her so-called illness to rear its ugly head again — relapses that will happen to coincide with future court dates.

“Britney feels like this is a perfectly acceptable thing to do,” said a source close to Spears. “She did feel sick, but more than anything, she felt like she didn’t have to do something just because she was told.” 

Would Britney really risk losing her kids rather than face questions about her parenting? The answer is complicated. “She would do anything for those babies,” one former employee was quick to point out. “But she really doesn’t believe that she’s going to lose them. She’s not connecting the dots.”

This isn’t the first time that Spears’ cooperation with the courts has been called into question. Kevin Federline’s attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, complained in court last month that she was routinely ducking court-ordered drug tests, often failing to pick up her telephone or respond promptly when called to the laboratory. After that hearing, the court ordered her to provide a reliable telephone number.

“There was a time that Kevin didn’t even have Britney’s cell number,” said one of Spears’ former employees. “Does it seem like a surprise that the court doesn’t have a good number?” Touché.

Mary-Kate Olsen’s new beau
In November, Ashley Olsen made headlines for allegedly hooking up with Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong. Now her sister Mary-Kate is making headlines, albeit with a much less controversial man.

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In Touch Weekly is reporting that MK is cozying up to “Brothers & Sisters” cutie Dave Annable. Mary-Kate and Annable were first spotted at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Dec. 4, having dinner with a group of friends that included Nicole Richie and DJ Samantha Ronson.

“They drank beer and left together,” a fellow diner told the magazine. By the next night, the new couple shared a private table at Teddy’s at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood and were seen making out.

“They were all over each other,” said an onlooker. A rep for the actress does deny that the two are dating. Annable had been dating co-star Emily VanCamp, 21, since April, but he was recently overheard saying they’d split.

Johnny Depp to play Pee-wee Herman?
It’s hard to know what to think about the latest rumor surrounding the film version of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.” Although IMDb lists the “real” Pee-wee Herman, Paul Reubens, as the star of this film, there is word out that Johnny Depp will play Pee-wee. How could this be possible? Although there’s no solid confirmation, Depp’s friend and steady colleague Tim Burton agreed to direct if Depp signed on first. Stay tuned.

‘Knight Rider’ is back
Wondering what you’ll do with your February if there are no new TV shows to watch? Well, one night is taken care of. NBC announced that “Knight Rider” will return Feb. 17 as a two-hour movie event. Among the stars of the film: David Hasselhoff will reprise his role as Michael Knight, and Will Arnett of “30 Rock” will be the voice of Kitt.

(MSNBC is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

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